Abstract: A furnace preheat system uses furnace off-gas to preheat material to be charged into the furnace. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, first and second angularly-spaced preheat vessels are mounted on a rotatable member which rotates them to a position over the furnace for charging the furnace and to a position for preheating the material in the preheat vessels. There is ductwork from the furnace to the first and second preheat vessels to selectively vent the off-gases to the first and second preheat vessels.

Abstract: A microwave-reflective device and method for enhancing microwave heating of food items. The microwave-reflective device comprises an upstanding, microwave-reflective wall. During cooking, the microwave-reflective device is maintained about the periphery of the food item, while the space inward and above the wall may be maintained free of obstructions to microwave radiation. A susceptor film may be employed beneath the food item during heating.

Abstract: Apparatus to float and melt particularly small pieces of high-melting point metal continuously while making the amount of meltable liquid metal greater than the capacity of a crucible. A conductive crucible having segments includes an upper cylindrical crucible portion and a lower closed-end crucible portion. An induction coil is arranged outside the upper crucible portion, whereas an induction coil is arranged below the induction coil. The lower crucible portion is in contact with the upper crucible portion and located on the inside of the induction coil at the initial melting stage. The lower crucible portion is lowered as a columnar metal grows and solidifies between molten metal and the lower crucible portion. A continuous feeder continuously feeds cold material. A molten metal surface thermometer and a molten metal surface level gauge are arranged above the crucible. The operation of the continuous feeder is regulated within a desired range of values of the molten metal surface thermometer.

Abstract: An induction furnace is disclosed comprising a crucible for holding a material to be heated by the furnace, an induction coil assembly, and a module-support assembly surrounding and radially supporting the induction coil assembly so as to facilitate the replacement and reconnection of the induction coil assembly. The induction coil assembly comprises an induction coil, an upper yoke, a lower yoke, and a plurality of intermediate yokes that are spaced apart from each other. The induction coil is wound around the crucible and defines the periphery of the induction furnace. The intermediate yokes are arranged to extend around substantially all of the periphery defined by the wound induction coil. The upper and lower yokes are electromagnetically coupled together by the plurality of intermediate yokes.

Abstract: A high performance capacitor fabricated from nano-structure multilayer materials, such as by controlled, reactive sputtering, and having very high energy-density, high specific energy and high voltage breakdown. The multilayer capacitors, for example, may be fabricated in a "notepad" configuration composed of 200-300 alternating layers of conductive and dielectric materials so as to have a thickness of 1 mm, width of 200 mm, and length of 300 mm, with terminals at each end of the layers suitable for brazing, thereby guaranteeing low contact resistance and high durability. The "notepad" capacitors may be stacked in single or multiple rows (series-parallel banks) to increase the voltage and energy density.

Abstract: A novel insert useful in a microwavable food container comprising a metallized layer of heat susceptor thickness or a plastic layer, having openings which are in a position to be adjacent to food in said container, a layer of absorbent material comprising fibers, and a substrate layer which is stable to microwave heating conditions. The invention also is directed towards other inserts useful in microwavable food containers comprising fibers which are capable of spontaneously transporting water or n-decane on the surface thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitor having a changeable dielectric capacity which has advantages in changing the dielectric capacity and increasing the maximum dielectric capacity. The capacitor having a changeable dielectric capacity comprises ceramic main body part 1 in which a first and second internal electrodes 2a and 2b are formed. Four terminal electrodes 3 are formed apart on a face of the ceramic main body part 1. A common terminal electrode 4 is formed on the ceramic main body part 1 so that it connects with the internal electrodes 2a and 2b. To these terminal electrodes 3 and 4 are connected their respective lead wires 5 for wiring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out scaleless inductive heating of ferrous parts comprising (i) using an integrated manifold-inductor quenchant device, and while gradually flowing a diluted combustible gas into the spacing between the inductor and part surface to be heated, inductively heating such surface as part of a heat treating cycle; and (ii) concurrently stopping such flow and injecting a fluid quenchant through the spacing to rapidly lower the temperature of the part surface to complete the heat treating cycle. Advantageously such method may further comprise flushing the spacing between the inductor and heated part surface, and then repeating the steps of the prior method to treat more parts with the same inductor.

Abstract: An electrically heatable windshield with a hidden bus bar configuration. A border of opaque ceramic material, preferably a lead borosilicate enamel, is bonded to an interior surface of the transparency about its periphery. Opposing electroconductive bus bars, preferably a low frit content silver-containing ceramic material, are bonded to the ceramic material so that the entire inner edge of the bus bar overlays a portion of the ceramic material and is spaced from the inner edge of the border, providing an intermediate portion of the border between the bus bars and transparency surface that is not covered by the bus bars. An electro-conductive coating is applied to the transparency to interconnect the bus bars and covers to the inner surface of the transparency, the bus bars and the intermediate portion of the ceramic material border so that electric current flowing between the bus bars must flow through the portion of the coating that covers the intermediate portion of the border.

Abstract: A jaw-like cylindrical tool for producing a strong electromagnetic field for causing a Curie point heater to be energized having a curved cross-section that brings the two edges of the jaw-like structure into contact. Closely spaced conductors lie along the inner surface of the structure transverse to its axis while widely spaced conductors lie transverse to said axis along the outer surface of the structure. The inner surface of the structure has a plurality of axially extending ferrite rods lying immediately adjacent the inner surface conductors. The inner and outer surface conductors are connected so that the currents flow in opposite directions, the outer conductors reducing electromagnetic radiation while the ferrites and inner conductor spacing produce a strong central magnetic field irrespective of the field created by the opposing field produced by the outer conductors.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor is constructed by a capacitor element body, a metal rod extended through the central part of the element body, an anode member, and an insulating layer placed between the flange part of the anode member and the element body. The capacitor element body consists of a chip-like porous solid formed by shaping and sintering rectifying metal particles, the porous solid having a dielectric layer and a solid electrolytic layer both being formed thereon. The anode member includes a protruded part and a flange part, the end face of the protruded part being brought into contact and connected with one of the end faces of the metal rod. A method of manufacturing solid electrolytic capacitors thus constructed is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polygonal capacitor including a polygonal capacitor case having an engaging portion at an inner surface thereof; a capacitor element accommodated in the polygonal capacitor case; a plurality of terminals respectively connected to a plurality of electrodes of the capacitor element through a base portion of each terminal; an insulating terminal base to which the terminals are fixed; and a resin filled in the polygonal capacitor case. An engaging member formed at the insulating terminal base is in pressure contact with the engaging portion of the polygonal capacitor case.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite is made by roll consolidating a sandwich formed from alternating layers of a matrix metal, a brazing alloy, and reinforcing fiber at elevated temperature and pressure. If made in a process using mandrels to impart the pressure and heat, such as a process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,562, the metal matrix composite is kept separate from the mandrels by using a release agent or stop-off such as a layer of boron nitride between the mandrel and layup.

Abstract: An induction furnace for heating a portion of an optical preform in order to draw an optical fiber therefrom. The furnace includes a tubular susceptor which is disposed centrally within a housing. The electromagnetic field from a high frequency coil surrounding the susceptor is coupled to the susceptor to heat and reflow a portion of the preform. A cellular refractory tubular insulator is located between the coil and the susceptor.

Abstract: The furnace includes a vessel closed by a floating roof, and a sealing means mechanism between the roof and the vessel. The sealing mechanism includes two joint surfaces, one of which is arranged on the peripheral edge portion of the roof whereas the other is arranged on the peripheral edge portion of the vessel. The first surface is substantially toric and the second surface substantially frustoconical. The joint surfaces permit the centering of the roof relative to the axis of the vessel. The peripheral edge portion of the vessel is provided with a coping element on which one of the joint surfaces is arranged.

Abstract: In a method of producing metal melts, in particular a steel melt from scrap, in an electric arc furnace having at least one graphite electrode, organic substances are charged into the electric arc through a central longitudinal recess of the graphite electrode so as to reduce electrode consumption.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor is provided which comprises a capacitor element including a chip and an anode wire projecting from the chip, an anode lead electrically connected to the anode wire, a cathode lead electrically connected to the chip, and a resin package enclosing the capacitor element together with part of the anode and cathode leads. The resin package has a first end face from which the cathode lead projects out, and a second end face located adjacent to the anode lead. Each of the anode and cathode leads is bent outside the package toward the underside thereof. The resin package includes a larger width portion adjacent to the first end face and a smaller width portion adjacent to the second end face. The anode lead extends transversely of the anode wire and projects laterally from the smaller width portion.

Abstract: A heat distributing device which includes a concentrated heat source and a stack of metal foils wherein the heat source is encapsulated between two of the layers of metal foil. The heat source can be a resistance heated wire which extends linearly and has a free end spaced inwardly from an end of the stack. The outer edge of the stack can be open or sealed. The stack can include metal wool and/or insulating material between layers of the metal foil. The heat distributing device can be used to provide uniform heating across an outermost layer of the metal foil. For instance, the heat distributing device can be used to heat a side-view mirror of an automobile.

Abstract: A capacitance humidity sensor according to the invention has a film core which is in contact with a pair of conductive layers bonded to opposite faces of the core. The core is made of a polyimide having a dielectric constant which varies substantially linearly with humidity and which includes at least one ether linkage in the dianhydride portion thereof. The polyimide may also include at least one ether linkage in the diamine portion thereof and/or at least one fluorine atom in the diamine, dianhydride or both the diamine and dianhydride portions thereof.

Abstract: A reactor for incinerating and melting materials such as waste and/or toxic materials has a containment housing inside of which an upright, open-ended drum is rotatably mounted. The drum is lined with refractory, forms a central discharge opening for the removal of incinerated and melted materials, and has an upright, outer wall. Incineration heat is supplied by a plasma torch which is mounted to the containment housing and extends into the drum. A steel throat ring concentric with the discharge opening is connected with the exterior of the drum; e.g. an outer drum wall, by grounding arms which extend non-radially; e.g. tangentially from a periphery of the throat ring to the inside surface of the drum wall, so that electric discharge from the torch to the upwardly oriented surfaces of the throat ring and the grounding arms is possible.