Abstract: A metallic layer is provided on the surface of a ceramic body. A junction layer is provided on the metallic layer. The junction layer contains 40.about.98 wt % Cu and 2.about.20 wt % Ni. A conductive member is bonded to the metallic layer via the junction layer.

Abstract: An image fixing roller includes an exothermic phase transition layer which performs a plurality of phase transitions repeatedly from an amorphous state to a crystalline state. The exothermic phase transition layer may include a plurality of exothermic phase transition materials, or a plurality of exothermic phase transition component layers, each of which exothermic phase transition material or component layer has a different crystallization initiation temperature (Tci), a different exothermic peak temperature (Tcp) and a melting point temperature which is higher than that of a toner fixing temperature. An image fixing apparatus using the above-mentioned image fixing roller and a method of fixing toner images on an image receiving material, using the image fixing roller are proposed.

Abstract: A welding collar contains a collar body of fusible plastic and a heater coil, disposed in its inside surface, which is spaced apart from a free collar end by a front zone. This welding collar is improved in that pipelines with ends which are not precisely cylindrical, and especially pipelines made from material in rolls, can be welded in a problem-free and reliable manner. The sum of the length of the front zone and the axial length of an inner zone adjoining the heater coil, with which the inserted pipe comes in contact, is at least approximately equal to the length of the heater coil. The insertion depth is greater by at least a factor of 1.4 than the inside diameter of the collar body.

Abstract: A cabinet, sized to accommodate a compressed gas cylinder, includes a heater which maintains the contents of the cylinder within a desired temperature range. By heating the air surrounding the cylinder, the heater heats not only the cylinder but also its valve and regulator. Vent holes, placed near the top and bottom of the cabinet, provide continuous air flow, preventing possible accumulation of flammable gas in the cabinet in the event of a cylinder leak. The invention is especially useful in maintaining a calibration gas at a temperature which insures the stability of the components of the gas. The invention can also be used in any situation in which it is necessary to heat a compressed gas cylinder.

Abstract: In a piston-type compressor, especially for generating compressed air in motor vehicles, there is a suction plate on the underside of a valve support, clamped between the cylinder and cylinder head, facing the compressor piston. The suction plate consists of an active and an inactive section. The active section, preferably consisting of a tongue-shaped active plate fitted in the center, operates in relation to suction apertures in the valve support while the inactive section of the suction plate has at least one delivery aperture in active connection with at least one delivery aperture in the valve support. The suction plate takes the form of a disc, thus virtually eliminating waste space. The suction plate can be fitted between the cylinder and the valve support without additional components; when used in an energy-saving system, the suction plate can be rotated to produce differing degrees of overlap between suction and delivery apertures.

Abstract: A ceramic heating element includes a heat-generating portion 1 formed of a ceramic composite material with 3 to 40 vol. % of silicon carbide (SiC) whiskers and the balance substantially of molybdenum disilicide (MoSi.sub.2), and electrode portions 2a and 2b provided on both ends of the heat-generating portion 1.

Abstract: An electrical heater for heating an object having a generally cylindrical outer surface has a helicoidal coil having a plurality of turns centered on an axis and inner and outer ends and adapted to fit around the object in contact with the outer surface thereof. A source of electricity is connected to the inner end for supplying electricity thereto and thereby heating the coil. An anchor fixed on one of the turns adjacent the outer end is connected to an element extending to the anchor for drawing the outer end and anchor together and thereby reducing an inside diameter of at least an outer turn of the coil and tightening the outer turn around the object around which the coil is fitted.

Abstract: In a method and a cooking machine for continuously heat treating a food product the heat transfer to the food product is accomplished on a conveyor (5) in a processing chamber (2) from above by means of convection from a heat transfer medium and from below by means of heating means (8) heating the underside of the food product. The heat transfer from below is accomplished by direct contact of the underside of the food product (6) with the conveyor (5), the conveyor being a continuous flat non-perforated belt comprising a plastic material.

Abstract: A food thermalization device is provided, which permits the food to be thermalized and held for extended periods of time without causing the food to deteriorate. The device includes an electrically-resistance-heated plate, which is controlled to equilibrate at a set temperature in the range of 160.degree. F. to 185.degree. F., with a fluctuation not exceeding plus or minus 5.degree. F. The plate draws much less power than other food cooking devices and occupies much less space for the amount of food it can prepare. A browning oven is also provided for exposing unwrapped food to very high temperature radiation for a short period of time to brown the food.

Abstract: A tunnel oven contains a plurality of transversely extending radiant heating elements 17, 18 arranged at intervals along the length of the oven 1, the oven 1 being provided with conveyor band 10 for transporting material to be heated through the oven radiant heating elements 17, 18 supplying thermal energy, a sensing tube 31, 32 which extends within the oven 1 over a part of the length of the oven 1 that contains at least two radiant heating elements 17 or 18 that are spaced from each other along the length of the oven 1, the sensing tube 31 or 32 being arranged to absorb radiation from the said at least two heating elements 17 or 18 with pump 34 for causing a liquid to flow through the sensing tube 31 or 32 at a controlled rate with thermocouple junctions 35, 36 for producing a signal that provides a measure of the temperature increase of the liquid resulting from its passage through the sensing tube 31, 32 within the oven, and control means 29, 30 and with processor 29 and valve controller 30 arranged to co