Abstract: A breathing assistance apparatus adapted to deliver humidified gases at a desired level of humidity to a patient including a humidifier and a heated conduit is disclosed. The humidifier includes a controller which controls the humidifier, or the humidifier and the heated conduit to deliver the gases to the patient at the required humidity or temperature, without the requirement for sensors in the gases stream. The controller uses information already available to the controller, without the requirement for additional information to be provided by sensors in the gases stream. This means the need for sensors in the gases stream is dispensed with. A significant benefit is achieved as sensors are not required in the conduit and thus the apparatus is simple and less bulky.

Abstract: A laser annealing apparatus used in a crystallization process of an amorphous silicon thin film. The laser annealing apparatus includes a laser beam generation unit generating a laser beam, an optical system dividing the laser beam into a plurality of linear laser beams and including a focusing lens focusing the linear laser beams and projecting the focused linear laser beam on a substrate to be processed, and a focusing lens adjustment device adjusting a perpendicular distance and a rotation angle of the focusing lens relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A apparatus and method of thermally treating a wafer or other substrate, such as rapid thermal processing (RTP). An array of radiant lamps directs radiation to the back side of a wafer to heat the wafer. The front side of the wafer on which the patterned integrated circuits are being formed faces a radiant reflector. The wafer is thermally monitored for temperature and reflectivity from the side of the reflector. When the lamps are above the wafer, an edge ring supports the wafer in its edge exclusion zone. Alternatively, a reactor includes upwardly directed lamps and a reflector above and facing the front side of the wafer.

Abstract: A manipulation system controllably moves a head relative to a surface of an inhabitable structure for irradiating the surface with energy waves from the head. The manipulation system includes a positioning mechanism coupled to the head. The positioning mechanism includes a first-axis position system adapted to move the head along a first direction substantially parallel to the surface. The positioning mechanism further includes a second-axis position system coupled to the first-axis position system and adapted to move the head along a second direction substantially parallel to the surface. The manipulation system further includes an anchoring mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism and releasably coupled to the structure.

Abstract: Methods for the fabrication of negative coefficient thermal expansion engineered elements, and particularly, wherein such elements provide for fillers possessing a low or even potentially zero coefficient thermal expansion and which are employable as fillers for polymers possessing high coefficients of thermal expansion. Further, disclosed are novel structures, which are obtained by the inventive methods.

Abstract: A revolving door deicer/dryer system including a floor grate having a bottom side and a heating system associated with the bottom side of the floor grate. The heating system includes at least one shaped plate and at least one heating element serpentinely routed on the at least one shaped plate.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of the electric heating element in a water tank. The system comprises a temperature sensor in the water tank connected to a main control unit. User preferences related to hot water supply are inputted via a friendly user interface and the main control unit controls the operation of the heating element in the water tank to supply hot water according to the user preferences with minimal energy consumption.

Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a laser welded steel pipe in which the status of laser welding is accurately assessed, and the assessment is used to modify welding conditions, so that laser welded steel pipes can be manufactured at a high yield rate and in a stable manner. Irradiation point(s) of laser beam(s), with which the longitudinal edges are irradiated from the side of the outer surface, are monitored from the side of the inner surface of an open pipe, and then conditions of welding with the laser beam(s) are assessed to be kept unchanged if any keyhole is found penetrating out of the inner surface of the open pipe, or modified if no keyhole is found penetrating out of the inner surface of the open pipe.

Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation includes a heater having an elongated ferromagnetic metal heater section. The heater is located in an opening in a formation. The heater section is configured to heat the hydrocarbon containing formation. The exposed ferromagnetic metal has a sulfidation rate that goes down with increasing temperature of the heater, when the heater is in a selected temperature range.

Abstract: A first laser beam is radiated to a first radiation position of a welding object while intersecting a wire, and a second laser beam is radiated to a second radiation position that is spaced a predetermined distance from a target position of the wire. Arc welding is performed between the wire and the welding object while radiating the first laser beam and the second laser beam such that the first radiation position, the second radiation position, and the target position are disposed on a welding line of the welding object. In this way, it is possible to prevent the generation of spatter and perform welding at a high rate, without increasing the size of a molten pool.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic panel, which may cover or receive at least one heating element, and may serve as a cook-top The panel is coated, in at least one region of a face, with a coating such that the total color difference delta E*, measured on the opposite face, between said coated region and an uncoated region, is less than about 1 and/or such that this coating has a luminance L* of greater than about 70. A process for manufacturing the panel and a cooking device comprising said panel.

Abstract: A fryer basket having at least one bottom panel that is normally retained in a closed relationship relative to side walls of the basket but which is released to pivot to an open position upon operation of a latching mechanism that is operable adjacent to a handgrip of a handle connected to the basket and wherein a blocking member carried by the at least one bottom panel prevents the latching mechanism from returning to its closed position until the at least one bottom panel is returned to its closed positioned after having been opened.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) provides flame-less heat utilizing electric heaters (90) receiving electricity from a generator (22) powered by an engine (20) of a self-contained trailer including a base (12) in the form of a fuel tank. An exhaust heat reclaimer (56) is located in an elevated portion (32) of a manifold (30) further including a vertical portion (42) in front of the engine (20). A centrifugal impeller (80) in a T interconnection draws air from the vertical portion (42) through a radiator (50) of the engine (20) and into first and second pressure blowers (76) which force air through the heaters (90) and transitions (92, 94) to exit ducts (96).

Abstract: A heating system is disclosed including a cabinet, at least one heating pad subassembly, and a plurality of couplings. The cabinet has walls defining an interior heating chamber. The heating pad subassembly is disposed on an exterior surface of the walls of the cabinet and includes a heating element and a plurality of openings formed there through. The plurality of couplings includes a plurality of coupling first portions disposed on the exterior surface of the walls and a plurality of coupling second portions coupled to the plurality of coupling first portions. At least a portion of the plurality of couplings extend through the plurality of openings in the heating pad subassembly, thereby coupling the heating pad subassembly to the cabinet.

Abstract: In an operating method for a hob having a plurality of heating elements, an operating action for a heating element, such as heating with an additional region on the cooktop or invoking a parboiling step, is selected in an initial step by providing input to a general input sensor element that is not associated with any specific heating element. In a subsequent step, the selected operating action is allocated or associated with a specific heating element by operating a cooking element specific sensor element, for example when setting the power level for that heating element. Therefore, sensor elements can be provided with an advantageous multiple-use effect for general operating actions. Furthermore, the operating sequence permits simple and convenient operation.

Abstract: A heater system for an electrical storage device, such as a high voltage traction battery, is connectable to an external AC power source maintain a proper temperature of the battery as long as the system remains connected to the external power source. The battery temperature can be maintained at a level that ensures that the vehicle will start even in extremely cold climates. The heater system includes a heater disposed within the battery itself. Other system components, such as an AC/DC converter and a control module, may be connected to the battery heater system outside of the battery, allowing the battery heater system to act as a modular component that can be easily included in or excluded from a vehicle as an option, either alone or in a package with an engine block heater. The battery heater system is designed so that it can be connected along with the engine block heater to the AC power source using a single common connector.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a system for improving depth of focus (DOF), wherein an optical lens for optical processing is actuated to vibrate whereby the DOF of the optical processing is increased due to the variation of focal point. In the embodiment of the present invention, an actuator is coupled to the optical lens for providing vibration energy wherein the optical lens is actuated by the vibration energy so as to vibrate on an optical axis thereof so as to increase the DOF during the optical processing, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of optical processing.

Abstract: A method for generating via-hole interconnections by laser ablation, wherein the layers to be removed and ablated from the substrate are essentially transparent to the laser radiation, but the laser light is absorbed in an underlying absorbing layer with a sufficiently high optical density at the laser wavelength.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical heater with a tubular housing and with a heating insert inserted in the housing. The heating insert includes at least one PTC thermistor. Herein, at least one concave indentation is formed in the housing, which is at least punctually in contact with a corresponding concave indentation of the heating insert. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such an electrical heater.

Abstract: A chuck for a plasma processor comprises a temperature-controlled base, a thermal insulator, a flat support, and a heater. The temperature-controlled base has a temperature below the desired temperature of a workpiece. The thermal insulator is disposed over the temperature-controlled base. The flat support holds a workpiece and is disposed over the thermal insulator. A heater is embedded within the flat support and/or disposed on an underside of the flat support. The heater includes a plurality of heating elements that heat a plurality of corresponding heating zones. The power supplied and/or temperature of each heating element is controlled independently.