Abstract: A soldering iron with a removable tip, including: a soldering iron, including: a shaft; a ferrite bobbin disposed on the shaft; a magnetic coil wrapped around the ferrite bobbin; and a removable tip with a heater element disposed thereon, wherein the heater element is dimensioned to be received around the magnetic coil when the removable tip is placed onto the soldering iron.

Abstract: A controller adapted to control the temperature of a heating elements with a wide range of positive temperature coefficient of resistance, including very low values, using a sensor in line with the heating element. The controller is able to take account of non-constant mains power supplies and variation in the element resistance over time.

Abstract: A jerk-initiated switch includes a housing having an inner housing wall which defines an accommodation chamber therein. First and second terminals are disposed to define a switching action enabling path of a straight length that crosses the accommodation chamber. A ball member and a momentum reducing member are disposed in the accommodation chamber. When the housing is jerked, the ball member is displaceable from a first position, where the ball member is disposed to interrupt the switching action enabling path to establish a first electric switching state, to a second position, where the ball member is disposed outside the switching action enabling path to establish a second electric switching state. The momentum reducing member is configured to yield under impact from the ball member to reduce the momentum of the ball member when the ball member is displaced from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle door outer handle system includes: an operating handle formed from a handle main body and a cover covering the outer side of the handle main body; a pair of electrodes; and a circuit board on which a detection circuit is provided for detecting a change in capacitance between the electrodes; the electrodes and the circuit board being housed within the operating handle. The electrodes are patterned on the circuit board, and a ground pattern connected to the detection circuit is formed so as to be disposed at a position offset from the electrodes if viewed through the circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image heating apparatus, such as a heating fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image formed on plane paper. By making the width of a heat collecting plate of a thermoprotector for suppressing an excessive temperature rise of a heater provided in the apparatus, a failure in an image is suppressed irrespective of variations in the mounting position of the thermoprotector.

Abstract: A heat plate for fixation comprising: a metallic base plate; and a heating resistor arranged on a reverse face of the metallic base plate, the heating resistor being formed by laminating, at least, an electric insulating layer and heating resistor layer in this order on the metallic base plate, wherein the heat plate is capable of raising the temperature of the metallic base plate to a fixing temperature when the heating resistor layer is energized and heated. A semicircular heating member for fixation comprises the heat plate which is curved so that the metallic base plate has a convex surface, a belt type fixing device is provided with the semicircular heating member, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided with the belt type fixing device comprising the semicircular heating member.

Abstract: A heated motorcycle handgrip is securable to a motorcycle handlebar and includes a grip housing that has a first end adapted to receive the handlebar, and a second end opposite the first end. The grip housing includes a heating element that is operable to provide a heat output, and a heater control dial is coupled to the second end of the handgrip to control the heat output of the heating element.

Abstract: An automotive glazing panel has an electrically heatable solar control coating layer, spaced first and second bus bars adapted to relay electrical power to the coating layer. The glazing panel is provided with at least two, spaced data transmission windows positioned at least partially in contact with the heatable solar control coating layer which are separated by a portion of the glazing panel which is in electrical contact with the electrically heatable solar control coating layer.

Abstract: A heating system providing a heated surface for use on or in a driveway, roadway, walkway, patio, deck, stairs or the like, principally for outdoor use but usable as well for indoor use. The heating system includes a form suitably retained on an existing surface, at least one block disposed within the form, the block being molded principally of recycled rubber, thereby providing a frictional surface to prevent or minimize slipping. The heating system also includes heating elements for heating the block, thereby providing substantially improved moisture absorption and evaporation along with substantially improved melting capacity for ice or snow, and the block being removably disposed in the form for substantially easier and convenient repair, thus avoiding the necessity for digging up any concrete, asphalt or other materials.

Abstract: An electrode assembly comprising concentric tubular electrodes is provided for high temperature processing of materials. The electrode assembly is connected with a power supply that includes switching means for alternatively operating the electrode assembly in a transferred mode of operation, in a non-transferred mode of operation, or according to a controlled sequence of non-transferred and transferred modes of operation. The power supply system includes variable inductors, such as leakage-coupled reactors, for controlling the electrical power supplied to the electrodes for producing a DC arc. The electrode assembly can be incorporated into an arc furnace for processing waste material in the furnace. The electrode assembly is also suitable for use in the practice of in-situ vitrification and remediation of contaminated soil.

Abstract: A system and method of assembling a container for microwave heating of a food product.

Abstract: A cooking appliance incorporates a convection system including a blower or fan having an associated heating element used for thawing food items in an oven cavity. The convection fan and its associated heating element are specifically controlled to regulate the air flow and temperature within the oven cavity in a manner which significantly reduces thaw time over ambient conditions, while not negatively effecting food quality. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the convection fan is constantly operated at a high RPM and the convection heating element is operated in the order of 80° F.-100° F. (approximately 26-38° C.) in order to establish and maintain an oven cavity temperature of about 80° F. (approximately 26° C.) for food thawing purposes.

Abstract: An electrode connection includes coated contact surfaces in differently constructed electrode strings formed of carbon and graphite being provided with sliding layers. With the aid of these sliding layers, the elements of a string can be screwed more firmly against one another, with the result that a higher release torque and higher operating reliability are achieved.

Abstract: A temperature control system having a re-circulation loop that uses valves to selectively circulate a temperature control fluid through a cooling system, through a heating system, or through a through passage so as to controlling the temperature of the temperature control fluid, which, in turn, controls the temperature of a target. A temperature sensor monitors the target's temperature. A controller controls valve operation in response to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor to obtain a predetermined target temperature. Beneficially, the controller controls the target's temperature according to a predetermined temperature profile. Continuous etching along a predetermined temperature profile is possible.

Abstract: The temperature of a plasma chamber of a semiconductor fabrication tool is maintained substantially constant utilizing a variety of techniques, separately or in combination. One technique is to provide the exterior surface of the plasma chamber dome with a plurality of fins projecting into high velocity regions of an overlying airflow in order to dissipate heat from the chamber. Ducting defined by cover overlying the exposed exterior surface of the dome may also feature projecting lips or an airfoil to place high velocity components of the airflow into contact within the exterior dome surface and the fins. Other techniques include employing a high speed fan to control airflow circulation, and the use of temperature sensors in communication the fan through a processor to control fan speed and thereby regulate chamber temperature.

Abstract: A packaged food product suitable for microwave heating includes a microwave susceptor and a sealed container that encloses the food product and the microwave susceptor. A gas is sealed within the container and the container has at least one releasably sealed opening that is adapted to vent gas from the package during heating. The susceptor is disposed adjacent the food product to shield at least a portion of the food product against microwave heating, whilst simultaneously heating the shielded portion by infrared radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for the development of transparent alumina ceramics using microwave energy at the frequency between 0.915 and 2.45 GHz inclusive in hydrogen atmosphere at ambient pressure comprises an enclosed, insulated chamber (14) to retain a workpiece (12) for the application of microwave energy. The chamber comprises a TE103 single mode or a multimode microwave cavity into which is mounted a quartz tube (18). An insulation material (20), transparent to microwave energy, is positioned within the quartz tube. A port (28) for the introduction of hydrogen penetrates the cavity so that the microwave sintering of the workpiece is performed in an ultra-pure hydrogen atmosphere. The workpiece is preferably mounted on a refractory ceramic such as alumina tube for the microwave sintering process. A method, preferably using the apparatus, develops transparent alumina ceramics and single crystal sapphire.

Abstract: Protection systems are described for electrical systems such as electrical arc furnaces. The protection systems may be designed and used to detect and clear faults that may occur within the electric arc furnace. For example, a pair of Rogowski coils may be used to detect current at their respective locations along a conductors, and output corresponding signals to a multi-function, differential relay having multiple voltage and current inputs. By comparing the signals from the Rogowski coils, the differential relay may determine whether a fault exists at some point along the conductors and between the pair of Rogowski coils. Further, the relay may then, in response to the fault, trip a circuit breaker or other network protection device, so that the fault may be corrected.

Abstract: An electric glass-melting furnace including a floor made of refractory materials, four lateral walls, an upper roof, a glass composition feeder, and an output channel for the melted glass. The furnace includes a set of elements pivoting about horizontal axes and placed at the periphery of the furnace between at least one of the lateral walls and the roof.

Abstract: A compact smoking oven comprises with a rotatable food support having a box-shaped housing having with a peripheral wall composed of two wall portions spaced from one another and including an inner wall portion provided with a plurality of throughgoing openings, a container for accommodating wooden chips and having at least one wall provided with a plurality of openings, a heating unit for the container so that when the container is heated and wooden chips inside the container are heated a smoke is produced which exits the container through the openings in the container, then enters a space inside the peripheral wall and exits the space through the openings of the inner wall portion into an interior of the housing, and means for having a rotatable and removable holder for a food product to be smoked by the smoke.