Abstract: A power shear tool includes a housing portion, a motor positioned within the housing portion, and a tool head portion extending from the housing portion and including a blade rotatable relative to the tool head portion. The power shear tool includes a workpiece support member positioned proximate the tool head portion. The workpiece support member includes a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, side surfaces extending between the top and the bottom surfaces, a first channel defined in the top surface and extending from at least one of the side surfaces, and a second channel defined in the top surface. The second channel intersects the first channel and extends transverse to the first channel.

Abstract: A power shear tool includes a housing portion, a motor positioned within the housing portion, and a tool head portion extending from the housing portion and including a blade rotatable relative to the tool head portion. The power shear tool includes a workpiece support member positioned proximate the tool head portion. The workpiece support member includes a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, side surfaces extending between the top and the bottom surfaces, a first channel defined in the top surface and extending from at least one of the side surfaces, and a second channel defined in the top surface. The second channel intersects the first channel and extends transverse to the first channel.

Abstract: A power control system for an AC electric arc furnace. The control system includes variable reactors located intermediate a furnace power supply and arc electrodes that are height adjustable. The control system monitors operating characteristics of the furnace that are indicative of the active power consumption of the furnace and adjusts the variable reactors and the electrode height so as to minimize variations in the active power consumption. Loss of electrode arc can be predicted and countered by lowering the electrodes and decreasing the reactance of the variable reactors.

Abstract: A power control system for an AC electric arc furnace. The control system includes variable reactors located intermediate a furnace power supply and arc electrodes that are height adjustable. The control system monitors operating characteristics of the furnace that are indicative of the active power consumption of the furnace and adjusts the variable reactors and the electrode height so as to minimize variations in the active power consumption. Loss of electrode arc can be predicted and countered by lowering the electrodes and decreasing the reactance of the variable reactors.

Abstract: A power control system for an AC electric arc furnace. The control system includes variable reactors located intermediate a furnace power supply and arc electrodes that are height adjustable. The control system monitors operating characteristics of the furnace that are indicative of the active power consumption of the furnace and adjusts the variable reactors and the electrode height so as to minimize variations in the active power consumption.

Abstract: A fire hydrant wrench is provided with a chatter-thread arrangement that permits a threaded handle to be pushed, rather than manually threaded, into engagement with a fire hydrant fixture. A quick release trigger similarly permits the handle to be quickly withdrawn without unthreading. Faster operation of hydrants, with consequent savings of lives, results. Other improvements are also disclosed, including reversible, replaceable gripping teeth that tend to prevent even a loosely coupled wrench from falling off a fire hydrant.

Abstract: A matching pad for connecting coaxial transmission lines and having a first and a second central conductor, said first central conductor having a cavity in an end thereof adjacent said second central conductor, said first and second central conductors being electrically connected by a first resistor at least partially contained within said cavity.