Abstract: A method for monitoring a flame cutting process includes a preheating phase, a piercing phase following the preheating phase and a cutting phase following the piercing phase, wherein a cutting torch applies a flame generated by combustion of a gas mixture to an electrically conductive workpiece and wherein an electric current flowing between an electrically conductive part of the cutting torch and the workpiece is measured by a current measuring device during a measuring period. An ignition point at which piercing of a hole through the workpiece using the flame starts due to oxidation of the workpiece is detected by a change in the measured current.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium that receive, from a first client that has joined an audio conversation space of a social messaging platform, user interface presentation data that represents one or more audio tones of background audio for the audio conversation space. Background audio data representing the one or more audio tones of background audio for the audio conversation space can be generated from the user interface presentation. Conversation audio data can be received from one or more clients. A mixed audio stream can be generated and can include the conversation audio data received from the one or more clients and one or more other audio signals generated from the background audio data representing the background audio for the audio conversation space. The mixed audio stream can be presented to other client devices that have joined the audio conversation space.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a flame cutting process includes a preheating phase, a piercing phase following the preheating phase and a cutting phase following the piercing phase, wherein a cutting torch applies a flame generated by combustion of a gas mixture to an electrically conductive workpiece and wherein an electric current flowing between an electrically conductive part of the cutting torch and the workpiece is measured by a current measuring device during a measuring period. An ignition point at which piercing of a hole through the workpiece using the flame starts due to oxidation of the workpiece is detected by a change in the measured current.

Abstract: An automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system including an oxy-fuel torch, an automated machine tool operatively coupled to the torch for moving the torch relative to a work piece, and a circuit including a voltage source or a current electrically connected to the torch and configured to be electrically connected to the work piece. The automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system may further include a processor that is operatively connected to the torch, the automated machine tool, the circuit, and the voltage source or current source, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the torch, the automated machine tool and the voltage source or current source, and to monitor a current or voltage in the circuit in a predefined manner.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for audio messaging interface for messaging platform. One of the methods includes receiving, by a first client on a first user device, a request to record an audio message, wherein the first client is configured to provide a user interface for the platform for a user using the first user device who is logged in to a user account on the platform; recording audio through a microphone of the first user device; generating a platform message by (i) generating a video file that includes the recorded audio as an audio portion of the video file and programmatically generated minimal video content as a video portion of the video file, and (ii) including the video file in the platform message; and posting, by the first client, the platform message to the platform, in response to a post request.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for audio messaging interface for messaging platform. One of the methods includes receiving, by a first client on a first user device, a request to record an audio message, wherein the first client is configured to provide a user interface for the platform for a user using the first user device who is logged in to a user account on the platform; recording audio through a microphone of the first user device; generating a platform message by (i) generating a video file that includes the recorded audio as an audio portion of the video file and programmatically generated minimal video content as a video portion of the video file, and (ii) including the video file in the platform message; and posting, by the first client, the platform message to the platform, in response to a post request.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for providing event-specific media content. One of the methods includes receiving, by a social messaging platform, an indication of a message by a user of client software on a first user device; receiving, from the first user device, a first location of the first user device; providing, to the first user device, one or more topics that are specific to an event temporally associated with the first location; receiving, the message for posting on the social messaging platform, the message including (i) a topic selected from the one or more topics, and (ii) user selected media content; and adding the message to one or more streams of the social messaging platform.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for audio messaging interface for messaging platform. One of the methods includes receiving, by a first client on a first user device, a request to record an audio message, wherein the first client is configured to provide a user interface for the platform for a user using the first user device who is logged in to a user account on the platform; recording audio through a microphone of the first user device; generating a platform message by (i) generating a video file that includes the recorded audio as an audio portion of the video file and programmatically generated minimal video content as a video portion of the video file, and (ii) including the video file in the platform message; and posting, by the first client, the platform message to the platform, in response to a post request.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for providing event-specific media content. One of the methods includes receiving, by a social messaging platform, an indication of a message by a user of client software on a first user device; receiving, from the first user device, a first location of the first user device; providing, to the first user device, one or more topics that are specific to an event temporally associated with the first location; receiving, the message for posting on the social messaging platform, the message including (i) a topic selected from the one or more topics, and (ii) user selected media content; and adding the message to one or more streams of the social messaging platform.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for capturing video on a mobile device. In an example mobile device, an activation action puts the device in a state in which it captures a loop of video of predefined length and uses that as a prefix to a video recorded in response to a record video action.

Abstract: An automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system including an oxy-fuel torch, an automated machine tool operatively coupled to the torch for moving the torch relative to a work piece, and a circuit including a voltage source or a current electrically connected to the torch and configured to be electrically connected to the work piece. The automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system may further include a processor that is operatively connected to the torch, the automated machine tool, the circuit, and the voltage source or current source, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the torch, the automated machine tool and the voltage source or current source, and to monitor a current or voltage in the circuit in a predefined manner.

Abstract: An automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system including an oxy-fuel torch, an automated machine tool operatively coupled to the torch for moving the torch relative to a work piece, and a circuit including a voltage source or a current electrically connected to the torch and configured to be electrically connected to the work piece. The automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system may further include a processor that is operatively connected to the torch, the automated machine tool, the circuit, and the voltage source or current source, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the torch, the automated machine tool and the voltage source or current source, and to monitor a current or voltage in the circuit in a predefined manner.

Abstract: An automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system including an oxy-fuel torch, an automated machine tool operatively coupled to the torch for moving the torch relative to a work piece, and a circuit including a voltage source or a current electrically connected to the torch and configured to be electrically connected to the work piece. The automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system may further include a processor that is operatively connected to the torch, the automated machine tool, the circuit, and the voltage source or current source, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the torch, the automated machine tool and the voltage source or current source, and to monitor a current or voltage in the circuit in a predefined manner.

Abstract: An automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system including an oxy-fuel torch, an automated machine tool operatively coupled to the torch for moving the torch relative to a work piece, and a circuit including a voltage source or a current electrically connected to the torch and configured to be electrically connected to the work piece. The automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system may further include a processor that is operatively connected to the torch, the automated machine tool, the circuit, and the voltage source or current source, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the torch, the automated machine tool and the voltage source or current source, and to monitor a current or voltage in the circuit in a predefined manner.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch includes an annular baffle defining distinct faces A, B, C, and D. Faces A and C are opposite from each other, and faces B and D are opposite from each other. First passages for fluid flow extend between the faces A and C, and second passages extend between the faces B and D. The baffle is installable in an annular space between an inner wall and an outer wall, in either of two orientations. In a first orientation, the first passages are open to fluid flow and the second passages are closed by engagement of the inner and outer walls with the faces B and D, and in a second orientation, flipped over relative to the first orientation, the second passages are open to fluid flow and the first passages are closed by engagement of the inner and outer walls with the faces A and C.

Abstract: An automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system including an oxy-fuel torch, an automated machine tool operatively coupled to the torch for moving the torch relative to a work piece, and a circuit including a voltage source or a current electrically connected to the torch and configured to be electrically connected to the work piece. The automated oxy-fuel thermal processing system may further include a processor that is operatively connected to the torch, the automated machine tool, the circuit, and the voltage source or current source, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the torch, the automated machine tool and the voltage source or current source, and to monitor a current or voltage in the circuit in a predefined manner.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch includes an annular baffle defining distinct faces A, B, C, and D. Faces A and C are opposite from each other, and faces B and D are opposite from each other. First passages for fluid flow extend between the faces A and C, and second passages extend between the faces B and D. The baffle is installable in an annular space between an inner wall and an outer wall, in either of two orientations. In a first orientation, the first passages are open to fluid flow and the second passages are closed by engagement of the inner and outer walls with the faces B and D, and in a second orientation, flipped over relative to the first orientation, the second passages are open to fluid flow and the first passages are closed by engagement of the inner and outer walls with the faces A and C.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch includes an annular baffle defining distinct faces A, B, C, and D. Faces A and C are opposite from each other, and faces B and D are opposite from each other. First passages for fluid flow extend between the faces A and C, and second passages extend between the faces B and D. The baffle is installable in an annular space between an inner wall and an outer wall, in either of two orientations. In a first orientation, the first passages are open to fluid flow and the second passages are closed by engagement of the inner and outer walls with the faces B and D, and in a second orientation, flipped over relative to the first orientation, the second passages are open to fluid flow and the first passages are closed by engagement of the inner and outer walls with the faces A and C.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch includes an annular baffle defining distinct faces A, B, C, and D. Faces A and C are opposite from each other, and faces B and D are opposite from each other. First passages for fluid flow extend between the faces A and C, and second passages extend between the faces B and D. The baffle is installable in an annular space between an inner wall and an outer wall, in either of two orientations. In a first orientation, the first passages are open to fluid flow and the second passages are closed by engagement of the inner and outer walls with the faces B and D, and in a second orientation, flipped over relative to the first orientation, the second passages are open to fluid flow and the first passages are closed by engagement of the inner and outer walls with the faces A and C.

Abstract: A pair of interlocking batting gloves which may be worn by a batter during practice and during play in which each glove has a portion of hook and loop material attached to the outer peripheral edge of the index finer and a cooperating portion of hook and loop material attached to the outer peripheral edge of the little finger. When the batter grips a bat in the proper manner, the hook and loop material on the index finger of one hand releasably connects to the cooperating portion of hook and loop material on the little finger of the other hand. Thus, when wearing the gloves, the batter is prevented from rotating his hands while gripping the bat and the proper alignment of the batter's knuckles is maintained throughout the entire swing.