Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to a torch that includes a lanthanide or actinide material. In some embodiments, the torch can include one or more other materials in combination with the lanthanide or actinide material. In some embodiments, the torch can comprise cerium, terbium or thorium. In other embodiments, the torch can comprise a lanthanide or actinide material comprising a melting point higher than the melting point of quartz.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to a torch that includes a lanthanide or actinide material. In some embodiments, the torch can include one or more other materials in combination with the lanthanide or actinide material. In some embodiments, the torch can comprise cerium, terbium or thorium. In other embodiments, the torch can comprise a lanthanide or actinide material comprising a melting point higher than the melting point of quartz.

Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.

Abstract: A heating cooker of the present invention includes a plurality of light emitting indicator units. The light emitting indicator units each have a temperature sensing unit that senses an ambient temperature of a light emission source. Therefore, deterioration of the light emission source of each of the light emitting indicator units can be suppressed to realize a further reduction in thickness, and to improve visibility of the indicator sheet.

Abstract: A method of and an arrangement for transmitting electric current to a furnace that is heated, either completely or partially, by electric current conducted in the furnace wall. The current is conducted through electrically conductive devices connected to the furnace wall. At least one of the devices in proximity to the furnace wall includes a section that has a smaller cross-sectional area than the remainder of the device. The current flow through the smaller cross-section develops heat in the region of the smaller section of a magnitude that corresponds substantially to the heat magnitude that would have been conducted from the furnace wall to the electrically conductive device in the absence of the smaller cross-sectional area.

Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.

Abstract: An aromatic container heater and assembly adapted to enhance the release of desirable scent from an aromatic or fragrant candle by heating the exterior of a candle container and thereby melting the candle to release the desired scent. The heater includes a conductor, held within an insulating cover, which is electrically connected to an AC plug for receiving a current and thereby generating the necessary heat to melt the candle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling temperature of a plant comprising plural temperature control zones, wherein an effective control parameter for a first zone for which a signal representing measured temperature is available is produced according to an algorithm relating measured temperature, a desired temperature and a control parameter associated with a device affecting temperature in the first temperature control zone, the effective control parameter is summed with an offset value representing a proportional offset of the effective control parameter of a second temperature control zone relative to the effective control parameter of the first temperature control zone and the result is applied to control a device affecting temperature in the second temperature control zone.

Abstract: An apparatus including a tank having at least one side wall for receiving solid or semi-solid thermoplastic material and a base member supporting the side wall(s) for heating and melting the thermoplastic material. The base member has a heated upper surface sloped downwardly towards the side wall(s) for directing the flow of melted material, and is configured to provide a collection trough for receiving the melted material. A strainer is positioned above the collection trough to filter the melted material. The strainer is adapted to support the remaining solid or partially solidified thermoplastic material above a portion of the heated upper surface to provide a less restricted flow path for the melted material to the collection trough.

Abstract: A hood-shaped foil covering an object is heat-shrunk around the object by displacing the object covered by the foil along a generally straight path in a transport direction past a stationary heater which is directed at an acute angle to the direction. The position of the object relative to the heater as it passes the heater in the direction is detected and heat is projected from the heater at the acute angle to the direction at the object as it passes at a rate varied in accordance with the detected position of the object relative to the heater.

Abstract: A sample introduction system includes a drop chamber which can be sealed and outgassed and which includes a movable jaw selectively holding the sample in position above a conduit communicating with an open crucible for receiving a sample once the jaw has been moved to an open position releasing the sample. The jaw is actuated by a magnetic field which moves the jaw in an entirely enclosed system, thereby preventing the introduction of atmospheric contaminants during the operation of the sample dropping jaw from a closed, sample holding position to an open sample releasing position. By providing a magnetic actuator, such as a solenoid, for operation of the jaw, the sample chamber remains sealed during the sample dropping operation preventing contaminants from interfering with the analytical results.

Abstract: There is disclosed an impedance-heated furnace for processing a nonflowable but conveyable material at the processing temperature comprising a nonrotating shell having electrical-conducting properties, and heated to a processing temperature using electrical impedance as the heat source. The shell includes an inlet and an outlet and a conveyor means, which also may be heated by impedance, for transporting or carrying the material along or through the shell. The resulting solids and any generated or volatilized gases are recovered separately.

Abstract: Build-up on the surface of a refractory body receiving molten metal is eliminated or reduced by making at least a portion of a material that can be electrically heated to at least about 1150.degree. C., such as an alkaline-earth doped lanthanum chromite. When the surface is that of a nozzle or shroud, an electric current is supplied to heat the material around the opening in the nozzle or shroud to at least about 1150.degree. C.

Abstract: A system for discharging coal frozen in railroad gondola cars includes provision for passing current through the shell of a gondola to melt the icy interface between coal and gondola, and for dropping the frozen coal out of the gondola by inverting the gondola; an embodiment includes shaking the gondola while inverted, after which the coal may be mechanically broken; special articulated electrodes or high current bus bars with electromagnets for self-holding of the bus bars to the sides of a gondola are disclosed.

Abstract: A furnace for extracting gaseous components from material samples includes upper and lower electrodes mounted to press therebetween a crucible of electrically conductive material. An electric current is applied to the electrodes, thereby causing heating of the material sample contained in the crucible, with the result that gaseous components are extracted from the material sample. At least one of the upper and lower electrodes is rotated about a vertical axis, thereby causing surfaces of the crucible contacting respective surfaces of the upper and lower electrodes to rotate under friction against such respective surfaces, thereby improving electrical contact between the crucible and the electrodes.

Abstract: An electrode assembly includes an electrode and a crucible-supporting insert releasably secured to the electrode. In the preferred embodiment a collar is threaded onto the electrode and has tabs extending inwardly to clamp the insert to the electrode. A small button-like projection on the electrode may be provided and is received within an aperture in the insert to center the insert on the electrode.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning device is employed in an extracting furnace of an apparatus for analyzing gases in metals, the furnace including upper and lower electrodes relatively movable between a closed position, whereat a crucible containing a sample to be analyzed may be contacted and heated by the electrodes, and an open position, whereat the electrodes are spaced from each other. The automatic cleaning device cleans the upper and lower electrodes and includes a support bracket mounted for movement laterally of the electrodes. A cleaning unit is supported on the support bracket and is movable thereby between a first position located laterally of the electrodes and a second position located between the electrodes. The cleaning unit includes a crucible removal device to remove a spent crucible from the electrodes upon movement of the cleaning unit to the second position thereof. The cleaning unit includes upper and lower brushes rotatable to clean the upper and lower electrodes.

Abstract: An immersion nozzle for continuous casting resistant to the corrosive action of the melt and the covering material in a mold is made of a refractory material comprising a mixture of electrically conductive graphite and/or silicon carbide, at least one member selected from the group consisting of alumina, zircon, zirconia, fused silica and a metallic silicon, and a binder. The nozzle is covered with a thermal insulating cover having a thickness of approximately 60 mm and made of fused silica containing fibers. The nozzle is preheated without moving it from its operating position by connecting a pair of electrical terminals to opposite ends thereof and passing electric current through the nozzle between the terminals for a period of time sufficient to raise the temperature of the nozzle sufficiently to prevent cracking, spalling, etc. during casting operation. After the preheating is completed the terminals may be removed from the nozzle.

Abstract: An improved electric tube furnace is described in which a compressible leaf-spring attachment between the heating element tube and at least one of its supporting electric terminals compensates for linear thermal expansion of the tube without restricting access to the interior of the tube. The use of such furnace in an evacuated atmosphere for high temperature thermal diffusivity measurements is shown.

Abstract: Resistance-heated vaporization boats for the vacuum vaporization of metals, such as aluminum, chromium, copper or the like, are made by machining a boat cavity in at least one side of a graphite bar. The bar is totally encapsulated over its entire outer surface, including the boat cavity, with a continuous coating of pyrolytic boron nitride (PBN). The PBN coating is removed from areas at both ends of the bar to provide electrical contact zones for connecting the bar to a power source. The sides and ends of the boat cavity have smooth contours without sharp corners and the ends of the cavity have a hemispherical configuration to resist longitudinal expansion of the PBN coating thereby preventing separation of the PBN coating from the surface of the graphite bar. The PBN coating is deposited from a gas at a temperature of 1750.degree. C. to 2300.degree. C. and has a thickness of at least 0.010 inch.

Abstract: A Joule effect electric furnace for goldsmith, dental and the like melting processes comprises a graphite crucible which constitutes by itself an electric resistance element suitable for the Joule effect heating and is connected to an electric power supply.