Wire (e.g., Cable, Etc.) Patents (Class 219/636)
  • Patent number: 9620263
    Abstract: A bus bar (1) comprises: a laminated conductive wire (20) formed by arranging side by side in the longitudinal direction a first plate-shaped conductive wire (21) formed by spirally winding stripe conductors (11, 12) mutually adjacent in the width direction while bringing the opposing inner surfaces closer to each other, and a second plate-shaped conductive wire (22) formed by spirally winding the stripe conductors (11, 12) in the direction opposite the direction of the first conductive wire (21) while bringing the opposing inner surfaces closer to each other, and overlapping these wires (21, 22) so that the outer surfaces in the width direction face each other; and terminals (30) joined to the first conductive wire (21) and the second conductive wire (22) at both ends of the laminated conductive wire (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ogawa, Hideo Fujii, Chikara Ichihara, Kenichi Inoue
  • Patent number: 9261417
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for measuring the temperature of a strand-like material to be heated to a target temperature, including the steps: the strand-like material is guided in heat conducting contact about at least one disk, mounted so as to rotate, that is heated to a predefined temperature, and a difference is measured between the temperature of the strand-like material or a value characterizing the temperature of the strand-like material, before conveyance about the disk and after conveyance about the disk. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Sikora AG
    Inventors: Harald Sikora, Abraham Parga Garcia
  • Patent number: 8912472
    Abstract: An apparatus for hardening a spring having a helical or beehive shape. The apparatus has a rotation support system and an induction heating system. The rotation support system is designed to support the spring while the spring is heated by the induction heating system. The induction heating system has an induction coil system having a coil system. The coil system has a spaced region designed to receive the spring and to heat the spring while the spring is supported on the rotation support system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Barnes Group Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Kurylo, Mehieddine Rababeh
  • Patent number: 8907257
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a contactlessly chargeable heater. In one example, the contactlessly chargeable heater includes: an induction patch emitting magnetic field by means of current applied to an inner coil; and a heating body, receiving the magnetic field from the charging patch to perform a contactless charging operation, and including a conductive metal yarn for emitting heat via the power generated through the contactless charging operation. The conductive metal yarn is woven together using threads within the heating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
    Inventor: Gi Soo Chung
  • Patent number: 8863782
    Abstract: A grounded electrical circuit in a heated hose is provided. In one embodiment, the heated hose assembly includes: a flexible hose body; a first and a second heating wires and a hose ground wire each extending longitudinally and parallel to an axis of the hose body and within an inner wall; a first fluid coupling provided on the first end portion of the flexible hose body, the first fluid coupling comprising a stem inserted into the flexible hose body and radially clamping an end of the hose ground wire against an inner surface of the inner wall, such that a contact between the first fluid coupling and the end of the hose ground wire grounds the hose ground wire; a power cord electrically connected to the first and second heating wires and to the hose ground wire; and a thermostat electrically connected to the first and second heating wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sykes Hollow Innovations, Ltd.
    Inventor: William Ferrone
  • Patent number: 8735782
    Abstract: A system for forming a brazed joint between a tie wire and a workpiece, and methods therefor are presented. The system includes: a braze chamber including an induction heating coil, the induction heating coil having magnetic flux concentrators thereon; and a controller receiving a temperature feedback signal from a temperature sensor on a tie wire and controlling a temperature of a section of the tie wire to be brazed by controlling an electrical current applied to the induction heating coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Michael Breznak
  • Publication number: 20140103029
    Abstract: Thus there is provided a device for stripping insulation from wires and/or conductive structures having a lacquer or plastic coating. The device has a receiving portion for receiving the ends of the wires and/or conductive structures from which insulation is to be stripped, at least one induction coil in the region of the receiving portion for inductively generating heat to vaporize or thermally remove the coating on the wires within the receiving portion and at least one suction removal hose connected to the receiving portion for removing the vaporized or thermally removed coating of the wires and/or conductive structures in the region of the receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Maryniak, Timo Saathoff, Mirko Fleischer, Thorsten Claassen, Carsten Wagenaar
  • Patent number: 8431876
    Abstract: The present invention provides system for testing an electrical winding element that is usually a stator bar or a stator winding. The stator bar is attached to a short circuit conductive element to form a closed short circuit of a single turn that acts as a primary circuit. The closed short circuit is connected to a step-up transformer that will act as a secondary circuit and which has at least two turns. The step-up transformer uses a controlled variable voltage source that charges the closed short circuit. Charging the closed short circuit creates a current in the stator bar inner conductive element, causing heat on the stator bar by induction. The system of the present invention is suitable for an accelerated thermal aging test that simulates closely how heat is created by induction on stator bars of electric machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Empresas Publicas de Medellin E.S.P.
    Inventors: Jose Armando Bohorquez Cortazar, Andres Emiro Diez Restrepo, Juan Carlos Toro Londoño, Jairo Leon Restrepo Velasquez, Hector Diego Gonzalez Sanchez, Hugo Alberto Cardona Restrepo, Gabriel Jaime Lopez Jimenez, Idi Amin Isaac Millan, Emiro De Jesus Diez Saldarriaga
  • Patent number: 8344298
    Abstract: In a method of heating a stator, a first induction coil is disposed near one of the coil ends of the stator, and a second induction coil is disposed near the other, and the first induction coil and the second induction coil are electrically energized, whereby the induction-heating of the stator is performed as a pre-heating step prior to the resin molding step of the coil ends. According to this method, a first movement unit for moving the first induction coil and a second movement unit for moving the second induction coil are provided, the first induction coil is moved by the first movement unit and the second induction coil is moved by the second movement unit for induction-heating of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Koide, Hideaki Kimura, Masahiko Sakao
  • Patent number: 8291939
    Abstract: A sturdy electrical power circuit and grounding circuit for an electrically-heated hose is formed by electrically connecting a grounding wire extending along the length of the hose to a pair of fluid couplings fitted on opposite ends of the hose. The grounding wire is mechanically clamped against the inner wall of the hose by radially-outwardly expanding a tube on each coupling against the grounding wire to secure the grounding wire in place while simultaneously forming an electrical connection between the grounding wire and the fluid couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Sykes Hollow Innovations, Ltd.
    Inventor: William Ferrone
  • Patent number: 8124915
    Abstract: A sealer to bond film having a high temperature resistance (e.g., ceramic) substrate with properly sized groove receiving a heater element as in a flat faced wire band in a tight, flush to adjacent film presentation surface arrangement. A stacked ceramic plate set with wire band within a groove defined by an intermediate stack insert is a suitable substrate. The band is retained flush by a positioner securely locking down one end while the other end is provided at a housing body access location. The sealer is suited for use as a product-in-bag sealing device (products such as air, foam, foodstuff, etc.) with the heater element in contact with film to form a seal. A drag seal arrangement, where film layers are drawn past a fixed or adjustably mounted heater element is an example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Pregis Intellipack Corporation
    Inventors: George Bertram, Douglas Walker
  • Patent number: 8110050
    Abstract: A system and method for actively damping tension members modulates the natural frequency of shape memory alloys incorporated into tension members, such as suspension ropes or cables. The frequency of the tension member can be modulated by heating the shape memory alloy, such modulation preventing potentially destructive resonance with natural exciting forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Elevator Capital Corporation
    Inventors: Rory Smith, Stefan Kazmarczyk
  • Publication number: 20120024841
    Abstract: The present invention provides system for testing an electrical winding element that is usually a stator bar or a stator winding. The stator bar is attached to a short circuit conductive element to form a closed short circuit of a single turn that acts as a primary circuit. The closed short circuit is connected to a step-up transformer that will act as a secondary circuit and which has at least two turns. The step-up transformer uses a controlled variable voltage source that charges the closed short circuit. Charging the closed short circuit creates a current in the stator bar inner conductive element, causing heat on the stator bar by induction. The system of the present invention is suitable for an accelerated thermal aging test that simulates closely how heat is created by induction on stator bars of electric machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Jose Armando Bohorquez Cortazar, Andres Emiro Diez Restrepo, Juan Carlos Toro Londoño, Jairo Leon Restrepo Velasquez, Hector Diego Gonzalez Sanchez, Hugo Alberto Cardona Restrepo, Gabriel Jaime Lopez Jimenez, Idi Amin Isaac Millan, Emiro De Jesus Diez Saldarriaga
  • Publication number: 20110233197
    Abstract: A method of the present invention for manufacturing an optical module is a method for manufacturing an optical module including an optical fiber and an optical fiber insertion pipe in which the optical fiber is inserted, the method including a hermetic sealing step in which the optical fiber insertion pipe is hermetically sealed, the hermetic sealing step including: a providing step in which a guide is provide to a side surface of the optical fiber insertion pipe; and a heating step in which the optical fiber insertion pipe is heated to melt a wire solder contained in the guide. As such, the method for manufacturing an optical module is provided in which the hermetic sealing is improved in performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventor: Yasushi HARANO
  • Patent number: 7696456
    Abstract: An electrothermal deicing apparatus includes at least one heater conductor formed into a predetermined pattern for application to a structure. Each conductor of the pattern is coated with at least one layer of a material active to absorb electromagnetic energy. The pattern of the at least one coated heater conductor is operative to attenuate radar wave transmissions incident thereon to reduce the radar cross-section of the structure. A heater controller is coupled to the pattern of at least one coated heater conductor for controlling the deicing of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: David Louis Brittingham, James T. Hindel
  • Patent number: 7635238
    Abstract: A device for preventing dock piling or structure piling uplift includes a tubular member concentrically disposed around the piling so as to form an annular space between the tubular member and the piling. A heating element is disposed within the tubular member and connected to a power source. The heating element prevents the water or ground within the annular space from freezing to a point where it adheres to the piling and shifts the same upward in response to changing tides or ground shifts in cold weather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Piling Anti-Lift Systems
    Inventor: Robert Colbert
  • Publication number: 20090266435
    Abstract: A sturdy electrical power circuit and grounding circuit for an electrically-heated hose is formed by electrically connecting a grounding wire extending along the length of the hose to a pair of fluid couplings fitted on opposite ends of the hose. The grounding wire is mechanically clamped against the inner wall of the hose by radially-outwardly expanding a tube on each coupling against the grounding wire to secure the grounding wire in place while simultaneously forming an electrical connection between the grounding wire and the fluid couplings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: William Ferrone
  • Publication number: 20080230536
    Abstract: An electromagnet heating cable includes a center core, an inner layer body formed around the center core, an intermediate layer body formed around the inner layer body, an outer layer body formed around the intermediate layer body, an inner layer coil having a magnetic core disposed between the center core and inner layer body, an intermediate layer coil disposed between the inner layer body and the intermediate layer body, and an outer layer coil disposed between the intermediate layer body and outer layer body, wherein when a temperature of the heating cable exceeds a threshold, the intermediate layer body melts to electrically connect the intermediate layer coil to the outer layer coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Myoung Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 7271508
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for deicing energized electrical transmission lines by means of an apparatus capable of producing an angular offset between its terminals. The method consists in: selecting segments (4, 6) of electrical transmission lines to de deiced, connecting the segments (4, 6) so as to form a loop, connecting the apparatus in series with the segments (4, 6) of the loop to be deiced. In the case of an apparatus with adjustable angular offset, it consists in switching on the apparatus and adjusting the angular offset to impose an increase of current flowing in at least one of the segments (4, 6) as the case may be. In the case of a apparatus with fixed angular offset, it consists in using a switch (54) or a circuit breaker (28) so as to connect the apparatus in the loop, the apparatus and the line segments being previously selected such that the angular offset imposes the required current increase to the deicing of at least one of the segments (4, 6) of the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: CITEQ
    Inventors: Jacques Brochu, André Bergeron, Rene Cloutier
  • Patent number: 7238919
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bonding method, comprising disposing on a first body a second body with a bump interposed therebetween; and electrically and mechanically bonding the first body and the second body with the bump by passing a heating element between the first body and the second body to melt the bump by the heating element, the heating element being heated to a melting point or more of a material configuring the bump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hisashi Kaneko, Mie Matsuo, Hirokazu Ezawa
  • Patent number: 7168160
    Abstract: A method for heat-treating a plurality of microelectronic structures attached to a non-metallic substrate is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: (a) placing the non-metallic substrate and the plurality of microelectronic structures in an oscillating electromagnetic field, whereby the plurality of microelectronic structures are heated by the oscillating electromagnetic field and the non-metallic substrate is essentially not heated by the oscillating electromagnetic field; (b) maintaining the non-metallic substrate and the plurality of microelectronic structures in the oscillating electromagnetic field until each of the plurality of microelectronic structures obtains a defined heat-treatment temperature substantially greater than an ambient temperature; (c) removing the non-metallic substrate and the plurality of microelectronic structures from the oscillating electromagnetic field; and (d) cooling the plurality of microelectronic structures to the ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmy Kuo Chen
  • Patent number: 7106987
    Abstract: A fixing device has a magnetic field generator; an electric power supplier for electric power supply to the magnetic field generator; electric power controller for controlling an electric power value to be supplied by the electric power supplier; a fixing member, disposed in the magnetic field, having an electroconductive layer which generates heat by eddy current generated by the magnetic field; a temperature detecting member for detecting a temperature of the fixing member; a discriminator for discriminating whether the apparatus is in order by comparing a detected temperature to a reference temperature in a period from a start of heating the fixing member to arrival at a predetermined temperature; and a reference temperature changer for changing the reference temperature on the basis of the supplied electric power value upon the electric power controller changing the electric power value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoichirou Ohta
  • Patent number: 7039336
    Abstract: A fixing device has a magnetic field generator; an electric power supplier for electric power supply to the magnetic field generator; electric power controller for controlling an electric power value to be supplied by the electric power supplier; a fixing member, disposed in the magnetic field, having an electroconductive layer which generates heat by eddy current generated by the magnetic field; a temperature detecting member for detecting a temperature of the fixing member; a discriminator for discriminating whether the apparatus is in order by comparing a detected temperature to a reference temperature in a period from a start of heating the fixing member to arrival at a predetermined temperature; and a reference temperature changer for changing the reference temperature on the basis of the supplied electric power value upon the electric power controller changing the electric power value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoichirou Ohta
  • Patent number: 6959158
    Abstract: A fixing device has a magnetic field generator; an electric power supplier for electric power supply to the magnetic field generator; electric power controller for controlling an electric power value to be supplied by the electric power supplier; a fixing member, disposed in the magnetic field, having an electroconductive layer which generates heat by eddy current generated by the magnetic field; a temperature detecting member for detecting a temperature of the fixing member; a discriminator for discriminating whether the apparatus is in order by comparing a detected temperature to a reference temperature in a period from a start of heating the fixing member to arrival at a predetermined temperature; and a reference temperature changer for changing the reference temperature on the basis of the supplied electric power value upon the electric power controller changing the electric power value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoichirou Ohta
  • Patent number: 6721530
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fusing system for fusing toner to a recording medium. The fusing system includes a fuser roller including a metal layer, a pressure roller in contact with the fuser roller, and an external induction heating element. In addition, the disclosure relates to a method for heating a fuser roller of a fusing system including the steps of positioning an external induction heating element in close proximity to the outer surface of the fuser roller, delivering high frequency current to a coil of the external induction heating element to create a magnetic flux, and directing the magnetic flux toward the fuser roller so as to induce eddy currents within a metal layer of the fuser roller that generate heat within the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: B. Mark Hirst, Mark Wibbels, Kenneth E. Heath
  • Publication number: 20020170909
    Abstract: An electrical conductor and a gas-filled layer are located at or near the surface of an object being deiced. The conductor carries an AC voltage that generates an alternating electric field in the gas-filled layer. A conductive layer increases the electric field strength in the gas-filled layer between the electrical conductor and the conductive layer. The alternating electric field causes electric breakdown of gas and plasma-formation in the gas-filled layer. The plasma absorbs energy released during electric discharge through the plasma, which heats ice, causing it to melt. The alternating electric field typically has a field strength in a range of about from 1 to 100 kV/cm. The AC voltage typically has an amplitude in a range of about from 10 kV to 1300 kV, and a frequency in a range of about from 50 Hz to 1 MHz. The gas-filled layer includes a plasma-forming gas selected from, among others, air, nitrogen and argon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Victor F. Petrenko
  • Patent number: 6255634
    Abstract: A transverse flux heating coil is disclosed to inductively heat a continuous run of wire. In general, the transverse flux heating coil includes a single loop conductive element having a pair of termination ends extending therefrom and connectable to a power supply. The single loop conductive element is constructed to distribute the majority of the current across a width of the single loop conductive element and forms an internal heating area in which a continuous run of wire is fed therethrough. The flux generated by the current is generally transverse to a direction of travel of the wire through the heating coil. The transverse flux heating coil includes a first conductor having a width facing an internal heating area that is substantially greater than a thickness and is constructed of planar copper bar stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Pillar Industries
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bowers
  • Patent number: 6222167
    Abstract: An alloying system for a galvanized steel sheet, the alloying system using an induction heating coil, wherein an impedance matching apparatus is provided between the induction heating coil and a high frequency power source. The impedance matching apparatus comprises a matching transformer having a plurality of intermediate contact points for arbitrarily selecting a turn ratio, and a switching device for alternative changeover of the intermediate contact point, whereby even when the load impedance of the steel sheet varies, maximum power source output is obtained, such that an appropriate heating temperature necessary for forming an alloy layer of the steel sheet can be supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Wada, Etsurou Hirai, Kazuya Tsurusaki, Yuuji Asahara, Kwang-Hee Han, Jae-Young Lee, Kyung-Zoon Min, Kwang-Hum Han
  • Patent number: 6207939
    Abstract: The device and the method are used to de-ice an elongated structural element having a closed contour. The device is formed of pairs of electrically conductive and insulated wires, preformed for winding, one next to the other, along and around the structural element following an helicoidal trajectory while embracing the contour of the structural element with a certain gap. The conductive wires have ends for receiving electromagnetic impulses, and opposite ends electrically connected together. The conductive wires are sized to withstand a current causing a repulsion force whose intensity is capable of breaking the ice or the frost on the structural element by the separation of the conductive wires from each other in response to the repulsion. The conductive wires have rigidity and elasticity properties such that they recover their shape around the structural element after the separation caused by the repulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: Marc-Andre Allaire, Jean-Louis Laforte
  • Patent number: 6198083
    Abstract: A process for heat treating steel wires in which the wires are passed through an induction furnace with induction coils connected in series to a common power supply. No more than one wire passes through any one of the induction coils. The wires are heated to their Curie temperature, where the wires become non-magnetic. This makes the process substantially self-regulating. If one or more wires are heated more rapidly than others, little if any heating of the more rapidly heated wires will occur after they reach their Curie temperature, and all wires will leave the inductive heating furnace at or near their Curie temperature. The system will operate satisfactorily with one or more wires missing. When this happens, for loading purposes or other reasons, the efficiency of the unit degrades but sufficient excess power remains such that heating of the wires that are passing through the system will be relatively unaffected at the design mass flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: American Spring Wire Corp.
    Inventor: Harvey H. Pierman
  • Patent number: 6050999
    Abstract: A device for introducing a corneal implant into a cornea of a human eye. The device includes a body, a member coupled thereto, and a guide portion. The body has a distal end and a proximal end. The guide portion is disposed at the distal end of the body and forms a channel. The guide portion is configured for laterally supporting the implant when positioned in the channel and the member is arranged to axially support the implant when positioned in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: KeraVision, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Paraschac, John A. Scholl, Thomas A. Silvestrini
  • Patent number: 5747779
    Abstract: A method of fusing and programming a fuse frame for use in a semiconductor package is disclosed. A fuse frame includes an external lead arranged for electrically connecting to a first internal element of the semiconductor package and to extend externally from the semiconductor package and an internal lead arranged to be positioned entirely within the semiconductor package is also provided for electrically connecting a second internal element of the semiconductor package to a third internal element of the semiconductor package. A fuse bar supportably connects the internal lead to the external lead. The fuse bar includes a conductive material which fuses when excess current runs through it. A semiconductor package is made of a fuse frame and a die is mounted on the fuse frame such that the die supports the internal lead of the fuse frame. A programmable fuse frame is disclosed. A programmable fuse frame includes a matrix of fuse bars and lead bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Chainarong Asanasavest
  • Patent number: 5698124
    Abstract: A fiber drawing apparatus is provided with an improved fiber draw furnace wherein an inner zirconia tube is surrounded by a radially-spaced annular insulating region of magnesia within a silica beaker. While the magnesia has a melting point approximately the same as zirconia, the electrical conductivity of magnesia is substantially lower, enabling it to withstand higher RF power. Moreover magnesia is more soluble than zirconia in silica, reducing the likelihood of particulate contamination of the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Vincent DiMarcello, James William Fleming, Jr., Arthur Clifford Hart, Jr., Richard Garner Huff, Karen S. Kranz
  • Patent number: 5357085
    Abstract: Induction heating is utilized to heat polymer matrix composite fiber strands containing electrically conductive fibers. This is accomplished with an apparatus having a helical induction coil and a matching helical guide tube situated adjacent to the induction coil. Composite fiber strands are drawn through the guide tube which is made of a non-electrically conductive, nonmagnetic material. Electrically conductive rollers, positioned next to the entrance and exit of the guide tube, form an electrical circuit with the electrically conductive fibers. This permits currents to be induced in the fibers when the coil is activated, thereby heating the fiber composites. The guide tube can be thermally insulated and flushed with an inert purge gas. Alternatively, the guide tube can be made of an electrically conductive or ferromagnetic material so that heat producing currents are induced in the guide tube, and the composite fiber strands are heated by conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Philip C. Sturman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5300750
    Abstract: A heater employs a ferromagnetic or like material heated by a varying magnetic field to heat the ferromagnetic material wherein the ferromagnetic material has a large cross-section comprised of many members of small cross-section insulated from one another and wherein for medical applications each member may be surrounded by a heat conductive electrically conductive coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Metcal, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip S. Carter, Jr., Michael Hodges, John P. Ekstrand, Andrew Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 5288960
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for thermal cutting of workpieces, such as plate, made of materials which can be melted or decomposed thermally by means of a stream of liquid heated to a temperature above the melting or decomposition temperature of the workpiece to be cut. The stream of liquid serves to transport the heat used to melt or thermally decompose the workpiece to be cut and to induce momentum for the removal of the melted or thermally decomposed material from the workpiece. Apparatus to implement the process can comprise a crucible made of heat resistant material with an insertion opening to accept a metal wire or metal rod inserted into this opening in such a way as to be sealed. The wire is moved by feed rollers. A heating unit at the crucible melts the end of the wire or rod in the crucible. A discharge nozzle for the stream of molten metal produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Dorries Scharmann GmbH
    Inventors: Rudiger Rothe, Ralf Louis