Abstract: An impedance heating system generally includes an outer tubular member having a first end and a second end, and an inner tubular member having a first end and a second end positioned coaxially inside the outer member. The inner member extends substantially the entire length of the outer member such that the first and second ends of the inner member terminate in close proximity to the first and second ends of the outer member, respectively. A power source is electrically connected to the first end of the inner member for supplying current to the inner member upon energization of the impedance heating system. A return path for current flow from the inner member to the power source generally includes either the outer member or a return cable electrically connected to the inner member. One or more spacer members are secured around the circumference of the inner member at spaced-apart intervals.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a washer fluid above a predetermined temperature at a point of delivery where the fluid is directed onto a windshield of a vehicle. The system and method include a washer nozzle that has an internal resistance such that, when a current is passed through the nozzle, a temperature of nozzle is maintained at a predetermined temperature which is above the freezing temperature of the fluid. In one embodiment, the nozzle body and its electrical terminals are a one-piece molded construction, with another embodiment having a plurality of metallic conductors insert-molded into the nozzle. The nozzle has a nozzle body which is molded of an electrically conductive, internally-resistive, thermo-plastic which can be energized with less than about twenty or even ten amperes so that the nozzle body temperature is maintained above, for example, one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit when an ambient temperature of about seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: A method and heating system for a hose and dispenser wand of a hot melt mix applicator using a three phase heating element powered by a generator to heat the hose and wand to maintain hot melt mix material within the hose and wand in a flowable state. To selectively energize the generator to control heat input, the heating system has (1) a controller in communication with a temperature sensor carried by the hose or wand, and (2) an output in communication with a generator control input. The generator control input enables operation of the generator to be controlled by the controller for controlling heating of the hose and wand. The heating element is a cord having a first wire receiving a phase of the three phase current, a second wire receiving another phase of the current, and a third wire receiving another phase of the current, with the cord being wrapped about the hose and wand in a helical configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and apparatus for high temperature (at least about 500-800.degree. C.) processing of semiconductor wafers. The systems, methods and apparatus of the present invention allow multiple process steps to be performed in situ in the same chamber to reduce total processing time and to ensure high quality processing for high aspect ratio devices. Performing multiple process steps in the same chamber also increases the control of the process parameters and reduces device damage. In particular, the present invention can provide high temperature deposition, heating and efficient cleaning for forming dielectric films having thickness uniformity, good gap fill capability, high density, low moisture, and other desired characteristics.

Abstract: A smoke generator apparatus and method are provided in which the apparatus has a pump connected to a reservoir of liquid smoke agent and to an electrical resistance heating tube incorporated into an electrical circuit. The electrical resistance heater tube has first and second end portions. The first end portion has an inside tube diameter larger than the second end portion inside tube diameter. The heating tube is activated by a control circuit for activating the pump and the electrical circuit to thereby heat the electrical resistance heating tube and pump a fluid from a reservoir into the heating tube. A pressure relief valve located between the pump and the electrical resistance heating tube input portion helps control the pressure and works in combination with the multisized heating tube to allow a low thermal mass of heater for use of a high temperature smoke agent which can be used in an open flame environment.

Abstract: A hot air torch for the welding of plastic featuring an air flow around and about the inner portions of tubular members which entrains unwanted internally generated heat prior to the welding tip to provide a torch body which is safe to the touch while at the same time providing suitably heated air at the welding tip. Excess accumulated heat is vented overboard in the vicinity of the welding tip.

Abstract: A flexible double-walled plastic tubing product includes a helically wound support bead between inner and outer walls, and an helically wrapped electrical resistance heating conductor is disposed adjacent to the inner wall in good heat transfer relation to fluid flow within the tubing product. Fluid flow within the tubing product is insulated against heat loss to ambient by the helical support bead and a trapped "dead-air" space between the walls of the tubing product. Apparatus and method for making the tubing product are disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible, integral polymer resistance heated conduit is provided that is particularly suitable for use with physiological fluids. The conduit is highly effective in uniformly heating a fluid and in maintaining the fluid at a uniform, predetermined temperature. The conduit is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, and is at least partially transparent or translucent, thereby allowing easy viewing of its contents.

Abstract: A modular drainmast assembly for an aircraft includes a drain tube assembly removably enclosed in a fairing that is removably attachable to an aircraft. The electrically heated drain tube assembly may be accessed in the field for service, repair or replacement. A resilient sealed interface supports the drain tube where it exits the drainmast while permitting relative movement between the drain tube and the drainmast fairing due to thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A helically wound and helically ribbed plastic tubing incorporating an electrically conductive heating wire and an apparatus and method for making the tubing are disclosed. A plastic ribbon is wound about an axis into a tube with one edge of each lap overlapping and heat-bonded to an edge of the preceding lap as the tubing is rotated; a conductive wire is embedded in the ribbon; and a bead is applied and heat-sealed onto the tubing, encapsulating the conductive wire during rotation of the tubing, providing a unitary structure including a conductive wire integral to a flexible tubing having a corrugated crevice-free outside and a smooth inside. Coolant is applied to the tubing for cooling the unitary ribbon, wire and bead tubing and to assist in advancing the tubing along the axis.

Abstract: A composition analyzer and a method of use for determination of the masses of individual components in a multiphase multicomponent fluid system containing a gas. Data and relationships not measured by the analyzer during operation but required by the method are predetermined or researched and stored, and other required data is instantaneously obtained from the composition analyzer during process operation. All these data are used in an iteration process to accurately determine the mass composition of each fluid component. The preferred means for adding energy to the fluid mixture in the test apparatus is comprised of an electrically conductive conduit through which the fluid mixture flows and which heats the fluid mixture when electrically energized.

Abstract: A method determining the concentrations of fluids in a two-part fluid system. The heat loss in a test apparatus for measuring the temperatures and flow rate of a flowing fluid mixture is determined and the specific heat of the fluid mixture is calculated. Knowing the relationship between the specific heat of the fluid and its composition allows the fluid composition to be directly calculated, and hence the ratio of the two constituent fluids to be determined. A preferred heater is comprised of an electrically conductive conduit through which the fluid mixture flows which when energized efficiently heats the fluid mixture.

Abstract: A modular drainmast assembly for an aircraft includes a drain tube assembly removably enclosed in a fairing that is removably attachable to an aircraft. The electrically heated drain tube assembly may be accessed in the field for service, repair or replacement.

Abstract: This invention refers to an electric heating system for subsea flexible pipelines (13) including the circulation of an electric current which runs through the metallic armorings (31) of the flexible pipeline (13), generating energy and dissipating a certain amount of heat to the pipeline (13) and to the fluid contained inside same, maintaining the temperature differential between the environment and the production line, so as not to interrupt the fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transportation pipe or conduit (10, 20, 30) which preferably is adapted to be installed on the seabed between a permanent or floating off-shore platform (3) and an on-shore terminal (4). The transportation conduit comprises an inner tube or pipe (21, 31) which primarily is constructed for the transmission of gas and/or oil or similar, a plurality of elements (23, 33) provided preferably as a layer outside the pipe (21, 31) and being adapted for transmission of preferably electric power. The elements (23, 33) which preferably might be made of copper or another material of appropriate electric conductivity, is insulated against the outer environment, for example by means of an appropriate thermal insulation material (24, 34). The inner tube (21, 31) might be manufactured from steel or a flexible material of considerable strength, and be surrounded by a corrosion preventing layer (22, 32).

Abstract: An automatic electric maker for coffee or the like, having user selectable AUTO, BREW, WARM or OFF modes. The temperature of the WARM mode is selectable by applying partial power to the heating element. Full power can be triggered using a phase controlled triggerable semiconductor. Monitoring devices measure temperature and time to control the operator of the apparatus and to detect malfunction. A temperature comparator is provided to determine if the water conduit should be cleaned and to determine if the BREW state of the machine should be converted to the WARM state, and to place the system in the OFF state if necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a fluid contained in an electrically conductive material container. The apparatus includes a stepdown transformer having a primary winding coupled to source of electric energy and a secondary winding that includes the container itself. In a first embodiment the secondary winding also comprises a substantially rigid electrically conductive member on which the transformer is mounted and electrical contacts at each end of the conductive member for connecting it with the container. In a second embodiment, two semicircular clamps, having articulated jaws, carry the current from the transformer. Such clamps are made to close around the upper and lower portion of the walls of a cylindrical can, completing a secondary winding in which a very high current flows in the walls of the container. In all cases the turns ratio of the transformer is sufficient to reduce the voltage in the secondary winding to a safe level. Illustratively, the turns ratio is at least 100 to 1.

Abstract: A method of carrying out a chemical reaction in a fluidized bed reactor is provided wherein the reactants include at least one finely sub-divided reactant having a particle size substantially smaller than that of the particles constituting the fluidized bed. The reactor includes a downcomer compartment and a riser compartment operated such that the fluidized bed particles circulate by moving down the downcomer compartment and up the riser compartment. The finely divided solid reactant is introduced, either as such, or in an agglomerated form, into the central or upper region of the fluidized bed in the downcomer compartment such that it becomes entrained in the downwardly moving fluidized bed in the downcomer compartment and moves countercurrent to the fluidizing gas towards the lower end of the riser compartment. The reaction products which may be, or include, fine divided solids are carried out of the top of the reactor from the riser compartment.

Abstract: A forced gas electric heater has a serpentine heating element in series with a preheat coil. Gas to be heated first flows through the preheat coil before flowing through the serpentine heating element. A thermistor is disposed between two adjacent turns of the preheat coil. The thermistor controls the "on" time of a solid state power control device which is in series with the preheat coil and the serpentine heating element.

Abstract: A water heater (10) overcomes the disadvantage of complicated structure in the prior art and can effectively prevent water in the tank from flowing back into main supply outside the tank, remove impurities in hot water to improve water quality, assure effective and safe operation of the water heater and prolong its service life through the use of a simple ventilating member (20) having small holes (26) preventing water from flowing back, a guiding pipe (24) which makes water swirl, a downwardly projecting periphery (14) of the bottom of the tank, a sand collector (16) and a manually operated sand removing valve (18).

Abstract: A self-regulating porous heater regulates the temperature of fluid passing through it. This device includes at least one layer of a porous material which has a magnetic permeability inversely related to temperature over a given range. Due to conductor skin effects, changes in permeability cause changes in the depth of penetration of alternating current passing through the magnetic layer. Changes in the depth of penetration, in turn, result in changes in resistance--the less the depth the greater the resistance--and in I.sup.2 R Joule heat. The combined result of these effects is to provide more heat where the temperature of the fluid and the layer through which the fluid flows is below a specified temperature which is related to the Curie temperature of the layer. Significantly, by properly defining pore dimensions, the heater device can filter contaminants from a fluid as it flows therethrough. In a preferred mode, a porous heater device is included in a chemical reaction chamber.

Abstract: A flexible hosing for circulation of a heat transfer fluid to effect heat exchange within a concrete or other type of slab. An inner wall comprising nylon, rayon or other similar material forms an inner wall of the hosing to resist corrosive attack by the heat transfer fluid. A locator wire is embedded within the hosing for transmission of a locating signal so that the position of the hosing within the slab may be accurately determined. The wire may also serve as an electrical resistance heating element should the heat transfer fluid become frozen, or should it be desired that the heat exchange system be operated without an external boiler or other heat source.

Abstract: A furnace for the thermal treatment of charges of iron and steel components. A cylindrical, vertical heating chamber is disposed within a housing. A plurality of vertical heating elements are disposed in the heating chamber. To accelerate the heating-up of a charge that is disposed within the heating chamber, especially in the lower temperature range, the heating elements have a tubular construction and are provided at their bottom end with an outlet opening. Gas conveyed by a fan flows through the heating elements, at which time it is convectively heated, and thereafter passes into the interior of the heating chamber. In the higher temperature range, the heating elements transfer their heat to the charge as radiant heat, with the furnace then operating in a vacuum.