Abstract: A circuit is provided that provides for the same power characteristics to an assembly of electrical resistive elements wired in parallel as to the assembly as wired in series. An input power source provides electrical resistive power to a plurality of load elements, wherein the plurality of load elements are connected in parallel to each other. A plurality of power splitters divide the power source into separate and equal power subsources such that there is one power splitter and one power subsource for each load element, wherein the power provided to each of the plurality of load elements is equal to the power of the electrical power source. Redundancy and fault tolerance is provided to the circuitry by permitting remaining load elements to continue to operate should one or more load elements fail.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the condition of a heating element involving installing the heating element in a location and setting the initial composition Ci of the material as a reference baseline at an initial time Ti corresponding to said installation of the heating element. Data is then collected reflecting the subsequent composition Cs of the heating element material after a subsequent time Ts at the installed location and any change in the material composition of the heating element between Ti and Ts is monitored. An alarm is sent when the change reaches a threshold value indicating a possible failure condition. According to one embodiment, an impedance monitor is provided that calculates and compares impedance at the required levels of accuracy to determine changes in material composition. The impedance monitor, or portions thereof can be embedded within a microcontroller for increased portability and functionality.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the condition of an electric current-carrying heating element involving installing the heating element in a location and setting the initial composition Ci of the material as a reference baseline at an initial time Ti corresponding to said installation of the heating element. Data is then collected reflecting the subsequent composition Cs of the heating element material after a subsequent time Ts at the installed location and any change in the material composition of the heating element between Ti and Ts is monitored. An alarm is sent when the change reaches a threshold value indicating a possible failure condition. According to one embodiment, an impedance monitor is provided that calculates and compares impedance at the required levels of accuracy to determine changes in material composition. The impedance monitor, or portions thereof may be embedded within a microcontroller for increased portability and functionality.

Abstract: A heating assembly for use in an electric furnace includes a helical heating element encircled by thermal insulation, and rows of spacers for keeping turns of the heating element spaced apart by predetermined distances. Each spacer includes circumferential side portions facing generally in a circumferential direction of the heating element and converging toward a center region of the spacer to form a radial undercut against which the insulation abuts. The spacers of each row have through holes extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the heating element. A guide rod extends through the through holes of each row of spacers.

Abstract: An improved collar, interlocking arrangement, an electric furnace are provided. The improved arrangement includes an electrically insulating collar having a mounting flange and a passageway, an electrically conductive lead disposed at least partially within the passageway, and means for securing the lead relative to the passageway such that the lead is maintained in its proper position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a furnace which heat treats substrates. The furnace includes a heating section and working components. The heating section includes heating coils having spacers disposed within the heating coils where a mass of the heating coils and a mass of the spacers contributes to a mass of the heating section. The working components include a processing chamber and a transport mechanism. The processing chambers facilitates passage of a substrate through the heating section. The transport mechanism transports the substrate through the heating section and into the exit assembly. The heating section mass exceeds a combined mass of the processing chamber, the transport mechanism and the substrate within the heating section.