Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for continuous-direct-resistance heating of long-length articles wherein the travelling long-length article is made to contact with roll electrodes disposed in a specified spacing, then made to pass through an annular transformer disposed between the roll electrodes.Conductive members with sufficiently less electrical resistance than that of the long-length article located between the both electrodes are disposed on the periphery of the transformer with the both ends thereof connected to the roll electrode through a slider, thereby a current being induced in the long-length article with the conductive member as the retrace, which heats the long-length article having a higher resistance very efficiently, but does not result in an external voltage nor any electrical hazards along the production line in which the apparatus is installed.

Abstract: A method is provided for balancing a current distribution to a plurality of switching device of full-bridge inverter composed of N modules. Each of the N modules includes series connected first and second switching devices. The N modules are arranged in a row. First and second supply feeder bars for connection to a dc power source are provided along one side of the row of N modules, and first and second load feeder bars are provided on the opposite side of the row of N modules for connection to a load. Each of the N modules is selectively connected to one of the first and second load feeder bars and to one of the first and second supply feeder bars such that a current flow direction of each module is the same as the a current flow direction of one adjacent module and is opposite a current flow direction of the other adjacent module.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method and apparatus for holding wire at a specified temperature for a specified period of time by a direct-resistance heating device which applies such voltage as to generate Joule's heat in the wire, sufficient to offset the quantity of heat that would tend to be released from the heated wire during unforced cooling, after the travelling wire is heated rapidly to a specified temperature throughout its cross section.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a faulty switching device of a current-supply type full-bridge inverter includes current transformers connected to each pair of series connected switching devices of the inverter. A differential amplifier is provided for subtracting one detected current value output by one current transformer from another detected current value output by another current transformer. A rectifier is provided for smoothing and rectifying the output of the differential amplifier, and a comparator is provided for comparing the smoothed and rectified output of the rectifier with a reference value.

Abstract: In preparing superfine particle in a reaction chamber by evaporation-in-gas method or on such processes as PVD or CVD using arc- or high-frequency plasma wherein in the proximity of the inner surface of the said reaction chamber, a vessel provided with a number of pores thereon is arranged and gas consisting of given components is introduced into the space between the inner surface of the chamber and the vessel, and spouted through the said pores on the vessel. The resultant superfine particle produced in the chamber and being in Brownian movement or in thermal migration does not adhere to the surface of the vessel by being separated from the vessel by the spouting gas so that the gas containing superfine particle is directed securely to the collecting path, wherein the vessel is made of the material not reactive with the resultant superfines but resistant to heat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for continuous-direct-resistance heating of long-length articles wherein the travelling long-length article is made to contact with roll electrodes disposed in a specified spacing, then made to pass through an annular transformer disposed between the roll electrodes.Conductive members with sufficiently less electrical resistance than that of the long-length article located between the both electrodes are disposed on the periphery of the transformer with the both ends thereof connected to the roll electrode through a slider, thereby a current being induced in the long-length article with the conductive member as the retrace, which heats the long-length article having a higher resistance very efficiently, neither resulting in an external voltage, nor causing electrically any obstacle to the production line in which the apparatus is installed.