Abstract: The ceramic heater of the present invention is used for regenerating a fine particle collecting filter which is exposed to exhaust gases at elevated temperatures. In this ceramic heater, which is capable of being cantilevered, two electrode portions are provided on a single straight or curved line and heat generating portion is positioned on one side of said line. The heat generating portion comprises a ring-like portion and two leg portions integrally connected to the ring-like portion at two connecting portions which approximately bisect the ring-like portion. The two electrode portions are provided at fore ends of the leg portions respectively, and the ring-like portion and the two electrode portions conjointly form a triangle.

Abstract: A hot wire type electric arc welding torch includes a wire heating unit which has a first guide hole therein disposed substantially parallel to a welding torch. An insulative guide is connected to the wire feeding unit and supplies a wire to the welding torch at an angle which is inclined relative to the first guide hole. An insulative spacer is disposed in the wire feeding unit, and the insulative spacer has a guide hole therein which forms an angle with the first guide hole for bending the wire. Tapered escape hole portions are formed at wire inlet and outlet sides of the insulative spacer to minimize friction.