Abstract: An apparatus and method for synthesizing nanostructures in a reactor having a reaction zone and a conductive susceptor positioned in the reaction zone. In one embodiment, the method has the steps of placing a semiconductor plate having a film of a catalyst in the reaction zone such that the semiconductor plate is supported by the conductive susceptor; transporting a gas mixture having a feedstock gas having hydrocarbon and a carrier gas into the reaction zone of the chamber; inductively heating the reaction zone; and regulating the heating so that the temperature of the conductive susceptor increases from a first temperature to a second temperature when the gas mixture is introduced into the cavity of the chamber to allow nanostructures to be grown from the interaction of the gas mixture with the film of a catalyst of the semiconductor plate.

Abstract: Herein is described a method for the heating-up of a ceramic glow plug by applying a variable electric voltage to the glow plug. In accordance with the invention it is provided that, starting from a base value, the electric voltage increases in a time-averaged manner superproportional to the elapsed heating-up time. The invention relates also to a glow plug control unit for carrying out of such a method.

Abstract: A first plate material is set on a work stage. The first plate material includes first components commonly connected to a first connection member. A second plate material is subsequently set on the work stage. The second plate material includes second components commonly connected to a second connection member. The second components are superposed on the corresponding first components. The first components as well as the second components can be handled as a one-piece component. It leads to an improved productivity. Heat surfaces of a heat block contact the second components. The connection members are prevented from thermal expansion. The constant intervals are reliably maintained between the adjacent first components and the adjacent second components.

Abstract: A tankless water heating assembly that heats water on a continuous basis as it passes from a conventional water source and through a heating system. It basically includes a housing assembly, a plumbing assembly, a heating system, and an electrical system. The tankless water heater assembly heats water in a real time basis, as is being used, resulting in an efficient method of hot water utilization. The heating system comprises heating elements that are submerged within water as the water passes continuously through the heating units to prevent heating unit burnout, and the electrical system has means to properly measure water temperature as it is flowing within the heating system.

Abstract: A heating process apparatus includes a process chamber, a heat-processed object support member provided in the process chamber for heating a substrate disposed thereon, a cap for covering the substrate disposed on the heat-processed object support member, a heater for heating the heat-processed object support member, a temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature of the heat-processed object support member, and a controller for controlling the heater. A first measuring unit measures a temperature of the cap, and the controller controls the heater so as to set the cap temperature to a predetermined temperature. A second measuring unit measures a temperature of the heat-processed object support member, and the controller turns off the heater when the temperature of the heat-processed object support member exceeds an over-heat critical temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a baseboard heater guard or security device designed to shield the upper and front surfaces of a baseboard heater. The guard or security device comprises two or more vertical members that substantially follow the contour of the outside surface of the baseboard heater forming a frame around the heater. The vertical members comprise or are attached to a fixing member designed for attachment on the wall above the baseboard heater and a second fixing member designed for attachment at a second point on the floor. One or more first horizontal members are attached to the two or more vertical members near the top surface of the baseboard heater. One or more second horizontal members are attached to the two or more vertical members near the front surface of the baseboard heater.

Abstract: A sheath heater for a glow plug comprises a sheath tube having a closed front end portion, and an open rear end portion. An insulating powder is charged into a gap between the sheath tube and a heat-generating resistor disposed within the sheath tube. A seal member includes an expanded portion extending radially outwardly from an outer circumference of the seal member, and a non-expanded portion of a smaller outside diameter than the expanded portion and formed on the outer circumference of the seal member at least at a leading end of the seal member. The seal member is fitted into the open rear end portion of the sheath tube such that the leading end enters the sheath tube first. The sheath tube is deformed radially inwardly around the seal member for sealing the heat-generating resistor and the insulating powder contained in the sheath tube.

Abstract: In light-irradiation heating with a total irradiation time of one second or less, two-stage irradiation is performed, including a first stage of light irradiation of a semiconductor wafer, which irradiation produces an output waveform that reaches a peak at a given emission output; and a second stage of supplemental light irradiation of the semiconductor wafer, which irradiation is started after the peak, producing an emission output smaller than the above given emission output. The emission output in the second stage is two thirds or less than the above given emission output at the peak. The first-stage light-irradiation time is between 0.1 and 10 milliseconds, and the second-stage light-irradiation time is 5 milliseconds or more. This allows the temperature of the semiconductor wafer even at a somewhat greater depth below the surface to be raised to some extent while allowing the surface temperature to be maintained at a generally constant processing temperature.

Abstract: There is described a heating panel comprising: a heat conductive plate having a first surface that is grooveless and planar and an opposite surface thereof; a self-regulating heating cable residing on the first surface; and an insulating layer covering the self-regulating cable and the first surface to direct the heat towards the opposite surface.

Abstract: A device for emitting volatile compositions comprising a capillary element, a channel in fluid communication with the capillary element, an emitting orifice having a forward tilt from about +5 degrees to less than about +90 degrees, and a decoupled piezoelectric actuator for emitting the volatile composition through the emitting orifice. In some embodiments, the device is a plug-in air freshener and reduces surface deposition and improves scent noticeability through improved containment of perfumes during the rest period.

Abstract: An improved oven is aimed at optimizing heat transfer and delivering an optimal cooking efficiency in comparison to conventional high-speed cooking ovens. The oven includes a support for supporting a food product in a cooking chamber of the oven, which utilizes impingement of hot air and microwave energy. The support includes a metal plate having a surface for receiving a food product thereon and at least one aperture located at an outer periphery of the metal plate adjacent the surface. The aperture permits heated air to flow therethrough as the heated air flows in a return path from the cooking chamber. The aperture also limits the reflection of microwave energy within the cooking chamber.

Abstract: An improved heating apparatus is aimed at optimizing heat transfer and delivering an optimal heating efficiency in comparison to conventional heating apparatus. The improved heating apparatus includes tubes that generate plume arrays of a fluid (e.g., a gas, such as air) that is heated in a conduit. The tubes introduce the heated fluid into a chamber of the heating apparatus. The fluid is returned to the conduit through a return opening in the chamber. The path that the fluid travels in the chamber, from the tubes to the return air opening, is provided such that optimized heat transfer and optimal heating efficiency are facilitated.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, systems and methods for encapsulated heaters are provided. A submersible, encapsulated heating system, a submersible, encapsulated heating system with a built-in thermostat, an encapsulated heat exchanger with flow-through heating, and a liquid, floating, encapsulated heating system are disclosed. The heater includes at least one heating element within the housing. The heating element is a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistance heating element. The heater includes a pair of thin, flexible foil electrode strips disposed upon opposing sides of heating element, configured for flexibility to make an intimate contact with surface areas on each heating element. Within the housing, the heating element and the pair of thin, flexible foil electrode strips are encapsulated with an inert polymer to make the heater submersible. The encapsulated heater is configured to electrically heat a medium to a predetermined temperature and to maintain the temperature of the medium.

Abstract: Methods of determining the likelihood of the existence of a dry fire condition in a hot water heater without requiring energization of any of the heating elements are presented. Such methods utilize only the sensor inputs required for normal operation of the hot water heater. Such sensory inputs are characterized in a process of fuzzification to enable the utilization of fuzzy logic rules to determine the likelihood of a dry fire condition before any energization of a heating element occurs. Alternatively, the sensory inputs are assigned logical values and are processed using Boolean logic to determine if a dry fire condition exists, prior to the energization of any electrical heating element within the hot water heater. Upon the determination that a dry fire condition is likely, the controller may perform a soft or hard lockout, may allow reset(s), and may provide an indication to the user of the condition.

Abstract: A drying apparatus includes a thermal roll for contacting and heating aluminum web in a continuous sheet form. The thermal roll includes a roll surface, having a static friction coefficient ? defined by contact with the web. The static friction coefficient ? satisfies a condition of: t+V?G wherein ? G = ? ? · ? A ? ? 1 = ? ? · t · sin ? ( ? / 2 ) where t is tension applied to the web; G is roll retaining force with which the roll surface frictionally retains the web; V is thermal expansion force generated by thermal expansion of the web retained on the roll surface; ?A1 is pressing force caused by the tension to the web and applied to the roll surface by the web; ? is a wrap angle at which the web contacts the roll surface. Thus, distortion of the web can be prevented even with a great difference in the temperature from the thermal roll.

Abstract: A heater assembly configured to elevate a temperature of a processing element in a chemical treatment system is described. The heater assembly may be configured to uniformly heat a large area processing element, such as a processing element that spans a plurality of substrates. Additionally, for example, the heater assembly may be configured to elevate a temperature of an upper assembly, a gas injection assembly, a substrate holder, a chamber wall, or any combination of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A steam cooker includes a steam generator for generating steam, a steam temperature-raising device for raising a temperature of steam coming from the steam generator, and a heating chamber in which an object to be cooked is heated by steam supplied from the steam temperature-raising device. The steam generator has a pot (41) to which water is supplied, a heater (42) placed in the pot (41), a water level sensor (43) and a temperature sensor (48) placed in the pot (41). The water level sensor (43) and the temperature sensor (48) are placed at opposed side surfaces in the pot (41) that correspond to the short sides of an elongated roughly rectangular planar shape of the pot (41). An exposed state of the heater (42) from the water in the pot (41) is judged by the water level sensor (43) and the temperature sensor (48).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for thermally processing a substrate are provided. A chamber containing a levitating support assembly configured to position the substrate at different distances from a plate during the heating and cooling of a substrate. In one embodiment a plurality of openings on the surface of the plate are configured to evenly distribute gas across a radial surface of the substrate. The distribution of gas may couple radiant energy not reflected back to the substrate during thermal processing with an absorptive region of the plate to begin the cooling of the substrate. The method and apparatus provided within allows for a controllable and effective means for thermally processing a substrate rapidly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a reflection heating fan comprising at least one fan rotating over a main axle, at least one heating element and at least one reflector, said heating element and reflector are continuing from said main axle, wherein said heating element indirectly heats an air stream by reflecting heat produced by a heating element into the air stream produced by said fan. The present invention also discloses a method of indirectly heating a stream of air, comprising applying energy to a heat emitting element incorporated into a bi-functional rotation axle, reflecting said energy by means of a reflective surface into an air stream produced by applying rotation to a bladed fan structure, achieved by transferring the power from a motor through the bi-functional axle to at least one bladed fan structure.

Abstract: A tankless electric water heater is disclosed that optimizes energy efficiency while minimizing cost and size. A flow-through container surrounds an electric heating element having a surface that is everwhere in direct, unobstructed relationship with the container walls, forming therebetween a passage through which all of the water must pass in a laminar flow while in close proximity to the heater surface, preferably within one-quarter inch and more preferably within one-eighth inch. The entire heater surface is surrounded by water, and all emanated heat must pass into the water. Tubular embodiments can be straight, coiled, U-shaped, and/or S-shaped. Cup-shaped embodiments can direct the water in a counter-flow past inner and outer heating element surfaces. Electrical connectors can be positioned near to each other. Protruding fins can be included that increase heat contact with the water, and the fins can be aligned with the water flow to minimize turbulence.