Abstract: The present invention relates a microwave applicator for heating a sample by microwave radiation which is transmitted via an at least partially tapering transmission duct from a microwave source to a cavity adapted to receive the sample to be heated. The transmission duct has at least one external wall, said wall defining an internal space for the propagation of said microwave radiation and comprising an interface which is at least partially permeable to said microwave radiation. The interface is at least partially arranged within said tapering portion of the duct. The duct is adapted to form a jacket surrounding the cavity with said interface forming an inner wall of said jacket.

Abstract: An electromagnetic heater for heating an irregularly shaped object, including: a cavity within which an object is to be placed; at least one feed which feeds UHF or microwave energy into the cavity; and a controller that controls one or more characteristics of the cavity or energy to assure that the UHF or microwave energy is deposited uniformly in the object within ±30% over at least 80% of the volume of the object.

Abstract: A soldering method is provided. According to the method at least two sets of components are heated and soldered by heating. Each set includes a first soldering partner, a second soldering partner, and a solder. During the soldering process, the individual temperatures of each one of the sets are transmitted by a radio frequency transmitter to a receiving and control unit. The control unit controls the heating of the sets depending on the transmitted individual temperatures.

Abstract: A device and method for the removal of a metal-sheath layer from a metal-sheathed structure using capacitive discharge in conjunction with step-up and step-down transformers to create a low voltage, high current pulse to remove a selected portion of the metal-sheath layer from the metal-sheathed structure.

Abstract: For a WIG/TIG welding torch, gas distribution across a cross-section of the gas lens and/or the gas nozzle, is improved and as small a size and as low a weight of the components as possible can be achieved, when an insertion element with a bore in the center through which an electrode is to be guided is arranged, with fan-shaped flow elements being positioned around the bore and twisted relative to the plane of the bore so as to provide for radial deviation of a gas flowing therethrough. The gas lens consists of a base body having a gas distribution channel with at least one gas-lens filter, with an above-described insertion element being arranged in the gas-distribution channel, and with a gas-lens filter, seen in the out-flow direction of the gas, being arranged downstream of the insertion element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brewing device (1) for a coffee machine, including a brewing cylinder (6) having a cylindrical bore and pistons, such that the brewing cylinder (6) can be closed off to form a brewing chamber. The brewing cylinder (6) and the pistons are held in a frame, and can be displaced relative to each other and driven by a spindle (9). A threaded part (7a) acts together with the spindle, and is disposed on a carrier (7) attached to the brewing cylinder (6). A ground coffee feed device is provided for filling the brewing chamber with ground coffee, and a stripping element (19) serves to strip off the residual coffee grounds remaining on the lower piston (4) after the brewing process. A supporting structure can prevent the spindle from being able to bend under load during the brewing process.

Abstract: A blower urges an airflow, at a rate according to a user-controlled flow rate command, through an electric heater and the electrical heater heats the airflow at a heater power based on a user-input temperature command, the user-input flow rate command, and a measured mass flow rate of the airflow. The heater power is calculated based on the heat energy required to heat air to the given reference temperature, at a flow rate corresponding to the measured mass flow rate. Optionally, the temperature of the air entering the electric heater is measured, and the heater power is calculated based on the heat energy required to heat air from the measured temperature to the given reference temperature, at a flow rate corresponding to the measured mass flow rate.

Abstract: A method of delivering energy to an object in a cavity may include transmitting electromagnetic energy to the cavity at a plurality of frequencies. At each of the plurality of frequencies, the method may also include determining an efficiency of energy transfer into the object and adjusting power transmitted at each of the plurality of frequencies such that a multiplicative product of the efficiency and the power transmitted is substantially constant across each of the plurality of frequencies.

Abstract: A disclosed substrate processing apparatus comprises a heat exchange plate configured to heat and/or cool the substrate; plural protrusions provided on the heat exchange plate so as to allow the substrate to be placed on the plural protrusions, leaving a gap between the substrate and the heat exchange plate; a suction portion configured to attract the substrate onto the plural protrusion by suction through plural holes formed in the heat exchange plate; and a partition member that is provided on the heat exchange plate and lower than the plural protrusions, wherein the partition member is configured to divide the gap into two or more regions including at least one of the holes so that at least one of the two or more regions is two-dimensionally closed by the partition member.

Abstract: A heated food storage and display cabinet including a flow inducer and heater arranged in an upper region thereof, the flow inducer being operable to draw air from an upper portion of the cabinet, to direct the air over the heater, and subsequently urge the heated air down the rear wall of the cabinet and across the floor of the cabinet towards the open front of the cabinet. The heated air is subsequently directed upwardly and rearwardly across the open front of the cabinet by an airflow direction member of the cabinet so as to provide a heated air curtain across the open front of the cabinet, and a portion of the heated air is also passed into the cabinet as the heated air moves down the rear wall and across the floor so as to pass over and around packs of food stored therein.

Abstract: A method and system to start and use a combination wire feed and energy source system for any of brazing, cladding, building up, filling, and hard-facing overlaying applications. High intensity energy is applied onto a workpiece to heat the workpiece. One or more resistive filler wires are fed toward the workpiece at or just in front of the applied high intensity energy. Sensing of when a distal end of the one or more resistive filler wires makes contact with the workpiece at or near the applied high intensity energy is accomplished. Electric heating current to the one or more resistive filler wires is controlled based on whether or not the distal end of the one or more resistive filler wires is in contact with the workpiece. The applied high intensity energy and the one or more resistive filler wires are moved in a same direction along the workpiece in a fixed relation to each other.

Abstract: The invention described herein pertains generally to a more efficient and cost-effective method and apparatus for: (1) coupling of microwave energy from a microwave generator or plurality of microwave generators into an integral set of applicators; (2) extraction and separation of organic compounds from a mixture of organic and inorganic compounds; and (3) recovery and conversion of the organic compounds to gaseous and liquid fuels. The apparatus described in this invention result in improved microwave absorption within the mixture flowing through the applicators by increasing residence time within the applicators, resulting in a higher temperature within the material. The higher temperature lowers the viscosity of the solution, but also provides a limited reduction of the combination of complex chain and aromatic organic compounds to allow recovery of syngas and fuel oil.

Abstract: An exemplary cutting apparatus for cutting components from a sprue includes a sprue retainer, a laser cutting unit, and a rotating driving unit. The sprue retainer has a supporting surface. The supporting surface defines a receiving hole, and grooves extending across the entire supporting surface. The grooves are in communication with the receiving hole. The laser cutting unit is disposed above the sprue retainer and is configured for emitting a laser beam to cut the sprue carried on the sprue retainer. The sprue retainer is coupled to the rotating driving such that the rotating driving unit is capable of driving the sprue retainer to rotate.

Abstract: A hose heater for use in outdoor or unheated interior spaces of a home, construction office or farm. The hose heater includes an enclosure having a hose reel for storing the hose also having an electrical heating unit to warm the stored hose between uses. A heating core located in the center of the reel provides heat, keeping the hose from freezing. The enclosure which itself may be heated or unheated, blankets the hose to provide heat to the outer hose coils to ensure that the extremities are maintained at a freeze-free temperature. This can be used in small scale farming, outside use, and other areas where animals and ice rinks need watering in winter with a hose.

Abstract: Weld faces of electrodes for resistance spot welding are formed with a suitable area of protrusions and/or intrusions. The size, shape, and elevation or depths of the protrusions or intrusions are determined for the formation of suitable spot welds in and between metal workpieces such as aluminum or steel panels for vehicle bodies. The protrusions or intrusions are also conceived and used to form an image on at least a visible surface of the welded article to produce an attractive appearance on the surface of the welded sheet.

Abstract: An electromagnetic heater for heating an irregularly shaped object, including: a cavity within which an object is to be placed; at least one feed which feeds UHF or microwave energy into the cavity; and a controller that controls one or more characteristics of the cavity or energy to assure that the UHF or microwave energy is deposited uniformly in the object within ±30% over at least 80% of the volume of the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid-heating device (1) comprising: a fluid circulation conduit (5), electric heating means (4), and a switch (6) which can be moved selectively between a configuration in which the electric heating means are powered and a configuration in which the electric power being supplied to the electric heating means is cut off. The invention also comprises a thermally-fusible part (7) which is intended to be heated by the electric heating means when in operation and which is designed (i) to fuse at least partially when at least one area (8) of the electric heating means exceeds a critical temperature threshold and (ii) to move the switch (6) from the power supply configuration to the power cut-off configuration.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods for controlling the temperature of media in apparatuses useful for printing are disclosed. An embodiment of the apparatuses includes a heated first roll including a first outer surface; a heated second roll including a second outer surface; a third roll including a third outer surface; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the third outer surface; a belt supported on the first roll and the second roll and disposed between the first outer surface and the third outer surface, the belt including an inner surface and an outer surface; a nip between the third outer surface and the outer surface of the belt at which the belt heats media which include a surface, marking material on the surface and an interface between the surface and marking material; and a positioning device coupled to the second roll.

Abstract: The heated steering wheel cover includes a resilient, flexible, substantially annular member having an open bottom portion enabling the substantially annular member to be removably fitted over a vehicle's steering wheel. A heating element is disposed inside of the steering wheel cover. A battery pack is electrically connected to the heating element. A switch is electrically connected to the battery pack and selectively turns the heating element on or off. The battery pack is removably attachable to a portion of the vehicle proximate the steering wheel so that safe operation of the heating element is possible while the vehicle is being driven.