Abstract: A method comprises: providing a weldment and a welded plate to which the weldment is to be welded, an end of the weldment to be welded to the welded plate being provided with a first welding face and a second welding face, the first welding face and the second welding face forming a pointed cone, the first welding face corresponding to a first welding area, and the second welding face corresponding to a second welding area; in the first welding area, welding being performed at the innermost side of the pointed cone to form a first welding pass; in the second welding area, welding being performed at the innermost side of the pointed cone to form a second welding pass, and then welding being performed at the outer side of the second welding pass to form a third welding pass adjacent to the second welding pass.

Abstract: A water heater having an electric heating element therein is provided with apparatus for preventing dry firing of the heating element. The apparatus is operative to (1) power the heating element with electrical test pulses having first predetermined durations and being separated by rest periods of second predetermined durations during which the heating element is depowered, (2) determine the average electrical current flow through the element during each of the test pulses, and (3) preclude energization of the heating element if the average current flow therethrough during an electrical test pulse subsequent to the first test pulse is less by a predetermined magnitude than the average electrical current flow through the heating element during the first electrical test pulse.

Abstract: A selective laser solidification apparatus including; a powder bed onto which powder layers can be deposited, at least one laser module for generating a plurality of laser beams for solidifying the powder material deposited onto the powder bed, a laser scanner for individually steering each laser beam to solidify separate areas in each powder layer, and a processing unit. A scanning zone for each laser beam is defined by the locations on the powder bed to which the laser beam can be steered by the laser scanner. The laser scanner is arranged such that each scanning zone is less than the total area of powder bed and at least two of the scanning zones overlap. The processing unit is arranged for selecting, for at least one powder layers, which laser beam to use to scan an area of the powder layer located within a region wherein the scanning zones overlap.

Abstract: The present invention is a candle warming image display lamp (CWIDL) for use in displaying user selectable images while providing light such as to light a room brightly or as a night light, while also warming a preferably spill resistant wickless scented candle, without spilling hot molten candle wax.

Abstract: An apparatus for accelerated or controlled degassing of roasted coffee. The apparatus comprises a container for receiving and retaining roasted coffee, a source of inert gas in fluid communication with the container, and a controller. The controller includes a timer and a valve. The valve is operatively associated with the source of inert gas and has an open and a closed position. When in its closed position the valve restricts the flow of inert gas into the container. When in its open position the valve permits the flow of inert gas into the container such that the inert gas displaces at least a portion of the gas in the container. The timer causes the valve to cycle between its open and closed positions at predetermined time intervals. The flow of inert gas can also be controlled through the use of a gas sensor in communication with the interior of the container.

Abstract: Surface asperities, such as roughness characteristics, are reduced or otherwise mitigated via the control of surface regions including the asperities in different regimes. In accordance with various embodiments, the height of both high-frequency and low-frequency surface asperities is reduced by controlling characteristics of a surface region under a first regime to flow material from the surface asperities. A second regime is implemented to reduce a height of high-frequency surface asperities in the surface region by controlling characteristics of the surface region under a second regime to flow material that is predominantly from the high-frequency surface asperities, the controlled characteristics in the second regime being different than the controlled characteristics in the first regime. Such aspects may include, for example, controlling melt pools in each regime via energy pulses, to respectively mitigate/reduce the asperities.

Abstract: A method of producing a semiconductor chip, including the following steps (a) to (d): (a) a step of, in the state of having laminated a mask-integrated surface protective tape on the side of a patterned surface of a semiconductor wafer, grinding the backing-face of the semiconductor wafer; laminating a wafer fixing tape on the backing-face side of the ground semiconductor wafer; and supporting and fixing the wafer to a ring flame; (b) a step of, after peeling the surface protective tape thereby to expose the mask material layer on top, forming an opening of a street of the semiconductor wafer; (c) a plasma dicing step of segmentalizing the semiconductor wafer by a plasma irradiation to singulate it into semiconductor chips; and (d) an ashing step of removing the mask material layer by the plasma irradiation.

Abstract: A plasma computer numerically controlled (CNC) cutting machine is controlled by a computer s. In an embodiment, the computer executes a CNC program to control movement of a plasma torch to cut parts from a workpiece while a spectrometer determines emissions spectra of light emitted in a brief time window as the torch begins to cut the workpiece. The spectrometer cooperates with the computer to analyze the metal as it is being cut by the CNC cutting machine and determine a composition. In embodiments, the composition is compared to an expected composition and saved in a database with identifying information; in a particular embodiment the database is queried to provide identifying information of metal having similar composition to the workpiece.

Abstract: A universal conduit assembly for a welding torch is provided that includes a conduit liner defining a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a conduit tip secured to the proximal end portion of the conduit liner, and an interchangeable conduit stop removably secured to the conduit tip. The interchangeable conduit stop is adapted for connection to a specific OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) power connector.

Abstract: A method of regulating the temperature of a cooking liquid during sous vide cooking in a cooking vessel on a burner of a cooktop includes setting a desired cooking temperature and measuring the temperature of the cooking liquid inside the sous vide cooking vessel at a plurality of predetermined time intervals with a first temperature sensor mounted on an interior surface of a wall of the sous vide cooking vessel. The temperature of the cooking liquid is compared to the desired cooking temperature at each of the predetermined time intervals. The energy output of the burner is controlled based on the difference between the temperature of the cooking liquid and the desired cooking temperature. A cooking vessel and system for sous vide cooking using this method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable herbal vaporizer having an outward appearance of a fountain pen. The vaporizer includes a vaporization chamber subjected to high temperatures. The vaporizer utilizes compacted particulate aerogel insulation to reduce heat loss while also providing a compact exterior package. The aerogel particles are contained in a sealed cavity, with is filled during manufacture by means of a centrifuge.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an acousto-optics deflector and mirror for laser beam steering and associated techniques and configurations. In one embodiment, a laser system may include an acousto-optics module to deflect a laser beam in a first scanning direction of the laser beam on an integrated circuit (IC) substrate when the IC substrate is in a path of the laser beam and a mirror having at least one surface to receive the laser beam from the acousto-optics module, the mirror to move to control position of the laser beam in a second scanning direction, wherein the second scanning direction is substantially perpendicular to the first scanning direction. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A rectilinear beam distributor capable of maintaining visibility of visible light emitted from a guide laser is provided. In a beam distributor, a beam direction changing unit has a dichroic property that the beam direction changing unit reflects an incident beam and transmits a visible light. A guide laser is disposed so as to move with movement of the beam direction changing unit in an optical axis direction of the incident beam when oscillating the visible light so that the visible light passes through the beam direction changing unit and the optical axis thereof is identical to a reflection beam.

Abstract: An appliance for cooking a food item comprises a bottom housing, a top housing, and a cooking assembly. The cooking assembly comprises a top heated plate, a bottom heated plate, and a center ring therebetween. The top heated plate is selectively movable between (i) an open position and (ii) a closed position in which a top cooking cavity is selectively formed by the top heated plate and the top housing when the top housing is in a closed position. The bottom heated plate is selectively movable between (i) an open position and (ii) a closed position in which a bottom cooking cavity is selectively formed by the bottom housing and the bottom heated plate. A center cooking cavity is selectively formed by the top heated plate, the center ring, and the bottom heated plate when the top and bottom heated plates are in their respective closed positions.

Abstract: A sliding electric contact device for welding head for roller welding machines, having a bimetallic plate adapted to be fixed to a shaft of a welding head, having a protection base composed of a first metal, defining a first face destined to abut against an end surface of the shaft, and a sliding disk composed of a second metal softer than the first metal, defining a second sliding electric contact face; a composite current-carrying block, having a plait of electrical wires, an internal support made of metal, pushed against the sliding disk for realizing with the sliding disk a sliding electric contact, first means adapted to fix firmly a central portion of the plait to the inner support, second current-carrying means adapted to fix firmly a peripheral portion of the plait to current terminals of a stator of the welding head. A welding head having the sliding electric contact device and a related roller welding machine are also disclosed.

Abstract: To provide an arc welding robot system that displays a current waveform graphically during arc welding and realizes parameter adjustment on a display screen. An arc welding robot system comprises a robot controller and a teaching operation terminal. The robot controller comprises: an arc sensor; and a welding current storage unit that stores the current value of a welding current detected by the arc sensor during implementation of the arc welding. The teaching operation terminal comprises: a control unit; and a display on which data is displayed. The control unit comprises: a welding current display unit that displays the current value and the waveform of the welding current in any weaving cycle on the display; a sampling current area display unit that displays a sampling current area on the display; and a current waveform display shift unit that shifts the waveform of the welding current in a temporal axis direction on the display unit.

Abstract: A method improving fuel economy by the retention of heat in or heating a liquid cooled, internal combustion engine is provided wherein insulation, a heating member, or both are attached to the engine and used to reduce heat loss from the engine or keep the engine at an operating temperature. The engine is subsequently maintained at the operating temperature or a temperature substantially close thereto for either a period of time determined by a user or for a time period that is longer than time periods obtained by following standard practices.