Abstract: A system and method detect weld defects in real time. Cameras capture images of a weld pool as well as ripple shape and fillet geometry. A processor receives the images and communicates with a database that stores correlated potential weld defects with images of a mock weld molten pool and images of a mock weld ripple shape and fillet geometry. The processor computes an aggregate probability that a weld position corresponding to the images captured by the cameras contains a defect based on the potential defects correlated in the database.

Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus and a method of heating a load using microwaves is disclosed. The microwave heating apparatus comprises a cavity arranged to receive a load, a plurality of feeding ports for feeding microwaves from a plurality of microwave generators to the cavity, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to obtain a desired temperature pattern within the cavity based on information about a plurality of regions of the load. The control unit is also configured to determine a heating pattern comprising zones of different intensities corresponding to the desired temperature pattern, and control at least one of the plurality of microwave generators for providing the heating pattern within the cavity. The apparatus and method may provide heating of a load according to different desired temperatures in various parts of the load.

Abstract: An infrared heat lamp (200) includes a heating element (214) wound about and supported by an inner tubular member (224) and an outer tubular member (202) enclosing the inner tubular member (224) and heating element (214). The outer tubular member (202) includes an open first end (204) having a flange member (212) defined along an outer periphery thereof and a dome-like second end (206). The infrared heat lamp (200) further includes a base member (230) having first and second discrete portions (232, 234) secured to one another by a fastener (238) and retaining the flange member (212) of the open first end (204) of the outer tubular member (202) therebetween.

Abstract: A baking pan for baking a tilted cake for producing a whimsical or mad-hatter cake, the pan includes a rim defining a first plane and a tilted bottom defining a second plane, the rim and bottom being interconnected by a sidewall, the two planes intersect at an acute angle and a support for positioning the pan on an oven surface so that the first plane is parallel to the oven surface.

Abstract: A portable coffee brewing device includes a lid pivotally connected to an upper end of the container by a hinge and button. A heating element housing and an electrical component housing is connected to a lower end of the container. A drain is positioned in a bottom wall of the container and is fluidly connected to a heating element positioned within the heating element housing. The heating element is controlled by electrical components positioned in the electrical components housing. A drip tube is fluidly connected to the heating element and the lid. A single serve coffee holding device is positioned below the lid. When the container is filled with fluid and the heating element is powered, heated fluid is forced up the drip tube through the passageway in the lid and into the coffee grounds holding device in a continuous cycle. The device is connectable to an external power source.

Abstract: A portable coffee brewing device includes a lid pivotally connected to an upper end of the container by a hinge and button. A heating element housing and an electrical component housing is connected to a lower end of the container. A drain is positioned in a bottom wall of the container and is fluidly connected to a heating element positioned within the heating element housing. The heating element is controlled by electrical components positioned in the electrical components housing. A drip tube is fluidly connected to the heating element and the lid. A single serve coffee holding device is positioned below the lid. When the container is filled with fluid and the heating element is powered, heated fluid is forced up the drip tube through the passageway in the lid and into the coffee grounds holding device in a continuous cycle. The device is connectable to an external power source.

Abstract: A system for re-configuring a welding system provides the ability to download applications to a welding power source or system, and to store the configuration data and applications to one or more of a series of welders, thereby simplifying configuration and re-configuration of power sources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring the melt depth of a substrate during pulsed laser melting are provided. The apparatus can include a heat source, a substrate support with an opening formed therein, and an interferometer positioned to direct coherent radiation toward the toward the substrate support. The method can include positioning the substrate with a first surface in a thermal processing chamber, heating a portion of the first surface with a heat source, directing infrared spectrum radiation at a partially reflective mirror creating control radiation and interference radiation, directing the interference radiation to a melted surface and directing the control radiation to a control surface, and measuring the interference between the reflected radiation. The interference fringe pattern can be used to determine the precise melt depth during the melt process.

Abstract: A method of marking the surface of a mechanical part with a predefined graphic having a holographic type effect, the method including using a laser source to apply a succession of laser pulses to the outside surface of a part for marking, with different masks being interposed between the laser source and the outside surface of the part, each mask having a particular pattern, each laser pulse having a power density of at least 20 MW/cm2 and a duration that is less than or equal to 100 ns.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a communicator that communicates with a terminal, a link-state manager that manages link-state information indicating whether or not a link to the terminal is active, a heater that performs a heating operation on a cooking tool, a receiver that receives a user operation, and a controller that controls the communicator or the heater which is a control target, on the basis of the user operation. In the case where the link is active, when the user operation is performed on the receiver, the controller causes the communicator to transmit instruction information to the terminal. The instruction information indicates an instruction to switch an image being displayed on the information display apparatus from a first image to a second image.

Abstract: Irradiation with a laser beam is started at a welding start position of two members that are stacked together, and the output of the laser beam is set so that spatter is not generated. After the start of the irradiation, the output of the laser beam is gradually increased so that a penetration depth from an irradiated edge to a deeper location between abutting surfaces of the two members falls within a predetermined penetration depth range while the laser beam is not moved. After the output of the laser beam is gradually increased, the laser beam is moved toward a welding end position so that the penetration depth is maintained within the penetration depth range.

Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. Carbonating gas can be provided to a tank via the tank outlet, thereby purging at least a portion of a dispense line leading from the tank to a dispensing station. A single pump may be used to deliver liquid to the tank, e.g., for carbonation, and to pump pressurized air to dispense liquid from the tank. A water trap may help remove moisture from carbonating gas.

Abstract: A plasma computer numerically controlled (CNC) cutting machine is controlled by a computer such as a personal computer capable running an operating system and software programs. 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 an emissions spectra of light emitted as the torch cuts the workpiece. The spectrometer cooperates with software running on a 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 system for controlling a weld-current in an arc welding apparatus for short arc welding comprising a current regulator included in a voltage feedback loop from a power supply to a welding electrode and a ramp generator arranged to provide current ramps during a short circuit phase at said welding electrode.

Abstract: A fruit squeezer for squeezing juice picks up, squeezes and discards the squeezed fruit with use of a single hand. The squeezer has a first handle and a second handle that are rotatably connected to each other. Each handle has a top portion and a bottom portion. A biasing spring biases the top and bottom portions apart. A U-shaped jaw is fixed to the bottom end of the second handle. A pressing plate jaw is pivotally mounted to the bottom end of the first handle. Squeezing the top ends of the handles toward each other against the force of a spring moves the jaws for squeezing the fruit. A screen operatively connected to the handles simultaneously rotates at a second pivot axis from a rest position to a screening position below the fruit for screening solids from the squeezed juice.

Abstract: A system for controlling a weld-current in an arc welding apparatus for short arc welding comprising a current regulator included in a voltage feedback loop from a power supply to a welding electrode and a ramp generator arranged to provide current ramps during a short circuit phase at said welding electrode.

Abstract: A stand alone container for housing dehydrated foodstuff and for use in a foodstuff machine has a continuous sidewall with first and second ends forming a storage area. A piston is complementarily positioned within the sidewall proximate the first end and is slidable with respect to the sidewall. The container contains dehydrated foodstuff located in the storage area and a removable cover positioned proximate the second end. The foodstuff machine includes a machine housing having an access opening for receiving the container having dehydrated foodstuff therein. A hydrating and positioning system moves from a loading position when the container is in the access opening to a hydrating position with the container second end above the first end and then to a transfer position where the first end is positioned above the second end. A liquid dispenser is positioned above the container when the container is in the hydrating position.

Abstract: A heater system is provided that comprises a plurality of layered heater modules, each module comprising a plurality of resistive zones. The layered heater modules are disposed adjacent one another to form the heater system, which can be adapted for a multitude of different sizes of heating targets. Preferably, the resistive zones comprise a plurality of resistive traces arranged in a parallel circuit and oriented approximately perpendicular to a primary heating direction, wherein the resistive traces comprise a positive temperature coefficient material having a relatively high TCR. The resistive traces are responsive to the heating target power gradient such that the resistive traces output additional power proximate a higher heat sink and less power proximate a lower heat sink along the primary heating direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for thawing or cooling food products includes a tank adapted to be at least partly filled with a liquid. A spiral shaped blade extends between a first end and a second end of the tank, where the spiral shaped blade is mounted to a rotation axis which operates rotational movement of the spiral shaped bladed and thus the conveying of the food products from the first end towards the second end. A temperature controlling system is provided and adapted to control the temperature of the liquid by arranging multiple heat supplying units along the tank for injecting heating or cooling agents into the liquid so as to provide a substantial temperature distribution into the thawing liquid during the thawing or cooling of the food products.

Abstract: A control panel for an automatic machine adapted to prepare hot beverages according to a plurality of formulations comprises: a main input element for receiving inputs from a user; a display element for displaying the inputs to the user through a plurality of input identifiers; a control unit in data communication with the main input element and the display element. The main input element comprises a sense element adapted to detect a motion thereon of a touch of the user the main input element and the display element are in data communication through said control unit so that said motion determines a scrolling through the plurality of input identifiers on the display element, thereby selecting at least one formulation of said plurality of formulations or at least one operation parameter of a plurality of operation parameters of the automatic machine.