Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus and a method of operating a microwave heating apparatus are provided. The microwave heating apparatus comprises a load receiving cavity, at least one microwave source, a plurality of feeding ports connected to the microwave source and the cavity for feeding microwaves to the cavity, a measuring unit and a control unit. The measuring unit measures, for at least one frequency or within a frequency range, the power of microwaves reflected back to the microwave source for at least part of the plurality of feeding ports. The control unit selects at least one of the feeding ports based on the measured powers of the reflected microwaves in order to feed microwaves to the cavity via the at least one selected feeding port during operation of the microwave heating apparatus at the at least one frequency or within the frequency range.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to atomizers for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The atomizer may include a liquid transport element and a wire extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal length thereof. The wire may define contact portions configured to engage heater terminals and a heating portion configured to produce heat. The heating portion may include a variable coil spacing. In other atomizers, the wire may extend at least partially through the liquid transport element proximate the contact portions. Related inputs, cartridges, aerosol production assemblies, and methods of forming atomizers are also provided.

Abstract: A photodetector element for receiving radiated light from a surface of a semiconductor wafer loses a detection function because the intensity of the received light exceeds a detection limit while a flash lamp emits light. Measurement is not performed during the above-mentioned period, and the intensity of the radiated light from the surface of the semiconductor wafer is measured after the flash lamp stops emitting light and the photodetector element restores the detection function. Then, the temperature of the surface of the semiconductor wafer heated by irradiation with a flash of light is calculated based on the measured intensity of the radiated light. Accordingly, even in a case where intense irradiation is performed in an extremely short period of time, such as flash irradiation, the flash of light does not act as ambient light, which enables to obtain the surface temperature of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: The heat treatment apparatus includes: a processing chamber which accommodates a processing object; a heating unit which heats the processing object accommodated in the processing chamber; a temperature detecting unit which detects an internal temperature of the processing chamber; and a controller which sets a second setting temperature identical to as a temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit falls below a predetermined first setting temperature due to an external disturbance; controls the heating unit so that a third setting temperature between the second setting temperature and the first setting temperature becomes identical to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit; and controls the heating unit so that the first setting temperature becomes identical to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit after the third setting temperature becomes identical to the temperature detected by the temperat

Abstract: A hand operable juicer having a handle extending from beneath a juice receptacle is described. The handle has a drive link end that couples with a drive mechanism to rotate a drive shaft that extends up through a drive shaft conduit and couples with a pulping crown. Gear and crank type drive mechanisms are described. In some embodiments of the invention, the drive mechanism is configured to provide a rotational advantage, whereby a certain degree of rotation of the handle around the pulping crown rotational axis produces a higher degree of rotation of the pulping crown. The hand operable juicer described is easy to operate and easy to clean.

Abstract: Methods and systems for welding are disclosed, including generating electromagnetic radiation from an ultrashort pulse laser; coupling the electromagnetic radiation from the ultrashort pulse laser to a scanner comprising a scanning and focus range, wherein the scanner is configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the ultrashort laser and to scan and focus the electromagnetic radiation onto a joining interface of one or more materials; using a computer to adjust the pulse repetition rate and the average power of the ultrashort pulse laser; using one or more stages to position the joining interface; using a dichroic filter positioned between the scanner and the one or more materials; and focusing an imager and processor through the dichroic filter and onto the joining interface to monitor the joining interface of the one or more materials within the scanning and focus range of the electromagnetic radiation. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of operating a welding wire feeder includes receiving an input power signal from a power source and converting the input power signal to a bus power signal on an internal bus at a first time with a boost converter. The method also includes detecting bus voltage and bus current of the bus power signal on the internal bus and converting the bus power signal to a welding output signal at a second time with a buck converter. The welding output signal is suitable for a controlled waveform welding process. The method also includes detecting output voltage and output current of the weld output, and reducing a voltage ripple on the internal bus based at least in part on the detected bus and output current and/or voltages.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heat exchanger, comprising at least one electric resistance heating element, at least two conductors which are connected to the at least one electric resistance heating element in an electrically conductive manner in order to conduct electric current through the at least one electric resistance heating element and thereby heat the electric resistance heating element, at least one thermally conductive element for transferring heat from the at least one electric resistance heating element to a fluid to be heated, at least one electrically insulating element, which electrically insulates the at least two conductors, and at least one pipe, wherein the at least two conductors and the at least one electric resistance heating element are arranged within a cavity bounded by the pipe and the pipe lies on the at least one electrically insulating element under a compressive force at at least one contact surface.

Abstract: A welding-type power supply includes a controller, a preregulator, a preregulator bus, and an output converter. The controller has a preregulator control output and an output converter control output. The preregulator receives a range of inputs voltages as a power input, and receives the preregulator control output as a control input, and provides a preregulator power output signal. The preregulator includes a plurality of stacked boost circuits. The preregulator bus receives the preregulator output signal. The output converter receives the preregulator bus as a power signal and receives the output converter control output as a control input. The output converter provides a welding type power output, and includes at least one stacked inverter circuit.

Abstract: A wire feeder has a motor, mounting plate, intermediate mounting plate, and base assembly. The mounting plate has a plurality of mounting hole patterns and a shaft hole. The motor a mounting hole pattern that aligns with at least one of the plurality. One of a plurality of motor types can be mounted to the mounting plate. The mounting plate is mounted to the intermediate mounting plate, which is mounted to the base assembly. The base assembly includes a drive gear, which is connected to rotate with an insulating cap that receives a gear hub. The gear hub is connected to rotate with the motor shaft via matching keys. The insulating hub, intermediate mounting plate and mounting plate are electrically insulating, so that the base assembly is electrically isolated from the motor.

Abstract: A system and method of welding is provided where at least two welding electrodes are provided to and passed through a single orifice on a single contact tip and a welding waveform is provided to the electrodes through the contact tip to weld simultaneously with both electrodes.

Abstract: A welding or cutting system is provided using a performance module which monitors the real-time performance of a welding or cutting system and displays this information on a user interface on the system. Other embodiments of the system also include a cost calculation function in which a cost of the welding or cutting operation is calculated.

Abstract: A salad spinner has a hub connected in a rotary driving relationship to a colander mounted within the salad spinner for rotation about an axis of rotation. A brake provides braking force to the hub coaxially with the colander axis of rotation. The brake includes a spring-loaded button located coaxially with the colander axis of rotation and an actuation element between the button and the hub for applying coaxial, linear force from the button to the hub for braking. A drive plate is connected in a rotary driving relationship to the hub, and the button is constrained for co-rotation with the drive plate and linear motion relative the drive plate.

Abstract: An electric water heating apparatus includes a first electric water heater having a first tank adapted to hold a quantity of water and a first electric heating structure disposed within the first tank. The electric water heating apparatus further includes a second electric water heater having a second tank adapted to hold a quantity of water; and a second electric heating structure disposed within the second tank. The electric water heating apparatus further includes a control unit that is in electrical communication with the first electric heating structure and second electric heating structure, the control unit configured to prevent both the first electric heating structure and the second electric heating structure from being simultaneously operable.

Abstract: A brewing device includes a frame that has an insertion area for inserting a capsule towards a brewing position. Further, the brewing device includes a brewing chamber that has a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions of the brewing chamber are slidingly arranged in a sliding area of the frame. The first portion and the second portion both slide with respect to each other and with respect to the frame between a closed position and an open position. Ducts supply a brewing fluid to the chamber and outlet a brewed product from the brewing chamber. A pair of opposed guiding channels are provided for inserting, from a top of the insertion area, the capsule in the brewing position which is fixed with respect to the frame, and at least one member is provided for supporting the capsule in the brewing position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating substrates are disclosed, as are articles formed from the separated substrates. A method of separating a substrate having first and second surfaces includes directing a beam of laser light to pass through the first surface and, thereafter, to pass through the second surface. The beam of laser light has a beam waist located at a surface of the substrate or outside the substrate. Relative motion between the beam of laser light and the substrate is caused to scan a spot on a surface of the substrate to be scanned along a guide path. Portions of the substrate illuminated within the spot absorb light within the beam of laser light so that the substrate can be separated along the guide path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle windscreen with an electrically heatable coating. The vehicle windscreen may extend over a major part of the surface area of the vehicle windscreen and may be electrically connected to at least two low-impedance bus bars lying opposite one another. The vehicle windscreen may include at least one conducting structure only covering the heating area outside a central viewing area, in order to shorten electrically the distance between the bus bars. The vehicle windscreen may be configured such that that current flows in the part of the heating area that is not covered by at least one conducting structure.

Abstract: A method of controlling a height of an electron beam gun and wire feeder during an electron freeform fabrication process includes utilizing a camera to generate an image of the molten pool of material. The image generated by the camera is utilized to determine a measured height of the electron beam gun relative to the surface of the molten pool. The method further includes ensuring that the measured height is within the range of acceptable heights of the electron beam gun relative to the surface of the molten pool. The present invention also provides for measuring a height of a solid metal deposit formed upon cooling of a molten pool. The height of a single point can be measured, or a plurality of points can be measured to provide 2D or 3D surface height measurements.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette and a method for identifying whether there is a match between a battery assembly and an atomizer assembly therein are provided. The electronic cigarette comprises a laser identifying assembly, a battery assembly and an atomizer assembly. The laser identifying assembly includes an information portion, a laser transceiver and a controlling module, the information portion includes a group of grooves and bulges which represent a product information, the information portion is defined on one of the battery assembly and the atomizer assembly, the laser transceiver is mounted on the other of the battery assembly and the atomizer assembly; when the atomizer assembly is jointed with the battery assembly, the laser transceiver aims at the information portion, and the information portion reflects an original laser beam sent out by the laser transceiver back, then the controlling module determines whether the atomizer assembly is matched with the battery assembly.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus configured to perform a heat treatment on a plurality of substrates, including: a processing vessel configured to accommodate the plurality of substrates on which the heat treatment is performed; an electromagnetic induction source configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field having a high frequency within the processing vessel; and a substrate holding element having a plurality of heating elements arranged in a vertical direction and spacers interposed between the adjacent heating elements, the heating element being made of a conductive material and allowing an induced current caused by the oscillating magnetic field to flow therein to generate heat, the substrate holding element supporting the substrates in a state where the substrates are mounted on the heating elements.