Abstract: A personal vaporizer is configured to be usable both for non-liquid vaporizing media and for liquid vaporizing media. In some embodiments an electrically conductive check valve blocks vaporizing media from leaking out of air intake apertures during periods of nonuse, and delivers electric power to a heating element during use. In some embodiments, no wick structures extend into a fluid chamber, but a wick extends from a wick holder downstream of the fluid chamber to a vaporizing chamber.

Abstract: A method for determining the temperature of a sensor that comprises a heater is provided. The method includes the steps of applying a voltage to the heater and measuring the voltage applied to the heater and the current through the heater during a first time interval, and removing the applied voltage from the heater and leaving the heater unpowered for a second time interval. The method further includes the steps of calculating the resistance of the heater using the measured voltage and current, and determining the temperature of the sensor from the resistance using a predetermined relationship. The first time interval is selected to be sufficiently short in duration and the second time interval is selected to be sufficiently long so as to not significantly raise the temperature of the heater. The sensor temperature so determined can be used to perform diagnostic functions for a system that includes the sensor.

Abstract: A welding system includes a welding torch assembly. The welding torch assembly includes a first feed roll configured to rotate about a first axis, a second feed roll disposed opposite the first feed roll about a welding wire feed region, a first helical gear coupled to the first feed roll, a second helical gear operatively coupled to the first helical gear, and a drive motor. The first helical gear is configured to rotate about the first axis, the second helical gear is configured to rotate about a second axis to rotate the first helical gear about the first axis, wherein the second axis is generally perpendicular to the first axis, and the drive motor is configured to rotate the second helical gear about the second axis. The second axis is offset from a plane defined by the welding wire feed region between the first and second feed rolls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a short clearing prediction module that uses the second derivative with respect to time of the output voltage, or an error between a measured output voltage and an output voltage predicted using the first derivative with respect to time of the output voltage.

Abstract: A microwave energy interactive structure includes a first susceptor film including a first layer of microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymer film, a moisture-containing layer joined to the first layer of microwave energy interactive material, an adjoining layer joined to the moisture-containing layer such that the moisture-containing layer is disposed between the susceptor film and the adjoining layer, and a second layer of microwave energy interactive material on a side of the adjoining layer opposite the moisture-containing layer. The adjoining layer may be joined to the moisture-containing layer by a discontinuous adhesive layer.

Abstract: A double side welding method used for producing a differential gear for welding a weld part to join a ring gear fitted on a gear case from both sides. The method uses welding distortion caused by welding to improve product accuracy. The method includes welding from both sides of a weld part where a first member and a second member, which are the objects being joined, face each other. The method is performed by first welding, which is performed from one side, and second welding, which is performed from the other opposite side from that first welding. Heat quantity adjustment, that adjusts the quantity of heat input to the weld part for the second welding, is performed after the first welding, and is carried out such that an amount of welding distortion that is the objective arises.

Abstract: Provided is a cutting device including a machining table configured to float a workpiece having a plate shape, a laser radiation unit configured to radiate a laser beam onto the workpiece, a coolant injection unit configured to inject a coolant onto the workpiece, and a moving device configured to relatively move the workpiece with respect to the laser radiation unit and the coolant injection unit in a preset direction. In the cutting device, a scattering member configured to receive injection of the coolant from the coolant injection unit and scatter the coolant is installed at the machining table in front of the workpiece in a moving direction in which the workpiece relatively moves.

Abstract: A welding system includes a frame having a first sliding track and a second sliding track. The welding system also includes a cover piece having a first set of tabs configured to slide within the first sliding track, and a second set of tabs configured to slide within the second sliding track. The first and second sets of tabs are disposed on opposite sides of the cover piece. The cover piece includes an indention configured to mate with a detent protruding from a fan louver of the frame when the cover piece is slid into an open position. In addition, the welding system includes a plurality of electrical connections. The cover piece substantially covers the plurality of electrical connections when the cover piece is slid into a closed position within the sliding tracks, and the plurality of electrical connections are entirely exposed when the cover piece is slid into the open position within the sliding tracks.

Abstract: A system consisting of a pot and a series of strainers, the series of strainers configured to allow liquids and gasses to move freely within the pot while containing foodstuffs. The strainers are disposed such that they disrupt the formation of bubbles that leads to boilover while minimizing the loss of volume within the pot. The system of strainers may look like an inverted dome coupled with a dome, allowing foods and liquids to expand within the pot without allowing bubbles to pile up and boilover. The system of strainers may be a single piece permanently coupled or may be one or more strainers removably coupled by a user. At least one of the strainers may include at least one grip. The system of strainers may include means by which they can be specifically positioned within the pot. The system may include at least one lid.

Abstract: Device embodiments use a person's exhaled breath to distribute an evaporated, sublimated, or vaporized material. The disclosure provides non-powered devices that use evaporation or sublimation to create the vapor that is distributed and the disclosure provides devices with electric vaporizers which rapidly vaporize liquid scent materials for distribution. The scent can be designed as a masking or cover scent, an aromatic lure scent, a scent elimination material, a pleasant scent for freshening air in a room or automobile, or a repellant scent. The device can be worn as a mask. The device can be handheld or disposed at an area remote from the user's mouth with the breath blown in through a tube.

Abstract: A welding system includes a wire drive assembly having feed rolls for feeding welding wire through a welding torch assembly. The welding system also includes a rear structure disposed at an upstream end of the welding torch assembly, a forward structure disposed at a downstream end of the welding torch assembly, and a continuous guide structure. The rear structure has a rear structure aperture through which the welding wire is received, the forward structure has a forward structure aperture through which the welding wire is output, and the continuous guide structure is disposed between and coupled to the rear structure aperture and the forward structure aperture. The rear structure aperture is aligned with a first axis, the forward structure aperture is aligned with a second axis, and the first and second axes are offset from each other.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a first structure including a heating plate for cooking food; a second structure including a heating plate for cooking food; and a frame on which the second structure rests; and the first structure and the second structure are hingedly connected to one another by at least one hinge between an open position or a closed position or else a cooking position, which is an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position, wherein the cooking apparatus includes a device for cushioning the weight of the first structure when the latter is in the cooking position or in the closed position, and in the cooking position the cushioning device makes it possible to keep the first structure in contact with the one or more food items to be cooked.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the thermal treatment of friction linings by means of IR-radiation, characterized in that IR radiators or IR heating fields are used as a source of infrared radiation, said radiators or heating fields generating IR-radiation in the wavelength range of 2260 nm to 3000 nm.

Abstract: A dispenser for a refrigerator appliance includes a liquid outlet conduit that extends from a tank. An air conduit extends to the liquid outlet conduit, and an air pump is coupled to the air conduit. The air pump is configured for selectively pumping air into a flow of liquid in the liquid outlet conduit. A related method for operating a dispenser of a refrigerator appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A wire feeder includes a tensioner with a discrete number of compressive force settings for applying a desired compressive force to welding wire fed through the wire feeder is provided. The tensioner includes an adjustment knob with a discrete number of detents disposed along a helical surface adjacent an inner bore of the adjustment knob. The tensioner also includes a pin extending from an end of a tensioning post located in the inner bore, the pin being configured to align with the detents of the adjustment knob. Rotation of the adjustment knob adjusts alignment of the pin among the discrete number of detents, which correspond to the discrete number of compressive force settings.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for dicing substrates by both laser scribing and plasma etching. A method includes laser ablating material layers, the ablating by a laser beam with a centrally peaked spatial power profile to form an ablated trench in the substrate below thin film device layers which is positively sloped. In an embodiment, a femtosecond laser forms a positively sloped ablation profile which facilitates vertically-oriented propagation of microcracks in the substrate at the ablated trench bottom. With minimal lateral runout of microcracks, a subsequent anisotropic plasma etch removes the microcracks for a cleanly singulated chip with good reliability.

Abstract: A laser system capable of producing a stable and accurate high-power output beam from one or more input beams of corresponding laser sources comprises one or more optical elements configured to receive the input beams wherein at least one of said one or more optical elements is made of high purity fused silica.

Abstract: The banana storage device is a dome shaped container that is adapted for use in storing bananas. The banana storage device is an airtight container that protects bananas from air bacteria which can help preserve the banana and keep it fresh for an extended period of time. The banana storage device comprises a base, a banana tree, and a dome.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid. The apparatus includes at least a preheat zone, an expansion zone, and an expanded zone comprising a plurality of trim heaters, at least one fluid flow-distribution sheet, and an outlet. The apparatus may be used for delivering the heated fluid onto a moving fluid-permeable substrate.

Abstract: An inside-mount countertop-range support for a flush-mount countertop range includes a counter bracket configured to be engaged to an inner edge of an opening defined within a countertop with a top surface. A base flange extends from the counter bracket and into the opening. The inside-mount countertop-range support includes a range having a housing and top member above the housing that extends over the opening and includes a bottom surface, wherein the housing is configured to be disposed within the opening. A range bracket is configured to be coupled to the housing and includes a top flange that is configured to be supported by the base flange, wherein when the top flange rests upon the base flange, the bottom surface of the top member engages and is flush with the top surface of the countertop.