Abstract: A welding device for joining optical fibres together with a low loss joint. It comprises a microplasma blow torch with central and tubular electrodes and central and peripheral nozzles supplied with pure and hydrogenated argon. The torch is used in conjunction with a clamping frame for aligning the fibres and holding them in position during welding.

Abstract: Hermetic sealing of battery containers is accomplished in such containers comprising metal bodies provided with flanges by first mating the bodies so the flanges are coextensive, planar resistance welding the bodies together through the flanges and subsequently peripherally laser welding the edges of the flanges together to effect a redundant weld and an hermetic seal.

Abstract: An electrical heating cable which limits power output once an established temperature limit is reached. The cable includes a high-resistance element and a temperature-sensitive variable resistance element electrically connected in series between two electrical conductors otherwise insulated from each other by insulating material. The temperature-sensitive resistance undergoes a substantial positive increase in resistivity when the temperature of the cable nears the established temperature limit. The increase in resistivity substantially reduces the heat-generating current flowing in the cable to limit the power output.

Abstract: Tubes, rods, etc., are heated electrically in that current is applied via movable electrodes, one of which tracks the front and another one tracks the rear ends, but the electrodes remain spaced-apart during most of the heating.

Abstract: A mounting device for a pivotally movable member. The mounting device has means for pivotally mounting the member, means for supporting the mounting means, and a pair of means for abutment with the mounting means so as to generally constrain its movement therebetween. Means for displacement preventing engagement with the mounting means includes means disposed generally in overlaying relation with the mounting means for retaining it against displacement from the supporting means between the abutment means, and means extending through the supporting means into engagement with a portion thereof for maintaining the overlaying relation of the retaining means with respect to the mounting means.

Abstract: A technique for ablating a metal workpiece by the use of laser beam radiation at an efficiency higher than heretofore possible and an improved regulation of the ablation process. Undesired side effects of the ablation process are eliminated by the entire and complete ejection of the molten metal at the point of beam impingement so that no material remains on the workpiece in the areas between contiguous points of ablation. The appropriate selection of beam intensity and the selection of pulse shape provide the inventive technique.

Abstract: A system for controlling energization of an electrical resistance heater disposed in heat exchanging relation with a food cooking medium includes a signal generator providing an output signal of amplitude-time character defining a preselected cooking cycle, an element in the cooking medium providing a control signal indicative of cooking medium temperature and circuitry interconnecting an electrical voltage supply with the heater for excitation thereof responsively to both the control signal and the signal generator output signal.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for automatic or semi-automatic welding or brazing wherein a fillet-wire, mechanically fed to the welding position on a work piece, is heated, along with the work piece, by a flame so that the fillet-wire reaches its melting point. A heating current is supplied to the fillet-wire to flow between the wire and the work piece. In order to maintain a predetermined relationship between the rate at which the fillet-wire is fed to the work piece and the rate at which the wire melts and separates to drop onto the work piece, the feed-rate and/or current intensity is regulated such that the wire is in constant contact with the work piece with a predetermined contact pressure. In one embodiment, the mechanical feeding device comprises a torque-limiting mechanism to maintain a substantially constant predetermined contact pressure of the fillet wire against the work piece.

Abstract: Improved methods of soldering metallic parts having a portion of their surface forming non-planar surfaces, comprising arranging coaxially therewith a metallic means having favorable electromagnetic properties and a different coefficient of expansion from that of the metallic parts so that soldering is effected by the combined action of the heat effect supplied by electromagnetic induction and by radial pressure exerted by said metallic means.

Abstract: Arc heater apparatus and method for producing acetylene from heavy hydrocarbons characterized by arc heater means for producing arc heated plasma gas forming a downstream reaction zone, wall means forming a plenum chamber having a substantially vertical axis and surrounding the reaction zone, inlet means upstream of the arc heated plasma gas for introducing heavy hydrocarbons into the chamber, and the walls of the chamber flaring downwardly outwardly to minimize the deposit of solid reaction products on the walls.

Abstract: A laminated electrically heatable window has a transparent electrically conductive layer embedded in the window to act as a sheet resistor, and conductive bus bars embedded in the window in contact with the resistive layer. A portion of each bus bar extends outside an edge of the window to a terminal connection for making electrical contact with a harness cable leading to an electric current source such as an automobile alternator. Each terminal connection comprises separate electrical contacts on the ends of the bus bar and the cable harness for forming a cooperating pin and socket connection normal to the bus bar. The electrical contacts are pressure fitted together and hermetically sealed from end-to-end in an electrically insulating, protective sleeve.

Abstract: A snap-action appliance switch, whose construction meets European safety standards as well as U.S. (Underwriters Laboratory) standards.This invention relates to an electrical switch. In particular, it relates to a snap-action appliance switch, whose construction meets European safety standards as well as U.S. (Underwriters Laboratory) standards.Appliances such as coffee making machines, having burners that remain hot so long as the machine is turned on, desirably employ switches that include an indicator lamp, wired to be illuminated when the circuit including the power source is closed, thereby giving warning that the burner is on, and to be dark when the circuit is open. Since the appliances may be intended for sale both in the U.S. and abroad, it is necessary that such a switch meet European safety standards as well as the standards of Underwriters Laboratory, used in the U.S.

Abstract: Deep diodes which extend in straight lines through a silicon wafer are produced by migrating aluminum droplets through the wafer while maintaining a finite temperature gradient through the wafer in the direction of straight line droplet travel, and at the same time maintaining a zero temperature gradient through the wafer in a direction normal to the droplet travel course. Unidirectional heat flow apparatus implementing this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for plasma-MIG welding comprising a welding torch provided with a non-consumable electrode and a supply of a welding wire, the non-consumable electrode being connected to a first power supply source having a drooping voltage characteristic and the welding wire being connected to a second power supply source having a constant voltage characteristic, the first power supply source being connected in series with the second power supply source, thereby improving the stability of the plasma arc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control unit for electric storage heaters which are supplied with energy during low tariff periods and which give up stored energy during high tariff periods. An electronic integrator which is judiciously charged and discharged is used as a control indicator. The integrator is (1) charged to a fixed predetermined value during the high tariff period and (2) discharged starting at the beginning of the low tariff period at a rate inversely proportional to the outdoor temperature. The discharged state of the integrator is sensed and at that time, and for the remainder of the low tariff period, a signal is developed which can be used to actuate a relay to direct electrical energy to storage heaters. If the integrator does not fully discharge during the low tariff period the remaining charge is sensed and a synchronizing circuit is actuated to rapidly remove the charge prior to the start of the high tariff period.

Abstract: Instead of constructing an air furnace cabinet as a separate unit and then installing the furnace components such as electrical heating elements, controls and a blower, in the present invention a blower scroll assembly and a heating element assembly are first constructed using flanged sheet metal panels as wide as the interior of the cabinet. The cabinet is then assembled about and integrally reinforced by these assemblies. Lines of securement of the flanges of these assemblies divide the exterior cabinet walls into smaller parts and afford to the cabinet strength and structural rigidity.

Abstract: A heating device which produces a plasma flame of elongated cross-section comprises a plasma torch and means for generating a magnetic field. The nozzle of the torch has an elongated exit aperture, across which the magnetic field is directed, and the torch incorporates at least one internal electrode arranged so that when an arc is struck between it and the nozzle the arc root at the nozzle will move along the aperture under the influence of the magnetic field.