Abstract: A plasma torch includes an arc having a generator for producing an axial field in the arc's area of operation in which one or more bodies of ferromagnetic material are placed along the torches central axis; the body is in the form of an element incorporated in the torch and is cooled by the provision of channels for a cooling medium wherein the ferromagnetic body is located near the arc's area of operation to reinforce the magnetic field with the body being moveable in an axial direction to adjust the operation parameters of the arc.

Abstract: An apparatus for bonding lead terminals to bumps of a semiconductor chip by using a laser beam. On the basis of a temperature signal obtained from irradiation of a lead terminal and a bump to be bonded together under irradiation of the laser beam, state of contact and the bond between the bump and the lead terminal are decided. The bonding between the terminals and the bumps can be realized without fail by checking the state of contact therebetween in precedence to the bonding operation.

Abstract: A pressure sensing oscillator (12) and temperature sensing oscillator (14) each produce digital, oscillating signals having frequencies varying with respect to the pressure and temperature, respectively, sensed by each. The signals are input into a temperature compensation circuit (16) which effects a temperature compensation of the pressure signal in accordance with the digital temperature signal. The temperature compensated signal is then input into a microprocessor (18) which filters the signal and generates an output signal based on calibration values stored in an EEPROM. The resulting output signal represents a compensated, calibrated pressure signal. The format for the output signal is a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal having a percent modulation indicative of the temperature compensated, calibrated pressure.

Abstract: A welded metal container for a sheath 1 or 1A of gas insulated switch gear comprises a trunk pipe 2, 21 and a branch pipes 3, 31, 32 welded to the trunk pipe 2,21 by arc welding A or laser beam welding LB and flanges welded to the each end portion of the trunk pipe 2, 21 and branch pipes 3, 31, 32 by the laser beam welding. After the arc welding A, the ends of trunk pipe 1, 21 and branch pipes 3, 31, 32 are machined precisely and flanges 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4f and 4g are welded to the end portions of the trunk pipe 2, 21 and branch pipes 3, 31, 32.

Abstract: A windshield temperature control system (200) monitors aircraft operating (240) and environmental (246) conditions, and determines, based on the fixed physical properties of the windshield (250,251 ), a required film temperature necessary to produce a heat output to maintain the internal and/or external temperature of the windshield at a desired temperature. The heat output is based on a total heat loss including internal heat loss and external convective, evaporative, sensible and radiation heat loss, and a film temperature error defined as the difference (340) between required film temperature and actual film temperature is applied via proportional (355) and integral (350) control paths to produce zero steady state film temperature error. The desired external temperature is selected to be sufficiently above freezing, i.e., 0.degree. C.

Abstract: A soldering system is disclosed having a stored program microcontroller by which one or more temperatures can be selected for a soldering iron tip. The system then automatically maintains such tip temperature during the soldering operation. The programmed microcontroller is coupled through input/output and interface circuits to a heating control that in turn is connected to the iron heater element for switching AC power in units of full waveform cycles across the element while the temperature of the tip is measured by a resistor sensor and an associated bridge measurement circuit so as to produce a signal that is applied to an input of the microcontroller forming a feedback loop. This causes the resistor sensor and hence the iron tip to reach the desired temperature.

Abstract: A transition sensor is responsive to transition of a positive temperature coefficient resistive element from a nominal low resistance state to a protective high resistance state. A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element is placed in a power distribution circuit between a power source and a load. Excessive load current in the event of a high current fault heats the PTC element to a threshold temperature at which the PTC element transitions into a protective state of high resistance, limiting current flow to the load. The LED of an optoisolator is coupled in parallel with the PTC element, preferably with a resistor in series with the LED. Under nominal current conditions the voltage across the LED is less than its forward bias voltage. During a high current fault, the LED becomes forward biased and switches on the optoisolator phototransistor to operate an alerting device such as an audible alarm and/or a light.

Abstract: Fullerene-containing soot, is prepared by evaporating an electrically conductive carbon rod in an electric arc plasma sustained in a tubular evaporator between coaxially aligned carbon rods in a stream of inert gas flowing coaxially over the carbon rods at a flow rate of at least 0.02 m.sup.3 /h, and collecting the soot from the evaporator walls.

Abstract: A laser-machining apparatus that utilizes "flying optics" having at least one lens that corrects the divergence of the laser beam as it is emitted from the laser. Without correction, "flying optics" type of systems cannot be used with materials requiring a kerf that must be kept within tolerances not exceeding a couple of thousandths of an inch. The preferred embodiment utilizes a vertical lens that focuses the beam on the surface of the work piece. An additional adjustment of the vertical position of that lens is provided that corresponds to the distance that the carriage is from the laser and degree of divergence experienced with the laser that is being used. An alternative embodiment places at least one beam adjustment lens between the laser and the redirecting mirror that redirects the beam from the laser onto the surface of the work piece. In this embodiment, adjustment of the vertical lens to compensate for the laser beam divergence is unnecessary.

Abstract: A fluid flow rate measuring apparatus having a thermistor exposed to a flow of fluid and a driver circuit operable in an initial constant-voltage mode, in which it applies a substantially constant voltage across the thermistor, and a subsequent constant-current mode, in which it applies a substantially constant current through the thermistor, such current corresponding to the current level at the end of the constant-voltage mode. A voltage sensor measures the resultant voltage drop across the thermistor, which is a direct measurement of the fluid flow rate and which is substantially insensitive to variations in ambient temperature.

Abstract: Compressed air-driven electrical generator supplies electric current to resistance heating element on demand in a baseboard heating system. A thermostat in communication with an air valve actuator, allows compressed air to flow from an air holding tank to an air motor which drives the electric generator whenever the temperature in the control space drops below a pre-selected temperature. An electrical relay switch in series with the electric generator and an electrical resistance heating element opens the electrical circuit between the electric generator and the heating element whenever the temperature sensed by the thermostat drops below the pre-selected temperature.

Abstract: A laser robot having a height sensing device (13) arranged at a position very close to a laser-beam projecting machining head (9) so that the axis of the height-sensing device (13) is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machining head (9), the three-dimensional distance data representing the positional relationship between the laser projecting nozzle (9a) of the machining head (9) and the measuring end (13a) of the height-sensing device (13) being stored in advance in the robot controller (10), the longitudinal distance between the height-sensing device (13) and a starting point of laser-beam machining being automatically measured from directly above the starting point, and a longitudinal distance between the laser beam projecting nozzle (9a) of the machining head (9) and the machining starting point being corrected on the basis of the three-dimensional distance data and the longitudinal distance measured by the height sensing device (13) to thereby accurately locate the machining head at a position corr

Abstract: Activation and deactivation of a plurality of heating elements in an electric heating system are separately controllable in accordance with the present invention. Individual heating elements are sequentially activated in response to a demand for heat. A predetermined time delay is imposed between successive activations of the heating elements to allow time to satisfy the demand for heat before another heating element is activated. Normally, the heating elements are also deactivated sequentially in response to a reduced demand for heat, with a predetermined time delay between successive deactivations to allow time to respond to the reduced demand for heat before another heating element is deactivated. A temperature sensor is located in the air discharge plenum of the heating system for sensing the temperature of the discharge air. The discharge air temperature is used to control the operation of the heating elements, a two-speed heat pump, and the "off cycle" of the heating system blower.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the synthesis of ultra-free (submicron) ceramic carbides in a thermal plasma torch reactor using primarily silica, boron oxide, titanium dioxide or other oxides as metal sources and methane as a reductant. A plasma torch operated with both argon and helium as plasma gases and having methane as a primary carrier gas is connected to the plasma reactor for providing the heat necessary to carry out the reaction. A collection chamber with both interior and exterior cooling is connected to the reactor for quenching of the reactants. Cooling is provided to the torch, the reactor and the collection using coils, baffles and jackets.

Abstract: A plasma torch is designed for energy supply for example for chemical processes. The plasma torch comprises at least three solid tubular electrodes (1, 2 and 3) located coaxially inside one another. The electrodes (1, 2, 3) can be moved axially in relation to one another. They are preferably electrically insulated (5, 6, 7) from one another and have connections for electrical power (8, 9, 10). When three electrodes are used, the middle electrode (2) is used as an auxiliary electrode or ignition electrode. It is then coupled with one of the other electrodes (1). The distance to third electrode (3) is adapted to the working voltage in such a way that a jump spark is obtained when the working voltage is connected. During operation the auxiliary electrode (2) is withdrawn from the plasma zone thus preventing it from continuously forming the foot point of the arc.

Abstract: In the method of destroying hydrocarbons disclosed herein, a high temperature plasma is generated from an electrical discharge in a flow of hydrogen gas devoid of oxygen. The hydrocarbon to be destroyed is injected into the plasma thereby to decompose the hydrocarbon and produce an increased amount of hydrogen gas and also carbon particles. The carbon is then separated from the flow and at least a portion of the increased hydrogen is combined or combusted with atmospheric oxygen to generate electric current. That current is then applied to generate the plasma. Another portion of the hydrogen gas is fed back to feed the plasma generation. For hydrocarbon materials containing chlorine, the discharge flow is passed through an alkaline scrubber. An advantage of the method is that it produes carbon of exceptional purity which has significant commercial uses.

Abstract: A beam axis adjusting method of a laser robot including the steps of splitting a visible laser beam traveling along a laser beam pathway within the robot unit of the laser robot into a first laser beam traveling further along the laser beam pathway and a second laser beam traveling outside the robot unit, receiving the second laser beam by a target plate made of a semitransparent plate and mounted on the robot unit to form a light spot Sp on the front surface of the target plate, adjusting a relevant reflecting mirror unit disposed in the robot unit for the adjustment of the beam axis of the laser robot, and visually observing the light spot Sp from behind the back surface of the target plate while the relevant joint of the robot unit is in motion.

Abstract: A laser ablation apparatus and method are provided in which multiple targets consisting of material to be ablated are mounted on a movable support. The material transfer rate is determined for each target material, and these rates are stored in a controller. A position detector determines which target material is in a position to be ablated, and then the controller controls the beam trigger timing and energy level to achieve a desired proportion of each constituent material in the resulting film.

Abstract: A DC plasma jet method enables us to synthesize diamond at a high speed by spraying an activated carbon-containing gas as a plasma jet to a substrate. Despite the high speed deposition, the method cannot synthesize a wide uniform diamond owing to the ununiformity of the jet and the restriction of sizes of torches. Uniform deposition of diamond on a wide substrate is a purpose of this invention.More than two anode-nozzles and more than one plasma torch are utilized. They are disposed with their center lines crossing at a point. An inert gas or hydrogen gas are supplied in the torches in order to excite inner arc plasma jets. Then the torches are applied a negative DC voltage. The anode-nozzles are applied a positive voltage and are supplied with an inert gas, hydrogen gas or both an inert gas and hydrogen gas. Outer transferable plasma jets are formed between the cathodes of torches as cathodes and the nozzles as anodes. The plasma arc jets are integrated into a unified plasma flame.

Abstract: A plasma torch has two or more tubular electrodes located co-axially with one inside the other for chemical treatment of a reactant and includes a lead-in tube supplying the reactant and which is located co-axially in the inner electrode; the lead-in tube includes a liquid-cooled tube provided with a heat-insulating layer on the outer surface; the lead-in tube has a longitudinal axis along which the lead-in tube can be moved for positioning the nozzle at its lower end in relation to the plasma flame; the nozzle end is replaceable and is shaped with a conical wall portion to define a venturi passage to increase the exit velocity of the reactant; between the lead-in tube and the inner electrode an annular passage is provided through which plasma-forming gas is introduced which can be used to cool the reactant gas.