Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided which is convertible in the field as to be able to operate in either a transfer arc mode or non-transfer arc mode. The plasma arc torch comprises a torch body having channels formed for flow of coolant and plasma gas therein. The torch body further comprises an anode and a cathode base and terminates at a threaded connection point. Adapted to be assembled to the threaded connection by means of mating threads is, alternatively, either an end cap or a cathode extension assembly, thereby establishing a plasma arc torch capable of operating in either a transfer arc mode or a non-transfer arc mode. When the end cap is connected, the cathode base is not energized. The cathode extension assembly contains a cathode extension which connects to the cathode base on assembly. Both the cathode base and cathode extension are energized to form the active cathode for the non-transfer arc mode operation.

Abstract: An electrode and method of operating a plasma arc torch is provided which extends the useful service life of the torch. The electrode includes an elongate tubular holder defining a longitudinal axis and having a discharge end. An endwall closes the discharge end and includes an emissive insert. In one embodiment, the endwall also includes an annular sleeve which separates the insert from physical contact with the holder. Channels formed in the discharge end of the electrode direct a portion of a swirling vortex of gas across the surface of the endwall. The swirling vortex of gas removes products of erosion of the insert and adjacent portion of the sleeve such that the likelihood that arcing will transfer from the insert to the sleeve and/or holder is reduced, and the useful service life of the nozzle-electrode pair is thereby extended.

Abstract: A process for forming a deposited film on a substrate by microwave plasma CVD comprises holding a substrate in a pressure-reducible reactor vessel, introducing microwave energy into the reactor vessel from at least three microwave-introducing means attached thereto for introducing the microwave energy into the reactor vessel while introducing a raw material gas into the reactor vessel, and forming plasma in the reactor vessel by the microwave energy, thereby forming a deposited film on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A heat treatment system is fabricated from a loading section, a heat treatment section and a outlet section integrated with one another, and the heat treatment section comprises a transfer mechanism provided between the loading section and the outlet section for successively transferring silicon wafers, a heating unit provided along the transfer mechanism for heating the silicon wafers, and a cooling unit provided along the transfer mechanism and closer to the outlet section than the heating section for cooling the silicon wafers so that the silicon wafers are continuously treated with heat for annihilating thermal donors produced from oxygen during the growth of a silicon crystal without any handling by operators.

Abstract: A display glazing which is fitted to a refrigerated display case and which prevents moisture condensation thereon, comprising a shaped glazing having at least a portion of one side thereof provided with a low emissivity coating, conductive current input strips placed on the glazing in contact with the low emissivity coating which define coated zones of the glazing which are heated by the Joule effect upon the passage of electrical current between the conductive strips, and a means for determining if atmospheric conditions are such that condensed moisture is likely to form on the exterior surface of the unheated glazing.

Abstract: An overheating prevention apparatus of a boiling water washing machine including a heater for boiling clothes with hot water.

Abstract: An electrically heated nozzle for use in injection molding which is positioned between an injection apparatus and a die casting machine in an injection molding operation. The nozzle transfers molten material such as metal under pressure from the injection apparatus to the die. The nozzle has a refractive core, with a flow passage, surrounded by an intermediate metal core which is heated by a coil of electrical resistance wire to prevent heat loss in the molten metal. A metal sleeve surrounds the coil and the intermediate core. The heating coil is attached to a control box which energizes the coil and controls the temperature.

Abstract: Maintenance aid device (1) for a plasma torch (2) affected by a breakdown, comprising an expert system (3) successively determining subassemblies (4) of said torch (2), of decreasing size, likely to contain the brokendown element, by means of questions (QU) relating to the state of certain subassemblies (4), the response to these questions (QU) by an operator (14) being facilitated by the fact that said maintenance aid device (1) includes addressing means (10) able to read from a documentary base (8), and to display, information relating to a determined subassembly (4).Maintenance of complex plasma torches and use of a unique knowledge structure of the latter for other expertise besides breakdown repair.

Abstract: This device comprises a laser head (10) designed to be placed inside a tubular element (12) is provided with an aperture (34) intended for the exit of a working laser beam and arranged on a movable portion (18) of the head. This movable portion (18) is driven in rotation by a motor located on the outside of the tubular element and connected to the movable portion (18) by a flexible shaft (40) and a speed reducer (38). The latter, arranged in a fixed portion (20) of the head in the vicinity of the movable portion (18), comprises five epicyclic gears (50A to 50E) coupled in series. The device is used for the sleeve lining of the primary-water tubes of a steam generator of a pressurized water nuclear reactor.

Abstract: During melting and jointing members 2, 3 to weld the members by applying a laser beam 5 to the members while supplying a filler wire 13 to the locally heated portion of the members, welding plasma intensities are measured by sensors 8, 9 from both sides of the locally heated portion with reference to an advancing direction of welding. When the welding plasma intensities measured from both sides of the locally heated portion are largely different from each other, the relative deviation between the laser beam 5 and the filler wire 13 is large, so that a good welding may be difficult to be carried out.

Abstract: An electronic probe circuit having ac and dc amplifiers and an input compensation subcircuit is enclosed within a trim housing that replicates the electrical effect of the probe housing. The circuit is laser trimmed through ports in the trim housing. The difference between the voltage at 80 nsec and 1.4 .mu.sec points on a step voltage provides a first calibration factor while the difference between the 3 nsec voltage and the 80 nsec voltage provides a second calibration factor. A resistor in the DC amplifier is trimmed to an absolute voltage with a step scan laser cut. A resistor in the AC amplifier is trimmed with a laser L-cut until the difference between the 80 nsec and 1.4 .mu.sec points of the step voltage equals the first calibration factor. A capacitor in the input compensation subcircuit is trimmed until the voltage difference between the 3 nsec and 80 nsec points equals the second calibration factor.

Abstract: An improved heater and control apparatus (10) suitable for maintaining a proper temperature in a liquid environment such as an aquarium (12) is provided. The apparatus (10) includes a heater element (26) housed within a protective casing (28) to reduce the likelihood of heater element (26) breakage. A number of openings (30) are provided in casing (28) to permit direct contact between the heater element (26) and water in the aquarium (12). The control assembly (16) includes a novel active light display (99). Additional novel features and corresponding advantages of the apparatus (10) are disclosed.

Abstract: A surface processing device and method for forming a magnetic field having a uniform strength over a wide area of an electrode surface to generate a uniform high density plasma over the overall surface of a wafer. The device comprises a vacuum container contains a first electrode and a second electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode; a gas feeding system for feeding a predetermined gas into the vacuum container; an evacuating system for maintaining the inside of the container at a reduced pressure; an electric field generating system for generating an electric field in a region between the first and second electrodes; and a magnetic field generating system for generating a magnetic field in the vacuum container.

Abstract: The disclosure involves an apparatus (1) for the flying-shear cutting of thin-layer material, reeled off from a coil, by laser radiation, especially metal strips, fabrics, synthetic resins, paper, cardboard, and composite materials. In order to be able to crosscut individual strip sections (17) at high speeds without having to arrest the strip (2), the apparatus (1) consists of a traverse (3) arranged at an angle to the travel direction (a) of the strip (2), this traverse being rotatably supported and driven about its longitudinal axis of symmetry (4). Mutually opposed guides (5) for two separately operable laser cutting heads (6) with nozzles (7) are mounted in parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry (4) of the traverse (3). The laser cutting heads (6) are in each case movable separately or individually by way of the guides (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for inking or printing on the surface of an item, such as a badge or emblem, is described. The apparatus incorporates a number of sub-systems including: an apparatus for holding and positioning blank screen material; a laser ablation system for producing the desired hole pattern in the blank screen material to form screens; a print/ink station; a table assembly for supporting a plurality of labels or emblems and moving such labels or emblems sequentially to the print station; and an apparatus for moving the screens to the print/ink station. The apparatus also includes heater for drying the ink after the printing/inking step is completed. The apparatus for producing the patterns includes a laser, mirrors for moving the beam in the x and y directions, and optics for focusing the beam on the blank screen material. The inking station includes an ink tray, a reciprocating squeegee and blades for wiping ink from the leading edges of the squeegee after the squeegee passes over the pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor body (10) has a first region (13) of one formed a semiconductor device (Rx) having a resistance which varies with temperature. The semiconductor device (Rx) is formed by a second region (14) of the opposite conductivity type formed within the first region (13) and a third region (15) of the one conductivity type formed within the second region (14), with first and second electrodes (16) and (17) being spaced apart on the third region (15) so that a resistive path is provided by the third region (15) between the first and second electrodes (16 and 17) and a reference electrode (18) connecting the second region (14) to a reference potential.

Abstract: An improved plasma arc spray gun performs with higher deposition efficiency and longer lasting anodes and cathodes than prior spray guns. The spray gun of the invention includes a housing made of a glass fiber reinforced TORLON material that remains dimensionally stable under all operating conditions. The anode of a relatively low velocity subsonic spray gun has an interior with five sections, two of which have cylindrical inner surfaces and three of which have frusto-conical surfaces. The cathode tip is carefully located within the anode interior such that the electrical arc between the anode and cathode attaches to the anode at a circular line at a junction of a cylindrical surface and a frusto-conical surface. Relatively high velocity subsonic versions of the plasma arc spray gun utilize anodes with three interior sections and streamlined passages for vortex stabilized flow of the primary gas.

Abstract: The serial arc plasma injectors device disclosed herein enables the formation of a segmented, isolated chain of plasma arcs which are incubated to form a specified energy level of plasma discharge tailored to initiate ignition and establish efficient combustion in a particular segment of a propellant mass. The device includes a capillary in which a conductive path comprising electrodes is maintained. Particularly, specialized electrodes provide geometric and dimensional flexibility to establish plasma arc and plasma discharge characteristics that are compatible with different zones of the propellant mass. The specialized electrodes in combination with discharge vents enable the development of a series of regions in the capillary through which plasma discharge is introduced into the propellant mass to selectively initiate ignition and promote efficient combustion.

Abstract: A control/safety apparatus and method for an electrical or fuel fired water heater includes one or more temperature sensors strategically located on the water heater vessel at a level at or above a critical water level. The time rate of temperature change is calculated from the sensed temperature. An abnormal value of temperature change rate corresponding to an insufficient water level deactivates the heater to prevent damage to the heater. Water level, projected heating times, heater malfunctions and other operating parameters may be calculated or detected based on the time rate of change in sensed temperature.

Abstract: A high velocity arc spray apparatus includes a transferred-arc-plasma torch assembly which forms a transferred-arc column. A metal feedstock is fed into the transferred-arc column at an angle such that no portion of the metal feedstock is closer to the transferred-arc-plasma torch assembly than the leading edge of the metal feedstock in the feeding direction. A power source is coupled to both the metal feedstock and transferred-arc-plasma torch assembly for creating an electrical potential difference between the metal feedstock and the transferred torch assembly.