Abstract: Methods include directing a laser beam to a target along a scan path at a variable scan velocity and adjusting a digital modulation during movement of the laser beam along the scan path and in relation to the variable scan velocity so as to provide a fluence at the target within a predetermined fluence range along the scan path. Some methods include adjusting a width of the laser beam with a zoom beam expander. Apparatus include a laser source situated to emit a laser beam, a 3D scanner situated to receive the laser beam and to direct the laser beam along a scan path in a scanning plane at the target, and a laser source digital modulator coupled to the laser source so as to produce a fluence at the scanning plane along the scan path that is in a predetermined fluence range as the laser beam scan speed changes along the scan path.

Abstract: A beer maker may include a fermentation vessel accommodated in a space and having a beer brewing space, a main channel communicating with the beer brewing space, a sub-channel communicating with the beer brewing space, a gas pump connected to the sub-channel to pump gas to the sub-channel, and a gas valve at the sub-channel. Ingredients for brewing beer are supplied to the beer brewing space through the main channel, and gas is supplied to the beer brewing space through the sub-channel, so that beer can be simply brewed while minimizing a user from opening the lid.

Abstract: Systems and methods to improve an industrial heater are disclosed. The heater comprises a horizontal cylinder oriented parallel to the ground and may encase an interior recess running the length of the heater. The heater may be divided into a plurality of sections or zones. One or more mid-rings may support the structure of the heater, and may be disposed at the intersections of adjacent sections or zones. A plurality of interior boards and/or insulation layers may line the interior façade, and may be configured to overlap each other and/or interlock together. The interlocking structure may be absent of any gap or space to prevent heat loss from the interior recess. One or more heat strips may be configured in a sinusoidal pattern. The strips may be mirrored on the opposite side of the interior recess, and may be configured to elongate in the direction opposite of gravity.

Abstract: An impingement oven (40) includes an upper housing structure (46) forming the exterior of the upper half of the impingement oven and a lower housing structure (48) to mate with the upper housing structure. An interior impingement housing (62) is positioned interior to the upper and lower housing structures (46) and (48). A conveyor (60) extends through the interior impingement housing (62). The inside surfaces of the upper and lower housing structures (46) and (48) cooperate with the interior impingement housing (62) to define upright supply chambers (80a) and (80b) on opposite sides of the impingement oven to direct cooking medium downwardly upon the work products being carried by the conveyor and also upwardly through the porous belt of the conveyor, thereby to thermally process the work products being carried on the conveyor.

Abstract: A method for welding a stack of sheets having a plurality of sheets of different materials is provided. In an aspect, the stack of sheets includes an aluminum sheet and a galvanneal steel sheet. In an aspect, the method includes resistively spot welding the galvanneal sheet to a hot-stamped steel sheet placed between the aluminum sheet and the galvanneal sheet, the sheet of hot-stamped steel including stress relief sections. The method further includes placing a metal foil on the aluminum sheet and vaporizing the metal foil to project portions of the aluminum sheet through the stress relief sections of the hot-stamped steel sheet to weld the portions of the aluminum sheet to the galvanized steel sheet. In another aspect, the method includes placing the metal foil on a raised portion of the aluminum sheet and projecting the raised portion of the aluminum onto the galvanneal steel sheet.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus for processing a wafer along projected dicing lines with a laser beam has a laser oscillator, a polygon mirror having a plurality of reflecting surfaces and rotatable about a central axis thereof, and an f? lens for focusing the beam reflected by the reflecting surfaces of the polygon mirror and applying the focused beam to the wafer. The reflecting surfaces of the polygon mirror include a zero-gradient reflecting surface lying at a zero gradient parallel to the central axis, a positive-gradient reflecting surface that is inclined at a positive gradient from the zero gradient, and a negative-gradient reflecting surface that is inclined at a negative gradient from the zero gradient. The polygon mirror swings the laser beam in a direction perpendicular to a processing feed direction within the width of each of the projected dicing lines and in the processing feed direction.

Abstract: The specification discloses an electrical discharge machining (EDM) system and method capable of defining an unlimited number of waveforms. The system and method define logical waveforms using a plurality of time slices, each having a voltage and a width. The time slices are applied to the system power section where they are amplified and delivered to the electrode.

Abstract: A machine for making liquid or semi-liquid products, including: a processing container for processing a basic liquid or semi-liquid product, defining a processing chamber and provided with a stirrer rotating inside the processing chamber; a thermal treatment system associated with the processing container for heating and/or cooling the processing chamber; a dispensing device which is associated with the processing container to receive therefrom the processed, basic liquid or semi-liquid product, and which is equipped with controls for delivering the processed, basic liquid or semi-liquid product to the outside of the processing container; an electronic control unit for controlling at least one actuator of the machine, a plurality of syrup containers, at least one heating and/or cooling device connectable to one or more of the syrup containers and/or connecting pipes and/or pumps in order to thermally treat the syrups.

Abstract: A machine (1) for dispensing a dispensable liquid (5) has: —a liquid delivery module (10) for delivering the dispensable liquid (5) from a source (50); —a service area (7) for collecting collectable liquid (5?) from the liquid delivery module (10); —a directing device (20) which has a dispensing position for directing the dispensable liquid (5) from the delivery module (10) to a dispensing area (6) configured to receive a user-receptacle (60) and a collecting position for directing collectable liquid (5?) from the delivery module (10) to the service area (7); and —a user-interface member (30) which is configured to be contacted and moved by a user to displace the member (30) from a first member position to a second member position.

Abstract: Provided is a mold cleaning system. On the basis of an identification mark assigned to a mold and detected by a mark detector when cleaning the mold, the mold cleaning system obtains shape data for the molding surface of the mold which is stored in a database, and on the basis of the obtained shape data, the mold cleaning system controls the movement of arms using the control device, moves a laser head along the molding surface thereof while irradiating with a laser beam supplied by a laser oscillator, and as a result, removes the dirt adhered to the molding surface.

Abstract: A rapid thermal processing method and apparatus used for programming the pinned layer of spintronic devices, the apparatus comprising a rapid thermal annealing light source, a reflective cover, a magnet, a wafer, and a substrate. The light source is used for heating the substrate. The reflective cover at least comprises a transparent insulating layer and a reflective layer. The magnet is used to produce a constant magnetic field. An antiferromagnetic layer on a wafer may be locally programmed by controlling the exposure time, for heating a specific area on the wafer to a temperature above the blocking temperature of the antiferromagnetic layer, and then turning off the magnetic field after the heating area has cooled in the presence of the applied magnetic field. This rapid thermal processing method is used to improve the spatial resolution of laser annealing. It provides excellent performance, and it is suitable for mass production.

Abstract: A fluid sensing system and approach having a leak sensor. The leak sensor may output a signal when a fluid is detected. The signal may go to an alarm circuit which can sound a warning or alert. The signal may also go to a control interface of a piece of equipment, such as a water heater, to shut off the piece equipment in an event that it is causing a leak of fluid. Also, the sensing system may have a low battery sensor and indicator in case a battery supplying power for the sensing system is running low. The sensing system may be made of analog circuitry and discrete components.

Abstract: A defrosting system includes an RF signal source, an electrode proximate to a cavity within which a load to be defrosted is positioned, a transmission path between the RF signal source and the electrode, and an impedance matching network electrically coupled along the transmission path between the output of the RF signal source and the electrode. The system also includes power detection circuitry coupled to the transmission path and configured to detect reflected signal power along the transmission path. A system controller is configured to modify, based on the reflected signal power, an inductance value of the impedance matching network to reduce a ratio of the reflected signal power to the forward signal power. The impedance matching network includes a plurality of fixed-value, lumped inductors positioned within a fixed inductor area.

Abstract: A coffee appliance includes a powered cooling system integrated with and matched to a hot coffee brewer, configured to cool freshly-brewed coffee by thermal contact to chill a small batch of fresh-brewed coffee in a cooled receiving vessel. The vessel has an evaporator coil to ice the beverage. The cooling system is a robust system, a phase change refrigerant compression-type system employing a positive-displacement compressor, sized in relation to its rate of thermal cooling and the temperature of the beverage and the thermal mass and conductivity of the fluid-contacting assembly, bringing hot coffee to an ice-cold temperature, 2-5° C., on demand and quickly. The fresh brewed, flash-cooled coffee has undiluted and undegraded flavor. An integrated appliance includes a coffee brewer and cooler in a single device, and a slide switch or valve allows the user to select hot or iced coffee.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure cooking utensil comprising a vessel, a lid with an annular skirt, and a gasket interposed between the lid and the vessel, said gasket including a ring and a first lip in sealing contact with the top wall of the lid, said utensil being characterized in that it includes a leakage opening formed through said top wall, the annular skirt forming a stop abutment for the ring, said first lip presenting flexibility that is suitable, when the pressure that exists inside the enclosure exceeds a safety threshold, for causing the inside of the enclosure to communicate with the outside through the leakage opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally processing food products in sealed packages comprises heating/cooling chambers with an endless conveyor guided through them with product carriers connected thereto. Each product carrier 10 comprises insertion spaces 17 for packages 27 to be placed in. A side wall 11 of the carrier 10 comprises slits 20 which open out towards insertion openings of the respective insertion spaces 17. Operating members are provided which comprise load bearing organs 32 with operable holding means 33 for picking up and carrying packages 27. The load bearing organs 32 are movable in an insertion direction x while projecting through the slits 20 during placing of packages 27 into the insertion spaces 17.

Abstract: A closure device for a chamber housing a laser units for cutting a sheet metal strip includes, in proximity of an exit slit of the strip to be machined, a bar arranged transversely to the axis of advancement of the strip, and having, at the lower edges of the major side surfaces, longitudinal edges of a U-folded plate bound thereto. The plate has a plurality of transverse slots ending before its edges. An actuator provided for a vertical movement of the bar.

Abstract: A heating element module for an aerosol-generating device is provided, including an elongate heating element having a heating portion; a heating element mount, wherein the heating element extends substantially perpendicularly from a first surface of the heating element mount; and first and second projections extending substantially perpendicularly from the first surface of the heating element mount and abutting first and second sides of the heating element. An aerosol-generating device incorporating the heating element module is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a cushion and a seating surface. A thermally conductive tape includes at least two branches, the two branches coming together at a junction and extending in a direction parallel with the seating surface. The thermally conductive tape includes a plurality of thermoelectric devices and a lower conductor and an upper conductor in thermal contact with the plurality of thermoelectric devices. The thermoelectric devices are secured to the lower conductor and the upper conductor with the thermally conductive adhesive. The thermoelectric devices are configured to change temperature when a voltage is applied to the thermoelectric devices.

Abstract: A heating device includes a base body that has a placement surface for placing a wafer thereon and a back surface that is on an opposite side of the placement surface; a heating resistor that is embedded in the base body; a cylindrical supporting body that has one end surface and the other end surface, the one end surface being connected to the back surface of the base body, the other end surface being on an opposite side of the one end surface; and a supporting-body channel that includes a portion extending in a direction from the other end surface to the one end surface of the cylindrical supporting body, and that is formed within a peripheral wall of the cylindrical supporting body. The supporting-body channel includes an opening portion that opens inwardly from an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical supporting body.