Abstract: A system and method for computing the parameters of a forge welding machine for the forge welding of one or more materials is provided. A computer program executes a self-tuning routine to compute the operating frequency and operating power setting for the forge welding machine in response to an inputted width of the heat affected zone and an inputted weld temperature.

Abstract: A number of RF power transmission paths are defined to extend from an RF power source through a matching network, through a transmit electrode, through a plasma to a number of return electrodes. A number of tuning elements are respectively disposed within the number of RF power transmission paths. Each tuning element is defined to adjust an amount of RF power to be transmitted through the RF power transmission path within which the tuning element is disposed. A plasma density within a vicinity of a particular RF power transmission path is directly proportional to the amount of RF power transmitted through the particular RF power transmission path. Therefore, adjustment of RF power transmitted through the RF power transmission paths, as afforded by the tuning element, enables control of a plasma density profile across a substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to characterize a welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is characterized in real time with respect to a true energy and/or true power input to the welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is also characterized with respect to an inductance of the welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is further characterized with respect to a welding output waveform.

Abstract: An apparatus for the formation of a dense plasma focus (DPF) has a center electrode formed about an axis, where the center electrode includes a cylindrical part and a tapered part. An outer electrode is formed about the center electrode, and may be either cylindrical, tapered, or formed from a plurality of individual conductors including a helical conductor arrangement surrounding the tapered region of the center conductor. The taper of the center electrode results in an enhanced azimuthal B field in the final region of the device, resulting in increased plasma velocity prior to the dense plasma focus. Using the outer electrode helical structure an auxiliary axial B field is generated during the final acceleration region of the plasma, which reduces axial modal tearing of the plasma in the final acceleration region.

Abstract: A soldering or a desoldering tool includes a replaceable tip with a recess adapted to receive a portion of a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the tip. Positioning the temperature sensor within the tip allows the temperature to be quickly measured so that the temperature near the tip may be more accurately monitored and controlled. The temperature sensor may be also integrated with the heater near the tip such that the temperature sensor is between the tip and the heater and near both of them so that the temperature of the tip is substantially that of the temperature of the heater. A sleeve may enclose the temperature sensor and the heater with a portion of the temperature sensor extending out from the foreward end of the sleeve. The replaceable tip may also have a bore adapted to receive a head protruding from the foreward end of the sleeve to couple the tip at a predetermined orientation with respect to the sleeve.

Abstract: A gas distribution arrangement configured to provide a process gas downstream to a plasma tube of a plasma processing chamber. The plasma tube has a top end. The arrangement includes a body having a first end. The first end has a width larger than the plasma tube and a protrusion end adapted to be inserted into the top end. The arrangement also includes a gas inlet vertically disposed in the body. The gas inlet extends from the first end toward the protrusion end and the gas inlet terminates before extending through the protrusion end. The arrangement further includes a plurality of directional inlet channels extending from a lower end of the gas inlet through the protrusion end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing soft x-ray laser radiation. A low pressure plasma column is created by electric discharge or by laser excitation inside a rotating containment tube. Rotation of the plasma is induced by viscous drag caused by rotation of the tube, or by magnetically driven rotation of the plasma as it is created in a plasma gun in the presence of an axial magnetic field, or both. A high power electrical discharge is then passed axially through the rotating plasma column to produce a rapidly rising axial current, resulting in z-pinch compression of the rotating plasma column, with resultant stimulated emission of soft x-ray radiation in the axial direction. A rotating containment tube used in combination with magnetically driven rotation of the plasma column results in a concave electron density profile that results in reduced wall ablation and also reduced refraction losses of the soft x-rays.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulating flames includes a light source, a viewing screen capable of diffusing and transmitting light, a rear reflector disposed behind the viewing screen, and a light producer for producing moving beams of light. The light source is disposed below the reflector and behind the viewing screen. The light producer is disposed in front of the light source and below the screen and light from the light source is reflected by the light producer onto the reflector and is reflected by the reflector onto the screen to produce a perceptible image viewable on the screen.

Abstract: During fabrication, a rotating semiconductor substrate is radiated in accordance with a thermal recipe. Temperature measurements of the semiconductor substrate are obtained along with the position of the semiconductor substrate at the time of each temperature measurement. It is then determined for the position of the semiconductor substrate whether at least one particular temperature measurement of the temperature measurements should be filtered. If so, at least one filtered temperature measurement is obtained. The radiation of the semiconductor substrate is subsequently controlled based on the temperature measurements, the at least one filtered temperature measurement, and the thermal recipe.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for plasma-assisted heat treatments are provided. The method can include initiating a heat treating plasma within a cavity (14) by subjecting a gas to electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a plasma catalyst (70), heating the object by exposing the object to the plasma, and maintaining exposure of the object to the plasma for a sufficient period to alter at least one material property of the object.

Abstract: A soldering iron including: a soldering tip that melts solder at a distal end; an iron body to which the soldering tip is fixed; at least one male connecting end provided at a base end of the soldering tip; at least one female connecting end built into the distal end of the iron body and into which the male connecting end is fittingly inserted; and a grip having heat insulating properties provided around the outer periphery of the soldering tip to cover the base end region of the soldering tip.

Abstract: An electric power supply is controlled below a maximum suppliable current value by detecting the applied current of a heater. The image forming apparatus includes a heater which includes heating elements that generate heat when electric power is supplied, a current detector for detecting a current value supplied to the heater, a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the fixing device, and an electric power controller for supplying electric power to the heater with a current application duty based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector within a range below a maximum current application duty. The maximum current application duty can be reset based on a current application duty to the heater and based on a current value detected by the current detector.

Abstract: A control system and method of controlling a battery powered heating device such as a soldering or desoldering tool that includes a control circuit to control the delivery of power to a cartridge heating tip and to cycle the power to the cartridge heating tip during times of no use so as to minimize the amount of power expended to maintain the device in a ready or usable state.

Abstract: A thermal spray apparatus is provided for thermal spraying a coating onto a substrate. The apparatus include a heating module for providing a stream of heated gas. The heating module is coupled to a forming module for controlling pressure and velocity characteristics of the stream of heated gas generated by the heating module. The thermal spray apparatus further includes a barrel capable of directing the stream of heated gas from the forming module. A powder injection module may be provided for introducing powder material into the stream of heated gas.

Abstract: A roof panel (31) is pre-set on the left and right side members (4) fixed to an underbody of a car. A roof panel spot welding station (7) includes a pair of frames (34) and two joisted-locating jigs (35, 36) bridging the frames. Each of the joisted-locating jigs is furnished with a clamp mechanism for holding the roof panel. The roof panel is located to the side members by the locating jigs, and spot-welded to the side members.

Abstract: A short circuit arc welding system is disclosed. The control scheme uses a current command signal comprised of a long-term current command that sets the long-term current command level and a real-time or short-by-short current command to drive the output current. Feedback is used to determine if the desired arc length is present and to adjust the long-term command. The short-by-short current command is derived from real-time arc current feedback and is used to control the burn-off rate by adjustment of the current command. The short being about to clear is detected in real time. When the process is ending a very low current level is provided to avoid forming a ball. If a short is created, after the low current level, a burst of energy is provided to clear of burn off the short. After the short is cleared, very low current is again provided to avoid forming a large ball, until the wire stops and the process ends.

Abstract: A plasma generating electrode according to the invention includes at least two opposing plate-shaped unit electrodes 2, each having a rectangular surface and four end faces, and a holding member 5 which holds at least one (fixed end 6) of a pair of parallel ends (pair of ends) of four ends of the unit electrode 2 corresponding to the four end faces, at least one of the opposing unit electrodes 2 being a conductive-film-containing electrode 8 including a ceramic body 3 and a conductive film 4, and a distance “a” (mm) from an edge of the conductive film 4 to an edge of the ceramic body 3 on the other pair of parallel ends (other pair of ends 9) of the four ends of the conductive-film-containing electrode 8 adjacent to the pair of ends and a thickness “c” (mm) of the ceramic body 3 satisfying a relationship “(c/2)?a?5c”. The plasma generating electrode 1 is effectively prevented from breaking due to thermal shock.

Abstract: A system and method for producing braces for a cavity die having a predetermined shape are disclosed. The system includes an input file containing information about the shape of the cavity die and a bracing program running on a computer. The bracing program produces an output file based on the input file and brace parameters. The output file includes information about the design of the braces. The computer instructs a brace-making machine to produce the braces based on the information in the output file. The method includes the steps of: a) providing input information about the shape of the cavity die and the brace parameters to the computer; b) processing the input information by the computer to produce an output file containing information about the design of the braces; and c) producing the braces in accordance with the information from the output file.

Abstract: A generator for arc welder, of the type composed of a rectifier stage followed by a PFC stage and by an inverter stage, both of the high-frequency type, the latter stage supplying power to a final rectifier stage for a welding arc, the PFC stage being composed of two inductors that are mutually magnetically coupled, two diodes with opposite conduction directions, two leveling capacitors and means for controlling the succession of the on and off switchings of the two first switches, so as to shape the current absorbed by the rectifier stage by correlating it to the waveform of the line voltage. The inverter stage comprises four triads of second controlled switches, diodes and capacitors, and there is also a control device for the four second switches and for the current for the final stage that supplies power to the welding arc.

Abstract: The performance of a thermal insulation for a building surface 6, subject to a thermal gradient emitting from the building interior, is enhanced by a neutral thermal gradient. For this purpose an electrical heating element 1 is adapted to release very low Wattages of thermal energy and is contained within an inner layer 4 and an outer layer 5 of thermal insulation. Adjusting the thermal efficiency of the insulation layers controls the magnitude of the thermal energy required to maintain the temperature of the element 1 at the equivalent temperature level to the building interior. The element 1 may be provided with a moisture controller and discharge sizeable quantities of thermal energy to dry moisture from the thermal insulation materials of the assembly.