Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heater comprising a wall-engaging member mountable to a wall, an extendable arm including proximate and distal ends. The proximate end being mounted to the wall-engaging member. The heater also includes a heat projecting heater-head mounted to the distal end of the extendable arm. Wherein the heater-head is reciprocally movable between a first position where the heater-head is in close proximity to the wall-engaging member and a second position where the heater-head is distant from the wall-engaging member.

Abstract: A discharge housing for connection to a plasma arc furnace outlet, having water quenching stations positioned inside the housing into the gas flow path, and having an inner flow path concentrically positioned inside an outer flow path, with an exhaust port on the downstream end of the outer flow path.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management device is disclosed which incorporates an improved method for sensing atrial depolarizations during episodes of ventricular tachycardia. The atrial sensing channel is blanked for a specified blanking interval after detection of a ventricular sense. When the ventricular rate is above a specified limit rate, the blanking interval for the atrial sensing channel is either shortened or blanking is discontinued altogether in order to allow sensing of atrial depolarizations that occur shortly after a ventricular sense.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for using magnetic fields to heat magnetically susceptible materials within and/or adjacent to adhesives, resins, or composites so as to reversibly or irreversibly bond, bind, or fasten opaque or non-opaque solid materials to one another. The system makes use of the effect that alternating magnetic fields induce eddy currents and generate heat within susceptors, and the effect that alternating magnetic fields additionally induce magnetic hysteresis that occurs in magnetic materials and thereby generate heat. An induction heating tool is used to emit the magnetic field at its work coil, and an electronic controller measures the energy being used by a power converter that generates the alternating current driving the work coil which creates the magnetic field. The distance between the susceptor and work coil is repeatedly analyzed based upon the power converter's input energy, and the work coil is driven at a repeatedly corrected power level during the heating cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for using magnetic fields to heat magnetically susceptible materials within and/or adjacent to adhesives, resins, or composites so as to reversibly or irreversibly bond, bind, or fasten opaque or non-opaque solid materials to one another. The system makes use of the effect that alternating magnetic fields induce eddy currents and generate heat within susceptors, and the effect that alternating magnetic fields additionally induce magnetic hysteresis that occurs in magnetic materials and thereby generate heat. An induction heating tool is used to emit the magnetic field at its work coil, and an electronic controller measures the energy being used by a power converter that generates the alternating current driving the work coil which creates the magnetic field. The distance between the susceptor and work coil is repeatedly analyzed based upon the power converter's input energy, and the work coil is driven at a repeatedly corrected power level during the heating cycle.

Abstract: A bottom electrode of a direct current electric arc furnace includes an electrode body extending through a hole defined in a bottom of the furnace. A circumferential flange is formed around a lower portion of the electrode body to which a ring connection member is attached. The connection member forms a ring channel defined by inner and outer walls from which inner and outer flanges radially extend in opposite directions. The inner flange is fixed to the circumferential flange of the electrode body by bolts. The outer flange is fixed to the furnace bottom for attaching the bottom electrode to the furnace bottom. The channel is located between the circumferential flange of the electrode body and an inside diameter of the hole defined in the furnace bottom for increasing radial distance between the electrode body and the hole of the furnace bottom. Insulative members are arranged on and under the circumferential flange of the electrode body for electrically isolating the electrode from the furnace bottom.

Abstract: A voltage converter for use within small implantable electrical devices, such as a microstimulator, uses a coil, instead of capacitors, to provide a voltage step up and step down function. The output voltage is controlled, or adjusted, through duty-cycle modulation. Good efficiencies are achieved for virtually any voltage within the compliance range of the converter. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, applicable to implantable devices having an existing RF coil through which primary or charging power is provided, the existing RF coil is used in a time-multiplexing scheme to provide both the receipt of the RF signal and the voltage conversion function. This minimizes the number of components needed within the device, and thus allows the device to be packaged in a smaller housing, or frees up additional space within an existing housing for other circuit components.

Abstract: An implantable pacemaker is provided with cardiac depolarization sensing electrodes welded into the case along a peripheral edge surface thereof. The electrodes are coupled to signal processing circuitry within the case to provide leadless acquisition of electrocardiographic data for telemetry to a programmer. Each electrode is a thin film, multilayer ceramic structure mounted in a welding ring. Each electrode is substantially flat and is disposed within a recess in the peripheral edge surface of the case. Each electrode is a sandwich structure comprising a thin film layer, first and second ceramic layers, and a ground plane layer between the ceramic layers.

Abstract: An examination device for examining the interior of a body cavity has a tubular probe having a first, forward end and a second, rearward end. The probe is mounted in a hand piece, and a closure is engaged with the second end of the probe. A shield is provided on the probe either adjacent the first end or spaced therefrom but forwardly of the hand piece to shield the hand piece from contact with body tissue. The shield is also able to seal against a body orifice.

Abstract: In a control unit of a hot-water supply system, a boiling time period is estimated based on a hot-water amount stored in a tank at a time of 23:00, a boiling start time is adjusted so that boiling operation is finished at a time immediately before 7:00. For example, when the hot water amount stored in the tank is smaller at the time of 23:00, the boiling time period is made longer and the boiling start time is made earlier. On the other hand, when the hot water amount stored in the tank is larger at the time of 23:00, the boiling time period is made shorter and the boiling start time is made later.

Abstract: A heat sensing device manager system and method for processing signals from heat sensing devices used to monitor the semiconductor processing environment. The system includes a circuit for determining if a heat sensing device has failed. Where a heat sensing device has failed the system can switch control of the system such that it relies on signals generated by operational heat sensing devices. The system also provides the user with an intuitive LED interface that provides the user with information regarding the operation of the heat sensing elements of the system, and where a heat sensing device has failed the user interface can convey information regarding the nature of a particular heat sensing device failure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-baking electrode for use in low electric reduction furnaces, and refers particularly to a container (1) for the formation of self-baking electrodes to be used in low electric reduction furnaces, allowing the manufacture of silicon alloys with iron content as low as 0.25%, The container comprising an aluminum cylindrical casing (11) split in two parts containing therein a plurality of stainless steel ribs (12) uniformly attached perpendicularly along the inner surface of the casing (11) lengthwise along the cylindrical casing (11), wherein the cylindrical casing (11) is made of aluminum plates and the ribs (12) are made of stainless steel plates.

Abstract: An image stabilization apparatus and method for stabilizing the imaging of a high-performance optical system prone to imaging instabilities from thermal effects. Thermal instabilities within the lens, such as convection, can result in image placement errors in a high-performance optical system. The apparatus includes a heating element arranged on the upper surface of the optical system to provide heat to one or more gas-filled spaces in the optical system. An insulating blanket covers a portion of the optical system to uniformize the heating of the optical system and increase efficiency of the apparatus. The gas in the spaces is heated so that the warmer gases reside near the upper portion of the optical system, while the cooler gases reside near the lower portion of the optical system. This creates a stable thermal environment within the lens system, thereby stabilizing the imaging. Optionally, gas can be flowed over the lower surface to keep heat from heating the lower portion of the optical system.

Abstract: An installation for processing by induction a metallic material is disclosed. The installation includes a first winding including, in series, at least one first coil of at least one turn and at least one second coil of at least one turn, wound in opposite directions around a container, the first winding having two end terminals connected to an A.C. supply source and across at first capacitor, and at least one second winding including, in series, at least one first coil of at least one turn and at least one second coil of at least one turn, wound in opposite directions around the container by being imbricated in the first winding, wherein the ends of the second winding being connected across a second capacitor (C′).

Abstract: A method for the continuous determination of the distance between an electrode tip and level of a bath in an electric arc furnace so as to be able to exactly determine electric energy consumption per tonne of scrap actually melted, electrode wear and the residual liquid bath present in the electric arc furnace after tapping.

Abstract: Endoscopes comprise image pickup elements for picking up images and transmission circuits and the like for transmitting the picked up images with radio waves of different frequencies. In addition, bar codes to code the frequencies used for transmission are provided to the respective endoscopes, the bar code provided to the endoscope used in endoscope inspection is read on a receiver side, and a reception frequency of a station selection unit is set to the read frequency, so that a signal obtained by a desired endoscope can be easily received and imaged even in case a plurality of endoscopes are used.

Abstract: An improved process using electrostimulation for treating obesity, especially morbid obesity, and other syndromes related to motor disorders of the stomach is provided. The improved method of this invention provides electrostimulation on the lesser curvature of the stomach, preferably on the lower or distal end of the lesser curvature, which provides improved control of obesity and other syndromes related to motor disorders of the stomach. In one embodiment, the process employs stimulation of the lesser curvature at a rate of about 2 to about 14 pulses/minute with each pulse lasting about 0.5 to about 4 seconds such that there is a pause of about 3 to about 30 between the pulses. Preferably, the pulse rate is about 12 pulses/minute with each pulse lasting about 2 seconds with a pause of about 3 seconds between pulses. Preferably, the pulse amplitude is about 0.5 to about 15 milliamps. More preferable, each pulse consists of a train of micro-bursts with a frequency of about 5 to about 100 sec−1.

Abstract: A mounting enclosure and an improved mounting arrangement for apparatus used in metal melting, refining and processing, particularly those apparatus adapted for steel making in an electric arc furnace, such as burners, lances and the like with supersonic oxygen lancing capability and injectors or the like for the introduction of particulate matter. The mounting enclosure is fluid cooled to survive the hostile environment of the electric arc furnace and is designed to occupy the step between the side wall and hearth of the furnace without any substantial change to the structure of the furnace. The mounting enclosure comprises a plurality of fluid cooling conduits surrounding an apparatus aperture and an injector aperture which are formed through the enclosure and adapted to mount an apparatus and an injector. The mounting arrangement includes utilizing the mounting enclosure to mount an apparatus with supersonic oxidizing gas lancing capability and an injector for particulate carbon in an electric arc furnace.

Abstract: A high flow rate, transportable, ultra high purity gas vaporization and supply system is provided which includes a vessel suitable for carrying large quantities of a liquefied gas, valves to operate with liquid or gas phases, a loading/unloading unit disposed on the vessel for loading and unloading the liquefied gas to be supplied, and a heater containing heating elements permanently positioned on the vessel to supply energy into the liquefied gas. The heater causes the liquefied gas to be supplied through the loading/unloading unit as a gas. A heater controller is also provided which uses process variables feedback for regulating the heating elements to maintain and regulate gas output.

Abstract: A universal voltage fuser heater lamp is described for use in either United States or European markets having different voltage standards. The fuser lamp comprises first and second filaments having equal resistance and a switching mechanism for connecting a power supply to the fuser lamp. The switching mechanism connects the first and second filaments in a parallel configuration when the voltage is 120 Volts and connects the first and second filaments in series when the voltage is 240 Volts from the power supply.