Abstract: To prevent arcing during an electrical brazing operation, the voltage drop across the brazing electrodes is sensed. When this voltage drop exceeds a predetermined threshold level due to arcing, a relay in a control circuit is picked up and its normally closed contacts open to interrupt the energization circuit for a brazing current contactor relay. The control circuit also is equipped to inhibit brazing if a discontinuity exists in its electrical connection across the electrodes. Also disclosed is a pistol grip electrical brazing tool having its electrode supporting and manipulating elements shunted from the brazing current carrying paths.

Abstract: A pistol grip brazing tool utilizes an insulative frame to mount a pair of elongated support elements, one fixed and the other reciprocating. The support elements, in turn, mount at their front ends a pair of electrodes in opposed relation and at their rear ends brazing cable connectors. Conductive links affixed to the support elements are adapted with interconnecting conductive cable lengths such as to conduct brazing current between the electrodes and the cable connectors in shunt relation with the support elements. The flow of brazing current is controlled to insure that brazing operations are performed without undue arcing.

Abstract: Light-weight, corrosion-resistant, elongated spring structure formed from fiber-reinforced composite material and method of manufacture in which a configuration-defining core portion is laid up from non-woven fiber plies of varying longitudinal dimension with such centrally located core portion being overlaid with a plurality of elongated plies of non-woven fibers extending between longitudinal ends of the spring structure. Transverse strength in the elongated spring structure is obtained from placement of crossply material generally contiguous to the outer surface or by helical wrapping of the longitudinally oriented plies. Included are methods for forming integral spring-mounting means and manufacture of a plurality of spring structures simultaneously.