Abstract: The invention provides a pipe handling system which can transform a flat XY cutting system into a pipe cutting system which maintains very accurate pipe positions for laser, plasma, mechanical or other material processes, regardless of distortions in the pipe. The invention also provides a pipe handling system which can accommodate longer pipes, and a large range of pipe diameters. The pipe handling system is simpler, lighter and much more economical than conventional pipe handling systems.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel means of stabilizing a glow discharge device against electrothermal instabilities and electrode induced instabilities comprising imposing a magnetic field on the discharge current to create a sheared flow system within the discharge volume. There is further provided an apparatus for producing a stable high power glow discharge comprising an anode and a cathode adapted to be connected to an electric power source and, when so connected, to establish an electric field and a glow discharge between said anode and cathode and an electromagnet adapted to be connected to an electric power source and, when so connected, to establish a magnetic field across said electric field. This application relates to high power glow discharge devices and to a means of stabilizing such devices against electro-thermal instabilities and electrode induced instabilities.

Abstract: An electrode assembly and a D.C. glow discharge system incorporating the electrode assembly. The system is stabilized by a lower pulse repetition rate (1 KHz-5 KHz) and power (<5% of sustainer power) than that required for pulse-sustained discharge. It operates with a self-sustained discharge at lower voltage than usual due to lowered work functions, increased secondary emission and effective ionization. The pulse-stabilized discharged provides an extended stable operation suitable for high power gas lasers. A water ballasted electrode unit used therein, having individually ballasted electrode elements with discrete water resistors so formed when water flows, eliminates temporally varying spatial current fluctuations and exhibits such unique characteristics as; providing capacitive coupling for a pulse, and resistive coupling for D.C., and self-optimizing current uniformity with the operating time.

Abstract: A cathode structure for gas lasers comprising a flat plate of non-conducting material positioned in the laser in spaced relation to the laser anode to define a discharge region therebetween, a two-dimensional array of metal sub-electrode rods passing through the plate and having their upper ends lying flush with the surface of the plate, a block of dielectric material positioned below the plate and containing a series of transverse channels therein, electric current conductors lying in the channels and adapted for connection to a power supply, the lower ends of the said rods passing through openings in the block into the channels to define a predetermined uniform gap between the ends of the rods and the electrical conductor, and a liquid electrolyte solution filling the channels and electrically connecting the sub-electrode rods and the conductors.