Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a workpiece. An induction heating system is used to induce magnetic fields in a workpiece to inductively heat the workpiece. The induction heating system may comprise a portable power source, a portable power source controller, a fluid-cooled induction heating cable, and a portable cooling unit. The induction heating system may be used to perform a variety of induction heating operations, including: annealing, surface hardening, heat treating, stress-relieving, curing, shrink-fitting, etc.

Abstract: A method of producing a modified pigment by sulfonating a pigment and subsequently oxidizing the pigment. The modified pigment may have sulfonic acid and carboxyl surface modifying groups attached to the surface of the pigment. Charge balancing counterions such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and NR1R2R3H+, where R1, R2 and R3 are independently H or C1-C5 alkyl groups, may be associated with the surface modifying groups. The modified pigment is combined with water to produce a dispersion that can be used in such applications as coatings, paints, papers, adhesives, latexes, toners, textiles, fibers, plastics and inks.

Abstract: A method of modifying a pigment that includes reacting a reactive compound having an X-[Y]n reactive group with a secondary compound N-S-ZM to form a substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a-X-(N-S-ZM)b. A pigment is reacted with the substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a-X-(N-S-ZM)b to attach the substituted reactive intermediate to the surface of the pigment to form a surface modified pigment. X may be a sulfonyl, phosphoryl, or 1,3,5-triazinyl group, Y may be a halogen leaving group, N may be a basic nucleophilic group, S may be an organic group, and ZM may be an ionizable end group. Also, n is an integer between 1 and 3, b is an integer between 1 and 3, and a=n?b. When n is equal to or greater than b, and if b is 2 or 3, each N-S-ZM can be the same or different.

Abstract: A method of producing a modified pigment by sulfonating a pigment and subsequently oxidizing the pigment. The modified pigment may have sulfonic acid and carboxyl surface modifying groups attached to the surface of the pigment. Charge balancing counterions such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and NR1R2R3H+, where R1, R2 and R3 are independently H or C1-C5 alkyl groups, may be associated with the surface modifying groups. The modified pigment is combined with water to produce a dispersion that can be used in such applications as coatings, paints, papers, adhesives, latexes, toners, textiles, fibers, plastics and inks.

Abstract: An appartus and method for a stud welder power source is disclosed. The power source has a control circuit connected to an inverter which converts an electrical signal from a power source into an electrical signal that can perform stud welding. The inverter conditions the power signal such that a current of at least 1000 amps can be generated nearly instantaneously. Additionally, having a power source that includes a control circuit with an inverter allows for a smaller and lighter appartus when compared to known stud welders.

Abstract: A method of modifying a particle that includes reacting a reactive compound having an X—[Y]n reactive group with a secondary compound N—S-ZM to form a substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a—X—(N—S-ZM)b, and reacting the particle with the substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a—X—(N—S-ZM)b to attach the substituted reactive intermediate to the surface of the particle to form a surface modified particle. The particle may comprise at least one of a dye particle, an inorganic pigment particle, an additive, or a combination thereof. X may be a sulfonyl, phosphoryl, or 1,3,5-triazinyl group. Y may be a halogen leaving group. N may be a nucleophilic group. S may be an organic group. ZM may be an ionizable end group. Also, n is an integer between 1 and 3, b is an integer between 1 and 3, and a=n?b. When n is equal to or greater than b, and wherein if b is 2 or 3, each N—S-ZM can be the same or different.

Abstract: A duty cycle controller having a processor configured to control a welding-type apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the processor may be configured to control the welding-type apparatus according to a variable maximum duty cycle to substantially delay entry into a thermal shutdown mode of the welding-type apparatus based on at least one operating condition. Various additional devices and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modified pigment that may include a polymer. The pigment may be directly attached to a nitrogen atom. The nitrogen atom may be attached directly or indirectly to a group that may include —S-Z. S may be a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, or polymer chain having a molecular weight range from about 300 to about 20000. Z may be a hydrogen, carboxyl, sulfonyl, phenolic, phosphoryl, ammonium, trimethylammonium, or tributylammonium group. Also, a modified pigment that may include a polymer. The pigment may be attached to an organic group through a carbon atom that is part of a N—C?N bond. A cosmetic formulation that may include a pigment covalently bonded to an organic group.

Abstract: A method of modifying a pigment that includes reacting a reactive compound having an X-[Y]n reactive group with a secondary compound N-S-ZM to form a substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a-X-(N-S-ZM)b. A pigment is reacted with the substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a-X-(N-S-ZM)b to attach the substituted reactive intermediate to the surface of the pigment to form a surface modified pigment. X may be a sulfonyl, phosphoryl, or 1,3,5-triazinyl group, Y may be a halogen leaving group, N may be a basic nucleophilic group, S may be an organic group, and ZM may be an ionizable end group. Also, n is an integer between 1 and 3, b is an integer between 1 and 3, and a=n?b. When n is equal to or greater than b, and if b is 2 or 3, each N-S-ZM can be the same or different.

Abstract: A welding stud apparatus and method of manufacturing a welding stud are disclosed. The welding stud has a weld end constructed to be welded to a workpiece that has at least one recess formed therein. The recess decreases an effective arc area of the weld end to localize a current therethrough and increase the efficiency with which the welding stud can be welded to a workpiece.

Abstract: A method of producing a modified pigment by sulfonating a pigment and subsequently oxidizing the pigment. The modified pigment may have sulfonic acid and carboxyl surface modifying groups attached to the surface of the pigment. Charge balancing counterions such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and NR1R2R3H+, where R1, R2 and R3 are independently H or C1-C5 alkyl groups, may be associated with the surface modifying groups. The modified pigment is combined with water to produce a dispersion that can be used in such applications as coatings, paints, papers, adhesives, latexes, toners, textiles, fibers, plastics and inks.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking, storing, and distributing inventory of welding-type consumables within an industrial facility includes conveyors for moving and storing welding-type consumables on pallets or other shipment units to the proper work zones. Various sensors or detectors are employed at the loading and unloading ends of the conveyors to provide data for determining quantity, type, and/or location information for monitoring inventory or even automated reordering. Therefore, such a system and method provides robust, reliable, and inexpensive inventory management that can be adaptable and compatible with multiple brands, types, and shipment varieties of inventory materials.

Abstract: A short resistant welder that includes, in some embodiments, a short circuit sensor configured to transmit a first signal indicative of a short circuit between a workpiece and a stud, and a stud welding controller communicatively coupled to the short circuit sensor. In certain embodiments, the stud welding controller is configured to transmit an increase-current control signal to a power supply in response to the first signal.

Abstract: A system having a power source and a welding stud positioning controller configured to cooperate with the power source to output first, second, and third current levels one after another to a welding stud positioning device. In some embodiments, the welding stud controller may be coupled to the power source, and the first, second, and third current levels may be different from one another.

Abstract: A welding system and method having power controller with workpiece sensor. In some embodiments, the welding system includes a stud welding power supply having a welding power output, a stud welding power controller, and a workpiece sensor. The stud welding power controller may be communicatively coupled to the stud welding power supply and the workpiece sensor. In certain embodiments, the stud welding power controller is responsive to a signal from the workpiece sensor indicative of a position of a stud in general proximity or engagement with a workpiece.

Abstract: A welding apparatus is presented that includes a post-firing detection system and control connected to communicate with the post-firing detection system such that a stud welding gun is prevented from activation if a recently fired welding stud remains connected to the stud welding gun.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inducing heat within a workpiece. A flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable is used to produce a magnetic field to induce electric current in a workpiece. The induction heating cable has separate fluid and electrical connectors to separately couple cooling fluid and electric current to and from the induction heating cable. An induction heating system having a fluid cooling unit, a power source, and a flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable having separate fluid and electrical connectors. An extension cable may be used to enable the flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable to be used at a greater distance from the power source and the fluid cooling unit. An insulation blanket adapted for use with a specific size workpiece may be used with the flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a duty cycle controller having a processor configured to control a welding-type apparatus according to a variable maximum duty cycle to substantially delay entry into a thermal shutdown mode of the welding-type apparatus based on at least one operating condition.

Abstract: A welding apparatus is presented that includes a post-firing detection system and control connected to communicate with the post-firing detection system such that a stud welding gun is prevented from activation if a recently fired welding stud remains connected to the stud welding gun.

Abstract: A workpiece heating system having an induction heating power source and a controller. The controller is operable to control the operation of the power source according to programming instructions received from a user. The controller enables a user to establish a sequence of inductive heating operations to be performed automatically by the induction heating system from among a selection of inductive heating operations. A temperature feedback device may be included to provide the controller with the workpiece temperature. A data recorder may be provided to receive and record the workpiece temperature.