Abstract: A method for determining the quality of an examined weld joint comprising the steps of providing acoustical data from the examined weld joint, and performing a neural network operation on the acoustical data determine the quality of the examined weld joint produced by a friction weld process. The neural network may be trained by the steps of providing acoustical data and observable data from at least one test weld joint, and training the neural network based on the acoustical data and observable data to form a trained neural network so that the trained neural network is capable of determining the quality of a examined weld joint based on acoustical data from the examined weld joint. In addition, an apparatus having a housing, acoustical sensors mounted therein, and means for mounting the housing on a friction weld device so that the acoustical sensors do not contact the weld joint. The apparatus may sample the acoustical data necessary for the neural network to determine the quality of a weld joint.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for brazing of two objects or heat treatment of one object. First, object or objects to be treated are selected and initial conditions establishing a relative geometry and material characteristics are determined. Then, a first design of an optical system for directing heat energy onto the object or objects is determined. The initial conditions and first design of the optical system are then input into a optical ray-tracing computer program. The program is then run to produce a representative output of the heat energy input distribution to the object or objects. The geometry of the object or objects, material characteristics, and optical system design are then adjusted until an desired heat input is determined.

Abstract: Refractory materials, such as fused quartz plates and rods are welded using a heat source, such as a high power continuous wave carbon dioxide laser. The radiation is optimized through a process of varying the power, the focus, and the feed rates of the laser such that full penetration welds may be accomplished. The process of optimization varies the characteristic wavelengths of the laser until the radiation is almost completely absorbed by the refractory material, thereby leading to a very rapid heating of the material to the melting point. This optimization naturally occurs when a carbon dioxide laser is used to weld quartz. As such this method of quartz welding creates a minimum sized heat-affected zone. Furthermore, the welding apparatus and process requires a ventilation system to carry away the silicon oxides that are produced during the welding process to avoid the deposition of the silicon oxides on the surface of the quartz plates or the contamination of the welds with the silicon oxides.

Abstract: There has been invented a method and apparatus for heat treating or brazing joints in metals and ceramics using an optical concentrator (reflecting waveguide) to reflect energy from infrared energy heat sources, in a pattern which will provide precisely tailored illumination, heating, melting of filler and fusion of the area to be heat treated or the joint to be formed. CAD optical ray tracing software is used to custom design the reflecting waveguides for directing the energy as needed. With the invention, shorter, reduced energy heat cycles can be used to produce reliable accurate brazes, including brazes to join small diameter tubes. No furnace is necessary because localized small area brazing can be done in situ with the invention method and apparatus. Various heat sources can be used to braze various geometries, including very small diameter tubes.

Abstract: A moated pet feeder of the type which combines a food bowl and a water bowl; the food bowl being surrounded by a moat cavity which fills with water flowing through a substantially horizontal passage connecting the moat cavity with the water bowl to thereby form a moat which ants and other crawling insects will not cross to gain access to the food in the food bowl.