Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling a welding/brazing operation on a workpiece having two spaced apart materials with a brazing material disposed therebetween. The system includes a welding apparatus having two spaced apart electrodes. A current is applied through the electrodes and the workpiece sufficient to melt the brazing material. A controller controls the brazing operation by controlling the duration of time during which current flows through the workpiece. A non-contact sensor is coupled to the controller and measures the temperature of the brazing material, so that upon a predetermined temperature measured by the sensor, the controller causes the termination of the current to the workpiece.

Abstract: A modular thermal magnetic trip unit includes the bimetal, magnet, armature and latch in a one-piece assembly. A latch opening is formed in a bottom part of the magnet on a side opposite the bimetal for receiving and retaining the tip of the cradle. The motion of the inodular assembly is accelerated by the combined thermal and magnetic forces acting in unison.

Abstract: A particle analyzer wherein a flow of liquid suspension, having individually entrained particles, flows along a predetermined path; a center pair of electrodes are positioned on opposed sides of the predetermined path: the center electrodes are energized to provide an electrical sensing field therebetween, two pairs of outer electrodes are positioned so that one pair is on each side of the center electrodes; the outer electrodes are oriented and/or energized so that their electrical fields bulge outward in the direction of the sensing field of the center plates to narrow the width of the sensing field along the predetermined path. Additionally, the field between the center plates can be focused in additional directions and the sensing electrode arrangement can be implemented in a flow cell, with or without an aperture, or on the surface of a substrate.

Abstract: A particle analyzing apparatus comprising a reflector chamber containing an electrolyte and having a concave reflector surface with a first focus and a second focus; entraining structure, having an introduction tube for providing and moving a stream of particles suspended in an electrolyte solution through the first focus; a source of radiant energy for illuminating the particles as they pass through the first focus to produce a source of detectable radiation signals, which reflect off the concave reflector surface to be subsequently collected and analyzed; an exit tube coaxially aligned with the introduction tube; a sensing orifice mounted in the tip of the introduction tube or the exit tube; and a pair of energized electrodes disposed in the electrolyte solution on either side of the orifice, whereby the orifice creates a constricted electrical path in which the stream of particles generate electrical impedance signals as they move therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for freezing and preserving in a viable state microorganisms wherein droplets are formed from an aqueous solution having suspended therein the microorganisms, the droplets are exploded into a plurality of smaller droplets by applying an electrical force which counteracts the surface tension of the droplets, and the microorganisms, with a substantial portion of the solution removed therefrom, are frozen in a moving bath of liquid refrigerant. The frozen droplets are thawed or alternatively dried by sublimation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an evaporator apparatus and method for encapsulating individually isolated particles with a coating material wherein uniformally sized droplets, normally having no more than one particle, are formed from a mixture of the coating material, the suspended particles, and a carrier liquid; the droplets then being charged, steered by an electrostatic arrangement of a tubular electrode and at least one other electrode so as to be retained in a temperature controlled, predetermined area for a sufficient time period to allow the complete evaporation of the carrier liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a particle analyzer wherein uniformally charged liquid droplets, having a uniform velocity in a linear trajectory, proceed into a tubular electrode in which the electrostatic field is shaped to position particles on a center axis, and provide the particles with a rate movement along this axis that provides a sufficient time duration for evaporation of the droplets, the particles being subsequently deflected from said center axis or collected from said center axis, after evaporation.