Abstract: An apparatus for producing a layer of vitreous silica adjacent at least a portion of an inner surface of a fused silica body is described, comprising a heat source disposed to apply sufficient heat to at least a portion of the inner surface to cause a layer of said at least a portion of the inner surface to vitrify. In certain embodiments the heat source is configured to heat at one time a relatively small area of the inner surface, and the apparatus comprises a positioning mechanism for moving the heat source with respect to the inner surface. In certain embodiments the heat source is a hydrogen-oxygen surface-mix fueled torch that is moved helically with respect to the inner surface of the body under the control of a programmed CNC motion control system.

Abstract: A fused silica body comprising a layer of vitreous silica adjacent at least a portion of an inner surface is described in embodiments herein. In other embodiments, a method of making a fused silica body with a layer of vitreous silica adjacent at least a portion of an inner surface is described herein, comprising heating at least a portion of the inner surface to the point of vitrification. In certain embodiments, the method involves passing a linear local heat source over the inner surface in a particular manner, such as a helical fashion transverse to the linear shape, and may involve creating on the inner surface of the body overlapping swaths of temporarily melted silica material.

Abstract: A fused silica body comprising a layer of vitreous silica adjacent at least a portion of an inner surface is described in embodiments herein. In other embodiments, a method of making a fused silica body with a layer of vitreous silica adjacent at least a portion of an inner surface is described herein, comprising heating at least a portion of the inner surface to the point of vitrification. In certain embodiments, the method involves passing a linear local heat source over the inner surface in a particular manner, such as a helical fashion transverse to the linear shape, and may involve creating on the inner surface of the body overlapping swaths of temporarily melted silica material.

Abstract: A fused silica body comprising a layer of vitreous silica adjacent at least a portion of an inner surface is described in embodiments herein. In other embodiments, a method of making a fused silica body with a layer of vitreous silica adjacent at least a portion of an inner surface is described herein, comprising heating at least a portion of the inner surface to the point of vitrification. In certain embodiments, the method involves passing a linear local heat source over the inner surface in a particular manner, such as a helical fashion transverse to the linear shape, and may involve creating on the inner surface of the body overlapping swaths of temporarily melted silica material.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a layer of vitreous silica adjacent at least a portion of an inner surface of a fused silica body is described, comprising a heat source disposed to apply sufficient heat to at least a portion of the inner surface to cause a layer of said at least a portion of the inner surface to vitrify. In certain embodiments the heat source is configured to heat at one time a relatively small area of the inner surface, and the apparatus comprises a positioning mechanism for moving the heat source with respect to the inner surface. In certain embodiments the heat source is a hydrogen-oxygen surface-mix fueled torch that is moved helically with respect to the inner surface of the body under the control of a programmed CNC motion control system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a temperature sensing apparatus includes two temperature sensors that are disposed at differing depths from a surface and a measurement circuit that is coupled to the temperature sensors. The measurement circuit is operable to calculate the temperature of the surface based on a first temperature of one temperature sensor with a second temperature of the other temperature sensor.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a connector for a composite structure includes at least one conducting element that is coupled to a node of an electrical circuit embedded in a composite structure. The composite structure has two opposing surfaces in which the conducting element is disposed essentially between the surfaces of the composite structure.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a connector for a composite structure includes at least one conducting element that is coupled to a node of an electrical circuit embedded in a composite structure. The composite structure has two opposing surfaces in which the conducting element is disposed essentially between the surfaces of the composite structure.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a connector for a composite structure includes at least one conducting element that is coupled to a node of an electrical circuit embedded in a composite structure. The composite structure has two opposing surfaces in which the conducting element is disposed essentially between the surfaces of the composite structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a temperature sensing apparatus includes two temperature sensors that are disposed at differing depths from a surface and a measurement circuit that is coupled to the temperature sensors. The measurement circuit is operable to calculate the temperature of the surface based on a first temperature of one temperature sensor with a second temperature of the other temperature sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a heater circuit includes a number of groups which each include a number of resistive elements arranged in an electrically parallel circuit that are coupled between two power terminals in a series circuit. Each resistive element is disposed on the surface of a structure and physically parallel to other resistive elements in the group and to resistive elements in other groups. The width and/or thickness of the resistive elements may be varied to control the heat generated in particular regions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a connector for a composite structure includes at least one conducting element that is coupled to a node of an electrical circuit embedded in a composite structure. The composite structure has two opposing surfaces in which the conducting element is disposed essentially between the surfaces of the composite structure.