Abstract: A functional load lock apparatus having two or more load lock chambers mounted on a central chamber which can be mounted on a single opening in a vacuum chamber such as a substrate processing platform for making integrated circuits on silicon wafers. Each load lock chamber preferably has a semi-cylindrical valve which remains sealed when the load lock chamber is open to atmospheric pressure. A wafer cassette holder positioned within each load lock chamber can be loaded and unloaded while the semi-cylindcical valves seal the vacuum chamber from atmospheric pressure. The semi-cylindrical valve pivots to an open position when the load lock chamber is under vacuum and the entire wafer cassette moves from the load lock chamber to the central chamber.

Abstract: Substrate handling apparatuses for selectively moving a microelectronic-device substrate assembly in a processing machine having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a processing path extending from the first side to the second side. The processing machine can also include a cassette proximate to a second side of the processing station that moves to position a substrate at the processing path. In one aspect of the invention, the substrate handling apparatus includes a guide member attached to the processing machine, an arm slidably attached to the guide member, and a clamp attached to the arm. The guide member is generally fixedly attached to the processing machine, and the guide member generally has a shape corresponding to the processing path.

Abstract: A conveyor (20) for transporting and inverting strap pans (22) or other pans used for baking. The conveyor includes a closed-loop drive chain (26) to which a number of pan cars (54) are pivotally attached. The pan cars are provided with magnetic bars (36) that create attractive force to hold the strap pans to the pan cars. The conveyor also includes an incline guide (204). When the conveyor is actuated, the pan cars run against the incline guide so as to cause the initial inversion of the pan cars. As the pans cars are inverted they abut against a positioning rail located along side of the drive chain. The positioning rail is shaped to control both the rate at which the pan cars are inverted from their normal upright position and then it is further shaped to force the pan cars to then return to their initial upright position. The inversion of the pan cars causes a like inversion of the strap pans secured to the pan cars.

Abstract: A light-duty trailer hitchable to a passenger car, van or the like, includes a separate chassis element equipped with wheels, and an interchangeable platform mountable thereon. The chassis element is provided with means for hauling the platform on top of the chassis element. The chassis element has its rear section provided with a guide roller close to an axial line extending between the wheels, and the underside of the platform is provided with a guide bar extending lengthwise of the platform and intended for cooperation with the guide roller as the platform is being hauled on top of the chassis element.

Abstract: A vehicle for collecting refuse comprising a chassis, a body mounted with the chassis for receiving refuse through an opening thereof, a packer assembly for moving refuse into the body through the opening, a gate assembly mounted to serve as a closure for another opening of the body and movable between normally closed and opened positions, and ejecting apparatus including extendible drive means movable between a stored and an ejecting position for additionally and alternately ejecting refuse.

Abstract: A ramp assembly for loading/unloading pickup trucks which includes at least one pair of hinged panel members across which, when fully extended, cargo can be transferred. Mounted on a truck in such a way that both panel members are disposed rearwardly of its open tailgate, the ramp assembly includes a “T”-shaped support and a “L”-shaped hitch arm. In the latter, two branches of disparate length extend perpendicularly to each other. The longer branch is slideably engageable with a conventional class II or, alternately, class III hitch receiver; the shorter terminates in a transverse opening. Prior to use, the “T”-shaped support, upon its having a leg thereof inserted through this opening, is coupled with the shorter branch. Secured atop the support are bearing posts which extend upwardly therefrom and define holes for slideably receiving an elongated shaft.

Abstract: A heater comprises a casing, which has an interior chamber. It further comprises a rotor, which is formed as an impeller on the one hand and as an eddy-current disk on the other, and a magnet support, which is equipped with permanent magnets and disposed non-rotarily in the casing and which is displaceable into an operating position in the direct neighborhood of the eddy-current disk and into a position of rest spaced therefrom. The eddy-current disk and the magnet support equipped with permanent magnets are rinsed by water.

Abstract: Centrifugal pump, in particular a hygienic centrifugal pump, provided with a primary and a secondary shaft seal (7,8) at the rear wall (2) of the pump chamber (1). Cooling flushing and barrier fluid is passed to and from a compartment (12) between these seals (7,8), optionally in a flushing fluid circuit. A sensor means (18) is provided in a discharge pipe (16) from the compartment (12) and adapted to measure at least the turbidity, electrical conductivity and temperature of the flushing fluid for activation of an alarm in case of leaking pump fluid through the primary seal (7). As a result the centrifugal pump is more sensitive to leaking pump fluid through the primary seal such that the pump activates an alarm (or optionally shuts down), if the leakage is too extensive.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a steam turbine having a speed-loop droop governor with two load-frequency error gains (droops). The first gain (fast change) may be a conventional high gain that is used for power loads that have a constant frequency. When using only the first gain, the high rate of the first gain causes the droop governor to shut off steam to the turbine if the speed of the turbine drifts above a narrow speed range centered on the rated speed set-point. The second gain (slow change) is a low gain that causes the droop governor to tolerate a wide range of turbine speeds about the rated speed set-point.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting the aft end of an air duct to the compressor rear shaft in a gas turbine engine includes a retaining ring disposed in the central bore of the compressor rear shaft. The retaining ring has a first set of tabs extending axially therefrom, and the air duct has a second set of tabs extending axially from its aft end. The aft end of the air duct is disposed in the bore and positioned relative to the retaining ring so that the first set of tabs intermeshes with the second set of tabs.

Abstract: A brush seal for sealing a leakage path located between a rotating member and a stationary member includes an intermediate plate attached to the stationary member and having at least one purge hole formed therein. The brush seal also includes a first end plate attached to the stationary member on one side of the intermediate plate and a second end plate attached to the stationary member on the other side of the intermediate plate. A first bristle pack is disposed between the first end plate and the intermediate plate, and a second bristle pack is disposed between the second end plate and the intermediate plate.

Abstract: A pump assembly 1, 33, 200 adapted for continuous flow pumping of blood. In a particular form the pump 1, 200 is a centrifugal pump wherein the impeller 100, 204 is entirely sealed within the pump housing 2, 201 and is exclusively hydrodynamically suspended therein as the impeller rotates within the fluid 105 urged by electromagnetic means external to the pump cavity 106, 203. Hydrodynamic suspension is assisted by the impeller 100, 204 having deformities therein such as blades 8 with surfaces tapered from the leading edges 102, 223 to the trailing edges 103, 224 of bottom and top edges 221, 222 thereof.

Abstract: A molten metal impeller having a base portion including a circumferential notch. The notch having a generally radial wall and a generally axial wall, at least one of the radial or axial walls including a plurality of grooves. A ceramic bearing ring is cemented into the notch.

Abstract: A portable working machine provided with a centrifugal air blower, which is featured in that a prime mover (50) for driving the air blower (20) is mounted via a supporting coupling member (30) on a volute case (22) of the air blower (20) which is mounted in an upright state; and that an air inlet port of the air blower (20) is positioned on the side of the volute case (22) which is closer to the prime mover (50).

Abstract: An integral blisk assembly includes a ceramic blisk having a forward and aft axial facing surface. To allow for torque transfer from the blisk, a forward and aft attachment ring contact the forward and aft axial facing surfaces respectively. These rings are mounted to other rotating components in the engine and are made of metal. A metal shim or precious metal coating may be disposed between the contacting surfaces to further reduce any stresses at the point of contact. To provide radial piloting, metal pilot rings are disposed underneath the regions where the attachment rings and blisk make contact. The aft attachment ring also has an axially extending base portion that in the event of a blisk failure contacts a stop that extends inwardly from the forward attachment ring, thereby preventing the other components in the engine from shifting.

Abstract: A ceiling fan includes a motor having a stator and an annular rotor surrounding concentrically and radially spaced apart from the stator. An upper cover includes an upper major wall mounted on an upper end portion of the stator, and an annular skirt portion spaced radially apart from and shielding an upper part of the rotor to form an annular first peripheral edge. A casing body includes an annular rotor connecting portion secured threadedly on a lower end portion of the rotor, an annular shielding portion extending outwardly and upwardly from the rotor connecting portion towards the first peripheral edge so as to be spaced radially apart from and shield a lower part of the rotor to form an annular second peripheral edge proximate to and spaced apart from the first peripheral edge.

Abstract: A blade mounting assembly for a ceiling fan has a plurality of blades and a ceiling fan motor with a motor body that rotates about a motor shaft. A fan housing/blade mounting assembly secures the fan blades to the motor body. The blade mounting assembly has a first ring secured to the motor body, sets of first spacers disposed on the first ring, each set of first spacers corresponding to a different fan blade, a second ring, and sets of second spacers, each set of second spacers corresponding to a different fan blade. The second ring is secured to the first ring such that each of the blades are disposed between the corresponding sets of spacers. The sets of first spacers each comprise a longer first spacer and a shorter first spacer. The sets of second spacers each comprise a longer second spacer and a shorter second spacer. Each of the fan blades are disposed between the corresponding shorter first spacer and longer second spacer, and between the corresponding longer first spacer and shorter second spacer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an axial flow fan and fan blade. A true tapered, twisted airfoil section is constructed by cutting a flat piece of light alloy to a unique shape to obtain a flat pattern representative of a selected airfoil design, forming the airfoil section by making three simple bends in the pattern and joining the trailing edge with rivets. A transition piece is provided to connect the airfoil section to the fan hub. The transition piece has first and second airfoil bearing surfaces, substantially all of which are in contact with the interior surface of the airfoil section and which possess a twist complementary to the twist of the airfoil section. The transition is substantially flat and is preferably of a two piece design comprising juxtaposed first and second pieces joined along a peripheral flange. The transition piece allows for the use of a generally U-shaped rivet pattern for the mechanical connection between the airfoil section and the transition.

Abstract: A reversible pump-turbine system having a discharge adjustment device such as guide vanes, which make it possible to safely stop a pump turbine at the time of emergency shutdown in a generating mode by performing a close operation using an inlet valve even if abnormality has occurred with the guide vanes, without causing abnormal water hammer. Also, at the time of pump mode emergency shutdown, reverse rotation can be prevented even if abnormality occurs in the guide vanes, and it is possible to achieve a safe stop while reducing the loads/stresses to the reversible pump-turbine.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of jet technology and relates to an operating process which essentially includes feeding of a gas-liquid flow from an ejector into a chamber for supersonic flow conversion, where the gas-liquid flow is exposed to an abrupt expansion and, because of a reduction to the gas-liquid flow's density, a sonic or supersonic flow regime is provided. Further, the gas-liquid flow is slowed down by a pressure jump. The invention also relates to a device for realizing this process which essentially includes a pumping-ejector unit furnished with a chamber for supersonic flow conversion. The inlet of the chamber is connected to the ejector's outlet, the chamber's outlet is connected to a separator. The chamber for supersonic flow conversion defines a shaped cavity, diverging stepwise in the flow direction. The described operating process and related pumping-ejector unit ensures more reliable operation.

Abstract: A pump assembly having a pump with an inlet duct and an outlet duct, the inlet duct including an air separation chamber, which is communicable with a vent of an ejector head in which is provided a venturi to suck air from the air separation chamber and eject it to atmosphere, the ejector head also having a valve member for controlling communication of the vent to atmosphere. A valve member controls communication between the air separation chamber and the ejector head, and the valve members are carried on a common shaft of a float valve assembly which also includes a float carried by said shaft in the air separation chamber, the valve assembly operating so that air in the air separation chamber is sucked into said ejector head and ejected to atmosphere to prime or re-prime the pump, whilst liquid in the air separation chamber is prevented from entering the ejector head.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of jet technology and essentially relates to a nozzle for discharge of an ejecting liquid medium. The nozzle constitutes a collection of shaped channels. The central channel is coaxial to the mixing chamber, the other channels are uniformly allocated around and encircle the central channel. The total surface area of the outlet cross-section of the nozzle is determined from the following formula: S=S&mgr;[1+4{square root over ((SKC+L /S&mgr;+L ))}3], where S—the total cross-sectional area of the outlet section of the nozzle; S&mgr;—cross-sectional area of the outlet section of the nozzle's central channel; SKC—cross-sectional area of the minimal section of the mixing chamber. A liquid-gas jet apparatus with the above-mentioned characteristics has an improved operational reliability.

Abstract: A variable displacement compressor that varies the gas displacement by controlling the pressure in a crank chamber including a drive shaft, pistons for compressing the gas, and a swash plate. The swash plate is located in the crank chamber and integrally rotates with the drive shaft, and varies the stroke of the pistons. The inclination of the swash plate relative to the drive shaft is varied between maximum and minimum positions. A displacement restoration spring inclines the swash plate. One end of the restoration spring fixed to a predetermined part of the drive shaft.

Abstract: Suction ports corresponding to individual cylinder bores are formed in a partition plate. A refrigerant feeder channel is provided on a rear wall of a rear housing whose internal space is partitioned chiefly into a suction chamber and a discharge chamber. A structural wall of the refrigerant feeder channel constitutes an integral part of the rear housing. The refrigerant feeder channel is formed from an outer cylindrical wall of the rear housing, extends across the discharge chamber and opens into the suction chamber. An outflow opening of the refrigerant feeder channel has a slanting edge so that it opens toward the partition plate. The outflow opening is so positioned that its center lies on an axis of a rotary shaft.

Abstract: A radial piston pump for a high-pressure fuel supply in fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, in particular in a common rail injection system, having a drive shaft which is supported in a pump housing and is embodied eccentrically or has cam-like protrusions in the circumferential direction. A plurality of pistons are disposed radially in given cylinder chambers relative to the drive shaft (4), and the pistons are movable radially back and forth in the respective cylinder chamber by rotation of the drive shaft. In carrying out the invention, a transverse force absorbing device is disposed between each piston and the drive shaft. This has the advantage that only forces in the longitudinal direction are brought to bear on the pistons. This means that virtually no moments act on the pistons.

Abstract: A system allows pumps to run in parallel and preventing back flow through a non-operational pump. The system includes a first pump in parallel with a second pump. The system further includes a check valve in fluid communication with the first pump for preventing flow through the first pump when the first pump is not operating. The system further includes a sensing valve in fluid communication with the first pump and the second pump. The system also includes a load sharing valve in fluid communication with the check valve, the sensing valve, and the second pump for controlling a system flow, wherein the system flow is provided by the first pump when the second pump is not operating, and wherein the system flow is provided by the second pump when the first pump is not operating, and wherein the system flow includes a portion of flow from both the first and second pumps when both pumps are operational.

Abstract: A linear compressor comprises a cylinder 10, a piston 20, a linear motor comprising a movable member 40 as well as a stationary member 50, a piston body 28, a discharge mechanism 60, a spring mechanism 70, a vessel 80, a supporting mechanism 90 and the like. A cylindrical holding member 41 is contact with a flange 24 connected to the piston and supported concentrically with the piston 20. A permanent magnet 42 is sandwiched between the cylindrical holding member 41 and a cylindrical body 43. Cylindrical inner yoke 51 and outer yoke 52 of the stationary member 50 are fixed to the cylinder 10, and held concentrically with the piston 20. With the above structure, the movable 40 is smoothly moved together with the piston 20, and a fine gap between the movable member 40 and the stationary member 50 is always maintained stationary. Further, since the linear motor is in contact with the piston 20, the overall length of the linear compressor is shortened, and the linear compressor is reduced in size.

Abstract: A pump for a cryogenic liquid, in particular liquid oxygen, includes a hydraulic motor which is supplied with a motor liquid under pressure and drives a wheel for pumping the cryogenic liquid, and relative sealing device preventing contamination of the cryogenic liquid by the motor liquid.

Abstract: A combination bearing supporting a shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor wheels of a turbocharger incorporates a rotating journal bearing, a squeeze film damper with a registration and retention flange, and a ball bearing assembly. The ball bearing assembly has an outer race providing a thrust shoulder and a registration receiver for the damper flange. Ball roller elements are retained by the outer race and engaged between the thrust shoulder on the outer race and an opposing thrust shoulder on the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to remove foreign matter such as worn powder in a refrigerating cycle and enhance the reliability in a refrigerating cycle using, in particular, HFC refrigerant. In the invention, accordingly, a coil shaped connection piping is provided in at least front portion or rear portion of a throttling unit, a fine pipe is connected to a lower portion of the connection piping, and a collector for collecting foreign matter in the refrigerating cycle is coupled to this fine pipe. Foreign matter in the refrigerant is separated from the refrigerant by centrifugal force, and is collected in the collector. Moreover, the foreign matter collecting effect is enhanced by disposing a magnetic piece in the collector.

Abstract: A rotary compressor includes a cylinder having a slot, an eccentric shaft disposed in the cylinder, a roller formed around the shaft, a vane inserted into the slot and having grooves on its surface, and a sealing material inserted into the grooves. The sealing material prevents leakage and influx of gas through a gap between the cylinder and the vane, improving the efficiency of a rotary compressor.

Abstract: A positive displacement hydraulic unit includes a housing having a chamber formed therein with a circumferential surface bounded by a pair of spaced apart end walls. A rotary element for displacing fluid rotatably mounts in the chamber. A layer of abradable coating material is positioned between an end wall of the chamber and the adjacent side wall of the rotary element so as to provide a near-zero side clearance for the rotary element and thereby high volumetric efficiency for the hydraulic unit.

Abstract: A segmented mold for pneumatic tires includes a plurality of segmented tread mold pieces for forming an outer contour of a tire tread portion, a plurality of connector segments detachably connected to outer peripheral surfaces of the respective tread mold pieces, and a container ring slidably engaged with tapered portions of the connector segments such that an axial movement of the container ring causes radial movement of each tread mold piece. The connector segments are detachably connected with the respective tread mold pieces, by locking engagement of first latch members of the connector segments with second latch members of the tread mold pieces.

Abstract: An embossing roll cleaning apparatus is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a nozzle having an air inlet and an elongated narrow outlet that extends an embossing width of the embossing roll. A source of compressed air is connected to the air inlet of the nozzle. The outlet of the nozzle directs the pressured air as an air knife against the surface of the embossing roll to dislodge deposits stuck to the surface of the embossing roll.

Abstract: Mold bushings or nozzles for gas-assisted injection molding processes are disclosed. The devices include movable shut-off mechanisms which selectively facilitate or prevent the passage of molten plastic material into mold cavities. One or more apertures, such as holes, openings, channels, slits, slots, and the like, are provided at or adjacent the end of the pin members or at the end of the devices. The apertures are thin or small and have dimensions which will allow the passage of gas and at the same time prevent the plastic material from plugging or clogging them.

Abstract: Closed loop control apparatus and methods for reducing ripples in an extruded plastic sheet include, for example, a closed loop speed control system having a roll speed sensor, a roll speed controller, and a roll drive. The roll speed sensor is communicatively coupled to the active extruder roll and configured to determine an actual roll speed of the active extruder roll. The roll speed controller is communicatively coupled to the roll speed sensor and utilizes the actual roll speed and desired roll speed to generate a command signal and transmit such signal to the roll drive. The roll drive is communicatively coupled between the roll speed controller and the active extruder roll, and utilizes the command signal to drive the active extruder roll, through its controllers and power electronics.

Abstract: A closing unit for an injection moulding machine has a movable closing die and a fixed matching die, as well as several hydraulic cylinders mounted on the fixed matching die to generate the closing force. The closing die has a drawbar for each hydraulic cylinder. The piston of each hydraulic cylinder is mechanically linked to a rotary locking bushing. The drawbars extend through hydraulic cylinders and locking bushings. A servo-drive allows the locking bushings to swivel up to a first and second angular position. First locking elements located along a section of the drawbars cooperate with second locking elements in the locking bushings so that in the first angular position the drawbars may be axially pushed through the hydraulic cylinders and the locking bushings, and in the second angular position the closing force may be transmitted from the hydraulic cylinders to the closing die.

Abstract: A universal mountable and demountable rack-and-pinion structure for a stack mold includes mounting plates affixed to the mold parts and rack-and-pinion mounting elements which are mountable to and demountable from the mounting plates. This arrangement permits the rack and pinion elements first to be mounted in an approximately correct position for the appropriate proportionation of movement within a molding machine. The device includes an adjustment feature which permits the relative distances between the mold parts to be finely adjusted to ensure correct proportionation of movement. The rack-and-pinion structure is interchangeable for various stack molds.

Abstract: A method of treating parts (34) in a treatment chamber (33) by hot-isostatic pressing with an inert gas as pressure medium and in the presence of a purifying agent (25a) for the inert gas comprises the steps of reducing the pressure in the treatment chamber (33), increasing the pressure again by introducing the inert gas, increasing the temperature in the treatment chamber (33) by activating heating elements (9a), and, after a certain holding time, reducing the pressure and the temperature again. Especially if the purifying agent (25a) is of the same material as the parts (34) being treated, the purifying effect of the purifying agent becomes insufficient. The effect of the purifying agent (25a) is improved according to the invention by bringing the inert gas, at least when being introduced, to circulate such that it is heated, passes through the purifying agent and is thereafter cooled before contacting the parts. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for making a conduit or pipe. An extruder is provided for producing a strip of continuous thermoplastic. A winding drum receives the strip and helically winds the strip around the drum's perimeter to form a conduit having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the drum. The drum includes a core tube surrounded by a plurality of rollers which define the outer diameter of the drum. The rollers rotate to advance the strip around the drum. A plurality of support columns are used to support the roller at each end. A hub assembly is used to movably support the support columns in slidable engagement. The support columns are radially displaced by the hub assembly between two positions, in order to vary the outer diameter of the drum between two diameters.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a web clamp arrangement for thermoforming processes, the web clamp arrangement including: first and second web clamp assemblies to be disposed, respectively, at front and rear ends of a mold base to clamp a web of thermoforming material against a pressure box disposed above the mold base; each of the first and second web clamp assemblies including a normally horizontal clamp bar attached to two vertical rods, which rods force the clamp bar against a lower surface of the web to force the web against an edge of the pressure box; and the normally horizontal clamp bar being movably attached to distal ends of the vertical rods, such that vertical misalignment of the clamp bar during clamping of the web against the edge of the pressure box is accommodated by relative movement of the normally horizontal clamp bar and the distal ends of the vertical rods such as to prevent damage to the first and second web clamp assemblies.

Abstract: A thermoforming tool employed for wrap-around lamination of a sheet to at least one edge (3) of a molding (2) loosely resting on the tool's lower half. The tool comprises a sheet-stretching frame (4) that is positioned over the molding and lowers a thermally plasticized sheet (5) tensioned therein at its edges into a holding position below the edge of the molding, a device for sealing the sheet off from the lower half of the tool, and a device for applying a suction in the subsequent lamination process. The suction device includes an evacuatable depression (9) in the lower half of the tool and below the edge of the molding. The object is to provide smoother lamination. The lower half (1) of the tool has a sealing lip (8) at the level of a conceptual plane below the edge of the molding. The lip parallels the edge of the molding and demarcates the depression.

Abstract: An electrical heater for a mold has an elongated tubular casing made of a ductile metal and deformable by hand, a manually deformable electrical heating element extending longitudinally inside the casing, and a manually deformable mass of electrically insulating potting filling the casing around the element. The casing can be annularly corrugated and formed by a succession of like U-section rings each having a pair of parallel legs and a bight portion and a succession of like rounded annular webs interconnecting the rings and each joining a leg of one respective ring with a leg of an adjacent respective ring.

Abstract: A liquid fuel lamp which may be easily converted from a conventional beverage container. The liquid fuel lamp includes a container having a cylindrical wall connected to opposing top and bottom walls. The top wall includes an opening defined by a pair of side edges. A wick assembly is removably received within the opening in the top wall. The wick assembly includes a tubular metal sleeve supporting a substantially planar wick. Liquid fuel is received within the container wherein a lower portion of the wick is received in adsorbing contact with the liquid fuel. A stand is provided for supporting the container in an elevated position.

Abstract: A burner for combusting gaseous mixture of gaseous fuel with a combustion supporting gas, such as oxygen or air, comprising a burner tube (11) open at one end (11′) and closed at its other end (11″) with a flame holder (30) at which fuel is burnt adjacent the open end (11′), the flame holder (30) being traversed by passageways (52, 54, 56, 58) for the gaseous mixture, the burner (10) having inlets (14, 16) adjacent the closed end (11″) connected to combustion supporting gas and gaseous fuel supply lines, one of said lines having a control valve operable for controlling the size of the flame, the said one line having a pressure or flow transducer and the other line having a variable booster or restricter responsive to the transducer, for balancing air and fuel supplied to the burner (10) to ensure the gaseous mixture remains stoichiometric irrespective of the size of the flame and such that the lowest gaseous fuel mixture flow rate is at least as low as {fraction (1/60)}th the highest f

Abstract: The present invention provides a wafer heating device which can improve uniformity of a temperature distribution within a surface area of a wafer, with a relatively simple structure. A wafer is supported on a susceptor of annular shape. A first heater of disc shape is disposed below the wafer, and a second heater of annular shape is disposed to surround the first heater. Radiation thermometers are arranged at a ceiling portion of a reaction chamber. The first radiation thermometer measures a temperature of a central area of the wafer, the second radiation thermometer measures a temperature of a peripheral area of the wafer, and the third radiation thermometer measures a temperature of the susceptor. The first heater and the second heater are controlled by independent closed loops. When a wafer is set on the susceptor, a power of the second heater is controlled by using a value measured by the second radiation thermometer as a feedback signal.

Abstract: A method of heating a surface provides for a central fuel rich jet having a peripheral shroud of substantially stoichiometric combustion products and one or more fuel lean jets each having a peripheral shroud of substantially stoichiometric combustion products. The fuel lean jets are placed around the periphery of the central fuel rich jet. The fuel lean jet or jets each having shrouds of substantially stoichiometric combustion products and a careful choice of relative velocities for each results in minimizing the mixing of the fuel rich and fuel lean jets until they are at or near the surface of the material to be melted. The placement of the fuel lean jet and fuel rich jets may be reversed in applications where an oxidizing atmosphere is required at the surface to be heated.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods suitable for recovery of heat from hot flue gases are presented comprising primary heat transfer means for exchanging heat between a hot flue gas and an intermediate fluid to create a hot intermediate fluid from an originally cold intermediate fluid; one or more oxidant-fuel burners which create the main flow of hot flue gas, and transport means for transporting the hot intermediate fluid to the heat exchanger means. The apparatus and method of the invention solve the problem of recovery of heat from dirt, toxic, or erosive flue gases.

Abstract: In order to create a regenerative, energy-saving fuel firing for an industrial furnace, particularly for a metal smelting furnace, that can flexibly take all possible time and space operating conditions and demands of the furnace to be heated as well as the thermic conditions of the respectively employed, heat-storing regenerators exactly into consideration, it is inventively proposed that at least two regenerator/burner modules (3) are switchable from burner mode (7) into regenerator mode (7r) (exhaust gas extraction mode) or, respectively, vice versa independently of one another proceeding from the process controller of the industrial furnace (1), namely with employment of reverse valves (11) or reversible ventilators or, respectively, two-stream ventilators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating tooth movement for an orthodontic patient include processing that begins by determining, on a tooth by tooth basis, a three-dimensional direct path of movement from a three-dimensional digital model of an actual orthodontic structure and a three-dimensional digital model of a desired orthodontic structure. The processing continues by simulating tooth movement for a plurality of teeth based on each tooth's corresponding three-dimensional direct path. The process then determines whether a conflict arises between at least two teeth of the plurality of teeth, or for a single tooth, during the simulating. If a conflict arose between at least two teeth, the conflict is resolved with respect to a priority tooth of the teeth in conflict.