Abstract: Provided is an electrical dust-collecting filter manufacturing method and an electrical dust-collecting filter. The method includes the steps of: preparing a frame body, a dust-collecting electrode, a discharge electrode, and a discharge frame; assembling the dust-collecting electrode into an assembly hole of the frame body; connecting the discharge frame to the frame body via an insulating member; and arranging the discharge electrode in an axial direction inside the dust-collecting electrode via the discharge frame and fixing the same. The dust-collecting electrode assembling step includes: temporarily elastically deforming the dust-collecting electrode in the radial direction and inserting the same into the assembly hole of the frame body; and pressurizing end parts of both ends of the dust collecting electrode, which protrude out of a plate member when fitted into the assembly hole, in the axial direction such that the end parts are compressed against the surface of the plate member.

Abstract: A method is provided for verifying operative parameters of a selecting device of a machine for forming springs, configured for subdividing the springs formed by a spring forming device of a spring forming machine in at least one first group corresponding to springs having dimensional parameters falling into predefined tolerance values, and a second group corresponding to springs having dimensional parameters varying from the predefined tolerance values.

Abstract: RF/MRI compatible leads include at least one conductor that turns back on itself at least twice in a lengthwise direction, and can turn back on itself at least twice at multiple locations along its length. The at least one electrical lead can be configured so that the lead heats local tissue less than about 10 degrees Celsius (typically about 5 degrees Celsius or less) or does not heat local tissue when a patient is exposed to target RF frequencies at a peak input SAR of at least about 4 W/kg and/or a whole body average SAR of at least about 2 W/kg. Related devices and methods of fabricating leads are also described.

Abstract: A method of a forming a hollow, drug-eluting nitinol stent includes shaping a composite wire into a stent pattern, wherein the composite wire includes an inner member, a nitinol intermediate member, and an outer member. After the composite wire is shaped into the stent pattern, the composite wire is heat treated to set the nitinol intermediate member in the stent pattern. After heat treatment, the composite wire is processed to remove the outer member and the inner member without adversely affecting the intermediate member. Openings may be provided through the intermediate member and the lumen of the intermediate member may be filled with a substance to be eluted through the openings.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a spark plug by working of a workpiece with dies, wherein the workpiece has a metal shell part to be processed into a metal shell of the spark plug and a ground electrode part to be processed into a ground electrode of the spark plug. In the manufacturing apparatus, a position of the ground electrode part is measured in a non-contact manner by a position measurement unit in a state where the workpiece is held in position by a holding unit. The dies are controlled by a die control unit so as to adjust the working phase of the dies relative to the workpiece based on the measured position of the ground electrode part and then effect working of the workpiece with the dies.

Abstract: An electrode having a plurality of connected strands retained by a current collector is described. A connected strand has first and second ends that are retained by a current collector, and may be retained at different locations along the length of the current collector. A connected strand retained by the current collector in substantially the same location along the current collector, is a looped strand. A connected strand provides two paths for current to move through the strand to the current collector and may therefore provide lower resistance than a free strand having only one end coupled to the current collector. Furthermore, a connected may move less as a function of fluid forces and retain more bio-film in turbulent conditions than free strands. Finally, a connected strand has no free extended end and therefore is less likely to puncture through an ion conductive membrane.

Abstract: A method of producing helical springs by spring winding with a numerically controlled spring winding machine includes feeding a wire, controlled by an NC control program, through a feed device to a forming device of the spring winding machine, forming a helical spring from the wire with the forming device, measuring an actual geometry of the helical spring to obtain actual spring data, comparing the actual spring data with nominal spring data to determine discrepancy data which represents a discrepancy between an actual geometry and a predetermined nominal geometry of the helical spring for at least one spring geometry parameter, analyzing the discrepancy data and producing correction data when discrepancies are outside selected predetermined tolerance limits, varying an actuating movement of at least a portion of the forming device on the basis of the correction data for producing a next helical spring, selecting a spring section, determining a correction value for an actuating movement of a portion of the f

Abstract: Infrared light sources, along with their methods of formation, are provided. The infrared light source can include a base substrate defining an aperture; a filament extending through the aperture defined by the base substrate; a resistive metal wire wrapped around the filament to define a coil having a first end and a second end; a high temperature coating surrounding at least a portion of the filament and the coil; a first electrode electrically connected to the first end of the coil; and a second electrode electrically connected to the second end of the coil.

Abstract: Woven structures and associated systems for weaving such structures are disclosed. Some disclosed innovations pertain to braided structures, such as braided wire structures, with axially asymmetric woven structures (or “directional meshes”) being examples. Other innovations disclosed herein pertain to methods of manufacturing woven structures, with automated methods of braiding directional meshes being examples. Some directional mesh embodiments can be configured and used as energizable electrodes for electrosurgical therapies, for example, bipolar vaporization therapies.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for endoluminal devices, such as stents, that have components with varying cross-sections at various points about the length of the endoluminal device, with various benefits resulting therefrom.

Abstract: A sparkplug having ground and center electrodes that include a firing tip formed from a noble metal or noble metal alloy by reflowing of a noble metal preform. The present invention also includes a method of manufacturing a metal electrode having an ignition tip for an ignition device, including forming a metal electrode having a firing tip portion; applying a noble metal preform to the firing tip portion; and reflowing the noble metal preform to form a noble metal firing tip.

Abstract: An incandescent halogen lamp used in connection with a vehicle headlamp system in which stray light attributable to reflection off of internal lamp components is reduced while the structural integrity of the lamp is maintained. The halogen lamp includes two filaments, several lead wires, and a support bridge all sealed within a glass envelope. Each filament is connected at its outermost end to a flattened end portion of a lead wire which extends along the length of the filament from near the support bridge to the upper end of the filament. The flattened outer ends of the lead wires have a narrow profile that is in alignment with the direction of illumination of light from their respective filaments. This arrangement reduces the surface area that could otherwise interfere with light emitted by the filaments, and thereby reduces the overall stray light produced by the lamp. The flattened outer ends can have a roughened surface to further help reduce the amount of light reflected off the lead wires.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is embodied in a machine for wrapping a heater wire around a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL). The machine includes means for holding a CCFL, means for guiding a heater wire, and means for moving the holding means in relation to the guiding means for the purpose of wrapping a heater wire around a CCFL that is held by the holding means. Another aspect of the invention is embodied in a CCFL wrapped with a heater wire. The process used to wrap the CCFL involves inserting the CCFL into a socket of an automated machine and feeding the heater wire into a heater wire guide of the automated machine. The socket is then moved in relation to the heater wire guide, by means of the automated machine, for the purpose of wrapping the heater wire around the CCFL.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for making a spark plug, in particular, for making a high-performance spark plug having a center electrode having a firing end made of Pt, Ir, Rh, Pd, Re, Os, Ru or alloy thereof, with its firing end diameter of about 0.3-1.0 mm. One of the embodiments provides a method comprising the steps of: extending a metal strip from an end of the metal shell; positioning a spacer above a firing end of the center electrode; preliminarily bending the metal strip toward the spacer so as to form an arc portion in the metal strip; and then precisely forming a gap-distance between the metal strip and the firing end of the center electrode by applying a force to the metal strip.

Abstract: A luminous element (10) for a lamp is double helix-shaped, with two connection parts (18, 20) situated at one end of said double helix. The diameter (D1, D2) of the double helix increases consistently in the direction of the two connection parts (18, 20) of the luminous element (10). The invention also relates to a lamp with a luminous element of this type, to a method for producing a luminous element of this type and to a device for carrying out the production method.

Abstract: A fluted feed-through for a discharge lamp includes a fluted ceramic core with plural channels and plural individual molybdenum or tungsten wires running in different ones of the plural channels. The wires are twisted together at the ends of the feed-through. The feed-through is insertable into a capillary tube of a ceramic discharge lamp. The wires of the feed-through have a different thermal coefficient of expansion than the ceramic discharge lamp. The wires are thin enough so that the absolute magnitude of the thermal coefficients of expansion is sufficiently small to prevent seal cracks and leaking.

Abstract: An electrode E is manufactured through a series of steps that lend themselves to implementation on a machine tool. Electrode components 100, 158, 190 are joined or welded to other electrode components 62, 100, 158 and then cut to length from a continuous supply of material. Windings of a coil 170 with a relatively narrow inner diameter 174 are opened in a rotating step so that the coil can tightly engage a component 158 having a larger outer diameter 178.

Abstract: A spark plug fabricating machine and a method using the same are provided. The fabricating machine is designed to bend a plurality of electrode bars to fabricate L-shaped ground electrodes which have ends facing a center electrode through spark gaps, respectively. The fabricating machine includes a press mechanism and a holder supporting mechanism. The press mechanism works to press the electrode bars welded to a housing retained by a housing holder against a first die. The first die is held between the electrode bars and has curves each contoured to conform with an L-shape of the ground electrodes. Specifically, the press mechanism moves a second die to press each of the electrode bars against a corresponding one of the curves of the first die.