Abstract: The present invention introduces an arc shaping member to be used in fiber optic fusion splicers. The use of the an arc shaping member may minimize the undesirable effects of grunge and/or deposits than can buildup on arc electrodes. The buildup of grunge or other deposits can cause formation of an irregular electrical arc possibly resulting in an undesirable splice. The arc shaping member may be a passive or active. In a fiber optic splicer, the arc shaping member may be mounted in a plane parallel to the optical fiber(s) being spliced and in a plane perpendicular to the arc electrodes. The arc shaping member may be installed such that the member surrounds the electric arc created by the arc electrodes. The presence of the arc shaping member causes the electric arc to maintain the desired shape and/or intensity. An operator may control, independent of the arc voltage, the shape, size and heat intensity of the electrical arc.

Abstract: A vacuum chamber-forming method for forming a vacuum chamber in a power element of a control valve for a variable capacity compressor through a reduced number of steps. A power element is assembled in the atmospheric air by arranging a disk, a diaphragm, a disk, a spring and an upper housing on a lower housing, caulking the periphery of the lower housing to the periphery of the upper housing, and then soldering the junction of the upper and lower housings. The assembled power element is placed in a vacuum container, and a small hole formed in the upper housing is subjected to spot welding in the vacuum atmosphere, whereby the small hole is sealed by a weld metal.

Abstract: A cylindrical boss hole 2a with a preferred tolerance is formed beforehand in the portion of a precision cast turbine blade unit 2, where it is to be joined to a rotor shaft 3. One end of the rotor shaft that has been finish machined beforehand is inserted into the hole 2a, and joint portions thereof are welded simultaneously by electron beam welding at a plurality of spots spaced at equal angles in the circumferential direction. Also, the turbine blades are machined using the outer periphery and the end surface of the previously finish machined rotor shaft as machining references. Thus, imbalances that are inevitably produced when using a conventional machining method can be greatly reduced, and the time needed to correct the imbalances is shortened and the yield of the products can be increased.

Abstract: A process for assembling a disk cartridge is disclosed. The process includes the steps of snapping a top shell half of the disk cartridge over a bottom shell half of the disk cartridge; adjusting the shell halves until the shell halves are in abutment contact with each other at a weld site; and directing an energy beam at the weld site until a portion of the top shell half and a portion of the bottom shell half fuse so that the top shell half is fixed to the bottom shell half. The process is repeated for each of a plurality of weld sites located on the perimeter of the disk cartridge. A process for assembling a disk cartridge is disclosed in which an energy beam is split into a plurality of split energy beams. The plurality of split energy beams are focused on a plurality of weld sites until a portion of the top shell half and a portion of the bottom shell half fuse so that the top shell half is fixed to the bottom shell half.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molded part (10) which is configured by initially forming a tubular body (2) with a soldered flange (7). Subsequently, the body (2) is shaped in a mold (8) by securing the flange (7) under high internal pressure to shape the form part or the preform (10). Thus, preforms with a secured flange that can be used to connect said preforms to other parts can be easily obtained.

Abstract: A titanium alloy sheet having a surface roughness satisfying the relationship Ra≦2 &mgr;m in all directions and a surface waviness satisfying the relationship WCA≦10 &mgr;m shows excellent workability because of the small anisotropy with respect to mechanical properties such as bending properties, and also excellent appearance after it is formed into a component. Such surface conditions of titanium alloy sheet can be obtained by acid pickling or grinding and acid pickling after rolling. Pack rolling, especially in which a titanium alloy slab is packed with carbon steels in vacuum by electron beam welding method and then rolled, is preferable. Application of cross rolling to the rolling makes it possible to obtain smaller anisotropy with respect to mechanical properties.

Abstract: A method for providing a leak-tight metal enclosure to a fuel matrix penetrated by coolant channels, wherein the mutually contacting surfaces of said metal enclosure and said fuel matrix are metallurgically bonded, comprising placing a metal cladding about the lateral surface of said fuel matrix; disposing metal coolant tubes within said coolant channels; placing a perforated header plate having tubular extensions at each end of the fuel matrix from which the coolant tube ends protrude, said coolant tubes passing through said perforated header plate and said tubular extensions and terminating even with the ends of said extensions; welding, under vacuum, said cladding to said header plates, and the ends of said coolant tubes to the ends of said tubular extensions; exposing the assembly comprising the fuel matrix and enclosure to a gas at high temperature and pressure; and machining said header plates to provide a finished fuel element.