Abstract: An apparatus for heating a sheet- or web-like material during its transport through a processing machine, comprises at least one infrared heating panel facing the path of transport of the material. The apparatus is provided with a controlling circuit for controlling the heat emission of the heating panel in response to a control signal generated by a control means. The heating panel is switched off if the transport speed of the material becomes smaller than a minimum speed by means of a monitoring circuit which can switch off the controlling circuit, said monitoring circuit being coupled to a detector means reacting to the transport speed. The monitoring circuit may further comprise at least one zone detector means reacting to the presence of the material within a given zone extending transversely to the transport direction of the material on either side of the desired path of transport, wherein the monitoring circuit switches off the controlling circuit if the material leaves the zone.

Abstract: Several ladles 11-14 for receiving hot metals are preheated by applying a lid 40, 42 to the rim of each ladle and directing an open flame through the lid into the ladle. The hot exhaust gases move back through the lid and through a heat exchanger 35-38 to heat the oncoming combustion air, and the exhaust gases from the ladles being preheated are combined and directed through a lid 41 applied to a ladle at a drying station to dry the ladle.

Abstract: A gas-fired infrared heater for projecting an infrared beam in a radiation pattern having a predetermined geometry for irradiating the surface of a food product or other body to effect uniform heating thereof at a rapid rate. The heater is constituted by a refractory assembly formed by a stack of identical slabs having a bore therethrough to receive the cylinder of a controllable ribbon-type gas-air burner from whose longitudinal slot is emitted a sheet of flame. Each slab is provided with a sector-shape channel cut in one face thereof to define a fin and side walls that diverge from the bore to create a flattened IR radiation horn whose mouth is aligned with the burner slot, whereby the surface of the assembly on which the flame impinges is heated to a temperature level causing this surface to emit infrared energy. The parallel array of radiation horns created by the assembly produces a radiation pattern whose shape depends on the geometry of the channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for levitating a specimen of material in a containerless environment at a stable nodal position independent of gravity which includes providing an elongated levitation tube 10 having contoured interior in the form of convergent section 12, constriction 15 and divergent section 14 wherein the levitation node 16 is created. Gas flow control means 30, 54 controls flow to prevent separation of flow from the interior walls in the region of specimen 18. Apparatus 64, 66, provides for levitating and heating the specimen 18 simultaneously by combustion of a suitable gas mixture combined with an inert gas 74.

Abstract: An instant-on radiant fuser apparatus for fusing toner images in an electrostatographic copying machine, which does not require the use of any standby heating devices and yet is capable of fusing the first copy in a matter of seconds. The radiant fuser apparatus is made of a low mass reflector thermally spaced from a housing, with the housing and the reflector together forming a conduit for the passage of cooling air therein. A low mass platen is provided which is constructed to achieve operating temperature conditions in a matter of a few seconds without the use of any standby heating device. A housing for the platen is also provided to form a conduit for the passage of cooling air to control the temperature of the platen.

Abstract: Two generally concentric cups and discoidal baffle are employed to provide a uniform heating of thermoplastic liner of lined pipe prior to flanging.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for local forced heating of an auto body characterized in that a joint build up with plastic solder on the steel plate of an auto body is placed under a hood which locally covers the joint; then a hot air blast is supplied to the hood. The hot air blast is evenly diffused by means of a stream-rectifying plate installed in the hood, and thus the built up plastic solder can be hardened through local forced heating.

Abstract: A heat developing device for locally heat developing a dry photosensitive film composed of a heating unit for locally heating a portion to be heat-developed of the photosensitive film and a cooling unit surrounding the heating unit and placed in contact with the periphery of the portion to be heat-developed of the photosensitive film. The cooling unit functions to prevent the thermal effect applied to the heat-developing portion of the photosensitive film from being transmitted to the remainder of the photosensitive film.

Abstract: A preheating saddle for elevating the temperature of a recording carrier upstream of a fixing station in an electrostatic copier or printer. The saddle has heating elements disposed therein in such a manner as to supply the greatest quantity of heat at the upstream end of the saddle while maintaining a constant temperature along the length of the saddle.

Abstract: A work support for vacuum electric furnaces is disclosed which supports a work piece in flat condition within close tolerances and which includes a plurality of spaced vertical pins with a heat sink through which the pins extend, the support being removable and remachinable to retain the desired flatness.

Abstract: A furnace for practising temperature gradient zone melting on one or more semiconductor bodies comprises a closable work chamber for receiving semiconductor bodies for processing, a radiant heat source which forms a first closure member and a heat sink which forms a second closure member, the closure members defining the work chamber and being mutually separable by, for example, a hydraulic actuator to allow access to the interior of the work chamber. A reflector is disposed between the heat source and heat sink in surrounding relationship to the semiconductor bodies being processed to ensure the maintenance of a uniform temperature gradient within the work chamber. The reflector and the heat sink are liquid cooled for the effective removal of heat therefrom. The heat sink is further provided with a plurality of radiation attenuating cavities to enhance the performance of the heat sink.

Abstract: In an electro-photographic copier of the type wherein an image is formed on an image-carrying sheet and is thereafter fixed by subjecting the sheet at a fixing station to the influence of heat, a combination comprises a heating arrangement at the fixing station for fixing an image on a sheet, and a conveyor arrangement for advancing the sheet through the station at a predetermined speed sufficient to permit the heating arrangement to fix the image on the sheet. An automatic de-actuating timing switch is employed to prevent charring of the sheet in the event that the latter is advanced through the fixing station at a speed lower than said predetermined speed.

Abstract: The furnace comprises a hearth for the longitudinal displacement of pellet containers, means for injecting gas at both ends of the furnace, for sucking gas between preheating and sintering zones and for condensing the binder, means for displacing the containers from an introduction lock-chamber to an extraction lock-chamber, a conveyor belt which passes through a glove box and provides a leak-tight connection between the lock-chambers. A station for loading containers with pellet sub-containers prior to sintering and a station for unloading the pellet sub-containers after sintering are juxtaposed within the glove box.

Abstract: A chassis having a walking beam undercarriage suspends a carrier in an adjustable manner. The carrier is confined for vertical travel by chassis mounted guides and serves to carry a series of liner members defining multiple burning chambers. Each chamber is served by a low pressure oil burner and exhausts a heat flow downwardly against the passing ground surface. The liner members are detachably mounted by knock-out pins for purposes of periodic servicing the carrier. Repositionable wheel assemblies on the walking beam undercarriage permit travel of the chassis in one direction during operation and lengthwise travel for passage over roadways.

Abstract: In an electro-photographic copier of the type wherein an image is formed on an image-carrying sheet and is thereafter fixed by subjecting the sheet at a fixing station to the influence of heat, a combination comprises a heating device at the fixing station for fixing an image on a sheet, and a conveyor device for moving the heating device relative to a sheet located in the fixing station at a predetermined speed sufficient to permit the heating device to fix the image on the sheet and also to prevent charring of the latter. A sheet-advancing device advances a sheet through the fixing station in direction opposite to the direction of movement of the conveyor device so as to increase the relative speed between the heating device and the advancing sheet. The movement of the heating device relative to the sheet prevents charring or burning of the sheet in the event that the sheet-advancing device malfunctions and advances a sheet at speeds lower than its normally rated speed, including zero speed, i.e.

Abstract: A hot-air or radiant heat fixing device for copying machines wherein the device is provided with either a hot-air generating means or a radiant source of energy for elevating the temperature of toner images carried by support material to thereby effect coalescence of the toner particles forming the images to render them tacky.A corona discharge device is disposed intermediate the hot air or radiant energy source and the supporting body or material carrying the toner images such that the corona discharge generated thereby improves the efficiency of heat transfer from the energy source to the toner material forming the images.

Abstract: A machine for removing a precut length of plastic pipe from an extrusion line, providing a bell on one end thereof, and providing a chamfer on the opposite end thereof. The pipe is received in a V-shaped trough along which it is longitudinally moved as it is delivered from the extruder. At predetermined intervals, a plurality of hydraulic pushers are actuated to move the pipe laterally from the trough onto a conveyor. The conveyor is indexed to a first position in which the axial location of the pipe is corrected and the end to be belled is heated. In a predetermined sequence of events, the conveyor is then indexed to a second position in which a belling plug is inserted into the heated end of the pipe; simultaneously, the opposite end of the pipe may be provided with an internal or external chamfer. When the conveyor is again indexed, the pipe is deposited onto a suitable system so that it may be conveyed to a shipping point.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a powder pattern formed on a sheet of support material is permanently affixed thereto. The sheet of support material is advanced along a path of movement by a conveyor belt. As the sheet advances, the powder pattern thereon is heated. The belt is extended when positioned in the drive system to form a normal force therebetween. This normal force and associate coefficient of friction develops a frictional force minimizing relative movement or slippage therebetween.