Abstract: A radiantly heated furnace is provided with a heating arrangement capable of generating heat from two different sources of energy. The arrangement includes a thin-walled tube extending within the furnace which operates as a resistor when connected to a high current source of electrical energy to generate and radiate heat within the furnace. The thin-walled tube also acts to radiate heat into the furnace from hot burner gases injected therein by a fuel fired burner. The arrangement is so constructed that switching from the electric to the gas fire mode or vice versa can be swiftly effected without removal of electrical connections or burners.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for case hardening a porous, powdered metal part by means of a gaseous atmosphere without incurring excessive embrittlement or unacceptable physical distortion of the part. Prior to subjecting the part to the case hardening gaseous atmosphere, the part is heated in an oxidizing atmosphere for a time period sufficent to form oxides of iron which substantially fill the pores at the surface of the part. When the part is later subject to the case hardening gaseous atmosphere, at least one element of the gaseous atmosphere reacts with the oxides of iron and Fe to produce hardenable iron compounds.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement is provided for cooling a moving stream, of heated workpieces without thermal deformation. The arrangement includes a plurality of nozzles circumscribing the work which direct a spray mist of atomized water particles toward the work. The spray mist vaporizes at or near the surface of the work to produce a water vapor. By orientating the nozzle spray mist pattern in a predetermined manner and providing a plurality of axially spaced mist arrays, the water mist developed completely envelops the workpiece in a controlled manner to produce a uniform rate of cooling of the pieces.

Abstract: There is provided an efficient, economical apparatus for cooling hot gases which includes three generally cylindrical, tubular members arranged in an upstanding U-shaped configuration. The hot gases are introduced downwardly into the first leg or member of the configuration where a plurality of water nozzles provide a water boundary circumscribing the interior of the first leg to prevent thermal fatigue thereof. A water nozzle in the first member acting as a jet pump entrains the hot gases and directs them into the transverse leg or member of the configuration for rapid,turbulent cooling therein. Packed beds are provided in the second upstanding leg or member of the configuration to permit scrubbing of the cooled gases prior to exit. Coolng the gases in such a manner permits the entire configuration to be constructed of steel plate without any special insulation.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake system employing dual-diaphragm, spring-actuated, air-released brake actuators is provided with an inversion valve which, in the event of a brake system failure, prevents the brakes from being automatically applied while permitting controlled brake application by releasing compressed air from each actuator's spring chamber in an inverse ratio to that normally supplied from the system by the operator applied brake valve thus permitting a controlled spring brake application. The valve employs first and second pressure responsive pistons with associated valve seats to maintain the actuator springs compressed with air at supply pressure when the vehicle is normally operated. The air at supply pressure in each actuator's spring chamber is automatically ported to a lower pressure through the valve when a system failure occurs and prior to brake application to insure fast response time of the spring actuated brake.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for feeding a liquid alloyed metal under protective atmosphere into a high speed continuous casting machine for casting a strip of alloyed metal, preferably calcium lead which is subsequently formed into battery grids and the like. The arrangement includes atmosphere tight holding and melting pots constructed of steel plates with submerged electrical heating elements, a level control arrangement for the liquid baths therein and a skid ramp in the melting pot for charging metal hogs therein.

Abstract: A walking beam furnace for round bars and the like is provided with burners firing above and below the work in a heat zone portion of the furnace to produce a short length furnace, and a refractory hearth downstream of the heat zone portion is provided for work straightening. The hearth is provided with concave inserts having a base portion aligned with the refractory floor to insure bar straightness after heating.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake system employing dual-diaphragm, spring-actuated, air-released brake actuators is provided with an inversion valve which, in the event of a brake system failure, prevents the brakes from being automatically applied while permitting controlled brake application by releasing compressed air from each actuator's spring chamber in an inverse ratio to that normally supplied from the system by the operator applied brake valve thus permitting a controlled spring brake application. The valve employs first and second pressure responsive pistons with associated valve seats to maintain the actuator springs compressed with air at supply pressure when the vehicle is normally operated. The air at supply pressure in each actuator's spring chamber is automatically ported to a lower pressure through the valve when a system failure occurs and prior to brake application to insure fast response time of the spring actuated brake.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for feeding a liquid alloyed metal under protective atmosphere into a high speed continuous casting machine for casting a strip of alloyed metal, preferably calcium lead which is subsequently formed into battery grids and the like. The arrangement includes a melting pot and specifically a resilient skid ramp in the melting pot which permits metal hogs to be charged into the melting pot in a nondestructive manner while supporting the hog at a fixed level in the melting pot bath to insure homogeneous mixing of the alloyed elements in the hog during melting thereof.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement is provided for cooling a moving stream of heated workpieces without thermal deformation. The arrangement includes a plurality of nozzles circumscribing the work which direct a spray mist of atomized water particles toward the work. The spray mist vaporizes at or near the surface of the work to produce a water vapor. By orientating the nozzle spray mist pattern in a predetermined manner and providing a plurality of axially spaced mist arrays, the water mist developed completely envelops the workpiece in a controlled manner to produce a uniform rate of cooling of the pieces.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for upgrading coal gas to methane is provided by a simple and efficient methanator comprising an open-ended enclosure submersed within a liquid bath and carrying a catalytic insert having increasing degrees of controlled reactivity which the said gas contacts as the gas travels through the enclosure. In the presence of the catalyst, heat is generated from the methanation reaction at a controlled rate and substantially dissipated by the liquid bath so that substantially all the gaseous reductants, CO and H.sub.2, are reacted to methane at a relatively low controlled temperature.

Abstract: A gas burner is provided with a rich combustion chamber contiguous with a second combustion chamber through which combustion air enters in predetermined flow patterns to enable the burner to be self-stabilizing in a highly efficient manner. The rich combustion chamber receives air through a first port arrangement which, among other things, establishes underpressure zones at the center of the rich combustion chamber and air layer zones thereabout. Combustion air is supplied to the second chamber by a second port arrangement which, among other things, assures thorough combustion therein independent of the burner firing rate.

Abstract: A piston ring assembly having a pair of resilient split rings of identical cross section in a single piston groove in which the rings contact each other over a large surface to maintain the gap of one ring diametrically opposed relative to the gap of the other ring to resist passage of oil and compressed gases. The rings each have a separate line contact with the piston which accomplishes sealing without imposing frictional loads detracting from the radial expansion of the rings to produce a tight seal against the cylinder walls. The rings afford spaced seals with the cylinder wall to form an annular oil containing cavity for controlled lubrication of the cylinder wall.