Abstract: At the end of a hot-rolling train, a metal length (bar or wire) is passed through a final roll stand and then through a cooling device. To keep the length under tension in the cooling device, it is pulled frictionally by an opposed pair of bridle rolls which are driven, while the length is passing, with a power input which would, in the absence of the length, be sufficient to cause a peripheral speed of the bridle rolls slightly higher than the rolling speed of the length. To prevent the leading end of the metal length being twisted or otherwise damaged on entry into the bridle rolls, the bridle rolls are driven at a slightly higher peripheral speed immediately prior to the entry of the metal length.

Abstract: In an upward gas stream sifter for separating sheet-like pieces of paper and plastic in a wetted mixture, the gas is heated to at least 60.degree. C. in order to dry surface moisture on the plastic. The temperature of the gas is not so high that the plastic shrivels. This increases the difference in density between the pieces of plastic and wet paper, thus assisting the separation.Optionally some gas may enter the mixture feed duct through a gas permeable part of its wall, to prevent accumulation of mixture on the wall.If the mixture is derived from household rubbish and the plastic is mostly polyethylene the gas may enter the sifter at 120.degree. C. and leave it at about 70.degree. C.

Abstract: In a cast house of a blast furnace, one or more movable exhaust hoods, connected to exhaust ducts, are provided for extraction of gas and dust. In order to provide such a hood which is easily moved manually by the operating personnel but which, with its duct, nevertheless does not unduly obstruct the working space, the hood is carried by a swivellable duct section which is connected to a fixed duct section at its swivelling axis and is supported, in cantilever fashion, by a bearing, e.g. a ball bearing, which is located outside the duct and extends circumferentially around the duct.

Abstract: The refractory bottom of a shaft furnace, e.g. a blast furnace has a graphite layer, above it an intermediate layer of lower coefficient of thermal conductivity (.lambda.-value) and above the intermediate layer a third layer of yet lower .lambda.-value. To control the penetration of molten metal into the bottom and in particular to achieve a stable location of the solidification isotherm in the intermediate layer, the material of the intermediate layer is one having a .lambda.-value of 12 to 30 kcal/m.h. .degree.C. This material may be semi-graphite. Such material does not undergo a change of .lambda.-value when permeated by the molten metal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactor for gasifying coal including a vortex burner. Helical ribs are arranged in the inner combustion gas supplying conduit of the burner to impart a spiral trajectory to the gas and also the coal-water suspension which suspension is supplied in the annular space between the inner conduit and an outer concentric conduit. Means are provided for adjustably supporting the ribs inside the inner conduit. In addition, other rib supporting arrangements and also burner structure for supplying the coal-water slurry centrally are disclosed.

Abstract: Slag deposited on the bottom of a steel making furnace, especially a soaking pit for steel ingots, is difficult to remove. To enable this to be done while the furnace is hot, it is now proposed to supply a substance, e.g. ferro-silicon, which lowers the melting point of the slag, and a substance which reacts exothermically to initiate melting of the slag. When the slag is sufficiently liquefied, it is removed by means of a mechanical grab.

Abstract: This invention discloses improvements to the connecting blocks for a kit for assembling toy-like configurations from blocks and solid sticks.The blocks are made in at least two pieces which have contacting surfaces. The one of the contacting surfaces is substantially smooth and the other has grooves therein. When assembled the grooves and adjacent surfaces of the two pieces form holes for the sticks to be inserted into.

Abstract: A dust-collector of the bag filter type to filter and trap dust and other solid material entrained in flue gases uses a plurality of bags suspended in an array to cooperate with a shaking mechanism. Each bag has an open bottom end and is suspended resiliently taut and in communication with an inlet gas-duct at the bottom; the top of each bag is closed and is exposed to a suction line for venting filtered gases. Periodically, rinsing air is fed into the bags from the suction line to dislodge solid particles and dust deposited on the inner walls of the bags; simultaneously, the bags are given a jolting tipping movement by a gang-operated mechanism which may be manual.

Abstract: A shaft furnace has a refractory lining within its armour and cooling plates located in recesses in the lining. In order to make it easier to remove and replace the cooling plates and to improve heat transfer, it is now proposed to construct the recess walls of special shaped members so that the recess retains its shape. The shaped members include elongate side members, a cover member resting on the elongate members, a bottom member below the elongate members and a front member between the front edge of the cooling plate and the furnace interior. Copper sheets may be provided between the cooling plate and these shaped members.

Abstract: Seedling pots (2) with perforated side and bottom walls in a tray (1) are filled with growth medium by placing the tray with the pots in a matrix (11) fitting to the underside of the tray (1) with the pots and forming lid in a closed box (9) connected to suction means (21, 22). The box is dipped into a suspension (18) of growth medium which is sucked into the pots until they are filled with growth medium. The box is then raised out of the suspension and the tray removed from the box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for investigating a rod-like body which is anchored in a surrounding material and which has an accessible end, for determining the state of the anchorage of the body and its length. Transient elastic oscillations are excitated in the accessible end of the body. The oscillations comprise a flexural wave causing a deformation of the body varying with respect to amplitude and phase over the cross-section of the body. The flexural wave propagates in the longitudinal direction of the body and is partially reflected at discontinuities of the body and/or the anchorage. Transient elastic ocillations comprising flexural waves reflected at such discontinuities and returning to the accessible end of the body are received and detected. The position and magnitude and/or type of at least some of the discontinuities are estimated with the aid of time-position and amplitude of the reflected flexural waves.

Abstract: A frequency modulated stereo transmitter in the preferred embodiment has a stereo generator which receives audio sterero signals directly. The stereo generator includes gain control circuitry which acts directly on the sum and difference signals generated in the stereo generator.The stereo generator then directly modulates a modulation protion of an RF transmitter unit thereby maintaining a very high index of modulation. Audio gain control and audio limiting are thus eliminated. In alternative embodiments the stereo generator unit gain control circuitry is adapted to existing FM stereo transmitters.

Abstract: An oscillating knife in a textile cutting machine is inclined to cut multiple plies of material generally substantially 90 degrees to each ply by inclining the cutting machine or a knife blade.

Abstract: A heat exchanger type condenser for separating water and other polutants from a vaporous mixture and a method of making the condenser is disclosed utilizing a hollow cylindrical vessel with inlet and outlet means. Conduit means having transversely extending heat exchanger fins are located in the vessel with the heat exchanger fins being square or rectangle when viewed in end view. Upper and lower baffle guides with baffles extending between the guides surround the heat exchanger fins in the vessel. The lower baffle guide has perforations formed therein so that the material that is condensed out of the mixture is immediately separated and drained. The conduit means has an entry and exit means that completely seals the inside of the conduit from the inside diameter of the cylindrical vessel. The cylindrical vessel has inlet and outlet means that help seal the inside of the cylinder from the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: An off-conveyor line meat cutting and handling apparatus is used in association with a conveyor track on which carcasses for cutting are transported; each carcass is suspended from a hook which has a yoke-member and rollers to permit travelling along the conveyor track which may be an overhead monorail track. The apparatus functions as a wayside station and has an immovable stand as well as a receiving device which has means to grip the yoke member so as not to allow movement thereof in any horizontal direction nor in a vertically downward direction. The receiving device can be swung away from the track and has a locking device holding the yoke in a locking position until released manually. For convenience, the carcass can be rotated slowly along with the hook during meat-cutting, so as to obviate the operator going around the carcass.