Abstract: A mobile fluid coupled test probe wherein communication between a transducer and an object under inspection is maintained through a fluid couplant which also serves to maintain engagement of the probe with the object.

Abstract: A pneumatically buffered drive system is provided which quickly moves a movable member, such as a press safety curtain or press bolster, a predetermined length in three sequential speed stages to prevent maximum acceleration from occurring at the end of the predetermined length. The movable member is coupled to a differential pressure piston which is initially pressurized on only one side of the piston to initiate movement. After traversing approximately half the predetermined length both sides of the piston are pressurized to decelerate the piston during the member movement for approximately the next third of the predetermined length. The remaining length is traversed with the decelerating pressure being vented to positively finish the motion along the predetermined path. In vertical moving members having significant mass such as press safety curtains, a higher pressure is used to decelerate the piston than the pressure used to drive the piston.

Abstract: A clip is provided for spacing a stack of flanged reflective insulation sheets along an edge of the stack. The clip has a first series of tab members which fit between each sheet of the stack to space the stack and a second series of tab members which bend over a flanged end of each sheet of the stack to support the stack and prevent the shifting of individual sheets of the stack within the stack.

Abstract: An all-metallic thermal insulation assembly is constructed from a series of layers each having a plurality of spaced corrugated sheets. Each of the sheets is formed from material having a thickness t and the sheets are so profiled as to provide a moment of inertia of up to 100 t.sup.3 per unit length and be free of deformation except from pressure substantially in the range of 10 to 150 centimeter-kilograms per cubic centimeter and greater.

Abstract: A pre-burned ceramic cap cooperating with a notched metallic stud to anchor ceramic fiber insulating material in the interior wall of a furnace. The cap is provided with a slotted collar internally of the cap, so that on rotation of the cap surfaces on the collar engage surfaces on a notch to lock the assembly in position and to protect the metallic parts of the assembly from the deteriorating effects of combustion gas contact therewith.

Abstract: A bottom-loading pot broaching machine has a pot broach vertically mounted on a horizontal face of a base support structure to symmetrically distribute loading forces to the machine. This structure also enables loading and unloading arms to be mounted to the pot broach so as to be mechanically coupled and phased to allow both loading and unloading of the pot broach during a single cycle. A magnetic escapement mechanism is mounted proximately to the unloading arm to magnetically retain a finished workpiece for unloading by the unloading arm.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the invention provides a cost effective reuseable erection system for use in the erection and handling of pendant superheater modules of a steam generating system. Sections of the modules are attached to and enclosed in a simple supporting and stabilizing framework which may be detachably connected to a lift beam disposed in spaced relation and aligned longitudinally above the module section in the lateral plane through the center of gravity of the module - framework structure. This disposition of the lift beam enables a single lift line, attached to the lift beam at the longitudinal plane of the center of gravity of the module-framework-lift beam structure, to lift the structure during handling and erection. Further, since the lift beam is detachable and therefore not part of the supporting framework a substantial savings in framing material and shipping and storing fees is established.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive Silicon chip is indirectly bonded to a Stainless Steel housing of an electronic pressure transmitter through an intermediate holder assembly. This indirect bonding prevents thermal cracking of the Silicon chip due to the difference in thermal expansion of the Stainless Steel housing and the Silicon chip. The holder assembly includes a Borosilicate glass tube having the Silicon chip bonded thereto which tube is soldered to a Nickel-Iron alloy holder by a eutectic alloy solder. In assembly, the Nickel-Iron holder is first brazed to the stainless Steel housing at a first temperature greater than the maximum non-destructive temperature of either the chip or the glass tube and the glass tube is then soldered to the Nickel-Iron holder at a lower temperature which will not destroy the chip or the tube holder.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the invention relates to a preburned ceramic refractory covering for a water cooled member forming a structural portion of a metallurgical furnace. The covering comprises an inner layer of split ceramic refractory tiles at least partially encircling the structural member, and a C-shaped ceramic refractory collar which slideably engages the split tiles disposed about the member and supports the tiles thereon.

Abstract: The position of a control rod located within a nuclear reactor is sensed by an externally located position indicating assembly. The assembly includes a reed switch voltage divider circuit in which the individual reed switches are actuated in a 2-3-2-3 sequence by the magnetic field of a permanent magnet mounted to the control rod. The assembly averages the signals from the actuated reed switches and after amplifying the averaged signal transmits it to an indicator which provides an indication of control rod position. The voltage divider circuit may have a pair of parallel connected voltage dividers with individual sets of reed switches respectively connected thereto to provide a redundant circuit which will operate with one of the voltage dividers selectively disconnected.

Abstract: A method of absorbing SO.sub.2 by use of an absorbing medium containing ammonia compounds is described. In a process wherein sulfur bearing constituents are combusted, SO.sub.2 bearing flue gases are generated. Having been cooled, the flue gases are contacted in a multi-stage absorption system by aqueous absorbents comprised of ammonium compounds which are maintained so that SO.sub.2 is removed from the flue gas and the formation of the ammonium sulfite fume is inhibited.

Abstract: A forced flow vapor generator wherein at least one of the upright boundary walls of the furnace has upper and lower portions formed of panels of upwardly extending laterally spaced tubes rigidly united throughout most of their length. Some of the panels of the upper and lower wall portions have segments thereof interlaced and coextensive with each other, the interlaced segments being rigidly united to transmit the load of the lower wall portion to the upper wall portion.

Abstract: A system for improving the absorption of gaseous SO.sub.2 contained in flue gases by contact with an absorbing slurry, separating the unreacted solids from the reacted solids in the slurry product of the absorption in an inertial separator and recycling the unreacted solid containing slurry to the SO.sub.2 absorption system.

Abstract: A portable self-contained testing apparatus is provided for accurately determining the stopping time of a press after the initiating of a STOP signal. The apparatus includes a detector head, a stationary grid, a synchronizing touch switch, and a control box with a digital readout. The detector head is mounted on the press ram to be movable therewith while the stationary grid member is mounted proximate to the detector to allow the detector to scan the grid lines on the grid as the ram moves. The touch switch is used to initiate the press STOP control signal and provides a signal to the control box to initiate grid count by the detector head whenever the press STOP signal is initiated through the touch switch. The control box has circuitry to convert the grid count signals from the detector head and the press STOP signals from the touch switch to a digital readout of the time required for the press to actually stop after the initiation of the press STOP signal.

Abstract: A panel assembly of reflective insulation is formed to provide an adjustable height inner panel movably located next to a stationary outer panel. The inner panel is made slidably movable within a pocket formed adjacent to a face of the outer panel. The innermost face of the pocket has a retainer assembly which captures the inner panel to the face of the pocket in any height extension of the inner panel from the pocket to insure retention of the inner panel in the desired height extension.

Abstract: A process for removal of moisture from fissile and non-fissile bodies which are encapsulated in hollow rods comprising perforating the rod, subjecting the rod to a reduced pressure environment, filling the rod with a dehydrating reagent and adjusting the temperature and pressure to bring about vaporization of the dehydrating reagent-water mixture. After cooling in a dry inert gas atmosphere, the rod is removed from the environment and the perforation is sealed.

Abstract: A high stability pneumatic pressure regulator is provided by the use of a movable vane and nozzle assembly to operate a valve plug and thereby change the regulator output pressure. Movement of the vane and nozzle assembly is initiated by an adjustable input member which changes the vane to nozzle spacing and subsequently causes the vane and nozzle assembly to move with the valve plug until the normal vane to nozzle spacing is restored. A feedback of the output pressure is used to balance the adjustable input member.

Abstract: A gas sampling analyzing system is provided whereby flue or process gasses are aspirated from a process duct to an analyzer and are therefrom returned back to the process duct to prevent condensation at the system exhaust. The sampling analyzing system is enclosed in an internally heated manifold to prevent condensation of the sampled gas and insure an accurate analysis by the system. The sampling analyzing system has an analyzer assembly connected in parallel with a drop tube with the combination being connected to a sample probe on one side and to a supply air operated aspirator on the other side. The parallel drop tube allows a high flow rate to be maintained between the sample probe and the aspirator to ensure a faster system response to changes in concentrations of the flue or process gasses.

Abstract: A two-piece throat for a racket, the throat being formed with stringholes of slight curvature so as to reduce the occurrence of string failure. The throat comprises two substantially identical sections which fit together in a complementary manner to form the stringholes and provide a mechanical lock such that the force exerted by the strings on the stringhole walls is displaced from the interfaces of the two halves forming the throat.

Abstract: A new chemical recovery process and apparatus for a polysulfide pulping system is described wherein sulfur is recovered from the weak black liquor and is returned to the process, along with makeup sulfur, to reconstitute the polysulfide solution.After the polysulfide digestion, the spent liquor is contacted with ferric oxide Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 whereby ferrous sulfide, FeS, is formed. After separation of the ferrous sulfide from the remaining liquid, the ferrous sulfide is oxidized to form elemental sulfur, and ferric oxide. After the melting of the sulfur and the separating of the products, the sulfur can be returned to the Sulfur Dissolving Tank wherein, along with makeup sulfur as required, the white liquor from the causticizing plant can be treated to form the polysulfide liquor for digestion. The ferric oxide can be reused for contacting the black liquor to form ferrous sulfide. The resulting smelt of reduced sulfidity from the recovery furnace can be reprocessed to form the white liquor.