Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is used to roll up a steel plate into a cylindrical shell. Cables wrapped around channels on the outer ends of fixtures are used to roll up the fixture along the plate. After the fixture with the shell on it is placed on pedestals for further fabrication, cables placed in the channels are used to rotate the shells. After the fixture is collapsed within the shell, it is raised up by pedestal lifting mechanisms, and wheels provided on the fixture are lowered into place to aid in removal of the fixture from the shell, and onto a roll-out table. Roller mechanisms are also used to aid in the removal of the fixture from the shell. The roll-out table is situated between two sets of pedestals and used in the removal of fixtures from single modules or sets of modules.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is situated to roll up flat steel plate into a circular shell for the tunnel modules. A hydraulic cylinder is utilized to adjust the diameter of the fixture without collapsing it, in order to close any gaps between the ends of the plate when it is rolled into a shell.

Abstract: A self-threading fastener has circumferentially spaced thread-forming lobes on its thread and with the thread depth at a maximum at the lobes and a minimum circumferentially between the lobes. A lobe in one turn is circumferentially offset from a lobe in an adjacent turn. The fastener is made on roll-threading dies each having grooves sinusoidally varying in depth frm a maximum at one region to a minimum at a second region. The spacing of the regions is equal to a fraction of the thread pitch multiplied by the cosecant of the thread helix angle.

Abstract: An improved access tower for use in the manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections for building underwater tunnel tubes is provided. The tower is positioned at one end of the tunnel module shells when they are placed on pedestals for rotation and further processing. Assembly of the support framework around the shell is conducted from the top position on the shells. A moveable bridge extends from the tower for access to the top of the shell.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for covering the ridge or peak of a metalroof system is disclosed. After the metal roofing panels are set in place on the sloping surfaces of the roof and seamed together, mating halves of a ridge panel are positioned along the ridge and parallel thereto. The mating halves have cut-outs corresponding to the rib seams of the roofing panels, the cut-outs each being covered by a seam cap. After the ridge panel halves are secured to the roofing panels, the interlocking joint between them is folded over and permanently seamed together. Finally, the areas at the ends of the ridge adjacent the rakes of the building are covered by filler panels. The filler panels have cut-outs corresponding to the rib seam of the ridge panel, and the cut-outs are similarly covered by seam caps.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is used to roll up a steel plate into a cylindrical shell. Cables wrapped around channels on the outer ends of fixtures are used to roll up the fixture along the plate. After the fixture with the shell on it is placed on pedestals for further fabrication, cables placed in the channels are used to rotate the shells. After the fixture is collapsed within the shell, it is raised up by pedestal lifting mechanisms, and wheels provided on the fixture are lowered into place to aid in removal of the fixture from the shell, and onto a roll-out table. Roller mechanisms are also used to aid in the removal of the fixture from the shell. The roll-out table is situated between two sets of pedestals and used in the removal of fixtures from single modules or sets of modules.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is situated to roll up flat steel plate into a circular shell for the tunnel modules. A hydraulic cylinder is utilized to adjust the diameter of the fixture without collapsing it, in order to close any gaps between the ends of the plate when it is rolled into a shell.

Abstract: An improved collapsible fixture for fabrication of tunnel modules and tunnel sections for building underwater tunnel tubes is provided. The fixture has a series of shell-like support members along its length, each member having a stationary base portion, two rotatable side portions and a connecting foldable linkage portion. A common truss is connected to each of the foldable linkage portions and is activated by a plurality of hydraulically operated cylinders connected to the wheel core member of the fixture. In order to collapse the fixture, moveable radial spoke members in the shell-like support members are connected to sliding plate members which are moveably attached to hub plates on the wheel core member.

Abstract: A roller entry guide assembly for angle shapes is disclosed. The assembly is used in steel rolling mills and overcomes the problems of distortion due to the friction of fixed guides in high speed mills. The assembly comprises a support frame, two freely rotating bottom rollers rigidly mounted in a horizontal plane in the support frame, each of the bottom rollers having sides contoured to fit an angle configuration with the largest diameter at the center, and a freely rotating top roller positioned above and between the two bottom rollers, and parallel thereto, the top roller being adjustably mounted from the support frame to vary the height above the bottom rollers, the top roller having sides contoured to fit an angle configuration with the smallest diameter at the center adapted to guide and position an angle shape between the top and bottom rollers in conjunction with the bottom rollers.

Abstract: A self-cleaning nozzle includes a piston with a cleaning tip slidably mounted in the interior of a cylinder having two ends and a side wall, the cylinder having first, second and third openings into its interior, the second opening being intermediate the first and third openings. First and second sources of fluid are provided, the former communicating in fluid-flow relationship with the piston and the interior of the cylinder via the second opening. The second source communicates in fluid-flow relationship with the piston and the interior of the cylinder via the third opening. When the force exerted by the pressure of the second source is greater than the force exerted by the pressure of the first source, the piston moves to the cleaning position where the cleaning tip is passed into the first opening, cleaning out any foreign object therein.

Abstract: A horizontally extendable trolley 22 comprising a trolley frame 51 and wheels 52 for supporting trolley frame 51, and a horizontally elongated trailer frame 54 slidably mounted on frame 51, said trailer frame 54 having a first end extending beyond an end of frame 51, and auxiliary wheels 56 for supporting said first end. Trolley 22 includes: means for horizontally extending trailer frame 54 outwardly from the trolley frame 51 and retracting trailer frame 54 inwardly toward trolley frame 51; hoisting means mounted on trolley frame 51; auxiliary hoisting means mounted on trailer frame 54; and means for driving wheels 52. Crane 10 for use with trolley 22 and methods for the use of cranes employing trolley 22 in steel making operations are disclosed.

Abstract: A tong 200 for use in lifting articles such as aluminum or steel ingots and the like comprising an elongated leg member 210, a pivot member 212 fixedly attached to and depending from leg 210, said pivot member having an upper portion and a lower portion 220, an upper link 214 pivotally attached to and projecting outwardly of said upper portion of said pivot member, a lower link 218 pivotally attached to and projecting outwardly of said lower portion of said pivot member, a tong bit 224 having an upper portion 225 disposed outwardly of said pivot member and a lower portion 261, said upper portion of said tong bit being pivotally attached to upper link 214, said lower portion of said tong bit being pivotally attached to lower link 218, said lower portion of said tong bit extending under said pivot member and having an innermost end 246 projecting inwardly of said pivot member, and means 230 for resiliently restraining said tong bit against pivot member 212.

Abstract: A two-way horizontally extendable trolley 22 comprising a trolley frame 51 and wheels 52 for supporting trolley frame 51, a first horizontally elongated trailer frame 54 slidably mounted on frame 51, and a second horizontally elongated trailer frame 55 slidably mounted on trolley frame 51, said trailer frames 54 and 55 each having a first end extending beyond an end of frame 51, and auxiliary wheels 56 and 57, respectively, for supporting said first ends. Trolley 22 includes: means for horizontally extending trailer frames 54 and 55 outwardly from the trolley frame 51 and retracting trailer frames 54 and 55 inwardly toward trolley frame 51; hoisting means mounted on trolley frame 51; auxiliary hoisting means mounted on trailer frames 54 and 55; and means for driving wheels 52. Crane 10 for use with trolley 22 is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-threading fastener has circumferentially spaced thread-forming lobes on its thread, and with a thread depth at a maximum at the lobes and a minimum circumferentially between the lobes. A lobe in one turn is circumferentially offset from a lobe in an adjacent turn. The fastener is made on roll-threading dies each having grooves sinulsoidally varying in depth from a maximum at one region to a minimum at a second region. The spacing of the regions is equal to a fraction of the thread pitch multiplied by the cosecant of the thread helix angle.

Abstract: A roof structure and its components comprises a series of metal panels having flanges that interlock when the panels are laid side by side and which are subsequently tightly seamed together to convert the individual panels into an integrated roof forming membrane. The roof structure may be insulated through the use of a blanket vapor barrier and insulation under the panels preferably along with thermal blocks located over the purlins. The roof structure includes unique flexible panel mounting clips that attach the panels to the purlins in such a way as to permit the panels to expand or contract in response to temperature and pressure changes, thereby minimizing roof stressing.

Abstract: An improvement in and pertaining to cranes for stripping and/or handling cast metal ingots. The improvement is disclosed in the illustrative environment of a crane capable of performing both functions and operations with big-end-down ingots and molds. The improvement is embodied in a horizontally disposed component of a vertical, crane-suspended, ingot working mechanism. Said component serves as a shock absorber and dampener during a stripping operation, and serves as a resilient energy reservoir in aid of an ingot handling operation. Said component takes a horizontal drum-shaped form with centrally apertured, resilient, spring tempered steel discs disposed like the heads of a drum normal to said mechanism wherein, however, the inner peripheries of said apertures engage parts of the mechanism between which there is relative vertical motion in one direction incident to stripping the ingot from the mold, and in the opposite direction when gripping the ingot to handle it.

Abstract: The primary components of a roof structure comprise a series of substantially identical metal panels having flanges that interlock when the panels are laid side by side and which are subsequently tightly seamed together to convert the individual panels into an integrated roof forming membrane. The interlock joints between adjacent panels are adapted for connection to flexible panel mounting clips that attach the panels to the purlins in such a way as to permit the panels to expand or contract in response to temperature and pressure changes, thereby minimizing roof stressing.

Abstract: A roof structure and its components comprises a series of metal panels having flanges that interlock when the panels are laid side by side and which are subsequently tightly seamed together to convert the individual panels into an integrated roof forming membrane. The roof structure may be insulated through the use of a blanket vapor barrier and insulation under the panels preferably along with thermal blocks located over the purlins. The roof structure includes unique flexible panel mounting clips that attach the panels to the purlins in such a way as to permit the panels to expand or contract in response to temperature and pressure changes, thereby minimizing roof stressing.

Abstract: A panel mounting clip is adapted to connect metal roof panels to roof purlins and comprises a base part that is fastened to the purlin and a flexible tab part that is resiliently and slidably connected at one end to the base and at the other end is interlocked with the seamed sidewalls of the roof panels.

Abstract: An improved upright frame element for fluid operated drop hammers which are fabricated from low carbon steel plates, slabs and forgings welded together and forming a massive, integrated weldment of multiple boxlike fabrications having strong horizontal internal and external reinforcing structures welded to the essential upstanding parts of the frame and lending strength against the several forces and components in torsion, bending, shear and against vibration to which drop hammer frames are subjected violently in normal use. All the upstanding end members and side plates are welded to and integrated with a firm horizontal base member at their lower ends and to and with a heavy horizontal top member at their upper ends. The base and top members close the uppermost and lowermost of the several boxlike fabrications with the nearest of the several horizontal reinforcing structures mentioned above.