Abstract: A method for preparing an engine block casting having integral cylinder bore liners (10). A barrel slab core (14) includes barrel cores (18). Bore liners (10) surround the barrel cores (18) and are fixed in relation to the barrel slab core (14). A cylinder block mold core package (22) is assembled from the barrel slab core (14), and other cores (24, 26, 28). The liners (10) are heated while they are within the cylinder block mold core package (22) by induction heating. Access holes (30) are defined within the barrel slab core (14), each access hole (30) communicating with the interior of one barrel core (18). A heater (32) is inserted through each access hole (30). Thermal energy is thus transferred across the barrel core (18) to the cylinder bore liner (10) to assure optimum integrity of bonding between a solidified cylinder block casting and the cylinder bore liners (10). The heaters (32) are then retracted before adding the molten metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for forming internal shapes in metal matrix composite bodies. Particularly, an infiltration enhancer and/or an infiltration enhancer precursor and/or an infiltrating atmosphere are in communication with a filler material or a preform, at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal to spontaneously infiltrate the filler material or preform. Additionally, the filler material or preform may contain a mandrel which is capable of surviving the infiltration process, said mandrel being removed after infiltration has occurred. Such spontaneous infiltration occurs without the requirement for the application of any pressure or vacuum.

Abstract: A multi-articulated arm in a continuous casting machine which interacts with a melt surface condition within a mold, including melt surface abnormalities such as boiling and lack of powder, and a condition of slag beard formation by using image sensors, and also detects a condition of Deckel formation by using a load sensor through a sensor rod, thereby controlling a casting speed, a flow rate of gas blown into a pouring nozzle, a flow rate of a melt poured into the mold, scatter of powder to prevent the occurrence of the melt surface abnormalities. Additionally, said arm can remove a slag beard by a hitting oscillator and removing Deckels by the sensor rod. Those works can be performed following priority thereof by a multi-functional robot equipped with a multi-articulated arm having at its distal end an automatic tool changer mechanism.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing one-piece composite drill bits or coreheads suitable for drilling or coring petroleum wells or in mining. A shell (32) of hard wear-resistant and erosion-resistant material is formed by investment casting in a finished form requiring nominal or no finish shaping. A shank (44) of machinable material is then cast inside the shell, in conditions which cause fusion bonding of the two materials to form a one-piece composite drill bit (42) or corehead by the two-stage casting procedure. The shank (44) is finish machined to form a connection for attachment to a drill string. Pockets (20) for cutter inserts and gauge protectors can be pre-formed to final dimensions in the hard shell (32). The investment mold for the shell (24) allows the hard material to be cast in the required shape with little or no final shaping. The method enables drill bits and coreheads to be manufactured at relatively low cast by eliminating most or all skilled manual finishing operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the continuous casting of metals of the type according to which ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the wall of the ingot mould, characterized in that the vibrations comprise both a component which is oriented parallel to and a component which is oriented perpendicular to the axis of the ingot mould. This method is preferably implemented by applying at least one ultrasound emitter against a surface integral with one of the ends of the ingot mould and with an angle of inclination relative to the axis of the latter. The invention is principally applicable to the continuous casting of steel products of all sizes.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the continuous manufacture of a metal strip (1) with near net shape. The metal melt (6) is fed from a melt distributor (5) through a casting nozzle (15) onto a rotating, cooled conveyor belt (2) and solidified. In the operating condition, the melt level is controlled in the melt distributor (5) as a function of the desired strip thickness d of the metal strip (1). In the melt distributor (5) there is initially adjusted a fill level (A), which corresponds at a maximum with the conveyor belt plane (E). Such a fill level (B) then is adjusted such that the melt (6) completely displaces the air from the area (11, 14) in front of the casting nozzle (15) and from the casting nozzle (15). In the operating condition, the fill level (C) is controlled some millimeters above the level (D) of the liquid metal on the conveyor belt (E) so that the melt (6) flows out of the casting nozzle (15) according to the pipette principle.

Abstract: There is provided an improved separable joint for arm and hub constructions for structural frameworks. The separable joint comprises a hub having sides and opposite ends. A plurality of spaced, longitudinal, parallel apertures extend end to end through the hub positioned towards the sides of the hub. Parallel, longitudinally extending slots extend between the sides of the hub and central portions of the apertures. An elongated spline is provided having ends and sides. A keyway slot extends from end to end through the spline and opening to one side. The sides of the spline are contoured to conform to the sides of the corresponding apertures in the hub and to be releasable received therein with the keyway slot opening and the hub aperture slot aligned adjacent to each other. The spline has secured in its keyway slot a co-operative interlocking key formed in an end of a corresponding arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for forming metal matrix composite bodies. Specifically, in a particularly preferred embodiment for making metal matrix composite bodies by a spontaneous infiltration technique, an infiltration enhancer or an infiltration enhancer precursor or an infiltrating atmosphere are in communication with a rigidized filler material or a rigidized preform, at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal to spontaneously infiltrate the rigidized filler material or riigidized preform. A structural refractory material which holds the preform is made by forming a first precursor to the supportive structural refractory material and subsequently causing the precursor to become a rigid supportive structural member. Such spontaneous infiltration occurs without the requirement for the application of any pressure or vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for removal of at least a portion of at least one metallic component of a metallic constituent from a multi-phase composite body. Particularly, by providing at least one of an infiltration enhancer or an infiltration enhancer precursor or an infiltrating atmosphere to be in communication with a permeable mass, which contacts at least a portion of a composite body, said metallic component of the composite body, when made molten, is caused to spontaneously infiltrate the permeable mass. Such spontaneous infiltration occurs without the requirement for the application of any pressure or vacuum. The metallic constituent is essentially leached or removed from the multi-phase body by spontaneous infiltration.

Abstract: A method of producing a planographic printing plate support in which after aluminum is continuously cast directly from molten aluminum into a thin aluminum plate, the aluminum thin plate is subjected to cold rolling, heat treatment and flattening to obtain an aluminum support. The aluminum support is then subjected to surface toughening. The components of the aluminum support areFe: 0.4%-0.2%,Si: 0.20%-0.05%,Cu: not larger than 0.02%, and the Al purity is not smaller than 99.5%. After continuous casting, Fe in a range of from 20% to 90% of the Fe total content exists in a grain boundary and the rest of Fe exists as a solid solution in grains. In this case, it is preferable that in a section perpendicular to the direction of continuous casting, the grain size is in a range of from 2 .mu.m to 500 .mu.m.

Abstract: Crystallizer, or inner portion, of a mold for the continuous curved casting of thin slabs, which has at least its outer curved extrados plate (10) containing a substantially central enlargement hollow (11) starting from the upper surface (13) of the outer plate (10) and being reduced progressively, to zero in the curved inner surface (12) of the plate (10) for sliding of the molten metal, the enlargement hollow (11) being defined by a determined profile, the profile being determined lengthwise by an angle ".alpha." and crosswise by an angle ".beta.", wherein the angle ".alpha." should not exceed a maximum value of 5.degree. and may vary, from the center line to the sides of the hollow (11), according to a linear development contained within a field limited at its upper end by that maximum value and at its lower end by zero.

Abstract: A one-piece attachment device for mounting an end of a fluid actuated member on a support component. The attachment device has a plurality of first flexible fingers which terminate at a tip provided with an outwardly extending shoulder and a tapered camming surface. The fingers are moved inwardly by engagement of the camming surfaces with the support component as the fingers pass through an aperture formed therein, and thereafter attempt to return toward their original position. The finger shoulders engage the support component to secure the attachment device to the support component. A second plurality of inwardly and upwardly extending flexible fingers are also provided on the attachment device and define an interior opening.

Abstract: Crystallizer, or inner portion, of a mould having a lengthwise curvature for continuous curved casting of thin slabs (20), the crystallizer comprising an outer, or extrados, plate (12), an inner, or intrados, plate (11) and lateral narrow plates (13s-13d) having inner faces (16) defining a casting section (14), the lateral narrow plates (13s-13d) having their inner faces (16) inclined in such a way as to impart to the downflow channel a tapered conformation which reduces the width of the casting section (14) in the direction of feed of the thin slabs (20), both the extrados (12) and intrados (11) plates being curved lengthwise and containing in their inner upper central portion respective frontal extrados (15) and intrados (115) hollows, the upper part of the inner face (16) of the lateral narrow plates (13s-13d) comprising a bevel (17) which faces towards the intrados plate (11) and is progressively reduced to zero in the vicinity of the level of the lower end of the extrados (15) and intrados (115) hollows.

Abstract: A tough, wear resistant body is provided. The body includes hard carbide particles embedded in and bonded with a first casted steel matrix material. The body may be embedded in and bonded with a second steel matrix to form a wear resistant composite. The second steel matrix has a melting point at least 200 degrees F. greater than the melting point of the first steel matrix, thereby facilitating a metallurgical bond between the surface of the wear resistant body and the second steel matrix. The composite structure is particularly suitable for earthmoving and other severe mechanical applications.

Abstract: There is provided a cable tie which incorporates a cushioning means which also functions as a retaining means. The cable tie comprises a housing and a strap. The strap can be separate from or integral with the housing. When the free end of the strap is assembled within the housing, a plurality of angularly extending fins maintains the integrity of the assembled components. A second plurality of longitudinal fins extend angularly from the inside circumference of the assembled clamp. The resiliency of the fins provides a cushioning to the device encircled by the strap. In addition the second plurality of longitudinally extending fins provide a resistance means to the sliding of the cable tie in a direction along a vehicle bracket or other member to which the cable tie is attached or to the longitudinal movement of the wiring harness within the cable tie itself.

Abstract: A continuous cast method comprises continuously supplying molten metal from a tundish through a break ring to a cooled mold having an inlet and an outlet. A cast section is formed by continuously cooling the molten metal in the mold and starting the solidification of the molten metal below its surface and intermittently withdrawing the cast section with respect to the mold through its outlet. During continuous casting, a sealing gas having a pressure higher than atmospheric and soluble in the molten metal is constantly supplied to the entirety of the contact area of the mold and the break ring.

Abstract: A fiber-organic composition includes from about 5% to 50% by volume of uniformly dispersed, non-planar or three dimensionally random oriented inorganic fibers or whiskers, and a thermoplastic material such as paraffin wax. The composition also includes surfactants to promote wetting and dispersion of the inorganic fibers or whiskers. These materials are subjected to high shear mixing to form a uniform randomly oriented three-dimensional dispersion of the inorganic fibers or whiskers. After molding the mixture in such a manner so as not to disrupt the uniform, three-dimensional orientation of the fibers or whiskers, a majority of the thermoplastic material is removed leaving a shaped body or preform having sufficient strength for handling. The shaped body or preform can then be infiltrated with molten metal or the like to form a metal matrix composite.

Abstract: In an installation for the manufacture of hot-rolled steel strip from continuously cast stock, a caster for the continuous casting of the stock into steel strip, a furnace positioned for receiving the strip after it leaves the caster and containing at least two winding/unwinding mandrels each placed in first and second proximate locations, respectively, the first mandrel is placed in the first location adapted to receive and wind the strip into a coil, transport devices are provided for transporting the coil and first mandrel from the first location to a second location and the second mandrel from the second location to the first location; the strip is unwound from the first mandrel in said second location and then fed to a mill. Alternative embodiments include vertical or horizontal movement of the mandrels, more than two mandrels, devices for driving the mandrels at different speeds, cutting means, clamping devices, furnace heating devices, dividing shears and descaling.

Abstract: A metal composite material provides improved strength at all temperatures, in particular at those temperatures greater half the melting point of its matrix. The metal composite material is at least 50 volume percent hard particulate material in a matrix which is significantly more ductile than the hard particulate material. At or above 50 volume percent hard particulate material, each particle is surrounded by a thin film of the matrix material. This thin film resists deformation by converting sliding motion between particles into the rotational motion of the particles about each other. The matrix may be made by infiltrating a powder of the particulate material with a charge of the matrix material, for example, by hot isostatically pressing the matrix material into the powder or by melting a block of matrix material on top of the powder and thus infiltrating the powder by gravitational flow of the melted matrix material into the powder.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a resin pattern, which does not break films in a vacuum sealed molding process and does not have secular deterioration even after repeated usages wherein a covering film is tightly contacted to an original pattern by vacuum suction, an amount of particle bodies are packed onto the covering film in a flask under the above described condition, upper portion of the flask is covered by another covering film, the tight contact of the covering film to the original pattern is released by returning the reduced pressure to normal pressure, internal pressure of the packed particle bodies is reduced, a mold cavity is formed by removing the original pattern from the packed particle bodies, a predetermined number of double solid bodies are set up in the mold cavity in the packed particle bodies which is previously turned reversely so as to be the cavity at upper side, molding resin is poured into the mold cavity, cores in the double solid bodies are withdrawn for forming through holes after hard