Abstract: An axial engine includes a cam assembly housing moveable away from a cylinder head to reduce a compression ratio during conditions giving rise to detonation and movable towards the cylinder head to raise the compression ratio when operation allows the higher compression ratio. Piston rod ends ride in counter rotating slots balancing lateral forces on the piston rods. Piston dwell at Top Dead Center (TDC) provides for constant volume combustion and extended piston travel during the power stroke allows for over-expansion. Rotary valves improve volumetric efficiency and water injection supports increased compression ratio leading to improved thermodynamic efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a welding torch comprising a torch body that is elongate along a longitudinal direction and that presents a working end, an electrode having a portion that projects longitudinally from the working end, and a channel for a flow of protective gas formed inside the body and terminating at the working end via at least one opening for ejecting gas in the form of a jet towards the projecting portion of the electrode. According to the invention, the torch includes jet-enlarger means for enlarging the jet of gas, which jet-enlarger means are in the form of a convex open-work grid covering the gas ejection opening(s).

Abstract: An annular facing is machined in an inside surface of the spherical wall around the periphery of a zone where the wall has a bore for securing the tube passing therethrough. A first welding material is deposited in the facing, and the bore is made by drilling through a portion of the spherical wall that is surrounded by the facing. The tube is engaged tightly in the bore, and a second welding material is deposited in the facing at the periphery of the tube in order to weld the tube to the first welding material. At least one of the operations of depositing the first and second welding materials in the facing is performed automatically by causing a welding torch to turn around the axis of the bore while moving the torch in a direction that is parallel to the axis of the bore and while causing it to pivot about an axis that is orthogonal to the axis of the bore while rotation is taking place.

Abstract: An annular facing is machined in an inside surface of the spherical wall around the periphery of a zone where the wall has a bore for securing the tube passing therethrough. A first welding material is deposited in the facing, and the bore is made by drilling through a portion of the spherical wall that is surrounded by the facing. The tube is engaged tightly in the bore, and a second welding material is deposited in the facing at the periphery of the tube in order to weld the tube to the first welding material. At least one of the operations of depositing the first and second welding materials in the facing is performed automatically by causing a welding torch to turn around the axis of the bore while moving the torch in a direction that is parallel to the axis of the bore and while causing it to pivot about an axis that is orthogonal to the axis of the bore while rotation is taking place.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for manufacturing a cross-linked expanded safety support having a cellular structure comprising closed cells. The process involves kneading by thermomechanical working a rubber composition comprising a diene elastomer having a molar ratio of diene units (defined as units resulting from dienes) of less than 15%, water in an amount of from 3 to 6 phr (phr=parts by weight per 100 parts elastomer), a blowing agent, such as azobisformamide, that provides for formation of the cellular structure and a vulcanization system. The rubber composition so prepared is then formed, e.g. by injection or extrusion, into cross-linkable blank, which is then cured in a mold and then demolded. The demolded blank is then expanded by decomposition of the blowing agent and vulcanized to produce the cross-linked expanded elastomeric support.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for manufacturing a cross-linked expanded safety support having a cellular structure comprising closed cells. The process involves kneading by thermomechanical working a rubber composition comprising a diene elastomer having a molar ratio of diene units (defined as units resulting from dienes) of less than 15%, water in an amount of from 3 to 6 phr (phr=parts by weight per 100 parts elastomer), a blowing agent, such as azobisformamide, that provides for formation of the cellular structure and a vulcanization system. The rubber composition so prepared is then formed, e.g. by injection or extrusion, into cross-linkable blank, which is then cured in a mold and then demolded. The demolded blank is then expanded by decomposition of the blowing agent and vulcanized to produce the cross-linked expanded elastomeric support.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for manufacturing a cross-linked expanded safety support having a cellular structure comprising closed cells. The process involves kneading by thermomechanical working a rubber composition comprising a diene elastomer having a molar ratio of diene units (defined as units resulting from dienes) of less than 15%, water in an amount of from 3 to 6 phr (phr=parts by weight per 100 parts elastomer), a blowing agent, such as azobisformamide, that provides for formation of the cellular structure and a vulcanization system. The rubber composition so prepared is then formed, e.g. by injection or extrusion, into cross-linkable blank, which is then cured in a mold and then demolded. The demolded blank is then expanded by decomposition of the blowing agent and vulcanized to produce the cross-linked expanded elastomeric support.