Abstract: An apparatus and method for conducting destructive testing is disclosed. A flywheel 14 supports a hammer 60 on an outer periphery thereof and in fixed position relative thereto. A carriage 90 includes a support mechanism which supports a coupon C taken from an article of manufacture. The carriage 90 moves between a first retracted position and a second deployed position. In the deployed position, the coupon C is placed into the path of the hammer 60 as the flywheel 14 rotates. Sensing means 200 are provided for sequencing the advancement of the coupon C into the hammer's path. Means are provided for disengaging a drive which powers the flywheel 14 immediately prior to the hammer 60 impacting and severing the coupon C. Means are further provided for measuring the decrement in flywheel speed caused by severing the coupon C. The decrement can be related to the force required in passing the hammer 60 through the coupon C which in turn relates to thez properties of material forming the coupon C.

Abstract: Apparatus to reduce the force required to move a load along a flat or inclined surface utilizing an assembly of two traction wheels on a common axis whereby one wheel is free to rotate and the other is prevented from rotation and vice versa by the use of a uni-directional control arm system and means for applying a horizontal oscillating force in alternating left and right hand directions in the form of a relatively long handle attached to the axle housing midway between said traction wheels. The wheel assembly is particularly useful for trailers for carrying animals, small boats, recreational vehicles, two-wheeled hand trucks and similar applications.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for rolling a section of metal plate into a cylindrical pipe section wherein leading and trailing edges of said plate section are pre-crimped to the final desired radius of said cylindrical pipe section, feeding the leading edge of said plate section into a forming mill that includes an overhead mandrel having a radius approximating said final desired radius of said pipe section, forcing said mandrel to deflect along the length thereof during the forming of said plate section between said mandrel and a pair of driven bending roll means whereby said mandrel and said bending roll means are maintained at the same curvature throughout the length thereof and said plate section is uniformly bent along the length thereof to said desired final radius.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for rolling a section of metal plate into a cylindrical pipe section wherein leading and trailing edges of said plate section are pre-crimped to the final desired radius of said cylindrical pipe section, feeding the leading edge of said plate section into a forming mill that includes an overhead mandrel having a radius approximating said final desired radius of said pipe section, forcing said mandrel to deflect along the length thereof during the forming of said plate section between said mandrel and a pair of driven bending roll means whereby said mandrel and said bending roll means are maintained at the same curvature throughout the length thereof and said plate section is uniformly bent along the length thereof to said desired final radius.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for rolling a section of metal plate into a cylindrical pipe section wherein leading and trailing edges of said plate section are pre-crimped to the final desired radius of said cylindrical pipe section, feeding the leading edge of said plate section into a forming mill that includes an overhead mandrel having a radius approximating said final desired radius of said pipe section, forcing said mandrel to deflect along the length thereof during the forming of said plate section between said mandrel and a pair of driven bending roll means whereby said mandrel and said bending roll means are maintained at the same curvature throughout the length thereof and said plate section is uniformly bent along the length thereof to said desired final radius.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for accurately aligning and applying the outside longitudinal weld seam, with the weld seam of a section of large diameter thick gauge steel pipe generally after the inside weld has already been made, including support means for maintaining the pipe section in a stationary position, a plurality of adjustable scanning and tracking assemblies mounted at spaced measured stations along the length of the apparatus, each of which include optical scanning means whereby the scanning and tracking assemblies can be centered with respect to the seam weld of the pipe section at the point of scan, guide means connected to each scanning assembly so that the movement thereof causes said guide means to assume a contour corresponding to the longitudinal weld seam, and a welding machine which follows the path of said guide means to thereby apply the outside weld seam in alignment with the weld seam as the pipe is held stationary and the welding machine travels along the length thereof.

Abstract: Method and means for preforming the long edges of steel plate prior to manufacture into pipe by the U-O Process or the like by utilizing plate of a width exceeding that required for pipe of a given diameter by an amount at each edge having an excess at least equal to the width of the pipe. Roll-forming the plate to use the excess [at least equal to the width of the pipe. Roll-forming the plate to use the excess] width thereof as a lever arm to obtain a bend at the bitter edges of the pipe (edges required for pipe) of a radius required for the pipe and thereafter shearing the plate to form the bitter edges, followed by bevelling and polishing the bitter edges, and further roll-forming the edge area to complete the preform thereof.

Abstract: A pipe press having a main press section and at least one end press section aligned with the main section for movement with and independently of the main section. The press is designed to accommodate elongate heavy gauge steel pipe blanks having lengths varying between the length of the main section and the combined composite length of the main and end sections. Because of the independence of the end section relative to the main section, the main section is loaded uniformly, even though a blank may be of a length less than the combined composite length of the press. The end press section is free to move axially relative to the main press section to accommodate elongation of a blank during operation of the press. Actuating cylinders for the press are arranged in paired sets extending transversely of the press dies to provide increased load capacity, without resorting to the use of extraordinarily large cylinders.

Abstract: A pipe facing machine performs cutting, bevelling and deburring operations on an end of a pipe that is stationarily held in the same position during all three operations. A tool head that rotates about the pipe carries knives for performing the various operations. Initially, two diametrically opposed cutting knives are advanced in a radially inward direction to engage the pipe while the tool head is rotating to cut it at a predetermined location. Thereafter, as the cutting knives are being withdrawn, a bevelling knife and a deburring knife are advanced radially inward to a point where the bevelling knife provides a desired bevel on the cut edge of the pipe. During the radially inward motion of the deburring knife, it is maintained at an axially displaced position where it does not engage the pipe.

Abstract: Latch and guide system for gripping steel plate and the like while it is edge-formed. A pulley system is driven to apply tension to cables which actuate gripping clamps. The clamps travel within channel guides along the length of the system and restrain the plate from lateral movement.

Abstract: Method and means for preforming the long edges of steel plate prior to manufacture into pipe by the U-O Process or the like by utilizing plate of a width exceeding that required for pipe of a given diameter by an amount at each edge having an excess at least equal to the width of the pipe. Roll-forming the plate to use the excess width thereof as a lever arm to obtain a bend at the bitter edges of the pipe (edges required for pipe) of a radius required for the pipe and thereafter shearing the plate to form the bitter edges, followed by bevelling and polishing the bitter edges, and further roll-forming the edge area to complete the preform thereof.

Abstract: A method of continuously casting metal comprising feeding molten metal into an open-ended mold to form a billet, cooling the molten metal in the mold to form a solidified skin on the billet, withdrawing the billet from the mold, and applying external fluid pressure to the withdrawn portion of the billet. The external fluid pressure is sufficient to prevent breakout of molten metal through the skin, and the magnitude of the external pressure applied to one region of the billet is less than the magnitude of the external pressure applied to another region of the billet.