Abstract: Motion of rams in fluid cylinders to drive machine parts is equalized by equalization chambers between drive chambers for equalizing outward and inward driven motion of the rams and the attached machine parts, irrespective of portions of loads and forces on the machine parts in relation to the rams. Duplicated machine parts may be closely positioned or widely separated, while providing the same controlled equalized movement irrespective of loading. The movable elements may be tilted to new angular positions before they are translated by the rams.

Abstract: Pipe joining compresses sleeves on abutted pipe ends. The sleeves are deformed beyond elastic limits, and the pipe ends are moved inward and exert outward forces on the sleeves. A machine has racks and an assembly of radial geared rollers which turn and compress the sleeves with grooves surfaces. Assemblies of fixed racks and assemblies of rollers on axles relatively move by hydraulic power, causing the rollers to turn and compress the sleeves.

Abstract: A radial dimension of a pipe is changed by applying contiguous pipe contacting surfaces of adjacent cam rollers. Pipe contacting surfaces uniformly vary in width of curvatures as distances change between a center of rotation of the cam rollers and the pipe contacting surfaces side walls of the cam rollers are shaped and adjacent. Bevel gear teeth on sloped side walls force all rollers to turn uniformly. Cylinders on a frame surrounding the pipe drive pistons, lever arms and cam rollers that move the pipe wall. Radial forces on the cam rollers hold sloped side walls adjacent, bevel gears engaged and pipe contacting surfaces contiguous. Smoothly deforming a pipe wall inward forms a nozzle sat an end, a restrictor, a pipe closure, a solid rod or a pipe joint. In a joint, outer and inner pipe walls are moved inward respectively beyond and within elastic limits, ensuring tightness.

Abstract: Smokestacks are built by constructing a reinforced pad, a reinforced base on the pad, placing a preconstructed smokestack welded base element and the reinforced base. A smokestack constructing machine is positioned on the base with cross beams extending above the welded base. A preassembled top section is placed on the beams. In a lower work area, jacks connected to lower fixtures on the top section raise the top section. Transition sections are inserted laterally on the beams, and the top section is lowered, attached and welded to the transition sections. The jacks are disconnected, lowered and reconnected. The top section is attached and welded to the lower section, which is raised to laterally insert another section. The raising, inserting, lowering, attaching, welding and raising steps are repeated until the smokestack is complete. Ladders and wind screws attachments are attached in an upper work area.

Abstract: A new conical roof building method provides flat plates having straight abutting edges and curved outer edges. The plates are placed horizontally edge to edge except for a sectoral opening. The plates are welded together to form a flat disc-shaped blank, leaving an open sector of the blank. Radial supports are welded to a top of the disc-shaped blank. A center of the disc-shaped blank is lifted, forming a conical-shaped structure, closing and abutting edges of the open sector and touching edges of the formerly open sector are welded together, completing the forming of the conical roof.

Abstract: A new conical roof building method provides flat plates having straight abutting edges and curved outer edges. The plates are placed horizontally edge to edge except for a sectoral opening. The plates are welded together to form a flat disc-shaped blank, leaving an open sector of the blank. Radial supports are welded to a top of the disc-shaped blank. A center of the disc-shaped blank is lifted, forming a conical-shaped structure, closing and abutting edges of the open sector and touching edges of the formerly open sector are welded together, completing the forming of the conical roof.

Abstract: A gantry crane has a rigid open three-dimensional truss cross-beam. A lower I-beam and parallel upper X-beams are interconnected with angular gussets and angle irons forming a triangular open beam bounded by three trusses. Angular gussets on the sides are as parallel members to provide maximum strength. One end support is rigid, with upper ends of legs having plates bolted to one end plate extending between the X-beams. Outrigger legs have an upper plate bolted to a sloped plate at an extended end of the I-beam. Vertical support legs at the other end have a strengthening cross-member and upper vertical plates which are bolted to the end plate on the X-beams. The unusual cross-beam structure and the unusual rigid leg structure and rigid interconnection provide rigidity of the entire crane. The vertical support legs accommodate variations in tracks.

Abstract: Large tanks are built by welding pre-formed plates in operations near the ground. An annular concrete base with extended lifter pads is poured. Floor plates are lifted using lifting nuts, are placed on compacted sand and river gravel and are welded laterally. Peripheral templates are welded to the floor. Nested pre-curved plates are transported vertically. Forklifts move the plates using cleats, yokes and turntables. Pre-curved plates are welded vertically, forming a first ring. A roof is built on and welded to the first ring. The first ring and roof are lifted with self-climbing hydraulic lifters on lifting pillars. Additional rings are assembled in sequences of plate positioning, vertical welding, lowering the above structure using guides and spacers, horizontal welding, lifting, repeating the steps, and finally welding the bottom ring to the floor.

Abstract: A step-by-step bending machine has a first movable bending member, a second cooperating adjustably fixed bending member, and a third central positionally fixed bending member on an opposite side of a plate to be bent from the first and second members and positioned between the first and second members. The second and third members hold the plate while the first member bends the plate against the third central member. The second member is positionally adjustable to accommodate thickness of the plate. The first member is positioned by cooperating pairs of positioning rams and is moved against the plate by parallel main rams.

Abstract: Elevators are maintained in level condition by four fixed ropes or cables passing diagonally across an elevator in angularly related opposite directions. The ropes extend from opposite corners of the elevator to fixed upper and lower ends. Moving the elevator causes equal and opposite changes in lengths of the portions of the ropes extending upward and downward from the pulleys on the elevator, keeping the elevator level.

Abstract: Synchronizing hydraulic cylinders is provided by interconnected double-acting cylinders with dual pistons and central dividers which, with the pistons, divide the cylinders into four chambers. The outer chambers drive the pistons and the loads attached to the piston rods. The inversely interconnected intermediate inner chambers synchronize and balance piston and load movement. In double piston divided cylinders opposite outer chambers move a connected load and reversely connected inner chambers synchronize the load.