Abstract: A method for forming an electrode plate which includes an active portion pasted with active material and a plate head which includes a connection tab. The plate head is constituted by the same metal foam as the plate support, but the density of the metal foam in the plate head is not less than 2.5 times the density of the metal foam in the remainder of the electrode plate, the higher density of the plate head coming from an operation in which the foam of the support is compressed, the tab of the plate head emerging from the middle of the thickness of the plate and being derived from compression of the support in two directions: compression firstly in the direction of its height; and compression secondly in the direction of its thickness. Such an electrode plate is made from a plate of metal foam whose top edge is compressed so as to form the plate head.

Abstract: The electrode plate includes an active portion that is pasted with active material, and a plate head that is made up of three layers of compressed metal foam comprising: a non-pasted portion of height G of the support of the electrode plate; and two strips of non-pasted metal foam of height R on either side of the non-pasted portion of height G of the support and also extending for an overlap height h.sub.2 over the pasted portion of the support. The plate head includes a zone of reduced thickness including a portion that is maximally compressed, and a transitional portion between said maximally compressed portion and the remainder of the electrode which is of thickness e.sub.2. A portion of said plate head forms a connection tab. The method of obtaining the electrode consists in simultaneously rolling all three layers of metal foam in the plate head, and then in cutting matter away from the plates so as to obtain respective connection tabs.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and determining the distances of points on a surface from a reference axis includes a light source, such as a laser, for projecting a main beam of light of relatively small diameter along an axis. A device, such as a diffraction grating, is provided for splitting the main beam of light into a plurality of discrete fractional beams of light. A further component, such as a diverging lens, angularly displaces the fractional beams relative to each other so the beams extend along a common plane towards a position for an object. Light reflected from the surface is projected onto a linear photodetector, the positions where the reflected fractional beams strike the linear photodetector being related to the distance from a reference axis to the points on the object where the fractional beams are reflected.

Abstract: A broach system comprises a plurality of disposable carbide inserts which are precisely positioned and secured within the slot of a broach holder. An elongated side clamp having a shaped contact surface is located along one side of the slot on a sloping surface of the holder. The side clamp is tightened camming the inserts against the side and bottom locating surfaces of the holder. A front clamp is also mounted to the holder and tightened which forces the inserts against a rear stop on the holder. Several holders may be readily assembled in series to perform a complete broaching operation such as dovetail forms in super high strength materials used in gas turbine engines. The broach system replaces the conventional broach design of brazed construction wherein carbide blanks are permanently fastened to a steel holder and it is an improvement over conventional mechanically held inserts. As advantages, the system reduces down time and set-up time.

Abstract: Walls are constructed using roof support posts for load bearing, and panels therebetween. The panels provide both the inner and outer surfaces of the walls, and form with adjacent panels, recesses to accommodate the roof support posts.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and determining the distances of points on a surface from a reference axis includes a light source, such as a laser, for projecting a main beam of light of relatively small diameter along an axis. A device, such as a diffraction grating, is provided for splitting the main beam of light into a plurality of discrete fractional beams of light. A further component, such as a diverging lens, angularly displaces the fractional beams relative to each other so the beams extend along a common plane towards a position for an object. Light reflected from the surface is projected onto a linear photodetector, the positions where the reflected fractional beams strike the linear photodetector being related to the distance from a reference axis to the points on the object where the fractional beams are reflected.