Abstract: An electric arc saw and a method for operating the saw for cutting metallic objects by melting a narrow kerf into the object are disclosed. The method provides for determining the minimum cutting current. The blade is advanced through the object at a speed which is continuously monitored and varied as required to maintain the current flow between the blade and the object substantially constant. The saw blade is a thin disc formed from electrically conductive material and having a plurality of gullets disposed radially about its periphery. At least some of the gullets extend into a slit which has a much narrower width than the gullet. The gullets act to circulate water and remove cutting debris while the blade rotates. Both the gullets and the slits prevent deformation of the blade due to heating.

Abstract: An electric arc saw and a method for operating the saw for cutting metallic objects by melting a narrow kerf into the object are disclosed. The method provides for determining the minimum cutting current. The blade is advanced through the object at a speed which is continuously monitored and varied as required to maintain the current flow between the blade and the object substantially constant. The blade is mounted to a vertically disposed, hollow piston that reciprocates in a cylinder mounted to and movable along a cross-head. The piston can be pivoted abouts its axis to align the blade with the different cutting directions. When the object is so large that the threshold cutting current exceeds the available power supply, or when the power supply exceeds the threshold by a small amount only, the blade is operated to cut through the object in multiple passes, each at a depth which is less than the thickness of the object and chosen to provide a high cutting speed.

Abstract: A rotatable mounting for the crucible of an electric induction furnace is disclosed. The mounting apparatus includes an access cylinder rotatably mounted within a tubular flange on one wall of the furnace enclosure. Positive and negative slip ring assemblies are mounted at the front of the access cylinder together with a hose reel assembly. The slip ring assemblies each comprise a rotor which is secured to the access cylinder and a stator which is attached to the wall of the enclosure. Flexible electric power leads are attached to terminal blocks at the bottom of each stator and provide both water and electricity to the furnace. Flexible hoses leading from the terminal blocks to the hose reel assembly provide water to the electric heating elements, which are colis made of metal tubing. Electricity is conducted through the slip ring assemblies to power leads which are mounted in the positive and negative rotors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning and fastening open ended tubular members, such as pipes, tanks, and other cylindrically shaped fluid enclosures, which have radially outwardly protruding flanges extending around the circumference of the open ends. The flanges have flat mating faces and tapered back sides defining conical surfaces which converge radially outwardly when the flanges of two tubular members are abutted. The fastening device comprises a ring, a plurality of rotatable and radially movable clamping spools retained on the ring, and a like plurality of bolts on the ring for moving the clamping spools radially inward. The rotatable clamping spools have a cylindrical shank and rim segments at the shank ends which extend around only a portion of the shank circumference.

Abstract: High purity metallic powder is made from high purity metallic rod by positioning the rod above a horizontally oriented, cooled and rotating electrode. An electric potential is applied between the rod and the electrode so that the electrode end porixmate the disc is progressively melted down. Molten droplets are thrown off the disc by centrifugal forces onto a cooled, rotating, concave shield which intercepts the trajectory of the droplets. As the droplets contact the cooled shield they solidify and are deflected into a collector. The melting and cooling operations are performed in a controlled atmosphere, e.g., in a vacuum.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for cutting a workpiece by a rotary arc saw wherein the residue from the cutting of the workpiece presents atmospheric contamination or the like. The apparatus includes a cutting chamber adapted to contain a fluid coolant which is flowable into and out of the chamber continuously. A rotary arc saw is mounted in the chamber in spaced relationship to a workpiece mount so that, when an arc is established between the arc saw and the workpiece, the workpiece will be progressively cut by the heat of the arc until it is cut to a predetermined depth or is completely severed. An impeller is carried by the arc saw for rotation therewith. The impeller extends below the upper level of the fluid coolant therein and causes circulation of the fluid in the chamber to present a fluid curtain which extends upwardly and across the fluid outlet of the chamber. The residue from the cutting action is caused to circulate in the curtain and to pass out of the chamber to the fluid outlet thereof.