Abstract: A 3-stage switching system is provided for generating, i.e. finding, reserving and setting, path from one switch entrance port (1) to at least one switch exit port (transmit side) for asynchronously received and buffered data cells. While an Nth cell is being transferred, control means (36) generate a control word including the switch exit port address for cell (N+1)th to be subsequently transferred. Said control word is used to find and reserve a path through the switch on a stage-by-stage basis, and then set said path, if any, using a fed back acknowledgement. The (N+1)th cell path generation is performed during cell N transfer, on a cycle stealing basis.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process and an apparatus for moulding ingots of ferro-alloys by chill casting in a cooled copper mould.The apparatus comprises:an ingot mould (1) of copper, which is formed from two mould halves (2), at least one of which comprises a plurality of impressions (10) of the ingots to be moulded, communicating with each other by way of ducts (11, 12) and opening in the upper part by way of an ingate (18),means (5) for cooling each mould half (2) by a heat exchange fluid,means (9) for bringing the two mould halves into contact and into sealing relationship,means for moving the two mould halves away from each other, andmeans (7, 8) for guiding the mould halves in their movement away from each other and in their movement of coming into sealing relationship.

Abstract: A switching network for selectively connecting at least one input time-division channel on an input link (IL) to at least one output time-division channel on an output link (OL). The network is organized around a closed-loop link (10) on which circulates a multiplex message carrying 512 time-division exchange channels. The input and output links (LE and LS) are respectively multiplexed onto an input multiplex link (IML) and an output multiplex link (OML) which are coupled to the closed loop (10) by a switching module (SM). Each switching module comprises an input buffer (IB), an output buffer (OB) and a local buffer (LB) the addressing of which is selectively controlled by a time slot counter (CRT) or a corresponding pointer memory. So-called "broadcast" connections coupling one input channel to several output channels, and "in-cast" connections coupling several input channels to one output channel, can be established. Each of these connections uses only one exchange channel.

Abstract: The contents of input time-division channels on a closed-loop link (10LO, 10HI) are stored in a memory (173) at the address supplied by an input address counter (IAC) controlled by an incoming timing signal (2MCR). The memory is read out under control of an output address counter (OAC) controlled by an outgoing timing signal (2MCT). Each time interval is divided into one read period and two write periods. Means (186) are provided to select one of the two write periods dependent on the phase relationship between the incoming and outgoing timing signals. The units connected in series by means of the closed-loop link receive a timing signal circulating on a timing loop (15) that is closed by a master timing device (13). Slave timing devices (18) inserted in the timing loop regenerate the timing signals circulating thereon and check same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for rapidly solidifying and cooling molten metal oxides, by continuous casting, which according to the invention, comprises: feeding the molten metal oxides into the convergent space formed between two cylinders mounted for rotation about horizontal axes and rotated in opposite directions, i.e., counter-rotating, at a substantially equal peripheral speed, the distance between their axes being equal to the sum of the radius of each cylinder plus at least about one millimeter; cooling the walls of the cylinders to enable solidification of the molten material; controlling the rotary speed of the cylinders so that the molten metal oxide is not completely solidified until it reaches a point beyond a plane passing through the axes of rotation of the cylinders, and retrieving a solidified metal oxide product from the divergent space formed between the cylinders. The method is particularly suited to the production of fine grain abrasives of a corundum or courndum-zirconia base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the desulphurization of cast irons and steels.The product is constituted of the combination of magnesium shot or magnesium alloy with rounded contours having a granulometry of between 0.1 and 3 mm and a granulated slag having a basicity index higher than 1, containing alumina, lime, silica and magnesia, and optionally an additional flux having a granulometry of between 0.1 and 3 mm in a proportion ranging from 90 to 10% and preferably from 80 to 20% of magnesium shot and from 10 to 90% and preferably from 20 to 80% of granulated slag.Application to the desulphurization of forge pigs and foundry pig irons, to the nodularization of foundry pig irons by nozzle injection in a carrying gas stream into the liquid cast iron or steel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining manganese- and silicon-based alloys by silico-thermal means in a ladle.An oxidized liquid slag, usually originating from earlier metallurgical operations and still containing from 10 to 40% of manganese in the form of MnO is treated by a silicon-based reducing alloy (silicon content of at least 60% and preferably at least 70%) with agitation.A slag which is substantially exhausted of manganese and a metal containing more than 60% and generally more than 70% of manganese and from 5 to 40% and preferably from 10 to 35% of silicon are thus obtained.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process of desiliconization of manganese alloys in the liquid state.By injecting carbon dioxide into the liquid alloy, which injection can be effected by an additional neutral gas, or oxidizing agent, the silicon is oxidized to SiO.sub.2. The addition of lime or dolomite favors the slagging of the silicon. By this process the silicon content can be as low as 0.1%.The process is particularly applicable for obtaining a ferromanganese with low carbon and low silicon content.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of obtaining manganese alloys with an average carbon content by reacting liquid, carbon-containing ferro-manganese in a fluid tight chamber. Oxygen, mixed with a heat regulating gas such as CO.sub.2, air, nitrogen, argon or steam, is introduced and by controlling the discharge of the gaseous effluent, the pressure in the reactor is adjusted between 1.5 and 15 bars, to avoid volatilization of the manganese and a refined ferro-manganese is produced containing 0.5-2% carbon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrometallurgical process for the treatment of complex metal ores, such as oceanic nodules, containing, in particular, manganese and copper, in which the ores are subjected to reducing fusion to produce a primary slag, containing all the manganese, and a primary alloy containing copper, nickel and cobalt. The primary slag which is then decoppered, may be used for the production of ferro or silicomanganese, while the secondary alloy is recycled for the reducing fusion step.

Abstract: A modular digital signal processor based on a master-slave architecture has the capability of expanding its processing power by aggregating additional modules in a tree type structure. In such a processor the control functions are subdivided into groups, each for performance in a distinct control unit. One or more of the control units can perform a master function with respect to one or several slaved control units and can itself be a slave to a higher level control unit. The arithmetic data functions of the processor are performed in pipe line multiplier-accumulator units (PMAU), each of which is controlled by, instructions from an associated control unit.