Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a Mo-containing master alloy that is radiolucent. In accordance with the present invention, two elements may be used to reduce the density of a Mo-containing master alloy enough to make the master alloy radiolucent, aluminum or titanium. Aluminum is required in the particular titanium alloy in the same weight ratio as Mo and cannot be used to decrease the master alloy density without skewing the ratio. Since the master alloy is being added to a titanium melt, much more titanium can be used to reduce the master alloy density.

Abstract: The present invention relates to titanium base alloys, and more particularly to aluminum-molybdenum-zirconium-tin master alloys, which are suitable for further alloying into titanium base alloys. The present invention also relates to methods for producing aluminum-molybdenum-zirconium-tin master alloys, which are useful in providing titanium base alloys containing refractory materials of greater homogeneity. In accordance with the present invention, the tin: zirconium ratio is reduced from about 1:2 to about 1:1, thereby lowering the amount of excess zirconium. After the highest melting point tin: zirconium intermetallic phases have been precipitated, there is little or no excess zirconium to precipitate out with aluminum; therefore, all of the aluminum is available to combine with molybdenum to precipitate the target lower melting point intermetallic phases.

Abstract: An underground augering system comprising a drill unit adjustably connected to a retrieving unit by interchangeable and adjustable connectors to provide for simultaneous drilling of one hole and the removal of auger flights from a previous drilled hole, a crowd mechanism within each unit to move the drill and retrieval carriages to and from holes, a transfer arm to move auger flights to and from a staging rack within the retrieval unit and belly pan within the drill unit, and belly pan within the retrieval unit, a mechanism and staging rack for the storage of auger flights, and a delatch mechanism within the drill unit and retrieval unit to disengage the latch lever in an auger flight for removal of the auger flight from a string of auger flights.

Abstract: A telescoping hoist assembly and holding fork mechanism for an augering apparatus comprising a telescoping hoist arm with independently operating lift capability to lift auger flights to add them to or remove them from a string driving a cutting head for augering operations and a fork ram mechanism moveable horizontally and vertically within the augering apparatus to assist in the positioning of auger flights in their addition to or removal from the string.

Abstract: In an augering apparatus for rotating and advancing a cutting head longitudinally of the apparatus driven by a string of auger flights with helical flighting, an auger flight support comprising a plurality of radially extending support legs affixed to a bearing housing surrounding a bearing rotatably affixed to the auger drive shank disposed at one end of a two-ended auger flight to support the auger flight independently of the support provided by the auger flighting to reduce wear and tear of the helical flighting and to eliminate frictional drag of the string of auger flights.

Abstract: Auger apparatus is disclosed adapted to utilize one or more augers each formed of a string of auger sections. The apparatus includes means for hoisting one or a plurality of auger sections simultaneously between a storage rack and a position for placement in an auger string. The hoist means includes bridge rails extending transversely of and above the machine, a trolley that travels on the bridge rails, lifting apparatus including a cable on the trolley and a carriage supported by the lifting apparatus and carrying a plurality of tongs for grasping auger sections. A safety connection is provided between the carriage and the lifting apparatus to prevent inadvertant release of a raised auger section. A collapsible and expandable assembly of multiple pairs of cross links pivotally joined at their midpoints is connected between the trolley and the tong carriage at two sides thereof to guide and stabilize the tong carriage and auger sections as they are moved.

Abstract: An auger machine, such as a mining machine, embodying features that reduce the cost of mining.

Abstract: A lever-operated latching device for securing in endwise coupled relation a socket portion and mating shank of axially aligned auger sections of an auger mining machine. The latching device is designed to be of minimum radial dimension so as to fit in a hole of limited radial cross section bored by the auger machine, and includes a latch pin that reciprocates in a passage formed in the socket portion between an extended position in latching engagement with the shank and a retracted unlatching position. The pin is biased by a spring toward its extended position and is retractable by a lever that engages a retractor element on the pin and that also acts as limit means that prevents the pin from extending beyond its extended latching position against the force of the spring. Openings are provided to permit removal by the latch pin of debris that could impair operative movement of the latch pin.

Abstract: Auger apparatus comprising a driving power train in which one or two auxiliary powertrain boxes are provided, two auxiliary boxes being used when two or more augers are to be driven, and one auxiliary box being used when only one auger is to be driven. The apparatus as a whole can be substantially shorter and closer to the ground than the apparatus of this type heretofore used, which required less excavating of the ledge adjacent the wall in which drilling is to occur, and makes possible easier transportation.

Abstract: A lever-operated latching device for securing in endwise coupled relation a socket and mating shank of axially aligned auger sections of an auger mining machine, and a mechanism for automatically releasing essentially simultaneously a plurality of lever-operated latching devices of auger sections located in generally coplanar parallel adjacent alignment, the operating levels of the levers of which latching devices are subject to displacement from an intended coplanar relationship. The latching device is designed to be of minimum radial dimension so as to fit in a limited radial cross section of hole bored by the auger machine, and includes a latch pin that reciprocates in a passage formed in the socket between an extended position in latching engagement with the shank and a retracted unlatching position.