Abstract: An operating method of a combined plant that has several gas turbines and exhaust heat recovery boilers which generate steam by exhaust gas from the gas turbines wherein exhaust gas from each of the heat recovery boilers is passed through exhaust gas ducts and discharged from a common chimney. The method includes operating a combined plant having plural axes which may be suitably started or stopped and having means for discharging exhaust gas from three or more gas turbines through one common chimney. When the pressure at a joining part of an exit duct of an exhaust heat recovery boiler is a positive pressure or the atmospheric temperature is higher than a preset atmospheric temperature, gas turbines can be re-started or stopped without back-flow of exhaust gas of the gas turbine.

Abstract: In a method for operating a power station which consists essentially of a gas turbine group, of a waste-heat steam generator (20), of an intermediate superheater (22) and of a steam circuit with a steam turbine (14), a first steam quantity (28) is initially formed in the waste-heat steam generator (20) from the operation of the intermediate superheater (22) and is used for charging the steam turbine (14). The power resulting from this is transferred directly or indirectly into the gas turbine group and serves there as startup power for putting the gas turbine group into operation.

Abstract: An engine casing structure for a gas turbine engine or the like is described which comprises two substantially tubular shaped axially adjacent abutting casing portions and a rotatable clamping ring on one casing portion having a plurality of lugs which engage a corresponding plurality of lugs on the axially adjacent casing portion providing a positive clamping force between the two casing portions, the clamping ring being held in place by a small plurality (eight or fewer) of bolts.

Abstract: Device for fixing an air intake to a jet engine and jet engine incorporating such a device.This device for fixing an air intake (24) to a jet engine (10) installed on a support strut (12) and having a fan (18) and a fan frame or case (20) is characterized in that the device has a hinge (32) fitted between the air intake (24) and the support strut (12) of the jet engine (10), in order to support and pivot the air intake (24) between a closed position, where the intake (24) and the fan frame (20) are arranged substantially coaxially, and an open position, where the intake is angularly spaced from said frame (20).

Abstract: In a gas turbine having a transition region between a combustor and turbine stage including a transition piece duct extending between a combustor liner and the turbine stage; an impingement sleeve surrounding the transition piece, the impingement sleeve having a plurality of apertures therein; and a compressor diffuser directing compressor discharge air into the transition region, an improvement wherein the diffuser includes a pair of outer walls flaring outwardly in a direction of compressor discharge air flow; and a pair of baffles within a flow area defined by the pair of outer diffuser walls which divide the flow area into three discrete flow passages. One passage has a substantially radial flow component; a second passage has both radial and axial flow components; and a third passage has a substantially axial flow component.

Abstract: A catalyst deterioration detection device for an internal combustion engine, according to the present invention, includes a three-way catalyst mounted in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine and having an O.sub.2 storage capability and an air-fuel ratio sensor, mounted upstream of the three-way catalyst, for linearly detecting an air-fuel ratio. An air-fuel ratio feedback control unit, based on the output of the air-fuel ratio sensor, calculates a feedback correction amount consisting of a proportional term for bringing the air-fuel ratio to stoichiometry and an integral term for bringing an integrated value of an error between the air-fuel ratio and stoichiometry to zero. An O.sub.2 sensor, mounted downstream of the three-way catalyst, detects whether the air-fuel ratio is rich or lean. A catalyst deterioration determining unit determines deterioration of the three-way catalyst on the basis of the length of a response curve that the output of the O.sub.

Abstract: A device for judging the deterioration of a three-way catalyst comprising an upstream O.sub.2 sensor and a downstream O.sub.2 sensor which are arranged in the exhaust passage upstream and downstream of the three-way catalyst respectively. When the ratio of length of the output signal response curve of the downstream O.sub.2 sensor and the length of the output signal response curve of the upstream O.sub.2 sensor is over a threshold level, it is judged that the three-way catalyst has deteriorated. The judgement of deterioration of the three-way catalyst is performed when the three-way catalyst starts to be activated. At this time, the lower the temperature of the downstream O.sub.2 sensor, the lower the threshold level is made.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning exhaust gases of solid particles comprises a rotational combustion chamber (1), a swirler (2) and a soot collector (3) separated from one another by a separating cavity (7) and located on the same axis downstream the gas flow. A catalytic unit (4) for neutralizing harmful gaseous emissions is arranged coaxially inside the soot collector (3). The apparatus is provided with an inlet pipe (8) and an outlet pipe (9). The swirler is made in the form of an impeller. The unit (4) for neutralizing harmful gaseous emissions is made in the form of a cylindrical body (5) comprising longitudinal channels (6) with a catalytically active internal layer applied-thereto. The longitudinal channels (6) have a curvilinear closed-type shape in their cross-section and the catalytically active layer has the same thickness over the entire internal surface of the longitudinal channels (6), which thickness is uniform both over the cross-section of the unit (4) and throughout its length.

Abstract: A master cylinder comprising a body (4) pierced with a bore (5) closed on a first side by an end (6) and on a second side by a piston (7). The piston (7) slides in the bore (5) to delimit a pressure chamber (8). The pressure chamber (8) is connected by a pressure pipe (12) to at least one brake motor through an outlet (11) therein. The chamber (8) and the pressure pipe (12) together delimiting a working volume filled with a hydraulic fluid. The working volume is partially delimited by a leak-off device (19) which is responsive to an impact to selectively allow hydraulic fluid to leak off toward the outside of the working volume.

Abstract: A defined exhuast restriction in the form of an orifice or variable valve is provided to back-pressure the pulsating exhaust of an air motor or the like to reduce the formation of ice in the exhaust system.

Abstract: A multi-stream fuel injector for a gas turbine engine comprises a plurality of concentric member which define a plurality of flow passages carrying HP compressor air or fuel/air mixture. One of the members is formed with a wide-angle, frusto-conical flared lip to propagate a wide-angle fuel/air mixture cone in the combustion region. The lip is of such a cross-sectional configuration that air flowing over the lip surface remains attached to the surface and flows in a non-turbulent manner, initially in a radially inward direction, and subsequently in a radially outward direction. The lip ensures that undesirable regions of recirculation are avoided around the fuel injector.

Abstract: A combustor liner (2) for convectively cooling a combustor chamber (16) in a gas turbine (4) comprises a chamber wall (30) with an array of coolant channels (60) formed therein. Supply manifolds (50) are coupled to the coolant channel inlets for directing bypass air through the channels, where the bypass air removes heat from the chamber wall, and discharge manifolds (52) are coupled to the coolant channel outlets for discharging the heated bypass air to the turbine (10). The coolant channels are spaced and distributed throughout the combustor liner so that the coolant flows through a substantial portion of the liner. The coolant channels are minute channels with relatively short flow paths to minimize both the pressure drop and the quantity of bypass air required to cool the wall. In addition, the channels are completely enclosed within the chamber wall to significantly improve the heat transfer characteristics of the combustor liner.

Abstract: A thermoelectric heat transfer system having a thermoelectric device and a heat exchanger with an evaporating surface and a condensing surface. A working fluid is sealed within the heat exchanger. The thermoelectric device includes a thermally conductive hot plate and a thermally conductive cold plate with thermoelectric elements disposed therebetween and the thermoelectric elements are electrically coupled in series and thermally coupled in parallel. The evaporating surface of the heat exchanger is thermally coupled with the hot plate. A fluid flow path to allow working fluid in its vapor phase to flow from the evaporating surface to the condensing surface and working fluid in its liquid phase to flow from the condensing surface to the evaporating surface.

Abstract: The weight of crank mechanism portion is reduced and driving force efficiency is improved by reducing in the friction loss in the driving force on the side of a compression piston. A gas compressor expander includes a first expansion cylinder and a first displacer arranged in a T shape, a first connecting lever, a first compression cylinder, a first compression piston, a second expansion cylinder and a second displacer also arranged in a T shape, a second connecting lever, a second compression cylinder, a second compression piston. A first expansion chamber, a first compression chamber, and a third compression chamber are communicated through a first communicating tube, while a second expansion chamber, a second compression chamber, and a fourth compression chamber are communicated through a second communicating tube.

Abstract: A free piston Vuillermier machine which is an external combustion heat machine using a regenerative cycle, wherein a low-temperature displacer is made hollow to form a low-temperature displacer gas spring chamber, a low-temperature displacer rod is made hollow to form a hollow chamber for accommodating a high-temperature displacer rod therein as well as a high-temperature displacer gas spring chamber. Further, in the above configuration, a gas spring chamber passage may be formed to make the high-temperature displacer gas spring chamber communicate with the low-temperature displacer gas spring chamber. A high-temperature displacer mechanical spring may be provided in the high-temperature displacer gas spring chamber, and a low-temperature displacer mechanical spring mounted on the low-temperature displacer rod may be provided in the low-temperature displacer gas spring chamber.

Abstract: A system for producing cryogenic sterile nitrogen wherein liquid nitrogen is first vaporized and subsequently heated prior to undergoing sterilization, the warm sterilized nitrogen vapor is cooled to effect the vaporization of the liquid nitrogen, and the resulting cooled sterilized nitrogen is condensed to produce the product cryogenic sterile nitrogen. The system may be used to produce other cryogenic sterile cryogens also.

Abstract: A cryogenic cooling apparatus is provided, wherein the degree of freedom of installation and use is increased without deteriorating the reliability or stability and the range of uses of the apparatus is also increased. A coil unit and a refrigeration unit are positioned such that a second heat conductive member disposed on an extendible wall of a vacuum container and a fourth heat conductive member disposed on an extendible wall of another vacuum container face each other coaxially. In this state, the coil unit and refrigeration unit are relatively moved to approach each other, and thus the second heat conductive member and fourth heat conductive member come in contact. If the coil unit and refrigeration unit are further moved, the extendible wall extends and consequently the second heat conductive member comes in contact with a first heat conductive member. In addition, the extendible wall contracts and consequently the fourth heat conductive member comes in contact with a third heat conductive member.

Abstract: A method of cooling a liquid process fluid in which a liquid process stream is formed from the liquid process fluid and the process fluid contained within the liquid process stream is frozen into a conveyable particulate form. The conveyable particulate form is introduced back into the liquid process fluid. The liquid process fluid can be contained within a container and pumped through a pipe connected to the container to form the liquid process stream. A freezing chamber connected to the top of the container can be provided to countercurrently directly exchange heat between rising vaporized coolant and descending liquid process fluid. The resultant conveyable particulate form can be metered by provision of a valve.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for separting a refrigerant from oil and/or impurities contained in components of a compressor cooling system. When retrofitting a compressor cooling system using a CFC refrigerant into use of a chloride HFC refrigerant, the mineral oil mixed into the CFC refrigerant has to be seperated. It is thereby a problem that the oil is spread in all the components of the system and that existing cleansing technique is not efficient, since it does not cleanse all the components as the technique used involves that some of the components are by-passed. According to the invention these problems are solved by temporarily connecting an oil removal device in series with the compressor cooling system without having to by-pass any components. The compressor cooling system is filled with refrigerant, e.g. R134a.

Abstract: In a heating mode, the fluid in the air conditioning circuit flows in a bypass branch avoiding the condenser. The evaporator then receives the fluid in the gaseous state and acts as a heat exchanger for dissipating the heat produced in the compressor. The heat dissipated by the evaporator may be employed to heat the cabin when that produced by the drive motor of the vehicle is insufficient. In addition, special configurations of the circuit enable the mass of fluid flowing in the heating loop to be increased or reduced with a view to regulating the calorific power produced.

Abstract: A refrigerant circulating system using non-azeothropic mixture as refrigerant, which comprises: a main refrigerant circuit connected by a compressor, a fore-way valve, an outdoor heat-exchanger, a first throttling device, a plurality of indoor heat-exchangers, and a low-pressure receiver; a bypass circuit diverging from the discharge portion of the compressor, and extending through a composition detecting heat-exchanger and a second throttling device to a low-pressure portion; an outdoor fun attendant of the outdoor heat-exchanger; first temperature detector to detect a refrigerant temperature at the upstream of the second throttling device; second temperature detector to detect a refrigerant temperature at the downstream of the second throttling device; first pressure detector to detect a pressure at the downstream of the second throttling device; third temperature detector to detect temperature in the main circuit between the first throttling device and the indoor heat-exchanger; forth temperature detector

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an automatic ice maker and a dispenser for dispensing water to the outside of the refrigerator. The ice maker and dispenser are supplied with water from a common reservoir by a common pump. A valve is actuated by a controller to communicate the reservoir with either the dispenser or the ice maker, but not with both simultaneously. The controller acts in response to water-needed signals from the dispenser and ice maker, but always gives precedent to the dispenser signal. If water is in the process of being supplied to the ice maker when a water-needed signal is received from the dispenser, the water supply will be temporarily diverted to the dispenser until the dispenser no longer needs water.

Abstract: An absorption refrigerating machines-group apparatus that can be installed at reduced cost and prevent the occurrence of abnormal situations due to the unexpected suspension of the operation of a cooling water pump is provided. The absorption refrigerating machines-group apparatus according to the invention comprises a control panel 200 for issuing control signals, an adapter 300 having a control section 310 for relaying control signals and absorption refrigerating machines 100A, 100B, 100C having respective control sections 80, said control sections 310 and 80 being connected by a telecommunications line L51. When a signal for suspending the operation of the shared cooling water pump is relayed, the currently operating absorption refrigerating machines are brought into a temporary state that allows the operation of the cooling water pump P2 to be suspended through an exchange of signals between the control sections 310 and 80.

Abstract: A controller for a climate control system has a relative humidity sensor as well as a dry-bulb temperature sensor within the enclosure. The humidity value is used in conjunction with the dry-bulb temperature to generate an apparent temperature error signal which is a function of both the dry-bulb temperature and the relative humidity values. This permits robust control of both enclosure temperature and enclosure moisture content without abnormal cycling of the climate control system. Instead of using a sensor which directly measures the apparent temperature, the apparent temperature can be synthesized from the relative humidity and dry-bulb temperature within the enclosure. Alternately, the sensed and set point apparent temperature values can be synthesized from any two thermodynamic properties of the moist air within the enclosure.

Abstract: A new load intensive-cooling apparatus of a refrigerator includes a base plate fixed in an upper portion of the rear wall of a cooling compartment and having a vent in the middle thereof, a plurality of vanes pivoted on the base plate to thereby direct cooling air, a slide lever for moving the vanes left and right, a motor for horizontally moving the slide lever, a limit switch provided adjacent to an end of the slide lever for controlling the motor, a cover having a plurality of slots therein for passing the cooling air, and a pair of temperature sensors fixed on the side walls of the cooling compartment for detecting a temperature variation in the cooling compartment. The apparatus enables cooling a newly loaded food rapidly and intensively as well as preventing the temperature of the cooling compartment from being raised. Further, it serves to reduce electric power consumption.

Abstract: A sealing member is continuously formed along the periphery of a cover for closing an opening of an air conditioning body unit by painting, and starting and terminating ends of the sealing member correspond to a position of an insulator of inlet and outlet pipes extending from the opening. Even when the positions of the starting and terminating ends are deviated to some extent, the sealing performance can be certainly secured by absorbing such a deviation with the wall thickness of the insulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an accessory structure for vehicle air-conditioner for improving the compartment atmosphere by cleaning the evaporator as heat exchanger and others or feeding aromatic or other functional solvent in a vehicle air-conditioner for taking in external air or internal air from an air-conditioning air intake route, and more particularly to an accessory structure for vehicle air-conditioner capable of improving the compartment atmosphere, by connecting a solvent feed route to solvent flow injection means provided at the upstream side of the heat exchanger in the air-conditioning air intake route, providing the base end of the solvent feed route with receiving means separated from the solvent source, fixing the receiving means in a specific place in the compartment, and putting in an accommodating space such as glove box, while separating the solvent source such as filled container from the receiving means, thereby preventing the solvent source from being ruptured or damaged, and more

Abstract: An air-conditioning system comprising a portable air-conditioning unit (100, FIG. 1) for cooling and dehumidifying a zone and a refrigerating unit (10, FIG. 1) which is separated from the portable air-conditioning unit (100, FIG. 1). The portable air-conditioning unit (100, FIG. 1) comprises a housing (20, FIG. 1), an air-moving device (12, FIG. 1) and one or a plurality of coolant carriers (16, FIG. 1) which can be manually transported between the portable air-conditioning unit (100, FIG. 1) and the refrigerating unit (10, FIG. 1). The coolant carriers (16, FIG. 1) also function as cooling coils of a surface type heat-exchanger for the portable air-conditioning unit (100, FIG. 1). The coolant carriers (16, FIG. 1) are closed and sealed so that the contained coolant can be reused among cooling and refrigerating cycles. The coolant can be water or a solution of water and inorganic salt to make use of the combination of sensible heat, heat of fusion and heat of solution for cooling.

Abstract: An upright split door, ultra low temperature freezer which includes a single chamber cooled by a cold wall refrigeration system and accessible by separate upper and lower doors. The refrigeration system maintains the chamber at a substantially constant, ultra low temperature, such as within the range of about -50.degree. C. to -90.degree. C. Short term items may be stored in and accessed from an upper portion of the chamber by the upper door without causing the very cold air in the freezer chamber from spilling out the lower portion of the chamber. Long term items may be stored in the lower portion of the chamber and accessed by the lower door. A horizontal mullion is mounted to the freezer side walls and extends between the two doors to provide a seal for respective lower and upper edges of the two doors. A self-regulating heater strip is disposed within the mullion between upper and lower resilient sealing bulbs extending horizontally to prevent condensation build up in the mullion area.

Abstract: A process and associated apparatus for removing aromatics and/or higher molecular weight hydrocarbons from a methane-based gas stream comprising the steps of (a) condensing a minor portion of the methane-based gas stream thereby producing a two-phase stream, (b) feeding said two phase stream to the upper section of a column, (c) removing from the upper section of the column an aromatic- and/or heavies-depleted gas stream, (d) removing from the lower section of the column an aromatic- and/or heavies-rich liquid stream, (e) contacting via indirect heat exchange the aromatic- and/or heavies-rich liquid stream with a methane-rich stripping gas thereby producing a warmed liquid stream and a cooled stripping gas stream, (f) feeding said cooled stripping gas stream to the lower section of the column; and (g) contacting said two-phase stream and the cooled stripping gas stream in the column thereby producing the aromatic- and/or heavies-depleted gas stream and the aromatic- and/or heavies-rich liquid stream.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing trace levels of impurities from gases stored cryogenically in a storage vessel in liquid form by passing a vaporized portion of liquified gas from the storage vessel through a bed of adsorbent while using the liquified gas to cool the adsorbent. Vaporized gas resulting from cooling of the adsorbent with the stored liquified gas can be combined with the vapor withdrawn from the storage vessel prior to being passed through the bed of adsorbent. Liquified gas can be withdrawn from the storage vessel, vaporized and the vaporized gas combined with the vaporized gas from the storage vessel prior to being passed through the bed of adsorbent.

Abstract: The accumulation of lint, debris and other contaminants in the needle and dial slots of a circular knitting machine can be significantly reduced by enclosing an annular air chamber spanning between the cylinder and dial and delivering a pressurized airstream into the chamber. The airstream can necessarily escape from the chamber only upwardly through the spacing between the cylinder and dial where the airstream serves to blow lint, debris and contaminants away from the critical knitting elements (e.g., needles and sinkers) and prevent the accumulation of such materials within the cylinder and dial slots. The conventional need for flushing the cylinder slots can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A pedorthic sock having seamless toe area, heel pocket and leg area knitted of two or more low stretch yarns, and narrow bands of nonconstricting elastic yarn located intermediate the length of the leg area and at the top. The socks are produced by a flatbed knitting machine set up with a row of needles on each of front and back beds selectively fed with relatively low stretch yarns and an elastic yarn. The low stretch yarns form a plating knit on the inner and outer faces of the sock to produce desired functional effects.

Abstract: A washing machine includes an outer tub, a rotatable tub rotatably mounted in the outer tub, an agitator mounted in the rotatable tub, a hollow tub shaft transmitting a rotating force to the rotatable tub, an agitator shaft inserted in the tub shaft for transmitting a rotating force to the agitator and having a lower end, an electric motor including a stator concentric with the agitator shaft and a rotor mounted on the lower end of the agitator shaft, a clutch for changing between a first mode in which the tub shaft is operatively coupled to the agitator shaft in a dehydration step so that the motor rotor, the agitator shaft and the tub shaft are rotated together and a second mode in which the tub shaft is decoupled from the agitator shaft in a wash step so that the tub shaft is prevented from being rotated with the motor rotor and the agitator shaft, and a mechanism housing mounted on an outer bottom of the outer tub.

Abstract: A device for application of a minimum quantity of fluid to a web of goods of a given width, wherein application takes place by means of an application beam in which the fluid is distributed uniformly over the working width through a plurality of fluid lines that branch in the manner of a tree trunk. The outlet openings of the lines terminate in a slot that is open facing the web, the length of the slot being delimited by two lengthwise edges. These edges press against a pressure roller located on the opposite side, i.e the back of the web. By means of these lengthwise edges, as the web passes though, its nap is compressed twice, once at the beginning of application with a first lengthwise edge, after which the nap stands up again in the slot and is saturated with the fluid, and again at the end of the application, after which the web is finally squeezed against the second lengthwise edge.

Abstract: A semi-trailer anti-theft device or apparatus is provided in the form of a shield which extends over and substantially encloses both the latch handle on the cargo door of a semi-trailer and the padlock associated with the latch. The shield includes an elongated front panel which extends across the latch handle. At a first end of the front panel on the rear side thereof is a forked member which can be inserted around the pivot pin of the latch handle and then the shield can be swung down about the pivot pin so as to bring the front panel of the shield into covering alignment with the latch handle. A second end of the front panel is in the form of a padlock guard having a rearwardly extending flange which extends over the top of the padlock and a lock plate protecting the face of the padlock. Also a locking web extends rearwardly from the second end of the front panel below the flange and has an aperture through which the padlock bight extends.

Abstract: A mother-and-daughter combination lock includes: a housing, a shackle lockable or unlockable in a first portion of the housing as controlled by a locking shaft and a plurality of dials and sleeves rotatably mounted in the housing; and a sliding door slidably held in the housing for covering and uncovering a security compartment recessed in a second portion of the housing as also controlled by the locking shaft, the dials and the sleeves, whereby either the shackle or the sliding door can be independently and individually locked or unlocked.

Abstract: An access control system for preventing access to underlying fasteners, and otherwise preventing tampering with the underlying control panel. A base plate is affixed to a base that is fastened to the underlying structure with standard fasteners. A cover plate is slidably disposed over the base plate and includes a key operated cylinder plug. The cylinder plug is inserted through the cover plate, base plate and into a receiving aperture in the base. A locking mechanism within the cylinder plug engages the base, and prevents the sliding disposition of the cover plate from the base plate.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for use with an automotive vehicle including members which restrict access to the front seat and dashboard areas of the vehicle when in an armed position and which may be removably stored in a non-use position when the vehicle is to be normally used. The access-restricting members are highly visible, thereby discouraging a potential thief because of the potential difficulty of removing the anti-theft device.

Abstract: An ambidextrous vertical inverted handed cam lock for cabinet doors and drawers has a conventional pin tumbler cylinder and plug assembly. An arcuately movable bolt is journaled for rotation about a rearwardly extending portion of the plug. A conventional lazy cam drives the bolt. An arcuately repositionable bolt rotation limiter provides either left hand or right hand throws for the bolt while simultaneously allowing for inverted vertical use.

Abstract: A device facilitating turning a key in a keyhole of a lock consists of an elongated housing having distal and proximal ends. A receiving, unrestricted opening is formed within a housing and extends between the distal and proximal ends substantially along a longitudinal axis of the housing. At least one key is pivotally arranged at the proximal end of the housing. In operation, the key is transverse to the housing and the key is turned in the keyhole of the lock by a force applied to the housing. An area of application of this turning force is distributed along and restricted by the receiving opening.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a tubular heat-exchanger header includes a tool die having a chamber dimensioned to receive the header, the chamber conforming to an outer peripheral contour of the header. A plurality of guide passages are formed through the tool die for insertion of a corresponding number of punches. The guide passages expose the areas of the header to be pierced for forming the openings. The ends of the tubular header are each sealed with a stopper. Fluid is supplied into the header using a fluid supply through one of the stoppers and the pressure is raised to a predetermined internal pressure. While the pressure is maintained, the punches are passed through the guide passages to simultaneously pierce through the header wall to form the openings. The header thus formed has an inwardly directed rim around each opening, which rim sealingly bears against the periphery of the punch to maintain the pressure during piercing.

Abstract: A process for stretch forming hollow metal bodies, such as aluminum alloy extrusions. The extrusions are stretched longitudinally, bent transversely of the pulling direction, and then subjected to pressure from an incompressible fluid in a hollow interior. In a preferred embodiment, the incompressible fluid is water at a pressure sufficient to deform at least part of the extrusion outwardly of its hollow interior. The incompressible fluid reduces dimensional distortions in the shaped product.

Abstract: Sheet materials are superplastically formed and optionally diffusion bonded into structures, by directly electrically resistance heating the sheets and forming them with a controlled gas-mass flow while the dies in which they are formed may remain relatively cool. The dies include electrodes and thermocouples placed therein, and gas interface ports that connect to the sheets to be formed to allow rapid formation of structures. Some of the gas interface ports may become sealably attached to the part during the formation process so that the structures may be removed from the dies hot, thus allowing a high die throughput.

Abstract: In a method for increasing the thickness of an outer peripheral portion of a metallic disc material, a first forming die is prepared so as to have a first groove portion on an outer periphery thereof for receiving the metallic disc material. The first groove portion has a pair of side walls and a bottom wall therebetween. The side walls has inclined surfaces facing each other so as to increase the width of the first groove portion toward the outer peripheral portion of the metallic disc material. One of the side walls has a greater length from the bottom wall of the first groove portion than that of the other side wall. The first cylindrical forming die is pressed against the outer peripheral portion of the metallic disc material in a radial direction to form a thickened outer peripheral portion of the metallic disc material.

Abstract: A pressure-receiving plate for a friction device includes an annular portion and pawls formed integrally on the inner or outer periphery of the annular portion. The annular portion has one side provided with a friction surface which contacts a friction disk engaged with one of a driving member and a driven member, and another side provided with reduced-thickness portions formed by applying crushing work that takes hardness and surface roughness of the friction surface into consideration. The pawls are engaged with the other of the driving member and driven member.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening a cylindrical member having an imperfection. An imperfection detector is used to locate the imperfection. A plasma arc torch is used to heat a portion of the cylindrical member in the vicinity of the imperfection. The plasma arc torch has an arc extending between an anode and an electrode. Gas flows past the arc and is heated, thus expanding into a plasma jet. The plasma arc torch directs the plasma jet toward the cylindrical member, thus heating a portion thereof. A quenching device is used to quench the heated portion of the cylindrical member, thus alleviating the imperfection. A control system automates the straightening process by monitoring the detector and controlling the heating and quenching based on information within a database. Peening or burnishing may be employed in lieu of the plasma arc torch.

Abstract: A method of die-necking the open end of a can body to form a reduced diameter neck having a smooth profile comprising forming a reduced neck at the open end of the cylindrical sidewall of the can body by engaging the open end of the sidewall with a die having a multi-radius forming profile, with each successive radius from the entrance to the exit of the die being smaller than the previous radius and with the angle through which each successive radius extends being equal to or smaller than the angle of the previous radius. Then at subsequent die-forming stations, forming progressively smaller reduced diameter necks by a series of dies, all of which preferably have the same multi-radiused forming surface profile which virtually eliminates the undesirable formation of pleats in the final neck configuration.

Abstract: An improvement to a method for plastic forming of a material by rolling, forging or extrusion, by using a tool to exert a force on the material to obtain a product of desired geometry. The improvement comprises inducing in the material a reversible plastic strain in the form of shear bands localized in a zone of most intense deformation by the tool, by introducing a motion of the tool additional to a tool working motion which produces the desired geometry. The additional motion is reversible and transfers motion to the material due to intimate contact between the material and the tool.

Abstract: A press with several press stations is provided for serially machining larger sheet metal parts. A transfer unit transports workpieces through the press stations which are arranged behind one another in the machining sequence. The transfer unit has a first section constructed as a three-axis transfer and a second section constructed as a cross-traverse transfer. The three-axis transfer has a pair of mutually parallel gripper rails with gripper devices which, by way of a lateral feeding movement of the gripper rails can be engaged with and disengaged from the workpieces. The cross-traverse transfer has a pair of mutually parallel transport rails which are connected with one another by cross-traverses provided with gripper devices for the workpieces. The cross-traverse transfer has parking positions between individual press stations in which the cross-traverses remain during the operation of the press stations.