Abstract: A pump for pumping fluids which contain a high degree of suspended solid particles comprises a piston provided with a cylindrical sleeve of a hard ceramic material having a hardness of greater than nine on the Mho scale, preferably an aluminum oxide ceramic or a zirconium nitrate ceramic, and a cylinder provided with a cylindrical sleeve of like ceramic material.

Abstract: In a subsurface positive displacement pump used in the petroleum industry for pumping crudes characterized by a high degree of suspended solid particles, a ball check valve comprising a valve ball and a valve seat assembly wherein the valve seat assembly comprises a hollow cylindrical body defining an orifice through which pumped fluid passes, the hollow cylindrical body being provided with a recess on the surface facing the valve ball in the region defining the orifice wherein an insert which forms the actual valve seat for the ball valve is secured in the recess. The insert is formed of a material having a hardness greater than the hardness of the material from which the valve ball is formed which material in turn is characterized by a hardness greater than that of the hollow cylindrical body.

Abstract: An adjustable mold for use in electromagnetic casting systems wherein the side walls of the mold are adjustable so as to allow for the casting of ingots of various sizes by a single mold.

Abstract: Aluminum contaminated with at least one of the metals of the groups II b, III a, IV a and V a of the periodic table of elements is purified by means of sodium applied in liquid extraction in a separating column in the temperature range between the melting point of the aluminum or aluminum alloys and the boiling point of sodium. The pre-heated sodium is introduced into the separating column from a circuit having a heat exchanger, solids precipitator, pump and storage tank, in quantities at least 5 times greater than the mass of contaminating metal. The sodium flows countercurrent to the contaminated aluminum which is also introduced into the separating column. The purified aluminum containing a small residual amount of contaminating metal and a sodium content not exceeding 500 ppm is removed from the separating column. The sodium containing a low concentration of contaminating metal is returned to the circuit.

Abstract: In a fused salt electrolytic cell used in the production of aluminum, a cathode having work faces which are wet by aluminum, are resistant to attack by the molten electrolyte and are electrically conductive, is made up of a bed of loose shaped pieces or bodies located in the molten electrolyte.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing a film or foil or the like on to a container, by means of a downwardly movable heating device which is arranged between two columns or pillars bridged by a transverse member and below which the container can be passed, in a carrier member, are to be such that the operation of applying the film or foil to the container is automated and the operating procedure is accelerated.

Abstract: The cooling of a continuously cast ingot of metal as it emerges from the mold is carried out by applying coolant directly to the ingot surface. In order to reduce the amount of curvature at the foot of the ingot due to too rapid cooling, a substance which releases a gas as a product of decomposition on striking the hot ingot surface is added to the coolant at least during the initial phase of casting. This gas forms an insulating film on the ingot surface thus reducing the rate of heat extraction. Particularly suitable for this purpose are substances which produce carbon dioxide or nitrogen as decomposition product.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in the conversion of heavy hydrocarbons to light ones, the catalyst being prepared from a naturally occurring material characterized by an elemental composition comprising aluminum, iron, silicon, magnesium and titanium by the thermal and chemical treatment of the naturally occurring material with steam/H.sub.2 +H.sub.2 S so as to change the physical properties and surface chemical properties of the starting material.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for gentle thermal treatment of flaky or granulated material with vapors in continuous operation, wherein the vapors are introduced from the bottom and conducted in countercurrent to the material falling downwardly by gravity and by the aid of additional mechanical means through one treatment stage or a plurality of treatment stages, the individual treatment stages being defined by perforated plates to which the material to be treated is fed by horizontal motion, the space below the lowermost, unheated perforated plate serving to distribute the gases or vapors and to admit the latter uniformly to the entire treatment space, the bores of the openings or perforations in the plates having a cross-section which allows the vapors, but not the material being treated, to pass therethrough, in order, on the one hand, to achieve optimum vapor exploitation and, on the other hand, to prevent any damage to the material being treated (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A taping paper for sealing a gap formed by a piece of sheetrock and an object piercing the sheetrock wherein a substantially flat substrate having a central axis and an outer peripheral surface is provided with, in the preferred embodiment, a plurality of continuous tear lines spaced apart from each other at different radial distances from the central axis. A method for sealing the gap is provided wherein the substrate is torn along a tear line which is approximately the same size and shape of the outer peripheral surface of the object piercing the sheetrock so as to form an opening substantially equal to the size and shape of the object.

Abstract: The homogeneity of the electrolyte bath close to the surface to be coated is of great importance when depositing dispersion coatings by electrolyte co-precipitation of solid particles in suspension and at least one dissolved metal salt. Homogenous suspension electrolyte is made to flow continuously onto the surface (24) to be coated with the help of at least one feed pipe (42) which features outlets (43) directed at that surface (24) and which moves along adjacent to the said surface (24). The said feed pipe (42) is connected via a pipe (41) to a hollow axle (3) and such that these parts together form a rotor. The workpiece (2) to be coated can at the same time serve as the container for the electrolyte bath.

Abstract: A silo for storing alumina having a conical outlet at the bottom thereof is fitted with an exchangeable feeding unit mounted over the conical outlet opening. The feeding unit is adapted to close off the outlet opening when in the non-operative position. The feeding unit can take various forms and includes at least one injection nozzle for fluidizing the particulate material.

Abstract: Flat pallets made up to now out of extruded sections which are joined together, sometimes with additional ribbing for extra strength, have often exhibited disadvantages during assembly and when being repaired or having parts exchanged. The reason for this is that joining the parts together has up to now required a considerable amount of time and is expensive. To overcome these disadvantages, the cross beams and long beams of a pallet 10, made out of extrusions 12-22, are releasably and simply joined together by means of wedges 28.

Abstract: A freight container is disclosed which can be used for transporting stackable items and hanging items. The container is particularly stable and features at least one section which contributes to the load-bearing frame, runs transversely and features an undercut groove in which sliding fixtures of flexible supports for hanging the hanging items can be inserted and, if desired, can be fixed at a predetermined spacing. A strut section with both ends attached to the base of the container and a vertical strut attached to the upper part of the frame or to a load-bearing section can be released from the frame at least at one end and secured to a profiled section in the upper part of the container.

Abstract: A swash plate assembly converts rotary motion to reciprocatory motion to reciprocate a diaphragm in a high frequency medical ventilator; the motor which drives the assembly is pivotally mounted for variation of the stroke of reciprocation thereby varying the tidal volume displaced by the diaphragm.

Abstract: A gas injection nozzle design for use in a swirling tank reactor used in the degassing of molten metal with a fluxing gas. The nozzle design eliminates metal leakage from the reactor around the nozzle tip and gas leakage within the fluxing gas delivery line. The nozzle tip is provided with an orifice profile consisting of a straight hole opening of constant diameter or consisting of a converging-diverging profile.

Abstract: A freight container (1), in particular a lightweight container (1) for air freight, having a support frame structure (3) which is secured to a container bottom (2) and which is formed from shaped bars or like strut members and which is at least partially covered or clad by a skin formed by sheet metal plates, fabric means or the like flat members, with a door (35) being provided within at least one area of the frame, is to be improved in such a way that it can be converted without cost into a so-called fork lift version and can also be restored to the normal version.For that purpose, provided in the interior (30) of the container, on the bottom plate (2), is an intermediate bottom member (52, 73) having channel-like shaped members (53; 72; 73) on its underside, the intermediate bottom member being releasably connected to the bottom plate and/or the support frame structure (3).

Abstract: The solid cathodes built into reduction cells for aluminum production have at least one workface which can be wet by the precipitated metal. The starting materials, which contain titanium, boron and carbon in powder form, are first intimately mixed in such proportions that the sum of the powdered carbon and any carbon extracted from the substrate is in excess with respect to the amount required by the starting materials to form titanium diboride. This mixture is heated under a neutral or reducing atmosphere to 1600.degree.-2200.degree. C. and held for 5-45 min at this temperature. The reaction product containing pores and channels is then heated further, to 2250.degree.-2600.degree. C., and held there for 10-60 min to form a compact titanium diboride/carbon eutectic. Subsequently, the solid cathode is cooled to room temperature.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid which contains 100 parts by weight of polyisobutylene, 3 to 15 parts by weight of butylstearate and 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of palm seed oil. It shows good compatibility with newly rolled aluminum surfaces and is therefore particularly suitable for feeding hydrostatic means of supporting rolls for roll-forming aluminum and aluminum alloys.