Abstract: A stretched plastic casing is tensioned by means of a fluid medium after having been introduced into two clamping rollers, and conveyed to a bending member in front of or at the location of which it is subjected to a thermal treatment such, that it is bent out of its original path, while being thermally deformed, and is subsequently conveyed in the same direction of curvature, in a bent form, so as to be cooled down.

Abstract: A dredge vehicle having remote steering for moving on the ocean floor on a skid surface, or preferably a pair of runners. The steering is provided by a steering member extending downwardly below the bottom surface of the skid surface into the mud on the ocean floor, which can be moved so as to vary the resultant sideways force exerted against a surface of the member. The movement is provided by pivotally connecting the steering member to the dredge vehicle about a vertical axis. Specifically, the steering member can be rotated by an hydraulic cylinder. Preferably, the downwardly extending steering member is also vertically movably secured to the dredge vehicle so as to be able to be pushed upwardly and out of the way should the steering member strike against a submerged, hard-surfaced object. Preferably, at least a pair of pivotable steering members disposed in tandem are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides apparatus for supporting extremely heavy weights, such as a lengthy horizontal pipe string for ocean floor mining or dredging, from a downwardly facing horizontal ledge surface. The apparatus comprises a plurality of relatively narrow structurally independent support segments which are capable of reciprocal horizontal radial movement towards and away from the object to be supported. One end of each support segment is pivotally supported by a support platform, and the second end portion is floatingly supported by a biasing support element, e.g., an hydraulic jack. The hydraulic jacks supporting each of the support segments are preferably interconnected so as to permit an equalizing of the loading of all of the segments. The support surfaces are further provided with self-leveling means, specifically rocker plates for counterbalancing any minor inequalities in the support surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus to direct the flow of water passing towards and alongside of a dredgehead (of the type, for example, utilized to obtain valuable mineral ores from the ocean depths) in a downwardly direction, so as to utilize the force of the water to assist the dredgehead in loosening and removing any particulate ore nodules from the ocean floor. The flow-directing means includes two transverse elements, one extending substantially longitudinally along the length of the dredgehead and the second transversely connecting the vertical element to the dredgehead.

Abstract: To limit the amount of solid particulate matter fed into an airlift pipeline from, especially, a suction nozzle device, the density of the suspension passing from the suction nozzle to the airlift system is measured. If the measured density is above a predetermined value, a proportion of the suspended solid material is removed prior to passing into the airlift pipe.The density of the moving suspension is determined by a radiation-type densitometer located upstream from the airlift pipe. The density can also be directly measured by a balance beam or weighing arrangement connected to a pivotable length of pipe. Where fine particles are present that are not to be considered in the densitometer measurement, a differential measurement can be obtained by a second measurement of the density of liquid from which the large particles have been screened.

Abstract: This invention provides dredge means for obtaining ore and other particular material from the ocean floor. The dredge head utilizes a combination of hydrodynamic, pumping, effects plus mechanical dislodging and carrying means. Specifically, the dredge head comprises a powered rotating drum having radially extending tines partially surrounded by a shroud. The shroud diverges from the drum surface, so that it is nearest the drum surface at its forward and lowermost end and farthest from the drum at its rearward and uppermost end. Particles of ore collected by the rotating drum are conveyed to means for carrying the ore to the ocean surface. The hydrodynamic effects of the dredge head include a venturi effect at the inlet, a centrifugal pumping effect and a so-called Magnus effect.

Abstract: In a machine for stacking bags manufactured from thin thermoplastic foil material, the combination of a rotatable supporting drum with radially projecting collecting pins and clenching means for the bags, said means comprising a radially and tangentially displaceable and blade-shaped retaining member(s) mounted on the drum and further comprising transverse beams circulating in closed circuit a portion of which mainly coincides with a sector of the periphery of the drum, the actuation of the retaining members taking place through a system of levers cooperating with cams.

Abstract: A device for handling containers, more particularly a machine for filling bottles. This device comprises a common polygonal path for the bottle conveyor and for a plurality of movable active members travelling above said polygonal path, the said members being coupled to an endless drawing member travelling through a path lying parallel to and above the said polygonal path.

Abstract: A pneumatically-operated ball projecting device is provided wherein the muzzle velocity of the projected ball is determined by a pneumatically-operated detent in the barrel of the device. The detent holds the ball within the barrel until a predetermined air pressure is built up behind the ball, causing the detent to collapse, permitting the ball to be projected out of the barrel. Varying the pressure required to collapse the detent directly varies the muzzle velocity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of anhydrous magnesium chloride from magnesium carbonate preferably magnesium carbonate ores such as magnesite. The process comprises reacting solid magnesium carbonate pieces preferably screened ore in a packed bed reactor comprising the magnesium carbonate pieces with gaseous chlorine in the presence of carbon monoxide at a temperature above the melting point of magnesium chloride and below 1200.degree. C. The off-gas predominantly carbon dioxide is withdrawn from above the packed bed and molten anhydrous magnesium chloride is withdrawn from below the packed bed. The invention provides a process having low energy requirements which can be applied industrially on a continuous basis using simple apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of recovering the chlorine values from iron chloride obtained from the chlorination of an aluminous material containing iron oxide, such as bauxite. The method involves partially dechlorinating ferric chloride in the presence of a reducing agent to form products comprising ferrous chloride and a chloride compound derived from the reducing agent and oxidizing ferrous chloride at a temperature of about 300.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C. to form products comprising ferric chloride and ferric oxide. The ferric chloride is recycled and the chlorine values are recovered as the chloride of the reducing agent which is suitable for recycle to the aluminous chlorination stage or has other industrial utility.

Abstract: A ball projecting device, preferably pneumatically operated, is provided wherein the projected ball has "spin". The device comprises a projection tube including a curved portion, wherein the area of maximum curve radius of the curved portion, preferably is provided with a material having a high coefficient of friction; the ball is caused to roll along this high friction area, thereby imparting spin. The tube is preferably pivotable, such that the elevation of the tube end can be adjusted.

Abstract: A steerable ocean floor dredge vehicle is provided which is of the towed variety, or partially self-propelled. The vehicle is towed from a surface ship via a rigid length of pipe or tubing, connected to the dredge vehicle via a pivoting joint permitting pivotal movement about two transverse axes and preferably about a third axis, and a telescoping joint for providing movement along the direction of the axis of the towing line. Pivoting means connect from the sides of the dredge vehicle to the towing pipe at a point between the telescopic joint and the surface. The pivoting means comprise two flexible cables extending about rollers on the dredge vehicle, or hydraulic piston and cylinder combinations.

Abstract: The invention relates to the recovery of chlorine values as ferric chloride from iron chloride dust which is obtained as a by-product from the chlorination of a titaniferous material containing more than 5% by weight iron oxide, such as ilmenite. The method comprises heating the iron chloride dust to a temperature above 275.degree. C. in the presence of chlorine and iron oxide and recovering the ferric chloride volatilized from the iron chloride dust together with the ferric chloride obtained from ferrous chloride present in the iron chloride dust by reaction with the chlorine and ferric chloride obtained from other metal chloride contaminants by reaction with the iron oxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the reduction of ferric chloride to produce ferrous chloride. The method comprises using gaseous sulphur or a gaseous sulphur chloride in which the atomic ratio of sulphur to chlorine is more than 1:1 as the reducing agent. The reaction is conveniently performed in a fluidised bed. According to a particular aspect, the ferric chloride reduction forms part of a process for the recovery of chlorine values from iron chloride by-produced by industrial processes such as the chlorination of a titaniferrous or aluminous material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the reduction of ferric chloride to produce ferrous chloride. The method involves using as the reducing agent sulphur monochloride optionally in combination with sulphur or sulphur dichloride to produce ferrous chloride and sulphur dichloride. The sulphur monochloride may be introduced as a gas or as a liquid and the reaction is conveniently performed in a fluidized bed. According to a particular aspect, the ferric chloride reduction forms part of a process for the recovery of chlorine values from iron chloride by-produced by industrial processes such as the chlorination of a titaniferous or aluminous material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced plastic pipe part, comprising a first wall part and a wall part adjoining the latter through an inner rounded corner transition having a radius of curvature of less than 5 mm, preferably 0,5 to 3 mm.

Abstract: A pneumatically-operated ball projecting device is provided wherein the muzzle velocity of the projected ball is determined by a pneumatically-operated detent in the barrel of the device. The detent holds the ball within the barrel until a predetermined air pressure is built up behind the ball, causing the detent to collapse, permitting the ball to be projected out of the barrel. Varying the pressure required to collapse the detent directly varies the muzzle velocity.

Abstract: A steerable ocean floor dredge vehicle is provided which is of the towed variety, or partially self-propelled. The vehicle is towed from a surface ship via a rigid length of pipe or tubing, connnected to the dredge vehicle via a pivoting joint permitting pivotal movement about two transverse axes and preferably about a third axis, and a telescoping joint for providing movement along the direction of the axis of the towing line. Two flexible cables are connected to the towing pipe between the telescopic joint and the surface, extending about rollers on the dredge vehicle and being wrapped about a winch powered by a remotely controllable, reversible servo motor.

Abstract: This invention provides a substantially flat plate hingedly connected to a substantially cylindrical pipe intended to be moved through the water in a generally longitudinal alignment, the plate extending behind the pipe during movement through the water. The hinged plate can be formed in modular sections, one or more plate sections being hingedly connected to a pipe section. Individual pipe sections are intended to be joined together to form a single longitudinally extending pipe, for example, for use as a dredge pipe in deep ocean dredging. The hinged plate can be directly connected to the main dredge pipe or the hinged plate can be connected to a substantially smaller diameter pipe which is in turn connected to the main pipe. The plate is preferably not less than two inches away from the outer surface of the main pipe. The plate is especially effective for the movement of substantially vertical pipe through water at speeds of up to about two knots.