Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling an optical fiber communication cable is disclosed herein. The cable has a tubular core formed from a strip of composite material. The composite material has a first layer of high strength metal or metal alloy, a plurality of electrical conductors formed by a material having a conductivity in excess of 50% IACS, and an electrical insulating material separating the first layer and the electrical conductors. At least one optical fiber is located within the tubular core.

Abstract: A heat treatment for providing copper-tin alloys with a substantially continuous tin-phosphorous-oxide protective layer that improves the appearance and the tarnish resistance of the alloys is disclosed. The heat treatment comprises heating the alloys in a reducing atmosphere having a dew point of at least about 65.degree. F. and a temperature in the range of about 700.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C. for a time in the range of about 2 hours to about 24 hours.

Abstract: A process for rolling a metal strip for reducing its thickness and for increasing the maximum reduction attainable per pass using a cooperative type rolling mill comprises applying differential separating forces to the metal strip without changing the magnitude of the compressive force applied to the rolls. By doing this, the maximum strip tension and the forward tension required to pull the strip through the mill may be reduced. The maximum strip tension and the required forward tension force may further be reduced by driving at least one work roll at a desired value of torque as well as applying differential separating forces. The cooperative type rolling mill uses a roll spacing arrangement to space at least some of the rolls for reducing the separating force applied to the metal strip at selected roll bites. In addition, individual drive motors to drive the work rolls at desired torque values may be utilized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for fabricating an optical fiber communication cable having a metal containment tube and at least one optical fiber in static compression therein. The containment tube is preferably formed by applying a tensile load to a strip of metal and drawing the strip of metal through at least one forming die. Each fiber is inserted into the forming tube without the application of any significant tension. As a result, each fiber is in a substantially no-load condition at the same time that the strip is undergoing maximum plastic extension and said tube is undergoing elastic tension from the applied tensile load. Upon release of the tensile load, the tube will shrink and each fiber is placed into static compression.

Abstract: A process for casting a material comprising a coolant application device comprising a fluidized bed cooling system. A control system for the fluidized bed cooling system determines the most upstream position at which the fluidized bed contacts the material being cast. The control system is adapted to adjust the pressure differential between the gas used to fluidized the bed of particles and an opposing gas flow. The casting system may be a continuous or semi-continuous one and preferably employs an electromagnetic mold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to either a batch or continuous process for decarburization of metals and metal alloys. A shallow melt of metal or metal alloy having a depth of between about 2 in. to about 24 in. is provided. The carbon content of the melt is reduced from its initial value to a range of about 0.3 to 0.1 wt. % carbon. To accomplish this reduction, an oxygen enriched gas is blown onto the surface of the melt at a velocity of about 10 to about 50% of supersonic velocity so as to decarburize the melt without creating any substantial splashing of the melt. At the same time, the melt is stirred by injecting an inert gas below the melt surface. Subsequently, the carbon content of the melt is further reduced from the carbon percentage achieved in the first reduction to a value of not less than about 0.001 wt. % carbon.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for electromagnetically forming a material into a desired thin strip shape. The apparatus comprises a first portion for electromagnetically containing and forming the material in molten form into a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the desired thin strip shape. A second portion receives the molten material in the thin strip shape from the first portion. In addition, the second portion reduces the distortion in the cross-sectional shape due to surface tension. The second portion includes a device for providing an electromagnetic field having a reduced strength as compared to the strength of an electromagnetic field in the first portion. The electromagnetic field may be reduced in strength by providing an inductor having hollow inner surfaces facing the molten material so as to form substantially straight vertical surfaces in the molten material.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for casting metals wherein the molten metal is contained and formed into a desired shape by the application of an electromagnetic field. The apparatus includes an inductor and a non-magnetic shield. Changes in the location or the location of the top surface of the molten metal head are continuously displayed during the casting run by monitoring electrical parameters of the electromagnetic casting system including at least one electrical parameter of the non-magnetic shield.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for forming molten thin strip material into a desired thin strip shape. The apparatus comprises a device for electromagnetic forming of the molten material. This device includes a first and second inductor disposed on either side of the molten thin strip material for generating first and second magnetic fields about the first and second edges of the thin strip material. Third and fourth inductors are disposed adjacent opposite edges of the thin strip material for generating third and fourth magnetic fields which interact with the first and second magnetic fields, respectively. Structure regulates the strength of the fields induced by the inductor device to form the molten material into the desired thin strip shape.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating a metal foil to enhance its ability to be bonded to a substrate comprise immersing the metal foil in an electrolytic cell having an electrolyte bath solution containing copper and applying a current having regularly recurring pulses and preferably flowing in only one direction to the cell. The current causes a dendritic layer of copper to be deposited on at least one surface of the metal foil at a first current density and bonded thereto at a second current density. The process and apparatus are particularly suited for treating copper foil.

Abstract: A process for forming a composite material from a core material having a first yield strength and a clad material having a second yield strength comprises passing the materials through at least one roll bite formed by at least two rolls rotating at different speeds relative to each other. A bond is formed between the core and clad materials by causing a reduction in the thickness of the materials as they pass through the at least one roll bite. The amount of reduction and the compressive force magnitude required to effect the bond is minimized. The process also includes applying back tension forces to the materials. In a preferred embodiment, different back tension forces are applied to the core and clad materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting ferromagnetic particles distributed in metal or metal alloy material is disclosed. A tank containing an electrolyte is provided to electrochemically dissolve the metal or metal alloy material without substantial dissolving of the particles. A support surface is provided within the electrolyte for supporting the dissolving metal material and collecting undissolved particles. The support surface further comprises the working electrode in conjunction with the metal material. A magnetic field forming device is associated with the support surface for magnetically adhering undissolved particles to the support surface so as to maximize recovery of the particles.

Abstract: An electromagnetic casting process and apparatus utilizing an active transformer-driven copper shield. The shield is actively driven with a voltage out of phase with the voltage in the containment inductor with the result that a bucking current is produced in the shield which is out of phase with the current induced in the shield by the inductor. An active transformer-driven duplex variable impedance shield is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing iron or iron alloy particles. A metal or metal alloy strip having fine particles or iron or alloy distributed throughout is provided. The metal strip is selectively dissolved without substantial dissolving of the iron or iron alloy particles in order to recover the particles.

Abstract: A casing for an electrical component comprises a metal base member. A metal housing member is mounted on the base member to provide a hollow enclosed casing for receiving the electrical component. A metal lead frame is provided within the enclosed casing and is electrically connected to the electrical component. The lead frame has terminal leads projecting between the base member and the housing member external to the casing. The improvement comprises an adhesive for sealing and bonding the terminal leads to both the base member and to the housing member to form the enclosed casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electromagnetic casting of metal and alloy ingots of desired shape having portions of small radius of curvature. A modified shield is provided which provides for a reduction of the electromagnetic field intensity at the corners of the forming ingot by increasing local screening of the field at the corners. Increased local screening at the corners is achieved by locally increasing shield depth, by providing for deeper displacement of the shield, by changing the shield section, or by changing the shield orientation. Also disclosed is a modified inductor which is shaped so as to be located at a greater distance from the portions of small radius of curvature of the ingots than from portions of the ingots adjacent to the portions of small radius of curvature. The modified shield may be combined with the modified inductor and/or with a coolant manifold to simultaneously modify and control coolant application elevation such that the elevation is a minimum at the corners of the ingot.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the production of multi-gauge strip is disclosed wherein the multi-gauge strip comprises a first strip of metal having a first thickness and extending longitudinally for a given length. A second strip of metal has a second thickness, is narrower in width than the first strip, and coextends longitudinally with the first strip of metal. The first and second strips of metal are intimately bonded in direct metal-to-metal contact without the use of a welding or brazing material. The multi-gauge strip has a first portion extending the given length with a third thickness substantially equal to the sum of the first and second thicknesses and a second portion of substantially constant width extending the given length having a fourth thickness substantially equal to the first thickness.

Abstract: A multi-strand process is provided for casting molten materials into ingots of desired shape. The process uses two inductors for receiving the molten material and applying the first and second electromagnetic force fields to form the molten material into the ingots. The inductors are located adjacent each other so that the first and second force fields interact with each other. A first device is associated with one of the inductors for applying a first alternating current at a first desired frequency to an associated inductor to generate the first magnetic force field. A second device is associated with the other of the inductors for applying a second alternating current at a second desired frequency to generate the second magnetic force field. The second frequency is set to a desired value in relation to the first frequency in order to control the first and second resulting containment currents circulating in the molten material.

Abstract: A multi-strand apparatus and process for casting molten material into at least two ingots of desired shape. Structure is provided for receiving and electromagnetically forming the molten material into ingots of desired shape. Each of the receiving and forming structures includes an inductor for applying an electromagnetic force field to the molten material. When the inductor is in operation, it is spaced from the molten material by a gap extending from the surface of the molten material to the opposing surface of the inductor. The improvement comprises a device for distributing a common alternating current to the inductors to generate the magnetic fields. A device is provided for minimizing variations in the gaps during operation of the casting apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-strand apparatus and process for casting molten material into ingots of desired shape. A plurality of structures are provided for receiving and electromagnetically forming the molten material into the desired shape. Each receiving and forming structure includes an inductor for applying a magnetic force field to the molten material. When the inductor is in operation, it is spaced from the molten material by a gap extending from the surface of the molten material to the opposing surface of the inductor. Structure is provided for distributing a current in the inductor to generate the magnetic field. The improvement comprises a device arranged below the inductor for modifying the current distribution in the inductor to minimize the variations in the gap.