Abstract: A rolling line for billets, bars, wire rod or the like, e.g. a roughing line has one or more rolling stands each having three or more driven rolls which are adjustable towards and away from the work material by a worm drive and a screw. The rolls are brought progressively closer together before each pass of the work material, whose cross section is thereby reduced with corresponding elongation. The direction of rotation of the rolls is reversed between each pass, unless two stands for rolling in opposite directions are provided in which case it is possible for the stands to be continuously driven but alternately operative. The work material is turned about its axis through half a roll pitch angle between each pass.

Abstract: In an overhead electric transmission system in which the phase conductors incorporate optical fibres, a joint between optical fibres of two phase conductors or between optical fibres of a phase conductor and an optical cable extending to a sub-station is enclosed within a fluid-tight metal housing. The housing is electrically connected to each phase conductor, is electrically insulated from earth, and has an external shape of such a form as to provide effective control of electrical stress. Preferably the metal housing is of hemi-spherical shape and is mounted on top of a porcelain insulator containing oil under pressure. Where an optical fibre connected at the joint is that of an optical cable, it passes into the metal housing through the oil filled porcelain insulator.

Abstract: Reciprocating pneumatic motor for rock drills and the like wherein a freely-movable hammer piston repeatedly strikes the end of a drill rod, usually a rotating drill rod. Fluid under pressure enters a single, central inlet port in the wall of a cylinder which houses the piston with alternate cycling ports being incorporated into the piston itself. Also disclosed is a novel muffler for such a pneumatic motor.

Abstract: The specification discloses improvements in a mechanized wheelchair in which the seat, back and leg members are so linked and articulated on a body frame as to enable the occupant to assume any one of three positions, namely sitting, standing or reclining. By movably mounting the body frame on a base frame the height may also be controlled in conjunction with the above positions. A drive means is also provided and the use of electrical operational means and an improved structural design make this invention safer and more versatile than any disclosed in the art.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating the necessity of providing hold-down devices, such as spuds and anchors, for opposing buoyancy in tunnel forms. The method comprises providing a movable counterweight car which preceeds the flow of fluid concretes, as it slopes from the crown of the tunnel forms downward and thus provides negative buoyancy at that area where there is the most fluid concrete and in that area where the most uplift occurs as well as the natural area where there are no forces of the crown helping to prevent flotation. The movable counterweight car is a hollow container curved to match the curvature of the excavated tunnel and clearing the movement of the forms. It has wheels that run on single track rails carried on the inside of the tunnel forms, the container being wholly or partly filled with steel scrap or punchings.

Abstract: Coils of hot strip are conveyed in the eye horizontal position along a path travel of the coil axis normal thereto and defined by successive intersecting arcuate segments. Swinging transfer members which overlap at their free ends transfer each coil from a member to its next downstream member at a location within the path segment common to both and also transfer the coil from the downstream member to the next downstream member at the intersection of their respective path segments, so that the coils are rotated thereby but not rolled.

Abstract: In a combined generating plant utilizing a fluidized bed combustor in which coal or other carbonaceous fuel is burned at substantially atmospheric pressure, an external heat transfer unit is provided through which a portion of the hot solids of the fluidized bed is circulated through tubular channels. Clean air from an air compressor is passed through the heat exchanger unit around the outside of the tubular channels, so receiving heat through them from the hot solids circulating therethrough, and is expanded in a gas turbine. The flow of hot solids through the tubular channels is controlled independently of the operation of the combustor so as to accomodate varying loads on the generating units. Steam for a other uses is generated by a conventional boiler and superheater in the combustor.

Abstract: A regulating device is provided for an aggregate of several pumps driven by a primary source at least one of which is adjustable and with a constant volume auxiliary control pressure pump driven by the same primary source in the delivery line of which a restrictor is located with the pressure gradient in front of and following the restrictor acting on the control pressures of an hydraulically regulated discharge valve in a drain line connected to the delivery line of the auxiliary pump, the drain line being connected in front of the restrictor, adjusting means connected to each adjustable pump and a control pressure line to which all adjusting means are connected, branching off from the drain line ahead of the discharge valve.

Abstract: A yarn feeder and changer unit for a knitting machine comprises a number of adjacent yarn feeders any one of which can be moved from a yarn trapping position to a yarn feeding position while the others retain severed ends of their respective yarns at the trapping positions. The movement of each feeder to its feeding position comprises an upward component of movement from below the needle level by pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, and forward movement over the needles by a sliding component of movement. The creation of two distinct components of movement for each feeder (pivotal and sliding) enables the feeder path to pass close to but out of the path of the needles, and enables accurate yarn placement to be achieved.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and apparatus for continuously transferring particulates from a liquid conveying medium to a gaseous conveying medium in which a liquid medium containing solid particulates is injected into a rotating centrifuge basket where the particulates are removed with the aid of centrifugal and pneumatic force. The deliquified particulates are continuously emitted from the centrifuge into a pick-up chamber where they are instantly received by a flowing gaseous conveying medium which transports them to a desired location. The method and apparatus of this invention are particularly useful in the mining industry.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing glare susceptibility of a subject. A planar member having an opaque target is surrounded by a contrasting surface which is surrounded by a translucent surface. Light is directed to one side of the planar member and the subject's ability to see the target against the contrasting surface against a glare of light through the translucent surface determines the glare susceptibility of the subject.

Abstract: A motionless viscometer and associated method for resinous materials including polymeric foams and non-resinous materials includes a reservoir section, a receiver section and an interposed tube. As the foam is expanded the axial pressure within the connecting tube is measured as is the rate of rise of the foam within the receiver element. Shear viscosity and density as functions of time may be determined.

Abstract: A unit for transferring an electrical lead from a measuring, cutting and stripping machine 21 to a terminating machine 31 includes an electrical lead gripping device 6 which is carried by a fluid-operated piston 3 working in a cylinder 2 and which can be caused to reciprocate between a position at which the gripping device grips an electrical lead in the measuring, cutting and stripping machine and a position at which an electrical termination can be secured by the terminating machine to a stripped end of an electrical lead carried by the gripping device. The unit also includes a device 7 for ejecting a terminated electrical lead from the gripping device 6. A control system, preferably fluid-operated, effects automatic reciprocation of the gripping device 6 between said two positions and operation of the ejection device 7 in synchronization with the cycles of operations of the measuring, cutting and stripping machine 21 and of the terminating machine 31.

Abstract: A differential case has a spider assembly within the case. The spider assembly has a plurality of shafts with each carrying a pinion. The end of each shaft is aligned with a port in the periphery of the case. A rigid retaining band is mounted to the case, and it surrounds the case and covers each of the ports. The band prevents a shaft in the spider assembly from leaving the case whenever the shaft breaks from the assembly.

Abstract: A conveyor furnace for heat treating a regular succession of articles consists of a circular carrier mounted for rotation about an upright axis below a fixed guide of open coiled spiral configuration and fixed radiant heaters directed through parts of the guide. A feed tube delivers the articles to an inner part of the guide on to the carrier whereon they are carried in sliding engagement with the guide, around and progressively outwards towards a discharge point. While on the carrier, the articles are heated by the heater. The furnace is compact, economical in operation and permits of relatively simple and reliable construction.

Abstract: A drive unit is provided consisting of an internal combustion engine, a continuously variable transmission unit and a fluid operated regulating assembly interconnecting said internal combustion engine and transmission and operated by a single manual control. A second manual control may be provided for interconnecting the engine and a stroke mechanism drive independently of the transmission for operating an auxiliary hydraulic or like circuit.

Abstract: An optical cable comprises at least one optical bundle and at least two separate elongate reinforcing members. The axes of the or each optical bundle and the reinforcing members lie substantially in a common plane with the or each optical bundle located between and spaced from two reinforcing members. Each reinforcing member has an overall dimension perpendicular to said common plane that is substantially greater than the corresponding overall dimension of the or each optical bundle so that the or each bundle lies in the space bounded by two planes one located on each side of the two members and touching both members. An extruded outer sheath surrounds and fills the interstices between the optical bundle or bundles and the reinforcing members.

Abstract: The invention concerns an overhead electric traction system of the kind in which current is collected from an overhead contact wire by means of a collector carried on the roof of a vehicle and extending transversely of the contact wire. The contact wire is supported, at spaced positions along the route of the system, by an overhead structure comprising two transversely spaced upstanding members, and extending between and connected to the upstanding members, a transversely extending beam. Each of the upstanding members is so installed near its lowermost end as to permit limited pivotal movement of the member at least about an axis extending lengthwise of the route of the system and limited relative movement is permitted between the beam and the upstanding member at least about an axis extending lengthwise of the route of the system, each upstanding member being anchored to the ground by at least one tie connected to the member near its upper-most end.

Abstract: The mill comprises essentially a roughing train having a reversing roughing stand or stands and a finishing train having a reversing finishing stand or in-line finishing stands, the roughing and finishing trains being disposed with pass lines parallel to each other and at different elevations, the work in the roughing train progressing in the opposite direction from the work in the finishing train. The roughing train for strip and light plate is provided with a hot upcoiler at each end positioned above the table so that slabs and breakdowns pass beneath them, but adapted to coil and payout strip of coiling gauge. The delivery end of the roughing train is laterally opposite the entry end of the finishing train and separate mechanisms are provided for transferring coils and plate broadside from roughing train to finishing train.