Abstract: In a modified "Conform" machine for continuous friction-actuated extrusion of metals, especially particulate copper, the abutment at the outlet end of the working passageway does not fully block the end of the wheel groove. Instead a substantial clearance is left, and metal extruding through it adheres to the wheel to re-enter the working passageway at the entry end. Preferably the abutment is of semicircular cross-section. For a given output rate, a significant reduction in torque, and working stresses, is obtained.

Abstract: The amount of materials in a piece of tubular stock is measured before the stock enters a stretch-reducing rolling mill and the mill is so controlled that the finished tube can be cut into lengths without the occurrence of overlengths or underlengths. In the case of a seamless tube, the piece of tubular stock is weighed and the flying means which cut the finished tube are so controlled that the lengths of all the finished pieces lie within prescribed tolerances so that there is no waste, other than the usual cropped ends. In the case of welded tube, the thickness of the strip material from which the tube is made can be welded, and the welded tubular stock can be cut to a suitable length to ensure that no overlengths or underlengths are obtained after the stretch-reducing and cutting of the finished tube into pieces of prescribed length, within tolerance limits.

Abstract: In an optical fiber connector component including a tubular housing and three round rods supported longitudinally side by side within the tubular housing and defining between them an intersticial space for reception of an optical fibre or optical fibres, the tubular housing is of a material having a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the material of the rods. In use, prior to introducing optical fibre into the intersticial space, the tubular housing is heated to cause it to expand radially outwardly to permit radial separation of the rods and introduction of the optical fibre into the intersticial space. The tubular housing is then cooled or permitted to cool to cause the housing to contract radially inwardly to compress the rods inwardly and cause them to grip the optical fiber so that it is aligned axially in the intersticial space.

Abstract: Measuring apparatus including a ruled member having alternate transparent and opaque zones. An optical coupler connecting the ruled member with electromagnetic radiation-conversion apparatus. The conversion apparatus may include a photomultiplier and a discriminator. Radiation impinging on the ruled member will, in part, be converted to electrical pulses which correspond to the intensity of the radiation.A method of processing electromagnetic radiation includes providing a member having alternating dark and light zones, establishing movement of the member through the beam of electromagnetic radiation with the dark zones interrupting passage of radiation through the rule, providing an optical coupler to connect a portion of the radiation with a conversion station where the radiation portion is converted into an electrical pulse which is related to the intensity of the radiation received at the conversion station.

Abstract: An expansion joint and seal structure for the variable width space between roadway, bridge or like sections subject to expansion and contraction is provided in the form of an elongate elastomer member having spaced transverse passages of generally rectangular cross section with rounded corners in which metal bars of like cross section but shorter length are inserted, both the passages and bars have cooperating indexing devices which center the bars in each passage spaced equidistant from the ends thereof so as to maintain them over the space between the roadway, bridge or like sections.

Abstract: A device for securing at least one cable to a support (not shown) and/or for securing together two or more cables comprising a base member having two inclined surfaces on which one or two of the cables can rest; a bar which is spaced from the base member between the inclined surfaces and extends lengthwise of the cable or cables and which is secured to the base member; a strap which can be passed around the bar and the cable or cables at least once; and tensioning means which can tension the strap when positioned around the bar and the cable or cables, to secure the cable or cables together and/or to secure the cable or cables to the base member.

Abstract: A method for making metal fiber reinforced concrete block which comprises formimg a mix of aggregates to which metal fibers and the cement are added. Water is added to the mix to form a mixture which is poured into a mold having two parallel spaced apart surfaces. A stripper is advanced through the mold and frictionally engages the inner surfaces of the two parallel walls and removes the concrete block.

Abstract: The specification discloses dimensional measurement of articles such as tubing. The edges of the article and an adjacent reference scale are scanned by video camera means. From the relative positions of the edges of the article and the reference scale, the dimension of the article is computed without physically contacting it.

Abstract: A rolling mill and method for rolling material having a rectangular, oval or like elongated cross-sectional configuration into rod or wire, has a line of passes of which the first pass is formed by two rollers and the remaining passes are each formed by three rollers, and wherein the first pass deforms the material, whose input cross section has a ratio of the lengths of its major and minor principal axes greater than about 1:2 to an output cross section which is exactly round or a regular polygon, such as square or hexagonal or which deviates from such a geometrical configuration only to an extent such that the ratio of the lengths of the major and minor principal axes of the output cross section does not exceed about 1:2.

Abstract: A screw fixing comprising a screw (9) having a nut (1) threaded on it, the screw head and the nut each having a bearing surface facing the other, and a channel (5) having at the free ends of the limbs of the channel inturned flanges (6) directed towards the base (8) of the channel, the flanges defining a slot (10) which is open at both ends, at least one of the flanges having teeth (7) in its free edge directed towards the base of the channel and the bearing surface that engages it having parallel ribs (4) that interlock with the teeth to prevent the screw and nut sliding longitudinally in the channel.

Abstract: A coupling is provided in which a coupling member and coupling sleeve of a rotary coupling for coupling a drive transmission to a rolling mill stand input shaft have mating taper threads which provide torsional rigidity and facilitate quick engagement and release. Engagement and release are effected by slowly turning the coupling half by means of the drive transmission while a brake device engages dogs on the coupling half to prevent the latter rotating. The coupling sleeve is flexibly attached to the flange by sheet metal laminate compensating elements but mobility of the sleeve is restricted by a support element on a shaft extension.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying couplings of the force fit type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,924,413 and 4,053,247 to sections of plain end pipe to join the pipe sections together, utilizing apparatus and structures respectively exterior to and internal of the pipe sections, whereby the reaction force of a jack applying a compression force via the tensioning of the structures to a coupling at one end of a pipe section operates to exert an applying force to the coupling at the opposite end of the pipe section. Several forms of apparatus are disclosed respectively suited to different types of situations in which plain end pipe sections are joined, such as in off shore oil well drilling or in installation of transmission pipe in a horizontal position above or below ground level.

Abstract: A new high concentration titanium-boron additive alloy for addition to molten metals is provided comprising about 60% to 78% titanium, about 1.3% to 4.5% boron and the balance iron with residual impurities in ordinary amounts. Aluminum, zirconium, silicon and manganese may be present in an amount up to about 20% so long as the ratio of titanium to boron remains in the range.

Abstract: In a multi-stand stretch-reducing tube-rolling mill, the stands at the entry end forming a first group are driven from a main motor and an auxiliary motor and the remaining stands forming a second group are driven from the main motor and a separate auxiliary motor, the corresponding rotational speeds derived from the main motor and one or other of the auxiliary motors being added by means of a planetary gear in a summing transmission. A single stand between the two groups can be driven from the main motor only. The separate auxiliary motor at the entry end enables control over the tube elongation (or compression) to be effected over a shorter tube length, and thereby more accurately.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving a vessel heater cover including upper linkage, lower linkage and a bell crank. The bell crank is pivotally secured to the upper and lower linkage. The lower linkage includes first and second pivot points. The first pivot point connects the lower linkage with the cover and the second pivot point connects the lower linkage with the connector link. A source of power is provided for effecting rotation of the connector link about the second pivot. Counterweights may be provided and be pivoted about the second pivot. The first pivot may include a gimbal providing two axes of rotation for the cover disposed generally perpendicular to each other. Compressible insulation in the cover may project downwardly to provide automatic sealing with the vessel cover. The mechanism provides automatic compensation for misalignment between the vessel rim and the cover.

Abstract: A valve is provided, particularly as a part of a block control device, made up of an elongate housing having a longitudinal bore with spaced work chambers, inlet chambers and exhaust chambers intersecting the bore and an elongate cylindrical spool slidable in said bore, having a second bore in each end of said spool, a brake piston movable in each second bore, a pair of restrictor passage means one in said spool and one in said brake piston connecting the interior of said spool with both ends of each bore in the spool on opposite ends of the piston, a pair of spaced transverse passages at each end of the spool communicating with each bore in the spool and spaced to connect a work chamber and pressure fluid chamber at one end of the spool and a work chamber and exhaust chamber at the other end of the spool in a work position, an annular groove in the brake piston capable of connecting said spaced passages within the bore in the spool whereby in said work position pressure fluid flows from a pressure fluid cham

Abstract: The specification discloses a single point mooring for vessels comprising a base member adapted to rest on the ocean bottom, a cross member joined to the base member at one end thereof and a mooring post member joined to the base member at the opposite end and perpendicular to a plane intersecting the base member and cross member. Placing the single point mooring by floating, towing and sequential flooding is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing ingot mold caps is provided in which a shaped opening in a chill element is lined with a pre-formed refractory/ceramic fiber pad and metal is cast in the lined opening around a cored lift engaging means.

Abstract: A transmission for driving a stretch-reducing rolling mill is provided having a spur-wheel differential arranged in a spur-wheel support sleeve forming part of an auxiliary speed transmission train in a transmission for driving the rolls of a multi-stand stretch-reducing rolling mill, a spur-wheel support sleeve forming part of a basic speed transmission train is connected by way of a safety coupling having shear pins to the sun wheel of the differential transmission stage and the speed of the output shaft which forms the plantary carrier of the transmission stage is thus formed from the basic and auxiliary speeds.