Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a skin on an extruded honeycomb structure, wherein detrimental distortion of the peripheral cells is eliminated to thus provide a virtually distortion free honeycomb structure with an integral skin. Batch material is supplied for forming the central cellular structure, and a metered flow of skin-forming batch material is transitioned from a predominantly transverse flow to a predominantly longitudinal flow so as to minimize the distortion of web portions of the peripheral cells. In addition, the skin-forming batch material is subjected to a first or primary flow path reduction in the form of flow depth and then, as it is knitting with peripheral web portions of the central cellular structure, it is subjected to a second or secondary flow path reduction in the form of reduced cross-sectional area, so as to effect a complete knitting thereof while still within the extrusion die.

Abstract: A novel method is disclosed for producing honeycomb structures with a virtually non-abrasive smoothly rounded edge between opposed end surfaces of the honeycomb structure and a peripheral bounding wall, so as to avoid detrimental cutting and abrading of surrounding supporting and insulating material utilized in vehicular applications.

Abstract: Novel method and structure is disclosed for strengthening and mounting sloted metallic honeycomb structures by positioning rod members within the slots to prevent the slots from closing or deforming, and by utilizing the rod members to precisely engage positionable restraining inserts of an enclosing housing, so as to accurately mount the honeycomb structure within the housing.

Abstract: Novel method and apparatus for forming a substrate or honeycomb article with multi-cellular densities and/or multi-cellular geometries by positioning a pair of extrusion dies adjacent one another, such that one surrounds the other, and such that discharge slots of one die produce different cellular densities and/or geometries from that of the other. Further, an annular batch reservoir is formed between the mating surfaces of such dies so as to facilitate the flow of batch material from one die to the other, and an integral inner skin is formed between the differing cellular structures.

Abstract: An oxygen-fuel burner is disclosed wherein the atomizing fluid not only atomizes a liquid fuel, but also functions to cool the burner tip and prevent eddying of the atomized fuel from collecting on the burner tip, which could create undesirable high temperatures upon ignition. Further, oxygen may be utilized as an atomizing fluid in view of the fact that the atomization of the fuel is accomplished so close to the discharge end of the burner and the discharge velocity is maintained at such a high level, that the contact time of the oxy-fuel within the burner is extremely short, thereby precluding preignition within the burner. Further, the oxygen itself also functions to cool the burner tip and prevent preignition or cracking of the liquid fuel in the atomizing chamber. The burner may be utilized with carbon dioxide as an atomizing fluid wherein the burner temperature is thus lowered reducing the amount of NO.sub.

Abstract: Novel method and apparatus is disclosed for forming an integral skin on an extruded honeycomb structure, wherein the skin material is collected in a peripheral area of a die body, is passed through an adjustable flow control gap, and then through a predetermined gap thickness of a skin forming slot so as to then knit with the honeycomb structure extruded by the die prior to being extruded from the die. A plurality of flow control plates having different internal peripheral diameters are provided so as to provide different flow control gaps, as desired. In addition, a plurality of shims having different thicknesses are provided so as to position the mask a given distance away from the die, and thereby control the skin thickness gap. The die may be formed by merely relieving a peripheral portion of a typically automotive catalytic converter extrusion die and providing a trim ring about the relieved portion so as to inhibit the flow of batch material from partially open feed holes.

Abstract: An oxygen-fuel burner is disclosed which has a wide range of operation, allowing turn-down ratios of 5 to 1. In addition, the burner construction, which is not liquid cooled, maintains an acceptable burner tip temperature by having a tip which extends outwardly beyond the nose portion of the burner such that the oxygen flows columnarly therealong and functions to remove heat from the tip. In addition a delayed combustion is obtained by the gas discharge tip being axially spaced apart from the oxygen discharge orifice. The burner produces sufficient heat to permit the melting of batch materials to produce molten glass without the use of regenerators or recuperators.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a four-step process for molding glass articles of high precision and excellent surface figure. A glass preform having an overall geometry closely approximating that of the desired final product is placed into a mold, the mold and preform are brought to a temperature at which the glass exhibits a viscosity between 10.sup.8 -10.sup.12 poises, a load is applied to shape the glass into conformity with the mold, and thereafter the resulting glass article is removed from the mold at a temperature above the transformation range of the glass. The glass article is then annealed.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a glass mold for subsequent molding of glass optical elements or lenses is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a master having a snout and a master ring disposed around the snout. The master and master ring may be of unitary construction and are disposed within constraining means or sleeve in an operative association with a means for exerting a force to effect molding. The apparatus also comprises a means for heating the assembly.

Abstract: A method of molding precision glass optical elements or lenses is disclosed. Precision molded glass molds are first provided which define a glass mold cavity having a predetermined desired size, shape and volume corresponding to the glass optical element. To facilitate formation of the glass optical elements, shaped and polished preforms are formed.

Abstract: A reference and support system for a flat CRT tension shadow mask is disclosed which includes a support frame which is frit sealed or shrink fitted onto a peripheral surface surrounding a target area of a flat panel. An upper edge of the support frame is finished so as to provide the desired Q-spacing between the target area and the top of the support frame. Alignment holes are drilled in the sidewalls of the support frame at a given distance from the upper edge to form a reference plane relative thereto. A temporary fixture has a tensioned mask initially secured thereto and is provided with a plurality of pins extending through sidewalls thereof at a given distance from an upper reference surface such that the pins engage the holes in the support frame and precisely position the shadow mask in the plane of the top edge of the support surface.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for externally locating the geometric center of an internal lens element which requires that an external reference surface be accurately formed so as to lie concentrically with the central axis of the internal lens element. This is a accomplished in a pressing operation by precisely aligning and securing a ring element to a plunger member. Three points are then selected on the outer reference surface which are not only utilized for positioning the internal lens element for grinding an outer surface to a desired thickness, but also are utilized for aligning and affixing an external lens system in geometric alignment with the internal lens.

Abstract: A reference and support system for a flat CRT tension shadow mask is disclosed which includes a support frame which is frit sealed or shink fitted onto a peripheral surface surrounding a target area of a flat panel. An upper edge of the support frame is finished so as to provide the desired Q-spacing between the target area and the top of the support frame. Alignment holes are drilled in the sidewalls of the support frame at a given distance from the upper edge to form a reference plane relative thereto. A temporary fixture has a tensioned mask initially secured thereto and is provided with a plurality of pins extending through sidewalls thereof at a given distance from an upper reference surface such that the pins engage the holes in the support frame and precisely position the shadow mask in the plane of the top edge of the support surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is set forth for cooling glass molding equipment such that the thermal considerations of the equipment design and the mechanical considerations thereof are uncoupled. The uncoupling of the thermal and mechanical considerations facilitates the utilization of the forming member at varying production speeds, since different cooling inserts, having the desired thermal characteristics for the particular production speed utilized, may be provided within the forming member. In order to effect good heat transfer between the forming member and the cooling insert, a gap is provided which is substantially filled with a low melting metal alloy.

Abstract: The present invention sets forth an hydraulically operated boat lift for lifting small boats upwardly out of a body of water by simultaneously supplying water pressure to four support posts connected to four corner portions of a lifting frame. Each of the corner posts comprises an hydraulic cylinder with the cylinder body connected to the lifting frame and moveable vertically on its downwardly extending piston rod which forms support legs for the lift.

Abstract: A novel closure and container assembly is disclosed which provides for the definite and positive positioning of the closure on the container in a predetermined semi-open positionment. The container is provided with a rim portion which extends within a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical neck portion of the container and has a tapered surface lying within a cone concentric with such axis, whereas the closure is also provided with a tapered surface lying within a surface of a cone concentric with such axis so that upon the threading of the closure onto the container the surfaces engage each other within the surface of a cone lying concentric to the axis of the cylindrical neck portion and create a binding action which positions the closure in its predetermined semi-open positionment on the container. A further twisting of the closure allows the closure to sealably engage the container.

Abstract: An optical surface on a glass preform for an optical lens is simultaneously ground and polished. A glass blank is rotated by a work spindle mounted in an air bearing. A resin bonded diamond cutting ring is rotated by a tool spindle mounted in an air bearing. The axis of the tool spindle is set at an angle with respect to the axis of the work spindle with the edge of the cutting ring being centered on the axis of rotation of the blank. One of the spindles is moved linearly with respect to the other to move the cutting ring into engagement with the blank for grinding a precisely shaped, polished optical surface thereon. The spindles are mounted on a table and a driving motor for the linear drive is remote from the table to isolate the spindles from the vibration of the motor.

Abstract: A method is set forth for controlling the height of batch material on the surface of a molten bath in a cold-crown or vertical melting furnace by measuring the level of the upper surface of the batch material, the level of the fusion line between the batch and bath, and the effective hydrostatic head of the molten glass and batch material thereon over a predetermined height at such known fusion line level. The thickness of the batch blanket is then determined from the level of the fusion line and the measured level of the top of the batch blanket, and power input and rate of batch distribution are controlled to maintain such desired levels and accordingly a predetermined batch thickness, by continuously monitoring the level of the batch material and the effective hydrostatic head.