Abstract: An apparatus and method of continuously drawing and annealing wire in a slip mode. The method comprises the steps of directing a wire successively through a plurality of drawing dies of a continuous wire drawing machine, and from the next to the last die of the machine continuously directing the wire to and through apparatus for annealing the wire. From the annealing apparatus the wire is continuously returned to the machine for a final drawing operation. Before the wire is returned to the machine, however, the temperature of the wire is controlled to provide the wire with metallurgical properties suitable for further processing, such as the final drawing operation.

Abstract: A damping spacer for two parallel overhead conductors in which two rigid spacing members are provided with integral hub structures disposed on opposed sides of a disc-like inertial weight structure. The structures have circular, integral raised wall portions and recesses. The thickness of the wall portions is less than the width of the recesses, and the wall portions are opposed and radially offset, such than when the recesses and raised wall portions of the hub and disc structures are placed together in mating relationship, and with the arms of the hub structures located in a position to be clamped to two overhead conductors, the recesses in the hub and disc structures permit the wall portions of the structures to move in the recesses, the wall portions of the respective structures serving to limit relative movement of the spacing members. The weight or mass of the disc structure is off-centered in the direction of one of the overhead conductors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting imperfections in a semi-conductive strand shield applied to an electrical conductor. The method comprises the steps of applying AC current between a bare portion of the conductor and apparatus applying a jacket of insulating material over the strand shield, as the conductor and shield move through the apparatus. The current and the voltage applying the current are measured to determine the impedance of the circuit of the conductor and apparatus applying the insulating jacket. Changes in the impedance are then monitored, such changes being indicative of changes in the quality of the strand shield applied to the conductor.

Abstract: A carbonaceous electrode for use in a bipolar electrolytic cell is treated on one side with a source of aluminum to form an adherent layer of aluminum carbide thereon. The electrode is arranged in the cell such that on the passage of electrolyzing current the treated surface functions as a cathode. On electrolyzing the cell, chlorine is produced on each anode surface and aluminum is produced on each cathode surface.

Abstract: A method of automatically maintaining a nominal property value of a material near a limiting value in the process of making the material. The method involves the steps of imparting to the material a property that varies about the nominal value, and measuring the varying property, the measured property having positive and negative excursions about the nominal value. Determination is then made of the amplitudes of the excursions, and the nominal value of the property is adjusted to a predetermined limiting value in response to the amplitude of the most recent excursion, i.e., the nominal value is adjusted toward or away from the predetermined limiting value in respective response to any decrease or increase in the amplitude of the most recent excursion relative to the amplitude of the excursion immediately preceding the most recent excursion.

Abstract: Means and method of operating a tunnel kiln in which green carbon articles are baked in the ware (article) space of a baking zone by heat produced by the combustion of fuel directed to chambers adjacent the zone. The combustion chambers are connected in fluid communication with flues extending lengthwise of the kiln, the flues having a pressure gradient that extends lengthwise of the flues. The method of the invention includes the step of changing the pressure gradient within the flues such that a pressure differential between the combustion chambers and the ware space is effected that causes products of combustion to flow into the ware space from the combustion chambers in amounts sufficient to impede and prevent the deposition of coke formations on the walls of the space without burning the carbon articles.

Abstract: A control method and circuit providing smooth transition between two regulating modes involving two regulating parameters, one active and one inactive. The method comprises the steps of providing a reference signal and developing a signal representing the inactive parameter. The two signals are then compared to provide an inactive output signal that is indicative of any difference existing between them. Another signal is developed that represents the active parameter, and this signal is compared to the inactive output signal. The inactive output signal is then forced continuously to the value of the signal representing the active parameter when the values of the two signals are different. Change from the one parameter and mode to the other parameter and mode can now be made without a disturbing effect.

Abstract: Means and method for controlling the power delivered to the shaft of a DC motor when the field of the motor becomes saturated and prevents control of armature voltage by the field of the motor. The method involves the step of increasing the current in the armature by an amount corresponding to the decrease in the voltage of the armature caused by a decrease in the speed of the armature during saturation of the field. Increasing armature current is effective to maintain power output of the motor constant. If the speed of the armature increases after the occurrence of saturation, the voltage of the armature increases, such that the method includes the additional step of decreasing armature current in proportion to the increasing armature voltage to maintain constant power output of the motor.

Abstract: A method of controlling a rolling mill in which eccentricity of the roll assemblies of the mill and variations in the thickness and/or hardness of material entering the mill ordinarily adversely affect the gauge of the material leaving the mill. The method involves the steps of slowly eliminating the cyclic effects of roll eccentricity on the exit gauge of the material while simultaneously correcting for the adverse effects of incoming gauge variations. This is accomplished by continually estimating a change in exit gauge using the standard gaugemeter equation but correcting the equation with continuing estimates of backup roll eccentricity, until the cyclic effects of such on exit gauge are essentially reduced to zero.

Abstract: A damping spacer for parallel overhead conductors in which at least two rigid spacing members are provided with integral hub structures having circular, integral raised wall portions and recesses. The thickness of the wall portions is considerably smaller than the width of the recesses, and the wall portions are opposed and radially offset, such that when the recesses and raised wall portions of the hub structures are placed together in mating relationship, and with the arms thereof located in a position to be clamped to two overhead conductors, the recesses in the hub structures permit the wall portions of the hub structures to move in the recesses, the wall portions of the respective hub structures serving to limit relative movement of the spacing members.

Abstract: An apparatus for making compacted, helically stranded cable having a circular configuration in cross-section. The apparatus comprises a first set of opposed rollers each having a peripheral concave edge and surface such that when the edges of the rollers are placed together, the concave surfaces provide an opening having a major and a minor axis located perpendicular to each other across the cross-section of the opening. A second set of opposed rollers having peripheral concave surfaces provides a second opening, the second set of rollers and opening being located downstream from the first set of rollers and in line with the first opening. The concave surfaces of the second opening have a relief along an axis that is rotated approximately 90.degree. from the major axis of the first opening.

Abstract: A device for damping aeolian vibrations in a single overhead conductor. The device includes an inertial weight suspended from three or more separate resilient members equally and radially spaced in a plane perpendicular to a vertical axis passing through the center of the weight, and a conductor clamping means which also provides support means for said radially disposed resilient members.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing two tubes to be welded together at their ends and for placing the ends in opposed, abutting relationship for welding. The apparatus includes means for annealing a portion or length of each tube, and means for stretching the portion or length of each tube for straightening purposes after it is annealed. In addition, the apparatus includes means for severing an end portion of the annealed length of each tube to provide two annealed tube ends for abutting and welding together. Further, the apparatus includes means for forcing the abutting ends of the tubes together in a manner that will upset the material of the tube ends during welding.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrolytic cell having a corrosive environment. For electrolytic operation, the cell is supplied with DC current from current carrying buses or leads located externally of the cell. AC voltage is applied between the shell and at least one of the buses, and an AC meter is electrically connected between the bus and the shell for continuously monitoring the level of electrical resistance existing between the bus and the shell. The resistance monitoring determines the existence of any leakage current flowing between the bus and the shell, which is, in turn, an indication of the quality of the insulating wall of the cell.

Abstract: A boltless device for spacing two overhead parallel conductors, the device including a rigid, hollow arm structure adapted to extend between the conductors. First resilient bushing means are located at each end of the rigid arm structure and adapted to engage the respective conductors. A second, outside, resilient bushing means is adapted to engage the conductors in opposed relation to the first bushing means, and two resilient metal clips are adapted to be clipped to the respective ends of the rigid arm structure and around the outside bushing means to secure both bushing means and the arm structure of the overhead conductors. The clips each have a shape that conforms to an outside shape and surface of the second bushing means such that the clips engage the outside surface the full distance thereof when each clip is secured to the arm structure.

Abstract: An electrical resistance heater for high temperature chlorination of alumina bearing material by gaseous chlorine within a reaction chamber. The heater comprises two, closely spaced, side-by-side, elongated posts made of a carbonaceous material electrically connected together adjacent one of their ends. Two metal bars extend respectively into the other ends of the posts for directing electrical current through the posts. Means are provided for directing an inert gas along the external surfaces of the posts that tend to be cooler than the portions of the posts located to provide the high temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking stackable workpieces in a plurality of side-by-side vertical columns. The apparatus includes a stacking head transversely movable on a frame, and a conveyor attached to the head for directing individual workpieces to the head. The head has downwardly extending arms that are peripherally spaced from each other a distance corresponding to the breadth of the workpieces for receiving the workpieces one upon the other, for accumulating the workpieces and for releasing the accumulated workpieces for vertical fall to a horizontal surface located below the arms and head.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell in which a terminal cathode and a bipolar electrode located immediately adjacent the cathode are spaced apart a distance greater than the height at which molten metal produced on the cathode will accumulate before the metal begins to run off the cathode. In this manner, shorting together of the cathode and the adjacent bipolar electrode by the accumulation of molten metal is avoided under both operating and standby conditions. Under standby conditions, using the heat produced by the resistance of the anode and cathode of the cell to the flow of electrical current directed therethrough, metal tends to accumulate on at least a portion of the cathode because of a potential (voltage) difference existing between a portion of the anode and a portion of the cathode.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a metal body provided with a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, and at least one opening or window directly intersecting the bore above a base surface of the body. A screw means having a relatively large diameter (in terms of the width and length of the metal body) extends into the body adjacent the opening or window and perpendicular to the axis of the bore. The screw means is effective to place the body portions on opposed sides of the window and the connector in tension when the screw compressibly engages a cable or conductor inserted into the bore against the base surface, and to enhance shear in such a cable or conductor in the general direction of travel of the screw in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A device for damping vibration, such as aeolian, of a suspended conductor. The device comprises at least one helical spring, at least a portion of the turns of which are close wound, and means for attaching the spring to a conductor in spaced relation thereto. At least one inertial weight is mounted on or attached to the spring so that the weight can be resiliently suspended from the conductor by the spring and attaching means. The inertial weight is effective to relatively translate and thereby provide sliding friction between the close wound turns of the spring in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the spring when an associated conductor undergoes vibration above a given magnitude, and to bend the helical spring such that adjacent close wound turns of the spring separate from and impact against each other, the sliding friction and impacts between the turns of the spring being effective to dissipate the energy of the vibration of the conductor in the form of heat.