Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the diameter of a measured object including a frame having a quick disconnect fitting that demountably couples to a sensor selected from a collection of different length sensors so that the measurement range for determining diameters is increased. Each different length sensor includes a sensor probe tip that is biased in an outward direction therefrom so that when a selected sensor is coupled to the quick disconnect fitting, the probe tip contacts the measured object. The sensor includes means to generate a signal indicative of its probe tip position, and a microprocessor is programmed to receive the generated signal and provide an output display that corresponds to the diameter of the measured object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and removing water from a surface of a moving metal sheet in continuous treatment line to prevent the formation of water stains thereon. A selected surface area of the moving metal sheet is illuminated with infrared radiation having a wavelength substantially absorbed by water, and an optical sensor system is employed to view images reflected off the selected surface area. An optical bandpass filter limits transmission of infrared light to within a specific range of wavelengths known to be strongly absorbed by water. The sensor assembly produces a signal representative of the intensity of the reflected light. If the intensity signal is lower than a predetermined level, water is detected and the signal may be used to trigger a control device that sounds alarms, records the event, or otherwise controls the environment of the object so that detected water may be removed to prevent the formation of water stains.

Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to deep draw a blank into a manufactured article. The apparatus includes a die having a cavity to receive the blank being drawn into the product, a clamp adapted to apply an adjustable force against the blank during the drawing operation, and a mandrel comprising a plurality of nested tool segments, the tool segments independently extendable to engage and draw different portions of the blank into the desired product within the cavity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for operating a steelmaking furnace including the steps of charging steelmaking materials into the steelmaking furnace, blowing oxygen into the steelmaking furnace, discontinuing the oxygen blow when the charged steelmaking materials are reduced to a liquid steel product, determining the temperature of the finished liquid steel product, blowing a nitrogen gas coolant into the steelmaking furnace to reduce the temperature of the finished liquid steel product to an aim tapping temperature, discontinuing the nitrogen gas coolant blow when the finished liquid steel product temperature is lowered to the aim tapping temperature, and tapping the finished liquid steel product at the aim tapping temperature for downstream processing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mothod for preventing the formation of additional surface stains on destained steel sheet processed in a continuous pickle line operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an oxygen lance crane assembly that includes a measuring device positioned to take measurements to a target area within a BOF vessel. The measuring device includes an optical head for receiving and directing an energy beam to the target area within an associated metallurgical vessel, and for receiving and directing a reflected energy beam to a processor that converts the reflected energy beam into a distance measurement. A drive means, provided within a housing fastened to the lance crane assembly, is attached to the optical head so that when the drive means is operated the optical head is either extended through an opening in the housing to a remote measuring position at a line of sight to the target area within the metallurgical vessel, or retracted back through the opening to a stored position within the housing.

Abstract: A method of coating of steel products such as plate and sheet using an aluminum-zinc coating alloy includes modifying the coating bath with a particulate compound constituent in effective amounts to decrease the spangle facet size of the coated product, improve tension bend rust stain performance, improve coated surface appearance when brushed, and coated product paintability. Constituents include borides such as titanium boride and aluminum borides, carbides such as titanium carbide, and aluminides such as titanium aluminide. The method produces a coated steel product that does not require temper rolling for painting.

Abstract: Continuous bath or curtain processes for the thermal deposition of a coating from a coating solution onto a moving metal web are used to apply a coating onto the web. The compositions that result from the processes are substantially free of defects relative to batch processes. The continuous process is particularly applicable for priming zinc and zinc-alloy coated steel webs.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a roll change device for use in a four-high rolling mill stand, and in particular it is directed to retrofitting an existing four-high rolling mill stand with a roll change device comprising actuators that are fastened to opposing inboard exterior surfaces of the lower backup roll chocks in the mill stand and a pair of spaced apart lift-rails attached to the actuators by lift-rail hooks and positioned to engage the lower work roll chocks of the mill stand when the actuators are operated. The roll change device further includes a self-contained roll staging platform that is installed as a single unit within the mill floor adjacent the four-high rolling mill stand or removed as a single unit from its position within the mill floor.

Abstract: An improved passenger monitoring safety seat and system to monitor vital functions of a passenger placed in the vehicle safety seat. The system includes at least one sensor adapted of contact a passenger placed in the vehicle safety seat so that said sensor provides and transmits an electrical output signal indicative of a selected vital function pertaining to the passenger. A display unit, remote from the vehicle safety seat, includes a receiver and circuitry to acquire and amplify the output signal transmitted by the sensor, and the display unit provides a visual display indicative of said selected vital function. The display unit also provides an alarm if the output signal from the sensor falls outside a pre-selected range.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a continuous electrochemical treating line and a method for electrochemically treating at least one surface of a continuous web moving through an electrolyte solution contained within a tank. The apparatus includes at least one electrode extending across the surface of the continuous web in combination with at least two rigid, non-conductive, and non-polar bumper devices also extending the continuous web surface. The bumper devices include a slick contact surface positioned against the continuous web surface at spaced apart locations that prevent the continuous web from moving outside a pass-line through the electrolyte solution and arcing against the electrode. The bumper devices may comprise either a bumper strip or a conduit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a multi-voiced friction call comprising a sound box frame having a flexible top sounder board arrangement that generates a simulated high pitched young turkey call when a striker rubbed across its friction surface in combination with a bottom sounder board that generates a lower pitched adult turkey call when a striker rubbed across its friction surface, and a sound chamber arrangement that increases the volume of the generated turkey sounds.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a lightweight steel frame system having end nailed connections where lightweight steel structural members frame into support members. The end nailed connection is made by driving fasteners through the support member and directly into the connection end of a lightweight steel structural member without the need for using additional connection hardware. Where the lightweight steel structural member is a roof or floor truss, the support member may include a leveling member to facilitate positioning each roof truss at an elevation set point to produce a level roofline along the finished structure.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting molten slag in a tap stream between a steel making vessel such as a basic oxygen furnace (BOF) and corresponding ladle. An infrared (IR) imaging or detecting device(s) is used to image/view the BOF-to-ladle tap stream, the stream transmitting energy indicative of whether molten steel and/or slag is in the stream at a given time. Gray scale analysis is performed on pixels viewed from the tap stream to determine the number of steel pixels and the number of slag pixels in the stream at a given time. When the ratio or percentage of slag pixels exceeds a predetermined value or amount, an alarm may be actuated to cause an operator to tilt the converter upward to stop tapping, or the converter may be automatically tilted upward to stop tapping.

Abstract: A method of making a weathering grade steel plate includes the steps of establishing a minimum yield strength:plate thickness target from one of 50 KSI:up to 4″, 65 KSI:up to 1.5″, and 70 KSI:up to 1.25″. A modified weathering grade alloy composition is cast into a slab employing effective levels of manganese, carbon, niobium, vanadium, nitrogen, and titanium. The cast slab is heated and rough rolled to an intermediate gauge plate. The intermediate gauge plate is controlled rolled and subjected to one of air cooling or accelerated cooling depending on the minimum yield strength and thickness target. With the controlled alloy chemistry, rolling and cooling, the final gauge plate exhibits discontinuous yielding and can be used for applications requiring a 70 KSI minimum yield strength in plate thicknesses up to 1.25″, a 65 KSI minimum yield strength in plate thickness up to 1.50″ and a 50 KSI minimum yield strength for plates as thick as 4″.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gas cooled fiber-optic cable apparatus for use in a hostile environment, for instance adjacent a metallurgical furnace, and a method using the apparatus to determine carbon content of molten steel. The fiber-optic cable includes a radiation collection end comprising a manifold chamber that surrounds the fiber-optic cable filaments used to collect radiant energy emitted from the furnace flame. The manifold includes a tip portion having an orifice to expose the filaments to the radiant energy, and a gas supply attached to the manifold to inject a cooling gas into the chamber. The orifice provides a discharge for expelling the cooling gas from the manifold chamber at a high velocity purge to prevent foreign matter from entering the chamber. The gas cooled fiber-optic cable transmits collected radiant energy to a radiation sensor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for determining coating thickness on a substrate. The apparatus comprises a jig and fixture combination where the jig includes a moveable stop that fixes a position for placing a substrate specimen in the fixture, and where the fixture includes an inclined plane for receiving the substrate specimen at a predetermined angle .theta. that slopes in a downward direction to engage the moveable stop. A clamp that holds the substrate specimen at a fixed position against moveable stop and inclined plane when said fixture is separated from said jig to determine coating thickness on the substrate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for dehydrating and recycling back into a BOF converter wet BOF scrubber sludge to produce a steelmaking revert having an improved flow rate when handled in a recycle stream. Wet sludge is combined with hot BOF slag to provide a slag/sludge mixture. The wet sludge causes the mixture to have a moisture content greater than 10% water by weight, and the hot slag, having a temperature below the molten liquid state, vaporizes the water in the mixture and reduces the moisture content to about 4% water by weight or less. The dehydrated mixture has improved flow rate properties when it is recycled as a steelmaking revert.

Abstract: A sensor probe device for monitoring atmosphere within a chamber. The device includes a housing that extends through a wall of the chamber being monitored, and a tubular sleeve that is movably captured within the housing. The sleeve includes an open end for receiving a sensor probe, and a closed end having a plurality of radially spaced apertures that extend through the sleeve wall. The apertures provide an open ribbed portion that exposes the enclosed sensor probe to chamber atmosphere when the sleeve portion is inserted into the chamber. A drive mechanism is attached to either extend the open ribbed portion of the sleeve outward from its shielded position within the housing to an extended position within the chamber, or retract the sleeve portion from the chamber back into its shielded position within the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting molten slag in a tap stream between a steel making basic oxygen furnace (BOF) and corresponding ladle. BOFs are used in the manufacture of steel. An infrared (IR) imaging or detecting device is used to image/view the BOF-to-ladle tap stream, the steam transmitting energy indicative of whether molten steel and/or slag is in the stream at a given time. The imaging device uses mainly long IR wavelengths (e.g. wavelengths of from about 8 to 14 .mu.m) when imaging the molten tap stream, because these wavelengths are less susceptible to being blocked or absorbed by airborne gases and particles frequently found in BOF environments. In certain embodiments, all IR wavelengths other than those greater than about 8 .mu.m are filtered out and are not used to detect slag in the tap stream.