Abstract: Short parts are detected on machines where bar stock is fed through one or more work spindles and held in a burring spindle during cut off. The burring spindle contains a sensing rod biased towards the front of the burring spindle and adapted to contact a finished part on the end of the bar stock as the burring spindle moves on to the stock if the part has the proper length. This moves the sensing rod back, with respect to the burring spindle, and a target on the end of the sensing rod enters the sensing field of a proximity sensor. If the burring spindle moves onto a short part, the sensing rod is not moved by the design amount and the target disc does not enter the sensing field of the proximity sensor. The sensor then initiates a short part signal.

Abstract: A cast composite material is formed from about 5 to about 35 volume percent of particulate reinforcement, preferably silicon carbide particles, embedded in an aluminum alloy matrix having from about 8.5 to about 12.6, most preferably about 9.5 to about 11.0, weight percent silicon. The cast composite material is particularly well suited for use as a foundry alloy for remelting purposes. Other alloying elements may be added without interfering with the beneficial effects of the silicon.

Abstract: A cast composite material is prepared from a modified aluminum-containing matrix and reinforcement particles mixed into the matrix. From about 15 to about 130, preferably from about 20 to about 50, parts per million of an element, preferably beryllium, that forms a more stable oxide than magnesium oxide is included in the matrix alloy. The stable-oxide-forming element reduces the amount and thickness of the aluminum oxide and other oxides formed at the surface of the melt, which otherwise may be mixed into the melt to cause microstructural irregularities in the matrix of the cast composite material.

Abstract: Heat transfer device effective in minimizing frost bridging in refrigeration operations to be wound helically onto a refrigerant-carrying tube, having an integrally formed chain of looped fins, each fin having a mounting flange at each end of the chain, a vertical fin member extending from each mounting flange connected to a bridge portion; and a method and apparatus for making same including a unitary stretch preforming process to reform the beginning fin stock into final looped fin shape in a single forming step.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite material containing discontinuous particles in a metallic matrix is prepared by forming a mixture of the molten alloy and the particles in a closed reactor, removing oxygen from the interior of the reactor, statically pressurizing the interior of the reactor with nitrogen gas, mixing the mixture of the molten alloy and particles in the presence of the static nitrogen gas to wet the molten matrix to the particles, and evacuating the interior of the reactor in a stepwise manner. The nitrogen gas aids in wetting the metallic alloy to the particles by forming aluminum nitride at the particle-molten matrix interface, so that a lower contact angle of the alloy to the particle results. Oxygen that may be present in the sealed reactor is gettered by the aluminum, and the nitrogen is removed by stepwise evacuation, thereby minimizing the introduction of gas into, and retention of gas within, the melt.

Abstract: A heat transfer device effective in minimizing frost bridging in refrigeration operations to be wound helically onto a refrigerant-carrying tube, has an integrally formed chain of looped fins, each fin having a mounting flange at each end of the chain, and a vertical tin member extending from each mounting flange connected by a bridge portion. A method and apparatus for making the heat transfer device a unitary stretch preforming process to reform the beginning fin stock into final looped fin shape in a single forming step.

Abstract: A cast composite material is prepared from a modified aluminum-containing matrix and reinforcement particles mixed into the matrix. From about 15 to about 130, preferably from about 20 to about 50, parts per million of an element, preferably beryllium, that forms a more stable oxide than magnesium oxide is included in the matrix alloy. The stable-oxide-forming element reduces the amount and thickness of the aluminum oxide and other oxides formed at the surface of the melt, which otherwise may be mixed into the melt to cause microstructural irregularities in the matrix of the cast composite material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing cast composite materials of nonmetallic particles in a metallic matrix, wherein particles are mixed into a molten metallic alloy to wet the molten metal to the particles, and the particles and metal are sheared past each other to promote wetting of the particles by the metal. The mixing occurs while minimizing the introduction of gas into the mixture, and while minimizing the retention of gas at the particle-liquid interface. Mixing is done at a maximum temperature whereat the particles do not substantially chemically degrade in the molten metal during the time required for processing, and casting is done at a temperature sufficiently high that there is no solid metal present in the melt. Mixing is preferably accomplished with a dispersing impeller, or a dispersing impeller used with a sweeping impeller.

Abstract: Silicon carbide particulate reinforced aluminum alloy matrix composites are formed using techniques which include agitation of a melt of aluminum alloy, containing magnesium, and silicon carbide particulates in a manner whereby the silicon carbide particles are maintained, during agitation, within the body of the melt; the agitation, which involves shearing or wiping of the particles in the liquid, is carried out under vacuum; and may involve incorporation into the melt of an additional amount of magnesium such that that amount compensates for the amount of magnesium which segregates to the carbide surfaces, and is sufficient to effect strengthening of the resulting composite. Aluminum alloy matrix composites, containing copper, are produced using similar agitation and mixing procedures, with the copper being incorporated in such a way as to discourage reaction between the copper and SiC particles.

Abstract: A one piece enameled agitator is equipped with an impeller that can be wound or threaded through an opening in an associated container or vessel that is smaller than the impeller diameter.

Abstract: The disclosed surgical table hydraulic system uses a plurality of double acting hydraulic motors, such as double-ended hydraulic cylinders or reversible rotary hydraulic motors, that can be operated either independently or in synchronization. Each of the motors can be connected to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, and to a reservoir, for independent action. At least some of the motors can also be connected in a hydraulic series between the hydraulic fluid supply and the reservoir for synchronous operation. In this way, separate elements of the table, controlled by the individual hydraulic motors, can be moved in unison. Also, by operating two motors that control different types of motion, such as elevation of a table and tilting about a horizontal axis, compound motions of one or more sections of the table can be provided.

Abstract: A body joint endoprosthesis includes an anchoring member having a shaft anchored in a first bone and a pivot member connected to the anchoring member by a pivot joint. The pivot member includes a first body joint member and a support element that bears against a seating surface of the first bone. The first body joint member and a second body joint member, connected to the second bone, form the body implant joint.

Abstract: A medical securement element with a self-tapping screw thread is provided with biocompatible abrasive grains at the surface of the thread. The grains are preferably embedded in a layer of porcelain enamel on a metal substrate.

Abstract: A glassed steel wiped film evaporator is provided with an improved feed distributor comprising a one piece circular non-metallic distribution chamber, attached to and rotating with the evaporator wiper assembly, and corrosion resistant feed conduits extending outwardly from said distribution chamber and terminating near the wall of the vessel. This distributor provides the efficiencies of distribution of previous flat plate alloy distributors; and at the same time it is of a sound construction that can be built at reasonable cost from commercially available fluorocarbon and other corrosion resistant materials.

Abstract: A high impact sight glass assembly and production method are described, in which the glass lens is fused into an enamel coated metal ring such that the glass lens is fused to the enamel coating and the entire glass area is under compression. The glass lens is placed in the bore of a flange, and the lens and flange ring are heated, whereby the lens flows to conform to the bore of the flange and is fused to the enamel coating.

Abstract: A balancing mechanism for manhole covers uses two sets of conical disc springs, one stronger than the other, mounted on a common pull rod, to balance the cover as it moves from the open vertical position to the closed position. This provides a progressive spring force curve that balances the manhole in any position between the closed position and the vertical position. The balancing mechanism is also provided with an additional set of disc springs that absorb shock when the cover is opened rapidly. The mechanism is preferably mounted on a nozzle protection ring, which allows the system to be installed on existing glass lined vessels without welding, drilling or similar operations which might damage the lining.

Abstract: A distributor that supplies either a liquid or a gas to a bed of granular media, such as a sand filter, is divided by inclined interior walls into primary and secondary horizontal conduits that extend parallel to each other. Gas metering orifices are positioned at an intermediate level in the inclined walls and liquid metering orifices are positioned beneath the gas metering orifices in the inclined walls. A liquid or a gas is supplied to the primary conduits, passes through the metering orifices into the secondary conduits, and through dispersion orifices in the secondary conduits into the filter bed. At least some of the secondary conduits are each connected to at least two primary conduits so that liquid can flow from one primary conduit through a secondary conduit to another primary conduit to compensate for inequalities of flow along the primary conduits.

Abstract: A surgical implant is produced by coating a metallic substrate with enamel. The metallic substrate provides structural strength and the enamel provides chemical stability, resistance to wear, tissue compatibility, progressive ingrowth and electrical insulating properties. The implant may be produced by coating a portion of the metallic substrate with a partially crystallized enamel, and then positioning the implant on a firing support with the partially crystallized enamel in contact with the support and coating the remaining non-enamelled surface.

Abstract: The electrical efficiency of an electrically regenerated ion exchange system is improved by using elongated ion exchange members having a continuous ion exchange phase that is more conductive in the exhausted form than it is in the regenerated form. Preferably, the system includes anion exchange members that extend through the wall of the demineralization compartment closest to the anode but do not extend through the wall of the demineralization compartment closest to the cathode, and cation exchange members that extend through the wall of the demineralization compartment closest to the cathode but do not extend through the wall of the demineralization compartment closest to the anode.

Abstract: A surgical implant is produced by coating a metallic substrate with enamel. The metallic substrate provides structural strength and the enamel provides chemical stability, resistance to wear, tissue compatibility, progressive ingrowth and electrical insulating properties. The implant may be produced by coating a portion of the metallic substrate with a partially crystallized enamel, and then positioning the implant on a firing support with the partially crystallized enamel in contact with the support and coating the remaining non-enamelled surface.