Abstract: A cable payoff apparatus for the controlled payout of a continuous cable from a reel comprises a pair of laterally movable housings which support a reel on a pair of pintles. A power mechanism is provided for laterally moving the housings toward and away from one another. The housings are also supported for vertical movement along a pair of upstanding masts and a power mechanism is provided for simultaneously moving the housings up and down. The pintles are independently supported for both vertical and horizontal movement relative to the housings and are thereby independently adjustable by power mechanisms into alignment with openings on the axis of the reel of cable.

Abstract: An electrical overhead transmission conductor cable having a steel reinforcing core which exhibits improved characteristics and unexpected conductivity above about 64% IACS is manufactured of a steel core covered by at least one stranding layer which is formed of round or trapezoidal shaped wire strands subjected to annealing before heat treatment and drawn and stress-relieved/annealed after stranding is completed, to provide a finished cable which includes an aluminum conductive portion which is dead soft, or "O" temper. The steel core of the cable carries substantially the entire tension load of both the core and conductors when suspended between vertical towers. The overhead transmission cable may be formed of trapezoidal cross section conductors wires for improved vibration performance characteristics.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for holding the ends of two metal rods which are to be joined, cutting a face on each of the two metal rods, maintaining alignment of the two cut faces, and providing proper compressive force on the two rods while they are joined by a brazing operation.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for applying a moisture block compound to a stranded electrical conductor using a double twist buncher apparatus are disclosed. An oil, such as drawing oil, is applied to the outer layer of wires to prevent "rolling" of the moisture block compound to the exterior of the stranded conductor. An improved applicator is also disclosed for applying the moisture block compound to the core of the stranded conductor in a coating having a precisely controlled thickness.

Abstract: An improved premix-type burner for a gas-fired metal processing furnace includes a burner insert externally adjustable over a stepless continuum. The burner insert includes a helical thread disposed on its outer diameter which cooperatively engages with a helical thread disposed on an inner diameter of the burner body bore. Rotation of an adjustment tube, which extends into the burner body and is affixed to the burner insert concentrically disposed therein, causes axial translation of the burner insert, thereby regulating fuel flow to the combustion chamber and controlling the combustion process.

Abstract: A combustion piping system for a metal melting furnace is disclosed in which a sieve is used upstream of a flashback arrester to collect particulate matter carried in the fuel flow to the furnace so as to minimize maintenance of the flashback arrester. The sieve is mounted in a sieve holder that is arranged to be rapidly removed from and replaced in the piping system during furnace operation so as to minimize the pressure drop in the fuel flow to the furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning metal dust particles from a stranded cable made of metallic wires. The apparatus comprises a cleaning cylinder located downstream of a stranding die through which the stranded cable passes. Pressurized air is injected into the cleaning cylinder and impinges on the cable to entrain metal dust on the cable. A vacuum source connected to the cleaning cylinder withdraws air and entrained dust from the cleaning cylinder at a volumetric flow rate greater than the volumetric flow rate of pressurized air into the cleaning cylinder so as to generate a net inflow of air to the cylinder and prevent the egress of dust particles from the cylinder.

Abstract: An oval or elliptical shaped overhead conductor that is twisted along its length to provide a continuously varying profile to the wind. A single core is comprised of a circular center wire wrapped by circular wires and the core is surrounded or encased by one or more layers of wire strands, including strands of different size from that of the core wires. Each layer is helically wound in a direction opposite to the underlying layers. The surrounding strands may be circular, with the strand sizes symmetrically arranged to result in a substantially oval or elliptical cross-section. Alternatively, the strands may be shaped into symmetrically arranged non-circular arcuate cross-sections, which when wound together result in an oval or elliptical conductor cross-section. The core strands are each circular or round wires having the same diameter, with the result that the core is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously extruding material includes a moving member and a stationary member forming a passageway therebetween for frictional feeding of the material to be extruded under pressure into the passageway. An abutment in the passageway forms a barrier to the material being fed therein, whereby the forces on the material heat it and cause it to yield. The heated material flows into an extrusion chamber adjacent to the abutment and is extruded from a die in a wall of the chamber. A cooling system in heat exchanging relationship with the chamber in proximity to the die maintains the material in that region of the chamber at a substantially uniform temperature to provide uniformity of grain size in the extruded product. A further cooling system at the point of egress cools the extruded product immediately as it exits from the die to inhibit secondary recrystallization.

Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting soluble oil flow rates to control physical properties of continuously rolled rod including a nozzle for spraying the rod with fluid, a tank for providing the fluid to the nozzle, a valve means in series with the tank for regulating the fluid flow to the nozzle, a controller means connected to and for controlling the valve to ensure that the fluid flow reaches a desired predetermined rate, a computer means connected to and providing said controller with the desired predetermined fluid flow rate, a flowmeter in series with the valve means for measuring the actual fluid flow rate to the nozzle and providing this information to the controller means so that, if necessary, the valve means may be adjusted to achieve the desired predetermined fluid flow rate and an historical data generating means for automatically adjusting said desired predetermined fluid flow rate in accordance with actual measurements of at least one physical property of the rod whose value depends upon the ac

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for simultaneously extruding a coating comprising a plurality of layers of dissimilar plastic compounds having substantially different melting points onto a moving electrical conductor wherein the plastic compounds are mechanically and thermally separated and the conductor is centered in the plastic jackets by a center trim guide, said trim guide having replacable guide tips. Separating the two plastics prevents thermal degradation of the two extrudates by causing their melt temperatures to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: A brake band for the bobbins used on a rigid frame wire strander. The brake band is a substantially non-porous polyester strip or band, preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The band is provided with a longitudinal crease for keeping the band centered on the hub of the bobbin with which it is associated.

Abstract: An apparatus for locking doors and gates is disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises a housing containing a permanent magnet and an electromagnet for locking and unlocking the door or gate and contact means on the door or gate for engaging the permanent magnet in order to lock the door or gate. The electromagnet, when energized, has a magnetic field opposing the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to magnetically disengage the permanent magnet from the contact means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing liquid residues from the surface of a continuously advancing strand or filament by using a plurality of vacuum probes positioned such that they continuously expose the entire surface of such advancing strand or filament to a greatly reduced pressure thereby removing substantially all of such residues from the strand's or filament's surface.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the high speed shaping of wires to be used to make a compact stranded cable are disclosed. A plurality of roll pairs for shaping the cross section of a wire in a peripheral groove are mounted to the layhead of a strander apparatus. The rolls of each pair are supported on axles, the axes of which are maintained parallel to each other. At least one of the rolls of each pair is mounted on an axle which is parallelly adjustable toward and away from the other axle. A single adjustment screw is provided for urging the adjustable axle in a direction to engage the peripheries of the rolls.

Abstract: A method for testing the water blocking qualities of moisture blocking compound which is applied to the interstitial spaces of a stranded conductor so as to produce a water impervious cable construction, with testing occurring prior to the application of any layers of plastic in the cable's manufacture.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing adjustment along three perpendicular axes such that a marking head can be properly and precisely positioned for applying identifying markings to boxes or containers of various sizes, the positioning being accomplished without the use of tools or special mechanical skills.

Abstract: An improved wiring device terminal which provides a constant and predetermined compressive securing force on an electrical conductor wire being terminated on such device and which responds to thermally induced variations of the electrical conductor's dimensions.

Abstract: An apparatus removably fastened to the casting wheel assembly of a continuous wheel and belt type casting machine which prevents damage to the copper mold member of said casting wheel apparatus when said member is removed from the continuous casting machine and placed on a hard horizontal surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for manufacturing insulation for metallic rod which includes a mechanism for housing a plurality of ingredients, scales for weighing a predetermined quantity of each ingredient, a blender for blending predetermined amounts of each ingredient into one material, a mixer to mix the dry blend of ingredients, a mill to form the blended material into strips, a dicer to transform the strips into pellets of insulation, an extruder for placing insulation around the metallic rod, a conveyor to transport the ingredients and/or material between each of the above steps, a controller for outputting commands to the blender and receiving inputs from the scales to obtain the predetermined amount of each ingredient, and a computer for verifying that the correct amount of each ingredient has been obtained. The ingredients used in the manufacture of this insulation material include plasticizers, fillers, a resin, and modifiers.