Abstract: Safety apparatus and method for protecting an object entering into the path of a moving blade in a press brake (10). The apparatus includes laser emitters (22) and receivers (24) for mounting in fixed relationship to the leading edge (36) of the blade (18) to provide a plurality of light beams (26) in advance of the blade (18). A controller (51) including halting means (57) for halting advancing movement of the blade in response to certain contingencies is provided. These contingencies include those involving interruption or obstruction of the light beams (26) and those which are indicative of a fault with the press or the safety apparatus itself. Accordingly the controller (51) also includes laser control and processing means (54), blade movement control means (56) and blade position processing means (58) which operate in conjunction with the halting means (57) to enable overriding control of the movement of the blade (18).

Abstract: A superconducting composite comprising a compound oxide type superconductor and an outer metal pipe on which said superconductor is supported, characterized in that (i) said outer metal pipe is made of at least one of metals selected from a group comprising gold, silver and platinum metals and their alloys or (ii) an intermediate layer made of these precious metals is interposed between the compound oxide and the metal pipe. The composite may be in a form of a solid pipe or a hollow pipe having a superconducting thin layer deposited on an inner surface of the metal pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for performing tests on absorbent substrates (2), particularly by applying at least one of the opposite sides (2A, 2B) of said substrate (2) to a receiving surface (3A, 7). This device is characterized in that it comprises a means (4) whose function is to ensure the tight application of the substrate (2) to a receiving surface (3A, 7), i.e., a means capable of elastically deforming at least this substrate (2) so that it is tightly pressed against said receiving surface (3A, 7).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for transporting fluent cargoes through liquid are provided, the apparatus including one or more units arranged in substantially linear alignment, in which at least one of the units includes two or more non-internally reinforced containers close-coupled in a side-by-side manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a surface of zinc or of an alloy of zinc and aluminum, said method comprising the step of treating said surface with an aqueous solution having a pH of below 3 and comprising a complex formed from at least one species of metal oxo ion in conjunction with at least one species of hetero ion, the metal oxo ion being selected from the group consisting of molybdate, tungstate and vanadate; the hetero ion being selected from the group consisting of phosphorus (V), aluminium (III), silicon (IV), manganese (II), manganese (IV), zirconium (IV), titanium (IV), tin (IV), cerium (III) and nickel (II); and with a film forming acid tolerant resin compatible with the selected ions.

Abstract: The invention addresses the problem of edge bulging and breakout of as cast strip due to a decrease of perfect solid phase shell thickness of the strip caused by heat recuperation of the unsolidified portion of the strip, by providing a chamber 19 which encloses the travel path of a strip 8 delivered from a pair of chilled rolls 1a and 1b, a pair of chilled blocks 29a arranged in the chamber to be positioned near a nip between the chilled rolls 1a and 1b, with each chilled block 29a being shaped for loose fitting over an edge of a strip 8 and being capable of injecting cooling gas toward the edge of the strip 8. When the strip 8 is to be continuously cast, the interior of the chamber 19 provides an inert gas atmosphere, in which the cooling gas injected by the cooling blocks 29a injection-cools the edges of the strip 8 delivered from the chilled rolls 1a and 1b at a position near the nip between the chilled rolls 1a and 1b.

Abstract: Continuous casting of steel strip in twin-roll caster comprising casting rolls (16). Molten steel is delivered by a delivery system comprising a distributor (18) and delivery nozzle (19) to casting pool (68) supported above the nip (69) between the casting rolls (16) which are rotated to deliver a solidified steel strip (20) downwardly from the nip. The casting pool is confined by side closures (56) comprising refractory plates to contact and dam the molten steel. To minimise reactions between carbon in the pool closures with oxygen containing compounds in the casting pool the side closure plates are made of refractory material containing a major proportion of a refractory aggregate and a minor proportion of graphite of at least 96% purity in the range of 10 to 30% by weight and an anti-oxidant additive being aluminium or an alloy thereof. The refractory aggregate may be comprised mainly of alumina.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a bracket (1) which in a preferred embodiment is formed of a single strip of sheet metal comprising an affixture portion or a flat wall frame affixture portion (2) and an anchoring portion or a flat base affixture portion (3) having temporary spacing means in the form of four outwardly protruding teeth (4) projecting from a lower face of the base affixture portion (3). The wall frame affixture portion (2) is secured via affixture fasteners (7) to a structural member of a wall frame in the form of a wall stud (8). The base of affixture portion (3) is secured against the upper surface of a building element or a concrete floor slab (6). In assembly, the teeth (4) provide a temporary gap between the lower face (13) of the base fixture portion (3) and the upper surface of the base or concrete floor slab (6). The bracket (1) is secured to the concrete slab (6) via a bolt or shank (9) pre-anchored to the base (6).

Abstract: A process for combining single color feed yarns, either dyed or melt pigmented, without twisting or heat-setting, to form an apparent space-dyed yarn product. The process includes the sequential steps of individually and simultaneously drawing two or more pre-spun, pre-colored singles yarns, at least one of which is differentially colored with respect to the other yarns; individually and simultaneously texturing the two or more yarns; individually and simultaneously entangling the two or more textured yarns in a first air-jet entangling process to form respective two or more entangle-sequenced yarns each having sequences of entangled and unentangled fibers; together air-jet entangling the two or more sequences of entangled and unentangled fiber yarns in a second air-jet entangling process to form a final apparent space-dyed yarn; and winding up the final apparent space-dyed yarn.

Abstract: An arbourless casting roll for casting steel strip includes a cylindrical tube (20) of copper of copper alloy having a wall thickness in the range of 30 mm-200 mm and a series of holes defining longitudinal water flow passages (26). A pair of steel stub shafts (21, 22) disposed one at each end of tube (20) have end formations (27, 28) which fit snugly into the ends of tube (20) and have circumferential flanges (29, 30) abutting the ends of the tube. Fasteners (71) extend through flanges (29, 30) into at least some of the holes (26) to fix the stub shafts to the tube (20) such that the tube is unsupported between the stub shafts (21, 22). Water flow ducts (35, 36( in the stub shaft end formations (27, 28) allow flow of water to and from the flow passages (26).

Abstract: Twin roll strip casting apparatus in which a pair of pool confining side plates (56) engage end surfaces of casting rolls (16) to form side confining closures for the pool. Plates (56) are mounted in side plate holders (82) connected to horizontally acting thrusters (83) which apply inward closure forces to the side plates (56). Thrusters (83) are mounted on a pair of carriages (101) disposed one at each end of the casting roll assembly and movable toward and away from one another to enable the spacing between them to be adjusted so that the carriages (101) can be preset before a casting operation to suit the width of the casting rolls (16). Carriages (101) are mounted on a central frame structure (103) which sits over the casting rolls (16).

Abstract: Twin roll casting method and apparatus in which molten metal is introduced between a pair of chilled rolls (16) via an elongate delivery nozzle (19) to form a casting pool (68) above the nip (69) between the rolls (16). Rolls (16) are rotated to cast a solidified strip (20) delivered downwardly from the nip (69). Delivery nozzle (19) comprises upwardly opening trough having side walls (62), a floor (63) and bottom outlet openings (64). A pair of upright flow barrier walls (84) stand up from floor (63) to define an internal trough channel (85) to receive the incoming flow of molten metal (65). Barrier walls (84) prevent direct flow of the incoming metal to the outlet openings (64).

Abstract: A kneeling board having a replaceable anti-slip pad for use on sloping surfaces is provided wherein the kneeling board is provided with a sheet or layer of hook fasteners of the hook-and-loop type fastener system disposed on underside thereof, and wherein a replaceable anti-slip pad is provided having a sheet or layer of the complementary loop elements provided on a flat surface thereof. The anti-slip pad is constructed of a high density, closed-cell foam that provides greatly improved traction on roofing surfaces, thereby improving the ability to securely place the kneeling board on the sloping surface without substantial slipping, which improves worker safety and productivity or efficiency. The kneeling board has a kneeling pad disposed on an upper surface thereof, and has a foothold projection extending upwardly from the upper surface at an edge of the board, and at a distance spaced apart from the kneeling pad, so as to create a channel into which the worker may secure his feet.

Abstract: A fluid pressure amplifier is provided, which includes a pipe for flowing fluid and having an array of holes formed therein through which fluid can flow from within the pipe in use, and resiliently-movable obturator means adjacent the pipe and operatively responsive to fluid inlet pressure in the pipe, in which fluid inlet pressure causes the obturator means to oscillate between conditions which alternately permit and prevent fluid from passing through the holes, whereby the fluid leaving the pipe has a pulsed increased pressure. The amplifier is intended for use especially to increase the pressure of water flowing through a pipe submerged in a river, to provide a pumping action to a higher level.

Abstract: A versatile and easily serviceable material spreading apparatus of the type for movement over a ground surface while broadcasting a material along a path on the ground surface. The apparatus includes a belt cartridge which can be slid into or pulled out of a chassis compartment having ledges for supporting the cartridge. The belt cartridge provides an upper flight on which material is carried from a hopper supported on the chassis to a broadcasting unit carried at one end of the chassis. A plurality of broadcasting units each of which has an attachment component, which in combination with a mating attachment component carried by the chassis, permits quick fastening and removal of each unit relative to the chassis. One of the broadcasting units mounts an elongated rotatable member below a drop-offend of the upper flight of the belt cartridge, and the rotatable member is driven in a direction so that the upper rotating periphery of the rotating member propels the material upward and away from the chassis.

Abstract: A method of manufacture and a piezoelectric transducer are provided having a housing whose interior contains a piezoelectric element having radially spaced surfaces which undergo relative shear and produce an electrical signal in response thereto, an outer radial surface of the piezoelectric element being soldered to the interior of the housing, and an inner radial surface of the piezoelectric element is soldered to the outer surface of a stress/strain transmitting element. The solder alloy used shrinks less than 2.5% at solidification. The subassembly made up of the piezoelectric element and the stress/strain transmitting element is provided with a passage to permit escape of gas from a chamber above the piezoelectric member which may be present from vapors attendant soldering.

Abstract: A process for preparing an oxide superconductor thin film which has a high crystalline, clean and excellent superconductive surface on a substrate by MBE. The MBE is effected under a condition that the substrate is heated and an oxidizing gas is locally supplied to the proximity of the substrate so that the pressure of the proximity of the substrate becomes 6×10−6 to 8×10−5 Torr at a background pressure.

Abstract: A balloon catheter device designed to be especially well suited for use in providing medical treatment within a blood vessel, and a method for conducting such medical treatment are provided, wherein the balloon catheter has a central support tube or lumen, and has, near a distal end of the catheter, a plurality of inflatable balloon elements extending along the catheter in helical patterns, with the balloon elements spaced equidistantly around the central support tube. The catheter thus provides the ability to apply pressure, by way of the inflated balloon elements, to center the central support tube in the blood vessel, while at the same time preserving blood flow in the blood vessel past the catheter as well as in side branch blood vessels extending from the blood vessel under repair.

Abstract: A soil sampling system includes a rig for driving a drive casing, a sample barrel, and sample liners simultaneously into soil to be sampled. The rig includes mechanisms for driving the casing, barrel, and lining in three modes: hydraulic hammer, continuous pressure, and vibration. The three drive mechanisms can be operated singly or in any combination. After the casing, barrel, and liners are advanced a selected depth into the soil, the barrel and liners are removed. The drive casing remains in the soil. New sample liners are put into the sample barrel, and an inner rod is attached to the sample barrel. The sample barrel is then replaced into the drive casing, and extensions are attached to the drive casing. The drive casing, including extensions, and the sample barrels, along with sample liners and inner rod, are driven further down into the soil.