Abstract: A fractionator for yielding petroleum products in association with a delayed coking process includes a bottom having a pool of petroleum residue and recycle liquid, a flash zone above the pool, an inlet line for conveying to the flash zone product vapors which are relatively warm with respect to the pool, and a baffle positioned between the flash zone and the pool to isolate the relatively warm product vapors from the pool and, thereby, reduce condensation of the product vapors. The fractionator also includes a wash zone, above the flash zone, in which the product vapors condense, and a downwardly pointed frustoconical element, an annular trough and an arrangement of conduits for conducting the condensed recycle liquid from the wash zone to the pool, out of contact with the product vapors in the flash zone.

Abstract: Cutters for removing excess weld material from elongated welds are moved by hydraulic cylinders into precise positions in proximity to the article having the welds to maintain the desired uniform thickness of the welds. The movement of the hydraulic cylinders is controlled by tracer control valves having operating elements engaged by members connected to sensing rollers which engage the article as the article is moved past the sensing rollers. The positions of the rollers and the cutter are adjustable to accommodate articles of various sizes.

Abstract: A crack arrester for stopping a propagating ductile fracture in an object such as a pipe comprises a band defined by a plurality of continuous, high tensile strength, nonmetallic fibers which are wound around the object in intersecting relationship with the direction of propagation and are encapsulated in a resin matrix which is cured.

Abstract: A self-positioning scarfing apparatus includes a plurality of sensing wheels and scarfing tools, each sensing wheel and scarfing tool defining an operative set mounted on a common support and biased by a biasing device, such as a spring assembly or hydraulic cylinder, into engagement with an elongated weld on a workpiece. One operative set is mounted on each end of a yoke, which is in turn mounted for movement relative to the workpiece. In one embodiment, the yoke is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the workpiece. In an alternate embodiment, a positioning wheel is mounted in the yoke for engagement with the workpiece, and the yoke is mounted for biased reciprocation to a hydraulic cylinder or spring assembly. Apparatus identical to that just described is positioned on the opposite side of the workpiece for scarfing the opposite side.

Abstract: A divided rotary valve feeder includes an inlet conduit, an outlet divided into a plurality of passages by webs, and rotor mounted between the inlet conduit and the outlet. The rotor includes vanes defining troughs and partitions dividing the troughs into a plurality of compartments. The partitions engage the webs to assure discharge of material from each compartment to an aligned passage, and the passages are in communication with conveyors for moving the material to a point of use. Tiltable splitter plates may be provided in the inlet conduit in engagement with the partitions to evenly distribute the flow of material to the compartments in each trough. Compressed air or other gas may be fed to each of the compartments to assist the discharge of material either by direct contact or by flexing a flexible boot in each compartment.