Abstract: An apparatus for stirring a molten metal in an open topped mould, in for example a continuous casting process, includes a series of electrical conductors which are positioned above the top of the mould and about the vertical axis thereof. Each of these conductors are connected to a different phase of a multi-phase alternating current supply, so that the currents flowing in the conductors will create a magnetic field which rotates about the vertical axis of the mould and penetrates down into the mould. Ferromagnetic pole pieces are associated with the conductors to provide a low reluctance flux path, which will reduce leakage of the magnetic field above the conductors and concentrate the field below the conductors where it penetrates down into the mould.

Abstract: A rotary transmission has an input shaft, an output shaft, two layshafts, two drive clutches and gear trains selectively engageable by dog clutches to transmit drive from the input shaft to the output shaft according to the state of engagement of the drive clutches and dog clutches. A transfer gear train and dog clutch is provided for drive between the layshafts, a further dog clutch being provided between one of the layshafts and the output shaft. The transmission provides six sequential speed ratios with pre-selection of adjacent ratios, alternate speed ratios being driven respectively through one and the other clutch.

Abstract: A brake booster has a reaction ring interposed between the usual valve body and rubber reaction ring. The ring may have a plurality of legs each with a hooked end to engage and retain the piston head of the input rod.

Abstract: An electronic control for a vehicle transmission having a clutch, the engagement of which is controlled in response to a clutch engagement signal. An electronic speed ratio logic for selection of the appropriate transmission gear ratio can produce a disengagement signal which overrides the engagement signal to cause disengagement of the clutch. A limiter is activated by a gear change signal from the logic to produce a limit signal which partially overrides the engagement signal to prevent full engagement of the clutch when the disengagement signal ceases, and the gear change signal is in operation.

Abstract: A wheel steering linkage includes a first arm pivoted about the wheel steering axis, a second arm pivoted intermediate its ends to the first arm, a third arm pivoted at one end to the second arm and at the other end about a fixed axis, and a fourth variable length arm pivoted at one end to the second arm and at the other end about a fixed axis. The fourth arm may be a servo motor.

Abstract: A recirculating fluidized bed furnace (FIG. 3) having a combustion chamber 4 operating at a fluidization velocity of 10 meters per second delivering combustion products to a separating section 10 with the combustion gases flowing over boiler banks 30-36 in a pass 30 and the solids particles falling to a weir chamber 14. Heat is extracted from the particles in a compartmented heat transfer bed space 20 operating at a fluidization velocity of 0.5 meters per second receiving the particles from the weir chamber 14 and discharging them to the base of the combustion chamber 4.The furnace is combined with a coal devolatilizer 60 discharging combustible gases through a burner 68 to a gas turbine 70 and char to the furnace combustion chamber 4. A compressor 72 coupled to the gas turbine 70 delivers air to an air heater 74 in the heat transfer bed space 20, which heated air is supplied to the devolatilizer 60 and the burner 68.

Abstract: A parison mold and baffle system for an automatic molding machine of the I-S type including a two piece split parison mold with an integral funnel thereon. The funnel portion terminates upwardly in an annular opening with walls of outwardly tapering cross section. A combined blow-down and baffle head has blow-down nozzles, a downwardly facing annular groove which is snugly received on the walls of the funnel in both the blow-down and mold closing baffle positions. Blow-down starts from the initial engagement of the blow-down and baffle head on the funnel and continues until said mold end is completely closed by the baffle.

Abstract: An apparatus for stirring a molten metal in an open topped mould, in for example a continuous casting process, includes means positioned above the mould for producing a magnetic field which moves linearly and penetrates down into the mould. The magnetic field may be produced by a series of electrical conductors positioned above the mould and arranged parallel to one another, each of these conductors being connected to a different phase of a multiphase alternating current supply. Ferromagnetic pole pieces may be associated with the conductors to provide a low reluctance flux path, which will reduce leakage of the magnetic field above the conductors and concentrate the field below the conductors where it penetrates down into the mould.

Abstract: A vehicle brake booster comprises a brake master cylinder operable by a brake pedal, and a power valve including valve means operable by the brake pedal to admit fluid under pressure from a source to a boost piston for applying a boost force to the master cylinder and to apply a reaction force to the brake pedal, the valve means are movable against a spring by fluid under pressure from the source from an inactive position to an active position so long as fluid under pressure is available.

Abstract: A tire building machine including a building drum for receiving a belt-tread assembly and a pair of coaxial shafts having disc members freely rotatable thereon for receiving and supporting a tire carcass. The disc members and shafts are pivotally movable as a unit and the disc members are also movable with respect to one another for engaging annular beads formed on said carcass to effect a seal therewith and permit the introduction of air to inflate said carcass to assume a toroidal shape. A radially expansible and contractable transfer ring, that is axially movable, engages the belt-tread assembly and transfers same from the drum to the carcass prior to the pivoting of the carcass, belts and tread stock into engagement with a rotatably driven stitcher apparatus.

Abstract: The control valve comprises a member defining an orifice for fluid and a resilient plate arranged to control flow of fluid through the orifice by flexing movement relative to the orifice. The plate may comprise a disc which is freely movable between first and second stops. The plate is arranged to engage the first stop to control fluid flow in one direction through the orifice by said flexing movement and is arranged to engage the second stop to permit relatively greater flow when fluid flows in the opposite direction through the orifice.

Abstract: A mechanical face seal comprises a seat associated with one of a pair of relatively rotatable components and a seal face member associated with the other component and movable axially with respect thereto. Said seal face member has a sealing face which engages an opposed face of the seat to provide a seal therebetween, and an integral secondary sealing means remote from said face. Means is provided to urge the seal face member axially into sealing engagement with the seat and the secondary sealing means radially into sealing engagement with the component associated with the seal face member.

Abstract: A non-contact measuring apparatus for determining errors in concentricity between an elongated electrically conductive core such as a wire and an insulation coating thereon is disclosed. An optical scanning section produces an electrical signal proportional to the position of the coating at the same time that a capacitance section produces an electrical signal proportional to the position of the core. A comparator compares the two signals to yield a difference or error signal proportional to the error of concentricity and the result is continuously displayed to show the axis and magnitude of the error.

Abstract: A speech coil 3 in for example a moving-coil type loudspeaker includes a layer of magnetizable material 1 such as plastics tape impregnated with ferric oxide. The tape is wound on to a former 2 and moves with the coil to provide magnetic damping to more accurately center the coil and reduce overshoot of the coil in response to current peaks.

Abstract: This invention relates to internally prestressed flexible capsule devices for insertion within or partly within the male and female urethra for the specific purpose of the automatic and/or manual control of urinary incontinence which is effected by a prestressed device deforming the lower interior of the urethra into a broadly elliptical shape stressed slightly in excess of the involuntary pressure, and such that the devices deform or collapse on their cross-section at the increased urine voiding pressure and open a free urine bypass cross-section area and when voiding ceases the capsule device returns to its maximum cross-sectional area for involuntary urine flow control ready for repeat cycles as selected.

Abstract: A communications cable based on optical fibres comprises a core 2 with external helical channels 13. The fibres 6 in the channels are accessible through removable parts 15 of an outer sheath 4.

Abstract: A range of alkali metal borosilicate glass compositions modified by the addition of alkaline earth metal oxides has been found to be especially suitable for the production of graded index optical fibre using the double crucible method. A core glass from this range may be paired with a suitable cladding glass, which may be another glass from the same range or an unmodified alkali metal borosilicate, so that in the nozzle of the double crucible thermal diffusion takes place to give a composition gradient of alkaline earth metal oxide and hence a refractive index gradient. The fibres thus obtained have better refractive index profiles if the proportions of the oxides in the core and cladding glasses are chosen so as to exclude a simple ion-exchange mechanism. Fibres having numerical apertures of up to 0.268 and best loss values as low as 5.0 dB/km have been prepared.

Abstract: A tube bending machine with rotary arms carrying a bending moment roller and a bending fulcrum roller has arm shafts mounted for axial movement. The arms are rotated for the tube bending action, whereby the bend so made in the tube lies in a predetermined non-planar arc. The arm shafts are turned by a pinion engaged by a rack and are moved axially by suitable pins engaged in cam slots with the rack and the cam slots all being moved simultaneously. In order to retain the tube in proper location or position during the trusts of non-planar arc bending there may be included more than one roller.