Abstract: Apparatus for feeding balls to a grinding mill. The apparatus includes a downwardly inclined chute (12) adapted to receive balls from a bin or hopper, the chute for delivering the balls to the grinding mill and means (20) for sequentially feeding the balls, one-at-a-time, to the grinding mill. The feeding means includes a first actuator (22) and a second actuator (26). Each of the actuators preferably includes an extension arm (24 and 28 respectively) mounted for rotation along the longitudinal axis of the chute. The first actuator is for restraining balls from traveling down the chute and works in conjunction with the second actuator for isolating the lowermost ball in the chute to be fed next to the grinding mill. The second actuator is for releasing the isolated ball. The feeding means may include a computer controller (90) for operating each of the actuators at a predetermined time interval corresponding to the ball attrition rate of the grinding mill.

Abstract: Steel sheet coated with a relatively insoluble, inorganic, corrosion resistant coating. A silicate coating is formed on a steel sheet by rinsing the sheet for at least 30 seconds in an alkaline aqueous solution containing 0.005 M silicate, 0.005 M metal salt and having a temperature of at least 25.degree. C. The sheet is dried to form an adherent silicate coating having a thickness of at least 2 nm prior to being treated with an aqueous solution containing 0.5-5 vol.-% silane. If the sheet is painted, the silane film forms an adherent bond between the paint and the silicate coating. A silane treated silicate coating minimizes red rusting on terne coated steel by sealing pin holes. A silane treated silicate coating also provides good corrosion protection and paint adherence on cold-rolled or galvanized steel.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for forming a plastic coating on a metal strip. A metal strip is cleaned, surface treated, coated with an electrostatically charged plastic powder in an enclosed chamber using a plurality of spray guns positioned on both sides of the strip, inductively heated to above the melting point of the powder, and maintained in an infrared heater until the fused powder is flowed into a coating having a smooth surface and a uniform thickness. Thermoplastic and thermosetting coatings, having thicknesses of at least 10 microns formed using total induction and infrared heating times of less than 60 seconds, can be fabricated without cracking.

Abstract: Zinc or zinc alloy plated steel sheet ready for deep drawing coated with 1-5 gm/m.sup.2 of a dry, tack free continuous thermoplastic acrylic coating. The coating is formed by inductively heating the sheet to a temperature of about 149.degree.-246.degree. C. for no more than 10 seconds after being roll coated with a continuous liquid film of an aqueous solution including an acrylic polymer. The acrylic coating forms a protective film that is impervious to moisture, oil, and dirt, is able to be welded and adhesively bonded and possesses sufficient toughness and lubricity to allow deformation of the sheet without additional external lubricant. A deep drawn article formed from the sheet has enhanced painting characteristics after the acrylic coating is removed and the article is coated with a phosphate coating.

Abstract: Apparatus for horizontally plating one surface of conductive sheet with a metal or metal alloy. The apparatus includes an electrolyte holding tank, a horizontally disposed enclosed electrolyte conduit having extended inlet and outlet portions, a variable speed pump for passing electrolyte from the holding tank through the conduit and a rectifier for supplying electrical current. The holding tank includes means for dissipation of entrapped gas bubbles generated during metal deposition or caused by aeration. The conduit has a horizontal opening including an insoluble anode within the opening for defining a plating cell. The anode is positioned parallel to the axis of the conduit and in alignment with the opening. The plating cell includes means for supporting the sheet above the opening. The inlet and outlet portions of the conduit are positioned in-line with the plating cell.

Abstract: A piston assembly comprising a primary piston and a co-centric secondary piston. The pistons are received within a housing for reciprocating movement therein and relative to each other. The housing and the pistons are arranged for operating pressure to be applied to the secondary piston so as to drive both pistons within the housing. The secondary piston is provided with means enabling the operating pressure to be equalized across the secondary piston and at least one bypass passage extends through the secondary piston. The arrangement is such that upon completion of the stroke of the pistons pressure equalization occurs across the secondary piston which causes the pistons to separate. The bypass passage becomes fully operable subsequent to pressure equalization, whereby a fast return stroke is achieved.

Abstract: A cold reduced, non-aging, aluminum killed steel characterized by an elongated grain structure and having an r.sub.m value at least 1.8 produced from a slab having a reduced hot rolling temperature. A slab consisting essentially of .ltoreq.0.08% carbon, .ltoreq.0.1% acid sol. aluminum, .ltoreq.0.2% manganese, all percentages by weight, the balance iron and unavoidable impurities, is hot rolled to a sheet from a temperature less than 1260.degree. C. Preferably, the slab is continuously cast from a melt consisting essentially of 0.03-0.08% acid sol. aluminum, 0.003-0.007% total nitrogen, <0.20% manganese, wherein % acid sol. aluminum.times.% total nitrogen is within the range of 1.times.10.sup.-4 to 5.times.10.sup.-4 and is hot rolled from a temperature of 1093.degree.-1175.degree. C. The hot rolled sheet is descaled, cold reduced, batch annealed and temper rolled. Preferably, the cold reduced sheet is annealed in the range of 538.degree.-649.degree. C.

Abstract: Method for forming a laminate and a product formed therefrom. A thin layer of oil is applied to a facing surface of at least one of a plurality of adjacent sheets and a wax is applied along the longitudinal edges of a facing surface of at least one of the sheets. The sheets are combined into a laminate by being passed between a pair of rollers which apply sufficient pressure to remove excess oil from between the facing surfaces and to spread the wax thereby forming a continuous seal along the longitudinal edges of the laminate. Air between the facing surfaces is displaced by the oil and the wax forms the seal to prevent reentry of the air and seepage of the oil along the longitudinal edges of the laminate. The laminate is tightly held together to permit handling or fabrication without delamination.

Abstract: Continuous hot dip aluminum coated ferritic chromium alloy steel strip. Strip is cleaned by heating to a temperature no greater than about 650.degree. C. in a direct fired furnace. The cleaned strip is further heated in a protective atmosphere containing at least 95% by volume hydrogen, cooled in the protective hydrogen atmosphere to near or slightly above the melting point of an aluminum coating metal, and passed into a bath of the aluminum coating metal. The low direct fired furnace cleaning temperature and hydrogen protective atmosphere provides good wetting of a chromium alloy steel surface to prevent uncoated areas or pin holes in the aluminum coated layer.

Abstract: Steel sheet coated with a nontoxic, relatively insoluble, inorganic, corrosion resistant coating. A silicate coating is formed on a steel sheet by rinsing the sheet for at least 30 seconds in an alkaline aqueous solution containing 0.005 M silicate, 0.005 M metal salt and having a temperature of at least 25.degree. C. The sheet is dried to form an adherent silicate coating having a thickness of at least 2 nm prior to being treated with an aqueous solution containing 0.5-5 vol.-% silane. If the sheet is painted, the silane film forms an adherent bond between the paint and the silicate coating. A silane treated silicate coating minimizes red rusting on terne coated steel by sealing pin holes. A silane treated silicate coating also provides good corrosion protection and paint adherence on cold-rolled or galvanized steel.

Abstract: Caustic dezincing galvanized steel scrap. A dezincing plant includes a plurality of tanks interconnected in series with steel scrap sequentially being moved through each of the tanks. The tanks contain a caustic leaching solution including an oxidant with the leaching solution being circulated through each of the tanks in a direction opposite to the movement of the scrap. Fresh scrap initially is exposed to a partially depleted leaching solution with the oxidant concentration of the leaching solution increasing as the scrap moves through the series of tanks. Leaching solution depleted of its oxidant is transferred to an electrolytic cell where zinc is removed and plated as metallic zinc powder onto a cathode. The leaching solution is recycled by removing zinc. The chemistry of the leaching solution is controlled so that sufficient free caustic is present to prevent passivating zinc coating on the scrap.

Abstract: A device for systematic sampling coarse material sliding down an inclined chute. A bottom portion of the chute is removed and replaced by a sampling device mounted below the chute opening. The sampling device includes a drum for receiving the sample, a gate mounted to the bottom of the chute for rotation between open and closed positions and a motor for rotating the drum. The outer surface of the drum is provided with an opening. The drum is rotated until the drum opening is aligned with the chute opening causing the gate to be rotated to its open position. Material is diverted from the chute into the drum. After the sample is obtained, rotation of the drum is continued until the gate is closed so that the material continues to slide down the chute without passing into the drum.

Abstract: A non-aging, cold reduced, recrystallization annealed, low manganese, aluminum killed steel having an r.sub.m value greater than 1.8 produced from a slab having a reduced hot rolling temperature. A slab consisting essentially of .ltoreq.0.08% carbon, .ltoreq.0.1% acid sol. aluminum, <0.20% manganese, all percentages by weight, the balance iron and unavoidable impurities, is hot rolled from a temperature less than about 1260.degree. C. Preferably, the steel has an r.sub.m value of greater than 2.0 after batch annealing and is produced from a slab reheated to a temperature less than about 1175.degree. C.

Abstract: A hanger comprising two tubular sections, one partially received within the other, one section having a serrated surface and the other section retaining at least one detent whereby the axial length of the hanger is adjustable. This arrangement obviates the disadvantage in the conventional tie-back method of sub-sea wellhead completion wherein it is necessary to cut and dress the casing after pulling tension in the casing string.

Abstract: Continuously hot dip aluminum coated ferritic chromium alloy steel strip. After the steel has been given a pretreatment to remove surface contaminants, the steel is protected in a hydrogen atmosphere until it is passed into the molten aluminum coating metal. The coating metal readily wets the steel surface to prevent uncoated areas or pin holes in the coating layer.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for forming a plastic coating on a metal strip. A metal strip is cleaned, surface treated, coated with an electrostatically charged plastic powder in an enclosed chamber using a plurality of spray guns positioned on both sides of the strip, inductively heated to above the melting point of the powder, and maintained in an infrared heater until the fused powder is flowed into a coating having a smooth surface and a uniform thickness. Thermoplastic and thermosetting coatings, having thicknesses of at least 10 microns formed using total induction and infrared heating times of less than 60 seconds, can be fabricated without cracking.

Abstract: Lubrication system for a centrifugal pump having a bearing mounted around a rotatable vertical shaft. The lubrication system includes a reservoir for holding a quantity of lubricant, structure for withdrawing lubricant from the reservoir, a stator, and a passageway for communicating lubricant from the reservoir to the bearing. The withdrawing structure includes a rotor connected to the vertical shaft. The stator encircles the rotor with the rotor and stator extending axially into the reservoir. The stator minimizes vortexing and churning of the lubricant in the reservoir during rotation of the rotor. Dynamic seals are not necessary with the lubrication system. Accordingly, concern of heat generation and wear associated with dynamic seals has been eliminated.

Abstract: Drilling equipment including apparatus for laterally moving a direct drive drilling unit to a position offset from the centerline of a well. The drilling equipment includes a traveling block suspended for generally vertical travel within a derrick during drilling of a well, a direct drive drilling unit suspendable from the traveling block, means for guiding the drilling unit during drilling and apparatus connected to the derrick for moving the drilling unit laterally relative to the axis of the well to an offset position. The drilling unit includes a drill motor and a drive sleeve for threadably connecting the drill motor to a drill string in the well. The guide means includes a first pair of rails connected to the derrick and extending parallel to the axis of the well. The apparatus includes a second pair of rails and means for supporting the drilling unit. The second pair of rails is positionable below and in alignment with the first pair of rails when the support means is in the offset position.

Abstract: Continuous hot dip aluminum coated ferritic chromium alloy steel strip. Strip is cleaned by heating to a temperature no greater than about 650.degree. C. in a direct fired furnace. The cleaned strip is further heated in a protective atmosphere containing at least 95% by volume hydrogen, cooled in the protective hydrogen atmosphere to near or slightly above the melting point of an aluminum coating metal, and passed into a bath of the aluminum coating metal. The low direct fired furnace cleaning temperature and hydrogen protective atmosphere provides good wetting of a chromium alloy steel surface to prevent uncoated areas or pin holes in the aluminum coated layer.

Abstract: Method for forming a laminate and a product formed therefrom. A thin layer of oil is applied to a facing surface of at least one of a plurality of adjacent sheets and a wax is applied along the longitudinal edges of a facing surface of at least one of the sheets. The sheets are combined into a laminate by being passed between a pair of rollers which apply sufficient pressure to remove excess oil from between the facing surfaces and to spread the wax thereby forming a continuous seal along the longitudinal edges of the laminate. Air between the facing surfaces is displaced by the oil and the wax forms the seal to prevent reentry of the air and seepage of the oil along the longitudinal edges of the laminate. The laminate is tightly held together to permit handling or fabrication without delamination.