Abstract: A bundle of tubes filled with nuclear fuel is positioned in a machine with the lower end of the bundle adjacent a first rotary cutter which is operated to sever the lower ends of the tubes after which the bundle is moved to a position adjacent a second rotary cutter where the tubes are cut into short lengths by teeth carried by a second rotary cutter.

Abstract: The present specification relates to pin sliding caliper disc brakes suitable for use in trucks. The disc brake of the present invention comprises a caliper slidably mounted on a first torque taking member, the caliper being open-topped for the easy insertion of friction pad assemblies. A supplementary torque taking member is detachably secured to the first torque taking member and has a pair of finger-like projections which, in use, engage in complementary recesses in the friction pad assemblies whereby the pad braking force is taken directly by the torque taking members. To replace the pad assemblies, the supplementary torque taking member is detached to allow for easy access to the caliper.

Abstract: In a disc brake the application of the brake is initiated by angular movement of at least one pressure plate with respect to a reaction member to cause the pressure plate to move axially into engagement with a friction disc which, in turn, is urged into engagement with a surface in a stationary housing. The angular movement is effected hydraulically by an actuator comprising a piston working in a bore of a cylinder, the axis of which is substantially at right angles to that of the brake. The piston acts through a part-spherical rocking thrust coupling associated with a pull-rod passing through the actuator with a substantial clearance, the inner end of the pull-rod being pivotally coupled to a lug on the pressure plate, and the outer end being adapted for connection to a hand lever by which the pull-rod can be moved in a brake-applying direction.

Abstract: A boot assembly for preventing ingress of dirt into one end of a bore in a housing in which a piston works usually consists of a first portion sealing against the housing adjacent to the end of the bore, a second portion sealing against the piston and a flexible web connecting the two. To prevent the second portion lifting away from the piston, to which it is conventionally attached by being stretched round a groove at the end of the piston, the boot assembly is combined with a plate, having its outer peripheral edge sealingly connected to the second portion, and an inner face in abutment with the adjacent end of the piston.

Abstract: For liquefying hot melt adhesive, a hopper is provided at its lower region with one or more discrete upwards projections (for example a single, fluted cone), with means for heating the projection(s). In use, a unitary mass of hot melt adhesive is lowered into the hopper to become supported on the projection(s), as a result of which the unitary mass is progressively melted and the melted adhesive flows from the bottom of the hopper.

Abstract: A control valve assembly incorporates a flow control valve, and a piston which are both biassed in the same direction against pressure in an hydraulic accumulator by first and second respective springs. Accumulator pressure in a control chamber also acts to urge the flow control valve in the same direction as it is biassed by the spring and pressure from a pump acts to bias the flow control valve in the opposite direction. A pilot dump valve controlling communication between the chamber and an outlet connection is normally biassed into a closed position by a third spring. The dump valve is adapted to open at a cut-out pressure to dump pressure from the chamber, and the cut-out pressure is determined by the area of the seating of the dump valve over which the pressure in the chamber acts, and the force in the third spring. A cut-in pressure at which the dump valve closes is determined by the area of the first piston and the force in the second spring.

Abstract: The present invention provides an extract obtained by extracting a plant belonging to the genus Epimedium sp. with a mixed solvent of water and a water-miscible organic solvent or with water, defatting the obtained aqueous extract and collecting a high-molecular compounds-containing fraction from the defatted aqueous extract, a process for preparation of this extract, an antibacterial agent comprising this extract as an effective component and an antibacterial therapy by using this extract.

Abstract: A heating system is provided in which a rotor is rotated within a body of liquid within a chamber to heat the liquid by friction, and the liquid is conveyed to a heat exchanger and then returned to the liquid heater. The rotor chamber of the liquid heater is surrounded by a jacket chamber to which cooled liquid passes from the heat exchanger and in which it is heated by convection from the rotor chamber and from which it passes to the rotor chamber.

Abstract: A selector valve for a vehicle braking system in which brakes mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle can be operated selectively either together or independently, comprises an operating lever (9) for displacing a valve spool (2) to control communication between inlet ports (3,4) and outlet ports (5,6), the lever being guided by a slot (8) which includes latching notches (20) in which the lever is engageable to preselect a particular steering mode of brake operation. The lever is automatically disengaged from the notches after each brake operation by a piston (15) which is actuated by the fluid pressure in a chamber (16) connected to an inlet port (4).

Abstract: An inductive displacement transducer is described in which the magnitude of the phase difference between A.C. current and voltage in a coil is dependent upon the axial displacement of a monitored object. The phase difference depends upon the axial position relative to the coil of a short-circuit turn which moves with the monitored object. A magnetic flux concentrator, which may be combined with the short circuit turn, enhances the flux linkage between the short-circuit turn and the coil. In order to sense the height of a vehicle suspension strut, the coil is mounted on a plastics dirt shield, the short-circuit turn is provided by a sleeve plated with an electrically conductive metal and secured to the strut cylinder. Various circuits are described for monitoring the height signals produced by the different suspension struts of a vehicle.

Abstract: A writing tip 1 for use with aqueous ink comprises an elongate housing 2. A writing ball 3 is retained in a socket 4 at one end 5 of the housing and a fibrous feed core 6 having aqueous ink feeding capillaries extends into a bore 7 in the housing from the other end 8. The core 6 acts to transfer aqueous ink from a source to the ball via a grooved feed passage 9 between the bore 7 and socket 4 and in order to provide releasable transfer of ink between the core 6 and the passage 9, the core is inserted into the end 13 of the passage, the material of the core being substantially uncompressed within the grooves 12 of the passage 9 and assuming substantially the cross-section of the passage at least at the end 13.

Abstract: A dual brake valve assembly for use in fluid pressure-operated vehicle braking systems embodying two independent braking circuits comprises a housing provided with sets of primary and secondary ports associated respectively with the two braking circuits and each consisting of a supply port for connection to a source of fluid under pressure and a delivery port for connection to a brake actuator, an exhaust, and two co-axial primary and secondary valves which are operative, when actuated, to isolate the delivery ports from the exhaust and connect them to the respective supply ports. A primary piston operates the primary valve directly and acts through the primary valve and a secondary piston to operate the secondary valve. The secondary piston is provided with passages through which the respective supply and delivery ports of each set are placed in communication when the respective primary and secondary valves are operated.

Abstract: In the installation of a roof bolt in the roof of a mine, a hole is driven vertically upwards into the rock above the mine roof and the bolt is pushed up the hole. Moist grit is blown up the annular gap around the shank of the bolt and packs into the gap to anchor the bolt in place. The air can escape from the bottom of the hole. The bolt may be tubular and form a duct for escaping air. When the gap is full of grit a sealing washer is pushed into the bottom part of the hole. A roof plate is located against the roof and held in place by a nut screwed to the projecting lower end portion of the bolt.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system provides independent suspension for each wheel, with the load on each wheel being supported by a gas spring which has a volume of gas for supporting the load, and a volume of hydraulic fluid through which movement of the wheel is transmitted to the gas. In order to produce substantially constant vehicle handling for all load conditions of the vehicle, the suspension for the rear wheels includes a torsion bar, and a connection is provided between the hydraulic fluid volumes of the rear gas springs to allow flow of hydraulic fluid between the rear gas springs. The fluid may flow freely or through an orifice and relief valve assembly.

Abstract: A binder for a foundry mould or core comprises an alkali metal salt of a polyvalent organic acid or a polymerized monovalent organic acid, for example sodium polyacrylate, and an alkaline earth hydroxide such as calcium hydroxide, together with a suitable solvent. Up to 80% of the calcium hydroxide may be replaced by a polyvalent metal oxide or hydroxide. The mixture may include small proportions of other materials, such as aluminum sulphate. It is important that the pH of the organic acid salt solution before mixing with the alkaline earth hydroxide should not be too high and it should preferably be between 5 and 8, in particular between 5.7 and 6.6.

Abstract: A two-part crab holder is provided with specifically contoured surfaces for supporting a crab through various processing means.

Abstract: A fire-safe butterfly valve (FIG. 2) provides bi-directional sealing. In normal duties a polymeric seal provides forward and reverse sealing against the edge of the valve disc, the polymeric seal being resiliently loaded in the axial direction of the valve by a resilient metal ring. The metal ring provides a bi-directional seal with the disc edge in the event of destruction of the polymeric seal by fire. The metal ring in transverse cross-section consists of an arm having a curved radially inner end presenting a convex surface for engagement with the disc edge. For fluid pressure acting from the smaller diameter side of the disc, in the burnt out condition, the curvature of the radially inner end of the metal ring gives rise to an increased sealing force with the disc edge as the disc moves in response to the fluid pressure and the ring inner end remains in rolling contact with the disc edge.

Abstract: The present specification describes and claims a spot-type disc brake comprising a caliper and a torque taking member, a pair of abutment members being mounted on the torque taking member to form guides for an inboard friction pad assembly, one abutment member being secured in a fixed position and the other abutment member being adjustable in position to a limited extent. This arrangement is particularly applicable to twin-pin sliding caliper disc brakes wherein the same pinch bolts secure both the abutment members and the pins upon which the caliper is slidably mounted, to the torque taking member.

Abstract: A brake particularly suitable for operation under heavy load and adapted to be mounted at the end of the axle of a vehicle, inside a rim of a wheel thereof, adjacent to speed-reducing gearing itself housed in the normal way in said rim. The brake comprises a plurality of elementary distinct interchangeable modules each enclosed by a housing and operating by interengagement of interleaved discs capable of axially sliding one relative to another under the action of a suitable braking control, these discs being cooled by a liquid circulating in a closed circuit.

Abstract: In a vehicle braking system of the kind in which brakes mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle are associated with respective pedals (1) and can be operated together for normal vehicle retardation or independently to assist vehicle steering, the brakes are connected to respective chambers (14, 15) of a tandem master cylinder (5) through respective control devices (7) which are actuated by the pedals (1) and control communication between the respective chambers (14, 15) and a reservoir.