Abstract: A walking beam section of a cooling bed receives hot lengths of rails or beams for cooling through a first temperature range. Beams are turned at the end of the walking-beam section and positioned into a layered collection after which the collection is transferred throughout a second section of the cooling bed to a delivery section where chain conveyors deliver the beams to a run-out table for inspection and straightening. A layered collection of rails is moved from the delivery side of the walking-beam section to one of a plurality of discharge stations defined along the subsequently-arranged cooling bed section. Before the rails cool to a temperature below 725.degree. F., typically at 950.degree. F., the rails at each discharge station are lifted by a crane and transferred in the direction of their length to one of a plurality of insulated cooling boxes at one lateral side of the cooling bed. After the rails are slowly cooled in the cooling boxes, they are removed for further processing.

Abstract: A combination seismic/magnetic transducer capable of detecting movement in a magnetically-permeable body or vibration within the body while it is stopped.

Abstract: Thermal energy is converted into rotational energy by using the expansion of a fluid medium to propel a plurality of pistons within at least one continuous, closed-loop passageway mounted on a rotatable platform. In at least one region of the passageway, the pistons must move inwardly against centrifugal force as the platform rotates. In at least one other region of the passageway, the pistons are moved outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force. Means are provided for imparting force to successive ones of the pistons to propel them against centrifugal force in said one region; while means are provided for converting the energy of pistons moving outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force in said other region into rotational energy. This rotational energy is used to drive gears mounted on the platform which mesh with a stationary gear carried beneath the platform to cause rotation of the platform about its rotational axis.

Abstract: At least three crosscutters for a web of corrugated board include a first crosscutter for the original width of the web and second and third crosscutters for crosscutting slit subwebs having reduced widths as compared to the original web width. A module formed by the second and/or third crosscutters with less power and drive requirements is located in the same vertical plane as the crosscutter rolls of the first crosscutter or laterally displaced therefrom.

Abstract: A horizontally-extending bellows for enclosing a light beam in optical interferometer apparatus and the like, which incorporates means for maintaining the bellows straight as it is extended along a horizontal path, whereby the bellows is maintained in alignment with the light beam for all lengths of the bellows.

Abstract: A traction device includes traction arms each having a traction finger extending transversely to the treadwall portion of a tire while supported by a shank portion extending to a carrier plate. Pivotal support arms on the carrier plate engage the hub section of the wheel rim by projecting through openings through spoke portions of the rim. The free ends of the support arms engage a hub with a threaded opening received on a threaded shaft that is moved into contact with the axle member of the vehicle and supported by the carrier plate.

Abstract: An automatic check valve, particularly adapted for use in installations where it is desired to have the valve close automatically when a rupture occurs on the supply side of a high-pressure pipe system. The valve element for the check valve, which is adapted to move toward or away from an annular valve seat formed in a valve body between inlet and outlet ports, has a cone portion, preferably a truncated cone portion, which extends through the opening formed by the valve seat in the valve cody. This truncated cone portion, which reduces the cross-sectional area presented to fluid flow through the valve as it closes upon the occurrence of a rupture, results in a damping action which prevents shocks to the piping system as the valve closes upon the occurrence of a rupture. An additional damping piston is connected to the valve element to assist in the damping action as the valve closes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the colloid size of particles in a colloidal solution include the use of a wedge-shaped container for a sample of the colloidal solution. The container is moved in the direction of the wedge shape perpendicular to the path of a light beam to produce a measured sample thickness of the colloidal solution. Due to the Tyndall effect, the measured sample thickness is a function of the scattering of the light beam. A lens arranged between the sample holder and a dispersion prism directs the beam of light emerging from the sample holder to the prism for dispersion and impingement upon an image screen. The sample holder is moved until only red light appears on the image screen. The thickness of the light path through the sample is measured and the particle size is computed according to an equation.

Abstract: A drilling bit for blast furnace tap holes and the like which facilitates rapid drilling of clay within the tap hole and which can be readily and easily machined to accommodate tap holes of different diameters. The bit is characterized in having inclined cutting edges which converge into a point and are separated by flutes into which compressed air is forced to rapidly dislodge the drilled clay from between the cutting edges. By virtue of the convergence of the cutting edges into a point, the bit becomes self-centering during the drilling operation.

Abstract: A cable extending onto a drum-cutter loader mining machine has divided branch cable sections to supply electrical current to the individual drive motors for each of two cutting drums. A branch switch coupled in each divided branch cable section and a thyristor controller is coupled in one branch cable section before the switch therein. Crossover lines bridge the branch switches in each divided branch cable section. Bridge switches in each of the bridging crossover lines are used together with the branch switches to deliver electrical current from the controller to either or, if desired, both of the separate drive motors.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating exhaust gases to remove sulfur dioxide by contacting the gas with a solution of ammonium sulfite and bisulfite in a scrubber. A portion of the solution discharged from the scrubber is oxidized to form ammonium sulfate and the treated gas is further treated with the oxidized solution.

Abstract: A hot-melt adhesive line and an article of manufacture including the same are made up of one or more bundles of fibrous strands (49% by weight) and hot-melt adhesive to effect interfibrous adhesion after heated dispersion throughout the fibers of the strands. The line has an extruded outer layer of compacted adhesive to enclose the strands of the bundle and to adhere by uniform spreading of the entire strand onto a container surface. Typically, 1000 strands of man-made material are included in a hot-melt adhesive line that is 0.024 inch in diameter. Adjoined, side-by-side strands provide tape one-half inch in width.

Abstract: A reinforcement seal and tear tape or line is produced by a method wherein selected fibrous yarn is passed into a bath of hot-melt adhesive maintained at a desired temperature. The yarn is spread laterally and tensioned within the bath to cause the adhesive to penetrate and surround the fibrous yarn. The adhesive adhered to the yarn is extruded within the bath to controllably reduce the amount and cross-sectional shape of the adhesive coating on the yarn by contact with rollers, one of which is submerged in the adhesive bath or a die partly submerged in the adhesive bath. The yarn with an extruded adhesive coating thereon is then cooled by passing through a refrigerated cooling chamber after which the adhesive coating is formed into a desired shape by contact with a chilled-forming surface of superimposed rollers. Reels are then used to coil the coated yarn into spools.

Abstract: A digital, open-loop control system which compensates for the effects of roll on a missile-carried seeker head such as a radar antenna or an infrared sensor. The system utilizes a roll rate gyro affixed to the missile body for sensing the missile roll rate, developing a digital signal in proportion to the sensed roll rate, and using the digital signal in open-loop fashion to actuate a stepping servomotor for repositioning the seeker head so as to stabilize the same relative to the target irrespective of missile roll movements.

Abstract: Track sections are attachedto the working face side of a face conveyor to form a track for a mining machine. The track sections have a rolled profile forming an L-shaped cross section with upright limbs pivotally interconnected at their ends by projecting sections of coupling plates facing the mine face to receive a chain link. A bead projects toward the mine face on the top of the upright limb to prevent collisions between the mining machine and the parts for pivotally interconnectng the track sections. The bead overlies the major part of an inclined surface of a transition section extending from the upright limb to a thickened lateral limb projecting toward the mine face for supporting the mining machine.

Abstract: A capsule apparatus for transporting a disabled person from an underground mine or over rough terrain aboveground includes an elongated base with upstanding side walls extending about the periphery of the floor which has inclined forward and aft floor sections. A plate extends from the floor of the base between opposed side walls thereof to define a supply compartment at one side of the plate and a disabled person compartment at the other side of the plate. The plate is adjustably fastened to the side walls of the base. The base is provided with a mattress to support the disabled person. Elongated top sections include abutting end surfaces to form a top closure which is releasably secured by latch members to the elongated base. A sliding window for a hatch within one of the top sections for visual monitoring and voice communication is used to provide continued first aid for an injured person therein. The base is coupled to a conveyor belt by anchor members with releasable clamp jaws.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing electroluminescent powders for use in information display panels of the type in which a monoparticle layer of electroluminescent powder is embedded in a high dielectric constant resin between two electrodes. The powders are zinc sulfide powders coactivated with aluminum and capable of emitting white light, as well as light of various colors. In the production of these powders they are treated to form an impermeable inorganic surface coating on the powder particles. The coating may be zinc phosphate or glass.

Abstract: A signal is generated which varies with the distance between a mining machine and a cable trolley coupled by a rope to a winch disposed toward the lower drift of an inclined mine seam. The cable trolley moves along the face of the mine seam to guide and loop a trailing cable and/or water hose extending onto the mining machine. The winch is controlled in response to the signal for exerting tension inversely proportional to the distance between the cable trolley and the mining machine. The winch is driven by an electric torque motor or a hydraulic motor. In a further embodiment, the signal which is generated to control the winch varies the pull by the trailing cable and/or water hose upon the mining machine. This signal is used for controlling the winch in the same manner, namely, inversely proportional to the distance between the cable trolley and the mining machine.

Abstract: A system for charging dust and the like particles entrained in a gas stream and which are to be electrostatically precipitated. An emitter electrode is disposed in the gas stream for producing ions of one polarity which charge particles in the gas stream. These ions of one polarity and the charged particles are attracted to a surface on which at least a portion of the charged particles collect. The invention resides in the use of a second emitter electrode for producing ions of the opposite polarity which neutralize the ions of the first polarity which have been attracted to the surface and prevent the build-up of a voltage gradient across the particle layer on the surface.

Abstract: A party line telephone system capable of effecting selective calling from one station to another and particularly adapted for use in battery-powered two-wire telephone systems such as those used in underground mines where consideration of intrinsic safety, low power consumption and compatibility with existing equipment are paramount. The system of the invention is such that the receiver at each station in the network need not be connected to a battery-powered source for any prolonged period of time except when that station is being called by another station for a private conversation, thereby conserving battery power.