Abstract: A support leg comprising an upstanding member and securing means for securing both an elongated member and a platform to the support leg.

Abstract: A stabilizer tool (15) for a drill string (10) has a circular body (16) with recesses (17) containing projecting pad assemblies (18) arranged in a spaced helical configuration, each pad assembly (18) having at least one projecting wear block (20) maintained in abutment with an undercut recess surface by a wedge block (21) the outer wear surface (30) being of harder material than the remainder of the blocks (20, 21).

Abstract: A refractory pour tube with a wear resistant plate includes a one-piece composite member formed of different refractory compositions, a casing disposed around a portion of the member, and castable refractory material disposed within the casing. The composite member has a tubular body portion defining an interior bore and an end portion defining a flat plate surface including an opening communicating with the bore. The end portion is formed of a hard refractory composition resistant to abrasion, while the tubular body portion is formed of a refractory composition resistant to thermal shock. First and second castable refractory materials are poured into the casing to form a refractory ring surrounding the flat plate surface and a refractory sleeve surrounding the tubular body portion. The refractory ring cooperates with the flat plate surface to form a hard, wear resistant plate suitable for use in a sliding valve assembly.

Abstract: An electrical socket for a landscape lighting fixture includes a body having two side walls and two end walls extending between the side walls. The side and end walls cooperate to form a hollow interior for receiving a lamp. Each of the end walls is outwardly movable to permit one or more protrusions on the lamp to be received by the socket and includes one or more abutment surfaces each adapted to be engaged one of the protrusions to resist removal of the lamp from the socket.

Abstract: An electrical signal supply apparatus independently controls and regulates voltage and current in supplying microampere currents to skin tissue of patients. The apparatus enables operators to select a desired voltage level independent of the requirement to maintain current through the skin tissue at a relatively constant level. The apparatus includes a switching regulator in combination with an electric voltage doubling network and potential divider network to enable the supply of increased voltages.

Abstract: A plaything (10) comprises a display means (12) for displaying a desired scene (14). A particulate material (16) is provided on the display means (12). The plaything (10) further includes pick-up means (18) to pick-up at least some of said particulate material (16) at the bottom regions of the display means (12) and to deposit the picked up particulate material at the top region of the display means (12) to simulate falling snow. The plaything can be filled with a suitable fluid, for example, water. The plaything also includes drive means (28) for driving the pick-up means.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a continuous steel casting process wherein one or more strands of steel are cast from a mold, allowed to cool and then cut into blooms. A plurality of sensors monitor process parameters at different locations relative to a strand of steel as the strand exits the mold, cools and is cut. A storage device stores data representations of the parameters as they are monitored by the plurality of sensors. A data network communicates data from the plurality of sensors to the storage device. A logic processor coupled to the storage device prompts an operator as the operator sets up logic relations between parameters of the steel casting process that identify and categorize defects in steel. The logic processor includes a mathematical parser for evaluating the logic relations between parameters and converting the logic relations to processor instructions used to evaluate the data representations of the parameters for defects.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoprosthesis assembly having a reduced cross sectional profile for percutaneous deployment and implantation within a body passageway such as a blood vessel. The assembly comprises a radially expandable cylindrical frame having first and second ends, and a first unexpanded outer diameter and a second expanded outer diameter. The assembly further comprises a radially expandable elastomeric sleeve surrounding a length of the frame and having first and second ends and a first unexpanded inner diameter and a second expanded inner diameter. The inner diameter of the expanded sleeve is not greater than the outer diameter of the expanded frame. The second expanded inner diameter of the sleeve is in a range from about 60% to about 380% greater than the first unexpanded inner diameter of the sleeve.

Abstract: A pump for pumping molten metal includes a motor supported by motor mounting structure above a bath of the molten metal. A shaft has one end connected to the motor. An impeller is connected to the other end of the shaft. The motor mounting structure supports the motor above a bath of molten metal. A device connects the motor to the base member, facilitating replacement of the shaft. The pump may be cleaned by rotating the shaft in a shaft sleeve, the impeller being disposed in an impeller chamber of a base. The rotational velocity of the shaft is adjusted to approximate the velocity at which cavitation occurs in the pump. Metal oxides inside the shaft sleeve are then removed from the pump.

Abstract: A gas burner produces a homogeneous mixture of gas and air in a short mixing zone by creating turbulence to promote thorough mixing. The burner includes a burner housing supporting a gas distribution tube and an air blower, the distribution tube emitting jets of gas in a radial direction and supporting a baffle plate having a plurality of openings. Air from the blower impinges on the jets of gas to form streams of gas and air that pass through the openings in the baffle plate. A diffuser ring is disposed downstream from the baffle plate and extends radially inward to form a flow constriction. The streams of gas and air contact the diffuser ring and undergo turbulence and the resulting mixture of gas and air passes through the diffuser ring and expands within the interior of a perforated combustion head. The mixture passes through the perforations and when ignited obtains combustion of nearly 100% of the gas and produces a very even flame profile.

Abstract: A level detector circuit for detecting a level of immersion of an elongated probe within a liquid. The level detection circuit includes a first set of transistors. One of these transistors charges an elongated probe and a second charges a capacitor. A reference current source provides a reference current based on the charging current provided to the elongated probe by the first transistor and an additional transistor which also charges the probe at a rate such that the voltage on the capacitor and the probe are maintained the same. A monitoring circuit develops an analog level signal based on the current provided by the reference current source. This analog level signal is converted by the combination of an analog to digital circuit and a microprocessor for providing a pulse frequency modulated communications signal corresponding to the analog level signal which in turn is related to the length of the probe immersed within the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating the orientation of a metal bloom supported on a conveyor, the bloom being elongated and substantially square in cross section, comprising a conveyor, including rollers, disposed along a generally horizontal path, an upright abutment located adjacent the path, and a pivotable arm traversing the path having a free end with a first workpiece engaging surface located to intercept the path and receive and support a workpiece from the conveyor, the surface extending laterally from the path beyond the abutment and a second workpiece engaging surface laterally offset from the path beyond the abutment and extending above the first surface.

Abstract: A self-cleaning lance includes a lance body elongated along a longitudinal axis and having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, the lower end portion being spaced apart from the upper end portion along the longitudinal axis. One or more main nozzles are located proximal to the lower end portion and are adapted to release an oxygen-containing gas. One or more deskulling nozzles are spaced upwardly from the lower end portion and are adapted to release a deskulling gas. The lance body has a first portion that extends axially from the deskulling nozzles to the main nozzles and a second portion above the deskulling nozzles. The first portion has a smaller outer perimeter than the outer perimeter of the second portion. Each of the deskulling nozzles extends by an angle of not greater than 25 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A tank coupler for releasably interconnecting serially connected tanks. The tank coupler includes threaded engagement portions which are threadedly engageable with ports formed in the tanks. The coupler defines a central fluid passage which receives in a sealing relationship, a riser tube associated with a first tank and a riser tube associated with a second tank. A snap fit mechanism maintains the engagement of one riser tube with the fluid passage in order to control separation of the riser tube from the coupler when the tanks are separated. O-ring seals mounted in grooves forming part of the fluid passage sealingly engage the periphery of the riser tubes and inhibit fluid leakage between the riser tubes and the coupler. The tank coupler also defines a second fluid passage which cross-communicates the interiors of the tanks. Distributors mounted on opposite ends of the second fluid passage inhibit material from moving from one tank to the other while permitting fluid flow.

Abstract: Batch annealed, semi-processed and fully processed motor lamination steels are made by processes which subject a slab having an ultra low carbon composition (less than 0.01%) to at least the following steps: hot rolling with an austenite finishing temperature, coiling at a temperature ranging from 1300.degree.-1450.degree. F., and light temper rolling (less than 1.0% reduction) or leveling; reheating at a temperature less than 2300.degree. F., hot rolling with a ferrite finishing temperature, coiling at a temperature less than 1200.degree. F., and light temper rolling or leveling; or hot rolling with a ferrite finishing temperature, coiling at a temperature ranging from 1100.degree.-1350.degree. F. without a subsequent hot band anneal, and light temper rolling or leveling.