Abstract: The present invention involves improvements in reciprocable pumps. In one aspect, applicable to single action pumps, a quick release mounting means is provided for attaching a fluid end piece to a power frame. The frame has a tapered opening for receiving a barrel portion of the fluid end therein. A wedge device of mateable taper with the opening connects the barrel securely to the frame. The wedge extends around the transverse outer periphery of the barrel portion. Another aspect of the invention involves providing axially rotatable intake or exhaust manifolds. In a multiplex pump, the manifold may be rotatable as a unit, or the section for each conduit may be separately rotatable. This feature permits easier handling when making repairs, especially on larger pumps. Finally, in pumps having non-vertical suction or discharge passages, the valve counterbores are tilted toward a vertical direction, but not more than an angle at which straight-line machining of the suction or discharge passage is still possible.

Abstract: In a metal refining process where oxygen is blown into the molten melt from both above and below, the oxygen serving to remove carbon impurities from the melt, and carbon monoxide being emitted from the melt and burned by the oxygen from above so as to add heat to the melt, the improvement in which the oxygen from above is introduced at a location exterior to an opening in a vessel above the melt. The invention is particularly suited for use with the Q-BOP steelmaking process.

Abstract: The invention is of a method for minimizing slag carryover when draining molten metal from a furnace and an article for use in the method. This article is a polyhedral-shaped body having density intermediate that of the slag and metal. When thrown onto the surface of the slag within a restricted area over the taphole, the body will float at the slag-metal interface, and tend to lodge with one of its corners projecting into the taphole as the final portion of remaining metal drains out of the furnace. The shape of the body and its dimensions are selected so as to only partially block the taphole opening, causing flaring of the stream so as to signal a furnace operator of the impending flow of slag from the furnace. The operator then shuts off flow to prevent carryover of slag onto the molten metal already tapped. Since only the edges of the body contact the taphole of the body does not become welded to the wall of the taphole and therefore is easily dislodged without loss of time between heats.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing distortion of a heated cylindrical metal workpiece during cooling. The method includes heating the workpiece and then placing a fixture substantially at room temperature in the workpiece. The fixture has a plurality of axially-spaced holder plates with shoe members slidably mounted at spaced locations on the plates. A plurality of tapered pin assemblies are used to secure each shoe member in fixed position initially so as to define the desired cold shape of the workpiece. The workpiece is then cooled with the fixture in place. After cooling of the workpiece, the tapered pin assemblies are partially withdrawn from tapered holes in the shoe members and holder plates so as to permit removal of the fixture from the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved insulation is provided for furnace members, particularly verticals, cross supports and skid pipes in slab reheating furnaces. The insulation includes a metal spring-clip having outward projections on which refractory tiles are formed. An intermediate layer is provided between the outer surface of the clip and the tiles so as to reduce friction and prevent cohesion between the clip and tiles. Thus, when the clip is spread for installation on the pipes, the tiles will not break.

Abstract: A cementitious formulation which is self-setting when mixed with water, and which can be cast into monolithic refractory components capable of resisting molten metal and repeated thermal shocks, has three main components: high purity magnesia (at least 94% by weight being MgO); high purity alumina (at least 98% by weight Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) and high alumina cement (preferably 75% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) by weight, or greater). The magnesia may be 60 to 95% by weight of the three components and the alumina amounts to at least 1% by weight of the three components. Castings produced from the formulation can survive repeated flame testing even after exposure to firing at elevated temperature: known, conventionally pressed and similarly fired magnesia refractories may not survive a single flame test.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for forming a hole through a forged workpiece. During the forging operation an indentation is formed in the upper surface of the workpiece. While the workpiece remains in the forging press, a trepanning tool is placed in the indentation and the top die of the press is used to force the tool almost through the workpiece leaving a thin wall at the bottom of the hole. The workpiece either may be removed from the press while the wall is knocked out to complete the hole, or preferably the workpiece remains in the press and the top die is used to knock out the wall. If the workpiece remains in the press, preferably it is supported on a locating ring which aligns the workpiece and trepanning tool with the top die. Also disclosed is an improved trepanning tool which has external and internal sloping faces extending around its circumference at its lower end.

Abstract: The subject invention provides an improvement in split gas-wipe apparatus, which, although not limited thereto, is normally used in coating or cleaning applications on wire, rod, or strand. The conventional apparatus has two segments hinged along an outer edge parallel to the passline of the wire or rod. The segments have mateable half-conical guides on their entry side which, when contacted by joints in the workpieces, cause rotation of one segment, the other normally being fixed, so that the joints have sufficient space to automatically pass through. The improvement of this invention involves providing pivoted mounting means replacing the hinged joint, the mounting providing an axis of rotation for one of the segments in a plane normal to the passline and substantially spaced therefrom. Advantageously, much larger joints may pass through the apparatus.

Abstract: A system is provided for the electrolytic cleaning of metal wire which is arranged generally in horizontal, overlapped non-concentric loop form. The system includes a container for holding an electrolyte, means for conveying the wire in loop form through the electrolyte, and a plurality of tandem electrodes of opposite polarity separated by non-conductive barriers. The elongated electrodes include a wrap-around portion at each of their opposite ends. Each wrap-around portion provides from 5 to 35 percent additional electrode area which enables more effective cleaning to be accomplished adjacent the outer edges of the wire loops.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in a dry magnetic separation system for increasing the recovery of magnetic ore from the feed material. The system includes a separator which has a magnetic head-pulley assembly mounted in one end of an endless belt conveyor loop. When the conveyor is run at high speeds some of the ore is thrown off the head-end of the belt instead of being retained on it by the magnetic pulley. Those ore particles that are retained are carried onto the lower flight of the belt from which they are dropped into an ore chute. To recover the magnetic portion of the "thrown" ore, an adjustable splitter is located outwardly of the pulley-head at a lower elevation than the belt. The splitter also directs these partially magnetic particles into the ore chute and the non-magnetics to a tailings chute.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for coordinating the indexing movement of a conveyor with pivotal movement of a kickout arm for removing workpieces from its delivery end. A double acting fluid powered cylinder alternately indexes the loop and pivots the kickout upon reciprocating movement of first and second piston rods thereof. Preferably, a rack is provided extending axially from the first of the rods. A pinion engages the rack and is operatively connected and disconnected from the loop by a clutch upon stroke of the rod in opposite directions. A collet operatively connects the second piston rod to the kickout arm when the loop is at rest and disconnects said arm therefrom when the loop is being driven.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring roll eccentricity. It includes a housing adapted for guided transport in a reference direction tangent to the roll face. The housing is also adapted to rotate the roll at the speed of transport. An elongated runner extending lengthwise in the transport direction is displaceably mounted in the housing. The roll face abuts and displaces the runner but the runner mounting maintains it parallel to the transport direction. Thus, measurements of runner displacement at any point along its length provide an indication of eccentricity of the roll.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for preventing reaction forces on a flow control valve from affecting measurements of particulate feed rate, where such measurements are made using weighing devices to determine the amount of particulates in a supply container as a function of time. The apparatus includes means for applying sufficient compressive prestress to spacer bars for absorbing reaction forces on the valve so that extension of the staybars is prevented during particulate feeding. Movement of the container due to reaction forces on the valve is prevented and particulate feed rate errors are substantially eliminated.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in apparatus for securing overlapped portions of two members together. In addition to a wedge conventionally inserted in holes generally axially aligned in the overlapped portions, a locking bar is provided for insertion longitudinally in the holes and has a notch with opposed faces for tightly engaging the outer surfaces of one of the members which is subject to less flexing movement than the other. The wedge and bar are secured together after insertion to prevent loosening of the wedge in service.

Abstract: Improved apparatus is provided for spreading the seam edges of formed large diameter pipe so that it can be mounted more quickly onto the arbor of a welder. The conventional spreader apparatus comprised of a fixed straight arm with rollers on opposite ends has at least one cylinder axially substituted for at least part of its length so that the rollers are retractable. The cylinder is mounted in a bracket and freely slidable back and forth axially so as to be self-centering thus preventing displacement of the seam from proper alignment with the arbor as it is spread preparatory to movement thereon. Preferably, a pair of cylinders are provided attached in back to back relation with a roller connected to each piston rod thereof.

Abstract: A marking apparatus is provided having a wheel with a plurality of radial slots for receipt of stamps having marking indicia thereon. An internal axially rotatable disc has a cam engageable with the stamp ends causing selected ones to protrude from the wheel periphery. A slot in the disc receives a lateral extension from each stamp for retaining them in retracted position. A segment of the slot adjacent the cam curves radially outward to allow the stamp contacted by the cam to slide outward and protrude from the wheel.

Abstract: A Yankee Dryer used in drying a web of paper or like materials in which all structural components are fabricated of weldments of steel plate and forgings and in which the outer shell is formed of a weldment of steel plates expanded to roundness and machined to final dimensions. All primary welds are subject to X-ray inspection. The dryer is of lighter weight than the usual cast iron Yankee Dryers, yet designed to withstand substantially higher steam pressure within the shell.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in thermocouple apparatus for indicating liquid level in a container, particularly a continuous casting mold. The conventional apparatus includes a plurality of thermocouple elements of first polarity connected to the container at spaced levels above and below the liquid and to corresponding spaced points on a slide wire resistor. The container wall acts as the thermocouple element of opposite polarity. A conductor probe is connected to the wall and to a point on the resistor above the uppermost thermocouple element to provide a reference voltage at that point. The probe and thermocouple elements extend to locations adjacent the exterior face of the container which may be subject to substantially variable ambient temperature.

Abstract: A stockline armor construction for blast furnaces in which the armor plates are anchored positively to the inside face of the furnace shell. The anchoring means includes brackets fixed to the shell to be engaged by tongues on the plates. The tongues have tabs which abut the shell to support the plates even through the refractory lining of the furnace is eroded away completely.

Abstract: A striker bar for a rotary cage grinder in which the impact-receiving portions of the bar are of an abrasion resistant ceramic, such as aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, or tungsten carbide. The bar includes a block of the ceramic, preferably formed in sections abutting end-to end, adhesively affixed to an angle iron mounting, which is removably attached to supporting structural members in the cage.