Abstract: A crane for use in a nuclear waste handling facility is disclosed. The crane includes a bridge of sufficient transverse dimension to span the width of the area being serviced, a bridge drive for moving the bridge along spaced rails extending longitudinally along opposite sides of the area being serviced, and a crane control cabinet depending from a cantilevered support extending from one end of the bridge. The nuclear waste handling facility includes a stationary radiation barrier extending longitudinally in spaced relationship to one of the rails supporting the crane. The barrier is positioned between the bridge and the crane control cabinet.

Abstract: The current that drives the motor for a slicing blade is continuously monitored to detect when it rises above a threshold level. This threshold level is related to the resistance to the rotation of the blade that is presented by a product being sliced. When this current rises above the threshold level, the slicing operation is momentarily interrupted. The threshold level is adjustable in accordance with the number of slices that is desired to be trimmed. While the slicing operation is interrupted, the first few irregular slices from the leading edge of the product can be carried away from the location of the slicing blade. Then slicing can resume with the first slice in the first full draft being a full slice.

Abstract: An adaptive control for a turning machine which adjusts the machining rate to maintain the actual horsepower dissipated at the cutter tip at a constant set point despite changing workpiece and cutter parameters. The machining rate is adjusted by control of the machine drive and tool feed to achieve required SFM and IPR values, respectively, within maximum and minimum SFM and IPR limits. "Speed" and "Axis" override controls are also provided. The rate of adjustment of SFM and IPR to a deviation of the cutter tip horsepower from the set point is inversely proportional to the measured system gain so that the response factor of the control loop is maximized. The commanded machining rate of (SFM) (IPR) product is periodically determined by estimating the actual machining rate and multiplying the estimate by the ratio of the set point to the cutter tip horsepower.

Abstract: An adaptive control for a turning machine which adjusts the machining rate to maintain the actual horsepower dissipated at the cutter tip at a constant set point despite changing workpiece and cutter parameters. The machining rate is adjusted by control of the machine drive and tool feed to achieve required SFM and IPR values, respectively, within maximum and minimum SFM and IPR limits. "Speed" and "Axis" override controls are also provided. The rate of adjustment of SFM and IPR to a deviation of the cutter tip horsepower from the set point is inversely proportional to the measured system gain so that the response factor of the control loop is maximized. The cutter tip horsepower is determined by subtracting the electrical loss, mechanical friction loss, and the net power required for net acceleration of the drive, from the measured electrical power supplied to the drive motor. The cutting efficiency is monitored to perform tool wear, tool breakage, and tool protection functions.

Abstract: A single shop continuous casting facility is disclosed that comprises furnaces 10 and 10a for producing hot metal, continuous casters 12 and 12a for forming continuous lengths of solidified metal, and a rotating bridge crane 14 for transporting ladles 52 of hot metal from the pouring stands of said furnaces to the casting stands of said casters, the pouring stands of said furnaces and the casting stands of said casters being disposed within the arcuate area serviced by crane 14.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for transporting a lighter 136 from a floating position adjacent the stern 130 of ship 101 to a storage position in the cargo hold 138 of said ship, and for transporting lighter 136 from said storage position to said floating position. The system includes crane 102 which is adapted for fore and aft travel along spaced rails 104 and 106 which extend longitudinally along opposite sides of ship 101 and for hoisting lighter 136, and load frame 172 which is suspended by crane 102 and adapted for attachment to lighter 136. Vertically extendable and retractable load frame guide members 108, 110, 112 and 114 depend from crane 102. Removable aft guide members 118 and 120 are mountable on cantilevered beams 122 and 124. Removable fore guide members 126 and 128 are mountable on stern 130. Guide members 118 and 120 are adapted for being positioned below and coaxially aligned with guide members 108 and 110.

Abstract: A large cargo vessel is loaded by moving a self-unloading barge alongside and fixing it relative to the vessel. A boom assembly of the barge is slewed into alignment with a hold of the vessel whereupon a shuttle conveyor is extended over the open hold. Bulk material is then unloaded from the barge to the vessel. The boom assembly can be incrementally slewed, luffed, extended and retracted to position cargo in the hold. And, the barge can be repositioned next to the ship without assistance of a tug.

Abstract: A crane structure mounted on a transport vehicle, preferably a marine vessel, is disclosed. The crane structure includes a gantry structure mounted on a vertical tower structure and having boom portions protruding from the tower structure. Preferably, the boom portions may be pivotally lowered from their operating positions and the tower structure may be rotated in a horizontal plane, thereby reducing the overall dimensions of the crane structure to allow transport under overhead obstructions and through narrow passageways.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for covering the ridge or peak of a metal roof system is disclosed. After the metal roofing panels are set in place on the sloping surfaces of the roof and seamed together, mating halves of a ridge panel are positioned along the ridge and parallel thereto. The mating halves have cut-outs corresponding to the rib seams of the roofing panels, the cut-outs each being covered by a seam cap. After the ridge panel halves are secured to the roofing panels, the interlocking joint between them is folded over and permanently seamed together. Finally, the areas at the ends of the ridge adjacent the rakes of the building are covered by filler panels. The filler panels have cut-outs corresponding to the rib seam of the ridge panel, and the cut-outs are similarly covered by seam caps.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is used to roll up a steel plate into a cylindrical shell. Cables wrapped around channels on the outer ends of fixtures are used to roll up the fixture along the plate. After the fixture with the shell on it is placed on pedestals for further fabrication, cables placed in the channels are used to rotate the shells. After the fixture is collapsed within the shell, it is raised up by pedestal lifting mechanisms, and wheels provided on the fixture are lowered into place to aid in removal of the fixture from the shell, and onto a roll-out table. Roller mechanisms are also used to aid in the removal of the fixture from the shell. The roll-out table is situated between two sets of pedestals and used in the removal of fixtures from single modules or sets of modules.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is situated to roll up flat steel plate into a circular shell for the tunnel modules. A hydraulic cylinder is utilized to adjust the diameter of the fixture without collapsing it, in order to close any gaps between the ends of the plate when it is rolled into a shell.

Abstract: A self-threading fastener has circumferentially spaced thread-forming lobes on its thread and with the thread depth at a maximum at the lobes and a minimum circumferentially between the lobes. A lobe in one turn is circumferentially offset from a lobe in an adjacent turn. The fastener is made on roll-threading dies each having grooves sinusoidally varying in depth frm a maximum at one region to a minimum at a second region. The spacing of the regions is equal to a fraction of the thread pitch multiplied by the cosecant of the thread helix angle.

Abstract: An improved access tower for use in the manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections for building underwater tunnel tubes is provided. The tower is positioned at one end of the tunnel module shells when they are placed on pedestals for rotation and further processing. Assembly of the support framework around the shell is conducted from the top position on the shells. A moveable bridge extends from the tower for access to the top of the shell.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is used to roll up a steel plate into a cylindrical shell. Cables wrapped around channels on the outer ends of fixtures are used to roll up the fixture along the plate. After the fixture with the shell on it is placed on pedestals for further fabrication, cables placed in the channels are used to rotate the shells. After the fixture is collapsed within the shell, it is raised up by pedestal lifting mechanisms, and wheels provided on the fixture are lowered into place to aid in removal of the fixture from the shell, and onto a roll-out table. Roller mechanisms are also used to aid in the removal of the fixture from the shell. The roll-out table is situated between two sets of pedestals and used in the removal of fixtures from single modules or sets of modules.

Abstract: An improved collapsible fixture for fabrication of tunnel modules and tunnel sections for building underwater tunnel tubes is provided. The fixture has a series of shell-like support members along its length, each member having a stationary base portion, two rotatable side portions and a connecting foldable linkage portion. A common truss is connected to each of the foldable linkage portions and is activated by a plurality of hydraulically operated cylinders connected to the wheel core member of the fixture. In order to collapse the fixture, moveable radial spoke members in the shell-like support members are connected to sliding plate members which are moveably attached to hub plates on the wheel core member.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and process for manufacture of tunnel modules and tunnel sections used to build underwater tunnel tubes. A collapsible fixture is situated to roll up flat steel plate into a circular shell for the tunnel modules. A hydraulic cylinder is utilized to adjust the diameter of the fixture without collapsing it, in order to close any gaps between the ends of the plate when it is rolled into a shell.

Abstract: A two-way horizontally extendable trolley 22 comprising a trolley frame 51 and wheels 52 for supporting trolley frame 51, a first horizontally elongated trailer frame 54 slidably mounted on frame 51, and a second horizontally elongated trailer frame 55 slidably mounted on trolley frame 51, said trailer frames 54 and 55 each having a first end extending beyond an end of frame 51, and auxiliary wheels 56 and 57, respectively, for supporting said first ends. Trolley 22 includes: means for horizontally extending trailer frames 54 and 55 outwardly from the trolley frame 51 and retracting trailer frames 54 and 55 inwardly toward trolley frame 51; hoisting means mounted on trolley frame 51; auxiliary hoisting means mounted on trailer frames 54 and 55; and means for driving wheels 52. Crane 10 for use with trolley 22 is also disclosed.

Abstract: A horizontally extendable trolley 22 comprising a trolley frame 51 and wheels 52 for supporting trolley frame 51, and a horizontally elongated trailer frame 54 slidably mounted on frame 51, said trailer frame 54 having a first end extending beyond an end of frame 51, and auxiliary wheels 56 for supporting said first end. Trolley 22 includes: means for horizontally extending trailer frame 54 outwardly from the trolley frame 51 and retracting trailer frame 54 inwardly toward trolley frame 51; hoisting means mounted on trolley frame 51; auxiliary hoisting means mounted on trailer frame 54; and means for driving wheels 52. Crane 10 for use with trolley 22 and methods for the use of cranes employing trolley 22 in steel making operations are disclosed.

Abstract: A tong 200 for use in lifting articles such as aluminum or steel ingots and the like comprising an elongated leg member 210, a pivot member 212 fixedly attached to and depending from leg 210, said pivot member having an upper portion and a lower portion 220, an upper link 214 pivotally attached to and projecting outwardly of said upper portion of said pivot member, a lower link 218 pivotally attached to and projecting outwardly of said lower portion of said pivot member, a tong bit 224 having an upper portion 225 disposed outwardly of said pivot member and a lower portion 261, said upper portion of said tong bit being pivotally attached to upper link 214, said lower portion of said tong bit being pivotally attached to lower link 218, said lower portion of said tong bit extending under said pivot member and having an innermost end 246 projecting inwardly of said pivot member, and means 230 for resiliently restraining said tong bit against pivot member 212.

Abstract: A self-threading fastener has circumferentially spaced thread-forming lobes on its thread, and with a thread depth at a maximum at the lobes and a minimum circumferentially between the lobes. A lobe in one turn is circumferentially offset from a lobe in an adjacent turn. The fastener is made on roll-threading dies each having grooves sinulsoidally varying in depth from a maximum at one region to a minimum at a second region. The spacing of the regions is equal to a fraction of the thread pitch multiplied by the cosecant of the thread helix angle.