Abstract: Light weight strong three dimensional luggage shells are produced by heating a glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic sheet containing 5% to 50% by weight glass fibers, and stamping the resultant expanded sheet while still hot between matched male and female cold dies.This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 483,793 , filed June 27, 1974, now abandoned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a pair of vertically disposed pinch rolls to facilitate the withdrawal of a strip of material from a rotatable mandrel is disclosed. The lower roll is operated conventionally at a preselected rotational velocity tending to advance the bottom surface of the strip through the rolls at a corresponding speed. The top roll is operated hydrostatically in response to strip speed and torque output feedback signals so as to maintain a constant output torque at a rotational velocity tending to advance the top surface of the strip at the monitored value of strip speed. As a result, the strip is advanced through the pinch rolls at a speed corresponding to the preselected rotational velocity of the bottom roll.

Abstract: Internally nitrided ferritic stainless steel cold reduced strip and sheet and products fabricated therefrom having an elevated temperature creep strength and oxidation resistance superior to AISI Type 316 austenitic stainless steel, and good room temperature formability. A non-hardenble AISI Type 400 series ferritic stainless steel containing a nitride former (titanium, zirconium, hafnium, columbium, vanadium, tantalum or rare earth metals) in excess of the amount required to react completely with residual nitrogen and carbon in the steel is reacted with nitrogen internally by heat treatment in a nitrogen-hydrogen atmosphere at a temperature of at least about 800.degree. C but below that at which austenite will form under conditions precluding formation of chromium nitrides, chromium oxides, and austenite.

Abstract: A method for internal strengthening of articles formed from deep drawing quality low carbon steel strip or sheet containing about 0.02 to about 0.3% titanium in solution, up to about 0.3% columbium in solution, columbium when present being in an amount of at least 0.025% in solution, with the sum total of titanium and columbium in solution not exceeding about 0.3%, comprising the steps of heating the articles at a temperature of about 570.degree. to about 580.degree. C in a nitriding fluid for a time sufficient to form a total nitrogen concentration adjacent the surfaces of the articles at least substantially equal to the amount theoretically required to combine completely with the nitride-forming elements in the steel; and diffusion annealing the articles in a non-nitriding fluid at a temperature of about 595.degree. to about 815.degree. C for a time sufficient to complete through-thickness strengthening by reaction of the nitrogen with the nitride-forming elements.

Abstract: A dual track system whereby a transfer car can be turned at least 90.degree. in a minimum amount of space. The track system comprises a first set of parallel railroad-type rails of a standard size and cross section for the wheels of the lead truck of a transfer car and a second set of parallel railroad-type rails of the same size and cross section for the wheels of the following truck of the same transfer car. The first and second sets of rails are parallel to each other and overlapped with the right hand rails of each set lying in close proximity to each other and the left hand rails of each set lying in close proximity to each other. At the point where the transfer car is to begin its 90.degree.

Abstract: A method of increasing the abrasion resistance of a heat hardenable chromium-bearing stainless steel, comprising adding at least one of silicon and titanium to a stainless steel melt containing from 0.75% to 10% carbon, 11.5% to 18% chromium, and balance essentially iron, silicon being from about 0.3% to about 4.5%, titanium being from about 0.75% to about 10%. The additions are proportioned such that silicon exceeds 1.5% when titanium exceeds about 1.5% at about 0.75% to about 1.5% carbon, and silicon exceeds 1.5% when titanium exceeds about 4% at carbon greater than 1.75%. A heat hardened steel article or fabricated product having excellent abrasion resistance consists essentially of about 1.8% to about 10% carbon, up to about 1.0% manganese, about 0.45% to about 4.5% silicon, about 11.5% to about 18% chromium, up to about 1% nickel, 1% to about 10% titanium, up to about 1.5% molybdenum, and balance essentially iron, with silicon exceeding 1.5% when titanium exceeds about 4%.

Abstract: An underwater riser system in which the primary riser is surrounded by lengths of jacket pipe which form annular buoyancy chambers, there being a pressure fluid supply connected to the buoyancy chambers via valve means including at least a pressure differential valve which controls the amount of water displaced from the chamber by the pressure fluid. Advantageously, the valve means for each chamber also includes remotely controlled means by which the amount of buoyancy provided by the chamber can be varied at will, e.g., from a positive buoyancy to a buoyancy less than the operating weight of the portion of the riser system with which that chamber is associated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a digital display representing the magnetostrictive characteristics of a test specimen is disclosed. The apparatus is useful in combination with a test fixture of the type having means for inducing a periodic and alternating induction in a test specimen and including at least one displacement sensitive transducer mounted in association with the test specimen for generating a magnetostriction signal reflecting the magnetostrictive deformation of the test specimen in response to the induction. The apparatus includes a timing circuit associated with the means for inducing the induction in the test specimen, the timing circuit being adapted for producing a series of timing signals identifying the occurrences of zero and maximum induction in the specimen.

Abstract: A flowline is connected remotely to an underwater installation, typically an underwater wellhead, by remote operations carried out from an operational base at the water surface by connecting an end of the flowline to a swivel which has a flow passage coaxial with the axis of rotation of the swivel, guiding the swivel downwardly to a predetermined position at the underwater installation, then remotely connecting the swivel passage to a flow passage of the underwater installation, and then laying out the flowline while allowing the swivel to turn freely, whereby the end of the flowline connected to the swivel is allowed to assume a normal installed position which is not dependent upon a predetermined rotational disposition of the swivel.

Abstract: A gravity feed shaft furnace for direct reduction of iron ores having substantially cylindrical reducing and cooling zones, an inwardly tapering discharge zone of ellipsoidal cross section, an elongated substantially cylindrical member disposed axially within the furnace extending upwardly through the discharge and cooling zones to terminate in the reducing zone, a conical top secured to the elongated member and configured to cause uniform downward solids flow, and means for introducing hot reducing gas and cooling gas into the elongated member. Means are provided for distributing the hot reducing gas into the center of the reducing zone, for distributing the cooling gas into the center of the cooling zone, and for causing part of the cooling gas to cool the hot reducing gas distribution means.

Abstract: A seam forming apparatus for forming standing seams to interconnect pairs of adjacent metallic panels.

Abstract: A lance structure for oxygen refining of molten ferrous metal comprising three concentric metallic tubes extending through a side wall of a reaction vessel and terminating in a common discharge plane beneath the molten metal surface adjacent the side wall, the innermost tube conducting an oxygen-containing gas, the annular space between the innermost and second tube conducting a shroud gas, a pair of parallel auxiliary cooling pipes in another annular space between the second tube and the outermost tube for conducting cooling gas, the pipes being on opposite sides of the second tube in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, and refractory material encasing the pipes and occupying the other annular space, the pipes being sufficiently remote from the second tube that cooling gas discharged therefrom does not intermingle with the oxygen. A method of oxygen refining molten steel is disclosed utilizing such a lance structure.

Abstract: A method of cold-working and stress-relieving iron-chromium ferritic stainless steels of non-heat hardenable type in the AISI 400 series, thereby increasing the ultimate tensile strength while maintaining good tensile ductility. Cold-working is effected by peripherally contacting the steel, i.e., extruding and/or die drawing, to produce a "cellular structure" not attainable in cold rolling. Repetitive cold-working and stress-relief anneals between about 750.degree. and 1200.degree. F increase the ultimate tensile strength in increments and restore the tensile ductility substantially to that of the hot rolled and annealed material, while maintaining the tensile to yield ratio substantially constant. Ultimate tensile strength up to about 400 ksi in small diameter wire is attainable.

Abstract: Weldable austenitic chromium-nickel-copper stainless steel of low work-hardening rate and welded products fashioned thereof which are free of incipient cracking near and adjacent the weld upon cooling from welding temperatures. Such steel and products contain about 12 to 25% chromium, about 6 to 20% nickel, about 0.10 to 15% manganese, about 2.5 to 4% copper, about 0.01 to 0.07% carbon, with columbium-tantalum in the amount of at least 0.10% but no more than 0.5% and/or titanium in the amount of at least 0.1% but no more than .25%. The remainder of the composition is substantially all iron.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the gaseous reduction of sized iron ores wherein a steam-hydrocarbon fluid mixture, having a steam:carbon molar ratio ranging from 0.9:1 to 1.8:1, is catalytically reformed to produce a reducing gas mixture containing about 85% to 98% by volume carbon monoxide plus hydrogen, with a hydrogen:carbon monoxide volume ratio of at least 2:1. The reducing gas is transferred directly at elevated temperatures to a shaft furnace for reduction of ores therein, and the spent reducing gas is cleaned, cooled and dried, for use as fuel and/or cooling the reduced ores.

Abstract: A yieldable joint between two elements such that the adjacent lapped edges of the elements will shift relative to each other. The joint comprises a pair of plates to be joined by lapping adjacent edges thereof, pairs of corresponding perforations in the lapped plate edges, and a bolt passing through each of the pairs of corresponding perforations. At least one perforation of each pair of corresponding perforations comprises a keyhole elongated in the direction along the line of relative movement of the pair of plates, with one end of the keyhole being of such size as to freely receive the shank of the bolt and the remaining elongated portion thereof being of a width less than the diameter of the shank of the bolt.

Abstract: In a composite arch structure of the type comprising an arched liner with compacted fill material or dense soil thereagainst to form a soil arch thereabout, means and a method to permit controlled settling of the liner so as to achieve load relief on the liner and a soil arch with improved load supporting capabilities. A foundation is provided for the liner comprising yielding footer means. The yielding of the footer means is controlled so that the liner settles at a desired rate relative to the adjacent compacted and consolidated fill material when a predetermined load on the liner is exceeded.

Abstract: Deep drawing quality, low carbon steel is strengthened by alloy-nitrogen precipitation strengthening. A deoxidized, low carbon steel sheet or strip stock, or article formed therefrom, containing from about 0.02% to 0.2% titanium in solution, from about 0.025% to 0.3% columbium in solution, from about 0.025% to 0.3% zirconium in solution, singly or in admixture, is heat treated at 1100.degree. to 1300.degree. F (593.degree. to 705.degree. C) in an atmosphere containing 1% to 20% by volume ammonia for a time sufficient to produce an iron nitride surface layer, and then denitrided in a hydrogen-nitrogen atmosphere containing 6% to 50% hydrogen by volume at 1200.degree. to 1400.degree. F (649.degree. to 760.degree. C) for a time sufficient to remove the iron nitride surface layer and to reduce nitrogen in solid solution to less than 0.03% by weight.

Abstract: A low profile pigmented sheet molding process and product are provided which will produce molded parts with uniform gloss and color even in three-dimensional articles having steep and deep walls.

Abstract: A continuous sheet pickling line and apparatus therefor which embraces the concept of pickling sheets by passing them horizontally through a tank made of suitable material and so constructed as to hold a sufficient quantity of pickling acid as to permit the sheets to be completely submerged as they pass therethrough, certain of the support rollers for the sheets and drive gears and associated bearings also being submerged. The line and associated apparatus processes the sheets in one continuous operation during which the sheets are fed onto an entry conveyor from a pack, one sheet behind the other, whereafter they are processed while horizontally disposed through the pickling tank, sheet scrubber, drying conveyor, leveler, oiler and then stacked in a suitable piler. Provision is made to heat and agitate the acid within the tank and to control the acid level.