Abstract: Continuously hot dip aluminum coated ferritic chromium alloy steel strip. After the steel has been given a pretreatment to remove surface contaminants, the steel is protected in a hydrogen atmosphere until it is passed into the molten aluminum coating metal. The coating metal readily wets the steel surface to prevent uncoated areas or pin holes in the coating layer.

Abstract: Aluminum coated ferritic base metal foil formed by cold reduction of hot dip aluminum coated ferritic steel strip containing from 10% to about 35% chromium, up to 3% aluminum, and up to 1% silicon, the foil having a ratio of aluminum coating thickness on both sides to base metal foil thickness of at least 1:10, with at least 4% by weight total aluminum. The method of production includes heating the foil in an oxidizing atmosphere within specified temperature and time limitations to provide a porous surface having a thin layer of aluminum oxide. The foil is adapted for fabrication into monolithic support structures for catalytic converters for internal combustion engine exhaust systems.

Abstract: A ferritic alloy steel having good creep strength and cyclic oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures up to 982.degree. C. (1800.degree. F.) with an optional final anneal at 1010.degree.-1150.degree. C. (1850.degree.-2100.degree. F.) consisting essentially of from about 0.01% to about 0.30% carbon, about 2% maximum manganese, greater than 2.35% to about 4% silicon, about 3% to about 7% chromium, about 1% maximum nickel, about 0.15% maximum nitrogen, less than 0.3% aluminum, about 2% maximum molybdenum, at least one element selected from the group of niobium, titanium, tantalum, vanadium and zirconium in an amount up to 1.0% and the balance essentially iron.

Abstract: A culvert having a corrosion resistant composite coating and a method of producing the corrosion resistant composite coating. The coating method is for use in a coventional hot dip coating line of the type wherein a steel strip, having been appropriately pretreated so as to be at or above the coating temperature and have its surface free of oxides, is caused to pass through a bath of molten coating metal. A fibrous aramid paper is bonded to the surface of the steel strip by pressing the fibers into the molten coating layer immediately after the steel strip exits the coating bath. The steel strip may be fabricated into construction products such as culvert which may be further protected with bituminous type coatings.

Abstract: Aluminum coated ferritic base metal foil formed by cold reduction of hot dip aluminum coated ferritic steel strip containing from 10% to about 35% chromium, up to 3% aluminum, and up to 1% silicon, the foil having a ratio of aluminum coating thickness on both sides to base metal foil thickness of at least 1:10, with at least 4% by weight total aluminum. The method of production includes heating the foil in an oxidizing atmosphere within specified temperature and time limitations to provide a porous surface having a thin layer of aluminum oxide. The foil is adapted for fabrication into monolithic support structures for catalytic converters for internal combustion engine exhaust systems.

Abstract: Aluminum coated ferritic base metal foil formed by cold reduction of hot dip aluminum coated ferritic steel strip containing from 10% to about 35% chromium, up to 3% aluminum, and up to 1% silicon, the foil having a ratio of aluminum coating thickness on both sides to base metal foil thickness of at least 1:10, with at least 4% by weight total aluminum. The method of production includes heating the foil in an oxidizing atmosphere within specified temperature and time limitations to provide a porous surface having a thin layer of aluminum oxide. The foil is adapted for fabrication into monolithic support structures for catalytic converters for internal combustion engine exhaust systems.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling and leaving different thickness coatings on a continuous web. A jet finishing assembly includes a support means and at least two rotatably mounted jet finishing knives. The orifice opening of each knife is a different height corresponding to a different thickness coating to be left on the web. When the coating thickness requirement for the web changes, the finishing knives are rotated until a knife having the appropriate orifice opening for leaving the required coating thickness is adjacent the passing web.

Abstract: A method of producing cube-on-edge oriented silicon steel strip and sheet from strand cast slabs, wherein a slab is prerolled at a temperature not exceeding 1673.degree. K. with a reduction in thickness up to 50%, and the prerolled slab is reheated to a temperature between 1533.degree. and 1673.degree. K. prior to hot rolling. The slab prerolling temperature, percentage of reduction in prerolling, and the reheat temperature are correlated in accordance with a specific equation in order to control the strain rate during prerolling and to obtain an average grain diameter not exceeding about 9 mm after reheating.

Abstract: An apparatus for uniformly feeding grinding balls to a grinding mill. The apparatus includes a ball storage hopper, a regulator and an inclined chute for conveying balls from the hopper to the regulator. The chute includes a panel for controlling the depth of the balls. The regulator includes a discharge drum having a plurality of compartments adapted to receive the balls, an electric motor for rotating the drum, and a means for retaining the balls in the drum. The drum is rotated at a predetermined speed and feeds the balls into a mill at a uniform rate which can be controlled to approximately match the attrition rate of the balls in the mill.

Abstract: A culvert having a corrosion resistant composite coating and a method of producing the corrosion resistant composite coating. The coating method is for use in a conventional hot dip coating line of the type wherein a steel strip, having been appropriately pretreated so as to be at or above the coating temperature and have its surface free of oxides, is caused to pass through a bath of molten coating metal. A fibrous aramid paper is bonded to the surface of the steel strip by pressing the fibers into the molten coating layer immediately after the steel strip exits the coating bath. The steel strip may be fabricted into construction products such as culvert which may be further protected with bituminous type coatings.

Abstract: A continuous wave laser light beam is directed at the refractory lining within a furnace vessel, and the displacement as measured by a self-scanned linear array of the scattered light beam from a nominal or reference position measured to provide an indication of lining wear or damage. The video signal received by the linear array receiver provides information for mapping the worn or damaged areas of the vessel lining so that such areas may be repaired by a gunning spray nozzle. The inspection apparatus includes an optical filter which is temperature controlled to prevent wavelength shifts away from the nominal laser wavelength. The electronic processing circuitry includes a voltage controlled oscillator responsive to the average background level for modifying the scan rate of the linear array to compensate for changes in background level. The threshold against which the reflected laser beam video signal is compared is also a function of background level.

Abstract: Preloaded connection for supporting an annular body from an annular suspension joint. The connection includes an actuating ring, a split locking ring and a retaining nut which are positioned between the annular body and suspension joint. The connection is preloaded by applying an axial force to the actuating ring causing the locking ring to be expanded outwardly with the annular body becoming preloaded in compression and the suspension joint preloaded in tension with the preload force passing through the mating surfaces.

Abstract: Aluminum coated ferritic base metal foil formed by cold reduction of hot dip aluminum coated ferritic steel strip containing from 10% to about 35% chormium, up to 3% aluminum, and up to 1% silicon, the foil having a ratio of aluminum coating thickness on both sides to base metal foil thickness of at least 1:10, which at least 4% by weight total aluminum. The method of production includes heating the foil in an oxidizing atmosphere within specified temperature and time limitations to provide a porous surface having a thin layer of aluminum oxide. The foil is adapted for fabrication into monolithic support structures for catalytic converters for internal combustion engine exhaust systems.

Abstract: A system for measuring the relative elongation of portions of a moving steel strip. A number of capacitive sensors positioned above one surface of the moving strip monitor the distance between each sensor and the surface of the strip. This information is processed through a geometrical relationship to calculate the percent relative elongation at one sensing position with respect to another. The calculation may be performed instantaneously, or result from several measurements averaged over a cell length. Provision is made for greater accuracy in cases where waviness of the strip results in the occurrence of more than a predetermined number of waves during a cell length. Wave steepness, wave periodicity, and categorization of relative length information are also provided by the processing.

Abstract: A unitized check valve for use with corrosive fluid includes a generally cylindrical body. A valve seat is disposed in the body and a first set of angularly spaced apart arcuate flanges depends from the outlet end. A valve disk is coaxially associated with the seat and is adapted for axial movement to block and unblock the aperture in order to control the flow of fluid through the body. A valve retainer has a second set of angularly spaced apart arcuate flanges. The flanges of one of the sets extend generally radially inwardly and the flanges of the other one of the sets extend generally radially outwardly. The flanges of the second set are positionable between adjacent ones of the flanges of the first set. A coil spring bears against the valve disk and the retainer and is responsive to flow fluctuations on the disk for thereby permitting movement of the disk.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning a laser beam across a moving strip of material. The strip is temporarily shaped by formed rollers to a concave shape to maintain a constant focus of the laser beam on the strip surface. The scanning assembly includes a mounting platform rotatable about a central axis. Mounted on the platform are a reflecting mirror, an optical element positioned within the path of the laser beam between the laser transmitter and the mirror, and a focusing lens for focusing the laser beam reflected from the mirror to a relatively small spot on the object. As the optics rotate with the platform, the beam emerging from the focusing lens is scanned across the surface of the strip. The optical element of the rotating platform first encountered by the laser beam may be a plano-convex lens, a plane reflecting mirror or a beam splitter. Multiple lasers and optics assemblies may also be utilized.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates a free swing system into the hydraulic flow system of a boom crane in order to permit an operator to control the boom crane during the centering operation, which occurs immediately before and during the hoisting of a load. The free-swing system is incorporated into the hydraulic flow system between the swing control valve and the hydraulic swing motor and operates by "bleeding-off" a portion of the hydraulic fluid being pumped to or by the hydraulic swing motor so as to greatly reduce or control the rotational speed of the hydraulic swing motor.

Abstract: A programmable automatic manipulator system, implementable in an arc welding application, involves a manipulator member which may be pre-programmed to move about a plurality of axes of movement. A path sensing probe is connected to a tool attached to the end of the manipulator member in order to detect deviations along the path to be followed. The detected deviations are used to program a desired path of movement and also to adjust the path of movement of the tool in a playback mode in accordance with actual conditions sensed by the probe. Probe signals are periodically interrogated in both the teaching and playback mode in order to detect the extent of deviation of the path from a straight line. The smaller deviations are automatically implemented between interrogation cycles while the larger deviations are stored in the teach mode for retention within the permanent register that contains the program recording the path of movement.

Abstract: A ferritic alloy steel having good formability, cyclic oxidation resistance and creep strength at elevated temperatures above 1000.degree. F. and particularly above about 1500.degree. F. (816.degree. C.) after a final anneal at 1850.degree. to 2050.degree. F. (1010.degree. to 1120.degree. C.), comprising 0.05% maximum carbon, about 2% maximum manganese, greater than 1.0% to 2.25% silicon, less than 0.5% aluminum, with silicon being at least 3 times the aluminum content, about 6% to about 25% chromium, up to about 5% molybdenum, with the sum of chromium and molybdenum being at least 8%, 0.05% maximum nitrogen, at least one of titanium, zirconium and tantalum, with said titanium, zirconium and tantalum being present in an amount at least equal to the stoichiometric equivalent of the present carbon plus the percent nitrogen, at least 0.1% uncombined columbium, and balance essentially iron.

Abstract: A hydraulic disk brake apparatus especially useful for braking the rotation of a hoisting drum used to support a drill string in a well. The apparatus comprises a hydraulic fluid pump having an actuating lever, a pair of brake calipers having hydraulically actuated friction pads for engaging a brake disk coupled to the drum for rotation therewith, hydraulic fluid lines interconnecting the pump and the friction pads, and a mechanism for converting the braking reaction force caused by the torque applied to the calipers, when the pads engage the rotating disk, to an additional hydraulic force proportional to the amount of torque so applied to the calipers and applying this additional hydraulic force to the pads. This renders the braking action self-energized and provides a physical indication, i.e., a "feel", in the brake actuating lever reflecting the braking action actually take place on the drum.