Abstract: An assembly for suspending electricity power supply rails comprising a cross member (2), bolts (6) or the like for fixing the cross member to a fixed structure (4) in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of the power supply rails (8), and members for suspending the rails from the cross member. The members for suspending the rails comprise: a series of at least two generally T-shaped half-clamp elements (10) comprising a crossbar (12) and a riser (14) perpendicular to said crossbar (12), with the length of the crossbars corresponding to the spacing between centers of two adjacent power supply rails (8) or to a multiple of the spacing, with the riser (14) of each T shape including a hooking rim (16) on opposite rail engaging faces. A slidable connection is formed between each T-shaped element (10) and the cross member (2) and locking elments (20,22) are provided to lock the endmost T-shaped elements (10e) of the series against translation.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting two butt-ends of rails to be connected by welding comprises a rigid structure having two aligned support plates one for each rail. Each support plate comprises a non-adjustable retaining press and an adjustable retaining press. The fixed jaws of one of each of the presses are intended to be placed on the side of the head of one of the rails and the fixed jaws of the other presses are intended to be placed on the corresponding side of the head of the other rail thus forming four spaced supports. The movable jaws of the presses for the one rail are intended to be placed on the opposite side of the head of this rail and the movable jaws of the presses for the other rail are intended to be placed on the opposite side of the head of the other rail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension system for an overhead contact wire for electric traction vehicles. The system comprises, in combination, a carrier cable (15) having its mid point connected to a support and having each of its ends connected to respective conductor wire clamps. Each wire clamp comprises a jaw assembly (30) suitable for clamping to a contact wire (10) and including a generally cylindrical housing (41) fitted with inwardly directed teeth (45) on its inside surface. The housing receives an angularly adjustable link member (60) which includes an angle-determining portion (61) provided with complementary teeth and interfitting with the teeth of the housing (41). The link member (60) may be moved axially into and out from the toothed housing (41) so that it may be set in any one of a plurality of angular positions therein, thereby changing the location of a point (70) fastened to the end of the carrier cable (15) relative to the contact wire (10).

Abstract: A process for the production of high purity metals or metallic alloys comprises the steps of:(a) producing a metal or metallic alloy, the non-metallic inclusions of which are, preferably, easily reducible oxides of the base metal;(b) milling the metal or metallic alloy thus obtained and agglomerating the milled metal or metallic alloy with an agglomerating agent and a reducing agent, so as to form balls; and(c) subjecting the balls to a reducing treatment under regulated conditions of reduced pressure and elevated temperature, at which the reducing agent acts on the non-metallic inclusions while substantial sublimation of the alloying metal or metals is avoided.The invention is particularly applicable to the production of high purity chromium.

Abstract: A fish-plate comprises two sections which can be fitted, by way of a toothed surface, against corresponding toothed surfaces of two adjacent electrically conductive rails of a railway using bolts to tighten the sections towards each other. The teeth extend longitudinally, and the sections are vertically adjustable relatively to the rails to allow the fish-plate to be clamped to the rails at various heights.

Abstract: An electrical supply line for the supply of current to railway vehicles comprises at least one wire conductor forming a current supply line for a current pick-up device. A rigid body, which may be electrically conducting or otherwise and which is covered with an insulating covering, is constituted by rails and supports the wire conductor. The rails are located in an end-to-end relationship support the wire conductor at spaced intervals by means of attachment members.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the butt-ends of two rails to be connected has a fixed frame for enclosing one of the two rails and two integral bars, parallel to the rails, and extending from the fixed frame toward the other rail. Two movable frames are slidable over a limited portion of the parallel bars in the vicinity of the other rail and can be selectively secured to the other rail so that only one of these two frames is slidably movable. Jacks are provided to effect relative movement between the two movable frames. Actuation of the jacks effects movement of the two movable frames relative to each other and, depending upon which of these frames is secured to the parallel bars, the gap between the two butt-ends will be either increased or decreased.

Abstract: A device for adjusting two butt ends of rails to be connected by welding comprises a rigid structure which is formed by two support plates. The support plates are aligned and interconnected by a concave part and which is able to be disposed horizontally so that the two support plates are pressed one against one vertical side of the head of one of the rails and the other against the corresponding vertical side of the head of the other rail. The concave part provides a region for access around the butt ends. Each support plate is provided with a retaining clamp which is provided with a jaw able to bear against the opposite vertical side of the head of the rail. The device can be applied to the welding of rails on a track or on a fixed installation.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for aligning and setting the gap between two rail ends comprises a rigid housing overlapping the two rails and providing an access area around the two rail ends. A first pair of presses and a second pair of presses are mounted in line on the frame and arranged so that the first pair of presses is situated between the second pair of presses. Each combination of a first press and a second press serves to grip one of the two rails to be joined. A pair of vertically mounted jacks are operatively secured to the second pair of presses to provide vertical movement of the second pair of presses independent of the rigid housing. Vertically adjustable support stops engage the tops of the rails and together with the vertically adjustable second presses effect vertical adjustment of the rails. The improved apparatus can be mounted singly or in pairs on a gantry and can include gap setting apparatus and weld dressing apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing weld surplus formed after the aluminothermic welding of two rail butt ends, and incorporating a frame, a first cutting tool secured to the frame and a second cutting tool movable relative to the frame towards the first tool to remove the weld surplus. This apparatus is characterized by the fact that both tools have a cutting edge each with a profile suitable for cutting only the weld surplus on top of the rail head, and the second tool may either be moved horizontally and parallel or perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rail by a hydraulic jack whose body is attached to the frame and whose ram is fixed to the second tool above its cutting edge.

Abstract: A mould for use in a metallothermic welding process of at least two metal items together comprises at least two parts for arrangement around butts of each of the metal items to define a pouring cavity which is adapted to receive hot welding fluid. At least one of the faces of the mould, which in use will contact either a part of one of the items to be welded or another portion of the mould, defines a projection which presents sloping side towards the exterior of the pouring cavity. A strip of a compressible material which is little affected by heat is fitted on the projection in order to abut said part of one of the items or the other portion of the mould.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning and setting the gap between two rail-ends prior to joining these two ends by fish plating or welding and possibly dressing the weld, comprises a rigid horizontal frame of open structure overlapping the two rails and providing an access area around the two ends to be joined. Two main presses and two end presses are mounted in line on the frame and arranged so that the two main presses are located between the end presses. Each combination of a main press and an end press serves to grip one of the two rails to be joined. The gap setting means can be locked on the two rails and has rams for moving the rails together or apart. Weld dressing means for eliminating the weld bead formed after a weld joining operation comprises a dressing tool movable by the aforesaid rams. The apparatus is especially for use in laying or reconditioning railway lines.

Abstract: A self-opening closure for the discharge aperture of a crucible containing an aluminothermic mixture for welding, the closure comprising a pellet of a solid, e.g. asbestos, having good mechanical resistance and which is not degassed by heating, a thermal conductivity below 2 kcal/m.h. .degree. C. and a fusion temperature below 1600.degree. C. The discharge aperture is formed in a detachable socket, one end of the discharge aperture having a part with a greater diameter to receive the pellet which forms the closure.

Abstract: A variable track wheel for example for agricultural tractors includes a wheel disc having peripherally spaced connections between it and helical rails secured to a wheel rim, each connection comprising two jaws, one secured to the disc and the other, being movable, is connected to the first jaw by a screwed connection. The jaws are arranged to be clamped to a portion of a helical rail and during clamping the movable jaw moves radially outwardly.