Abstract: A damper (18) for a rail (10), includes a deformable material (20) and an elongate resonant member (20, 24), the resonant member being of a stiff material as compared to the deformable material and being sized to exhibit a resonant frequency in the range of vibration frequencies of the rail, wherein the resonant member includes a clip (26) extending therefrom so as to retain the resonant member and the deformable material in place on the rail. The clip preferably extends laterally of the resonant member to grip the underside of the rail. The clip can have an engagement formation on the end thereof, to engage with a like formation of a further damper located on the opposing side of the rail.

Abstract: A rail damper including an elongate damping device and a clip for supporting the damping device, the clip having a retention aperture for receiving part of the rail and, further, a recess adapted to receive the damper. This is particularly (although not exclusively) suited to dampers in which an elongate hollow rigid section encloses a deformable material in which is suspended one or more resonant members. The clip can be adapted to fit around the foot of the rail. It can include one or more tongues extending alongside the web of the rail. This will assist in separating the damper from the web while still allowing vibrations to be conducted from one to the other. The tongues can be any suitable height, for example the full height of the web, or the full height of the dampers, or less than one or other such heights.

Abstract: A method for detecting roller irregularities during on-line continuous casting of a metal comprises; i) continuously monitoring the changes in the mould level over time; ii) identifying large periodic influences affecting the mould level versus time function and their frequency, iii) comparing the frequency of the periodic influences of step ii) with predicted frequency harmonics based on a normal operation of the casting process and highlighting by comparison of the predicted and actual frequencies characteristics indicative of irregularities in roller behavior.

Abstract: Disclosed is a highly corrosion resistant metallic material with an aesthetic shiny appearance. The material comprises a passivated steel substrate to which is bonded a surface coating comprising a substantially transparent film having incorporated thereon a top coating of a UV-cured resin, the resin providing a durable scratch resistant surface. A method is also provided for the manufacture of such a material. The material is particularly suited to use in damp, warm, corrosive environments such as kitchens and laundries.

Abstract: A metal sheet pile comprises a cold formed wall section to the longitudinally extending side edges of which are secured hot formed clutch sections (12). The clutch sections (12) may be produced by hot rolling, extrusion or other hot forming process and are preferably welded to the side edges of the pan or web by, for example, laser, submerged arc or resistance welding. Cold forming of the wall section from steel plate may be effected in a press, or by passing steel plate between or around cold bending rolls.

Abstract: A gasket for noting an annular space between two pipes comprises an annular elastomeric member (10) having a concave formation on at least one longitudinal end face, compression members (20, 22) adjacent the longitudinal end faces and connected via a plurality of securing means (30) adapted to urge the compression members (20, 22) together, the compression member or members (20, 22) adjacent a concave formation on the elastomeric member (10) including a corresponding convex formation. The elastomeric member (10) can also include a concave formation on at least one radial face (12, 14), in which the gasket can further include at least one (preferably elastomeric) filler member in that concave formation, on the radial (12, 14).

Abstract: A damper for reducing the track nose emitted by a rail system comprises a deformable material attachable to a surface of the rail, incorporating a plurality of elongate discontinuous resonant members of a stiff material as compared to the deformable material, sized to contain at least two resonant frequencies in the range of interest. The resonant members are suitably of steel or other metallic material. They can be of different profile, to form a resonant system with at least two resonant frequencies in the relevant frequency range. They are suitably embedded in the deformable material, to ensure adequate vibrational transfer from the rail to the resonant members and also provide environmental protection. The deformable member is visco-elastic, for example rubber or rubber-like material. This may be preformed and glued to the rail, or it can be cured in place on the rail. The damper is positioned on the rail at the junction between the web and the foot of the rail.

Abstract: The application discloses an insulated pipework system comprising an outer sleeve, an inner flow pipe and an insulating layer within the space therewith, characterized in that the insulating layer comprises at least one discrete block of a first insulating material substantially surrounded by a second insulating material in particulate form. This enables the discrete blocks of the first insulating material to provide the majority or all of the necessary insulation, whilst the particulate second insulating material can be packed around the first material in order to provide the necessary shear force transfer. It is preferred if the first insulating material has a lower thermal conductivity than the second, more preferably a thermal conductivity of less than half of the second. It is still more preferred if the thermal conductivity of the first material is less than 35% of the second, yet still more preferably less than 25%. It is also preferred if the first insulating material is silica block.

Abstract: Two embodiments of insulated pipework system are described. The first comprises an outer sleeve, an inner flow pipe and insulating material within the space therebetween and is characterised by the use of a longitudinally compressed elastomeric member in the space between the inner and outer pipes as the primary means for transferring longitudinal forces between the inner and outer pipes. The second comprises an outer sleeve pipe, an inner flow pipe, an insulating material within the space therebetween, other than hollow alumina-silicate microspheres, wherein a longitudinally compressed elastomeric member is provided at intervals in the space between the inner and outer pipes. Compression of the elastomeric member is preferably by way of rigid plates on either side thereof which compress an the elastomeric member. For example, bolts can be passed through bores in the plates and elastomeric member and tightened thereby to compress the said member.

Abstract: The application describes a steel composition consisting essentially of Carbon 0.50-0.70 weight % Silicon up to 0.40 weight % Manganese 0.55-1.00 weight % Phosphorus 0.030-0.070 weight % Sulphur 0.055 to 0.110 weight % Chromium up to 0.50 weight % Molybdenum up to 0.10 weight % Nickel up to 0.5 weight % Copper up to 0.50 weight % Aluminium up to 0.050 weight % Optionally, Vanadium sufficient to maintain yield strength Nitrogen up to 0.030 weight %, together with, optionally, lead up to 0.4 weight %, and unavoidable impurities, the balance being iron. This steel composition exhibits mechanical properties which are suitable for use in connecting rods but which provide both good fracture splitting performance and good machinability when compared to C70S6 alloys. The application also refers to a fracture splittable steel including between 0.50 to 0.70 wt % C, 0.55 to 1.00 wt % Mn, 0.030 to 0.070 wt % P and 0.055 to 0.

Abstract: A steel railroad sleeper of inverted channel section whose open ends can selectively be closed by end plates detachably connected one to open end of the sleeper and whose sides incline downwardly and outwardly from the upper rail supporting surface of the sleeper, the sleeper being produced by cold forming strip steel. The sleeper may be produced by cold pressing or cold rolling and the end plates may also be produced by cold forming steel strip. In one embodiment the sleeper has a waisted section of reduced width. This waisted section may be positioned generally midway along the length of the sleeper. The central section of the sleeper interior may be filled with a material to prevent the ingress of ballast to this central region.