Abstract: Method and apparatus for regulating the heat transfer coefficient between a granular material and an exchange surface inside a heat exchanger in which a descending flow of a charge of material is arranged in the form of a mobile bed in contact with an elongated exchange member extending between lower and upper levels of the tank of the exchanger. The latter is provided with injection means for a gas into the charge of material. The flow conditions of the gas passing through the charge from below upwards are regulated so that the ascending flow speed is initially less than, at the base of the tank, the critical fluidization speed and then increases gradually to reach such critical speed at an adjustable level comprised between the lower and upper levels of the exchange member. The invention is especially applicable to heat exchangers used for cooling a granular material and/or for the heating of a heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: A boiler comprising a fluidized bed combustion chamber which communicates with an exchange enclosure containing water tubes heated by the combustion tubes and within which is arranged an exchange and dust removal chamber equipped with water tubes and containing a vertical internal partition dividing it into two half chambers communicating with one another. One of these half chambers communicates with the upstream part of the enclosure through an inlet orifice situated at the top part and constrains the fumes to follow a descending path along the partition, while the other communicates with the downstream part of the enclosure through an outlet orifice situated at the top part and constrains the fumes to follow an ascending path.

Abstract: Sealing device for an hydraulic energy dissipator of the telescopic type, formed by a seal comprising a cylindrical ring which grips the rod of the piston and which is extended by a fluid-tight bellows so as to permit axial movement of the seal in its housing following small amplitude movements of the rod. The device is useful for railway suspension shock absorbers.

Abstract: An improvement in printing presses in which at least one inking roller is placed in rolling contact with two other rollers, one of which is a slide table, this inking roller being mounted pivotally about the axis of rotation of the slide table. The inking roller (4, 5) is mounted rotatably about a shaft (15), the corresponding slide table (3) is supported by two fixed bearings (18, 19) each comprising a cylindrical outer face (20, 21), each end (22, 23) of the shaft (15) of the inking roller (4, 5) is connected to each corresponding fixed bearing (18, 19) through the intermediary of a flexible metal band (28, 29) bent in U shape, the central region of which partly surrounds the cylindrical face of the fixed bearing, being fixed thereto, and the two ends of which are fixed to the ends (22, 23) of the shaft (15) of the inking roller.

Abstract: Device for ensuring the vertical suspension of the chassis of a bogie and the longitudinal and transverse coupling of each box of the chassis in a driving or carrying railway bogie, comprising a vertical suspension spring through which the bogie frame is supported on the axle box, thereby creating a rotary torque on this box, and including two flexible couplings mounted spaced in altitude between the frame and the axle box so as to be compressed when the axle box tends to rotate under the effect of the rotary torque.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor capable of rotating at high speed by means of an electric motor comprises two compression stages cantilevered one at each end of a shaft, an electric motor of which the rotor is carried by a central part of the shaft, magnetic bearings, and a magnetic stop. The motor, the bearings and the stop are placed in a housing placed under a partial vacuum. Two facial gaskets adjustable as a result of longitudinal displacement of a component and of the shaft seal the compressor and ensure sealing of the space within the housing.

Abstract: A mechanism for converting rotary motion in rectilinear to and fro comprising and hinged in the housing of a crosspiece by a prestressed rod and conical bearing. An even number of bearings stacked symmetrically on each side of the center and internal cages are fitted an intermediate bush with the interposition of spacing rings, the thicknesses of the rings being so determined that the pre-stressing force is distributed equally between the bearings and causes the complete take-up of play. The invention is particularly useful in multicylinder pump mechanisms distributed regularly around a shaft and with axial pistons.

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing elongate objects (M) into a transfer corridor (4) from a feed corridor (10) along which the objects (M) are axially moved in sequence. The transfer corridor (4) has star wheels (3') driven rotationally in synchronism, each wheel (3') having at least one socket whose section corresponds to that of the object. A receiving wheel (1) receives the objects (M) at the outlet of the feed corridor (10), to which wheel the guide members (4) of the transfer corridor are extended. The receiving wheel (1) is rotated at regular intervals corresponding to the rhythm of succession of the objects. At least one intermediate wheel (2) is interposed between the receiving wheel (1) and a first transfer wheel (3) for the passage of the objects (M) from one wheel to the other. The intermediate wheel (2) is rotationally driven continuously and at variable speed between the angular velocity of the receiving wheel (1) and that of the transfer wheel (3).

Abstract: A stirling cycle engine, especially for refrigerating motors, comprising a housing in which are assembled a rotating shaft, at least three working cylinders arranged in parallel round the shaft, a double-acting piston in each of the cylinders, and a mechanical transmission converting the reciprocating movement of the pistons into a rotary movement of the shaft. The housing has a first chamber (1) in which the rotating shaft is assembled, and a second chamber (2) in whch the mechanical transmission is assembled. The latter consists of an orbiting oscillating plate (13, 14) immobile in rotating and having an axis which describes a conical surface about the rotating shaft, and of articulated connections linking each piston (4) to the oscillating plate.

Abstract: A device for determining the shape of the inner wall of a tube, particularly at the level of a weld. A measuring device is arranged in the tube enabling the distance separating a given point situated on the inner wall of the tube and the longitudinal axis of this tube to be read. The measuring device is movable in the tube so as to read off successive dimensions of such point in the course of its displacement, the movement of the measuring device being such that the point so measured is displaced longitudinally in an alternating movement over a constant distance, and displaced simultaneously in slow rotation around the longitudinal axis, the reading of the measurements being completed when the point measured has carried out at least one complete revolution in the tube. The invention is useful in checking the tubes of a steam generator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of metal parts whose core and surface must have different characteristics.

Abstract: A low-blade type inking mechanism, comprising an ink duct roller (1) and an ink duct (4) carrying at least one detachable trough (7). The ink duct (4) is mounted on an axis (3) parallel to the axis of the roller (1) and rotatable about the latter so that the ink duct (4) can pivot about the roller (1) without the through (7) moving away from said roller (1), and pivot about the axis (3) on which it is mounted so that the trough (7) moves away from said roller (1). The mechanism is used in rotary printing presses, particularly for color printing.

Abstract: Process and device for hydrolyzing cellulose material in an extruder with two parallel screws in which the material introduced in the moist condition and, transported by the screws is malaxated, heated to a temperature of above 200.degree. C. in the downstream part of the extruder where it is contacted with an acid solution and progressively compressed, to a pressure higher than the saturated vapor pressure of the liquid phase of the hydrolyzed material at the temperature reached in the downstream part and maintained by a control device for the evacuation of the material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recovery method and installation for the heat contained in a solid substance, occurring in divided form and more especially in ash produced by a fluidized bed combustion furnace. According to the invention the coarsest ash is removed through a purging outlet from the fluidized bed, the finest ash is separated from the smoke and the ash is cooled in two apparatuses adapted to the granulometry, one to the finest ash and the other to the coarsest ash.

Abstract: Method for supplying fuel material to a gasification reactor into which a mixture of finely powdered fuel material, in suspension in a liquid phase, is charged inside a pressurized combustion chamber into which the combustion-supporting gas is injected and constituting the reactor, by means of a screw conveyor producing a continuously fluid-tight plug by compression of the driven material. By intermeshing at least two overlapping screws with identical threads rotated in the same direction, a wringing of the mixture introduced through an input orifice is compressed by regulating the flow rate of the mixture supply and the rotary speed of the screws so that, for a given flow rate of material, the plug constituted in a braking zone is at a given pressure and contains a certain proportion of liquid phase. The additional amount of liquid phase is expelled into the braking zone and reascends upstream into a drive zone where it is removed through orifices formed in filtering parts of a sleeve.

Abstract: A truck or double bogie having forward and rear elemental bogies (1, 2). The vehicle body is carried at the middle by a spanner bolster or two longitudinal coupling beams (8, 9) which are supported, at each end and on each elemental bogie, on the ends of a transverse swingle bar (12, 13), resilient blocks (15) being inserted between the swingle bar and the bolsters (3, 4) of the elemental bogie. The buffer and coupling bodies (34) are arranged at the end of a guide shaft (32) which is freely articulated on a vertical central pivot (30) rigidly fixed to the vehicle body and on the vertical pivot (5) of the forward elemental bogie (1). The device is intended for use with bogies for railroad vehicles intended to run on poor quality track.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elevation orientation mount for a parabolic mirror reflector of a solar heating module. The altazimuthal orientation mount according to the invention is adapted to a solar heating module comprising a parabolic mirror reflector orientable around a horizontal axis by a jack actuating unit whose cylinder is a turret and whose rod is articulated to the reflector. The jack is equipped for return and locking tending to extend the rod and to lock it at the stroke-end where the reflector occupies a position such that its axis of revolution is vertical.

Abstract: Extendable Modular Vacuum Chamber made up by:a parallelepipedal rigid box in two identical parts (1,2) which are separable along a plane passing through the diagonals (14,15) of two opposing parallel faces (5,7),at least one rigid frame (3) which can be interfitted between the two parts (1,2).The invention applies to vacuum chambers for carrying out electron beam welding.

Abstract: Steam generator of the sodium-water type comprising a primary circuit constituted by an elongated vessel filled with liquid sodium, an inlet zone of the elongated vessel into which the liquid sodium is introduced, an outlet zone of the elongated vessel from which the liquid sodium is removed, and a secondary circuit constituted by a plurality of water circulation tubes extending to the inside of the elongated vessel. Inside the elongated vessel is arranged a tank open only downwards, immersed in the sodium contained in the vessel, and at least partly filled with an inert gas, so as to constitute in the vessel, at the level of the outlet zone of the sodium, an expansion tank for limiting the propagation of a pressure wave resulting from chemical reaction between the sodium and the water. The generator is particularly useful in nuclear power stations.

Abstract: Apparatus for advancing elongate objects (D) around a curve between upstream and downstream straight guideways (1, 3) connected by a curved connecting guideway (2), each guideway being constituted by two pairs of parallel guides (11, 12; 31, 32) between which the objects (D) are advanced in successive displacements by means of two series (13, 14; 33, 34) of seating plates.