Abstract: A refractory brick that has a rear portion with a geometrical concavity on one side and a corresponding convex projection on the other side, the concavity and projection being matched so that the concavity mates with the corresponding projection of a similar refractory brick when the two are disposed in side-by-side relationship. Extending perpendicular from the base portion is a generally rectangular projection such that when a plurality of bricks are disposed in a side-by-side array, they are locked together by the mating concavities and projections, and the generally rectangular projections extend inwardly to form a thicker lining to withstand the force of a tap stream of molten metal for a longer duration.

Abstract: A pulverulent mix, sprayable when mixed with a liquid for forming a stable, cement-bonded insulating refractory which can be sprayed onto vertical and overhead surfaces without deformation, comprising a lightweight and/or dense refractory aggregate, a calcium aluminate cement, a microsilica, a ball clay, and a superfine refractory. The superfine refractory comprises 2 to 15 wt. % of the mix and the -325 mesh portion of the mix being from about 40 to 60 wt. %.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool (10) is described for diverting exhaust air from an air motor (18) between a rearward opening (22), a forward opening (24), or both, without requiring any disassembly. An exhaust diverting valve selector (26) allows adjustment of the direction of flow as determined by an exhaust diverting valve (60) from the exterior of tool (10). A method of manufacturing a pneumatic tool (10) with an exhaust diverting valve (60) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ergonomic, hand-held power tool (10) is disclosed having a housing (12) formed to have a main body portion (14) having a cavity (32) and a handle portion (16) coupled to the main portion (14). The main body portion (14) has a first longitudinal axis (66). The handle portion (16) has a second longitudinal axis (68) formed to be at an acute angle (70) with respect to the first longitudinal axis (66). A flexible material (28) may be attached to the handle portion (16) or used to form an exterior coating on the housing (12) to help minimize any vibration transferred to the operator's hand.

Abstract: A vessel for very high temperature materials having an upper terminus with an annular surface and at least one refractory abutting the inner surface of the vessel and extending across the annular surface and an embodiment wherein a wedge-shaped member abuts the inner surface of the vessel.

Abstract: A apparatus system is disclosed for time beneficiation of kish to produce coarse high purity graphite wherein a concentrate containing at least about 90% carbon is formed, treated with a dilute acid solution, and the pulp then subjected to an adjuvant-assisted attrition to form a novel synthetic flake graphite of 99+ wt. % carbon with at least 70% of the mass retained on +100 mesh, and an overall recovery of graphitic carbon from the feed of greater than 85% by weight.

Abstract: An essentially non-slumping, high density, low moisture and low cement castable composition, consisting of a tempered, pumpable first component containing the castable solids and consisting essentially of a refractory aggregate, a calcium-aluminate cement, a flow aid, a deflocculating agent, and water, the water being present in the lowest amount sufficient to achieve a pumpable consistency of the tempered first component, and a flocculating agent as a second component to be added to said first component at time of installation in an amount sufficient to give the castable a dried bulk density of at least about 120 pcf.

Abstract: An impulse tool (20) having a housing (22), a motor (26), drive mechanism (30), impulse mechanism (28), trigger mechanism (67), and sensor (32) for automatic shut-off is disclosed. The sensor (32) uses a spring-biased ball (144) that sits on a ball seat (149) adjacent an entry orifice (108) and a spring-biased piston (112) such that when a predetermined non-transient torque is reached, the strength, duration and frequency of pulses of the working fluid entering the entry orifice (108) will lift the ball (144) sufficiently to impose on the piston (112) and to progressively lift the piston (112) to allow the working fluid to a triggering height which starts the shut-off of the impulse tool (20). A delay mechanism is also disclosed that may include a regulator (172), dashpot (170), spring latch (204), and trigger bar (56) or latch. A method of cooling an impulse tool with cold, dense air throughout is also disclosed.

Abstract: An essentially non-slumping, high density, low moisture and low cement castable composition, consisting of a tempered, pumpable first component containing the castable solids and consisting essentially of a refractory aggregate, a calcium-aluminate cement, a flow aid, a deflocculating agent, and water, the water being present in the lowest amount sufficient to achieve a pumpable consistency of the tempered first component, and a flocculating agent as a second component to be added to said first component at time of installation in an amount sufficient to give the castable a dried bulk density of at least about 120 pcf. The invention also includes the method of applying such castable through a spray nozzle in which the flocculating agent is added to the tempered first component just prior to its application through a spray nozzle.

Abstract: A magnesite-carbon refractory mix for forming refractory shapes containing magnesite, graphite, and a fine particle size metallic additive consisting essentially of a magnesium-aluminum alloy co-milled with magnesite and refractory shapes and refractory linings made therefrom.

Abstract: A magnesium electrolysis cell having a refractory lining comprising at least one glass-ceramic shape, the lining itself, and the method of increasing the service life of the refractory lining of a magnesium electrolysis cell comprising using a plurality of glass-ceramic shapes to form the lining.

Abstract: Method and geometrical arrangement of refractories within a high temperature vessel. A protuberance near the periphery of the vessel opening is formed on an inner surface and a ring of trapezoidally-shaped refractory brick is positioned such that a sloping surface of each of the trapezoidally-shaped brick is preferably initially in contact with an adjacent surface of the protuberance. When the interior of the vessel is heated and the brick expand, they tend to ride upwardly, with the sloping surfaces urging the brick inwardly thereby increasing lateral friction therebetween, thereby holding them in place and preventing them from moving even when the vessel is tilted or turned upside down.

Abstract: A refractory mix made comprising magnesite having an MgO content of at least about 95 wt. % and fused spinel-zirconia grain comprising 1 to 40 wt. % zirconia and refractory shapes, particularly brick, made therefrom.

Abstract: A dragline bucket rigging includes at least one pair of components removably secured together by a connector pin assembly including a U-shaped spring retainer clip. The clip removably snap-fits beneath a protective cap secured to the outside face of one of the components and within an open-ended channel defined between the cap and the component face. Legs of the retainer clip abut the sides of the channel and nest within a pair of diverging slots formed one on each side of a retainer pin when the latter telescoped through an opening formed within the cap and into a connector pin hole in the component. The legs thereby act to prevent the pin from rotating or being removed axially from the hole and yet the clip can be easily removed allowing the pin to be removed axially to disconnect the rigging components.

Abstract: A slide gate plate comprising a burned refractory that is impregnated with tar and baked, said refractory made from a composition comprising about 70 to 95 wt. % alumina, 1 to 10 wt. % reactive alumina, 1 to 5 wt. % volatilized silica, and, 3 to 15 wt. % silicon carbide and the method of increasing the service life of such slide gate plate by forming the same from the above-noted composition.

Abstract: A brick for use in a high temperature furnace, or the like, having a body portion with at least one tongue and groove pair in at least one of the body surfaces with anchor means formed integrally with the body portion. Tie-back brick assemblies are formed by mating at least two of such brick and clamping them together.A lining for use in such furnaces is formed by using such tie-back assemblies with conventionally shaped brick.

Abstract: A refractory mix for forming a fused silica based refractory shape consisting essentially of a high purity fused silica and a binder system consisting essentially of a high purity colloidal silica solution and a high purity ammonium lignosulfonate. The invention also comprises fused silica based refractory shapes formed from such mix by pressing and firing.

Abstract: An air tool includes a housing containing an air motor with a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis and connectable to an implement for working the surface of a workpiece. Power handle and idle handles have upper and lower ends connected to the housing at angularly spaced locations. Air power is supplied to the motor by an air passage extending through the power handle to an intake at the top of the housing. The upper and lower connections of the handles to the housing have axes extending generally perpendicular to each other and vibration insulators prevent metal to metal contact with the housing. One of the vibration insulators also is used in sealing against the loss of power air before entering the motor. Between their upper and lower ends, the handles are slanted at an angle of about fifteen degrees (15.degree.) relative to the axis of the tool.

Abstract: A dragline bucket having a back wall, opposite side walls, a bottom, an open front, and a removable pipe arch assembly for connecting the front upper corners of the side walls of the bucket together, the removable pipe arch assembly including a saddle bracket on the inside upper front corner of each of the side walls of the bucket, the saddle bracket having a semi-annular channel providing a pocket on the inside face of each saddle bracket, a pipe arch extending between the saddle brackets, the opposite ends of the pipe arch being removably engaged in the saddle bracket on each of the side walls, a collar on each end portion of the pipe arch resting in the pocket in each of the saddle brackets, and a locking plate connected with each of the saddle brackets over the pipe for removably locking the pipe end portions in the saddle brackets.

Abstract: A refractory mix and resultant shapes formed by burning the mix, the mix comprising a magnesia-alumina spinel grain containing at least 27% MgO by weight, a fused magnesite grain, and up to 10% by weight alumina, it being possible to substitute a sintered magnesite grain for up to 50% by weight of the fused magnesite grain.