Abstract: A vitreous silica-based plastic refractory comprising at least 50 wt. % vitreous silica having a purity of at least 99% silica, a refractory plasticizer, and a bonding system containing an alpha alumina-containing alumina capable of reacting with phosphoric acid to form an aluminum phosphate bond and phosphoric acid.

Abstract: Mixes for forming high alumina refractory shapes with high resistance to aluminum penetration comprising at least about 60% by weight aluminum oxide, about 1 to 5% by weight boron phosphate, and about 5 to 15% by weight silicon carbide. A phosphorous-containing binder is added and the mix can be formed into brick which when cured or burned to a temperature below the oxidation temperature of silicon carbide can be used to minimize aluminum penetration and dross when the brick are employed in a metallurgical vessel in contact with molten aluminum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the load measuring rolling element deformity of rolling element bearings as a result of applied loads by providing a load measuring rolling element in a bore of a rolling element bearing, defining a fluid cavity about a central shaft and first and second end seal means. The fluid cavity is in continuous communication with a fluid conduit, the fluid conduit in communication with an external volumetric liquid measuring means. When the rotating bearing is placed under dynamic loading, the rolling element will distort and the applied load is a function of the amount of distortion of the rolling element, i.e., the fluid cavity thus producing a correlated volumetric change of the amount of fluid contained in the fluid cavity. The load measuring apparatus is calibrated to provide the measurement of three-dimensional loading and averaging of loading along the rotating bearing axis.

Abstract: A pneumatic air feed peck drill adapted to drill in repetitive cycles including a rapid advance phase, a slower drilling phase, and a rapid retract phase. The rapid advance phase ends and the drilling phase begins at a set back position, an adjustable distance from the workpiece, to minimize a drill bit and workpiece damage. The drill includes a drill motor and feed cylinder powered by air to rotate and advance and retract the drill motor. The drill motor and feed cylinder is coupled with an air and mechanical control system including a hydraulic feed control unit having a piston rod coupled with the drill motor to dampen the advance of the drill motor during the drilling phase and to release for rapid retract and advance phases.

Abstract: A non-aqueous refractory maintenance mix made from 100% deadburned magnesite or other basic aggregate plus additions of coal tar pitch and a paraffin distillate oil. This mix is especially useful for the repair and maintenance of BOF, EAF, EBT, and OBT tapholes.

Abstract: A burned chrome-containing refractory and method which provides a refractory having less than 5 ppm total soluble chromium. Such product is obtained by adding to the starting mix less than 10 wt. % (often less than 3 wt. %) zirconia, silica, zircon, or molybdic oxide either individually or in combination.

Abstract: A method for measuring the weight of a suspended load, such as the bucket of a dragline, is disclosed. The method incorporates visual observations by a person such as a test engineer, or the operator of the dragline. During a dig cycle, once the steady state operation of the hoist is achieved, sampling of parameters such as hoist motor armature and field currents, and hoist and drag rope lengths, is performed. Using the calculated values of the force applied to the load and the geometry determined by the various rope lengths, the weight of the suspended load is calculated for each sample in the dig cycle. The calculated weight data may be accepted or rejected based upon the presence of dynamic factors observed by the test engineer or operator, or evident in the data. Calibration of certain values, such as the hoist efficiency, may take place on-site, rather than relying on theoretical or modeled values.

Abstract: Carbon-containing carbon bonded refractory mixes and products made therefrom in which the refractory is a magnesite or high alumina aggregate and containing a silica-free elemental boron containing B-Mg-O alloy powder containing at least 95% B-Mg-O. and shapes made therefrom. The invention also involves the method of increasing the lining life of a metallurgical vessel utilizing unburned brick made from the above-noted mixes.

Abstract: A plastic refractory composition in which the constituents are silicon carbide grain having a SiC content of at least 92% SiC, a calcined or reactive alumina, up to 10% bentonite, and 0.5 to 5% boron phosphate. A phosphorous-containing liquid is used to bind the composition when used.Also disclosed are pressed shapes, particularly tiles, made from such compositions in which ball clay is substituted for the bentonite.

Abstract: A pneumatic air feed peck drill adapted to drill in repetitive cycles including a rapid advance phase, a slower drilling phase, and a rapid retract phase. The rapid advance phase ends and the drilling phase begins at a set back position, an adjustable distance from the workpiece, to minimize a drill bit and workpiece damage. The drill includes a drill motor and feed cylinder powered by air to rotate and advance and retract the drill motor. The drill motor and feed cylinder is coupled with an air and mechanical control system including a hydraulic feed control unit having a piston rod coupled with the drill motor to dampen the advance of the drill motor during the drilling phase and to release for rapid retract and advance phases.

Abstract: The present invention provides an as-fired, high alumina, low silica, corrosion resistant, refractory product and a method for making said product where the product includes from about 50 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of a bubble alumina, from about 10 wt. % to about 30 wt. % of a fine calcined alumina and from about 5 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of a fine hydrated alumina. The product is characterized by having an alumina content of at least 98 wt. % alumina, a silica content of less than 1 wt. %, a density of from about 80 to about 95 pounds per cubic feet, a porosity of from about 55% to about 65%, a room temperature modulus of rupture of at least 200 psig and a cold crushing strength of from at least 200 psi.

Abstract: A mix for forming a magnesite-carbon refractory shape comprising from about 70 to 97 wt. % deadburned magnesite and about 3 to 30 wt. % flake graphite, and for each 100 wt. % of said magnesite and graphite, from about 1.5 to 6 wt. % of a carbon-containing bonding agent; said graphite containing from 90 to 99 wt. % carbon and having a lime/silica ratio greater than 0.2 in its ash and said magnesite containing greater than 95 wt. % magnesia, and the resultant magnesite-carbon refractory shapes and liners for metal processing equipment made from such shapes and the method of increasing the life of liners for such equipment.

Abstract: A refractory mix for forming high strength, low thermal conductivity refractory shapes comprising from about 40 to 75% by weight of at least one dense refractory aggregate, about 10 to 30% by weight of a bonding agent, and about 5 to 25% by weight of hollow ceramic microspheres having a diameter of about 1 to 350 microns.

Abstract: A power train for driving a functional mechanism of a mining machine includes a sealing mechanism extendable across the space between drive and driven units in the power train and surrounding a drive shaft extending between the two units. The sealing mechanism includes a tubular seal carrier with one end portion which is sealable against an annular seal face on one of the units and an opposite end portion which is sealable against a sealing ring surface on the other of the units for sealed protection of a drive shaft connected between the units. A clamp is connectable between the one end of the carrier and the one unit to pull the carrier into sealing engagement with such unit while maintaining sealing contact with the other unit. When the clamp is released, the carrier is free to be moved into a retracted position freeing the space between the units to be used in removing either of the units from the power train.

Abstract: A burned, high-purity refractory, specifically a chrome-alumina, alumina-chrome and picrochromite composition, which contains less than 5 ppm total soluble chromium. Such products are obtained by adding to the starting mix less than 5 wt. % (often less than 3 wt. %) zircon, titania, molybdic oxide, boric acid, carbon black, or silica.

Abstract: A refractory composition consisting essentially of, for each 100 wt. % thereof, about 40 to 80 wt. % of an alumina, about 5 to 30 wt. % of a zirconia-containing grain, about 2 to 10 wt. % of a carbon, and about 1 to 12 wt. % of an oxidation and erosion resistance additive, the method of making refractory shapes utilizing such composition, and the resultant shapes.

Abstract: A lime-free silicon carbide based refractory containing about 87 wt.% silicon carbide sized -10 mesh, about 5 wt.% alumina sized -325 mesh, about 3 wt.% silica sub-micron size, and about 5 wt.% alkaliphosphate modified alumino-silicate binder. This material finds particular applicability in the construction of cast shapes and troughs for non-ferrous metal production and as a refractory lining for boiler tubes.

Abstract: High purity fused grain and refractory compositions that contain a high purity fused grain made up of 35 to 85 wt. % chromia, 5 to 55 wt. % alumina, and 5 to 45 wt. % magnesia. Burned refractory brick having such a chemistry was found to unexpectedly possess superior resistance to AOD and electric furnace slags.