Abstract: A process and apparatus for continuously mixing and applying paste to battery grids for use in lead-acid battery systems, in which particulate lead oxide, water and sulphuric acid are reacted in an elongated mixer having a mixing to conveying ratio of about 65:35 to 80:20 with controlled reaction temperature for an exit product temperature in the range of above 60° C. to about 80° C. Additives including reinforcing fibers can be added in an amount up to 0.6 wt % of the lead oxide and carbon and graphite powder can be added in an amount up to 6 wt % of the lead oxide.

Abstract: A method of making an apparatus for continuously casting a lead alloy strip includes providing a drum having an aluminum outer circumferential casting surface. The outer circumferential casting surface of the drum is abraded with an angular abrading medium to wear away material from the aluminum outer circumferential casting surface of the drum and to create a coarse, irregular, and non-smooth abraded casting surface configured to reduce the rate of heat transfer and slow cooling of the lead alloy strip cast on the abraded casting surface.

Abstract: Insulated panel assemblies can be used to construct an air-handling enclosure and the like. The insulated panel assemblies can have the same configuration and fit together to form a substantially sealed, insulated enclosure. The insulated panel assemblies themselves are particularly constructed for ease of formation and construction of the panel assemblies. A method of forming insulated panel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A joint connection structure of a building framework includes a column assembly including a column and a pair of gusset plates connected to the column on opposite sides of the column and extending laterally outward from the column. A full-length beam assembly includes a full-length beam having upper and lower flanges and an end portion received between the gusset plates. A connecting member is operatively attached by welding to at least one of the flanges of the full-length beam. The connecting member is bolted to at least one of the gusset plates of the column assembly to connect the full-length beam assembly to the column assembly.

Abstract: Monitoring airflows through fan arrays and adjusting fan speeds during air handling system operations to dynamically provide and/or maintain balanced discharge airflows. An air handling system controller utilizes fan speed and airflow data values of each fan array to determine whether a fan speed setpoint of the fans of a fan array should be increased or decreased in order to balance the airflow through each fan array. When an increase or decrease in the fan speed setpoint is required, the controller adjusts the fan speeds accordingly.

Abstract: A burner box for use in an air handling system. The burner box includes a main body having a top wall, a bottom wall, side walls extending between the top and bottom walls, and intermediate walls extending between the top and bottom walls and positioned between the side walls. An open upstream end of the main body is divided by the intermediate walls into a first bypass opening and a second bypass opening spaced from the first bypass opening by a burner opening. A direct fired burner is positioned in the main body between the intermediate walls and adjacent the burner opening such that air drawn into the main body through the burner opening is directed over the direct fired burner for heating. An electronic control system is operatively connected to the burner box and configured to maintain a constant pressure difference across the direct fired burner.

Abstract: A hanger bracket for mounting a skewed beam at a junction of two adjacent beams includes a supporting section configured to support the skewed beam. Fixing flanges are substantially perpendicular to the supporting section and are configured for attaching the bracket to the adjacent beams. The fixing flanges lie in different planes to each other. Reinforcing faces are located between the supporting section and each of the fixing flanges. The reinforcing faces are inclined relative to the supporting section and fixing flanges. The hanger bracket includes holes in the supporting section or reinforcing faces configured to secure the skewed beam to the hanger bracket.

Abstract: A backflow preventer for use in a multiple fan array system that draws air from an inlet area and expels it into a discharge area includes a main body defining an open front end and an open rear end and is adapted for attachment to a fan of the fan array system adjacent an inlet of the fan. Doors are attached to the main body and configured for movement between an open position in which air is permitted to enter through the open front end and a closed position in which the doors block the open front end and air is prevented from entering through the open front end. The doors are movable between the open position and the closed position by a pressure differential between the inlet area and the discharge area. The doors in the open position form a tapered intake passageway that funnels air into the fan.

Abstract: A battery grid comprising includes a first grid member having opposite first and second side frame elements and opposite first and second end frame elements extending between the first and second side frame elements. A second grid member having opposite first and second side frame elements and opposite first and second end frame elements extending between the first and second side frame elements is attached to the first grid member. A method of making a battery grid includes attaching a first grid member to a second grid member.

Abstract: A beam to column joint connection structure of a building framework has a column assembly and a beam assembly. The column assembly includes a column, a pair of gusset plates on opposite sides of the column, and bearing elements. The beam assembly includes a beam having an end portion received between the gusset plates. The beam assembly has bearing elements. The bearing elements are positioned with respect to each other to prevent movement of the beam assembly relative to the column assembly by engagement of exterior bearing engagement surfaces of the bearing elements of the column assembly with exterior engagement bearing surfaces of the bearing elements of the beam assembly in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the beam. The beam-to-column joint connection does not require any bolts or welds connecting the beam assembly to the column assembly, resulting in an all bearing moment connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for direct casting of strip from a pool of molten metal includes a tundish having a feed chamber, a return chamber and a diverting chamber. A lip insert is inserted into the tundish and has an open front for cooperation with a casting surface. The apparatus includes a control mechanism configured to control the surface level of the pool of molten metal in the diverting chamber and in the lip insert, and a movement mechanism configured to move the casting surface upwardly through the pool of molten metal for the casting of metal on the casting surface. The casting surface is an aluminum surface of a cylindrical drum and has a coarse irregular surface formed thereon by biasing with crushed, angular silicon carbide or aluminum silicate.

Abstract: An obstruction detection device for use with a truss fabrication system including a table having spaced accessways. The obstruction detection device includes a support structure configured for movable attachment to a table having spaced accessways. An obstruction sensor is connected to the support structure and configured to detect obstructions in the spaced accessways of the table. The obstruction sensor has an activated state and a deactivated state. A control system is operatively connected to the obstruction sensor to activate and deactivate the obstruction sensor in response to a position of the obstruction sensor relative to the spaced accessways. The control system activates the obstruction sensor when the obstruction sensor is aligned with one of the spaced accessways of the table and deactivates the obstruction sensor when the obstruction sensor is out of alignment with the spaced accessways of the table.

Abstract: A dovetail anchoring system for cavity walls is disclosed and includes a sheetmetal dovetail anchor and one-piece sheetmetal dovetail veneer tie. The anchoring system is used in conjunction with building structures that have a masonry outer wythe anchored to a poured masonry inner wythe. A thermally-isolating coating is optionally applied to the high-strength veneer tie, which is interconnected with the wall anchor. The thermally-isolating coating is selected from a distinct grouping of materials, that are applied using a specific variety of methods, in one or more layers and cured and cross-linked to provide high-strength adhesion. The thermally-coated veneer ties provide an in-cavity thermal break that severs the thermal threads running throughout the cavity wall structure, reducing the U- and K-values of the anchoring system by thermally-isolating the metal components.

Abstract: A saddle hanger for connecting at least one bracing member to a truss chord includes a base having a first end portion for receiving a bracing member and an adjacent portion for receiving a truss chord. A projecting element extends from a transverse edge of the base portion, and has a width narrower than the transverse dimension of the hanger base. A plurality of flanges extends upward from side edges of the base and defines with the base a channel for receiving one of the truss chord and bracing member. The saddle hanger can be formed from a stamped metal blank, with portions of the saddle hanger being nested in side-by-side relation to minimize the amount of material used.

Abstract: A high-strength thermally-isolating surface-mounted anchoring system for a cavity wall is disclosed. The thermally-isolated anchoring system is adaptable to varied structures, including high-span applications, and for use with interlocking veneer ties and reinforcement wires. The anchoring system includes an anchor base and a stepped cylinder which sheaths the mounting hardware to limit insulation tearing and resultant loss of insulation integrity. The anchoring system is thermally-isolated through the use of a series of strategically placed compressible nonconductive fittings. Seals are formed which preclude penetration of air, moisture, and water vapor into the wall structure.

Abstract: A high-strength pullout resistant pintle and anchoring system employing the same is disclosed. The modified veneer tie utilizes ribbon pintles formed from a wire formative construct that is cold-worked with the resultant body having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the outer wythe. The ribbon pintles hereof, when part of the anchoring system, interengage with receptor portions of a wall anchor and are dimensioned to preclude significant lateral, vertical and horizontal movement.

Abstract: A high-strength ribbon loop anchor and cavity wall anchoring system employing the same is disclosed. The ribbon loop anchor is a wire formative construct that is cold-worked with the resultant body having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the facing wall. The ribbon loops hereof, when part of the anchoring system, interengage with the veneer tie and are dimensioned to preclude significant movement lateral with or normal to the inner wythe.

Abstract: A hanger bracket for mounting a skewed beam at a junction of two adjacent beams includes a supporting section configured to support the skewed beam. Fixing flanges are substantially perpendicular to the supporting section and are configured for attaching the bracket to the adjacent beams. The fixing flanges lie in different planes to each other. Reinforcing faces are located between the supporting section and each of the fixing flanges. The reinforcing faces are inclined relative to the supporting section and fixing flanges. The hanger bracket includes holes in the supporting section or reinforcing faces configured to secure the skewed beam to the hanger bracket.

Abstract: A high-strength low profile partially compressed pintle veneer tie and anchoring system employing the same is disclosed. The high-strength pintle anchoring system employs a partially compressively reduced veneer tie that is cold-worked with the resultant body partially having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the outer wythe. The partially compressively reduced veneer tie, when part of the anchoring system, interengages with the receptor portions of a wall anchor and is dimensioned to preclude significant veneer tie movement. The insertion portion of the veneer tie is compressed and patterned to ensure a secure hold within the bed joint.