Abstract: A foundry mould for low pressure moulding of metal parts is constructed of a mould chamber (14) with a bottom surface (17) having an opening (31) through which molten casting metal can ascend. A peripheral pressure chamber (15) surrounds the side walls of the chamber (14) and a suction bell (18, 19) connected to a suction duct (23) covers the top of the mould chamber and pressure chamber. Communicating apertures (20, 21) provide gas flow paths from the mould chamber and pressure chamber to the suction bell. Patterns of gasifiable expanded polystyrene are located in the mould chamber and are supported therein by a masking device, such as a masking shell (28), by means of pattern appendages (26) connected to tubular supporting members (27) of the masking shell. A sleeve (34) is locked to the opening (31) and supports the masking device. Compacted, binderless, sand fills the remaining volume of the mould chamber.

Abstract: The vertically ascending casting of a thin-walled metal pipe and integral end fitting from a bath of molten metal is implemented using a housing 12 and a core 14 to mold the end fitting or bell housing and a tubular draw tube 6 to mold the pipe shank. The end fitting E is first formed by forcing the metal to rise in the annular space 16 between the housing and the core, simultaneously forming the initial section of the pipe shank. Once the end fitting has solidified it is extracted upwardly, step by step, while shank sections are simultaneously withdrawn from the metal bath. These sections are also solidified step by step along a tapering front S in the bath until the desired length of pipe T has been obtained.

Abstract: A head assembly for a socket core 3 for the centrifugal casting of iron pipes including a seat 24 for supporting the core in a socket end 6 during casting, and a head 50 for positioning the seat and core in a chill-mould 1. The head is separable from the seat and includes dogs 20 pivotable around joints 21 by a jack 13, the dogs having end claws 22 arranged to fit into a recess 51 of the seat to enable a core to be handled and fitted without the dogs directly gripping the core, thus avoiding the risk of the core being damaged during fitting.

Abstract: Two adjoining voussoirs 1, 2 in a tunnel shield are assembled by sandwiching a wedge 12 between their adjacent sides 7, 8. The wedge extends over the entire length and width of the voussoir sides, and has concave surfaces 12a of equal curvature radius to the convex surfaces of the voussoir sides. The angle .alpha. between the adjacent outer surfaces of the voussoirs may be adjusted by varying the radial disposition of the wedge before tightening the assembly. The full mating contact between the voussoir sides and the wedge evenly distributes the applied stress.

Abstract: A tubular silicone suction cup comprises a cylindrical body 9 tapering to an outwardly flared cone 11 at its lower end lined with a thin, flexible biconical latex skirt 20 extending below the cone, the skirt adapting to complex shapes of objects to be grasped, such as small confectionery or food items.

Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly quenching a metal or alloy in the molten state by projecting a jet thereof from a crucible 7 onto a cooled belt 1 moving at high speed inside a vacuum chamber 3. The crucible is mounted outside of and above the chamber, with its curved bottom, provided with a casting orifice 14, resting on the rim 5' of an opening provided in the upper cover 6 of the chamber.

Abstract: A method of rapidly solidifying thin metallic strips, comprising projecting a jet of molten metal or alloy under reduced atmospheric pressure onto a cold substrate moving at high speed, thereby forming the strip in contact with the substrate, and then bringing the strip rapidly into higher atmospheric pressure. Forming the strip on the substrate under reduced atmospheric pressure improves the quality of the edges and surface of the strip, while bringing the strip rapidly into higher atmospheric pressure improves the adherence of the strip to the substrate. If the strip is brought into higher atmospheric pressure before its temperature falls to the temperature of vitrification, the properties of the vitreous metal formed, including its ductility, are also improved, because of the more rapid passage through the temperature range above the vitrification temperature than if the metal were cooled under reduced pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a cut end (5) from a tubular element (T), such as a cast iron pipe. The element (T) is horizontal and placed on means (1) for supporting and driving it in rotation around its axis (X--X) with axial immobilization. A separator roller (E) is rotatably mounted around an axis (Y--Y) parallel to the axis (X--X) on a yoke (13) supported by a jack (16) enabling the roller to advance towards the axis (X--X) in a radial direction. The roller comprises an annular central wedge (8) bordered by two lateral cylinders (10a, 10b), and penetrates during the cutting operation into a groove (3) made by the cutting tool (2) in the wall of the element (T). At the end of the cutting operation the wedge laterally separates the cut end away from the cutting tool, to thereby avoid damaging the tool.

Abstract: An annular elastomer packing 2 for a male-female bell housing type of pipe joint has a trapezoidal foot 12 radially opposite an anchor ridge or flange 8 which seats in a mating groove 5 in the housing, and a tapering truncated body portion 10 joined to the anchor ridge by a shoulder 6 and to the foot by a groove or recess 19. The radial compression of the foot during the initial insertion of the male pipe end serves to firmly anchor the packing via the ridge 8 and groove 5 with the recess 19 accommodating the compressively deformed material, whereafter the continued insertion of the male end radially compresses and axially extends the body portion to ensure a tight seal. This configuration reduces the insertion force and enables greater dimensional variations to be tolerated.

Abstract: Cutting tools 12 are individually connected in common to rollers 2b supporting a rotationally driven tube T to be cut. The tools and rollers are paired mechanically such that the cutting edge of each tool and the tangent point G between the associated roller and the surface of the tube lie in the same radial plane passing through the longitudinal axis T--T of the tube. This arrangement makes it possible to maintain constant the penetration depth of the cutting tools into the surface of the tube even if the tube is oval or elliptical.

Abstract: A support stirrup 7 is rotatably mounted by horizontal shaft 8 at one end of a machine for centrifugally casting iron pipes 41 having end sockets 42a in a chill-mould 1. A ring assembly 31, CL is mounted between the arms of the stirrup for rotation about an axis Z--Z perpendicular to the shaft axis, but the plane of the assembly is tilted from its rotation axis by an acute angle D via an offset arm 34. With the stirrup raised to an intermediate position and the ring assembly rotated 90.degree. (FIGS. 3, 6) an operator can easily and safely mount a relatively heavy socket core 36 to the ring assembly, whereafter the latter is reverse rotated 90.degree. and the stirrup lowered to position the core in the end of the mould (FIGS. 1, 4). The stirrup can be fully raised (FIG. 2) to enable pipe extraction and visual inspection during casting.

Abstract: In this gate valve, two semi-seal lines between the closure member and the seat cross at the level of the flow axis through the valve. In this way, the overall axial size and the force for operating the valve are reduced.

Abstract: Between an upstream transporter A which moves discontinuously and intermittently and a downstream transporter B which moves continuously, an elevator C is serially disposed which lifts the last pipe T6 from an even group T1 through T6 astride both transporters, then rests it ahead of the following even group T7 through T10 during a halt of transporter A. On the downstream transporter B, two odd groups T1 through T5 and T6 through T10 and thus obtained. The pipes each have an enlarged female bell or mouth M at one end, and are alternatingly arranged in horizontal groups or beds L of five. Each bed is reversed relative to its adjacent beds in a banded vertical pile. The pipes are supplied to the transporter A two at a time.

Abstract: Liquid metal M in a casting ladle 1 located under a mold A is cast uphill under low pressure into the mold cavity 10 through a vertical shaft 3. The metal is treated by a soluble inoculation wire 13 suspended down through the cavity over a length L greater than the height h of the mold with its lower part H submerged in the liquid metal filling the shaft. The ladle pressure is maintained until the wire is fully dissolved, and then raised to fill the mold cavity with the inoculated liquid metal.

Abstract: A thin strip of metal or alloy is subjected to rapid solidification as it is ejected under pressure in a molten state from a crucible onto a cold, continuous band moving at high speed beneath the crucible's opening, in order to form metal strips in the vitreous state. An atmosphere under reduced pressure surrounding the zone of impact of the molten metal on the band is provided by a partially evacuated housing having opposed narrow inlet and outlet openings through which the band passes. The band is cooled and precisely positioned, and its vibration is minimized, by ejecting fluid from openings in the bottom of the housing, over which the band passes in closely parallel fashion. A pressurized gas at low temperature, ejected through these openings in the direction of the band, creates a fluid cushion between the band and the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A cast iron pipe T with a minimal preset diameter is supported by a frame 1 equipped with support rollers 2, 6, the roller 2 being driven to rotate the pipe about axis X-X. Cutting is executed with a tool 16 coupled to the carrier roller 2. The rollers are disposed below the pipe, and the pipe is held against the rollers during cutting by a pressing roller 5 disposed inside the pipe end. The pressing roller is shifted downwardly in relation to the carrier roller.

Abstract: The annular cast body 1 of a butterfly valve is coated both internally and externally, including the butterfly shaft and axle passages 12, 13, with an elastomeric material 2 of the same type and hardness at all points of the valve body. The coating has a thickened band 15 which acts as a seat for the butterfly, and is molded around the valve body rather than being glued.

Abstract: The die (6) comprises a thick cylindrical body (7) which is surrounded by a cooling jacket (15) clamped against the pouring basin (2) and in contact with the latter in a plane (P). The body (7) is extended in the casting orifice (4) by a composite head (17) comprising a thin inner annular lip (22), whereof the inner surface extends that of the body (7) and a ring (24) of refractory material fitted between the lip, the body and the casting orifice. The (hot) lip (22) is connected to the body (7) in the plane (P), so that the ring (24) rejoins it also in this plane and that the flow of heat (f.sub.1) passing from the casting orifice to the cooling jacket must skirt around this ring.

Abstract: The gate valve comprises a body having a horizontal flow passageway, a vertical housing opening into the flow passageway and a closure member movable in the housing and passageway. The closure member has on each side a vertical U-shaped guiding bearing surface which projects from a sealing bead on the closure member and extends from the lower end of the closure member to a region located above the equatorial plane of the valve. This bearing surface permanently cooperates with a vertical bearing surface provided in the body between the flow passageway and a seat surface and having, when viewed along the flow axis a downwardly open C-shape.

Abstract: A manhole cover plug (1A) contains three helical ribs (5A) whose profile, in transverse cross-section, has two lateral quarter-circular parts (11A, 12A). These lateral parts cooperate with helical grooves of the frame with a quarter-circular profile of a greater radius.