Abstract: In a centrifugal casting machine, the mould carries a ring having a groove defining two spaced-apart annular non-axially extending bearing surfaces. The fixed frame of the machine carries a fixed journal perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the mould and contained in the plane containing the axis of rotation of the mould. A lever perpendicular to the journal is pivotably mounted on the journal and carries two support rollers freely rotatable on the lever. The axes of the journal and the support rollers are in the same plane and parallel to each other. The rollers taper to the axis of rotation of the mould and the two annular surfaces have the same taper as the rollers. The axial distance between the two annular surfaces of the ring allows the lever to pivot about the journal so that both rollers are always in contact with one of the annular bearing surfaces.

Abstract: The valve has a closure member in the shape of a dish which has an end wall and a flared lateral wall and is pivotable in the passage of the valve body between a closing position and a maximum opening position which is substantially perpendicular to the closing position. The lateral wall makes an angle of 100-130.degree. with the general plane of the end wall. The concave side of the closure member faces in the upstream direction of the closing position. The axis of rotation of the closure member passes through the lateral wall of the closure member.

Abstract: The machine comprises a casing, a rotary casting mould and means for spraying cooling water onto the mould. A tubular duct is secured to the inside of the casing and opens into the interior of the casing and is for connection to a forced suction means.

Abstract: A brake disc comprises two flat, parallel friction rings interconnected by radial and axial ribs, with each ring being formed by at least two joined sectors. A circular flange extends radially inwardly from the rings and has a shoulder for receiving the lip of a flexible cylindrical web extending concentrically back from one end of a central hub. The flange and lip are secured together by a plurality of screws which bear the braking forces, while the flexibility of the web accommodates radial expansions due to the heating of the friction rings.

Abstract: Casing panel comprising voussoirs of the type comprising a web and juxtaposition walls which are substantially perpendicular to the web, wherein two juxtaposed walls, pertaining to two adjacent voussoirs of this panel, define therebetween a cavity for receiving a filling material and have, between said cavity and the outer surface of the webs of the voussoirs, bearing surfaces which are substantially parallel to the direction of the web and bear against each other so as to result in a high pressure drop in the flow of material between the exterior of the webs and the cavity.

Abstract: A manhole assembly includes a cover rotatable within a frame to lock the cover therein, the cover being formed with at least one projection extending outwardly of its periphery. The frame is formed with at least one anchorage, and a rod is threaded at one end thereof and has an anchoring formation at the other end thereof. The rod may be engaged between the projection and the anchorage and a nut may be screwed on the threaded end of the rod to move the projection towards the anchorage and lock the cover in the frame.

Abstract: A remote adding and reading device useful in reading a utility meter is disclosed. The device includes a main totalizing register having a first decade counter adapted to be driven by the measuring device of the meter and an auxiliary totalizing register having a second reversible decade counter respectively contained in two distinct cases. The case containing the auxiliary totalizing register is removable, and the auxiliary totalizing register is driven by the main totalizing register through a contactless drive. Reading is accomplished by means of a portable apparatus which plugs into the case containing the auxiliary totalizing register. The portable apparatus causes the second decade counter to be reset to zero and, in the process, the quantity accumulated by the auxiliary totalizing register since the preceding reading is read out.

Abstract: A composite casing voussoir of the type constituted by a mass of concrete or like material and a metal reinforcement. The latter comprises a web having the general shape of a portion of a cylinder and a peripheral radially-extending fixing frame which has a curvilinear rectangular shape. The mass of concrete occupies a cavity of the reinforcement which cavity is open at least partly in a radial direction. According to the invention, the reinforcement has means for hooking the mass of concrete constituted by a projecting flange located over said cavity.

Abstract: The shaft to be operated is connected to a gear and is operable by an electrical device. This apparatus comprises a handwheel provided with a gear and integral with a rod movable between a coupling position in which the two gears are engaged and an uncoupling position to which it is elastically biased. A first pivotal arm has an end connected to move with the rod. A second pivotal arm is movable between a first and second position for locking the first arm in positions corresponding respectivey to the uncoupled and coupled states of the apparatus. A system controlled by the electrical device shifts the second arm to its first and second position when the electrical device is put in action and out of action respectively.

Abstract: A man-hole assembly includes a man hole cover, a surrounding frame, a housing in the frame, a projection provided in the cover and extending into the housing when the cover is mounted in the frame to close the man hole and a key for locking the projection in the housing. The key includes an upper plate and a parallelopipedic foot connected to the plate by a stem, the plate being provided on its short sides with downwardly-extending flanges.

Abstract: The sealing structure comprises an annular sealing member disposed in an annular recess in a ring fixed to the non-rotating casing of a centrifugal casting machine. The sealing member bears sealingly against an annular radial flange connected to rotate with the rotary mould of the machine. An elastically yieldable annular chamber is interposed between the inner end of the recess and the sealing member. A source of fluid under pressure is connected to the inside of the chamber to expand the latter and urge the sealing member against the flange.

Abstract: Tubes of thermoplastic material having an elastic memory are assembled with radiating plates of a heat exchanger by:Longitudinally drawing the tubes at a first temperature in the neighborhood of the softening point of said material so as to reduce their transverse dimensions;Cooling said tubes to the ordinary temperature while maintaining the drawing force;Putting the tubes and the plates in their desired relative positions;Bringing the assembly to said first temperature so that the tubes can resume their initial transverse dimensions.

Abstract: Method for constructing a bore lining comprising pre-assembling in the factory voussoirs into a panel in a jig having the required outside dimensions for the panel by means of a connecting material which fills the gaps between the voussoirs. Each panel has at least two voussoirs which are juxtaposed in at least one of circumferential and axial directions of the panel. The pre-assembled panels are then transferred to the construction site and laid directly in the bore so as to form the lining.A voussoir for the panel and a jig for assembling the voussoirs into a panel are described.

Abstract: A meter to be read which has indicator drums and an exterior connector and, on the other hand, a reading apparatus for making a reading of the indications of the drums detachably connected to the connector. A coding unit in the meter comprises for each drum a stepped cam connected to rotate with the corresponding drum. A movable follower is elastically biased against the stepped cam. A smooth cam driven by drive means is capable of maintaining the follower spaced away from the stepped cam outside periods in which the reading apparatus makes said reading. A device detects the movement of the follower.The smooth cam has, in part, a camming surface whose radius increases regularly between values corresponding to the bearing of the follower on end sectors of the stepped cam. A substantially radially extending surface interconnects the maximum and minimum radius parts of the camming surface.

Abstract: A process of employing a substance for nodularizing graphite in molten cast iron which cast iron contains iron and a nodularizing agent, wherein the substance comprises pure iron and pure nodularizing agent which are in a powdered state and agglomerated together the process comprising pouring the molten cast iron into a mould and contacting the cast iron with the substance inside the mould.

Abstract: Method for constructing a bore lining comprising pre-assembling in the factory voussoirs into a panel in a jig having the required outside dimensions for the panel by means of a connecting material which fills the gaps between the voussoirs. Each panel has at least two voussoirs which are juxtaposed in at least one of circumferential and axial directions of the panel. The pre-assembled panels are then transferred to the construction site and laid directly in the bore so as to form the lining.A voussoir for the panel and a jig for assembling the voussoirs into a panel are described.

Abstract: Maintaining devices maintain the rotary casting mould. Each device comprises a set of coplanar rollers arranged around a region of the mould. Each set comprises two lower support rollers and an upper pressing roller carried by a pivotal arm. Each pressing roller is a driving roller and each roller has a diameter at least equal to the diameter of the mould and a length at least equal to the diameter of the roller.

Abstract: A flow regulating valve comprising a body of revolution provided with an inner annular seat and a closure member cooperative with the seat and having a spherical valving surface and movable in the body by an element mounted in the body to rotate about an axis which extends through the closure member and is perpendicular to the axis of the body and offset relative to the axis of the body. The element is connected to rotate with the closure member. The latter has the shape of two domes united on their limit circles which are located in a plane parallel to the seat in the valve closing position of the closure member.

Abstract: Control device for the actuating rod of the closure member of a valve of the type having an electric motor for driving the actuating rod.The electric motor is a variable reluctance electric motor whose stator is fixed to the frame of the valve and whose rotor is coaxial with and connected to rotate with the actuating rod.

Abstract: The assembly is of the type in which the disc has a braking surface for cooperation with a brake pad and the wheel has a radially-extending web and an axial annular surface. A centering device centers the disc relative to the axial annular surface. The disc has on the side thereof opposed to the braking surface a second surface which frictionally engages a third surface defined by the wheel of the web. The second or third surface is constituted by a material having a coefficient of friction on the third or second surface which is higher than that of the braking surface of the disc on the brake pad so that, upon braking, the disc does not slip relative to the wheel.