Abstract: Installation comprising a reservoir crucible 11, 12 for molten cast-iron F with step-by-step extraction of a pipe T produced from the crucible comprising a cooled die. To obtain a cast-iron pipe of uniform thickness over its entire circular periphery, despite the absence of a core, the molten cast-iron F is set in slow rotation in the crucible by the tangential supply of molten cast-iron with a low rate of flow through a tangential orifice 18, by the rotation of a magnet 36 disposed in a hollow central relief 17 upstanding from the base of the crucible, by the rotation of paddle arms 44 disposed in the molten iron, or by the tangential injection of an inert gas.

Abstract: A sealed joint for connecting cast iron hot water pipes includes a gasket G disposed between a spigot 5 and a socket 6 of two pipes 4, a spacer 1 between the socket end and an outer jacket 8 surrounding a layer of insulation 7, a sealing ring 2, and a clamp 3 to fasten a skirt of the ring around the outer surface of the jacket.

Abstract: A gasket for a rotary gate valve is made from a material that can be utilized only after sintering, such as a fluorocarbon polymer, and comprises a ring-shaped solid portion 15 surrounded by a coaxial, annular flange 16 for anchoring the gasket within the valve body. A closed chamber 23 is provided in the solid portion of the gasket and houses an elastic ring 28. In manufacturing the gasket an annular ring is formed comprising the solid portion 15, an axial groove 23, an axial tab 29, and a radial tab 30. The elastic ring 28 is then inserted in the axial groove, and the tabs 29 and 30 are pressed together to form the annular flange 16 and fully enclose the ring 28.

Abstract: In a continuous vertical ascending casting installation for iron pipes T, graphite elements 3 defining a molten metal feed chimney 28, a die and coaxial core arrangement 13, 14 and an expansion vessel 16 are mounted under a cover 2 of an electric furnace 1. In use these graphite elements are immersed in a bath of molten metal contained in the hearth area 7 of the furnace, to thus enable precise temperature regulation and control. The outer surface of the die 13 is surrounded by a water cooling jacket 18, and the level of molten iron in the hollow cavity 25 of the core 14 is varied by the expansion vessel 16, to provide even finer control of the temperature gradient within the annular casting space. The overall arrangement is thus similar to a double boiler.

Abstract: In the centrifugal casting of iron pipes, molten metal from a tilt ladle 13 is supplied to an inclined pour trough or channel 14 whose outlet nose 16 is relatively axially movable within a rotating mold 3. To compensate for the reduction in the hydrostatic thrust of the molten metal in the pour channel when the metal supply is terminated near the end of the casting operation, the inclination of the channel 14 is gradually increased to thereby maintain a constant flow rate at the nose 16. Further, to compensate for the reduction of the height of fall due to the tilting of the pour channel and the attendant lowering of the downwardly sloping nose, the point of articulation 22 of the channel 14 within the mold is also raised in synchronism with the increased tilting of the channel.

Abstract: In the continuous ascending vertical casting of an iron tube T without the use of a core to form the hollow tube interior, the molten iron is contained in a crucible made up of a cooled tubular die 6, 7 and the base 1 of a syphon unit. The crucible comprises a coaxial central form 5 at least as high as the die, which creates with the latter an annular space for molten iron F. Such arrangement reduces the volume of molten iron in the crucible and thus results in considerable energy savings.

Abstract: When pipes 8 are rollingly conveyed through a furnace along parallel rails 7, any lateral migrations of the pipes are periodically corrected by movable stops 18 which are extended inwardly in unison to abut the pipe ends and re-center them. The stops are mounted on elbowed arms 14 articulated about axes 15 disposed beneath the furnace bed together with fluid control cylinders 16 for the arms, thus providing unobstructed access around the side walls 2 of the furnace. The pipes roll over elevated slide runners 11 during their lateral re-centering by the stops, thereby avoiding the wear and abrasion of the rail crowns.

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: 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: 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: 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.