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 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: 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: 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: 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 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.

Abstract: In order to injection mould smooth walled parts from plastics material containing a filler or cellular material a liquid coating material of low viscosity is introduced into the mould by means of the injected plastics material. Under the pushing action of the injected material, the coating material is deposited in the form of a thin film on the walls of the mould. The injection of the plastics material is effected from the lower part of the mould, so that the coating material rises progressively in the mould with the injected material.

Abstract: A grating (1) is composed of a series of transversal elements (2) which each have a central hole (11) and, at each end and on each surface, a planar surface (5) for abutting an adjacent transversal element. These elements are clamped one against the other by a central crosspiece (3) traversing their central holes. During the passage of rolling loads, the surfaces (5) slide one on the other to ensure at least four effective seat points for the grating, preventing its rocking.

Abstract: A fusing furnace casting channel 13 is surrounded by an induction heating coil 17 embedded in a refractory lining 12. A graphite sleeve 20 having a refractory inner coating 16 defines the casting channel. The sleeve serves as a permanent, single turn secondary winding such that the channel may be preheated even when no molten metal is present in the channel, which would ordinarily act as the secondary winding or core. This enables the casting channel to be maintained at a high temperature between successive casting operations.

Abstract: A pipeline 1 crosses a manhole 2 with a degree of clearance and is provided, inside the manhole, with a vertical pipe 19 capped with a removable sealing cover 22. The movement of the pipeline in relation to its surroundings is thus enabled without it being necessary for the manhole to be sealed. The cover is provided with a drainage valve 32 operable from the top of the manhole by a chain 33.

Abstract: The tap device 1 consists in an articulated mechanism 23 which positions each plastic bottle 5 against the corresponding spigot 2 in a tilted position. The aeration and foaming of the carbonated liquid beverage are thus decreased, filling is more stable, and the star-wheel for removal 3 may be provided with a capper 42 using screw-tops.

Abstract: A cap 42 with a lower spherical surface 46 is held against the flared head 38 of a casting core 24 and rests on the spherical upper surface of an annular bed 50 which is fixed above a casting head 12. The bed is coaxial with an enlarged orifice 40 for the passage of the core, and is coaxial with a casting tank 16. Projections 70 are distributed regularly around the periphery of the core and come into contact with the internal wall of a mold 22 near a die opening to center the core in the mold by possibly moving the cap in relation to the bed, before final tightening.

Abstract: The manhole has a frame 1 with a flange 4 to be embedded in the road and a movable cover 2 to fit in the cylindrical wall 3 of the frame. On its inside the wall 3 has three support surfaces 9 each downwardly sloping at an angle .alpha. to the horizontal in the circumferential direction and at an angle .beta. to the horizontal in the radial direction. Between the surfaces 9 the frame has three undercut surfaces 11 extending radially. On its underside the cover 2 has six surfaces 14, 15. When the cover is on the frame three surfaces 14 are parallel to the corresponding surfaces 9 and the three surfaces 15 are parallel to the corresponding surfaces 11. The surfaces 9, 11 on the frame abut the surfaces 14, 15 by which the cover is held against rocking.

Abstract: The cast tube (T) is subjected internally in a chill-mould (1) to the uniform spraying of water from 1000.degree. C. approximately to 350.degree. C. approximately. Then it is extracted from the chill-mould and in a furnace is subjected to isothermal bainitization maintenance, after which it is cooled in the atmosphere to ambient temperature. Without it being necessary to add expensive chilling elements, one thus obtains lightened tubes having very good mechanical properties and the ovalization of which remains acceptable.

Abstract: The invention provides a pipe or similar tubular member of ductile cast iron having an end casing. The thin walled casing has a curved profile at its entrance divided into two sections, of which one is formed by centrifugal casting, whereas the other, of lesser curvature, is made by hot or cold forming with a simultaneous axial compression and a radial bending directed towards the axis of the pipe. The invention is useful for forming fluid tight seals in pipelines using radial compression packings.

Abstract: The cover is fixed without the use of bolts. On each side thereof, an almost closed groove is defined in one half by the peripheral portion of the cover and in the other half by the peripheral portion of the body. This groove extends only in a part of the major length of the valve and receives two round locking bars which are inserted in the groove by way of a center cavity. An outer sealing element hermetically closes the gap between the cover and the body and the two cavities. Application of the device in buried valves exposed to corrosive atmospheres.