Abstract: A device is disclosed for braking the rod of an electric motor driven valve when the electric motor is put out of action and releasing the rod when the motor is brought into action. It includes a magnetic core integral with the stator of the motor and a magnetic armature capable of being attracted by the core to release the rod when the motor is supplied with current. Spring means automatically returns the device to its rod braking position when the supply of current to the motor is cut off.

Abstract: Casing voussoir of the type comprising a web in the general shape of a sector of a cylindrical ring and at least two juxtaposition walls substantially perpendicular to said web and parallel to each other, wherein the voussoir has guide means for the juxtaposition of said walls between two neighboring voussoirs of the casing, said guide means being constituted by at least two elements of conjugate shape, one being a hollow in one of the walls and the other being a projection on the other wall, said elements having a clearance therebetween when the two voussoirs are juxtaposed along said walls.

Abstract: The motor has a first element carrying toothed studs and windings mounted on the studs and a second element constituted by a mass of magnetic material on which second element there are formed teeth capable of effecting a relative movement with respect to the teeth of the first element, the number of teeth of the first element being different from the number of teeth of the second element so that said teeth are capable of modifying the reluctance of the magnetic circuits that they constitute respectively with said studs, in order to produce a relative movement of the two elements when the windings are supplied with a poly-phase current. The number of teeth of the two elements satisfies the following relation:.vertline.Z.sub.I - Z.sub.II .vertline. = skin which:Z.sub.I = number of teeth of the first element including fictive teeth which may be assumed to be located between the studs;Z.sub.

Abstract: The socket of one of the pipe elements has on at least a part of its outer end a radial abutment defining an abutment face facing inwardly of the socket. A device for locking the joint against forces tending to separate the pipe elements comprises at least one locking member having the general shape of a sector of a cylindrical ring and defining an inner wall which is secured to the smooth end portion of the other pipe element. At least one projecting portion is provided on the locking member and bears axially against the abutment face.

Abstract: This valve has a body, in which a cartridge is slidably mounted under the action of a flow rate regulation control member, the inlets for hot water and cold water radially disposed in the lateral wall of the cartridge. According to the invention, this valve comprises in the mixing chamber, defined by the cartridge, two deflectors for converting the radial inlet flows of hot and cold water into axial flows directed towards one another.

Abstract: A coupling in which a male end of a pipe element is inserted in the socket of a second pipe element and the axes of the pipe elements may have an angular deviation therebetween. An abutment projection on the male end is axially supported by an inner shoulder on the socket through a ring, bearing against the projection on the side of the latter adjacent the shoulder, and a mass of hardenable material disposed around the projection and the ring between the sealing element of the coupling and the shoulder.In the case where the shoulder of the socket defines a large radial clearance between itself and the male end, an intermediate tensile locking means is interposed, in the axial direction, between the hardenable material and the shoulder and, in the radial direction, between the male end and the socket, the outside diameter of this means having, with respect to the inside diameter of the socket, axially inwardly of the shoulder, sufficient clearance to allow the angular deviations of the pipe elements.

Abstract: A control device for a valve adjusting rod comprising an electric motor having a variable reluctance, the stator of which is attached to the frame of the valve and the rotor of which is connected for rotation with the adjusting rod - coaxially with respect to the latter.The rotor and the adjusting rod are co-rotated by means of a key arrangement which provides for an angular play between the rotor and the rod equal to the angular pitch P of the denticulations of the rotor.Repetition thereof with a nominal couple of the motor makes it possible to increase the locking or unlocking couple of the valve.

Abstract: A mould cavity for casting the part is supplied with liquid metal by a main runner formed in the mould and connected to the upper end of a supply pipe whose sectional size is in the neighborhood of the sectional size of the main runner and which extends into a fluidtight vessel containing the liquid metal. The metal is supplied to the mould cavity by the action of a gas pressure on the free surface of the metal in the vessel.According to the invention, the mould cavity is supplied with the metal from the main runner through a secondary runner whose sectional size is much less than the sectional size of the main runner, and the gas pressure is maintained until the secondary runner has solidified whereafter the gas pressure is returned to atmospheric pressure, whereby the liquid metal in the main runner and supply pipe returns to the vessel.

Abstract: The casing is stationary and has at least one end a transverse end wall which defines an opening affording access to the end of the casting mould. A screen axially projects from the transverse end wall and extends at least partly around the opening for the purpose of screening the machine operators off from any splashes of molten metal which might be thrown out of the mould due to a faulty socket core.

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.