Abstract: A method of preparing a fast-setting concrete or the like by mixing, with an aggregate containing magnesia, ammonium phosphates in aqueous solution, wherein the composition of the phosphates is about 20% to 58% by weight polyphosphates, balance orthophosphate.

Abstract: A recuperator and burner shroud assembly for use on a radiant tube burner. The recuperator has two concentric tubes, one connected to the outlet of the radiant tube burner and serving as a stack, the other forming a jacket about the stack for carrying a countercurrent flow of air to the burner. The space between the two tubes is closed at the discharge end of the stack by a peripheral seal that permits relative axial movement between the tubes. A conduit carries heated air from the jacket to a burner shroud, which encapsulates the air inlet portion of the burner, and directs the air into the burner in a manner that establishes a swirling or helical path of travel of combustion products through the burner tube.

Abstract: Effective, low cost sulfide shape control is obtained using in combination titanium and a rare earth metal, e.g., mischmetal, in steels meeting the following specifications: at least 0.020% aluminum, no more than 0.010% nitrogen, no more than 0.025% sulfur, no more than 0.70% manganese, at least 0.020% titanium, and at least 0.020% of at least one rare earth metal. The steels are characterized by sulfide inclusions having a globular and/or fine, short blocky shape.

Abstract: A system for controlling the thickness and distribution of a coating applied to a moving substrate includes a pair of "air knives" which discharge pressurized fluid onto a moving substrate as it emerges from a coating bath to screed excess coating from the substrate and leave a coating deposit having a desired thickness and distribution. Each air knife has a plenum chamber which supplies pressurized fluid to a pair of nozzle lips that define an elongated nozzle opening. Fluid flow influencing devices are provided between the plenum and the nozzle lips of each air knife. The flow influencing devices preferably include a baffle plate, a screen assembly, a shutter plate, and a vane assembly. The baffle plate and the screen assembly help assure that a laminar, equally pressurized flow is supplied to the shutter plate.

Abstract: In continuous casting of metal in an open-ended mold through which the metal is advanced in a first direction while undergoing peripheral solidification, and to which molten metal is supplied by a shroud that opens beneath the metal level, use of a shroud having an axial nozzle and terminating in a well beyond the nozzle, with lateral discharge ports between the well and the nozzle oriented to discharge the supplied metal at an obtuse angle to the first direction, assists in reducing the incidence of entrapped inclusions. Injection of inert gas into the flow of molten metal within the shroud promotes transport of inclusions in the second direction within the mold. The shroud and/or inert gas injection may be employed in combination with the provision of electromagnetically produced metal circulation in the mold causing flow of molten metal, in a second direction opposite to the first direction, along the solid-liquid interface within the mold for preventing entrapment of inclusions at the interface.

Abstract: A radiation energy transmission system including source collimating apparatus and its method of construction for maintaining the intensity of a radiation signal emanating from a radiation source along a narrow signal beam path to provide for long distance transmission of the collimated signal sufficiently above background radiation level to be detected by detector means within the path of the beam and at the same time sufficiently below safe radiation exposure levels so as not to be harmful to personnel in the immediate area of the beam.

Abstract: An eddy current flaw detection apparatus which is particularly adapted for inspecting articles at elevated temperatures. A plurality of detectors are supported about at least a portion of a workpiece path of travel to detect and locate flaws in workpieces. A non-magnetic, metallic shield is between the detectors and the workpiece path. A cooling medium is applied to the heat shield to protect the detectors from the heat of a hot workpiece. The cooling medium is also used to purge foreign matter from the assembly.In one embodiment an exciter and detector assembly is disclosed which is constructed as an integral unit encapsulated within moisture-impervious material. In this embodiment, the assembly is movable relative to the workpiece path.In another embodiment, the detectors and the exciter surround the workpiece path.Metallic powder is sprayed on a hot workpiece to mark the location of detected flaws. The heat of the article fuses the marking metal powder in place on the hot workpiece.

Abstract: The output of a radioactive source is directed through a moving stream of granular material, e.g., coal on a conveyor, and the radiation passing through is sensed by a detector. The detector generates a pulse signal of which the pulse repetition rate varies with the radiation sensed. The pulses generated are counted in a binary counter, and a timer periodically initiates a read-out of and resets the counter to effect successive counting cycles, whereupon the digital count in each cycle is converted to an analog voltage, the magnitude of which is recorded in terms of bulk density of the coal. The recorder controls the addition of water or oil to the coal to, respectively, lower or increase the bulk density of the coal. Controls are included which guard the system from misperforming when a supply of coal has failed, when the depth of coal on the conveyor belt has been lost, and when the coal is so dense that an application of water is required.

Abstract: A low alloy steel having a composition containing columbium, vanadium and silicon, advantageously in specified ranges of content, has demonstrated superior mechanical properties, comprising yield strength above 80 ksi, excellent toughness including good impact strength at low temperatures, and good formability evidenced by a suitably high percent elongation. The steel in its preferred embodiments includes a significant amount of manganese, and is economically producible in as-hot-rolled state to achieve the stated properties, subject to attainment of even higher strength by an aging treatment.

Abstract: In continuous casting of a metal ingot which undergoes solidification progressively inwardly from its periphery while advancing through and beyond an open-ended mold, with induction stirring of the molten interior of the ingot effected by a moving magnetic field acting on the ingot throughout a stirring zone in the path of ingot advance so as to produce longitudinally directed metal flow, the applied stirring force is caused to diminish progressively and continuously toward at least one extremity of the stirring zone.

Abstract: A building sheet suitable for roofing and siding use that accommodates fastening along ribs or valleys of a side lapped juncture between two sheets. Strengthening ribs formed from bends in the sheet are shaped to promote stacking, to consume little of the sheet width, and to avoid sharp bends that crack protective coatings. An anti-siphon gap is provided between each lapped and lapping rib, extending the full height of the lapped rib adjacent the lapping edge. A drain trough formed at the base of the gap carries away any water that leaks beneath the overlapping sheet. Low ribs delineate channels in which fasteners can be driven to engage an underlapped edge at a side lap juncture between sheets. A top flat surface of high ribs is narrow enough for stiffness to inhibit deformation by fasteners and restricts the fasteners to locations that avoid drain penetration at side laps.

Abstract: A bearing chocking assembly for mill rolls includes an axially immovable segmented inner ring engageable with a formation such as a shoulder in an annular groove formed on a mill roll neck, and an axially movable outer ring engageable with a bearing retainer for axially positioning the bearing retainer to "chock" or axially position bearings which journal the roll neck. Cooperating wedge-shaped cam surfaces on the inner and outer rings effect axial movement of the outer ring when the outer ring is rotated relative to the inner ring. The inner ring is keyed to the roll neck to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The outer ring is bolted to the inner ring once it has been positioned to properly chock the roll bearings.

Abstract: A method of converting scrap or other small pieces of metal into a useful, commercial product while maintaining the metal in a solid state. According to the process, the pieces are maintained together for further processing. They are impacted, while heated, to produce a metal body and thereafter subjected to continued impaction so that the pieces forming the body are welded together into a cohesive, homogeneous slab. There is also disclosure of a novel press and method of operating the press. The press is of the harmonic type. Its novel aspects include control of movement of novel platens during rotation of shafts which drive the platens and perimetral constraint of a workpiece being forged to achieve rapid impaction and self feed of a workpiece.

Abstract: A force sensing control apparatus and method is disclosed for detecting forces which resist movement of a motor driven electrode system in an electric arc furnace. Force sensing circuitry monitors forces applied to an electrode system as it is positioned with respect to the furnace and force responsive controls inhibit electrode movement, hence preventing damage to the electrode or to its support structure, in response to predetermined changes in sensed reaction forces during positioning of the electrode. Compensating circuitry continuously compensates for changes in forces arising from electrode weight variations and position changes of the electrode support structure so that the sensitivity of the control apparatus to applied forces which can damage electrode system remains consistently high.

Abstract: Improved machinability of stainless steels, as determined by production-type operation of automatic screw machines, is obtained: by providing globular inclusions in the steel, which comprise essentially sulfur and selenium or tellurium, in combination with manganese, and which maintain globular character through extensive reduction as by hot rolling, the proportions of such elements being controlled to produce the inclusions, very preferably with a specific, relatively low and economical addition of selenium or tellurium; and also by controlling the actual presence of aluminum oxide in the steel, including the control of deoxidation practice, to provide production of stainless steel having not more than a critically very low content of aluminum oxide. In martensitic grades, the improved stainless steels are further enhanced in machinability, e.g. as to chip characteristics, by special heat treatment, including heating between the A.sub.1 and A.sub.3 critical points of temperature.