Abstract: An apparatus and a method for positioning the snorkel of a vacuum degassing apparatus beneath the interface of the molten metal and slag in a ladle utilizing means for determining the interface, which means comprises an electrode adapted for positioning within the ladle in electrical contact with the material, indicating means for indicating a first range of voltages produced at said electrode by an electrochemical reaction between the molten metal and the electrode as well as a second range of voltages produced at the electrode by an electrochemical reaction between the slag and the electrode, with means for supporting the electrode independently of the ladle and adapted to enable the electrode to be raised or lowered within, and relative to, the ladle, wherein the electrode is moved to a position within the ladle and relative movement is subsequently produced between the electrode and the ladle whereby the position of the interface will be determined by noting a change in the voltage outputs from one range

Abstract: A solar energy collector comprising a closed envelope formed from two sheets of metallic material bonded together around their peripheral edges and spaced apart to define a space adapted to be filled with working fluid and opening into a vapor space formed from an outwardly directed indentation in one of the sheets and into which space working fluid can vaporize when heated by exposing one surface of the envelope to solar radiation. At least one condensing tube is provided in direct thermal contact with the vapor space and through which liquid to be heated flows, while means are provided for returning condensed vapor from the vapor space to the working fluid space.

Abstract: A vessel for carrying steel slabs or like cargoes, comprising a hull having a stern and a bow, an upper weather deck at least one cargo hold, an opening predominantly through the weather deck and communicating with the interior of the hull of the vessel, loading apparatus to transfer slabs to, and from, a wharf through the opening, at least one conveyor extending longitudinally of the vessel and past the cargo hold, the loading apparatus being adapted to deliver slabs to, and from, the conveyor, and a load transport crane within the vessel for transferring the slabs between the conveyor and the cargo hold. In a variation the weather deck has openings which are aligned with the openings to the cargo holds to allow a bulk commodity to be carried by the vessel.

Abstract: A push-in pressure releasing resealable closure for an aperture in a sheet metal container member is disclosed, wherein the closure is integral through a connection of metal to the remainder of the container member. The closure is designed so that it is depressible into the container by flexing about the connection when push-in force is applied to the closure, without exceeding the elastic limit of the connection, so that the closure is returned at least substantially to its original position to seal the can contents, upon removal of the push-in force from the closure.The closure is particularly suitable for use in containers for carbonated beverages, such as carbonated soft drinks and beer, so that the gas pressure within the container may be released without danger of substantial gushing or spurting, to permit a larger pouring opening in the container member to be opened.

Abstract: This specification disclosed a method of and apparatus for the application of sealant gasketing or protective material to a can end or to other container members in which a transfer head having a transfer face in the shape of the container member area to be covered by the sealant is covered with sealant and the container member brought into contact with at least the sealant on the transfer face to achieve transfer of the sealant to the container member. In one form the transfer head has a passage opening to the transfer face through which sealant is pumped to cover the transfer face. In another form the transfer head is arranged to be immersed in a tank of sealant to cover the transfer face with sealant.

Abstract: This specification discloses a rail car for carrying hot coke from a coke oven to a quenching station in combination with a control system for automatically controlling the acceleration, deceleration, stopping and starting of the rail car to achieve optimum cycle times having regard to track conditions. The rail car includes a chassis supporting a load container and a plurality of wheeled bogies supporting the chassis and container, at least the forward bogie being directly driven by two electric traction motors and being located at the position of maximum weight of the rail car. The motors provide both acceleration and braking torques for the rail car and are controlled by the control system. The control system includes a slip detection circuit connected to a speed regulator for modifying the regulation applied by the speed regulator to remove wheel slip. The speed regulator is controlled via a ramp generator which dictates the acceleration and deceleration profiles for the motors.

Abstract: A process for the production of a gaseous mixture containing substantial amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which comprises: (1) blending an oxidizing gas and a primary fuel within a combustion chamber having a combustion zone, which is substantially free of baffles, to produce a compressible gas or gas-like mixture; (2) causing the mixture to assume a highly turbulent compact and self-contained configuration by subjecting it to swirl, the swirling mixture having a swirl number greater than 0.5 and no greater than 1.

Abstract: This specification discloses a molten steel level determining device in which the electrode senses the interface between the molten steel and the slag on the molten steel at a predetermined level within the deeming ladle whereby the amount of steel remaining in the ladle may be more accurately determined than by prior art methods. With the aid of this information, the standard pourdown practice is modified to ensure that unrollable ingot butts are not poured. The level indicator may also be used to determine the level of other liquids in environments where known methods are not practicable.

Abstract: This specification discloses signal processing circuits of the type suitable for use in removing unwanted cyclic and/or random components from a d.c. signal such as signals of the type produced by load transducers in weighing systems. In the preferred forms, the processing circuit comprises means for determining the period of oscillation of the composite signal, means for integrating the composite signal over one period of the composite signal, and means for dividing the integrated composite signal by the period thereof to produce the average of the composite signal over one period.

Abstract: An engine of the rotary or orbital type having a piston member mounted to move eccentrically within a housing with a plurality of vanes disposed between the piston member and the housing to form a number of chambers which vary in volume as a piston member orbits within the housing. Each vane is supported in the piston member or housing for radial sliding movement as the piston member orbits and the vanes are mechanically controlled between respective sets of parallel surfaces which engage radially spaced portions of the vane to prevent radial movement of the vane relative to these surfaces while allowing lateral movement of the vanes along the surfaces as the piston member orbits.

Abstract: This specification discloses a can end having push-in closures, one closures being smaller than the other for venting and/or pressure releasing purposes. At least the smaller closure having a supplementary sealant connection about which the closure hinges when it is opened. The supplementary sealant connection acts to prevent the closure becoming detached from the can end in the event that the main hinge for the closure is broken. The supplementary connection is achieved either by extending the sealant to cover an adjacent surface of the closure in a direction away from the connection or by increasing the thickness of the sealant covered in the area of the main hinge.

Abstract: This specification discloses an easy-opening closure for a can end which comprises an opening formed by partially severing a portion from the can end to leave the portion attached thereto by an integral neck, and a closure member formed from said severed portion and which is larger than said opening. The sheet metal adjacent the free edge of the opening is downwardly turned while the sheet metal adjacent the free edge of the closure member is upwardly turned, said free edges being in contact with or in close proximity to each other. A sealant is applied at least in the region of the free edges if required by the purpose for which the can end is to be used.