Abstract: A pressure activated piston and cylinder unit for use with a die block is taught which provides installation and service portions at the rear face of the unit. Also provided is a pressure activated piston and cylinder unit for use with a die block, of simplified construction.

Abstract: Forming a tubular workpiece by applying fluid pressure to the interior of the workpiece and enclosing the pressurized workpiece in a die that has a die cavity. A portion or the whole of the die cavity has its internal periphery smaller than the external periphery of the workpiece. This subjects the workpiece to compressive forming.

Abstract: A frame member of rectangular cross section with rounded corners is formed by expansion of a tubular blank within a die cavity having an inner portion of corresponding cross section and an outer transition portion which is of smoothly continuously curved cross sectional profile elongated substantially parallel to the larger dimension of the rectangular section. An outer portion of the tubular blank is deformed to correspond with the continuously curved cross sectional profile and is sealed by a resiliently compressible sealing element of corresponding profile through which fluid pressure is applied in order to expand the blank. By matching the profile of the transition portion to the rectangular inner portion, the transition portion can be made shorter and considerable savings of materials and resources can be achieved.

Abstract: A method of cutting opposing holes in a side wall of a tubular workpiece and removing the cut out slugs, in which first and second axially aligned punches are applied to opposite side walls of a pressurized workpiece. The second punch has a larger width than the first punch, and reciprocates in a passageway extending laterally from the workpiece. The punches are reciprocated so that the first punch passes through both side walls, and first and second slugs are cut out. The end of the first punch is advanced toward the end of the second punch to capture the cut out slugs between the ends of the first and second punches, and the punches are moved so that the ends of the punches and the slugs captured between them progress along the passageway away from the workpiece. The ends of the punches are separated at a region of the passageway spaced from the workpiece, and the released slugs are removed from the ends of the punches.

Abstract: Apparatus for fluid filling and pressurizing a tube having a high pressure-low flow fluid circuit in the form of a shaft having a longitudinal bore communicating with a high pressure fluid source, a tube seal device adjacent the forward end of the shaft for sealing the tube when the shaft is engaged with the tube and high pressure fluid flows into the tube, and a device for reciprocating the shaft to advance and retract the shaft toward and away from the tube. A high flow low pressure circuit has a shroud for housing the forward end of the shaft when retracted and a rearward opening slidably and sealably engaging the shaft rearward of the tube seal device. The interior of the shroud communicates with a high flow-low pressure fluid source for sealing an external surface adjacent an end of the tube.

Abstract: Fill and pressurization apparatus having a sectional fluid conductor having a first section fixed relative to the surroundings, and a second section which moves toward the first section to form an enclosure through which a high volume flow rate--low pressure flow may be passed to fill an adjacent open end of a tube with liquid. Said fluid is passed through an inlet conduit, which may be a rigid conduit, to the fixed first section. A seal head insertable into the end of the filled tube has an elastomeric seal member and a rod and a sleeve relatively axially displaceable to compress the seal member and deform it into sealing engagement with a surface of the tube. A stop member on one of the rod and sleeve and a stop surface on the other of the rod and sleeve limit the axial displacement and hence also the compressive force applied to the seal member. The relative displacement is achieved by retracting one of the rod and the sleeve and blocking the retraction of the other.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling a tube with fluid and for pressurizing the tube, in order to expand and form it within a die for example. The apparatus provides a high flow-low pressure fluid circuit for quickly filling and draining the tube, together with a separate high pressure-low flow fluid circuit for pressurizing and depressurizing the tube. The high pressure circuit of the apparatus includes a shaft having a longitudinal bore, communicating with a high pressure fluid source and controls; tube sealing device adjacent the forward end of the shaft for sealing the tube when the shaft is engaged with the tube and high pressure fluid flows into the tube; and a shaft reciprocating mechanism for advancing and retracting the shaft.

Abstract: A method for the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbon components of vehicle exhaust gas streams is disclosed. The method comprises using as the catalyst a mixed oxide catalyst composition consisting essentially of tin (IV) oxide (SnO.sub.2), chromium (VI) oxide (CrO.sub.3) and copper (II) oxide (CuO) free from platinum and other noble metals or noble metal oxides, and containing an Sn:Cr weight ratio (calculated as SnO.sub.2 :CrO.sub.3) in the range 99:1 to 1:99, and copper (II) oxide (CuO) in an amount of from 0.5 to 100% by weight, based on the combined weight of SnO.sub.2 and CrO.sub.3. The catalyst composition having been prepared by impregnating tin(IV) oxide (SnO.sub.2) with chromium(VI) oxide (CrO.sub.3) and copper oxide (CuO) and calcining the resulting product.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for punching a hole in sheet material is provided using pressurized fluid as the female die together with a modified male punch. The slug of material to be sheared from the material is during and after shearing continuously held against the face of the punch by the difference in pressure between the fluid and the punch face. In addition the area adjacent the perimeter of the hole may be deformed and drawn away from the die block face as the punch advances through the material. As the punch is withdrawn, the slug remains held against the punch face. The mechanical force withdrawing the punch together with the fluid pressure bearing on the slug and deformed area forces the slug and deformed area of material toward the die block face, inelastically retracting the deformed area. The deformed area may be fully retracted to a substantially flat form or partially retracted to a countersunk form.

Abstract: 2-way and 3-way catalyst compositions comprising tin(IV) oxide (SnO.sub.2) and chromium(VI) oxide (CrO.sub.3) are disclosed for use in catalytic converters for vehicle exhaust gas systems, such catalyst compositions being effective in the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons, and in the catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides contained in the vehicle exhaust.

Abstract: A box-like frame member is formed by compressing an internally-pressurized tubular blank within a die having a cavity conforming to the final box-like cross section desired for the product, and increasing the pressure to exceed the yield limit of the wall of the blank to expand the blank into conformity with the die cavity. The blank is selected so that the final product and the die cavity have a circumference preferably no more than about 5% larger than the circumference of the blank, to avoid weakening or cracking of the blank through excessive circumferential expansion. The internal pressure forces the blank evenly into the corners of the die on closing and allows the blank to be confined within the die without sections of the die pinching the blank on closing of the die.

Abstract: A switch/display unit comprises a dot matrix display, having two sets of elongate electrodes, one set being inclined to the other, these sets being applied to opposite sides of a display medium. A transparent dielectric panel is superimposed in front of the display, so that the first set of electrodes, which are formed from a transparent conductive material abut the rear surface of the dielectric panel. A transparent conductive layer is formed in front of the dielectric panel, so that it will capacitively couple electrodes of the first set of electrodes with other electrodes of the first set of electrodes or other electrodes on the rear surface of the dielectric panel. This capacitive coupling may be varied by touching or moving the conductive layer. By applying read pulses to one of the sets of electrodes that are capacitively coupled via the conductive coating and sensing the pulses transmitted to the other electrodes, actuation of the switch can be detected.

Abstract: A capacitive switch is formed of a dielectric layer having a first electrode disposed on or adjacent one surface and a second electrode and a conductive pad, such as a touch pad, disposed on the opposite side of the dielectric layer. The conductive pad and the second electrode are in superimposed relationship to the first electrode. The conductive pad and second electrode may be side by side, with a small gap between or they may be superimposed on one another with a further dielectric layer between. Such switches may be formed into an array and may be combined with a display by being superimposed over a display medium, such as an electroluminescent layer, having a display electrode on one side and the first electrode on the other side. In this arrangement all the components, except the display medium and the display electrode, are of transparent material.

Abstract: A box-like frame member is formed by compressing an internally-pressurized tubular blank within a die having a cavity conforming to the final box-like cross section desired for the product, and increasing the pressure to exceed the yield limit of the wall of the blank to expand the blank into conformity with the die cavity. The blank is selected so that the final product and the die cavity have a circumference preferably no more than about 5% larger than the circumference of the blank, to avoid weakening or cracking of the blank through excessive circumferential expansion. The internal pressure forces the blank evenly into the corners of the die on closing and allows the blank to be confined within the die without sections of the die pinching the blank on closing of the die.