Abstract: The process and apparatus according to the invention concern continuous casting of hollow bodies of metals such as aluminum, copper, steels of all types, or other metals or alloys. The process comprises introducing the liquid metal into an annular space between an outer mold and an inner mandrel, the liquid metal being subjected in the vicinity of the mandrel to the action of a movable magnetic field which entrains it in an upward direction. The magnetic field is preferably generated by a magnetic rotor which is disposed in the mandrel. The process is used in particular for producing blanks intended for the production of non-welded pipes and tubes.

Abstract: In this low-pressure casting process a mold is filled from the bottom with a liquid metal or alloy contained in a hermetically sealed furnace. The metal or alloy is forced into the mold through an injection tube by a pressurized fluid. A crucible containing the metal or alloy in the furnace is separated from electrical heating elements and thermally insulative parts by a sealed metal inner jacket supporting the crucible. Fluid is fed from the side of the inner jacket opposite the crucible throughout the casting operation, until the cast part has solidified. The pressure of this fluid is varied according to the pressure above the surface of the metal or alloy in the crucible, so as to maintain a pressure balance at all times between the inside and the outside of the inner jacket.

Abstract: A hinge for a watchband, bracelet or the like which includes adjacent interconnected elements defining therebetween a cylindrical or a spherical chamber, a cylindrical or spherical housing in the chamber, a pair of connecting studs pivotally connected to each other within the housing and projecting outwarding therefrom through cross-bores, the studs being connected to the links and the cylindrical or spherical housing totally hiding the connection through gaps at top or bottom sides of the links in any position of relative articulation.

Abstract: Refractory metals or ceramics are diffusion bonded or densified by assembling the workpieces to be bonded, wrapping the assembly with carbon yarn, heating the wrapped assembly, cooling the assembly and unwrapping. The expansion of the workpieces together with the shrinking of the carbon yarn produces tremendous pressures which cause bonding and densifying of the workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming strong bonds between gold spheres and contact pads on semiconductor devices and the resulting product. The spheres are formed by establishing ball bonds with wire bonding techniques and then severing the wire. The wire material is a gold alloy including palladium which forms a weakened portion above the ball bond so that the wire can be easily broken off.

Abstract: A hinge pin and bushing assembly is provided for machine insertion into a barrel of a hinge leaf. The assembly is preferably molded in one piece from a resilient self-lubricating plastic and includes a bushing having a concentric bore, a hinge pin having an end connected to the bushing concentrically with the bore by thin webs. The other end of the hinge pin is attached concentrically to a cylindrical plug. The bushing portions of a pair of assemblies are inserted into opposite ends of the leaf barrel and compressive force is applied to the outer ends of the plugs thereby breaking the webs and inserting the hinge pins into the bushing bores.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein comprises a lobster pot having plastic, unitary heads. The lobster pot may also be have its frame partially or completely formed of plastic and its sides may be formed of wire mesh.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for applying an electrical contact to the surface of a semiconductor device. A layer of metal selected from metals such as nickel, silver, copper, or alloys of these metals contacts a selected surface region of the device. A metallic contact is then soldered or otherwise joined to the layer of metal. To facilitate the joining, any native oxide present on the surface of the metal layer is first reduced by the low energy implantation of hydrogen ions into the metal surface.

Abstract: Improved side wall plate members for an adjustable width, continuous casting mold. The adjustable width continuous casting mold is formed of a pair of opposed, spaced apart front and rear mold wall members and a pair of opposed, spaced apart side wall members with the side wall members clamped between the front and rear mold wall members. The improved side wall members of the present invention prevent scratching and wearing of the surfaces of the adjacent front and rear mold walls during mold width adjustment and also prevent twisting or tilting of the mold wall side members during such adjustment. Furthermore, the improved side wall members avoid the formation of flash producing gaps or spaces at the corners of the mold. Each sidewall member according to the present invention, includes, along its side edges, i.e., the edges in contact with the adjacent front and rear mold wall members, a bearing surface formed of a low friction, thermally stable, compressible, memory material.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing an angiographic coil spring guidewire includes the step of: coating a predetermined length of a refractory metal wire with a metallic glaze which has a melting point less than the refractory metal wire; wrapping the coated wire around a mandrel in order to form a wire coil therearound; removing the mandrel from the wire coil; inserting a core wire having a melting point less than the wire coil and close to the melting point of the metallic glaze within the wire coil, so that a portion of the core wire protrudes from one end of the wire coil; surrounding the wire coil and core wire except for the protruding end of the core wire with a thermally conductive chill; heating the portion of the core wire which protrudes from the wire coil until the core wire melts so that a rounded head portion is formed such that the heat from the core wire melts the metallic glaze on the inside surface of the wire coil in order to create an oxide-free resilient bond between the inside surface of the wi

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the wear of a mold wall during continuous casting of metal by using at least one distance measuring sensor disposed in the mold wall to measure the instantaneous distance from the sensor to the casting. The surface of the casting adjacent the mold wall may be irregular, so the minimum value of the distance between the sensor and casting is stored and used as the current distance between the sensor and the inner mold wall. Mold wear is determined by subtracting the current distance between the sensor and the inner mold wall from the original distance, before the abrasive casting process began. The sensor signals are also used to determine when the mold geometry should be adjusted to compensate for the wear. This is accomplished by storing the maximum distance between the sensor and casting and subtracting the current distance from this maximum, since the maximum distance increases as the casting shrinks away from the mold wall.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus for a metal casting arranged to compensate for shrinkage of the casting in a cross sectional plane of the casting normal to the casting direction. The apparatus includes a pair of endless casting belts each spaced from and facing the other to form respective mold walls and arranged for movement in the casting direction. A pair of endless articulated mold walls, each spaced from and facing the other, is disposed between the casting belts and arranged to move with the casting belts in the casting direction. The spacing between the articulated mold walls and between the casting belts is greater upstream than downstream relative to the casting direction. Each articulated mold wall includes a plurality of dam blocks.