Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for the production of refractory oxide materials having high fusion points. By high fusion points is meant melting points greater than 2400.degree. C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling electrode drive speed in a consumable electrode furnace. The electrode drive speed is regulated at a base speed computed from measured changes in physical characteristics of the electrode or ingot, such as changes in weight, as the melt proceeds. The base speed also takes into consideration the known geometry of the electrode, the furnace mold or crucible, the density of the ingot material, and the speed of movement of the bottom of the ingot if any. This base speed is increased or decreased by a trim speed determined from measurement of an electrical phenomenon associated with the consumable electrode process, which electrical phenomenon has a relatively long term value related to the distance between the bottom surface of the electrode and the top surface of the ingot.

Abstract: An automatic welding apparatus including a movable welding torch carried by a composite frame adapted to control the relative position of the torch with respect to a workpiece holder. Either the workpiece holder or composite frame may be supported on a movable base comprising a truck mounted on a track for movement in a longitudinal direction. The truck is capable of being fixedly positioned at a number of predetermined work stations along the track.

Abstract: In a high temperature furnace adapted for fuel particle coating applications, an electrode ring forms a portion of the furnace wall, heating elements within the furnace being urged into conductive engagement with an internal surface of the electrode ring by means of adjustable spring mechanisms arranged outside the furnace and interconnected with the heating elements by elongated bolts in order to permit adjustment of the spring load without interrupting operation of the furnace. The spring mechanism provides nearly constant contact pressure between the heating elements and the electrode ring surface under varying thermal and physical conditions and prevents overheating and failure of the electrode ring.

Abstract: A contraction termination device and method for electrical conductor cable or the like encased in a sheathed braided material. The device employs an elongated sleeve having opposed lead and terminal ends with an internal passageway communicating therebetween. The sleeve tapers outwardly from the lead end along a tapered area which merges into a roughened area which then merges into an intermediate area. These three areas are all coated for creating a friction surface along the sleeve. The internal cable conductors or strands are passed through the sleeve passageway from the lead end and the braided sheath is passed over the sleeve lead end to the intermediate area. Thereafter, the sheath is affixed to the sleeve at the intermediate area by tie wraps and the ends of the conductors or strands may be conveniently interconnected to attendant equipment at the sleeve terminal end.

Abstract: A linear electron beam evaporation source for a high vapor temperature material such as uranium, the source being provided with a filamentary emitter and apparatus for controlling the filament electron emission to maintain an approximately constant current per filament unit length. A control structure is provided and operated to create a space charge in the vicinity of the electron emitting filament such that the current density of the electron beam is controlled by the space charge rather than the local electron emissivity along the length of the filament.

Abstract: Disclosed is an iron core assembly for magnetizing columnar permanent magnet, particularly columnar ceramic permanent magnets adapted for use in magnetic-brush type electrostatic developing apparatus. The invention is to clarify the magnetic pattern most effective for the development, as well as a construction for presenting such a pattern, and is aiming to provide a magnetizing iron core assembly having an improved construction of magnetic poles and magnetizing coil windings.

Abstract: A heat treating apparatus including a crucible to contain molten metal, at least one plasma ejecting nozzle which is constructed so as to generate a plasma jet and is secured with respect to the crucible around the central axis of it and a magnetic field generating means to generate a magnetic field interacting with the plasma jet and deflecting it.

Abstract: An electrically heated melting furnace for the melting of mineral materials, such as frits, (vitreous) enamels and the like, wherein a bath of molten material contained in a tank is heated by means of electrodes contacting the molten material and having a current flowing therethrough which heats the molten material by Joule's heat, wherein a batch is fed onto the melt or molten bath, and the molten product is withdrawn from the bottom of the tank wherein the furnace space or tank having the molten bath has a square or almost square cross-section or the cross-section of a regular polygon; that the depth of the furnace space or tank having the molten material therein corresponds almost to the diameter of the tank; and that a plurality of radiator heating rods are arranged above the batch material and said heating electrodes are positioned in the lower portion of the molten bath above the tank bottom and comprising a bottom outlet including a cylindrical portion or element and a further underlying, concentricall

Abstract: A core assembly for magnetizing a columnar permanent magnet, especially a columnar ceramic permanent magnet, adapted for use in an electrostatic developing apparatus of magnetic-brush developing type. The magnetizing iron core assembly has a specific arrangement of magnetic poles and magnetizing coil windings for providing a specific pattern of magnetic flux distribution which would provide the most efficient development.

Abstract: This invention provides a composite electrode having a metallic, water cooled upper portion and a consumable lower portion. The portions are secured together, and the upper one includes conduit means within it to permit cooling water or other liquid to move along a path which brings the cooling liquid into intimate contact with substantially all of the inside surface of the outer wall defining the periphery of the upper portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved dies set for magnetizing a cylindrical or columnar magnet adapted for use in an electrostatic developing apparatus of magnetic-brush developing type. The dies set is intended for imparting axially extending and circumferentially alternating magnetic poles to the periphery of the cylindrical columnar permanent magnet. The magnetizing dies set of the invention has a specific pattern of magnetic pole arrangement for rendering the distribution of magnetic attracting force, which is to be permanently applied to the peripheral surface of the columnar magnet in the magnetic developer, so that the attracting force becomes as uniform as possible, over the entire periphery of a shell surrounding the permanent magnet.

Abstract: In joining together electrode segments through nipples for use in electric furnaces, certain designated threads adjacent the interface of the segments are inactivated so that only those threads tending to self-tighten with increasing temperature are active. In this way, any tendency for the joint to loosen upon heating is avoided and all the stress is borne by self-tightening threads.

Abstract: Improvements in matte smelting are disclosed. A circular furnace is formed having a concave bottom, the radius of curvature of the bottom being no greater than the diameter of the circular furnace. The matte level is controlled to cover not more than half of the concave surface bottom. Advantageous positioning of the electrodes, tapping holes, feed chutes and the like are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic core assembly for magnetizing columnar permanent magnet, particularly columnar ceramic permanent magnet adapted for use in magnetic-brush type electrostatic developing apparatus. The invention is to clarify the magnetic pattern most effective for the development, as well as a construction for presenting such a pattern, and is aiming to provide a magnetizing iron core assembly having an improved construction of magnetic poles and magnetizing coil windings.

Abstract: A permanent connector and connection insulator for two wire conductors that automatically strips insulation from the conductors prior to interconnection. A connector body spacedly holding the insulated conductors to be joined rotates in one direction relative an associated cap slidably carrying a stripping bar that by reason of the motion moves along the conductors as they are interconnected by twisting to remove insulation from the interconnected portions of the conductors.

Abstract: Electrode breakages in segmented carbon electrodes used in continuous electric arc furnaces are overcome by an electrode assembly procedure in which the nipples which join the electrode segments are screwed together with the appropriate socket in the electrode segment under tension. The tensioning causes honing of the abutting thread faces of the nipple and socket and an increased area of thread content is achieved in the assembled electrode. In this way, improved joint strength and electrical conductivity through the electrode and decreased differential thermal stresses within the joint are achieved.

Abstract: Method of crucible-free zone-melting a semiconductor rod which includes monitoring a melting zone formed in and traveling through a semiconductor rod surrounded by an induction heating coil, producing a respective signal corresponding to values of the actual diameters d of the semiconductor rod at a crystallization interface of the melting zone, comparing the signals corresponding to the actual diameter values d with a signal corresponding to a nominal diameter value d.sub.s so as to produce a signal corresponding to a respective first control deviation .DELTA.d, continuously combining the signals corresponding to the actual diameter values d and the signal corresponding to the respective first control deviation .DELTA.d to form respective signals corresponding to a new nominal diameter value d.sub.s *, respectively, in accordance with the relationships:(a) d.sub.s *=k.multidot.d.sub.s .+-..DELTA.d,wherein(b) 0.3 .ltoreq.k.ltoreq.1.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric-arc furnace electrode assembly having electrode sections of improved structural integrity. A pair of carbonaceous electrode sections are held securely in end-to-end relationship by a pin threaded into a pair of sockets found in the respective ends of the electrode sections. Harmful stress concentrations which occur near the base of the socket are reduced by providing a novel base portion. This is achieved by incorporating a generous radius of curvature intermediate the lower-most socket thread and the base of the socket. All of the socket threads are engaged and a threaded portion of the pin extends beyond the lowermost socket thread without engaging the base of the socket.

Abstract: A DC arc furnace operation indicating system provides an indication and possibly a signal or control when during start-up the starting electrode does not make good electrical contact with a furnace charge of solid metal pieces and also thereafter when the shift is made to the melt electrode and it is not in a good electrical connection with the melt after the starting electrode is inactivated preparatory to the furnace going into normal production operation.