Abstract: To provide graphitic cast steel given with improved machining and mechanical properties, a large number of fine graphite nodules can be crystallized in the cast steel, and the occurrence of chain-like formation of graphite crystals can be avoided by limiting the Bi content in the cast steel to the range between 0.005% and 0.0150%. The composition essentially consists of 0.45 to 1.5 wt % carbon (C), 1.0 to 5.5 wt % silicon (Si), 0.008 to 0.25 wt % rare earth elements (REM), optionally, 0.002 to 0.020 wt % calcium (Ca, 0.005 to 0.0150 wt % bismuth (Bi), 0.005 to 0.080 wt % aluminum (Al), and balance iron (Fe) and inevitable impurities. The cast steel can achieve favorable machining and mechanical property even in its as cast condition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically controlling the concentration of a detergent in a cleaning solution determine the electrical conductivity Y of a cleaning solution 2 with a sensor 4, convert the electrical conductivity Y into the detergent concentration X using equation Y=aX+b (wherein Y=electrical conductivity of the cleaning solution, X=concentration of the detergent, a=inherent factor of the detergent, and b=electrical conductivity of the solvent), compare the converted detergent concentration with a preset value given in terms of detergent concentration, and actuate concentration controlling means according to the result of comparison.

Abstract: An improved process for cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses with a single solution is described. The process utilizes the cleaning effect of a cleaning agent in combination with the solvent action of water and physical agitation of the lens (i.e., by means of rubbing) to achieve a degree of cleaning which is comparable to or better than prior processes which utilize surfactant-cleaners. The cleaning agent is selected from polycarboxylates, polysulfonates and polyphosphates. The preferred cleaning agent is citrate. The process also offers greater convenience, relative to many prior systems for cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses, since the need to utilize additional products to clean the lenses is eliminated.

Abstract: A whirlpool system includes a basin defined by basin walls; a pipe system including a central conduit and nozzles coupled to the central conduit and situated in the basin walls and having nozzle outlets directed to the basin; a pressure generator coupled to the central conduit for supplying the nozzles with water and/or air; a mist generator for generating a fluid mist under influence of temperature at normal atmospheric pressure; and an intake conduit coupling the mist generator to the central conduit in a zone of the pressure generator for disinfecting the pipe system and the basin.

Abstract: The lead free alloy is a low solidus temperature, multi-component solder alloy containing at least about 50 weight percent Bi, up to about 50 weight percent Sn (basis total Sn and Bi), and an effective amount of a physical and mechanical property enhancing third component. The third component can be Cu, In, Ag, and combinations of Cu and Ag.

Abstract: The surfaces of a metal or alloy component are scrubbed by a high-velocity stream of inert gas at temperatures which facilitate removal of contaminants. Simultaneous with scrubbing, the impurities are captured in a separated loop of one or more "getter" filters operating at optimized temperatures. The scrubbing and "getting" functions are followed by a rapid elevation of the temperature of the component by heating the inert gas, now essentially free of contaminants which would otherwise react with the component surface at the elevated temperatures. Thereafter, a specific protective layer-forming agent is introduced into the inert gas stream at an ideal temperature, which agent will react predictably with the component being treated to form a predetermined protective coating on its surface.

Abstract: A hard wear-resistant film is formed on a substrate in an atmosphere of an inert gas by using a target of a composition of Al.sub.a Ti.sub.b (wherein "a" and "b" stand for atomic percentages respectively in the ranges of 62 at %.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.85 at % and 15 at %.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.38 at %, providing a+b=100 at %) or Al.sub.c Ta.sub.d (wherein "c" and "d" stand for atomic percentages respectively in the ranges of 60 at %.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.80 at % and 20 at %.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.40 at %, providing c+d=100 at %) and by a sputtering process or ion plating process while varying continuously or stepwise the feed rate of a nitrogen-containing reaction gas into a chamber. The film consequently formed has a composition and structure thereof continuously or stepwise varied from a substantially amorphous metal of a part being in contact with the substrate to an (Al, Ti)N or (Al, Ta)N crystalline ceramic phase with the nitrogen content continuously or stepwise increased in the direction of the surface of the film.

Abstract: A method for automatically cleaning a preheater rotor used in an electrical power plant is disclosed. The method includes controlling with a computer the cleaning of the rotor as well as calculating parameters such as a rate at which the rotor is to be rotated and a time to complete the rotor cleaning based on parameters entered by an operator. The method also controls the movement of a cleaning assembly along the radius of the rotor. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An installation for heat treatment or thermochemical treatment of steel permit instantaneous and permanent checking of the concentration of carbon at the surface of the steel, particularly in the course of the carbon enrichment of the surface zone of a workpiece. The process provides for the circulation in contact with this surface zone of a gaseous flux permitting the saturation concentration of carbon at the surface to be obtained at maximum speed, and for regulating this flux as a function of time. The installation comprises a monitored-atmosphere furnace having an input and an outlet for a gaseous flux, feed means forming this gaseous flux, and means for regulating the gaseous flux; it is equipped with data-storage and/or calculating means, and the feed means are designed to form a gaseous flux suitable for obtaining a saturation concentration of carbon at the surface of the workpieces in less than one minute.

Abstract: A chamber has upwardly diverging walls so that an upward airstream has different air speeds at different heights in the chamber. When particles such as seeds are put into the chamber, they reach equilibrium at different heights depending on their weights. A horizontal conveyor airstream, much less in magnitude than the upward airstream, directs the classified-by-height particles to a side wall of the chamber, where they are removed.

Abstract: A treatment element is provided for treating the inside of pipes, which element is bulged out by a medium flow presence in the pipe (1), while the movement of the element through the pipe can be controlled by a flexible pulling element. This treatment element (2) comprises a radially free compressible bag, the edge (5) of the open edge (6) of which is connected to the flexible pulling element (4). A wall pan (3) running in the peripheral direction of the bag is pressed against the inner wall of the pipe by the thrust of the medium, through which the inner wall is treated.

Abstract: A method for controlling the effective velocity of a spray of cleaning material in order to remove particulate matter and other contamination from a surface of a workpiece. The surface under treatment is moved relative to the position of a sprayhead in order to increase or reduce the velocity at which the spray impacts the surface. In one embodiment, the workpiece is mounted on a disk-shaped support plate. The sprayhead tracks across the support plate to direct the spray over the entire workpiece. The support plate is rotated towards the sprayhead to increase the effective spray velocity, and away from the sprayhead to decrease the effective spray velocity. Another embodiment of the invention adjusts the speed of rotation of the support plate in such a manner that the spray maintains a constant effective velocity as the sprayhead is moved radially across the support plate.

Abstract: A system for cleaning test probes attached to a probe mat fixture by propelling CO.sub.2 pellets at the test probes, by rotating the fixture so that the pellets impact different sides of the test probes, and by providing electrostatic protection for active devices mounted on the probemat fixture. The CO.sub.2 pellets are propelled so that they strike the test probes at an angle to the horizontal plane of the test probe as mounted on the probemat fixture. Electrostatic protection is provided by connecting all electrical connections to the probemat fixture to ground and by reducing electrostatic charge build up on the probemat fixture by using an ionizer to direct ions at the probemat fixture.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum can sheet having high strength and low earing characteristics comprises providing an aluminum alloy ingot and then hot rolling the ingot in a single-stand hot reversing mill to produce a first intermediate gauge sheet. The first intermediate gauge sheet is then cold rolled to produce a second intermediate gauge sheet. This second intermediate gauge sheet is passed through a heat source as a single web so that the second intermediate gauge sheet is continuously annealed. After heating, the second intermediate gauge sheet is quenched and coiled again. Finally, the coiled second intermediate gauge sheet is cold rolled again to produce the final gauge aluminum can sheet having high strength and low earing characteristics.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum can sheet having low earing characteristics. An aluminum alloy ingot is provided and is heated to a temperature between about 527.degree. to 571.degree. C. (980.degree. to 1060.degree. F.). After this, the ingot is hot rolled in a single-stand reversible hot mill to produce an intermediate gauge sheet. The intermediate gauge sheet is then cold rolled to produce a final gauge aluminum can sheet having low eating characteristics.

Abstract: A non-heat-treating steel for hot forging which does not require heat treatment and still yields high static strength, toughness and fatigue resistance only by air cooling after hot forging. The main ingredients are, by weight %, 0.10-0.30% C, 0.05-0.50% Si, 0.80-2.00% Mn, 0.30-1.50% Cr, 0.05-0.50% Mo, 0.002-0.060% Al, 0.05-0.50% V, 0.008-0,020% N, and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, where contents of some component elements should satisfy the following conditions,%Mo+%V.gtoreq.0.20(%),1.8.times.%Mn+%Cr+0.5.times.%Mo.ltoreq.20.times.%C, andBs.gtoreq.550(.degree.C.)where Bs represents the bainite transformation temperature and is defined by Bs=830-270.times.C%-90.times.Mn%-70.times.Cr%-83.times.Mo%. Since the mechanical properties are obtained through air cooling, the mechanical properties are stable albeit the size of the forged article and the forging conditions. The non-heat-treating steel is especially suited for use in chassis parts of automobiles and hydraulic parts of construction machines.

Abstract: A pressure pad comprises a plenum chamber, adapted to be conneceted to a pressurized-fluid supply means, having a pair of parallel slit nozzles formed in a top wall, and the chamber is arranged underneath a path of a strip. The plenum chamber is provided with holes in the top wall and at least two obstructions on the top wall. The holes are arranged on imaginary lines that extend between the nozzles on both sides of the top wall and central portions thereof point to adjacent edges of the path. Each of the obstructions comprises at least one obstructing wall arranged on either side of one of the imaginary lines. The lines may have V-, Arch- or Bracket-shaped configurations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a large alloy forging and method for making it. The forging having an alloy composition selected from one of a nickel base alloy, a cobalt-chromium-nickel base alloy, a nickel-cobalt base alloy and an iron-nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy and having a grain size of ASTM grain size 4 or finer, as measured by ASTM method E112 and having a tensile strength in the range of 135 to 175 KSI. The process includes: (1) four upset forgings, (2) a rapid cooling after the final upset cooling, (3) a first and second upset forging with a reduction greater than 50%, (4) a third upset forging with a reduction greater than 25.%, and (5) a forging process with a fourth upset forging with a reduction greater than 50%.

Abstract: A method of cleaning and maintaining water distribution systems which have reduced flow due to an increase of water scale deposits, sediment, and the like on the inside surface of the pipe is disclosed. An aqueous acidic cleaning solution is introduced and circulated through the pipe to be treated for a sufficient time to dissolve and loosen the scale and sediment, and the spent solution containing dissolved or suspended scale and sediment is flushed from the pipe to provide a cleaned pipe with improved water flow. It is also desirable to flush the water distribution pipe system with high pressure water after the treatment to remove loosened scale and sediment that was not removed during the circulation and flushing of the treating solution.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for hardening cutting edges having various widths. The apparatus includes a plasma torch for projecting a plasma beam through an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle has a length parallel to the cutting edge and a width perpendicular to the cutting edge. The nozzle width is greater than the nozzle length. A variable electromagnet is located adjacent the nozzle for adjustably deflecting the plasma beam from a circular cross section beam to a widened beam. The electromagnet deflects the plasma beam at its width so that it is slightly wider than the width of the cutting edge to be hardened. The plasma beams with a smaller cross section have a lower power consumption and a constant gas flow rate than larger cross sectional beams.