Abstract: A valve structure having a seating member defining at least one valve opening, and having an outer body portion, a center core portion, and a plurality of arms extending from the center core to the outer body, there being seating means formed on the outer body and the center core for receiving valve closure means, the outer body and center core and the arms all being formed integrally in a single homogeneous structure having groups of reinforcing fibres extending from the center core through the radial arms into the outer body, the reinforcing fibres being embedded in and completely surrounded by a mouldable plastic resin material, and spring receiving blocks formed integrally with such arms, and spring recess formed in such bosses offset from such reinforcing fibres without interruption of such fibres.

Abstract: An improved bin is adapted to receive and store materials having fluid properties, such as liquids and granular materials. The bin is made of a fiberglass reinforced plastic material, and has a circular bottom arranged to rest on a foundation, and a cylindrical side wall bonded to a marginal portion of the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom. A cable has its lower end suitably anchored proximate the bottom, has its intermediate length helically wound around the outside of the side wall, and has its upper end suitably anchored proximate the top of the side wall. The improved bin also includes a plurality of vertical members, also formed of a fiberglass reinforced plastic material, spaced circumferentially around the inner surface of the side wall. Each vertical member defines with the side wall a sealed tubular cavity extending upwardly from the bottom.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the thickness of a wall of non-magnetic material. On one side of the wall is positioned a magnetic means adapted to create a magnetic field of which a portion extends beyond the other side of the wall. On the other side of the wall is positioned a detecting means capable of indicating when the strength of at least one directional component of the field reaches a given level at the location of the detecting means. The component on one side of the wall is maintained stationary while the other component is altered in such a way that the strength of the said at least one directional component of the field at the detecting means reaches the given level, at which point the detecting means will indicate same.

Abstract: An expansible bottom structure for a fiberglass reinforced plastic tank allows a lower portion of the tank side wall structure to expand radially outwardly without significant deformation of its original shape.The improvement includes a fiberglass reinforced plastic batten having an upper portion bonded to the cylindrical side wall of a tank, a lower portion bonded to the bottom of the tank, and an intermediate arcuate transitional portion adapted to flex under tension to a less arcuate position. Such permissible flexure of the batten transitional portion enables the tank side wall structure to expand radially outwardly under hydrostatic load, while preserving substantially undeformed the desired shape and characteristics of the lower portion of the side wall structure. The batten provides the sole fluid-containing connection between the side wall structure and the tank bottom.