Abstract: A tie down assembly including a cup, a cross-shaped crossbar that is fastened removably to and positioned within a recess of the cup, and a disc-shaped plate that is fastened removably to the cup and/or the crossbar. The crossbar is fastened to the cup by a plurality of fasteners, while the plate is fastened to the cup and/or the crossbar by at least one fastener. The cup is installed within a hole formed within a first surface of a structure, and the plate is positioned against an opposite surface of the structure. When the plate is attached, a compressive load is introduced and squeezes the first and second surfaces of the structure together, such that most of the load is borne down the center of the fastener attaching the plate.

Abstract: The teachings provide a fill tube assembly for a casting mold and methods of using the assembly. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular member has a substantially, uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leakproof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations.

Abstract: A fill tube assembly is for a casting mold. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular member has a substantially, uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leakproof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tie down assembly adapted to be installed within a structure includes a cup and a crossbar that is fastened removably to the cup by a plurality of fasteners. The cup includes a recess forming an interior surface, and a plurality of seats extending from the interior surface. The crossbar includes a central portion and a plurality of elongated members extending therefrom. Each of the members includes a head that engages a corresponding one of the seats of the cup and is secured to the seat by one of the fasteners. The central portion of the crossbar may include a central aperture that receives one of the fasteners for an additional attachment point to the cup. The crossbar is adapted to receive tie down hooks, connectors, and the like. When the crossbar requires repair or replacement, it may be removed from the cup by unfastening the fasteners without the need to remove the cup from the structure.

Abstract: A tie down assembly including a cup, a cross-shaped crossbar that is fastened removably to and positioned within a recess of the cup, and a disc-shaped plate that is fastened removably to the cup and/or the crossbar. The crossbar is fastened to the cup by a plurality of fasteners, while the plate is fastened to the cup and/or the crossbar by at least one fastener. The cup is installed within a hole formed within a first surface of a structure, and the plate is positioned against an opposite surface of the structure. When the plate is attached, a compressive load is introduced and squeezes the first and second surfaces of the structure together, such that most of the load is borne down the center of the fastener attaching the plate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fire-resistant systems, methods, and apparatus. In one embodiment, a fire-resistant system includes a fire-resistant panel and a protected material coupled to the fire-resistant panel. The fire-resistant panel includes a passive layer and a back layer. The passive layer comprises a phyllosilicate material. The back layer comprises an inorganic material and may be coupled to the passive layer. Optionally, the fire-resistant panel may include a secondary layer comprising a functional material, where the functional material comprises one of a phase change material or an endothermic material.

Abstract: Portable friction stir welding apparatus having a crawler which supports a motor for rotating a Friction Stir Welding tool and is coupled to a drive mechanism for urging the crawler along a predefined weld path on work pieces. The crawler can comprise one member or a set of two or three physically separated members each rotatably coupled to the friction stir welding tool. The friction stir welding tool for making the weld is rotatably coupled to each member and restricts axial displacement of the physically separate members relative to each other. The members are adapted to engage rails on the work pieces which provide at least one of guiding, alignment, fixturing, torque compensation for the members as the friction stir welding tool is rotated and the crawler is moved along a joint.

Abstract: A fill tube assembly is for a casting mold. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular member has a substantially, uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leakproof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fill tube assembly is for a casting mold. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular member has a substantially uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leakproof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: Portable friction stir welding apparatus having a crawler which supports a motor for rotating a Friction Stir Welding tool and is coupled to a drive mechanism for urging the crawler along a predefined weld path on work pieces. The crawler can comprise one member or a set of two or three physically separated members each rotatably coupled to the friction stir welding tool. When one member is used to make a weld, it is located on top of the work pieces. When two members are used to make a weld, one member is located on the top of the work pieces and the second member is located on bottom of the work pieces. When three members are used to make two welds simultaneously on an upper work piece and a lower work pieces, one member of the crawler is located on the top surface of the upper work piece, a second member is located between the two work pieces, and a third member is located on the bottom surface of the lower work piece.

Abstract: A fill tube assembly is for a casting mold. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular member has a substantially uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leakproof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fill tube assembly is for a casting mold. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular-member has a substantially uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leak-proof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of protecting an inert anode assembly (16) operating in an electrolysis cell (10) for producing metal when an adjacent assembly (16?) is removed exposing remaining assemblies to low ambient temperatures (40) by utilizing heat radiation shields (24) which can circumscribe every inert anode assembly (16), where the shields (24) remain intact and in place in the cell (10) while operating in molten electrolyte (15) at about 850° C.

Abstract: A method of protecting an inert anode assembly (16) operating in an electrolysis cell (10) for producing metal when an adjacent assembly (16?) is removed exposing remaining assemblies to low ambient temperatures (40) by utilizing heat radiation shields (24) which can circumscribe every inert anode assembly (16), where the shields (24) remain intact and in place in the cell (10) while operating in molten electrolyte (15) at about 850° C.

Abstract: A method for protecting anode assemblies in an electrolytic cell from thermal shock is disclosed. The method generally involves applying a thermal insulating layer (8, 16) to the anode (2) prior to preheating the anode assembly in a furnace, where the layer (8, 16) protects the anode (2) from thermal shock during transfer from the preheat furnace to the electrolytic cell. In a preferred embodiment the anode (2) is attached to a castable plate (4) that is also protected from thermal shock by an insulating layer.

Abstract: Inert anodes useful in electrolytic aluminum production cells are disclosed. The inert anodes have sloped bottom surfaces with controlled bubble release angles. In one embodiment, the bottom surface is substantially conical with a bubble release angle of up to 30 degrees. The cross-sectional size of the inert anodes is also controlled in order to maximize efficiency of the cells. The inert anodes may be provided in arrays in aluminum production cells in order to achieve commercial cell currents.

Abstract: A method for protecting anode assemblies in an electrolytic cell from thermal shock is disclosed. The method generally involves applying a thermal insulating layer (8, 16) to the anode (2) prior to preheating the anode assembly in a furnace, where the layer (8, 16) protects the anode (2) from thermal shock during transfer from the preheat furnace to the electrolytic cell. In a preferred embodiment the anode (2) is attached to a castable plate (4) that is also protected from thermal shock by an insulating layer.

Abstract: A container module for intermodal transportation and temporary storage of dry flowable product includes a pressure tank supported by hanger plates welded to end frames of a support frame defining a standardized container envelope. The pressure tank has a wall with a flat top center section and short flat side sections joined by upper cylindrical intermediate sections and lower cylindrical sections below the flat side sections which blend into a plurality of intersecting, downwardly discharging hoppers. Elongated beam members extending along each side of the support frame tie the hoppers together to resist bending of the suspended tank.

Abstract: A method for protecting anode assemblies in an electrolytic cell from thermal shock is disclosed. The method generally involves applying a thermal insulating layer (8, 16) to the anode (2) and the castable plate (4) prior to preheating the anode assembly in a furnace, where the layer (8, 16) protects the anode (2) and the plate (4) from thermal shock during transfer from the preheat furnace to the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A container module for intermodal transportation and temporary storage of dry flowable product includes a pressure tank supported by hanger plates welded to end frames of a support frame defining a standardized container envelope. The pressure tank has a wall with a flat top center section and short flat side sections joined by upper cylindrical intermediate sections and lower cylindrical sections below the flat side sections which blend into a plurality of intersecting, downwardly discharging hoppers. Elongated beam members extending along each side of the support frame tie the hoppers together to resist bending of the suspended tank.