Abstract: A gasket assembly includes a one-piece gasket that has a mounting end, for mounting in an opening of an associated enclosure body, and a pipe engaging end, for receiving an associated pipe. An intermediate section is located between the mounting end and the pipe engaging end. A clamp assembly is used on the pipe engaging end of the gasket. The clamp assembly is looped to assume an annular configuration. A retaining member, of one piece with the gasket, extends from a wall of the gasket, for retaining the clamp assembly to the gasket in a transport position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for forming a bit body for an earth-boring bit. The bit body may comprise hard particles, wherein the hard particles comprise at least one carbide, nitride, boride, and oxide and solid solutions thereof, and a binder binding together the hard particles. The binder may comprise at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, and iron, and, optionally, at least one melting point reducing constituent selected from a transition metal carbide in the range of 30 to 60 weight percent, boron up to 10 weight percent, silicon up to 20 weight percent, chromium up to 20 weight percent, and manganese up to 25 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder.

Abstract: A gasket assembly includes a one-piece gasket that has a mounting end, for mounting in an opening of an associated enclosure body, and a pipe engaging end, for receiving an associated pipe. An intermediate section is located between the mounting end and the pipe engaging end. A clamp assembly is used on the pipe engaging end of the gasket. The clamp assembly is looped to assume an annular configuration. A retaining member, of one piece with the gasket, extends from a wall of the gasket, for retaining the clamp assembly to the gasket in a transport position.

Abstract: A gasket assembly includes a one-piece gasket that has a mounting end, for mounting to an associated enclosure body, and a pipe engaging end, for receiving an associated pipe. An intermediate section is located between the mounting end and the pipe engaging end. A mounting element is of one piece with one of the mounting end, the pipe engaging end and the intermediate section. A clamping member is used with the gasket. The clamping member is looped to assume an annular configuration. A retaining member extends through an aperture located in the mounting element and through the clamping member for retaining the clamping member to the gasket in a transport position of the gasket assembly.

Abstract: The present invention includes consolidated hard materials, methods for producing them, and industrial drilling and cutting applications for them. A consolidated hard material may be produced using hard particles such as B4C or carbides or borides of W, Ti, Mo, Nb, V, Hf, Ta, Zr, and Cr in combination with an iron-based, nickel-based, nickel and iron-based, iron and cobalt-based, aluminum-based, copper-based, magnesium-based, or titanium-based alloy for the binder material. Commercially pure elements such as aluminum, copper, magnesium, titanium, iron, or nickel may also be used for the binder material. The mixture of the hard particles and the binder material may be consolidated at a temperature below the liquidus temperature of the binder material using a technique such as rapid omnidirectional compaction (ROC), the Ceracon™ process, or hot isostatic pressing (HIP). After sintering, the consolidated hard material may be treated to alter its material properties.

Abstract: Earth-boring rotary drill bits include bit bodies comprising a composite material including a plurality of hard phase regions or particles dispersed throughout a titanium or titanium-based alloy matrix material. The bits further include a cutting structure disposed on a face of the bit body. In some embodiments, the bit bodies may include a plurality of regions having differing material compositions. For example, the bit bodies may include a first region comprising a plurality of hard phase regions or particles dispersed throughout a titanium or titanium-based alloy matrix material, and a second region comprising a titanium or a titanium-based alloy material. Methods for forming such drill bits include at least partially sintering a plurality of hard particles and a plurality of particles comprising titanium or a titanium-based alloy material to form a bit body comprising a particle-matrix composite material. A shank may be attached directly to the bit body.

Abstract: Rotary drill bits for drilling subterranean formations include a bit body and at least one cutting structure disposed on a face thereof. The bit body includes a crown region comprising a particle-matrix composite material that includes a plurality of boron carbide particles dispersed throughout an aluminum or aluminum-based alloy matrix material. In some embodiments, the matrix material may include a continuous solid solution phase and a discontinuous precipitate phase. Methods of manufacturing rotary drill bits for drilling subterranean formations include infiltrating a plurality of boron carbide particles with a molten aluminum or aluminum-based material. In additional methods, a green powder component is provided that includes a plurality of particles each comprising boron carbide and a plurality of particles each comprising aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy material. The green powder component is at least partially sintered to provide a bit body, and a shank is attached to the bit body.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing inserts, such as lift inserts and step inserts, in cast members. The inserts have breakaway tabs mounted in receiving slots in either a reusable holder or disk-shaped member. The assembled insert and holder are inserted through a collar on the outer jacket of a mold assembly and a locking pin passes through cooperating openings in the holder and collar to retain the lift insert/holder in place during the casting operation. The disk-shaped member is fixed to a jacket of the mold assembly. The breakaway tabs break away from the insert when the cast member is separated from the mold assembly, the breakaway tabs being discarded and the holder (disk-shaped member) being reusable many times for subsequent casting operations. The slots, in one embodiment, have a locking shoulder to lock the tabs in their slots. In another embodiment, a cam surface on the tabs lock the tabs in the slots.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming cast members. Steps are provided in the cast member by sliding mounting flanges of hollow plastic step inserts into slots provided in the inner mold shell. The cast material is then poured into the mold. Once the cast material has set, the cast member is withdrawn from the mold assembly. The step insert mounting flanges are broken away, leaving hollow step inserts into which manhole steps are force-fittingly mounted. The inserts are provided with integral cover tabs which cover larger slots provided to facilitate insertion of the step inserts, preventing leakage of the cast material into the mold assembly. Integral cover tabs are similarly provided on enforcement ring support members mounted in a similar fashion to insertion slots provided on one of the mold members to cover larger width slot portions to prevent seepage of cast material. Similar seals are provided by cylindrical-shaped inserts for use in wetcast and drycast fabrication methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for forming a bit body for an earth-boring bit. The bit body may comprise hard particles, wherein the hard particles comprise at least one carbide, nitride, boride, and oxide and solid solutions thereof, and a binder binding together the hard particles. The binder may comprise at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, and iron, and, optionally, at least one melting point reducing constituent selected from a transition metal carbide in the range of 30 to 60 weight percent, boron up to 10 weight percent, silicon up to 20 weight percent, chromium up to 20 weight percent, and manganese up to 25 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for forming a bit body for an earth-boring bit. The bit body may comprise hard particles, wherein the hard particles comprise at least one carbide, nitride, boride, and oxide and solid solutions thereof, and a binder binding together the hard particles. The binder may comprise at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, and iron, and at least one melting point reducing constituent selected from a transition metal carbide in the range of 30 to 60 weight percent, boron up to 10 weight percent, silicon up to 20 weight percent, chromium up to 20 weight percent, and manganese up to 25 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming cast members having curved or flat walls. Steps are provided in the cast member by placing hollow plastic step inserts into holders provided along the inner core of a mold assembly or mounting inserts on reciprocating pins or mounting inserts to a marginal portion of the inner core. The cast material is then poured into the mold. The cast member, when set, is withdrawn from the mold assembly. In one embodiment, a holder portion of the step insert is broken away, leaving the step inserts embedded in the cast member to receive legs of manhole steps. The inserts are provided with flanges, preventing leakage of the cast material into the mold assembly. Similar seals are provided by other types of cylindrical-shaped inserts for use in wetcast and drycast fabrication methods. Mounting assemblies are also provided for holding inserts for embedment in planar walls.

Abstract: A package comprising gasket mounting clamps and instructions for mounting same. The mounting clamps include an expansion clamp and a takedown clamp. The expansion clamp engages an interior of a gasket inserted. The takedown clamp is looped in the gasket. The takedown clamp is urged against surface of either the expansion clamp or the gasket. A flexible fastener loops through the expansion clamp and around the takedown clamp passing through an opening in an instruction card retaining the card and takedown clamp within the gasket. The expansion clamp enables installation of gasket and expansion of the clamp without removing the fastener and without interference of the takedown clamp, fastener and card and permits observation of the card. The fastener loops through the expansion clamp and does not interfere with the expansion operation. The fastener remains intact until mounting a pipe to the gasket, assuring retention of the takedown clamp and instructions.

Abstract: The present invention includes consolidated hard materials, methods for producing them, and industrial drilling and cutting applications for them. A consolidated hard material may be produced using hard particles such as B4C or carbides or borides of W, Ti, Mo, Nb, V, Hf, Ta, Zr, and Cr in combination with an iron-based, nickel-based, nickel and iron-based, iron and cobalt-based, aluminum-based, copper-based, magnesium-based, or titanium-based alloy for the binder material. Commercially pure elements such as aluminum, copper, magnesium, titanium, iron, or nickel may also be used for the binder material. The mixture of the hard particles and the binder material may be consolidated at a temperature below the liquidus temperature of the binder material using a technique such as rapid omnidirectional compaction (ROC), the Ceracon™ process, or hot isostatic pressing (HIP). After sintering, the consolidated hard material may be treated to alter its material properties.

Abstract: A package comprising gasket mounting clamps and instructions for mounting same. The mounting clamps include an expansion clamp and a takedown clamp. The expansion clamp engages an interior of a gasket inserted. The takedown clamp is looped in the gasket. The takedown clamp is urged against surface of either the expansion clamp or the gasket. A flexible fastener loops through the expansion clamp and around the takedown clamp passing through an opening in an instruction card retaining the card and takedown clamp within the gasket. The expansion clamp enables installation of gasket and expansion of the clamp without removing the fastener and without interference of the takedown clamp, fastener and card and permits observation of the card. The fastener loops through the expansion clamp and does not interfere with the expansion operation. The fastener remains intact until mounting a pipe to the gasket, assuring retention of the takedown clamp and instructions.

Abstract: A gasket having an intermediate portion provided with convolutions which are capable of expanding/contracting enabling an anchoring end to be cast in a curve and a pipe receiving end to be maintained lying in a plane, and a method for forming and using the gasket including the employment of a mandrel assembly to conform the anchoring end to the curvature of the cast member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for casting a gasket into a cast member utilizing a one-piece mandrel assembly provided within a mold assembly. The resilient, compressible gasket is mounted upon the mandrel assembly during the casting operation. The mandrel assembly is withdrawn from the cast member after it has cured. The mandrel assembly may also be utilized to form a knockout barrier a pipe stop and a mounting fixture for mounting a baffle to the interior wall of the cast member through a snap on fastening arrangement. The mandrel assembly is preferably designed to facilitate stripping of the mandrel assembly from the cast member after the cast member is cured.

Abstract: An annular-shaped, expansion type clamping band has laterally overlapping ends, each having a skewed surface, the skewed surfaces slidably engaging one another. The ends are further provided with elongated guide slots for receiving a threaded bolt. A threaded nut threadly engaging the bolt, when tightened, moves the overlapping ends toward a longitudinal central axis of the band whereby the band expands to exert an outward radial force against an interior surface of a gasket to provide a liquid-tight fit between the gasket and an opening having a surface engaging an outer periphery of the gasket. The band may be a one-piece or two-or-three-piece assembly and may be formed of an suitable metallic or plastic material. The threaded member is slidable along the aforesaid guide slots enabling the bolts to be self-centered. The nut and bolt assembly, in one embodiment is designed to require only one tightening tool.

Abstract: A molded annular gasket is placed upon a mandrel for embedment of its annular-shaped embedment portion within an opening in a cast member. After the cast member has been cured and removed from a molding assembly, including the mandrel, the pipe attachment end of the gasket is pulled through the center of the gasket so that its pipe attachment end extends beyond the embedment end, to facilitate the placement of a take-down clamp which secures the pipe attachment end to a pipe inserted there through thereby providing a fluid-tight joint. The mandrel is preferably a one-piece member. The gasket may have a cylindrical or conical-shaped intermediate portion provided with spaced-apart annular projections at the pipe attachment end, between which the takedown clamp is arranged.

Abstract: An annular-shaped, expansion type clamping band has laterally overlapping ends, each having a skewed surface, the skewed surfaces slidably engaging one another. The ends are further provided with elongated guide slots for receiving a threaded bolt. A threaded nut threadly engaging the bolt, when tightened, moves the overlapping ends toward a longitudinal central axis of the band whereby the band expands to exert an outward radial force against an interior surface of a gasket to provide a liquid-tight fit between the gasket and an opening having a surface engaging an outer periphery of the gasket. The band may be a one-piece or two-or-three-piece assembly and may be formed of an suitable metallic or plastic material. The threaded member is slidable along the aforesaid guide slots enabling the bolts to be self-centered. The nut and bolt assembly, in one embodiment is designed to require only one tightening tool.