Abstract: A coating layer for sheet metal is provided that is comprised of an aluminum-silicon alloy having low emissivity. The coated sheet metal may be used as heat shield material, particularly for heat sources having temperatures greater than 500° C., which sources may be, e.g., the hotter parts of the conduits of automotive exhaust systems. The sheet metal may be sheet steel coated on at least one of its principal surfaces with a layer of a coating comprised of an alloy of silicon in the amount of 7-11 wt. % and aluminum in the amount of 87-93 wt. %. The coated surface of the sheet has a monochromatic emissivity less than 0.15 for all wavelengths in the range of 1.5-15 microns.

Abstract: Both a method and apparatus for regulating the position of a camera in a thermographic control and monitoring arrangement is provided for a system for welding together at least two metal plates along a joint plane. The apparatus includes a welding head that generates a high energy-density welding beam, a camera for thermographically monitoring the welding carried out by the welding beam, a movable frame member for supporting the welding head and camera, a fixed light source disposed in a zone that is accessible by the welding beam generated by the welding head, and an adjustment assembly for regulating the position of the camera with respect to the welding head. In the method, the welding beam is moved into a reference position with respect to a point source of light. Next, the frame member is displaced by a specific distance d corresponding to the distance desired between an impact point I of the welding beam and the field of view of the camera on the plate is being welded.

Abstract: A device for determining the moisture content of a material which includes a micro wave heating unit (1) for heating a sample of the material which is under investigation and a weighing device (3) for weighing the sample during heating and providing signals representing a series of measurements of the weight of the sample at specific times. The weighing device is connected to a processing unit (4) which is a microprocessor and which includes a computer (9) which produces signals representing the loss of weight of the sample in the course of heating and which computes the parameters of a asymptotic function and which represents the loss of weight of the sample in the course of time. There is also a calculator (11) for determining the differences between two asymptotic values, and a comparator (12) for comparing the differences with a reference value representing the acceptable uncertainty in regard to the moisture content of the material.

Abstract: Probe for determining the temperatures of the walls of coke oven flues, including an optical pyrometer suspended by a metallic rope from a manipulating device including a drum on which the rope is coiled and uncoiled. The pyrometer is contained in an insulating sleeve of refractory material, and the rope is surrounded by a sheath which is wetted before the measurement takes place, in order to prevent an unacceptable temperature rise during the brief measurement period required. Due to this arrangement, conventional cooling apparatus is eliminated.