Abstract: A part of a gasket that conducts electricity across the otherwise nonconducting gasket. Versions of the insert provide an electrical connection when installed even if the parts sealed by the gasket deflect, and do not deform under compression due to their resilient nature. The gaskets can be used in pipe joints, among other uses, resulting in a pipe joint that conducts electricity between the pipe spigot and the socket of a pipe or fixture even if a deflection event occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an estimate of uniformity of wall thickness of a centrifugally cast object, such as a pipe cast from molten iron, substantially immediately after the casting process is complete. The volume of molten metal entering the mold over time is determined and correlated with casting machine position and velocity data to estimate wall thickness along the length of the pipe. Process defects can then be identified promptly and corrective action taken.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an estimate of uniformity of wall thickness of a centrifugally cast object, such as a pipe cast from molten iron, substantially immediately after the casting process is complete. The volume of molten metal entering the mold over time is determined and correlated with casting machine position and velocity data to estimate wall thickness along the length of the pipe. Process defects can then be identified promptly and corrective action taken.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an estimate of uniformity of wall thickness of a centrifugally cast object, such as a pipe cast from molten iron, substantially immediately after the casting process is complete. The volume of molten metal entering the mold over time is determined and correlated with casting machine position and velocity data to estimate wall thickness along the length of the pipe. Process defects can then be identified promptly and corrective action taken.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an estimate of uniformity of wall thickness of a centrifugally cast object, such as a pipe cast from molten iron, substantially immediately after the casting process is complete. The volume of molten metal entering the mold over time is determined and correlated with casting machine position and velocity data to estimate wall thickness along the length of the pipe. Process defects can then be identified promptly and corrective action taken.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a discontinuity in the wall of a ferrous object is disclosed, which utilize a bank of sensors where each sensor is configured to detect a difference in magnetic flux across a predefined area. Sets of readings from the sensors are converted to images, from which the existence and location of a discontinuity can be detected.

Abstract: A part of a gasket that conducts electricity across the otherwise nonconducting gasket. Versions of the insert provide an electrical connection when installed even if the parts sealed by the gasket deflect, and do not deform under compression due to their resilient nature. The gaskets can be used in pipe joints, among other uses, resulting in a pipe joint that conducts electricity between the pipe spigot and the socket of a pipe or fixture even if a deflection event occurs.

Abstract: A part of a gasket that conducts electricity across the otherwise nonconducting gasket. Versions of the insert provide an electrical connection when installed even if the parts sealed by the gasket deflect, and do not deform under compression due to their resilient nature. The gaskets can be used in pipe joints, among other uses, resulting in a pipe joint that conducts electricity between the pipe spigot and the socket of a pipe or fixture even if a deflection event occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for centrifugal casting, in which transfer functions are developed relating the fluidity of molten metal, for example iron of varying composition, to casting machine movement for a particular mold in order to cast objects, for example pipe, having desired and uniform characteristics, including wall thickness. Fluidity is calculated for each pour of molten metal based on the measured pour temperature and measured liquidus arrest temperature. A drive system controlled by a programmable logic controller moves the casting machine in accordance with the output of the transfer functions based on the calculated fluidity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for centrifugal casting, in which transfer functions are developed relating the fluidity of molten metal, for example iron of varying composition, to casting machine movement for a particular mold in order to cast objects, for example pipe, having desired and uniform characteristics, including wall thickness. Fluidity is calculated for each pour of molten metal based on the measured pour temperature and measured liquidus arrest temperature. A drive system controlled by a programmable logic controller moves the casting machine in accordance with the output of the transfer functions based on the calculated fluidity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for centrifugal casting, in which transfer functions are developed relating the fluidity of molten metal, for example iron of varying composition, to casting machine movement for a particular mold in order to cast objects, for example pipe, having desired and uniform characteristics, including wall thickness. Fluidity is calculated for each pour of molten metal based on the measured pour temperature and measured liquidus arrest temperature. A drive system controlled by a programmable logic controller moves the casting machine in accordance with the output of the transfer functions based on the calculated fluidity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for centrifugal casting, in which transfer functions are developed relating the fluidity of molten metal, for example iron of varying composition, to casting machine movement for a particular mold in order to cast objects, for example pipe, having desired and uniform characteristics, including wall thickness. Fluidity is calculated for each pour of molten metal based on the measured pour temperature and measured liquidus arrest temperature. A drive system controlled by a programmable logic controller moves the casting machine in accordance with the output of the transfer functions based on the calculated fluidity.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to improved non-destructive thickness measurement systems and methods. Embodiments of the present invention utilize quarter wave resonant frequency to measure the thickness of high-temperature pipe walls. In one embodiment, an improved non-destructive thickness measurement system is provided that utilizes Gaussian white noise to produce maximum mechanical resonance in the pipe wall and laser vibrometers to detect the pipe wall's maximum displacement.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to improved non-destructive thickness measurement systems and methods. Embodiments of the present invention utilize quarter wave resonant frequency to measure the thickness of high-temperature pipe walls. In one embodiment, an improved non-destructive thickness measurement system is provided that utilizes Gaussian white noise to produce maximum mechanical resonance in the pipe wall and laser vibrometers to detect the pipe wall's maximum displacement.

Abstract: A non-destructive testing method and apparatus for determining the microstructure of ferrous metal objects, such as cast iron pipe. A sonic wave is induced into the metal object by magnetostriction. A sensor assembly captures the acoustic energy induced in the metal object and sends a signal output to signal processing electronics. The electronics amplify the signal. The amplified signal is then captured by the data acquisition system and analyzed by the data analysis system. The data analysis system may calculate the energy of the acoustic wave or calculate the time from the initial induction of the sonic wave to the Villari reversal point to determine nodularity of the metal object.

Abstract: A non-contact measuring device for determining the dimensions of a cylindrical object, such as a pipe. The device may use a programmable industrial robot with an arm terminating in a rotary joint, or wrist. A non-contact measurement assembly, which preferably includes a triangulation laser, mounted to the robot's wrist. The wrist includes a binary wrist encoder for providing the angular position of the wrist to an attached computer. Likewise, the laser provides a signal representative of the distance from the laser to the surface of the pipe to the computer. The robot positions the measurement assembly in a predetermined location within the pipe and rotates the measurement assembly. The computer correlates the measurements from the lasers with the angular position at which they were taken, and it analyzes this data to determine the dimensions of the pipe, including the true profile of the surface and cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A cement lining slinger head tachometer device to detect and display the speed of rotation of a slinger head when lining the inner surface of a pipe with cement including a cement supply to feed cement from an external source to the slinger head, a slinger head drive to rotate the slinger head and a system control to monitor and display the rotational speed of the slinger head.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting faults in a magnetized ferrous body which has a first ferrite disc having at least two opposed sides, a pair of Hall Effect semiconductors, the Hall Effect semiconductors being affixed to opposite sides of said ferrite disc and a pair of ferrite discs, each ferrite disc of said pair of ferrite discs being affixed to a side of each of said Hall Effect semiconductors opposite the side of said Hall Effect semiconductors which is affixed to the first ferrite disc.