Abstract: A metal heating furnace for heating slabs, billets or blooms prior to their hot rolling. Full use to thermal energy can be ensured and the workpieces can be uniformly heated to a desired rolling temperature.

Abstract: A rear suspension system for motor vehicles. Both leg ends of a gate-shaped swing arm which at its free end supports the central part of a rear axle are pivotably secured to a vehicle body frame, a tension rod is provided between the lower end of a downwardly extending swing link mounted near the free end of the swing arm and a portion of the vehicle body frame near and below the above pivoted point of the swing arm, and one end of a damper disposed between both legs of the swing arm in a position above the tension rod is mounted near and above the pivoted point of the swing arm, while the other end thereof is attached to the swing link. The rear suspension system can be mounted in a relatively narrow space, and even with devices of relatively large capacities mounted thereabout, it can exhibit its damping characteristics satisfactorily.

Abstract: A fluidized-bed combustion system for a boiler, a heating furnace for heating steels or the like, in which a plurality of gas distribution pipes are disposed at the bottom of the combustion chamber. The lower end of each gas distribution pipe is communicated with an air supply line with an air flow rate control valve and a fuel supply line with a fuel flow rate control valve and the air and fuel admitted into the gas distribution pipe are mixed within the same and the air and fuel mixture is injected or sprayed into the fluidized bed through injection ports of the gas distribution pipe which are positioned adjacent to the bottom of the fluidized bed, whereby the complete combustion within the fluidized bed can be ensured and the combustion can be controlled over a wide range and optimized depending upon a load.

Abstract: A heating furnace in which radiant tubes are extended widthwise into the furnace so that the products of combustion are discharged into the furnace, whereby intermediate shapes such as slabs which are transported through the furnace are heated to desired rolling temperatures.

Abstract: Cooling water is sprayed under a predetermined pressure range and at a predetermined discharge rate over the both surfaces of a sheet to be treated which is reciprocated lengthwise at such a velocity that the product of the reciprocating velocity and thickness of the sheet may be maintained within a predetermined range. The spraying direction of each spray nozzle is individually controlled so that any water remaining over the surface of the sheet may be expelled out. The method and apparatus is especially adapted for use in the normalizing process and in the process for cooling hot-rolled sheet steel.

Abstract: A partially saponified polyvinyl acetate having at least one stilbazolium group-containing photosensitive unit represented by the following general formula: ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an aralkyl group, R.sub.2 is hydrogen atom or an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, Y is a conjugated base of an inorganic or organic acid, m is an integer of 1 to 6, and n is 0 or 1) and an acetal unit represented by the following general formula: ##STR2## (wherein R.sub.3 is hydrogen atom or an alkyl group); the acetal units being contained therein in an amount of approximately 0.5 to 10.0 mol % with respect to mole of the polyvinylalcohol units thereof; the stilbazolium group-containing units being contained therein in an amount of approximately 0.5 to 5.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compensating for local temperature difference of a steel product which has been previously heated above room temperature because of the preceding operation such as rolling and which is to be heat-treated. Upper, lower and edge burners are arranged in opposed relationship with a path of travel and are selectively ignited depending upon the surface temperature distribution of the steel product detected before it enters the apparatus, in such a way that the steel product is heated uniformly to a desired temperature.

Abstract: Sheet stripping apparatus for removing sheets from an imaging member having a light sensitive layer thereon and a band-like elastomeric layer carried by the imaging member adjacent one end thereof contiguous the light sensitive layer. A cam member is adapted for pressure engagement with the elastomeric layer through a transfer paper in contact therewith such that the lead edge of the transfer paper is lifted from the imaging member.

Abstract: A toner dispenser having a rotatably driven dispensing roll including a cam and cam follower for imparting an axial, vibratory component of motion to the roll. The vibratory motion inhibits agglomerated masses of toner from collecting in the vicinity of the dispensing roll. In those instances wherein the dispensing roll is grooved and the toner dispenser additionally includes a brush-like wiper for dislodging toner particles from the dispensing roll, the vibratory motion also assists in preventing toner from accumulating in the grooved areas of the roll. That tendency is, however, even more effectively counteracted by additionally including a pawl and ratchet indexing arrangement for occassionally changing the alignment between the wiper and the dispensing roll.