Abstract: A method for the connection of sheet metal panels coated on at least one surface with a layer by the electrical fusin of a metal, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of supplying an electric current for the fusion of metal indirectly along the sheet metal of at least one panel to the zone at which said panels are to be connected to each other, and keeping the temperature of an outer layer of at least one of said panels below the melting point of said layer.

Abstract: A structural element is provided which is preferably made of metal or plastic and which is useful as load-bearing element of high bending strength for various structures, supports, bridges, vehicles, as load-bearing foundation, and for many other purposes. Such structural element consists of two or more shells or plates which surround at least one cavity. Said cavities are equipped with load-bearing supporting elements, shells, panels, and the like which are associated with pressure plates, preferably honeycomb or grid-like plates. The ribs or ridges of said honeycombs or grids are relatively small, i.e. very narrow. The structural element, furthermore, comprises at least one flexible or movable plate which exerts a pressure onto the elements inserted into the cavity or cavities. Said pressure is equal to or greater than atmospheric pressure and higher than the pressure in the support cavity. The structural element of this invention may also be of tubular shape.

Abstract: A substantially sealed electrolyte container is provided for electroplating articles, and an evacuating means is provided for evacuating the space above the electrolyte surface in the electrolyte container. The article to be electroplated forms the anode or cathode electrode. The electrolyte container is subdivided by porous partitions, which do not disturb the electrical field of force, into cathode and anode chambers, and separate gas extraction means are provided for said chambers. Beneath the electrolyte level in the cathode and anode chambers electrolyte extraction and supply means are provided by means of which the electrolyte is extracted, degassed and returned to the cathode and anode chambers.

Abstract: A loadbearing construction element consisting of outer shells which define an air-tight cavity in which is supported insulating elements which form collectively an inner unit. Means are provided for evacuating the cavities of the inner unit and for subsequently pressurizing the components of the inner unit to form a composite core the components of which are fixedly connected to each other. Pressure against the components of the inner unit can be increased by adjustable screws extending through the outer shell into contact with a pressure plate forming part of the inner unit. In this manner, stresses in the element are created so that the outer shells and the components of the inner unit are reinforced and rendered resistant to bending.

Abstract: An improved heat and cold insulating flexible composite element comprises at least one radiation chamber with walls of flexible material having reflecting surfaces. Opposite walls of said chamber are resiliently spaced from each other by suitable spacing elements.Preferably the chambers are enclosed by an envelope which may also be formed of flexible reflecting sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the resistance welding of sheet metal coated with layers, wherein firstly electrical contact is established between the sheets to be interwelded and between the welding electrodes and said sheets, and subsequently welding is effected across the coating layers. The invention relates also to machines for carrying out this method.

Abstract: Apparatus for the connection of sheet metal panels coated on at least one surface with an insulating layer by the electrical fusion of a metal, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of supplying an electric pre-warming current to only the upper most panel to melt the insulating layer between the coated panels.

Abstract: The composite wall element of this invention comprises an insulating wall element arranged within or inserted into an outer, pressure resistant, preferably load bearing wall element which completely encloses the former. Within the inner insulating wall element and/or the cavity within the outer wall element a substantially dry gas atmosphere and preferably air atmosphere is established and maintained under sub-atmospheric, atmospheric, or superatmospheric pressure. Such novel composite wall elements are superior in their thermal and/or acoustic insulation properties to heretofore known structural elements.

Abstract: A wall unit comprising panels lying at opposite faces of said unit, a seal arranged between the margins of said panels, and an insulation occupying the cavity between said panels, wherein the improvement comprises at least one insulating group extending parallel to said panels and comprising two foils capable of reflecting thermal radiation and chambers lying between said foils, the walls of which consist of insulating material. The cavity between said panels may be evacuated or it may be filled with dry air or a dry gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to welding of sheet metal covered with non-metallic layers, and relates more particularly to a method for the spot- or roller seam- welding of sheet metal covered with non-metallic layers by removing the layer from the zones to be welded and subsequently applying a rust-protective layer over the welded zones, wherein on the zones to be welded circular or strip-shaped parts of the covering layer are mechanically removed by milling, rasping or grinding; the metallic zones of the sheet metal thus stripped bare are interwelded by means of opposed electrodes; and finally on the welded zones circular or strip-shaped parts, respectively, of a layer are applied by cementing, spraying or painting, for the formation of a uniform covering layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the electrical resistance welding of coated sheet metals, in which welding current is fed to at least one of the coated sheets indirectly through the metal layer thereof and contact is established between blanc areas thereof to be welded to each other, wherein annular or elongated knife edges are provided at the welding area of the sheet metal to be welded on or on intermediate welding pieces, and cavities are produced by embossing and/or by milling, for preserving an outer coating undamaged by the heat of welding.

Abstract: A method for the protection of blanc areas of sheet metal otherwise coated with layers of synthetic materials, lacquers, foils or the like, wherein the said blanc areas are covered by applying a liquid, viscous or solid rust-protective agent by frictional contact, spraying, welding or cementing and a machine for carrying out the above method, comprising means for applying a liquid or pasty rust-protective agent and/or tape or cord on said areas by temporarily moving the means for applying these agents and/or tapes or cords towards, along and away from the sheet metal and, if desired, pressing the same on and/or drying the same on the sheet metal.

Abstract: The composite wall element of this invention comprises an insulating wall element arranged within or inserted into an outer, pressure resistant, preferably load bearing wall element which completely encloses the former. Within the inner insulating wall element and/or the cavity within the outer wall element a substantially dry gas atmosphere and preferably air atmosphere is established and maintained under subatmospheric, atmospheric, or superatmospheric pressure. Such novel composite wall elements are superior in their thermal and/or acoustic insulation properties to heretofore known structural elements.

Abstract: A method for the connection of sheet metal panels coated on at least one surface with a layer by the electrical fusion of a metal, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of supplying an electric current for the fusion of metal indirectly along the sheet metal of at least one panel to the zone at which said panels are to be connected to each other, and keeping the temperature of an outer layer of at least one of said panels below the melting point of said layer.

Abstract: A wall unit comprising panels lying at opposite faces of said unit, a seal arranged between the margins of said panels, and an insulation occupying the cavity between said panels, wherein the improvement comprises at least one insulating group extending parallel to said panels and comprising two foils capable of reflecting thermal radiation and chambers lying between said foils, the walls of which consist of insulating material. The cavity between said panels may be evacuated or it may be filled with dry air or a dry gas.