Abstract: A method is provided for making the longitudinal temperature distribution of the bulbous end of a longitudinally oriented workpiece, such as a rail's head, generally uniform when the head has a non-uniform longitudinal temperature distribution. A combination of crown and skirt electric inductors is used to achieve the generally uniform temperature distribution by modulating the magnetic field intensity produced by current flow through one or more of the combination of crown and skirt inductors as required for the non-uniformly heated regions of the rail's head.

Abstract: An impeder for use in an electric induction welding process is provided. A cooling medium is circulated around the exterior of the impeder's magnetic material with the impeder entry and exit passages for the cooling medium located on opposite sides of the impeder.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for making the longitudinal temperature distribution of the bulbous end of a longitudinally oriented workpiece, such as a rail's head, generally uniform when the head has a non-uniform longitudinal temperature distribution. A combination of crown and skirt electric inductors is used to achieve the generally uniform temperature distribution by modulating the magnetic field intensity produced by current flow through one or more of the combination of crown and skirt inductors as required for the non-uniformly heated regions of the rail's head.

Abstract: A spray quench system is provided with one or more spray quench rings that eject a controlled volume of quenchant spray onto a workpiece passing through the quench rings. Supply of the quenchant to the quench rings is coordinated with control of the quench rings to selectively change the pressure, quenchant spray exit velocity from the quench rings, flow rate or pattern of the quenchant spray onto the workpiece depending upon mass cooling requirements as the workpiece passes through the quench rings.

Abstract: A method of quenching a workpiece is provided with one or more spray quench rings that eject a controlled variable volume of spray quench onto a workpiece passing through the quench rings by dynamically adjusting the axially adjustable distance between the inner and outer ring elements of each quench ring while the workpiece passes through the quench rings in response to mass cooling requirements of the workpiece passing through the quench rings. The quench rings can also be axial adjusted relative to each other in response to the mass cooling requirements. Dynamically adjustable reflected spray guards can be provided to prevent quench spray pattern interference between adjacent quench rings.

Abstract: An impeder for use in an electric induction welding process is provided. A cooling medium is circulated centrally through the impeder's magnetic material with the impeder entry and exit passages for the cooling medium located on opposite sides of the impeder.

Abstract: A spray quench system is provided with one or more spray quench rings that eject a controlled volume of quenchant spray onto a workpiece passing through the quench rings. Supply of the quenchant to the quench rings is coordinated with control of the quench rings to selectively change the pressure, quenchant spray exit velocity from the quench rings, flow rate or pattern of the quenchant spray onto the workpiece depending upon mass cooling requirements as the workpiece passes through the quench rings.

Abstract: A method of quenching a workpiece is provided with one or more spray quench rings that eject a controlled variable volume of spray quench onto a workpiece passing through the quench rings by dynamically adjusting the axially adjustable distance between the inner and outer ring elements of each quench ring while the workpiece passes through the quench rings in response to mass cooling requirements of the workpiece passing through the quench rings. The quench rings can also be axial adjusted relative to each other in response to the mass cooling requirements. Dynamically adjustable reflected spray guards can be provided to prevent quench spray pattern interference between adjacent quench rings.

Abstract: A method for setting the operating frequency of a forge welding machine for a preferred width of the of the heat affected zone during a forge weld. A computer program executes a self-tuning routine to determine the operating frequency in response to an inputted value of a preferred width of the heat affected zone. The operating power setting for the forge welding machine may also be determined in combination with the operating frequency in response to an inputted value of weld temperature.

Abstract: A spray quench system is provided with one or more spray quench rings that eject a controlled volume of spray onto a workpiece passing through the quench rings. The quench rings can be adjusted in position independently of each other relative to the workpiece being sprayed. Reflected spray guards may be provided to prevent spray interference between adjacent quench rings. The outlets of the quench rings may be adjustable in volume. A controller can be provided to optimize the distribution of quench cooling flows from the quench rings. Sets of quench rings with different diameters in each set may be provided in modular form.

Abstract: An impeder for use in an electric induction welding process is provided. Optionally the impeder does not require internal forced cooling. In embodiments using internal forced cooling a high efficiency cooling system is provided.

Abstract: An impeder for use in an electric induction welding process is provided. Optionally the impeder does not require internal forced cooling. In embodiments using internal forced cooling a high efficiency cooling system is provided.

Abstract: An impeder for use in an electric induction welding process is provided. A cooling medium is circulated centrally through the impeder's magnetic material and between the interior of the impeder's high temperature enclosure and the exterior of the magnetic material within the impeder with the impeder entry and exit passages for the cooling medium located on the same side of the impeder.

Abstract: A method for setting the operating frequency of a forge welding machine for a preferred width of the of the heat affected zone during a forge weld. A computer program executes a self-tuning routine to determine the operating frequency in response to an inputted value of a preferred width of the heat affected zone. The operating power setting for the forge welding machine may also be determined in combination with the operating frequency in response to an inputted value of weld temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for computing the parameters of a forge welding machine for the forge welding of one or more materials is provided. A computer program executes a self-tuning routine to compute the operating frequency and operating power setting for the forge welding machine in response to an inputted width of the heat affected zone and an inputted weld temperature.

Abstract: An impeder for use in an electric induction welding process is provided. Optionally the impeder does not require internal forced cooling. In embodiments using internal forced cooling a high efficiency cooling system is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for making the longitudinal temperature distribution of the bulbous end of a longitudinally oriented workpiece, such as a rail's head, generally uniform when the head has a non-uniform longitudinal temperature distribution. A combination of crown and skirt electric inductors is used to achieve the generally uniform temperature distribution by modulating the magnetic field intensity produced by current flow through one or more of the combination of crown and skirt inductors as required for the non-uniformly heated regions of the rail's head.

Abstract: A spray quench system is provided with one or more spray quench rings that eject a controlled volume of spray onto a workpiece passing through the quench rings. The quench rings can be adjusted in position independently of each other relative to the workpiece being sprayed. Reflected spray guards may be provided to prevent spray interference between adjacent quench rings. The outlets of the quench rings may be adjustable in volume. A controller can be provided to optimize the distribution of quench cooling flows from the quench rings. Sets of quench rings with different diameters in each set may be provided in modular form.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading code elements which are relieved from a container. A source of light projects normally at the code elements while the container is rotated to sequentially illuminate each of the code elements. A sensor receives light which is reflected approximately normal to the surface of the container but avoids light which is reflected from the surface of each code element at an appreciable angle relative to the normal. The intensity of the reflections from regions of said container not containing a code element are relatively large compared to reflections received from portions of the container surface containing a code element and a threshold is set therebetween.

Abstract: A glass container inspection machine includes a head assembly, a console, and a cable connecting the two. The head assembly includes a measuring oscillator and a reference oscillator the outputs of which are applied to a Phase Detector Multiplier. A fixed resistance in the output circuit of the measuring oscillator is selected so that the output of the Phase Detector Multiplier is the same no matter what the frequency of the oscillation. The oscillation and the Phase Detector Multiplier are part of a Phase Locked Loop, the amplifier portions of which are in the console. The machine is comprised of four such data channels, each of which includes a head assembly operating at a different oscillator frequency. All components that are frequency dependent are included in the head assembly while all components in the console are frequency independent. Thus the output of any of the head assemblies may be connected via the cable to any of the data channels of the console.