Abstract: Prepare an extruded polymeric foam using a foamable polymer composition that contains a polymer composition with styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, a blowing agent composition with only 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (74-78 weight-percent), carbon dioxide (13-16 weight-percent) and water (7-9 weight-percent) where the concentrations are relative to total blowing agent weight, and less than 0.5 weight-percent filler based on foamable polymer composition weight by using an extrusion foaming process with a foaming temperature of 120-125 degrees Celsius to produce a polymeric foam having a density of 29-37 kilograms per cubic meter and a vertical compressive strength in kilopascals having a magnitude exceeding 520 less than the product of the magnitude of the foam density in kilograms per cubic meter and 25.9.

Abstract: Prepare a closed-cell alkenyl aromatic polymer foam by an extrusion process using a blowing agent composition that contains at least 30 weight-percent of the chlorine-free hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent such that the foam has a density of 48 kilograms per cubic meter or less, contains more than 50 weight-percent styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer based on total polymer weight and at least eight weight-percent of a chlorine-free hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent that has a lower solubility in polystyrene than 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134).

Abstract: Provide a foamable polymer composition containing: (i) a thermoplastic polymer matrix and a blowing agent, (a) the thermoplastic polymer matrix containing a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer having a weight-averaged molecular weight in a range of 90,000 to 150,000 and polymerized acrylonitrile concentration in a range of five to twenty weight-percent relative to total polymer matrix weight; and (ii) a blowing agent containing water, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluouroethane and at least one of difluoromethane and 1,1-dilluoroethane; (b) cooling the foamable polymer composition to a foaming temperature; and (c) extruding the foamable polymer composition and allowing the blowing agent to expand the foamable polymer composition into a polymeric foam having an average vertical cell size in a range of 0.5 millimeters to 1.8 millimeters and a density in a range of 24 to 40 kilograms per cubic meter and a Normalized Roughness Quotient of 3.5 or less in a Milled Surface Test.

Abstract: Prepare an alkenyl-aromatic foam having good surface quality, high thermal insulating properties and low density using an extrusion method by expanding a foamable polymer composition of an alkenyl-aromatic polymer composition containing less than 20 weight-percent covalently bonded halogens and having a polydispersity of less than 2.5 and a water solubility greater than 0.09 moles per kilogram and 2.2 moles per kilogram or less at 130 degrees Celsius and 101 kilopascals pressure and 0.8-2 moles per kilogram of a blowing agent containing 0.4 moles per kilogram or more of a chlorine-free fluorinated blowing agents and water at a concentration of at least 0.22 moles per kilogram; wherein moles per kilogram are relative to kilograms of alkenyl-aromatic polymer. The resulting foam has a density of 64 kilograms per cubic meter or less and a thermal conductivity of 32 milliwatts per meter-Kelvin or less after 180 days.

Abstract: Prepare an extruded polymeric polymer foam containing one or more thermoplastic alkenyl-aromatic polymer and one or more filler, the one or more thermoplastic alkenyl-aromatic polymer accounting for 70 weight-percent or more of all polymer components in the polymer foam, containing less than 20 weight-percent covalently bound halogen based on halogenated polymer weight and having a water solubility at 130 degrees Celsius and 101 kilopascals that is greater than 0.09 moles per kilogram of polymer and having a plurality of cells defined therein wherein the polymer foam is closed-celled, 0.5 wt % or more filler, an average cell size of 0.15 millimeters or more, a density of less than 64 kilograms per cubic meter and a unimodal cell size distribution using a blowing agent containing water at a concentration up to the water solubility of the one or more thermoplastic alkenyl-aromatic polymer.

Abstract: Prepare a closed-cell alkenyl aromatic polymer foam by an extrusion process using a blowing agent composition that contains at least 30 weight-percent of the chlorine-free hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent such that the foam has a density of 48 kilograms per cubic meter or less, contains more than 50 weight-percent styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer based on total polymer weight and at least eight weight-percent of a chlorine-free hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent that has a lower solubility in polystyrene than 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134).

Abstract: A moving strand is provided and a size is applied to the strand. A collet is rotated to wind the strand and build a package. The strand is reciprocated with a strand reciprocator to lay the strand in a pattern on the package surface as the package rotates. The strand reciprocator is lubricated with a lubricant which is compatible with the size. There is also provided an apparatus for winding a fiber strand to build a cylindrical strand package having a radially outer surface. The apparatus includes a rotatable collet for receiving the strand to build a package. A strand reciprocator is mounted to guide the strand from edge to edge of the package and to lay the strand in a helical pattern on the package surface as the package rotates. A lubricator for atomizing a lubricant creates a fog of small airborne lubrication particles which are compatible with the size.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a cylindrical package of wound strand having a radially outer surface with first and second edges and a central portion therebetween. The apparatus includes a rotatable collet for receiving the strand and winding the strand to build a package. A guide is mounted for reciprocation from edge to edge of the package to lay the strand in a helical pattern on the package surface as the package rotates. A roller bail mounted for contacting the surface as the package is being built for holding the strand in place on the package. The roller bail is divided into separate rollers with each roller contacting the package surface at one of the edges and not contacting the package surface at the central portion.

Abstract: A self supporting, helically wound package of yarn suitable for being payed out by withdrawing the yarn without collapse of the package is disclosed. The yarn comprises a strand of individual filaments, the strand having a primary cross-sectional shape and periodic flat spots with a flat cross-sectional shape which is more elongated than the primary cross-sectional shape. The package has edge portions positioned axially at the ends of the package, and the flat spots are positioned in the edge portions of the package.

Abstract: A moving strand is provided and a size is applied to the strand. A collet is rotated to wind the strand and build a package. The strand is reciprocated with a strand reciprocator to lay the strand in a pattern on the package surface as the package rotates. The strand reciprocator is lubricated with a lubricant which is compatible with the size. There is also provided an apparatus for winding a fiber strand to build a cylindrical strand package having a radially outer surface. The apparatus includes a rotatable collet for receiving the strand to build a package. A strand reciprocator is mounted to guide the strand from edge to edge of the package and to lay the strand in a helical pattern on the package surface as the package rotates. A lubricator for atomizing a lubricant creates a fog of small airborne lubrication particles which are compatible with the size.

Abstract: A strand of individual filaments has a primary cross-sectional shape and periodic flat spots with a flat cross-sectional shape which is more elongated than the primary cross-sectional shape. The primary cross-sectional shape preferably has an aspect ratio within the range of from about 1:1 to about 6:1, and the flat cross-sectional shape preferably has an aspect ratio greater than about 6:1., with the period of the periodic flat spots being within the range of from about 0.2 to about 6 meters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making extruded, closed-cell alkenyl aromatic polymer foam structure having an average cell size of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 millimeters. The process comprises: a) heating an alkenyl aromatic polymer material having greater than 50 percent by weight alkenyl aromatic monomeric units to form a melt polymer material; b) incorporating into the melt polymer material at an elevated pressure a blowing agent comprising at least 50 percent by weight 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) based upon the total weight of the blowing agent to form a foamable gel; c) cooling the foamable gel to an optimum foaming temperature prior to extrusion through a die; and d) extruding the foamable gel through a die to form the foam structure. Further disclosed is a foamable gel capable of forming an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam structure having an average cell size of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 millimeters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making extruded, closed-cell alkenyl aromatic polymer foam structure having an average cell size of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 millimeters. The process comprises: a) heating an alkenyl aromatic polymer material having greater than 50 percent by weight alkenyl aromatic monomeric units to form a melt polymer material; b) incorporating into the melt polymer material at an elevated pressure a blowing agent comprising at least 50 percent by weight 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) based upon the total weight of the blowing agent to form a foamable gel; c) cooling the foamable gel to an optimum foaming temperature prior to extrusion through a die; and d) extruding the foamable gel through a die to form the foam structure. Further disclosed is a foamable gel capable of forming an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam structure having an average cell size of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 millimeters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making extruded, closed-cell alkenyl aromatic polymer foam structure having an average cell size of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 millimeters. The process comprises: a) heating an alkenyl aromatic polymer material having greater than 50 percent by weight alkenyl aromatic monomeric units to form a melt polymer material: b) incorporating into the melt polymer material at an elevated pressure a blowing agent comprising at least 50 percent by weight 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) based upon the total weight of the blowing agent to form a foamable gel: c) cooling the foamable gel to an optimum foaming temperature prior to extrusion through a die: and d) extruding the foamable gel through a die to form the foam structure. Further disclosed is a foamable gel capable of forming an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam structure having an average cell size of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 millimeters.

Abstract: A railway truck for a railway vehicle which has steerable axles has axle bearings supported by support pedestals. Each support pedestal is located longitudinally by a flexible bar element which aallows the pedestal sufficient vertical movement to accommodate varying load conditions and also allows rotation about a horizontal axis which is not coincident with the axle bearings but restrains horizontal movement fore and aft of the rotational axis. A steering assembly reacting to relative rotational movements between the truck and the vehicle permits pivoting of the support pedestals about the horizontal axis. The tipping of the pedestal moves the axle bearing in the fore and aft direction which effectively rotates the axle about a vertical axis so as to guide the axle of the railway truck into radial alignment with respect to a curved track. The structure has the effect of an "inverted" pendulum, that is a pendulum with negative restoring force.

Abstract: A package winder for a plurality of multiple-filament strands or bundles includes a fixed strand shoe for forming strands, a movable strand shoe for separating the strands into an array of distinctly spaced and oriented bundles and a strand array guide which reciprocates along an axis parallel to the axis of a rotating collet. The guide includes an obliquiely oriented slot which maintains the arrangement of the strands of filaments as they are wound onto the collet. A pair of obliquely oriented parallel guide pins are disposed proximate the transverse limits of the reciprocating guide. The pins engage one or more of the strands, limiting the axial width of the package and greatly improving the edges of the package. The movable strand shoe, strand array guide and pins may be utilized in pairs to produce a pair of packages on a single elongated collet.

Abstract: A flexible drive coupling for transmitting rotational forces between respective flanges of a driving shaft and a driven shaft. The flexible drive coupling has, in a substantially planar circular configuration, a number of wedges. The wedges have respective end faces facing the adjacent wedges and connected thereto by flexible elements. Alternate wedges attach respectively to the flanges of the driving and driven shafts. The flexible elements consist of a link between two end plates. The mating faces of the link and the end plates are curved so that they co-operate one with the other. An elastomeric filler occupies the space between the curved surfaces of the end plates and the links permitting each end plate to pivot with respect to the link by deforming the elastomeric filler. The end faces of the wedges and, the corresponding faces of the end plates of the flexible elements which face them, have co-operating tabs and recesses to prevent relative radial and axial movement.

Abstract: This invention applies the linkage connected between the interaxle yokes of a truck and a railroad vehicle car body so as to create radially steered alignment of wheelsets on circular curves without reference to the truck frame. Forces exchanged between the wheelsets and the car body are essentially longitudinal and no significant lateral forces are created on the truck frame or car body from the steering action. The steering linkage utilizes the longitudinal component of relative motion of a point on the car body with reference to the vehicle truck to cause relative pivotal movement of the interaxle yokes thereby guiding the wheelsets to a radial alignment. Radial alignment is achieved by suitable proportioning of the links of the mechanism.

Abstract: A crystalline modification, designated ".beta.", of the dye of the structure ##STR1## The .beta.-crystalline modification of the dye is easier to isolate from water and gives filter cakes of higher solids and color content. The .beta.-form is also more suitable for making liquid formulations of the dye; the liquid formulations of the crystalline modification have lower viscosity and better dispersion stability than liquid formulations of non-modified form. The .beta.-modification of the dye is obtained by heating an aqueous slurry of the dye at about 90.degree.-95.degree. C. and pH of 8.5 to 9.5 until the modification is complete. The crystalline modification of the dye gives Debye-Scherrer X-ray diffraction patterns substantially different from the non-modified form.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle has two body portions which are pivotally connected and supported on a frame. First and second wheelsets are pivotally mounted to and support the frame. The third and fourth wheelsets are provided for supporting the other ends of the first and second body portions, remote from the frame. A steering arrangement comprising a detecting device and a guiding device are provided, which can be in the form of a mechanical linkage. The first detecting device detects changes in the angle between the frame and the first body portion, while a second detecting device detects changes in the angle between the frame and the second body portion. Corresponding first and second guide devices respond to the detected angles; the first guide device guides the first and third wheelsets to radial alignment, while the second guide device guides the second and fourth wheelsets to a radial alignment.