Abstract: A sound-deadening laminate, comprising a structural skin having a first face; and a layer of sound-deadening material, wherein the material has an equivalent Young's Modulus between 50 and 600 psi and is attached to the first face of the structural skin to form a laminate structure. The sound deadening laminate may be attached to framing members of a building.

Abstract: Building component assemblies include a sound-deadening board having defined compressional stiffness positioned between a framing member and an assembly board.

Abstract: The invention provides a cast iron alloy comprising 3.0-3.8% carbon, 06-25% silicon, 0.2-0.65% manganese, 0.01-0.1% tin, <0.025% sulfur, 0.001-0.020% magnesium, 0.1-1.2% copper, 0.04-0.2% chromium, and balance up to 100% of iron and incidental impurities. The matrix structure is a continously variable ferrite/pearlite mixture and the content of carbides is less than 1%. The graphite shape of the alloy is 1 50% flake graphite, 50-99% compacted graphite and at most 10% spheroidal graphite. Such an alloy is easier to machine and less prone to shrinkage than an ordinary compacted graphite cast iron.

Abstract: Building component assemblies include a sound-deadening board having defined compressional stiffness positioned between a framing member and an assembly board.

Abstract: The invention provides a cast iron alloy comprising 3.0-3.8% carbon, 06-25% silicon, 0.2-0.65% manganese, 0.01-0.1% tin, <0.025% sulfur, 0.001-0.020% magnesium, 0.1-1.2% copper, 0.04-0.2% chromium, and balance up to 100% of iron and incidental impurities. The matrix structure is a continously variable ferrite/pearlite mixture and the content of carbides is less than 1%. The graphite shape of the alloy is 1 50% flake graphite, 50-99% compacted graphite and at most 10% spheroidal graphite. Such an alloy is easier to machine and less prone to shrinkage than an ordinary compacted graphite cast iron.

Abstract: A sound-deadening laminate, comprising a structural skin having a first face; and a layer of sound-deadening material, wherein the material has an equivalent Young's Modulus between 50 and 600 psi and is attached to the first face of the structural skin to form a laminate structure. The sound deadening laminate may be attached to framing members of a building.

Abstract: A telescoping hydraulic hoist formed from a non-corrosive material provides bearings and hydraulic seals about the bottom portion of each intermediate moving stage. The bearings and hydraulic seals are thus always maintained within the hoist and are not exposed to dust or particulate matter from outside the hoist. Air flows into and out of the air spaces between adjacent stages through air breathers. The hoist may also include variable length stroke limiters, and a cushion member which partially closes off the hydraulic inlet as the innermost stage is fully retracted to slow the hoist motion in the final stages of retraction.

Abstract: The surface tension of a sample quantity of molten iron from a batch of molten iron is determined and compared with the surface tension of the sample with the surface tensions of batches of molten iron that are known to solidify as respective different forms of cast iron. The surface tension of the molten iron sample is determined by adding the sample to a sample cup, submerging a device for introducing a noble gas into the molten iron of the sample, positioning a piezoelectric transducer at the bottom of the sample cup, administrating the noble gas at a constant rate through the device, measuring the temperature of the sample, and monitoring vibrations in the molten iron of the sample by recording signals from the transducer.