Abstract: A catalytic reactor constructed of a thermally conductive housing defining a reaction zone having disposed therein: (a) a plurality of catalytic elements, each comprising a porous material having a catalyst supported thereon, and (b) a plurality of heat transfer elements, each comprising a porous, thermally conductive, and essentially catalytically inactive material; wherein the plurality of catalytic elements and the plurality of heat transfer elements are disposed in an alternating configuration within the reaction zone. The catalytic reactor is useful in chemical reactions where heat transfer is a rate limiting step.

Abstract: The present invention is a retainer and a method of manufacture therefor that can incorporate the ability to condition the flow of a fluid therethrough. The retainer defines an bearing surface for buttressing an element having a fluid flowing therethrough. The retainer is comprised of a plurality of members that if given the proper aspect ratio can condition the flow of a fluid.

Abstract: An expanded metal with an aerodynamic cross-section for use in high velocity fluid flows to decrease pressure drop. The expanded metal has a rhomboid cross-section with the acute angle of oriented into the flow. Also disclosed is a method of making the expanded metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for supplying extra-long lengths of continuous metal strip material to metal processing and/or manufacturing equipment. The device has a central member adapted to receive a plurality of coils of strip material and free to rotate about its longitudinal axis and a plurality of retractable spacing elements for separating adjacent coils of material without interfering with the material feed operation. To insure a supply of material sufficient to enable operation of the equipment for long periods of time, the coils stacked on the central member are interconnected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for fabricating optical fiber cables having improved hermeticity. The optical fiber cables are formed by first reducing the water content of the buffer material surrounding each optical fiber. Thereafter, the dried optical fiber(s) are encapsulated into a metal or metal alloy tube. After fiber encapsulation, the tube may be sealed to prevent the ingress of moisture and/or water from the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fabricating an optical fiber cable assembly without significantly increasing the light attenuation in the optical fiber or fibers is described. An optical fiber assembly formed in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one optical fiber encapsulated within a metal or metal alloy tube. The tube is preferably formed using a draw forming technique of pulling a metal or metal alloy tape through at least one forming die. To compensate for the compressional strain induced in the fiber or fibers by tube springback upon relaxation of the pull force and to minimize increased light attenuation in the fiber or fiber, a back tension is imparted to each optical fiber during cable assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the back tension is imparted to each fiber by an accumulator about which the optical fiber is wound.

Abstract: An alloy system which exhibits improved resistance to stress relaxation at elevated temperatures utilizes additions of silicon or tin or mixtures of silicon and tin to a copper-zinc base to attain the stress relaxation performance. The composition and processing of this alloy system maintains at least 90% by weight alpha-phase within the alloy.

Abstract: A copper base alloy having improved stress relaxation resistance consisting essentially of about 10.0 to 31% zinc; about 1.0 to 5.0% aluminum; about 0.1 to 3.0% cobalt; about 0.5 to 8% manganese; and the balance essentially copper.

Abstract: A copper base alloy having improved stress relaxation resistance consisting essentially of: about 15.0 to 31% zinc; about 1.0 to 5.0% aluminum; about 0.1 to less than 1.0% nickel; about 1.1 to 8% manganese; and the balance essentially copper.

Abstract: A copper base alloy having improved stress relaxation resistance consisting essentially of: about 15.0 to 31% zinc; about 1.0 to 5.0% aluminum; about 1.1 to 8% manganese; and the balance copper.

Abstract: A copper base alloy having improved stress relaxation resistance consisting essentially of: about 15.0 to 31% zinc; about 1.0 to 5.0% aluminum; about 0.1 to less than 1% iron; about 1.1 to 8% manganese; and the balance essentially copper.

Abstract: An alloy system which exhibits improved resistance to stress relaxation at elevated temperatures utilizes additions of magnesium plus aluminum to a copper-zinc base to attain the stress relaxation performance. Processing of this alloy system should be performed so as to maintain at least 90% by weight alpha-phase within the alloy.

Abstract: An alloy system which exhibits improved resistance to stress relaxation at elevated temperatures utilizes additions of tin or silicon, or mixtures of each of these elements, along with magnesium or magnesium plus aluminum to a copper-zinc base to attain the stress relaxation performance. The composition and processing of this alloy system maintains at least 90% by weight alpha-phase within the alloy.

Abstract: An alloy system which exhibits improved resistance to stress relaxation at elevated temperatures utilizes additions of silicon or tin or mixtures of silicon and tin to a copper-zinc base to attain the stress relaxation performance. The composition and processing of this alloy system maintains at least 90% by weight alpha-phase within the alloy.

Abstract: The improved machinability of standard Alloy 688 and modified 688 is achieved through the addition of lead to the alloy. This machinability improvement in Alloy 688 is not achieved at the detriment of the well-known strength of Alloy 688.

Abstract: The improved high temperature softening resistance of Alloy 688 and modified 688 is obtained by the addition of niobium to the alloys. These particular alloy systems not only exhibit resistance to high temperature softening, but also exhibit improved stress corrosion and stress relaxation resistance properties. All of these properties are attained without any loss in the high strength properties of the base alloy systems.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the production of multiple gauge metal strip is disclosed wherein the metal strip is drawn over an arced surface under a shaving tool apparatus whereby the arced surface provides effective hold-down of the metal strip thereby allowing a greater volume removal of material per pass. The present invention contemplates an improved apparatus for holding the shaving tool's position with respect to the arced surface and the strip.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for supporting the shaving tool in an adjustable tool holder for use in the production of multiple gauge strip is disclosed wherein the adjustable tool holder is vertically positioned on gauge blocks and thereby rigidly supported against the strip to be shaved by applying a vertical load on the adjustable tool holder.

Abstract: Multiple gauge metal strip is prepared by a process which comprises first shaving said strip by a process comprising drawing said strip through a shaving apparatus adjusted to achieve maximum stock removal in relation to the yield strength of said strip whereby said yield strength is not exceeded whereby surface reduction is confined to an area comprising 5 to 50% of total surface area and volume reduction ranges from 10 to 60% of initial strip cross sectional area, and drawing the strip through a die which defines the desired final cross sectional configuration to produce a reduction of said strip to final dimension, wherein said drawing is performed without direct surface-to-surface contact between said strip and said die.

Abstract: Multiple gauge metal strip is prepared by a process which comprises shaping strip material of rectangular cross section to form regions of at least two variable thicknesses defining a stepped surface configuration in at least one of the broad surfaces of said strip, and drawing the shaped strip through a die which defines said cross sectional configuration to produce a reduction of said strip to final dimension, wherein said drawing step is performed without direct surface-to-surface contact between said strip and said die, such that the width dimension of said strip is unchanged and the ratio of strip surface to strip cross sectional area changes by at least 30%. The drawing method of this invention employs hydrodynamic lubrication and can achieve one-pass cross sectional reductions of from 39 to 55%.