Abstract: An elongate support member of the type generally used to span a pair of horizontally spaced supports is stiffened by pivotally attaching thereto at spaced points along its length at least two posts which extend in the same general direction and generally transverse to the length of the support member, and by pivotally attaching tension members or ties to a point at or near each end of said member and the free end of the nearer post and from at or near the free end of a post to the pivotal connection of the next adjacent post to the member, whereby the tension members or ties cross each other between adjacent posts. This form of stiffening allows bending moments and deflections arising as the result of loads applied to the member to be reduced and rendered positive.

Abstract: The log-type building construction includes a pair of walls which are angularly disposed relative to one another, each wall including a plurality of logs positioned one on top of the other with the walls being in interlocking relation with one another in a vertically disposed interlocked region. The logs of one wall are in interleaved or interlaced relationship with the logs of the other wall along the interlock region. In accordance with the invention the logs of each wall have an obliquely disposed mortise therein adjacent the interlock region and locking means disposed in the mortises to secure the logs of said one wall to the logs of the other wall.

Abstract: A formed sheet metal stud having a flange on the opposite side of the wall from that which is exposed to a fire, which flange is formed by a double thickness of the sheet metal which is loosely folded, leaving a finite space between the two thicknesses to function as a chimney, providing a cooling effect on portions of the stud adjacent the highest temperatures of the fire. Small holes are formed in the outer face of the loosely folded flange to permit cooler air from the unexposed side of the stud to enter the void within the loosely folded flange, where the air rises and cools the stud, and/or they permit heated air rising within the void to escape.

Abstract: A wall-mounted structure includes a support which removably holds an inner decorative panel having displays on opposite sides. The inner panel is secured to the support by a mounting means which permits the reversal of the panel to expose either side. A frame is provided with a second mounting means to hold a series of outer decorative panels which can partially or totally conceal the inner panel from view. Each decorative panel is changeable and reversible.

Abstract: A method of straightening and reinforcing a structural member having first and second block members, each of the block members having a passage therethrough aligned with the passage of the other block member and each of the first and second block members having an inner wall displaying a face comprising a part of a surface of the structural member. The method includes the steps of exerting a force against the structural member surface whereby the structural member is moved into a straightened position, removing a section of the inner wall of one of said block members whereby an opening is formed from the structural member surface into the passage of the one block member, placing a reinforcing member in each of the block member passages, connecting the reinforcing members and securing the reinforcing members to the block members by placing grout material within the passages of the first and second block members.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking each preassigned number of coins and packaging the coin stack with a wrapper strip. A selector plate is pivotally mounted at one of two exit openings of a discharge chute for the selective discharge of the proper coin packages and stray coins that may be produced during the transportation of each coin stack from stacking station to packaging station and during the subsequent packaging operation. The selector plate is pivotable between a first position for the discharge of the proper packages into one receptacle under one of the chute exit openings and a second position for the discharge of the stray coins into another receptacle under the other exit opening. The pivotal motion of the selector plate is electrically controlled in such a way that the selector plate is held in the second position at least during the time from the completion of each stacking operation to the completion of the packaging of the coin stack.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of automatically forming packages of materials or goods such as milk packages from flexible film and to the novel packages produced thereby. The roll stock film is passed over a forming shoulder to give it a tubular shape and the opposite edges are joined by a sealing bar to form a tubular portion. The milk pouches or other material to be packaged are then dropped into the tubular portion which has previously been laterally sealed across the bottom. The weight of the pouches draws the film down between a pair of reciprocating cutting and sealing jaws when they are opened until the pouches come to rest upon a pivotal support member. The jaws are then closed to form two lateral seals, i.e. one for that package and one for the next package, and a lateral cut separates the packages. The package thus formed may also have an upper handle portion.

Abstract: At the content extraction location radiant energy is transmitted through the spread-open envelope. Change in this transmitted energy due to content extraction is sensed and activates removal of the envelope from the extraction location.

Abstract: Individual separated pouches are supplied to the inlet station of an endless continuously-moving carrier provided with adjustable pouch-supporting mechanisms at uniform intervals therealong. Each mechanism supports the pouch adjacent the opposite upper corners thereof. The pouch is moved past an opening station which fully opens the pouch mouth. The pouches are continuously moved through a filling station having plural material-guiding funnels which are rotatably supported and move at the same speed as the pouches when positioned thereover. A control mechanism, synchronized with the pouch carrier, lowers opposed spring-urged fingers into the pouch mouth to center same under the funnel and securely hold same open. Thereafter the guide funnel is lowered into the open mouth and material is deposited through the funnel into the pouch. The funnel and fingers are then raised out of the pouch.

Abstract: The unpredictability of the actual characteristics of spurious sounds has resulted in the use of electronic filtering or comparator circuits being less than satisfactory in certain cases, such as for distinguishing between machinery sounds and foreign objects in the machinery. An acoustically based stone detector is provided for use on a field harvesting machine. A piezoelectric acoustic detector is attached to the central support web of a feed roll within the frame of the harvester, and a rotating transformer is used to transmit the signal from the feed roll to the frame. The air core rotating transformer is built with one coil rotating with the feed roll and the other coil stationary on the frame. Electronic circuitry is used to process the signal and control the harvester action to protect the cutter blades from damage by detected stones, either by stopping the machine or mechanically ejecting the stones.

Abstract: A tobacco harvesting machine is shown for use in automatically impaling the stalks of standing tobacco plants onto a tobacco stick that is fixed on the machine in a horizontal position. The machine is a wheeled platform that supports a pair of parallel, rotating augers on which a tobacco stick is positioned in a horizontal, fixed position. The front end of the platform is provided with a wide, inwardly-tapered cutout channel that is aligned with the tobacco stick. There is a swinging pair of knife blades supported from the platform that move between a first inoperative position and a second operative position for forming a wide gap in the stalk of a tobacco plant so that the stick may be forced through the gap. The augers serve to force the stalk of the tobacco plant rearwardly on the tobacco stick. Moreover, there is an automatic cutting means for severing the stalk from the ground after the plant is positioned on the tobacco stick.

Abstract: Our transfer mechanism is attached to the front of a conventional combine. The transfer mechanism includes a number of longitudinally spaced rows of laterally spaced curved teeth or tines that move rearwardly and upwardly so that the tines of each row successively engage a growing or standing crop, such as pinto beans or field peas, lifting the crop sufficiently so that the cutter bar of the combine effectively severs the crop adjacent the surface of the ground. Continued rearward and upward movement of the tines, while still engaging the severed crop, transfers the crop to a more elevated location adjacent the auger. When the tines reach the auger, the shaft on which those particular tines are mounted is angularly rotated so as to release or dump the severed crop onto a curved floor beneath the auger. The auger moves the cut crop laterally and then rearwardly into the threshing portion of the combine.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with threading-in textile materials, such as a yarn, a roving or similar textile or filamentary material, into an enclosed duct or the like. The threading-in of the textile material is accomplished by manually operating a manual apparatus which functions as a pump. In this way there can be avoided the use of expensive and complicated devices presently provided for threading-in textile materials as is known. The invention is astonishingly simple, the manual apparatus is easy and convenient to use, readily transportable and its cost is exceedingly modest.

Abstract: A quick-coupling link to be utilized in conjunction with an identical link has a slot in one of the longitudinal side portions of the link. A tab extends from the opposite longitudinal side portion to adjacent the slot. The tab spans the width of the slot. When a pair of identical links are joined, the tabs prevent the links from accidentally being uncoupled as the slots cannot be brought into disengaging alignment without bending the flexible tab away from the entry to the slot.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling water level of a drum of a heat recovery steam generator for a combined cycle power plant is provided. The combined cycle power plant includes gas and steam turbines and the steam generator for recovering heat in exhaust gases from the gas turbine and for using the recovered heat to produce and supply steam to the steam turbine. At a start up operation, the water level of the drum is lowered in advance to the plant start up operation so that abrupt rise of the water level due to swelling phenomenon of the boiler water which may result in heat losses by damping water out of the plant is prevented. Also, a gas turbine load increase is maintained at a constant level during a period in which the abrupt water level rise is expected so that the swelling phenomenon is avoided.

Abstract: An air proportioner is provided for a liquid hydrocarbon fueled gas turbine of the type which is convertible to oil gas fuel and to coal gas fuel. The turbine includes a shell for enclosing the turbine, an air duct for venting air in said shell to a gasifier, and a fuel injector for injecting gasified fuel into the turbine. The air proportioner comprises a second air duct for venting air from the air duct for mixing with fuel from the gasifier. The air can be directly injected into the gas combustion basket along with the fuel from the injector or premixed with fuel from the gasifier prior to injection by the fuel injector.

Abstract: In a combined cycle power plant having one or more combustion turbines and a steam turbine, a dry catalytic NOx removal module is disposed in each of the turbine exhaust stacks. A waste heat exchanger system includes an economizer coil and a pair of high pressure evaporator coils on upstream and downstream sides of the NOx removal module to generate steam for injection into the turbine combustors and for delivery to a superheater coil upstream from the upstream evaporator coil. A bypass stack across the upstream evaporator coil is damper controlled to regulate the exhaust gas temperature at the entry to the NOx removal module. A downstream low pressure evaporator coil generates steam for induction into the low pressure section of the steam turbine. Superheated steam is supplied to the high pressure section of the steam turbine.

Abstract: In a single cycle combustion turbine power plant, a dry catalytic NOx removal module is disposed in the turbine exhaust stack. A waste heat exchanger system includes an economizer coil and a pair of evaporator coils on upstream and downstream sides of the NO.sub.x removal module to generate steam for injection into the turbine combustors. Bypass stacks across the coils are damper controlled to regulate the exhaust gas temperature at the entry to the NOx removal module. The compressor inlet guide vanes are closed to increase exhaust gas temperature as required after the upstream evaporator bypass flow reaches zero and no longer controls gas temperature. If the inlet guide vanes reach the fully closed position, reductant injection flow is shut off to terminate the NOx removal process under low exhaust gas temperature conditions. A plant afterburner is operated to add heat to the exhaust gas if gas temperature is too low.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a catalyst chamber containing a catalyst composition for the catalytic conversion of harmful substances contained in the exhaust gases wherein the interior wall of the exhaust pipe connecting the engine with the catalyst chamber is provided with a catalytically active coating for at least a portion of its length.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster (10) includes a spring-balanced control valve (42) communicating pressurized fluid to a pressure chamber (14) in response to an operator input. The magnitude of the fluid pressure communicated to the pressure chamber (14) is a function of the balance of spring forces applied to the control valve (42) by a pair of opposed springs (50, 82). An adjustable assembly (92) engages one of the opposed springs (50, 82) so that the balance of spring forces applied to the control valve (42) may be adjusted to limit to a safe level the maximum fluid pressure communicable to the pressure chamber (14). The adjustable assembly (92) includes a pair of relatively-rotatable members (106, 108) which each define oblique cam surfaces (122, 124) engaging the other member. One of the members (106) engages one of the opposed springs (50, 82). The other member (108) includes an elongate stem (118) terminating in an end (120) external of the booster housing (12).

Abstract: A valve comprises a diaphragm and a diaphragm housing with a cover plate peripherally sealed against the diaphragm. The cover plate has a pressure port communicating therethrough for receiving a pressurized fluid. A reciprocable member contacts a side of the diaphragm opposite the cover plate and is reciprocable towards and away from the cover plate. A valve body carries the reciprocable member and has a valve seat and a discharge port therein. A valve closure member is carried by the diaphragm housing. Springs resiliently bias the valve body towards the diaphragm housing so the valve seat is normally in sealing engagement with the valve closure member. The valve closure member is movable away from the valve seat, to permit a fluid to pass between the closure member and the valve seat and out of the discharge port, when the pressure of a fluid from the pressure port against the diaphragm and the pressure of fluid on the closure member are sufficient to deflect the springs.

Abstract: An internal combustion reciprocating engine includes an intake gas conduit system for supplying each engine cylinder with intake gas. Maximum four engine cylinders whose suction cycles are in a substantially non-overlapping relationship with one another form a cylinder group. The intake gas conduit system has a feed resonator vessel communicating with the intake opening of each cylinder of the cylinder group, a dampening vessel having an intake gas inlet opening and a feed resonance tube maintaining communication between the feed resonator vessel and the dampening vessel. The feed resonator vessel and the feed resonance tube form a first oscillating system in which intake gas oscillations are generated by the effect of periodic suction cycles of the cylinders forming the cylinder group. The intake gas conduit system further has a closed resonator vessel and an equalizing resonance tube maintaining communication between the dampening vessel and the closed resonator vessel.

Abstract: Thermodynamic unit comprised of a pair of vessels which alternately raise and lower pressure in thermodynamic fluid is connected in a closed system to an engine, which utilizes the fluid in its gas phase, with the vessel raising pressure having a gas outlet connected to the engine and with exhaust therefrom being connected to the vessel lowering the fluid pressure. The vessels are alternately heated and cooled so that each alternately acts as a fluid pressure raising and lowering vessel, and each operates at the function opposite from the other vessel. Heat for the pressure raising vessel is any conventional terrestrially available heat source such as nuclear, geothermal, waste heat, electrical, solar, fossil fuel, and the like. The pressure lowering vessel delivers its heat to any conventional terrestrial sink. The gas engine is preferably a turbine, but may be another conventional gas-expanding engine.

Abstract: A side stream type condenser which has a first hot well for condensing steam exhausted from a turbine and storing the condensed water and a second hot well for storing the purified condensed water to prepare for water feed to a main system includes a partition plate for defining the two hot wells. The partition plate is formed with a weir portion so that part of the condensed water in the second hot well may overflow to keep a fixed water level. The weir portion is constructed in the shape of a labyrinth and is formed with a passage normally filled up with the condensed water, and a space in the upper part of the second hot well communicates with the upper space of the first hot well through this passage only. The condensed water in the first hot well is fed to a purifying system disposed outside, and is purified therein.

Abstract: A method for storing excess energy produced by an electric utility during low energy demand periods, utilizing a closed system with a gaseous fluid as the energy storage medium and turbine working fluid. The fluid medium is stored at low pressure in an underground cavern which is located near a commercial electric utility system. During low energy demand periods, electrical output from the utility is channeled to the subject invention for conversion to potential energy, stored in the form of pressurized fluid in a second, high pressure cavern. This fluid transfer is accomplished by a compressor powered by excess electric output of the utility. During peak periods of power demand, a stream of the pressurized fluid is heated and expanded through a turbine/generator combination to generate electrical output. This electrical power is then used to supplement the utility output to meet the higher level of energy requirement arising during peak demand periods.

Abstract: A fluidic turbine control system provided to interrelate and control first and second turbine operating conditions, has fluidic computing means operable to proportionally combine fluidic input signals which are representative of the differences, if any, between the actual and desired values of said first and second turbine operating conditions and provide therefrom first and second fluidic control signals for control of said first and second turbine operating conditions. In the preferred form the fluidic turbine control systems as applied to a Steam Turbine and extraction pressure to control turbine operation as a function of the extraction pressure and extraction pressure as a function of the turbine operation.

Abstract: A solution to the problem of excessive rotation loss heating in a bypass steam turbine has been provided by the introduction of a reverse flow of steam to the high-pressure section of the turbine during those operating periods in which such heating is of concern. The present invention is directed to a control system for automatically selecting either the forward or reverse steam flow regime as is most appropriate, depending on turbine and other related operating conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the control system includes means for selecting either a forward or reverse flow control signal to govern the steam admission control valves; means for controlling the reverse flow valve and having decisional logic for determining whether the reverse flow valve shall be open or closed; and means for controlling the ventilator valve and having decisional logic for determining whether the ventilator valve shall be open or closed.

Abstract: A direct contact type multi-stage steam condenser system having a direct contact type high vacuum stage steam condenser disposed above a low vacuum stage steam condenser with a water supplying tank for the low vacuum stage condenser disposed therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, the high and low vacuum stage condensers and the water supplying tank are formed integrally as a single unit. The water supplying tank, which also serves as a gas-tight seal between the condenser stages, is formed above a water sprinkling board provided in the upper portion of the low vacuum stage condenser. Condensed water falls under its own weight thereby eliminating the need for an intermediate pressurizing pumps.

Abstract: A heat transfer device is described that can be operated as a heat pump or refrigerator, which utilizes a working fluid that is continuously in a liquid state and which has a high temperature-coefficient of expansion near room temperature, to provide a compact and high efficiency heat transfer device for relatively small temperature differences as are encountered in heating or cooling rooms or the like. The heat transfer device includes a pair of heat exchangers that may be coupled respectively to the outdoor and indoor environments, a regenerator connecting the two heat exchangers, a displacer that can move the liquid working fluid through the heat exchangers via the regenerator, and a means for alternately increasing and decreasing the pressure of the working fluid. The liquid working fluid enables efficient heat transfer in a compact unit, and leads to an explosion-proof smooth and quiet machine characteristic of hydraulics.

Abstract: The jacket-like precooler embraces the condensing unit of a residential air conditioning system to position porous fill media of the jacket in upstream airflow relationship to air inlets of the unit. A water discharge manifold along the upper extent of the media may be connected to an outdoor spigot, and a pump situated in a reservoir at the base of the jacket, when plugged into an outdoor electrical outlet, is operable to recirculate water to the manifold after gravitating through the media and precooling ambient air drawn transversely into the unit. A float valve prevents makeup water supplied by the spigot from entering the system when the reservoir is filled to a certain depth, and actuation of the pump is withheld until the ambient air exceeds a certain predetermined temperature. Moreover, the pump is only actuated when the condensing unit itself is in operation as determined by a pressure sensitive device situated within the stream of air drawn into the unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a resonant piston compressor of the type comprising an electrodynamic linear reciprocating motor adapted to be driven cyclically by an alternating current power source and having at least one piston coupled to and adapted to be driven within a selectively valved working cylinder by the linear reciprocating motor in synchronism with the frequency of the alternating current power source. Enclosed volumes of gas act as resilient gas springs coacting with the piston and with the linear reciprocating motor to form a mechanical resonant system having a resonant frequency substantially centered on the frequency of the alternating current power source. A midstroke porting arrangement is responsive to the position of the resonant piston for selectively communicating a gas spring control valve with said gas springs.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system of the type which can provide either cooling or heating includes a pressure regulating valve 42 controlling hot gas to the evaporator during a heating cycle and operable to prevent an excessive suction pressure, and a pressure regulating valve 74 between the two outlet sides of a three-way valve and operable to pass refrigerant from the hot gas line 34 to the condenser 30 when the hot gas pressure is excessive, the arrangement limiting the values of both the evaporator suction pressure and the hot gas discharge pressure to prevent overloading in heating and defrost operations.

Abstract: In this vacuum apparatus with a vacuum chamber and a vapor condenser installed therein, a refrigerant and a brine are supplied into said vapor condenser to thereby effect heat exchanges between both mediums and between both or either one of said mediums and a vapor to be generated.

Abstract: Refrigerator having a large volume refrigeration chamber cooled by natural convection, including a defrostable finned evaporator disposed in upright position in the chamber, the evaporator being subdivided into at least two sections connected together in series in a refrigerant flow path, a view shield serving as an air baffle disposed in front of the evaporator, and a substantially horizontally disposed partition occupying substantially the entire usable cross sectional area of the chamber, the partition having an edge extended between the sections of the evaporator.

Abstract: A refrigerant evaporator in a refrigerating cycle, especially in an automotive air conditioner of the type comprising a flat tube which is provided with refrigerant passages therein and formed to weave up and down, and a plurality of corrugated fin units each of which is interposed between the adjacent upright portions of the flat tube and fixed thereto so as to enhance heat exchange between refrigerant flowing within the flat tube and air flowing horizontally between the upright portions. In the evaporator of the above type, in order to prevent the water condensed over the surfaces of the flat tube and the corrugated fin units from being entrained by air into the compartment of the automobile, the portion of the flat tube on the downstream side of air flow is spaced apart from each corrugated fin unit to provide a non-contact space therebetween so as to force the condensed water to drop through the non-contact space.

Abstract: Decorative devices for pierced ears having two decorative sides and interchangable"add on" decorative parts is disclosed. The decorative ear devices "or earrings" of this invention are primarily for use for "show" animals such as dogs, cats and horses, but could also be used by humans. The "earrings" of this invention are for use for pierced ears and comprise a first decorative end having a permanently attached shaft. A first protective washer fits over the shaft and against the first decorative end. The shaft is made of a material suitable for passing through a pierced ear of an animal, such as for example, a poodle and preferably includes a male thread on the end thereof. A second protective washer is placed around the shaft after it is passed through the pierced ear. A second decorative end is secured to the end of the shaft, thereby also securing the earring to the pierced ear. For an earring having a threaded shaft, the second decorative end includes a snug fitting female thread.

Abstract: An adjustable torsion-spring slipping clutch, especially useful for tape recorders, having first and second coaxial clutch sections which are rotatable about an axis of rotation. The second clutch section includes a sleeve which has a substantially circular cylindrical shape and is adjustable in diameter. A coaxially arranged cylindrical helical torsion spring is connected to one end to the first clutch section and its turns are wrapped around the sleeve, adjustment of sleeve diameter determining the torque to be transmitted between the clutch sections.

Abstract: The knitting machine is provided with a yarn tension indicator for continuously monitoring the tension of an elastomeric yarn being withdrawn from a yarn supply source and fed to the needles of the circular knitting machine and for providing a constant visual indication to the machine operator of the tension in the running yarn. The yarn tension indicator includes a base plate and a pointer lever supported in a substantially horizontal position and for pivotal movement on the base plate. Fixed guides are provided for directing the yarn through a movable yarn guide supported for longitudinal adjustment on the pointer lever to urge the same in an upward direction. Weights are supported for longitudinal adjustment on the pointer lever for urging the pointer lever in a downward direction so that when the tension in the running yarn is proper, the pointer lever maintains a horizontal position which may be easily observed by the knitting machine operator.

Abstract: The knitting machine is provided with latch detector means including primary and secondary sensor means for detecting a latch improperly positioned in a closed position and for signaling when such a condition occurs. A trigger lever (30) having a free inner end (31) is normally positioned in an operative latch detecting position (FIG. 3) immediately below the path of travel of the hooked upper ends (10) of the needles N so that a latch (11) in the proper open position will not engage and trip the trigger lever (30) while a latch (11) in an improper closed position will engage and trip the trigger lever (30). A tension spring (45) is provided to immediately move the trigger lever (30) to the inoperative position (FIG. 4) with the inner free end (31) outwardly and away from the path of travel of the needles N upon being engaged by a latch in an improper closed position.

Abstract: Weft double knitted fabric has a looped structure with some knitted loops drawn in one direction and other knitted loops drawn in an opposite direction. Yarns of some courses are drawn into knitted loops in both directions to form knit stitches on both faces of the fabric. Yarns of other courses are drawn into knitted loops in a first direction only to form knit stitches on one face only of the fabric. Yarns of still other courses are drawn into knitted loops in the second direction only to form knitted stitches on the other face only of the fabric. An inlay yarn is formed exclusively into tuck stitches extending in both directions, with different yarns drawn through the tuck stitches to form knit stitches on opposite faces of the fabric.

Abstract: A fluid-actuated locking device for the doors of dwellings or offices or for armored doors having a plurality of tubes for the flow of a fluid supplied from a reservoir, which fluid may either be pressurized to operate a lock or may flow back through the tubes after the release of the pressure so as to allow the locking of the door; a presettable combination is provided to predetermine whether fluid will flow through the tubes thus allowing operation of the lock to unlock the door, numbers or letters being provided and usable in the presettable combination; the fluid is subjected to pressure by a pump to effect withdrawal of pistons from the locking once the preset combination has been set to the preselected combination; the fluid is fed to the lock by a valved manifold which also controls the back flow of the fluid from the lock to the reservoir and works in association with the presettable combination to unlock or lock the door; and locking of the door is accomplished by the action of springs in the lock an

Abstract: Simplified tumbler wheel construction including an outer gate ring and an inner drive ring wherein the two rings are mounted together in snap-lock fashion.The drive ring includes an undulated surface on its outer rim for mating engagement with an inner undulated surface on the mounting surface of the gate ring. The two rings are constructed of suitable resilient material resulting in passive biasing of the undulated surfaces together during normal operation. Adjustment of the drive ring relative the gate ring is accomplished by blocking rotation of the gate ring while applying a rotative force to the drive ring in excess of a predetermined amount to rotate the undulated surfaces relative each other against the resilient bias provided by the two rings. The amount of bias against rotation is controlled by an appropriately placed slot outward of the undulated surface on the gate ring to lower bias resistance to expansion during tumbler wheel adjustment.

Abstract: This apparatus contains a plurality of die-forming roller pairs which form corrugations longitudinally in ductile strip material. The die-forming rollers are gear driven from an electric motor of adjustable speed. One die roller of each pair has an eccentric mounting to provide adjustment of the space between roller pairs. The side edges of the strip material are formed into an inside and an outside seam element. A pair of rotatably mounted curling rollers provides the corrugated strip material with the proper radius of curvature and helical angle for convolution into corrugated tubing. An adjustment means is provided which simultaneously sets the proper position both pivotally and laterally of said curling roller pair according to tubing diameter selected. Radially adjustable guide rollers guide the circumference of the strip during convolution. A pair of support rollers and a run-out table support the tubing as it is produced.

Abstract: A self-threading fastener has circumferentially spaced thread-forming lobes on its thread, and with a thread depth at a maximum at the lobes and a minimum circumferentially between the lobes. A lobe in one turn is circumferentially offset from a lobe in an adjacent turn. The fastener is made on roll-threading dies each having grooves sinulsoidally varying in depth from a maximum at one region to a minimum at a second region. The spacing of the regions is equal to a fraction of the thread pitch multiplied by the cosecant of the thread helix angle.

Abstract: A heat transfer surface for nucleate boiling of liquids is formed on the outer surface of a heat exchanger tube. Helical ridges having two fins each encase the tube. A fin at each ridge is angled toward the adjacent fin on the adjacent ridge forming a gapped cavity therebetween. The method of making the tube includes rolling alternating deep grooves and shallow grooves in the outside surface of the tube and then flaring the fins to form the gapped cavity.

Abstract: Method and means for preforming the long edges of steel plate prior to manufacture into pipe by the U-O Process or the like by utilizing plate of a width exceeding that required for pipe of a given diameter by an amount at each edge having an excess at least equal to the width of the pipe. Roll-forming the plate to use the excess width thereof as a lever arm to obtain a bend at the bitter edges of the pipe (edges required for pipe) of a radius required for the pipe and thereafter shearing the plate to form the bitter edges, followed by bevelling and polishing the bitter edges, and further roll-forming the edge area to complete the preform thereof.

Abstract: A machine for removing the internal bead of longitudinal seam welded tubing by flattening includes a mandrel to be positioned within the tubing, an external hammer which includes a vertically oscillating roller which hammers the outside of the tubing opposite the weld so as to force the mandrel against the bead to flatten it and a second roller which serves as an anvil to restrain and shape the external surface of the tube including the weld to prevent the tubing from being deformed.

Abstract: In a method of rolling a strip between work rolls with small and large diameters, while tensioning and bending the strip, the diameter ratio of the small and large work rolls is chosen from the range of 1/1.5 to 1/10, at least one of the work rolls or of rolls in a group backing up the work rolls is driven, and the strip is rolled as it is forced through the work rolls while being bent toward or around either the small or large work roll at a strip entry-exit angle between 5.degree. and 30.degree..

Abstract: A method for hot rolling of a tubular blank over a mandrel in a mill utilizing a plurality of roll stands. The blank and mandrel are inserted into the mill and moved through the mill in a fashion such that the mandrel is present and controlled at each roll stand at the time that the blank leading end reaches each roll stand. The blank enters the mill inlet stand at a speed, V.sub.e, and the speed of the mandrel is controlled during all times that the blank is engaged at any roll stand. The control mechanisms achieve movement of the mandrel in the same direction as the blank and at a constant speed, V.sub.m, with the ratio V.sub.m /V.sub.e being maintained between about 0.75 and 1.3.

Abstract: A headed mandrel inserted through a rivet sleeve is pulled and snapped off its head by a riveter to deform the rivet sleeve for setting the rivet when a movable handlebar is pivotally moved relative to a fixed handlebar by hand. An operating bar pivotally supported by the main body of the riveter has one end pivoted to a chuck for gripping the mandrel and the other end serving as an engaging portion. A pusher is pivoted to the movable handlebar and has grooved portions engageable with the engaging portion. A bearing member pivoted to the main body is formed with bearing grooves positioned alongside the grooved portions in corresponding relation thereto and engageable with the engaging portion. When the movable handlebar is repeatedly turned, the pusher pushes the engaging portion in engagement with one grooved portion after another to engage the engaging portion correspondingly in one bearing groove after another and move the chuck by the resulting movement of the operating bar for setting the rivet.