Abstract: A connector device comprises first and second layers of substantially cross-linkable material, the first layer having inserts in contact therewith, the second layer having been expanded and thereafter formed into working and bonding zones, and the sheets being bonded together at the bonding zones for acceptance of substrates to be connected. The device is so constructed that the working zone center-to-center spacing remains constant on recovery.

Abstract: A vacuum-tight assembly, such as a discharge tube for a sodium vapor arc lamp, includes a high density polycrystalline ceramic body, such as alumina or yttria, having a cavity and at least one closure member and a sealing material for sealing the cavity from the atmosphere. The closure member is formed from a molybdenum alloy containing titanium, vanadium, chromium or mixtures thereof. The closure member and the sealing material have thermal coefficients of expansion closely matched to the thermal coefficient of expansion of the ceramic body over a wide temperature range. In a preferred embodiment, an alumina discharge tube is sealed by a closure member formed from a molybdenum alloy containing 50 atom percent titanium.

Abstract: A welded structure and a method for making same wherein a plurality of weld metals, such as martensitic steel and austenitic steel, differing in coefficient of thermal expansion from each other are deposited in a plurality of layers thicknesswise of the welded structure in a gap defined by structural members to be welded in such a manner that a layer of the weld metal of higher coefficient of thermal expansion is covered by a layer of the weld metal of lower coefficient of thermal expansion in a weld formed, to improve brittle fracture strength, fatigue strength and stress corrosion cracking resistance of the weld. By subjecting the welded structure to stress relief annealing treatment, it is possible to produce compressive stress on the surface of the layer of the weld metal of lower coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A vacuum-tight assembly, such as a discharge tube for a sodium vapor arc lamp, includes a high density polycrystalline ceramic body, such as alumina or yttria, having a cavity, at least one closure member, and a sealing material. The closure member is formed from a molybdenum-titanium alloy containing a small amount of nickel, cobalt, or copper. The nickel, cobalt, or copper forms a relatively low melting eutectic with titanium, thereby facilitating fabrication of closure members by sintering. The closure member and the sealing material have thermal coefficients of expansion closely matched to the thermal coefficient of expansion of the ceramic body over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: A bag filter apparatus that exhausts a blast of compressed air into the open ends of a series of filter bags to remove dust particles that have collected on the outer surface thereof. The compressed air is exhausted from nozzle means in a header pipe that is precluded from excessive distortion, while it may be quickly disassembled and accurately re-assembled to achieve optimum performance.

Abstract: The following specification discloses the use of a nickel titanium alloy component referred to as Nitinol for purposes of providing a pre-stressed structure. The alloy component provides stiffness to shell structures and tubular members such as oil well pipes, and conduits, as well as pre-stressed loadings for head bolts on engines or other pre-stressed fasteners. Pre-stressing is accomplished by deforming the Nitinol component below its transformation temperature which can be a cryogenic temperature, after which the Nitinol component returns by its memory to a desired shape for pre-stressing. The foregoing develops a large pre-load on a structural joint, so that successful design applications of Nitinol can pre-load joints with minimum load path offset for a shell or other structure. This minimizes in-plane local moments, as well as eccentric loading, and provides joints of lower weight and less internal volume protrusion.

Abstract: In a superconducting machine, differential thermal alterations in axial length of the torque tube, together with angular deflections thereof with respect to the rotor electromagnetic shield, are accommodated by a flexible support having a thin-wall circular diaphragm extending radially from an axially-oriented torsion shaft. The support structure acts as a stiff brace for the torque tube in the radial direction, so as not adversely to affect the rotor critical speeds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shrinkable sleeve device easily assembled with a body to be protected thereby. It comprises a dimensionally heat unstable sheet-like portion to embrace the body with unique means for securing edge portions thereof together. The device is particularly advantageous for application and use in restricted locations and for providing a protective sleeve by which cable ducts will not be unduly impeded.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable wrap-around device made from heat-shrinkable sheet material is provided with mechanical retaining means which co-operate with opposed edge regions of the sheet material so that after recovery about a substrate such as an electrical cable, the device lies substantially flush with the substrate without protuberances. The mechanical retaining means is preferably a buckle which is shaped to conform with the substrate and in which the sheet material is held by frictional forces.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable article for protecting a conduit, for example, an electric cable, where its conductors pass through an aperture in a bulkhead, in order, for example, to prevent chafing; the article has an inner expansible and an outer shrinkable sleeve, the outer jacket of the cable terminating in an annular space between the sleeves, the space shrinking on heating of the article; one end of the inner sleeve is expansible to grip the bulkhead.

Abstract: A device for forming a connection between a first and second group of glass fibers with each fiber of the first group being held in alignment with a given fiber of the second group characterized by an elongated carrier member having longitudinally extending grooves and a shrinkable tube telescopically received on the elongated member. In forming the connection, the glass fibers of one group are inserted individually in separate grooves from one end of the carrier member and the fibers of the second group are inserted from an opposite end until their end faces abut and engage the end faces of the respective fiber of the first group. After insertion, the tube is shrunk such as by a heat shrinking step so that the fibers are tightly and firmly held in their respective grooves by the shrinkable tube.

Abstract: In a threaded connection to be loaded in an axial direction, said connection comprising two pieces (i) having coincidental axes and (ii) having different coefficients of thermal linear expansion wherein one piece is a threaded male piece and the other piece is a threaded female piece,the improvement comprising providing, at ambient temperature, a taper such that the change in radial clearance per unit of length between the opposing threads of each piece is equal to the expression A.DELTA.T tan .theta. wherein:A = the difference in the coefficients of thermal linear expansion of the materials of which each piece is comprised, in the axial direction;.DELTA.T = the operating temperature of the connection minus ambient temperature; and.theta.= the acute angle formed by the loaded face of the thread of either piece with the axes,said radial clearance increasing in the direction of the loading of the piece having the higher coefficient of thermal linear expansion.

Abstract: A pyrotechnical sealing material comprises a heat-foamable synthetic resin capable of being foamed with the aid of a burnable pyrotechnical composition. The sealing material is in the form of a cord having a core made of the pyrotechnical composition and a casing separated from the core by a flexible sheath. The casing is formed from the heat-foamable synthetic resin.

Abstract: This method of covering a joint of two rope ends includes use of a joint cover constructed of plastic tubing, included heat shrinkable plastic tubing, with methods to form a conical wedge shaped cover. The joint cover functions to help provide a smooth movement of the joint around obstacles. Also included is the use of "selected area shrinkage.

Abstract: An improved disconnect or power stop mechanism adapted for use in a refrigerant compressor drive system. A temperature responsive element triggers a disconnect or declutching action between the driving and driven members if the system should happen to lose its charge of refrigerant or otherwise get into an unsafe, high temperature condition.

Abstract: Magnetohydrodynamic devices using hot ionized gas as working fluid require channel refractories, insulators, and electrodes to be cooled at their reverse sides in order to carry away heat flux fast enough to keep obverse sides below melting point, since gas temperatures of roughly 2500.degree. C. exceed melting points of any available metals or ceramics. Common procedure of brazing ceramic to metal backing (which is more conveniently fastened in apparatus and cooled) creates only partially solvable problem of differential thermal expansion, or bad fit. Ceramic reverse is grooved with dovetailed or convergent slots against which brazing stock is placed for brazing to metal backing. During brazing, molten braze alloy enters grooves and forms mechanical lock which on test proves stronger than ceramic itself.

Abstract: A grid for a fire-rated suspended ceiling includes a plurality of identical parallel spaced main beams and a plurality of identical parallel spaced cross tees supported by the main beams, the main beams and cross tees each having a substantially inverted T cross section and each including coupling means integral with the ends thereof, the coupling means for each main beam featuring a laterally offset tongue and an integral offset bulb end portion that is crushed to reduce its lateral dimension and to form a stiffening rib, whereby relative is facilitated.

Abstract: A thermally actuated disconnect coupling includes a coupling shaft normally connected between a drive member and a driven member to transmit torque from the drive member to the driven member. Within the driven member, a fusible element such as a eutectic pellet supports the coupling shaft against axial movement during normal in-service use of the coupling. Providing the connection between the coupling shaft and the drive member are axially straight splines formed both on the coupling shaft and the drive member. At the other end of the coupling shaft, helical splines formed on the coupling shaft and the driven member provide means whereby torque is transmitted through the coupling shaft to driven member. The axial length of the helical splines is greater than the axial length of the straight splines.

Abstract: A combined sealing and guiding arrangement for positioning an inner circular machine part within an outer circular machine part, the parts being for example a stator-blade-carrier for a turbo-machine positioned within an outer casing. The casing and also the stator-blade-carrier consist of two halves which are joined along a horizontal dividing plane, and a sealing ring also consisting of two halves which are joined along that same dividing plane is seated in a groove provided in the periphery of the stator-blade-carrier and clamped against the inner periphery of the casing by means of circumferentially distributed clamping bolts. The lower halves of the outer casing and sealing ring are also provided with aligned grooves in which circumferentially spaced key segments are seated to prevent any relative axial displacement between these two parts.

Abstract: A coupling for two members such as a shaft and a compressor rotor or a turbine rotor carried thereby in which it is necessary that the rotor be firmly and tightly fixed with respect to the shaft at all times and in which the rotor and shaft may be subjected to widely different temperatures at any one time. On one of the members, usually the rotor, there are provided three fingers or projections extending toward the other member, while the other member is provided with recesses to receive and fit such projections. The projections are wedge shaped with side plane surfaces parallel to a radius extending from the axis of rotation so that the portions of the members carrying the fingers and recesses can move radially simultaneously outwardly or inwardly relative to one another as one expands or contracts more than the other, without tightening or loosening the coupling.

Abstract: A device for connecting body members of pressure vessels, such as the covers of nuclear reactor pressure vessels, especially to permit the rapid removal and fitting of lids or covers of such pressure vessels, includes a stud bolt to be mounted in one of the members while passing through an aperture in an adjacent member, the bolt being provided with a head and a clamping nut, a metal member adapted to fit between the adjacent member and the head, and means for heating the metal member to cause expansion thereof against the head to allow tightening and release of the clamping nut.

Abstract: A smooth junction is provided between aluminum conductor rails at the power collection surface by the provision of a wedge shaped insert the geometry of which corresponds to that of the gap between the rails. On expansion of the rails the insert is pushed partly out of the gap and on contraction is forced into the gap by a spring or springs thus always providing continuity on the power transfer surface.

Abstract: Herein is described an article for encapsulating in separate compartments a plurality of elongate substrates. Typically the substrates comprise the union or junction between pair of electrical conductors or similar structures. The article comprises a heat recoverable outer tubular member and an inner spacer member to divide the space within the outer member into separate compartments. In particularly preferred embodiments, the article also comprises a fusible insert which will melt when the outer member is heated to cause its recovery. The fusible member can flow about the substrate. If the fusible member comprises, for example, solder, the article can be employed to simultaneously incapsulate and form a secure electrical connection between electrical conductors at their union.

Abstract: A fuse device for an automatic emergency shutdown system in fast reactors provides a coupling between a casing tube placed within a fuel can and a series of neutron-absorbing masses held together above the reactor core under normal operating conditions but released in free fall to the lower portion of the casing tube at the level of the reactor core as a result of melting of the fuse when operating characteristics such as temperature or neutron flux attain a level which exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An expansion joint lock for transmitting forces between structural members that contract as they are cooled down to operating temperatures. A piston member mounted to one structural member is slidingly engaged with a chamber in a reception member which is mounted to a second structural member. The remaining space in the chamber is filled with a liquid which freezes at a temperature somewhat above the operating temperature of the structure, allowing forces to be transmitted between the structural members by the frozen liquid.

Abstract: Novel header for use in nuclear applications comprised of a base containing at least one bore, a niobium terminal passing through said bore sealed in an alumina plug which, in turn, is sealed in a bore defined in the base.