Abstract: Ceramic product is heated or cooled at its side to impart temperature gradient for causing sinter so as to in advance provide residual stress in inside, thereby to prevent thermal spalling which is generated by difference in temperature during using the ceramic product.

Abstract: The method and apparatus disclosed herein provide a stratified heat bath for use in the heating stage of thermoplastic deformation. It allows for heating of central sections of the thermoplastic lengths in order to render said lengths susceptible to deformation without heating the end sections or tangents of said lengths, permitting the ends to retain their original shape. In the case of tubular lengths, such as lengths of PVC pipe, the invention provides for more rapid heating than in the prior art.

Abstract: A socket heat fusion apparatus is provided for simultaneously heating one end portion of a thermoplastic conduit and one end portion of a thermoplastic coupler so that the heated end portion of the thermoplastic conduit can be disposed in the heated end portion of the thermoplastic coupler to provide a substantially fluid-tight union therebetween. The apparatus comprises a body member having a first heat communication opening and a second heat communication opening, the second heat communication opening extending through the body member and openly communicating with the first heat communication opening; a first receptacle disposed on one side of the body member for receiving one end portion of the thermoplastic conduit, the first receptacle communicating with the second heat communication opening; and, a second receptacle disposed on a second side of the body member for receiving one end portion of a thermoplastic coupler, the second receptacle openly communicating with the second heat communication opening.

Abstract: A heat applying assembly for thawing out clogged asphalt containing pipes.

Abstract: Several methods and apparatus (10, 60) are disclosed for vapor condensation heating only a selected underside surface area of an article (18, 18') while continuously minimizing loss of the generated vapor (26b, 26b') to the atmosphere. In accordance with several preferred embodiments, a composite vessel (11, 11') is formed with a lower stationary sidewall section (14), including venting means (28, 29, 31, 32, 34), and a channel (41) adapted to telescopically receive an upper, internally cooled and retractable sidewall section (13, 44, 13', 44') in a manner that establishes a vapor barrier (27) of controllable volume therewithin. As such, an article (18, 18') to be heated, when initially mounted on the top of the upper sidewall section (13, 13') may thereafter be readily displaced downwardly such that only a selected underside surface area thereof is controllably brought into contact with, and heated by, a single heat transfer liquid (26)--generated body of hot vapor (26b, 26b') confined therebelow.

Abstract: A system for heating ladles prior to the receipt of a charge of molten metal therein, including heating said ladles by direct thermal transfer from the output gases of a heat source, and including waste heat recuperation and controls for maximizing the efficiency of combustion and for maximizing the rate of heating of said ladles without use of excess fuel. The system of the invention includes a heat exchanger defining an opening in its side to directly receive a ladle supported on its side, the heat exchanger including fuel burners for projecting flame and combustion gases directly into the ladle and a heat exchange chamber for directly receiving the hot combustion gases from the ladle for use in preheating inlet gases to be mixed with fuel for combustion in the burners. Means is provided for transporting the heat exchanger horizontally into and out of engagement with the ladle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for local forced heating of an auto body characterized in that a joint build up with plastic solder on the steel plate of an auto body is placed under a hood which locally covers the joint; then a hot air blast is supplied to the hood. The hot air blast is evenly diffused by means of a stream-rectifying plate installed in the hood, and thus the built up plastic solder can be hardened through local forced heating.

Abstract: An inplace gasket belling machine wherein a plastic pipe is received in a tilt clamp fixture and tilted thereon for receiving a heating bell on one end portion of the pipe. Heated fluid is directed over the inserted pipe end portion. The heating bell may be withdrawn from the pipe in intermittent steps to afford a temperature gradient along the pipe end portion. The pipe is then tilted to a horizontal disposition for the insertion of a gasket belling mandrel into the heated end portion of the pipe. A gasket magazine is supported adjacent the mandrel for automatically placing an annular gasket on the mandrel for insertion into the pipe end portion. The mandrel includes an outer housing and a mandrel body portion telescopically received within the outer housing. The outer housing has a stop shoulder and a gasket positioning sleeve extended forwardly therefrom. The mandrel body portion has a flared pipe expanding portion and a gasket carrying portion rearwardly thereof.

Abstract: A process for the production of ceramic-metal assemblies which are joined by a graded layer of a metal-ceramic mixture is described. The effect of the processing sequence is to vary the prestress between the metal and ceramic components. The assemblies are produced by heating at elevated temperatures and the process of the invention involves preferential cooling of the metal portion of the assembly.

Abstract: A method are disclosed for heating thermoplastic parisons to a substantially uniform temperature across their wall thickness prior to a blow molding operation. In the method, the parisons are rotated about their longitudinal axes while being conveyed adjacent a thermal conditioning means, which includes vertically spaced radiant heating elements and a gaseous cooling source. The heating elements radiate infra-red rays having a wave length to penetrate and heat the full thickness of the parison wall; whereas the gaseous cooling source directs a stream of air onto the surface of the parison facing the heating elements to prevent the parison surface from being overheated. Additionally, each of the heating elements may be individually regulated so that the parisons can be differentially heated along their axes to control the wall thickness of the final blown articles.

Abstract: A balancing device and method for balancing a rotating body during operation. The device and method detects the phase and amount of unbalance and provides signals in synchronism with the unbalance. Local heating of the rotating body is provided to counteract the unbalance by thermal deformation of the axis of the body without removing material. The phase and amount of the local heating are controlled in relation to unbalance detected.

Abstract: A machine for removing a precut length of plastic pipe from an extrusion line, providing a bell on one end thereof, and providing a chamfer on the opposite end thereof. The pipe is received in a V-shaped trough along which it is longitudinally moved as it is delivered from the extruder. At predetermined intervals, a plurality of hydraulic pushers are actuated to move the pipe laterally from the trough onto a conveyor. The conveyor is indexed to a first position in which the axial location of the pipe is corrected and the end to be belled is heated. In a predetermined sequence of events, the conveyor is then indexed to a second position in which a belling plug is inserted into the heated end of the pipe; simultaneously, the opposite end of the pipe may be provided with an internal or external chamfer. When the conveyor is again indexed, the pipe is deposited onto a suitable system so that it may be conveyed to a shipping point.

Abstract: Apparatus for and process of heat treating open coils of strip metal, such as strip steel, by passing hot gases or atmospheres through spaces between spaced convolutions of the coil, in which a shielding structure is provided at the upper end of the coil where the coil edge portions are exposed to radiant heat from the furnace and where they may tend to move and distort from gas velocity or localized thermal expansion. The shielding structure protects these portions of the coil from excessive heat and restricts harmful movement thereof, thus improving the quality of the heat treated product. The disclosed shielding structure comprises spaced upwardly extending walls the height of which is sufficient to, and the spacing of which is such as to, prevent direct impingement of radiant heat on the upper end of the coil while permitting adequate flow of gas through the shielding structure for treating purposes.