Abstract: A porous compressible plastic material is inserted into the head space above the cells in a storage battery to attenuate the explosion of combustible gases accumulating therein. The attenuation material is distributed to create a unique bimodal por distribution, including a major proportion of small pores effective in attenuation and a minor proportion of large pores effective in gas and electrolyte management. Both open cell and fibrous materials may be utilized.

Abstract: A gas valve for controlling the flow of a combustible, gaseous fuel to a burner employs a modular construction and is configurable to be fast or slow opening, to be step opening or to provide two firing rates in accordance with external signals applied thereto.

Abstract: The incremental interface system of the present invention includes a pneumatic input means for providing a first pressure to be regulated. A pressure repeater means includes a volume relay having a first chamber coupled to the intermediate bus of the input means and a second chamber coupled to a pneumatic transducer to be controlled, the first chamber and the second chamber being in fluid flow isolation one from the other. The pressure repeater means provides a second pressure at its second chamber which has a predetermined relationship to the first pressure. A reservoir means is coupled to the intermediate bus between the input means and the repeater means for limiting the rate of change of the first pressure. The input means, repeater means and reservoir means cooperate to define a substantially constant volume of fluid.

Abstract: The interface apparatus of the present invention includes a pneumatic flow control means for controlling the number of moles of a gas confined within a substantially constant volume of gas at a first pressure. A volume relay has a first chamber coupled to the control means by a pneumatic bus and a second chamber for coupling to a pneumatic transducer to be positionably controlled, the first chamber and the second chamber being in fluid flow isolation one from the other. The volume relay provides a second pressure at its second chamber which has a predetermined relationship to the first pressure. A substantially constant, confined volume is coupled to the flow control means and to the relay and the flow control means includes means for adjusting the rate of flow of gas from the substantially constant volume to a region of ambient pressure.

Abstract: Methods for continuous drying of sludges. Large scouring particles are added to a sludge to be dried to create a mixture which is passed through a rotary screw type indirect heat exchanger. The scouring particles are large relative to the particulates of suspended and dissolved solids which result from drying in the heat exchanger. During the process of drying and conveying the mixture through the heat exchanger the scouring particles continuously remove the particulate residue from the surfaces of the heat exchanger. It also appears that the particles assist in the actual heat transfer between the heat exchanger surfaces and the sludge by absorbing and subsequently releasing heat through relatively large surface areas. The scouring particles can be consumptive, that is, consumed in processes during subsequent handling of the residue, or nonconsumptive.

Abstract: Pumps for pumping liquids including a gear train for rotating an expeller at a speed greater than the speed of the pump primary impeller.

Abstract: A tong assembly for makeup and break out of tool joints including a power tong and a backup tong which is rotatable through a limited rotation with respect to the power tong. During a torquing operation a single, self energizing free jaw and die grips the lower tubing of the tool joint in cooperation with two surfaces of a hardsurfaced bushing. The tool joint is gripped eccentric to the longitudinal centerline of the backup tong, and aligned with the longitudinal centerline of the power tong.

Abstract: A rotary processor useful in mixing, conveying, and heating or cooling a fluid material. Interchangeable subassemblies each comprise a helical coil permanently affixed at each end to a terminal block. The terminal blocks of each subassembly are removably fastened at a preselected orientation to two polygonal segments of a rotatable shaft. The polygonal segments are rotated relative to one another. A portion of the shaft and the subassemblies are supported within a housing having an inlet and an outlet for flow of the material to be processed.

Abstract: Fluidized bed systems for segregating cleaning or classifying particulate matter of differing physical properties such as particle density or size. Multiple stage beds preferably operate in a partially fluidized state and the classification structure provides for full peripheral discharge of both floats from the upper portion of each bed and sinks from the lower portion of each bed to alleviate the tendency of fluidized medium to both short circuit the particles of the upper stage and restrict the flow of particles from the upper stage to the lower stage.

Abstract: Systems for desulfurization of a flue gas containing fly ash including formation of a dry powder in a spray dryer absorber resulting from reaction of an alkaline aqueous feed and the flue gas. The dry powder is collected and a specifically selected fraction is recycled to a feed preparation subsystem for inclusion in the aqueous feed. Selective recycle is based on physical or chemical properties and, for example, large diameter and dense particles provide enhanced reagent utilization compared to smaller and less dense particles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting deterioration of a replaceable liner in a pump transporting an electrically conductive fluid medium. A conductive component is isolated, during normal operation, from the conductive fluid medium by the electrically insulative liner. The conductive component is positioned at a predetermined location relative to the liner such that upon a selected degree of wear of the liner, an electrical circuit is completed upon contact of the fluid medium and the conductive member.

Abstract: Propellers including blades affixed to a hub which provide generally axial flow of a fluid medium through the blade area. The blades are formed from cylindrical segments and include a generally straight leading edge and a generally convex trailing edge.

Abstract: Discharge electrodes for use in electrostatic precipitators. In preferred form a discharge electrode is formed of a pair of body elements arranged in a partially overlapping relationship. The overlapping structure is such that a longitudinally extending support portion is formed in the lateral intermediate portion of the electrode. To each side of the support portion a web portion is formed which includes one of the body elements extending the full lateral extent of the web portion and the other body element extending only part of the lateral extent of the web portion. The body element which extends on each side of the support the full lateral extent of the web portion, also extends to form the corona discharge portion on that lateral side of the electrode.

Abstract: Slip mechanisms for selectively gripping and releasing conduit in a well drilling operation, particularly useable as elevators or spiders. Three slips are positioned within a tapered bore of the slip mechanism having a split front opening, and are articulatingly suspended from a vertically movable ring. Upon lowering of the ring the slips move downwardly and inwardly along the tapered bore to simultaneously and evenly grip the conduit. Upon raising of the ring the slips move upwardly and outwardly along the tapered bore and disengage from the gripped conduit. In the disengaged position two of the three slips are circumferentially slidable, through the suspension connection to the ring, to a position spaced from the front opening and adjacent the third slip, whereby the slip mechanism is laterally movable from, or about, the conduit. A funnel shaped guide skirt is mountable on the bottom of the mechanism when operation as an elevator is desired.

Abstract: Rotary processors for fluid material conveyance and heat transfer including a plurality of commonly configured coils mounted between rotatable manifolds affixed to a central shaft.

Abstract: Systems for mixing gaseous medium streams at different temperatures are for changing the direction of flow of a stream which alleviate the effect of pressure losses. A plurality of hollow airfoil shaped vanes are positioned within a first gaseous stream, and the second stream is conveyed through the hollow vane and discharged into the first stream through a slot at the trailing edge of the vane. Fixed or movable flow direct the rate and direction of the discharge flow.

Abstract: A rotary tong for use in well drilling operations to make up and break out drill strings or similar axially elongated objects which has a secondary camming action provided by the jaw assembly. By use of the inventive jaw assembly a secondary camming action is produced which reduces the cam angle of the primary camming function. The reduced cam angle gives greater gripping force thereby reducing slippage. The secondary camming function also allows the jaw to be used for a greater variety of drill string sizes thereby reducing the need to change tongs or jaw elements when drill string sizes change.

Abstract: Electrode and wall constructions for the walls of a channel transmitting the hot plasma in a magnetohydrodynamic generator. The electrodes and walls are made of a plurality of similar modules which are spaced from one another along the channel. The electrodes can be metallic or ceramic, and each module includes one or more electrodes which are exposed to the plasma and a metallic cooling bar which is spaced from the plasma and which has passages through which a cooling fluid flows to remove heat transmitted from the electrode to the cooling bar. Each electrode module is spaced from and electrically insulated from each adjacent module while interconnected by the cooling fluid which serially flows among selected modules. A wall module includes an electrically insulating ceramic body exposed to the plasma and affixed, preferably by mechanical clips or by brazing, to a metallic cooling bar spaced from the plasma and having cooling fluid passages.

Abstract: A melt system including a susceptor-crucible assembly having improved gradient control when melt replenishment is used during dendritic web growth. The improvement lies in the formation of a thermal barrier in the base of the receptor which is in the form of a vertical slot in the region of the susceptor underlying the crucible at the location of a compartmental separator dividing the crucible into a growth compartment and a melt replenishment compartment. The result achieved is a step change in temperature gradient in the melt thereby providing a more uniform temperature in the growth compartment from which the dendritic web is drawn.