Abstract: The invention is directed to a water treatment system including a treatment tank having an ion-exchange mineral bed or filter bed therein, and a valve head assembly disposed on top of and in fluid communication with the treatment tank. The valve head assembly includes a passage for allowing a flow of fluid through the valve head assembly, a vacuum pressure creating device disposed within the passage, a drain disposed within the passage and at a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating device, and a valve disposed within the passage and at a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating device. The valve is movable to an open position and a closed position for allowing fluid flow through the vacuum pressure creating device, whereby a portion of fluid flows through the drain and a lesser remaining portion of fluid flows through the valve when the valve is in the open position.

Abstract: In a paper-making machine, a method of determining a volumetric percentage of air in a fiber suspension for delivery to a headbox. The fiber suspension is transported through a fluid conduit. A sound transmitter and a target receiver are positioned relative to the fluid conduit. A sound is transmitted through the fiber suspension from the sound transmitter to the target receiver. A speed of the transmitted sound from the sound transmitter to the target receiver is established. The volumetric percentage of air in the fiber suspension is determined, dependent upon the established speed of sound.

Abstract: A coping assembly for use in a swimming pool includes a coping having a longitudinal direction. The coping also has a base with a device for connecting to a sidewall of the pool, a facia connected to the base with a slot extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction, a back wall, and a first through hole extending through the coping from the back wall to the slot. The coping assembly also includes a coupler having a body with a front section. The front section substantially conforms to and is engaged with the back wall of the coping. The coupler has a second through hole extending through the body to the front section. The second through hole is aligned with the first through hole in the coping. The coping assembly further includes a tube light extending through each of the through holes and disposed within the slot.

Abstract: A paper making machine for producing a continuous traveling fiber material web includes a roll having a longitudinal axis and two longitudinal ends. Each end has a concentric first circular gear with a plurality of radially outwardly facing teeth. A felt is carried by the roll. The paper making machine also includes a pair of parallel lower elongated racks extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roll. Each lower elongated rack includes a plurality of teeth carrying and meshing with the teeth of a respective first circular gear. The roll is rotatably movable with respect to the lower racks in two opposite directions along and parallel to the lower racks and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the roll. A first of the two opposite directions is toward the felt.

Abstract: An underwater audio communication system to be worn by a diver is connected with and carried by a conventional face mask such that bone conduction occurs through the mastoid bone of the diver (i.e., behind the ear of the diver). The underwater audio communication system includes a face mask with a head strap for placement behind the head of the diver. A transceiver which is connected with and carried by the head strap is configured for receiving and transmitting ultrasonic signals in the water. At least one bone conduction transducer assembly is connected with and carried by the head strap at a location for placement against a mastoid bone of the diver. Each bone conduction transducer assembly is electrically connected with the transceiver.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrical ignitor for a model rocket, including two insulated lead wires, with each lead wire having an uninsulated end. An element wire interconnects the uninsulated ends from each lead wire. The element wire forms a plurality of turns around one of the insulated lead wires. A pyrogen compound surrounds the element wire.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a medical transport device for moving a patient down a flight of stairs. A chair has a plurality of support members. A plurality of rollers are each connected to at least one of the support members. At least one tread defining a bottom surface is wrapped around the rollers. A slider is disposed adjacent to the plurality of rollers. The slider has a bottom edge which is disposed slightly above the bottom surface of the tread.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a paper-making machine for making a paper web from a fiber suspension. The paper-making machine includes a headbox having an entrance, a fluid conduit connected to the headbox entrance, and a deaeration device with an exit connected to the fluid conduit. The deaeration device includes a housing and a pipe. The housing including an inner surface defining an inner chamber. The pipe is disposed at least partially within the housing and is configured to receive the fiber suspension. The pipe has a plurality of outlets disposed within the inner chamber of the housing. Each of the outlets is configured to output a stream of the fiber suspension against and at an acute angle relative to the inner surface of the inner chamber. A vacuum source is connected to the housing and is in fluid communication with the inner chamber.

Abstract: A paper-making machine for making a paper web from a fiber suspension includes a headbox having a plurality of walls defining a chamber, and an inlet connected to at least one of the walls and disposed in fluid communication with the chamber. The inlet is configured to receive the fiber suspension. The headbox also has a discharge nozzle disposed in fluid communication with the chamber. The discharge nozzle defines an outlet from which the fiber suspension is discharged. The headbox also includes a sonic transducer, associated with the discharge nozzle, for transmitting sonic energy into the fiber suspension within the discharge nozzle and thereby substantially deflocculating the fiber suspension within the discharge nozzle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an application unit for the direct or indirect application of a liquid or pasty medium (12) onto a moving material web, in particular consisting of paper or board, comprising a dosing gap formed as a free jet nozzle, the dosing gap being formed between a leading lip (4) and a trailing lip (8), and at least one feed channel (14) leading to the dosing gap. The application unit is characterized in that the dosing gap is subdivided in a comb-like manner and has a plurality of defined through-gaps (32) for the liquid or pasty medium (12).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a stationary sliding bar for guiding a paper or cardboard web extends across the entire web width B. Viewed in cross section, the sliding bar has a convex, rounded surface. Due to a relatively high speed of travel of the web, an aerodynamic flotation web forms between the sliding bar and the web.

Abstract: A headbox for a paper-making machine includes an inlet for receiving a fiber suspension and an outlet for discharging the fiber suspension. The headbox has a plurality of walls including an apron and a pair of side plates. The side plates are disposed at opposite ends of the headbox. The apron is comprised of steel. A beam extends between the side plates and includes opposite ends. Each end is disposed a predetermined distance from a respective side plate when at an ambient temperature (approximately 70.degree. F.). The beam is comprised of steel. A slice lip is carried by the beam. The slice lip is positioned at the outlet and includes a working edge defining an outlet gap with the apron. The slice lip has a pair of longitudinal ends, with each longitudinal end being disposed a predetermined distance from a respective side plate when at the ambient temperature. Each longitudinal end includes a slot extending from and substantially orthogonal to the edge. The slice lip consists essentially of titanium.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a paper making machine having a wet end associated with a wet fiber web. A forming fabric has a plurality of voids therein and carries liquid from the fiber web. A roll disposed at the wet end of the paper making machine carries the forming fabric. The roll and the forming fabric define a diverging area therebetween which causes liquid in the forming fabric to exit the voids. A doctor back includes a doctor element associated with the roll. A shower provides a liquid output which is directed relative to and lubricates the doctor element. A suction chamber has an at least partially open top and an outlet. The open top is positioned relative to each of the doctor blade and the diverging area to collect liquid from the shower and liquid exiting the voids in the forming fabric in the diverging area. A cyclone separator connected to the suction chamber receives liquid from the suction chamber outlet.

Abstract: A dryer group for drying a paper web moving in a running direction through a paper-making machine includes and upper tier and a lower tier. The upper tier and lower tier each include a plurality of rotatable cylinders for carrying the paper web. Each of the cylinders has an inner chamber. The plurality of cylinders for the upper tier and the lower tier each include at least two drying cylinders and at least one cooling cylinder. The at least one cooling cylinder is disposed downstream from the at least two drying cylinders, relative to the running direction of the paper web. The upper tier and lower tier also each include a plurality of carrier rolls, with each carrier roll being disposed adjacent to a pair of corresponding cylinders. An upper felt and lower felt are alternately carried by each of the cylinders and each of the carrier rolls of the upper and lower tiers, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus to produce a layer of material, such as paper, carton or cardboard. A number of cylinders and rollers carry the continuous layer of material along a meandering path. A stationary cleaning tool acts upon the surface of at least one of the rollers and/or cylinders. The cylinder or roller whose surface the cleaning tool is affecting is mounted so that it is allowed to move in an oscillating fashion relative to the stationary cleaning tool in the direction of the axis of rotation of the cylinder or roller.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a reflector assembly in a satellite system including a reflector having a reflecting surface and a back surface. The back surface is opposite the reflecting surface and has a plurality of ribs extending transversely therefrom. The reflector further includes a heater assembly embedded therein. The reflector assembly further includes a layer of closed cell plastic foam insulation which covers the heater assembly within the reflector. An inside surface of the insulation is disposed adjacent to the back surface of the reflector and includes a plurality of grooves. The plurality of grooves are configured to receive the plurality of ribs therein. The layer of insulation also includes a coating of ultraviolet radiation protectant disposed over an outside surface of the insulation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus to produce layers of material, such as paper, carton or cardboard, under use of at least one roll that can be heated in a controlled manner, in particular a dryer cylinder, with tubing attached to the end of the roll that supplies the energy necessary to heat up the roll. Bearings at both ends of the roll are mounted to a seating structure. One of the bearings is a freely carrying bearing and the steam supply is rigidly attached to the seating structure.

Abstract: A hot tap connection comprising: (i) a main supply pipe, (ii) a side branch pipe connected to the main supply pipe, (iii) a reinforcing saddle surrounding the main supply pipe and the side branch pipe, (iv) a first gap between the main supply pipe and the reinforcing saddle, (v) a second gap between the side branch pipe and the reinforcing saddle, and (vi) a solid material substantially filling the first gap and the second gap. The method for producing the hot tap connection is also described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a heatable feedhorn assembly including a feedhorn having a wide end and a heater assembly wrapped around the wide end. The heater assembly includes an elongate element in the form of a cable tie and an electrically insulated heater wire wrapped around the elongate element.

Abstract: A paper-making machine for forming a paper web from a fiber suspension includes rotatable rolls, an endless forming fabric, and a headbox configured to receive and discharge the fiber suspension. The endless forming fabric is carried by the rolls and is configured to directly carry the fiber suspension discharged by the headbox. The forming fabric includes a monolithic plastic sheet with water drainage holes therein. The sheet has an embossed outer surface with generally rounded projections and generally rounded depressions. Each of the projections has a height of at least 125 microns. The embossed outer surface is configured for contacting the fiber suspension. The embossed outer surface of the sheet is formed using a calender having at least one embossing roll.