Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming glass-ceramic tiles. Fly ash containing organic material, metal contaminants, and glass forming materials is oxidized under conditions effective to combust the organic material and partially oxidize the metallic contaminants and the glass forming materials. The oxidized glass forming materials are vitrified to form a glass melt. This glass melt is then formed into tiles containing metallic contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming ceramic tiles having the appearance of tiles produced from clays. The process includes melting a material to form a glass melt, treating the glass melt to produce a solid glass product, grinding the solid glass product to produce glass particles having a particle size of less than 200 microns, mixing the glass particles with a first additive to form a glass powder mixture having a composition of 55 to 99 wt. % glass particles and 45-1 wt. % first additive, forming the glass powder mixture into tiles by dry pressing, where the tiles have a primary crystalline phase selected from the group consisting of nepheline, diopside, anorthite, wollastonite, melilite, merwinite, spinel, akermanite, gehlenite, crystalline phases based on iron substitutions in the crystalline phase, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An air flow apparatus for providing a continuous curtain of air or other fluid includes a body member defining a first elongate plenum chamber, at least one inlet opening through which the first plenum chamber receives compressed air and an outlet opening for discharging air from the body member. The apparatus may also include a second plenum chamber (which communicates with the outlet opening) and at least one passageway connecting the first and second plenum chambers. The body member discharges the air without deflecting it towards one of its outer surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming glass-ceramic tiles. Spent aluminum potliner containing carbonaceous material, fluorine, and glass forming materials is oxidized under conditions effective to combust the carbonaceous material and volatilize partially the fluorine in the glass forming materials. The oxidized glass forming materials are vitrified to form a glass melt. This glass melt is then formed into tiles containing fluorine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for nuclear waste disposal. In it, a glass forming mixture including an aqueous solution of one or more metal alkoxides, alcohol, and solubilized, low level radioactive waste having a pH effective to hydrolyze the one or more metal alkoxides is formed. The one or more metal alkoxides in the glass forming mixture are converted to a network of corresponding one or more metal oxides. A gel is then formed from the glass forming mixture containing the network of one or more metal oxides. The gel is dried and sintered under conditions effective to form a densified glass.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling the inside of an enclosure includes a first cooling assembly with an evaporator and condenser for providing a first level of cooling for fluid in the enclosure. The second cooling assembly includes a vortex tube which supplements the cooling provided by the first assembly.

Abstract: An air flow apparatus for providing a continuous curtain of jetting fluid includes a body member defining: an elongate plenum chamber for receiving compressed fluid; at least one inlet opening; and an outlet opening or nozzle for discharging fluid from the plenum chamber. The apparatus also includes an elongate baffle disposed in the plenum chamber, longitudinally of the plenum chamber, between the inlet opening and the nozzle for isolating turbulence in the fluid when the fluid enters the plenum chamber without restricting the flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A liquid-atomizing nozzle in which intermixing of air and liquid occurs externally of the nozzle and the primary air utilized for such intermixing is amplified by the entrainment of ambient secondary air. Two versions of the nozzle are disclosed, each having a tubular body with a generally cylindrical section terminating in a conical nose section. Air under pressure is discharged through radial openings in the cylindrical section and is redirected by a collar surrounding the cylindrical section to form a high velocity stream of air about and along the gradually-tapered outer surface of the nose section. Such high velocity primary air, amplified by ambient secondary air, strips liquid from at least one opening in the nose section to produce an externally-developed air-liquid mixture. In one version the liquid discharge opening is at the tip of the conical nose section; in another version a plurality of such openings are formed in the conical surface of that section.

Abstract: A flow-amplifying nozzle having a construction which facilitates production, reduces costs, and enhances the safety of such a nozzle in operation. Such construction is particularly suitable for relatively small-size nozzles designed to direct and amplify the flow of compressed air or other pressurized fluid. The nozzle is composed of two pieces, one being a rigid tube having a closed, tapered nose portion and a plurality of radial openings in the cylindrical portion immediately adjacent the nose, and the other being a collar extending about and secured to the tube's cylindrical portion. The collar redirects the flow of fluid discharged through the radial openings, causing it to be expelled forwardly over the tapered nose of the nozzle. Secondary air is entrained by the rapid flow of primary air and thereby amplifies the total flow of air directed by the nozzle.

Abstract: A vortex tube assembly having a muffler at the cold air outlet for suppressing the noise of cold air discharged from that outlet, the muffler being warmed to a limited extent, and thereby protected against icing, by directing air from the hot air outlet into heat-exchanging relation with respect to said muffler.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling the needle of a sewing machine to reduce problems of thread breakage because of frictional heat build-up. The apparatus includes a vortex tube secured to the worktable for a sewing machine at a point remote from the sewing head of that machine, a nozzle assembly affixed to the pressure foot bushing of the machine and directed towards the sewing needle, and an elongated insulated noise-muffling hose extending from the cold air outlet of the remotely-positioned vortex tube to the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a generally vertically oriented nozzle tube having a plurality of side openings for directing jets of cooling air towards the sewing needle, and an adjustable sleeve for controlling the discharge of such air.

Abstract: A vortex tube assembly equipped with a control mechanism for use in selectively adjusting the temperature of air discharged from the primary outlet of the assembly to any temperature within the range from maximum hot to maximum cold, the temperature of the discharged air varying in generally linear relation with adjustments in the position of a temperature control handle. Ideally, the temperature of the discharged air may thus be varied without significantly altering the rate of flow through the primary outlet. The assembly includes a vortex tube disposed within a cylindrical housing having primary and secondary outlets, and a pair of flow-dividing members within the housing, at least one of which is movably mounted, for controlling the temperature of the air discharged from the primary outlet by altering the proportions of hot and cold air flowing through the passages of such members.

Abstract: An adjustable nozzle for directing and amplifying the flow of compressed air or other pressurized fluid. The nozzle includes a rear body section and a front nozzle section, the two sections being threadedly connected to define a forwardly-facing flow-directing passage and a radially-extending metering passage communicating with the flow-directing passage. The size of the metering passage may be selectively adjusted without altering the cross-sectional dimensions of the flow-directing passage by rotating the nozzle section into any selected position of threaded adjustment upon the body section, such position (and the relative dimension of the metering section) being indicated by micrometer markings upon the exposed surfaces of the respective sections.

Abstract: An air flow amplifier of relatively high air flow amplification ratios in which a thin film of pressurized primary air flowing in a transverse direction is mechanically deflected to impinge on a generally frusto-conical surface tapering towards the throat of the amplifier. The deflecting action is produced by a deflection ring which is spaced inwardly from the amplifier's annular nozzle. The ring has an internal diameter substantially larger than the amplifier's throat so that secondary air entering through the ring may flow directly towards the frusto-conical surface to mix with the primary air flowing along that surface.