Abstract: A method of constructing or reconstituting a shaft and paddle assembly for mixers and processors wherein radially aligned paddles on parallel shafts revolving at the same speed in the same direction of rotation both co-wipe and completely wipe the interior of the barrel of the mixer or processor which has a mixer chamber comprising interconnecting cylindrical bores. The co-wiping paddles are formed with paddle bores of a configuration comprising alternating lobular projections and root recesses, and arcuate corner portions on the lobular projections and root recesses. The arcuate corner portions of the projections are tangential to the arcuate corner portions of the root recesses. The shafts are formed with intermeshing matching projections and root recesses.

Abstract: A mixer or compounder with an elongate barrel having a processing chamber of the configuration of two or more intersecting cylinders receives material at one end and discharges it at the other. Parallel co-rotating mixer shafts extend axially in the chamber and have co-wiping, angularly oriented, mixing members on each shaft, which also wipe the chamber walls. Multiple rotary hydraulic motors, driven synchronously in parallel by the same hydraulic pump system, drive intermediate shafts parallel with the barrel shafts, and a gear driving each mixer shaft is driven by gear mechanisms on the intermediate shafts so that each mixer shaft is driven in the same direction of rotation by both hydraulic motors and imparts an increased equal torque to the mixer shafts.

Abstract: A method of constructing or reconstituting a shaft and paddle assembly for mixers and processors wherein radially aligned paddles on parallel shafts revolving at the same speed in the same direction of rotation both co-wipe and completely wipe the interior of the barrel of the mixer or processor which has a mixer chamber comprising interconnecting cylindrical bores. The co-wiping paddles are formed with paddle bores of a configuration comprising alternating lobular projections and root recesses, and arcuate corner portions on the lobular projections and root recesses. The arcuate corner portions of the projections are tangential to the arcuate corner portions of the root recesses. The shafts are formed with intermeshing matching projections and root recesses.

Abstract: A manifolded, multiple-pin die apparatus and method processes potentially explosive material to form longitudinally perforated cylindrical pellets for use as gun propellants. A main entrance passage formed in mating manifold blocks gradually changes in cross-sectional configuration from circular to figure-eight, and then branches in a gently curved manner. The divergent branches formed then further branch in the same manner and feed circular cross-section passages leading to extruding dies wherein a series of die pins extend axially through a discharge passage. Each die comprises a central core member supporting an outer shell via radial ribs which are configured to form flow passages of hour-glass configuration. No change of flow direction in the entire apparatus exceeds fifteen degrees.

Abstract: A method of continuously carbonizing a mixture of primarily organic waste material wherein a stream of comminuted waste material with a substantial organic material content is fed to one end of a mixer barrel, the material is compressed to form a barrel filling mass functioning as a first vapor block, and the work energy required to compress it and squeeze out entrapped air is used virtually exclusively to maintain the temperature of the material adiabatically, air and any steam created are vented, the material downstream from the first vapor block is decompressed in a second vent region, the material is recompressed in the absence of air to form another vapor block, while exclusively utilizing the work energy required to compress it to maintain the temperature of the material adiabatically at volatile releasing and carbonizing temperatures, the volatiles are vented, and the product is discharged as a dry, friable particulate char.

Abstract: A manifolded, multiple-pin die apparatus and method processes potentially explosive material to form longitudinally perforated cylindrical pellets for use as gun propellants. A main entrance passage formed in mating manifold blocks gradually changes in cross-sectional configuration from circular to figure-eight, and then branches in a gently curved manner. The divergent branches formed then further branch in the same manner and feed circular cross-section passages leading to extruding dies wherein a series of die pins extend axially through a discharge passage. Each die comprises a central core member supporting an outer shell via radial ribs which are configured to form flow passages of hour-glass configuration. No change of flow direction in the entire apparatus exceeds fifteen degrees.

Abstract: A method of continuously carbonizing a mixture of primarily organic waste material to a high British Thermal Unit char product wherein a stream of comminuted garbage material with a substantial organic material content is fed to one end of a mixer barrel, the material is compressed to form a barrel filling mass functioning as a first vapor block, and the work energy required to compress it and squeeze out entrapped air is used virtually exclusively to raise the temperature of the material adiabatically, air and any steam created are vented, the material downstream from the first vapor block is decompressed in a second vent region, the material is recompressed in the absence of air to form another vapor block, while exclusively utilizing the work energy required to compress it to raise the temperature of the material abiabatically to a volatile releasing temperature in the neighborhood of 400.degree. F. to 600.degree. F.

Abstract: A mixing machine barrel has parallel interconnected bores of a first diameter with axially parallel shafts driven at the same speed and in the same direction of rotation extending therein. Mixer members on the shafts are shaped to co-wipe and also wipe the interior of the barrel. A barrel section communicates with the barrel and has interconnected bores of greater diameter which include interconnected transition bores of progressively changing diameter. Blades extend at an angle from the shafts through the transition bores and are configured to wipe one another over their length, and the interconnected bores of the barrel section over their length.

Abstract: A mixer having an elongate barrel with an interior wall defining a mixing chamber, at least a pair of shafts extending axially within the barrel driven in the same direction of rotation and at the same speed of rotation, and mixing elements on each of the shafts. Radially opposite paddles are on each of the shafts, each comprising hub portions and wing portions radially spaced from the hub portions. The wing portions extend axially to overlie the hub portions and each wing portion has a radially inner surface generating the configuration of the radially inner surface of a wing portion on the radially adjacent paddle and further has a radially outer surface generating hub portions of the radially adjacent paddle, and the wall of the chamber.

Abstract: Material mixing apparatus and methods wherein a barrel defines a mixing chamber, a pair of parallel mixing shafts extend within the barrel chamber and are driven in the same direction of rotation and at the same speed of rotation, mixing elements are on each of the shafts in radial interwiping relation, the barrel has a pair of radially separated, reduced cross-section, annular discharge chambers through which the shafts extend, and one of the discharge chambers has a radial discharge port interjacent its ends, the barrel has a cross-sectionally enlarged end pass chamber through which the shafts further extend at the ends of the discharge chambers, the end pass chamber being of such cross-sectional volume relative to the conveying capacity of the other discharge chamber, as to operate in a partially starved mode at substantially atmospheric pressure, radially aligned paddle portions are on each of the shafts in the end pass chamber, shaped to wipe one another and the end pass chamber wall, one of the shafts h

Abstract: A process simulator system for analyzing the forces imposed upon a mixing paddle of a predesignated configuration utilizes a rotary container with a curvilinear interior wall surface. A shaft extends into the container from above and supports a mixer paddle having a profile surface comprising side flanks of curvilinear configuration converging to an end surface concentric with the axis of the container which is immersed in the material adjacent the container wall surface. An indicator system provided with a zero force indicator and reactive to torque or bending forces imposed by the viscous material indicates the force imposed.