Abstract: Means are provided to separate liquid particles from a flowing gas and liquid particle mixture which does not require any moving parts. A housing receives the gas and liquid particle mixture and includes a porous membrane interface which separates a higher pressure area from a lower pressure area within the housing. An elongated spiral conduit forming an area of higher pressure provides a flow path from an inlet to an outlet of the housing. The liquid particles in the flowing gas and liquid particle mixture are urged by their flow through the elongated spiral conduit into contact with the porous membrane interface. The liquid particles coat the porous membrane interface and form a film created by the surface tension of the liquid. Liquid from particles which continue to come into contact with the porous membrane interface is urged through the membrane into the lower pressure area while gas is retained in the higher pressure area. The separated liquid and cleansed gas can be removed from the housing for reuse.

Abstract: Balancing an object with an irregular shape capable of generating substantial aerodynamic forces may be accomplished at atmospheric pressure by angularly oscillating the object about a vertical axis, measuring the horizontal reaction torques and forces, and calculating the imbalances in the object. Apparatus for such a method includes an object-supporting table, means for angularly oscillating the table relative to a cradle, and struts coupling the cradle to a base such that any imbalance in the object will result in reaction torques and forces being exerted by the cradle. Transducers detect these reaction torques and forces. A circuit processes the output of the transducers to provide signals representing those detected forces which are a component of a sinusoid at the frequency of oscillation that is in phase with the angular acceleration of the table. Such signals provide a measure of the imbalance of the object.