Abstract: A pneumatic transport and distribution system for passing gas-entrained particles to a distributor which then distributes the particles through a plurality of distributor outlets. At least a portion of inlet conduit extending vertically to the distributor is of square or other non-circular inner cross-section for prevention of "spiralling" of the particles as they emanate from the distributor inlet into the distributor to thereby improve the flow distribution of the particles from the distributor outlets.

Abstract: Equipment for dispersing particulate material in a stream of gas comprises a duct to contain the stream of gas, a bluff body mounted and extending transversely within the duct to create turbulence in the gas stream, and means for introducing particulate material immediately upstream and/or downstream of the bluff body, whereby the material becomes uniformly entrained in the gas stream. The invention is of particular value for introducing alumina for dry scrubbing of HF-containing exhaust gases from aluminum electrolytic reduction cells.

Abstract: The surveillance device uses a surveillance unit such as a video camera, the signals from which are received by a detection unit, the device being mounted on a mobile chassis driven by propulsion means inside a tube equipped with a longitudinal window through which passes the the transverse axis of sight of the surveillance unit, wherein the window is covered by a longitudinal elastic flap one side of which is attached to the tube, the other side remaining free, shaped elements attached to the chassis raising the longitudinal flap on either side of the axis of sight and beyond this axis. This device can be used for surveillance over long distances.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use in the manufacture of rod like elements, for example cigarette filters formed of filamentary tow, for dissipating conveying gas from a conduit through which the tow is conveyed pneumatically through a series of processing stations. To effectively dissipate the gas from the conduit, the invention provides axially spaced rings of gas dissipation ports in the conduit. The ports in the upstream rings are inclined rearwardly to provide gas dissipation in a direction which is counter-current the direction of travel of the tow through the conduit. The ports in adjacent rings are offset circumferentially so as to improve the distribution of ports around the circumference of the conduit in the section used for gas dissipation.

Abstract: A section of tube with a series of inwardly directed projections is placed in the main conduit of a pneumatic applicator, upstream of the primary distribution head. The inner projections in the tube serve to center the direction of the blown granular material into the primary distributor head. The projections are arranged in annular rows with the projections of each row being offset from those of an adjacent row.

Abstract: Pneumatic pipeline conveying system includes a bleed valve for bleeding conveying gas into or out of a pipeline conduit. Such bleed valve is located at one or more strategic locations along the pipeline conduit where a degree of gas/material separation occurs in the conduit such as at bends and in long horizontal runs where a re-entrainment device is employed to re-entrain particulate material into the conveying gas within the pipeline.

Abstract: A component placement head for positioning micro-electronic components on a printed circuit board including an adjustable shelf for receiving the component from a stationary conveyor and accurately positioning the component below the placement nozzle on the head. The nozzle picks up the component from the shelf and aligns the component leads with the conductive lands on the board and then places the component on the board. There is a control limiting the position of the adjustable shelf to assure the component is properly positioned in the nozzle of the placement head.

Abstract: The subject matter of the application is a device for pneumatically or hydraulic feeding of dust-like, powdery or granulated bulk goods which has a feed line with an inner pipe mounted therein extending concentrically thereto, being provided with outlet and inlet openings. In order subject the bulk goods in the feed line of such a device to a continuous strong turbulence, so that no plugs of goods can form, but on the other hand to have the possibility to dissolve such plugs of goods if they form it is provided as a solution that a vertically disposed disk (5) is provided in the inner pipe (2) between an outlet and an inlet opening (3,4) which is provided with at least one opening (6) which preferably consists of a circular hole, being provided in the center of disk (5), or which consists of a slot (13). Thereby, the disk (5) may be eccentrically disposed between the outlet opening and inlet opening (3,4) and may be exchangeably mounted in inner pipe (2).

Abstract: An improved powder pump for pumping air entrained solid particulate powder material comprising a pneumatic conveyor line within which there is located a low pressure venturi pumping chamber. This venturi pumping chamber is intersected by a powder supply passage through which powder is drawn into the conveyor line. Located within the powder supply passage is a rotatable tubular powder diffuser through which the powder passes in the course of passage through the powder supply passage. Rotation of the diffuser is effected by atomizing or metering air flow to the powder flow passage upstream of the venturi pumping chamber. This atomizing air flow, in addition to effecting rotation of the diffuser, also controls the rate of flow of powder through the powder supply passage and into the venturi pumping chamber.

Abstract: Method for unplugging a pipeline filled with fluid and solid material by blocking the pipeline below the plugged portion, injecting pressure pulses into the pipeline on both sides of the plugged portion until the plugged portion becomes fluidized and then forcing water into and through the plugged portion to remove the plug. The method further contemplates controlling the frequency and the phase of the injected pressure pulses to best match the length of the pipeline between the injected pulses so that the pulse applied to each side of the plug is out of phase.

Abstract: An enclosure construction for pneumatic tubes and power and control cables installed overhead for remote visual auto teller banking systems which is inexpensive and attractive and readily installed. The enclosure includes plastic half sections which are snap-engaged along laterally opposite longitudinal joints having weather seals therein. One of the plastic half sections is fixed internally to a semicircular clamping member which cooperates with a second clamping member. The clamping members are clamped to the pneumatic tube before one of the plastic enclosure members is assembled with the other.

Abstract: An operating process for the formation of a steady particle stream of particles which are conveyed within a flow conduit through the intermediary of a flow medium, and which are introduced into the medium flow under the effect of gravity through an infeed conduit discharging into the flow conduit. The invention also includes an arrangement for the effectuation of the process. A partial flow of the flow medium from the flow conduit is introduced into the infeed conduit in a direction counter to the flow direction of the particles, and is regulated in the manner so as to set the desired particle flow. The volumetric flow of the flow medium which streams counter to the particles in the infeed conduit can, in an advantageous manner, be regulated externally of the infeed conduit whereby no regulating devices will be located in the flow path of the particles.

Abstract: An apparatus of transporting pneumatically suspended particulates from a source to a plurality of receivers and, more particularly, an apparatus for such conveying offering an improved means to minimize material blockage of the primary and branch delivery conduits when switching primary feed of the suspended particulates from one receiver to another.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for conveying friable lightweight particulate matter without destruction or excessive powdering is disclosed. A jet suction nozzle permits a gradual transition of pressure in the critical zone in which the material is acted upon by the jets. This is accomplished by a low jet duct angle and by the use of greater than usual quantities of air at lower than the usual pressures.

Abstract: A facility for the examination of radioactive bodies in which carriages, each transporting one or more radioactive bodies, travel along a shielded passage to bring the bodies to examination stations spaced along the passage. The transverse sectional dimensions of the passage are not much larger than the corresponding dimensions of the carriages in order to maintain the radioactive region as small as possible. Equipment for the examination of the radioactive bodies is located outside the shielded passage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the mixing of fly ash and a wetting agent to obtain a slurry for the ultimate disposal of fly ash. The apparatus is a slurry gun having an introduction chamber, the wetting agent being introduced horizontally into the chamber under a controlled pressure while the fly ash is aerated and introduced into the top of the chamber at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal so that the fly ash is introduced downwardly and outwardly in the direction of the flow of the wetting agent and being also under a controlled pressure, the combination of aerated fly ash and wetting agent being passed through a contorted descending path to create turbulence for mixing. A second embodiment includes a vibrator operably connected to the introduction chamber for dislodging any accumulated build up of fly ash.

Abstract: A pneumatic dredger bulk conveyor of the type wherein a conveyor line is formed by a first circular outer tube and a first inner tube telescopically slidable therein and a pressure line is formed by a second outer tube fixed to the first outer tube and a second inner tube telescopically slidable in the second outer tube in coordinated movement with the first inner tube, the improvement which comprises an upper circular guide member formed at the upper end of the first inner tube and closely spaced from the first outer tube defining a first circular interspace therewith, the first inner tube having below the upper guide member a polygonal profile forming a second interspace with the first outer tube having a greater cross sectional area than the first interspace and constituted by a plurality of first segmented passages of greater width than the first interspace and each of which is bounded by an arc of the first outer tube and a plane of the polygonal profile.

Abstract: A filter apparatus includes a filter housing having a gas treating enclosure portion and a hopper portion disposed below and open to the gas treating enclosure portion. The gas treating enclosure portion encloses a plurality of spaced apart filter cells which are to be filled with granulated gas treating material. The filter cells have open bottoms open to the hopper portion. A gas treating material conveying channel is disposed within and extends across the hopper portion of the housing proximate the bottom thereof. The interior of the channel is open to the interior of the hopper portion only intermittently along the longitudinal sides of the channel. Further, a conveying gas inlet aperture is formed through one wall of the hopper portion opening into the channel at one of its ends, and a gas treating material and conveying gas outlet aperture is formed through the opposite wall of the hopper portion opening into the channel at the other of its ends.

Abstract: A new apparatus for suspending and transporting particulate material is described. The apparatus is particularly useful for transporting and depositing thermal insulation into building spaces. The apparatus includes a conduit junction having a particle inlet conduit for the particulate material, an outlet conduit and an air inlet conduit to supply air under pressure for suspending the particulate material passing into the junction, e.g. from a closed receptacle such as a plastic bag in which the particulate material is stored. The air inlet conduit provides air at superatmospheric pressure to the closed receptacle, thereby placing the stored particulate material and the interior of the receptacle at or above the air pressure in the junction. The particulate material is then able to move into the junction without traversing an air current travelling in the opposite direction. The outlet conduit carries air and particulate material away from the junction to a delivery point.

Abstract: A method of reducing the formation of fines and streamers in connection with the gas conveying of plastic particles (and the resulting conveying apparatus), characterized by the maintenance of particular acute angle relationships between the longitudinal flow direction of particles and the impact direction of shot-peening previously used to condition pipe section interior wall means.

Abstract: An ejection tube assembly for a snowblower, wherein the assembly comprises a bottom tube section and an upper tube section which are telescopically extendible and retractable one in the other to form an ejection tube of sufficient height to load the present-day trucks and of reducible height to enter in a conventional garage. This ejection tube assembly includes a support, the ejection tube extending endwise upright on this support, a slender casing upwardly extending lengthwise, having an open bottom, and laterally fixed to the upper tube section for displacement therewith, a hydraulic cylinder engaged in the slender casing and fixed at the lower end to the support and guide rods fixed to the slender casing, longitudinally extending lengthwise thereof, and slidable in guiding sleeves fixed to the support.