Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling biofouling of a datasonde. The apparatus includes a sample chamber that attaches to the end of the datasonde and encloses its sensor array. The sample chamber is plumbed with a water tube that allows ambient water to flow into and out of the sample chamber. The chamber is also plumbed with an air tube that allows air to flow into and out of the sample chamber. The air tube is split above the water surface with each side having an in-line solenoid valve. One side of the air tube is connected to a compressed air source and the other side is open to the atmosphere. Compressed air is introduced to the sample chamber at set intervals, forcing extant sample water from the sample chamber via the water tube to control biofouling of the sensor array.

Abstract: In a vacuum pump of the regenerative type or including a regenerative section in which a rotatable vertical shaft is supported by upper and lower bearings, a lubricating system for lubricating the upper bearing comprising an axial bore extending along the shaft and communicating at its upper end with at least one oil hole in alignment with the upper bearing, the lower open end of the axial bore extending in to a shaft reservoir located in a sump for containing lubricating fluid, the arrangement being such that centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the shaft will cause the lubricating fluid in the shaft reservoir to pass along the axial bore as a thin film towards the oil hole and hence to the upper bearing, in which at least one port is formed in a wall of the shaft reservoir to permit the passage of lubricating fluid therethrough from the sump in a controlled manner dependent upon the head of lubricating fluid in the sump above the port.

Abstract: An air-operated pump includes a pair of poppet valves affixed to a vertical valve shaft and arranged so that the upper valve is closed when the lower valve is open, and vice versa. When a connected displacer is immersed in tank fluid, its buoyancy in combination with a bias spring translates the valve shaft to operate the poppet valves. An upper poppet valve chamber is connected [1 ] via a restrictance to an auxiliary air supply, and also [2] to an air operator that triggers a three-way pneumatic valve, an inlet port of which controls a main air supply while a second port is vented to atmosphere. A third port transmits an air supply to the tank through the intermediation of a quick exhaust valve, which rapidly vents the tank at the end of each pump cycle and also serves to isolate the three-way valve from any tank-fluid contamination.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated and controlled pump which is capable of maintaining its efficiency and reliability in various environments. The pump head contains a spool and sleeve valve assembly operated in response to a signal pressure. The assembly controls the cycling of the pump through a pumping phase and a pump filling phase. A timing switch on the surface controls the occurrence of the signal pressure and thus the pump cycles, at preset intervals thus eliminating any lag time between the cycles and the need for operator estimations of the cycle times. This results in a virtually closed system and self contained unit.

Abstract: A pump arrangement that has a pump chamber with an inlet opening and a discharge opening. A discharge pipe is connected to the outlet opening to carry liquid, etc., from the pump chamber. An inlet pipe is connected to the inlet opening and extends downwardly therefrom into the liquid to carry liquid, etc., to the pump chamber. The inlet opening is formed in the pump chamber above the discharge opening. A supply pipe is connected between a source of compressed air and the pump chamber. The supply pipe selectively either supplies compressed air to the pump chamber for exhausting liquid, etc., therefrom via the outlet opening and the discharge pipe or vents the air for intaking liquid, etc., into the pump chamber via the inlet pipe and the inlet opening. The inlet pipe is valve-free, whereby the inlet pipe is open during the entire operation of the pump arrangement so that the pump may pump liquids containing solid objects.

Abstract: A tubular pump comprises a "tube-within-a-tube" having a lower end adapted to be submerged in a liquid that is under a pressure p.sub.1, for example a pressure of one atmosphere. The inner and outer tubes are in communication with each other adjacent to the submerged lower end. A pneumatic system alternately applies a pressure p.sub.2 lower than the pressure p.sub.1 to both the inner and outer tubes and a pressure p.sub.3 higher than the pressure p.sub.1 to the inner tube. A check valve mounted in the lower end of the outer tube is open when exposed to the pressure p.sub.2 to enable the liquid to flow upward into both tubes to a height h.sub.1 supported by the pressure p.sub.1 and is closed when exposed to the pressure p.sub.3 to prevent the liquid from flowing backward through the check valve. The liquid therefore flows from the inner tube upward through the outer tube in response to the pressure p.sub.3. A sump line is connected to the outer tube at a height h.sub.2 greater than the height h.sub.1.

Abstract: A valve control system for an air displacement type pump operates the inlet or outlet valve in accordance with the pressure differential between the inlet line and the main pump chamber or the outlet line and the main pump chamber respectively such that the inlet valve is open when the pressure in the pump chamber is less than the pressure in the inlet line and the outlet valve is opened when the pressure in the chamber is greater than the pressure in the outlet line.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for removing liquid from a well using well bore pressurized gas. A U-shaped tube having a small orifice near the bottom thereof is received in the well. The upper portions of both legs of the tube are connected to well bore pressurized gas. A liquid sensor is received in one leg of the tube. When liquid flowing into the tube through the orifice rises to the level of the sensor, a valve, which is connected to one leg of the tube, is opened and the well head pressurized gas forces the liquid out of the tube and then out of the well.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring toxic waste liquid directly into a 55 gallon waste drum includes a mobile drum cradle that lifts the drum so it can be moved to a container presently holding the toxic liquid. A vacuum is produced in a transfer reservoir, and an inlet valve of the tank is opened and a dump valve of the tank is closed. The vacuum draws waste liquid through a tube and the inlet valve into the transfer reservoir until a full condition is sensed. The vacuum then is released, the inlet valve is closed, and the dump valve is opened, dumping waste liquid from the transfer reservoir through the dump valve directly into the drum. This procedure is automatically repeated until all of the waste liquid is transferred or a drum full condition is sensed. The drum is then carried to a disposal site by the mobile drum cradle.

Abstract: A fluidic pumping system comprises a reverse flow diverter positioned below the level of a liquid to be pumped and inserted between a charge vessel and a delivery pipe. A control system including pressure-responsive devices effects alternate pressurizing and venting of the charge vessel for pumping the liquid. Passage of liquid from the charge vessel into pipes leading to a compressed air supply and the reverse flow diverter generates pressure changes which are detected and the electric output signals are used to operate the control means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering metered quantities of liquid wherein the liquid is circulated through a chamber to fill the chamber with liquid and circulation is temporarily terminated with the chamber filled with liquid. While circulation is terminated gas under pressure is admitted to the chamber to displace liquid therefrom through a discharge port. The quantity of liquid displaced is controlled by regulating the volume of the chamber and/or by regulating the relative disposition in the chamber of the point of entry of the gas and point of discharge of the liquid.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising providing an imaging member comprising an agglomerable layer in contact with an imagewise hardenable-softenable layer and imagewise hardening said member. An image is developed by imagewise softening said member to cause relative transparentizing in the imagewise softened areas due to an agglomeration of the agglomerable layer in the imagewise softened portions of said member.

Abstract: Successive samples are taken periodically from a body of liquid with the aid of pressurized fluid serving as both timing medium and sample propellant. The sampling apparatus is adjustable as to interval between successive samples, duration of taking of each sample, and sample lift.

Abstract: Successive samples are taken periodically from a body of liquid with the aid of pressurized fluid serving as both timing medium and sample propellant. Alternative high-pressure and low-pressure paths for the fluid correspond to high-lift and low-lift uses in sampling apparatus adjustable as to interval between successive samples and duration of taking of each sample, as well as convertible between levels of sample lift.