Abstract: A method of processing fish in which whole fish are reduced to fish solubles in aqueous solution and to fish solids comprising bones and scales. Fish are continuously processed in a series of interconnected vessels so that a continuous steady-state discharge of product is obtained and so that additional fish can be introduced into the system during discharge of product.

Abstract: A regulator for controlling the speed of a rotary hydrodynamic pump algebraically sums a preselected value with a signal related to the pump speed and raised to a predetermined power. A root of the combined signals is compared with a flow rate or liquid level signal to develop a pump speed control signal. In the mechanical embodiments of the regulator, the algebraic summation is performed by the force of a spring against a fluid pressure, and the root of the resulting signal is obtained by means of an appropriately shaped cam. Electronically, the root signal is developed with an RC circuit.

Abstract: A fluid pumping system includes a pump driven at a variable speed by a motor connected to the pump by a fluid cooled transducer. A regulator, connected to the transducer, controls, the speed of the pump responsive to an analog signal related in value to the flow rate of the pump and responsive to a control signal provided by a pump cycle controller. The pump cycle controller senses the level of a basin of fluid to be pumped and provides the control signal. The control signal is operative to start the pump when the fluid level reaches a predetermined starting level, to vary the pump speed responsive to changes in fluid levels higher than the starting level, and to run the pump at a minimum speed when the fluid level is between the starting level and a predetermined stopping level, lower than the starting level.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the liquid level in a storage tank which involves placing at least two magnetically operated switches, e.g., magnetic-reed switches, at different levels in the tank and causing a magnet-containing float to move in response to the liquid level to activate these switches. A relay operates upon activation of the higher of these switches to start electrical current flowing to operate a discharge pump, thereby controlling the liquid level in the tank. In a preferred embodiment, a third magnetically operated switch is employed so that when the magnet activates the third switch at least one indication, e.g., sound and/or light alarm, is given that the liquid level is at least at a predetermined level.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a motor driven centrifugal pump having a suction line extending to a source of water which is located at a level below the pump. The discharge line of the pump extends to the area to be sprinkled in the event of fire. A sight glass is provided at a remote location and has a vacuum line extending from the lower portion thereof to the interior of the pump. A vacuum pump is connected to the upper portion of the sight glass for creating a vacuum within the sight glass, when actuated, so that a vacuum is created in the vacuum line extending from the sight glass to the pump so that water will be drawn from the source of water upwardly to the pump and thence to the sight glass. When a sufficient water level has been reached within the sight glass, the motor operating the centrifugal pump is energized so that water will be discharged onto the area experiencing the fire. The vacuum pump is controlled by means of an alarm system located in the area to be protected.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated mechanical relay is encapsulated in electrical insulating resin in a housing on a tubular column extending upward from a submerged pump unit in the bottom of a tank, to energize the pump motor. Float switches mounted on said housing are connected to the relay to control the pump in accordance with a liquid level in the tank.

Abstract: The disclosure is a system for increasing the reliability of systems for keeping auxiliary liquid-holding tanks filled and reliably functional. A float-operated switch cycles an electric pump to maintain the liquid level between full and nearly full, and a back-flow-preventing check valve is employed and modified (apertured and/or bypassed) to permit slow back leakage to "exercise" the system. The pump, its input to the tank, and the check valve are all located below the pump-turn-on level so that they never lose their prime. One arrangement for testing liquid-level control has a float on a lever arm that operates both the pump-motor-cycling switch and also a low-level switch to energize an alarm. The lever arm also rotates a shaft carrying an indicator dial and/or pointer. The shaft has a manually engageable knob or lever for submerging the float to test the operability of the pump, the alarm, and other parts.

Abstract: A sump pump having a float to initiate pumping and a flow-actuated device to continue pumping until the sump is substantially empty. The device may be in the form of a check valve held open by flow during pumping, and having a position which mechanically retains a motor switch closed.

Abstract: An automatic flushing device for an evaporative cooling system contains a water sump, circulating pump, and float-operated water makeup source. A small, adjustable portion of the return flow enters a separate timing reservoir. When the timing reservoir is full, water from the well and the sump are flushed from the system through a siphon tube which communicates with both chambers.

Abstract: Control apparatus is provided responsive to liquid flow which has in the suction line of the pump a float operated magnetically actuated switch in which the float is moved to one position by the presence of liquid attendant on flow and moves to another position upon cessation of flow with provisions including an expansible chamber for impelling the float to the other position either by delivering gas or air to the float chamber or by positively moving the float to the other position. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use in closed systems utilizing supply containers which are collapsed as the liquid is withdrawn.

Abstract: Fluid is transferred from a reservoir to a tank by means of a pump which pumps fluid through a conduit communicating with the tank and separably coupled to the reservoir. Operation of the pump is governed by a control mechanism that is operable to enable and disable operation of the pump. The control mechanism is connected to an energy source via adjustable switching means which in one of its positions is operable to disable operation of the pump when the level of fluid in the tank reaches a predetermined height, and in another of which it is operable to enable operation of the pump regardless of the fluid level in the tank.

Abstract: The float switch is for control of a submersible sump pump or the like and has a housing, a switch in the housing and with the switch having a spring control member extending therefrom to turn the switch on and off with movement of such control member, leads connecting to the switch and extending from the housing to the power controlled circuit. An activator arm is pivotally positioned in the housing for gravity actuated pivotal movement towards and away from the switch for engaging and moving the control member to switch closed position and to release it for switch opening action, the position of the activator arm being controlled by gravity and the float switch being permitted only limited movement with fluctuations in the water level in the sump by the leads secured thereto.

Abstract: A wet-dry vacuum apparatus is disclosed for continuously picking up liquid and conveying it into a tank and for simultaneously removing the liquid from the tank when necessary. The apparatus includes a tank for holding liquid. The tank includes a vertical drum, a removable cover for closing the upper end of the drum, and a bottom plate for closing the lower end of the drum. A motor driven vacuum pump is mounted on the cover for sucking liquid to be picked up into the tank through an inlet opening into the upper end of the drum. The apparatus further includes a liquid pump, driven by an electric motor, in the tank carried by the cover for discharging liquid from the tank under pressure through an outlet opening in the cover. A first float, positioned in the tank, closes a first switch, which electrically connects the liquid pump to a power source, when a first predetermined liquid level in the tank is reached to thereby actuate the liquid pump to discharge liquid from the tank.

Abstract: A means to monitor the depth of water in a well and to prevent a pump from operating if the water level falls to a predetermined level, consisting of float and weight means operating a depth indicator and cutoff switch.

Abstract: The portable water bailing device of the present invention includes a housing having a plurality of openings therein adjacent the lower end thereof. Within the housing is a water pump connected to a tube for directing the water from the bottom of the boat outwardly over the edges thereof. The water pump is driven by a direct current motor which is connected in series with a battery. Also in series with the battery and motor is a limit switch which is actuated by a float within the housing. As the water rises within the housing, the float actuates the switch which in turn actuates the pump.

Abstract: The combination of a submersible electric pump, a holder on the pump, a cable holder movably mounted in the holder, a float having a switch therein which is actuated depending on the position of the float in a body of liquid, and a cable extending from the pump to the float and electrically connecting the switch to the pump for controlling the running of the pump depending on the condition of actuation of the switch. A point intermediate the length of the cable is held in the cable holder, whereby the level of the liquid in which the float is positioned at which the pump will be started and stopped can be controlled by adjusting the position of the cable holder in the holder and the point along the length of the cable which is supported on the cable holder.

Abstract: A modular sump pump assembly is disclosed that consists of three components--a base module, a power module and a switch module. The base module includes the pump casing and is adapted to be connected to the piping that is utilized for discharging the liquid from the sump. The power module, which comprises the pump impeller, the motor, the connecting drive shaft and related parts can be inserted at the pump impeller end into and removed from the base module by means of a bayonet-type joint so that servicing of the power module can be performed merely by twisting the power module relative to the base module to disconnect the bayonet-type joint, after which the power module can be lifted from the sump. The switch module is connected to the power module so that it also can be serviced merely by removal of the power module from the base module and then, if desired, disconnected from the power module.

Abstract: All of the components of a sump pump apparatus necessary to be in the sump are enclosed in a common case. In one embodiment, this case is of plastic and holds the motor means, the pump impeller and at least part of the water level sensors. The motor means is in a bell holding trapped air so that the water cannot reach the motor means. In one such embodiment the motor means is a single D.C. motor and in another embodiment it consists of a D.C. motor coupled by a one-way clutch to an A.C. motor which in turn is connected to the pump impeller. In each of these two embodiments, the water level sensor includes a tube having an open end in the bell to sample the air pressure in the bell and an end externally of the sump connected to a pressure actuated switch which turns on the motor means at a particular air pressure above ambient. Also within the bell is a float operated switch serving as a back-up to the air actuated switch. Using two motors, as mentioned above, the A.C.

Abstract: An emergency sump pump is employed in a sump from which the liquid is normally removed by a main pump. The main pump turns on when the liquid rises to an upper level and turns off when the liquid drops to a lower level. The emergency pump has a vertical intake conduit which opens at the bottom below the lower level. This conduit is surrounded by a tube which has openings in areas below the lower level and above the upper level. The tube is solid between those two levels and also is solid above the upper area of openings.

Abstract: An automatic water powered sump drainer comprises valve means, a float assembly, a venturi, means connecting one side of the sump drainer to a water supply, and means connecting the other side of the sump drainer to a drain outlet. The valve means is supported in spaced relation to a sump hole and has operatively connected thereto the float assembly which includes a float ball positioned within a sump hole and connected to the valve means for movement between two extreme positions. Motion of the float ball is transmitted to the valve means and effects movement of a permanent magnet therein which in conjunction with armature means controls a diaphragm which opens or closes a through passage in the valve means. The venturi is formed in this through passage and is operable to cause water located in a sump hole to be withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: A pump control comprising a control circuit having a timer which periodically closes the control circuit and hence an energizing electric circuit to an electric motor driving the pump, for predetermined intervals of time, and a float assembly having a vertically movable float surrounded by a vertical guide and shield having openings adjacent its bottom. Inlet and outlet lines extend upwardly through its bottom and establish an upward liquid level in the float chamber and provide support. A reduced flow drain line at the bottom of the float chamber drains liquid to establish a lower liquid level.

Abstract: A device for sensing and controlling liquid level in a reservoir container. The device includes a sensing element in the form of a displacer which enters the liquid through the surface and displaces a predetermined volume. The displacer is located in a surge tank into which the liquid is initially fed and from which it is supplied to the reservoir. The displacer is mounted on an arm of a lever, the displacer being counterbalanced to respond to a liquid level in the surge tank. The lever carries a switch actuating mechanism which is moved in response to a change in the liquid level in the surge tank and which controls actuation of a single acting piston pump air motor to supply liquid to the surge tank.

Abstract: A pump check valve control apparatus includes a pump for delivering a fluid to a system. A valve between the pump and the system controls the delivery of the fluid to the system. A valve actuator, signalled by an actuator control, begins to open the valve when the pressure on the pump side of the valve substantially equals the system pressure. During the opening cycle of the valve, a substantially constant pressure is maintained in the system. The actuator control closes the valve so that flow through the valve ceases when the pressure differential across the valve is substantially zero.

Abstract: Condenser apparatus for removing moisture from the air including a housing for the condenser apparatus, which housing has both a cooling liquid inlet and an air inlet at one end. Within the housing is a condensing chamber and a rotatable disc spaced inwardly from the liquid inlet so that when the disc is rotated and liquid is impinged upon the disc a cooling liquid droplet cloud is produced in the condensing chamber. At the opposite end of the condenser housing from the inlet is an air outlet and a concentrically positioned rotatable blower. Located between the blower and the rotatable disc is a rotatable liquid droplet interceptor wheel for collecting entrained liquid droplets before they pass into the blower and depositing them into an underlying bath. Circumferentially around the interceptor wheel is a liquid pump that removes liquid from the condenser apparatus. An electric motor is utilized for rotatably driving all of the rotating elements.

Abstract: The portable water bailing device of the present invention includes a housing having a plurality of openings therein adjacent the lower end thereof. Within the housing is a water pump connected to a tube for directing the water from the bottom of the boat outwardly over the edges thereof. The water pump is driven by a direct current motor which is connected in series with a battery. Also in series with the battery and motor is a limit switch which is actuated by a float within the housing. As the water rises within the housing, the float actuates the switch which in turn actuates the pump.

Abstract: A sump containing a conventional sump pump has a battery operated emergency pump. A trapped air pressure operated switch turns the emergency pump on when the water level rises excessively in the sump and an alarm signal is given. If the trapped air operated switch fails to turn the pump on, a non-mechanical float switch does so after a further rise in the liquid level in the sump and at the same time an emergency warning signal is produced. The float switch also turns on the emergency pump if that pump had not previously been turned on due to a malfunction in the trapped air switch. When the emergency pump turns on, a battery charger is energized from the alternating current supply so as to prevent depletion of the battery so long as the alternating current is available. Normally, the battery charger is turned on periodically by a timer to maintain adequate battery charge on a regulated basis. If battery power fails alarm is actuated. An alarm is actuated when alternating current power failure occurs.