Abstract: An impeller pump with thermostatically adjustable guide vanes is suitable for use as an automotive coolant pump. The pump is driven by a constant speed electric motor, and flow variation is controlled by varying the orientation of the vanes. Orientation of the vanes is effected by a wax-type thermostat, which senses coolant temperature: flow is increased when the coolant is hot, and decreased as the coolant cools. The variable guide vanes are mounted for pivoting about radial axes, and are located just upstream from the pump impeller.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for monitoring a well and for obtaining fluid samples from below the ground. The apparatus includes a single-piece, extruded plastic well stock that extends from the surface of the ground to the lowest sampling depth. Plural sampling intervals are defined between the surface and the lowest sampling depth. Sampling intervals are defined by isolating sections of the borehole by using packers that seal the annular space between the well stock and the borehole. The well stock includes plural longitudinal chambers. Inlet holes are put into the well stock so that inlets for each interval admit fluid to only one longitudinal chamber. Inert sealant is injected below inlets to prevent fluid from spreading below a desired level. Instructions are placed into the longitudinal chambers to monitor fluids in the chambers or to retrieve samples, or alternatively, the well stock can be removed to obtain samples.

Abstract: Acidity in water leaching from a mass of sulphide tailings is prevented by de-oxygenating the water prior to entering the mass. A cover comprising an electrolytic cell, either galvanic or impressed-current, gives rise to a cathode reaction in which the redox voltage of the water drops to 003 volts or less. The cover can be thinner, and much less expensive, than an equally-effective non-reactive cover. The electrolyte is water contained in water-retaining soil, or a depth of water, lying over the cathode. The cathode is steel mesh, or a layer of graphite, spread over the whole mass of tailings.

Abstract: For extracting a liquid (such as oil) from a porous medium, the liquid is subjected to pulses that propagate through the liquid flowing through the pores of the medium. The pulses cause momentary surges in the velocity of the liquid, which keeps the pores open. The pulses can be generated in the production well, or in a separate excitation well. If the pulses travel with the liquid, the velocity of travel of the liquid through the pores can be increased. The solid matrix is kept stationary, and the pulses move through the liquid. The pulses in the liquid can be generated directly in the liquid, or indirectly in the liquid via a localized area of the solid matrix.

Abstract: The headrest support tubes are secured to the seat frame member not by the usual welding, but by gripping the web of the member between two rings or lock-beads swaged into the metal of the tube. The first ring is swaged-out by compressing the tube. The tube, with the one ring, is then assembled into a through-hole in the web of the frame member. Then, the second ring is swaged into the metal of the tube, on the other side of the web, and the web lies gripped between the rings. The seat frame member may be an I-section extrusion, or a round tube with localised squeezed-flat areas, flanked by flanges.

Abstract: A method for reducing sludge viscosity of a sewage sludge having a solids concentration of at least 10% (w/w). The method comprises the steps of increasing the pH of the sludge to 9.5-12.5%, at least one step selected from subjecting the sludge to a holding step of at least one day and adding inorganic or organic chemicals to facilitate viscosity reduction, followed by incubating the sludge at temperature up to 100° C., and subjecting the sludge to a shearing or disintegration step. The method provides sludge, especially concentrated sludge, that is more readily pumped or transported.

Abstract: The device comprises a sheet of paper or card, having a slit formed therein. The slit makes an inverted U-shape, having left and right leg portions, and a cross-bar. The slit divides the sheet into a front panel, on which a greetings message can be written or printed, and a fixing-loop, which slips over the neck of the bottle. The vertical length of the legs of the slit is shorter than the width between the legs, whereby the device comes to rest on the bottle, with the neck of the bottle touching the inside of the front panel and the back of the fixing-loop. The bottle does not touch the legs of the slit. An envelope for the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The use of extruded plastic continuous-multi-channel (CMC) tubing for conveying water samples from different depths up out of boreholes is enhanced by the compressed-grommet sealing system as described. The rubber grommet is placed inside one of the many conduits of the tubing, and squeezed lengthwise, whereby the grommet expands laterally and seals and plugs the conduit. When forming a port in the conduit, an aperture is cut in the wall of the conduit, and plug-assemblies having the grommets are placed above and below the port. Ledges on the plug-assemblies engage the ends of the aperture, and operate in conjunction with spacer bars in the aperture to prevent the plug-assemblies being moved along the conduit by pressure in the conduit. Some of the conduits in the CMC tubing are left unplugged, for admitting probes, sensors, etc.

Abstract: In place of the conventional aerobic treatment station, wastewater undergoes aeration in a treatment-pipe. The treatment-pipe has a long/narrow configuration. Open-cell foam serves as treatment material, in the treatment pipe, and promotes attachment of microbial colonies. Two or more treatment-pipes may be connected in series or parallel. Also, in place of a conventional septic tank, wastewater undergoes anaerobic treatment and settlement in a treatment-pipe. The treatment-pipe has a long/narrow configuration. End chambers provide inlet and outlet ports, a sump for collecting settled-out solids, and sealing attachments for the treatment-pipe itself.

Abstract: The plants are disposed on a near-vertical matrix panel of porous or fibrous inert material, in which the roots of the plants are embedded. Hydroponic water trickles down the panel, keeping the roots wet. A fan draws the air to be treated horizontally through the panel. The unit freshens stale air in a room. It may be provided as a wall-mounted unit, or as a self-standing tower unit.

Abstract: For automatic unloading of soft-drink pack carriers form boxes, and depositing same into the carrier-magazine of a packaging machine. The carrier box is loaded into a bucket, from a full-box-conveyor. The bucket is pivotable, and is overturned to enable the box to be extracted from the bucket, leaving the carriers inside. The bucket is pivoted in a cradle, and the cradle is carried in a bucket-elevator, and the bucket can undergo up/down movements on the elevator. Because of the elevator, the box conveyors can be overhead, out of the way of the magazine into which the carriers are to be transferred.

Abstract: At a crossing, rubber interface strips are positioned between the rails and the asphalt or concrete. A U-shaped spring-clip fits underneath the rail, and has upstanding arms that carry tappets, which engage the strips. One of the arms is threaded, and carries a screwed tappet-rod. Turning the tappet-rod closes the distance between the tappets, clamping the strips onto the sides of the rail, and forcing the springy arms apart. The spring-clips are manipulated into position while in an unstressed condition. The spring-clip is only brought up to force when finally assembled. Assembly can be done without tools, and with little danger of mix-assembly, or of injury to workers.

Abstract: For houses and other buildings in remote locations, which are not serviced with mains (municipal) utilities, a module includes the electric generator, water supply, sewage disposal, etc facilities. The module and its utilities are constructed, assembled, and installed into a room-structure, in a factory, whereby the whole module can be tested prior to shipping. The physical and structural integration of the components and systems permits and enhances functional and operational integration of the systems. The module uses co-generation, heat exchangers, etc, for coordinating the hitherto-separate utility systems.

Abstract: In a double-ended Francis turbine, shaft whip at critical speed is alleviated by pitching tappets in the housing, around the rotor. The tappets are adjusted to lie closer to the rotor than the (labyrinth) seal grooves. The tappets are of polythene, and are around twenty in number. The tappets are adjustable from outside the housing, and adjustment may be done with the turbine running.

Abstract: A wetsuit comprises separate jacket and pants. The arm-sleeves and leg-sleeves have zippers running lengthwise, whereby the sleeves can be completely opened up. A wearer, e.g. a physically-disadvantaged child, can simply be laid upon the opened-out garment, by an assistant, who can then very easily wrap the garments around the limbs of the child, and can do up the zippers.

Abstract: A method for the biodegradation on an oil-based sludge comprising a mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method comprises forming an aqueous solution in a reactor of an oil-in-water emulsion of the oil-based sludge, bacterial culture and nutrients for the bacterial culture, the bacterial culture having the ability to grow on petroleum hydrocarbons as sole carbon source and having been isolated from a hydrocarbon contaminated soil or hydrocarbon-containing sludge or other environments rich in hydrocarbon degrading bacteria, maintainingthe aqueous solution under aerobic conditions in the reactor at a temperature of at least 10° C. for a period of time sufficient to reduce the amount of hydrocarbon by at least 25%, and discharging aqueous solution having a reduced amount of hydrocarbons from the reactor. The method may be used on sludge containing aromatics, resins and asphaltenes.

Abstract: Phosphate-contaminated water passes through a domestic sewage treatment system, in which oxidation of the ammonium progresses far enough to cause a lowering of the pH to 5 or less. The water is passed over sand grains coated with aluminum hydroxide (gibbsite). Enough Al3+ ions enter solution, at the low pH, to cause all the phosphate-P to precipitate as aluminum phosphate, and nothing else precipitates other than the aluminum phosphate.

Abstract: The attachment provides an overhandle, which overlies the handle of the torch, thereby creating a tapering space. The welder places the first web area of the hand into the space, whereupon the connection between the hand and the torch is made more secure. The welder can manipulate the torch, without the need to exert a constant tight gripping force on the torch. The attachment includes side-cheeks which provide even more of a constraining connection between the hand and the torch. The attachment is adjustable as to position and angle with respect to the torch.

Abstract: For disposing of liquid pig manure by composting same with solid carbonaceous matter. The composting material is contained in a trough, and is turned by means of an apron, which is supported in a carriage for a travelling along the trough. The apron carries moving rakes which lift and turn the material. The apron can be set to traverse both backwards and forwards. The apron is angled to a bottom-leading configuration during traversing, and the apron is capable of being lifted, to change the angle, when setting up for reversing the traverse.

Abstract: The borehole packer is for sealing the annular space around a pipe in a borehole. The packer is pre-manufactured, in-factory. To give the packer the rigidity it needs for handling and transport, the packer is built around an inner sleeve of rigid (metal) mesh. Alternatively, the packer may be built around a cardboard tube, which is discarded as the packer is assembled onto the pipe. When the packing material is bentonite, the bentonite may be compression-moulded into annular-rings, and the packer is built up from the rings.