Abstract: A valve comprising a valve body having a first end, a second end, and a through opening forming a fluid flow passage and a wall surrounding a portion of the fluid flow passage, the fluid flow passage defining an axis that is co-axial with the wall. A valve element is rotatably mounted in the valve body, the valve element having an annular, radiused sealing surface and being rotatable around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis passing through the fluid flow passage.

Abstract: A composition for use as an ink in thermal ink-jet printers comprising water, a compatible colorant, and certain 2-substituted 1,3-propanediols as humectants, the compositions providing a substantially kogation-free ink.

Abstract: A process for producing alkoxylated mono-, di-, and tri-esters in which a starting material ester and an alkylene oxide are reacted in the presence of selected calcium based catalysts.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting a heat exchanger tube assembly from a heat exchanger shell includes an extractor frame, an extractor body moveable with respect to the frame, and powered extraction members for literally moving the extractor body with respect to the frame. A plurality of rollers are provided each supporting the extractor frame and extractor body, and a plurality of respective drive motors each power one of the rollers for manipulating the apparatus relative to the heat exchanger shell. Both forward and reverse rotation of a respective roller and pivotable rotation of the roller with respect to the frame for steering capability of the apparatus may be provided by control means positioned such that the operator need not be carried by the assembly. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders each secured to the extractor frame are provided for elevating the extractor body to a desired position with respect to the heat exchanger shell for extraction and reinsertion of the tube assembly.

Abstract: An improved two-row, four-wheel cane harvester includes first and second front carrier assemblies for carrying cut cane rearward in first and second passageways each passing between the pair of front wheels and then outwardly between the respective front and rear wheels. First and second rear piler assemblies are provided for receiving cane from the respective first and second carrier assemblies and moving the cane transversely before releasing the cut cane across a cut cane row spaced between the first and second rows.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the pitting corrosion rate of carbon steel in a cooling tower system comprising adding to a cooling tower water an effective amount of a corrosion inhibiting composition containing from about 1 to about 10 ppm of a water soluble molybdate, calculated as molybdate and from about 5 to about 25 ppm of a stabilized phosphate, calculated as phosphate, the corrosion inhibiting composition being substantially free of active zinc, and circulating the water in the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a catalyst useful in producing ethylidene diacetate and to a process for producing ethylidene diacetate by a continuous process using the catalyst prepared. In the preparation of ethylidene diacetate from carbon monoxide and hydrogen, the conventional preparation method using a homogeneous catalyst system comprising a transition metal catalyst is hampered by difficulty in separating the catalyst from the reaction product after completion of the reaction. The catalyst of the present invention is separated easily from the reaction product. The heterogeneous catalyst of the present invention is prepared by adding a compound of a group VIII metal, preferably rhodium or palladium, to a carrier, preferably .alpha.-alumina, kieselguhr or silica, together with an accelerator containing phosphorus or nitrogen, preferably triphenylphosphine. Using the improved catalyst of the present invention also resulted in increased yield of product over conventional methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of catalyst technology, and more particularly to the preparation of a supported catalyst and a method of producing ethylidene diacetate using that supported catalyst. The catalyst is represented by the formula M.sub.a X. Compound M includes a group VIII transition metal which catalyzes the formation of ethylidene diacetate, preferably a compound of rhodium or palladium. Carrier X is an organic carrier, preferably selected from the divinylbenzene-polystyrene copolymers, most preferably copolymers having about 1-20% crosslinking. The weight percent of metal M contained in the catalyst is represented by the latter a. The supported heterogenized catalyst results from covalent bonding of the transition metal compound to the organic polymer carrier. Ethylidene diacetate was produced by reacting methyl acetate, iodomethane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of this supported catalyst and an accelerator at elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for separating mixtures of materials having different densities. The apparatus of the present invention is well suited for separating oil from water, and includes a separation tank defining a cylindrical water inlet chamber and a frustroconical separation chamber spaced above an adjoining the input inlet chamber. An oil leg is spaced above the separation chamber, and an adjustable oil overflow unit is provided adjacent the oil outlet for controlling the height of oil in the oil leg. A water leg is provided in parallel with the separation tank, and the elevation of the water outlet controls the height of water in the water leg. The oil leg overflow unit allows the head pressure in the oil leg relative to the head pressure in the water leg to maintain the interface within the separation chamber. Sensing devices are provided for monitoring the elevation of the oil/water interface within the separation chamber.

Abstract: A pipe body is provided having an upset portion and connecting to a tool joint to form a relatively rigid region. A stress relief groove is provided in this relatively rigid region of the tubular member to limit stress applied in the pipe body adjacent the upset portion by rotation of the pipe while the pipe is in an arcuate portion of a well bore. The stress relief groove is designed to increase flexibility of this relatively rigid region while providing that the anticipated stress to be applied in the relatively rigid section is less than the endurance limit in the locus of the stress relief groove.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst, a process for preparing the catalyst and a process for using the catalyst to produce ethylidene diacetate. The conventional preparation methods of ethylidene diacetate suffer from difficulty in separating the catalyst from the product after completion of the reaction. The catalyst of the present invention is simply separated from the product by mere filtration following the completion of reaction. This is a result of using a heterogenized catalyst which is obtained by supporting a homogeneous catalyst in an inorganic carder. The catalyst of the present invention is of the general formula M.sub.a X where M is a compound of a group VIII transition metal, most preferably RhCl.sub.3 .multidot.xH.sub.2 O, and X is an inorganic carrier, preferably selected from the group consisting of kieselguhr, .gamma.-alumina, silica, TiO.sub.2, MgO, ZnO and activated charcoal.

Abstract: A process for clarifying an alkoxylated product mixture produced using a calcium-based catalyst wherein the product mixture is heated to a temperature of from about 80.degree. C. to about 175.degree. C. to produce a filtration feed, the filtration feed being passed through a filter medium comprising material possessing polar groups to produce a clarified filtrate, the filtration feed being passed through the filter medium within about 5 days of being prepared, the filtration feed being passed through the filter medium until the desired degree of clarification is obtained, the temperature of the clarified filtrate being less than about 30.degree. C. but above the pour point of the clarified filtrate.

Abstract: Coring apparatus and method are disclosed which provide for hydraulic latching of an inner core barrel within an outer core barrel. The apparatus includes a valve face disposed around the inner core barrel and valve seat disposed around the bore of the outer core barrel that close to form a restriction in the drilling fluid flow path. A hydraulic differential force is thereby created which holds the inner barrel in place. Axially oriented bores in a hanger assembly and in stabilizers are disposed along the inner core barrel to provide a flow path for the drilling fluid after the restriction is formed. The bores are calibrated to produce a pre-determined hydraulic force on the inner barrel. A bearing assembly is used to prevent transmission of outer barrel rotation to the inner core barrel. The outer surface of the bearing assembly forms the valve face so as to form the drilling fluid restriction and also provides an axial stop that prevents further axial movement of the inner barrel towards the core head.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is provided for interconnection between a motor having a substantially constant rotational output and a linear motion conveyor. The linear motion conveyor includes a tray which may be movable in a first reciprocating direction at a slow speed, then in a backward reciprocating direction at a second speed to move goods along the tray. The drive mechanism includes universal joint for interconnection between the output shaft of the motor and a second shaft, such that the rotational speed of the second shaft varies as a function of the angle between the motor output and the second shaft output. A speed reducer is provided between the second shaft and a third shaft, and a crank interconnects the third shaft with the tray to move goods along the tray. This drive mechanism may also be used to drive a tray configured in spiral and thereby convey product vertically.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve for an engine comprises a tubular housing having a central throughway. An axially directed valve seat defines an outlet from the throughway. At least one housing fuel inlet communicates the exterior of the housing with the throughway outwardly of the seat. A sealing section outwardly of the housing fuel inlet includes an internal annular enlargement in the central throughway. A housing buffer inlet communicates the exterior of the housing with the enlargement. An inert, nonflammable buffer gas is injected through the housing buffer inlet. A valve stem is mounted for reciprocation in the throughway and has a valve element for cooperation with the seat. First and second annular housing seals are disposed between the valve stem and the housing, respectively inwardly and outwardly of the downstream end of the housing buffer inlet.

Abstract: A fixed cutting element drill bit is provided with primary cutting elements which are spaced radially from each other across the face of the bit. During drilling, the gap between the cutting elements causes a ridge to be formed in the bottom of the well and the apex of the ridge is removed before reaching the face of the bit. In one form of the invention, the apex is broken off by utilization of the sides of the supports for the primary cutting elements.

Abstract: A firearm support is provided with a receiving and attachment means for receiving the firearm and securely holding it. The attachment means engages with the sling mount bolt of a firearm and draws the firearm and firearm support tightly but releasably together. The attachment means includes gripping arms with pins that engage a sling bore in the sling mount bolt. The attachment means also includes a fixed body or neck with an inner bore that receives the sling mount bolt and gripping arms. The inner bore has an elongate camming surface to engage an outer surface on the gripping arms for urging the pins into the sling bore and holding them in place as the gripping arms and sling mount bolt are pulled into the inner bore. The firearm support includes a telescoping leg that has an internal lock to maintain the leg in a closed or carrying position with respect to the firearm.

Abstract: A jet pulverizing method is described for preparing silicon seed particles from silicon feed particles without contamination. The method comprises accelerating silicon feed particles by fluid jet energy and colliding them with each other within a pulverizing chamber to fracture or split them into small particles which are recovered for use as seed particles. The method is characterized by the technique that silicon particles fluidized within the pulverizing chamber are formed into a dilute-phase fluidized bed with low particle density. Thus, the generation of fine powders may be suppressed and additional sieving to separate larger particles is not required.

Abstract: The drilling tool (1) intended to widen a drilling well bears a series of helical arms (3) resting at a first end on a first fixed flange (4) so as to be able to turn on themselves by a portion of a turn under the control of a rotating ring (9) driven by an opening mechanism (10) controlled by a variation in the pressure of the drilling fluid, while the other end of the arm (3) slides along a groove (21) provided in a second flange (5).