Abstract: A microwave process seal and method is provided for use, for example, in the detection of ullage level and flow in a vessel or conduit by detecting the presence of a solid or liquid material in proximity to a microwave detector. Particularly, a horn design is provided in conjunction with, the microwave process seal of the present invention which fits in the mouth of the horn. The microwave process seal is kept as thin as possible to meet pressure requirements. The surface of the seal is oriented at or near the Brewster angle. The Brewster angle is that angle for which there is total transmission across a dielectric boundary for energy that strikes the boundary with a linear polarization.

Abstract: A portable ladder assembly adapted to be removably mounted in the space between a body and a rail spaced therefrom, e.g. between the body of a conventional truck trailer and tie down rail. The ladder has a main ladder section having an elongated vertical support member and a plurality of step members transversely secured thereto. Means are disposed adjacent a top end of the elongated member for removably securing an upper end of the main ladder section in the space between the body and the tie down rail. Extension members are provided for extending the ladder above the rail to facilitate personnel climbing on the ladder assmbly. An optional lower ladder section having at least one transverse step member supported by at least one elongated member attached to the main ladder section adjacent a lower end thereof is repositionable between at least two different elevations.

Abstract: A device is provided for detecting the ullage level and flow in a vessel by detecting the presence of a solid or liquid material in proximity to a microwave detector. The device may be mounted to the side of the vessel or suspended inside the vessel so as to bring the microwave sensor into proximity with the surface of the contents of the vessel. A microwave bridge circuit may be used to detect a change in either the amplitude or phase of a signal reflected by the material within the vessel compared to a reference signal tuned to either the presence or absence of the anticipated solid or liquid material. In one embodiment, the reflected material signal is compared to the signal from a sample chamber containing the material to be detected. The device can reliably detect the level of multiple interfaces for various materials having distinct electric or magnetic properties.

Abstract: A hanger adapter utilized in hanging fixtures on an inclined ceiling in conjunction with a hanger assembly and a fixture attachment assembly. The hanger adapter provides for the attachment of the hanger and fixture attachment assemblies to same at a position laterally offset from each other so as to effect a substantial alignment of the center of gravity of the fixture and the main axis of the hanger assembly with respect to vertical in an installed position. The hanger adapter has a plate with position indicators, each of which corresponds to a particular selectable, predetermined lateral offset which effects such a substantial alignment for its corresponding preselected angle of ceiling incline and the configuration of the hanger and fixture attachment assemblies utilized.

Abstract: A kaleidoscope recording apparatus having a backlighted screen which emits a plurality of light rays in the form of moving imageable material into a kaleidoscope mirror set. The backlighted screen is positioned adjacent to the light-entry end of the mirror set. The mirrors convert the imageable material from the backlighted screen into a kaleidoscope pattern. A conventional video camera is positioned with its camera lens adjacent to the light-egress end of the mirror set to collect the egressing reflected and re-reflected light. The kaleidoscopic pattern is then converted by the video camera to a video signal which is recorded on video tape.

Abstract: A hanger assembly for one-handed mounting between opposing surfaces of wall studs or ceiling joists in normally inaccessible places. The hanger assembly has telescoping elements with toothed ends which are adapted to pierce into wall studs or ceiling joints when the elements are extended. The telescoping elements are spread apart by planting starter teeth on the follower element into a stud or joist and then turning a main body element until the end teeth of the follower element and the end teeth of the main body unit are fully embedded. The follower element is preferably spring loaded so as to provide the hanger assembly with a following or self-adjusting action. The self-adjusting action causes the hanger assembly to adapt to deformations of the wall studs or ceiling joists and to retain the compressive attachment integrity of the hanger assembly.

Abstract: A liquid flow control valve which selectively directs liquid flow to one or more outlets in a cylindrical valve body by the positioning within said body of a rotatable cylindrically-shaped drum with one or more peripheral sealing plates rotatable to cover some of said ports while leaving other such ports uncovered. Movement of the drum and the associated sealing member or members is imparted by fluid flow activated vanes or impellers.

Abstract: A hanger assembly for one-handed mounting between opposing surfaces of wall studs or ceiling joists in normally inaccessible places. The hanger assembly has telescoping elements with a pilot screw and load bearing teeth on each end. Each end is independently installed. The pilot screw is used to pull in and attach the load bearing teeth on the respective end into a wooden joist or stud. The installation is thus accomplished without requiring or experiencing installation jackscrew forces which would disturb the joist and ceiling boards causing ceiling board nail displacement.

Abstract: The process of the invention may be employed with raw or parboiled non-waxy rice and produces a cooked and dehydrated rice. In a preferred embodiment the cooked and dehydrated rice is expanded, or puffed, to produce a rice product capable of rehydration to palatable textural state within 90 seconds after the addition of boiling water. The process consists of gelatininzing and glassifying the rice, and then drying the rice. The preferred process employs this process and then expands, or puffs, the rice. Apparatus for expanding rice in accordance with the preferred process is provided.

Abstract: A dry instant rice porridge mix reconstitutable in milk is prepared by mixing instant rice with a thickener, nonfat dry milk solids, and an alkaline metal pyrophosphate. The porridge mix is also reconstitutable in water with the addition of dry milk solids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing bran from cereal grains, particularly rice, wherein dehusked cereal grains to be debranned are fed under controlled pressure through a chamber wherein they are laterally confined by an apertured screen while being worked by a special bladed rotor providing pockets of grain which rotate with the rotor within and relative to the confined grain body so that the debranning action is effected mainly by grains rubbing together whereby to produce high grade unbroken polished grains efficiently and economically.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and process for electrolytically producing a particulate crystalline metal product having limited adherence to the surface of a cathode, comprising a vertically elongated cathode, at least one vertically elongated anode spaced from said cathode, a vertically elongated permeable diaphragm disposed between said anode and cathode having a mesh member disposed adjacent to the surface of said diaphragm nearest said cathode, agitating said anode to substantially reduce the polarization voltage of said anode, and agitating said cathode to dislodge a portion of said crystalline product from said cathode by engaging said product with said mesh member.

Abstract: A fuel inlet assembly for a fuel reactor which has an inner shell mounted coaxially within an outer shell, which is closed at one axial end, the outer shell having an inlet for introducing combustion air into the annular space between the inner and outer shells, the other end of the inner shell being spaced from the inlet assembly which is mounted at the other end of the outer shell, the fuel inlet assembly including a base plate which is mountable on said other end of the outer shell, and having a fuel inlet aperture therein.

Abstract: A heater for heating a process fluid in which a cylindrical main chamber has a number of high intensity burners mounted therein to project products of combustion into the main chamber in a direction transverse to the axis of the main chamber. An annular secondary chamber surrounds the longitudinal walls of the main chamber, a first set of heat exchanger tubes being provided in the main chamber and a second set in the secondary chamber. Gases flowing from the burners pass over the first set of heat exchanger tubes, and then through at least one inlet to the secondary chamber, where they pass over the second set of heat exchanger tubes and out through a flue outlet at the top. A refractory shield may be provided adjacent the burners to guide the gases from the main chamber into the secondary chamber, and a further heat shield may be provided between the main chamber and the secondary chamber.

Abstract: A pressure relief system for a gyratory crusher is disclosed in which two separate but interacting fluid assemblies function, respectively, to adjust the operating position of the crusher cone of the gyratory crusher and to control the pressure above which the pressure relief system is activated. The system operates to relieve excessive pressure caused by the introduction of uncrushable foreign matter into the crushing chamber and to facilitate the elimination of such matter from the crusher.

Abstract: This invention relates to a substantially hydrogen saturated hydrocarbon product formed by the hydrogenation of waxy polyethylene alpha-olefin having an average molecular weight of about 350 to about 900. The hydrogenation is conducted at pressures ranging from about 200 psig to about 1000 psig and at hydrogenating temperatures below about 750.degree. F in the presence of a conventional active hydrogenation catalyst. The resulting product may be utilized as a substitute for petroleum wax in the production of various compositions, such as carpet backing compositions, candle wax compositions, pressure sure sensitive tape, paper coating compositions, coatings for fruit, rust preventatives, cosmetics, and similar products. In such compositions the novel hydrogenated alpha olefins may be substituted for petroleum wax as customarily used or it may be used as an extender in any desired proportion with petroleum wax.