Abstract: A system for performing an oxygenation process within a body of sewage at atmospheric pressure includes an oxygen absorber coupled to an oxygen supply at superatmospheric pressure. A storage vessel has an elongate chamber therein which is oriented vertically in the system. Pipes and valves are coupled to the upper and lower ends of the chamber so that the chamber is alternately communicated with the oxygen absorber and the body of sewage, thereby providing alternate high pressure and low pressure half cycles respectively. Initially, oxygenated liquor at superatmospheric pressure is in the oxygen absorber and the elongate chamber is filled with a quantity of low oxygen content liquor at atmospheric pressure. The valves are then operated during the high pressure half cycle to admit oxygenated liquor into the elongate chamber through the lower end and to simultaneously expel liquor and undissolved oxygen from the upper end into the oxygen absorber.

Abstract: A bushing is provided which is arranged to be press fit into a bushing bore. The bushing is adapted to support a high level load which is unidirectional or which changes in direction through only a small angle. A rigid core in the bushing has a long rubber, or rubber-like, semicylinder bonded to one side of the outer surface thereof and has a number of uniformly spaced short rubber semicylinders bonded to the other side thereof. The short semicylinders have a greater wall thickness than the long semicylinder so that when the bushing is pressed into the bushing bore the space between the core and the wall of the bore is practically filled on the short semicylinder side. The long semicylinder operates in compression to support the high level load without exceeding the rubber endurance limits and therefore avoids the effects of internal deterioration in the rubber.

Abstract: A method for supporting and heat processing a layered array of half steam table trays using a spacer assembly. The spacer assembly includes a grid-like framework upon which are mounted a plurality of non-metallic support pads adapted to accept the corners of adjacent trays laid thereon in a rectangular pattern. The framework is fabricated of a light metal functioning structurally only to position the support pads. A spacer assembly is laid atop each succeeding layer of trays and the tray corners are compressed a predetermined amount until the pads in a vertical column are in contact, whereby the pads bear the load of the trays stacked thereabove.

Abstract: A swivel joint for incorporation in a pipe network maintains flow path integrity at the joint for both swivel and rigid connection modes. A butt flange and a connector body having aligned flow paths therethrough are coupled together by a bearing which provides rotational movement between the butt flange and the connector body. A dynamic seal is disposed between the butt flange and the bearing. A retainer between the bearing and the connector body allows axial movement therebetween when the connector body is urged toward the butt flange, but restrains such axial movement when the connector body is urged away from the butt flange. A static seal carried by the butt flange and axially spaced from the connector body in the swivel mode is engaged by the connector body when the latter is moved axially toward the butt flange, thereby establishing the rigid connection mode.

Abstract: A conventional refrigeration vault has cooling coils and air-moving fans for freezing confections that are conveyed therethrough. An endless conveyor belt describes a tortuous path through the vault and carries the confections in a spaced single-file arrangement. One wall of the refrigeration vault has openings therein, and one reach of the endless conveyor belt extends through the openings to pass by a discharge point, at which finished (hard frozen) confections are removed, as well as a pickup point at which soft frozen confections having a predetermined shape are received. The soft frozen confections are introduced through one of the openings into the refrigeration vault and travel along the tortuous path for a relatively short distance (as compared with the total length of the conveyor within the vault).

Abstract: A high speed tracked vehicle has a sprocket extending from each side thereof coupled to an engine through which driving power is supplied to each of a pair of driving tracks. The driving tracks are supported on either side of the vehicle hull by an idler wheel and the driving sprocket. A plurality of ground wheels distributes the vehicle weight over that portion of the tracks in contact with the surface underlying the vehicle. The tracks include a plurality of interconnected shoes each of which includes an inner elastomeric insert disposed to contact the idler wheel at the rim. Idler wheel rim and track shoe contact being a source of mechanical vibrations causing internal hull noise, one or more continuous peripheral ridges or crowns are formed on the rims so that the area of contact between the rims and the elastomeric inserts is reduced and the compliance of the system is increased.

Abstract: A maneuverable surface sweeper has a framework supporting a hopper configured to receive dust and debris swept from an underlying surface. A broom chamber is mounted within the framework overlying the surface to be swept and in communication with the hopper. The broom chamber may move vertically relative to the framework. A rotary driven broom is mounted in the broom chamber and has limited vertical movement capability relative to the chamber. A resilient tubular seal is disposed between the broom chamber and the hopper so that dust control is obtained therebetween while the broom chamber undergoes vertical movement. A bump encountered on the underlying surface elevates the broom chamber permitting the sweeper to pass thereover while allowing the broom to descend and continue in sweeping contact with the surface.

Abstract: An optical sensing head is provided for immersion in a solution carrying suspended solids and includes a chamber exposed to the solution and defining asample path which extends through the solution. A spray mechanism is provided which forcefully removes light attenuating deposits which may accumulate on the surfaces of the chamber structure forming the sample path. A light beam is directed along an optical path (which includes as a portion thereof the sample path), and a light sensor is disposed at the other end of the optical path providing a signal indicative of the intensity of the received light. Plumbing is provided through which the exposed chamber may be flooded with clear water to thereby provide a low level suspended solids concentration for use as a reference. A light absorbing member is provided which is selectively positioned across the optical path to provide a high level suspended solids concentration reference when so positioned.

Abstract: A packing for a reciprocating pump comprises a resilient body of elastomeric material with a cup-like shape and includes a plurality of flat cantilevered spring members embedded within the annular wall of the body. The spring members provide support for the flexible wall and are essentially fixed in position at their ends disposed at the base of the cup-shaped body while being free to flex at their opposite ends adjacent the open end of the resilient body. A peripheral annular lip defines the open end of the cup-shaped body and has a profile in the axial direction which imposes a predetermined deflection curve on the spring members when the packing is surrounded and compressed by the cylindrical wall of a pump cylinder. A predetermined pressure profile results between the peripheral lip and the cylinder wall as the cantilevered spring members urge the peripheral lip to resume its uncompressed shape.

Abstract: An on-line detector for peach pits and peach pit fragments and the like remaining in peach halves following a pitting operation includes a sealed housing bordered on one side by an inclined view plate disposed between a feeding belt and a take-away belt. A peach half, pit cavity down, is passed by a viewing line above the view plate. Two different wavelengths of light are directed toward the viewing line and are reflected by a passing fruit section toward an array of light sensors. One of the wavelengths of light is controlled in on-off condition by a clock, being turned on during only a portion of each clock cycle. Output from each one in the array of light sensors is sampled during the portion of each clock cycle that the one wavelength is on, and differenced with the light sensor output from that sensor when the other wavelength only is on. Differencing occurs during each clock cycle and a difference output appears only in the presence of a pit or a pit fragment.