Abstract: A folding structure supports a duct in a generally horizontal orientation, and permits sweeping and serpentine movement of the duct. The structure is foldable for storage and transport. The structure comprises an array of panels hinged together, with the structure biased upward from its base to its free end for counteracting the weight of the loaded duct.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting changes in a variety of conditions is provided, including temperature, chemical conditions including pH and ion levels, biological antigens, radiation levels, electrical field and pressure applied to the sensor. The sensor body is formed from a material which incorporates an evenly dispersed matrix of light-scattering elements. A light source emits light into the body to form an effective optical cavity in which the light is scattered by the matrix. One or more receivers detects the intensity of scattered or integrated light inside and/or outside of the optical cavity. The matrix and/or the sensor body are composed of materials which reduce or increase the density of light-scattering elements, depending on the conditions applied to the matrix. An increase in the density of the light-scattering elements results in a corresponding increase in the integrated intensity of light received by the receiver, when the receiver is positioned within the optical cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a contaminant from a fluid feed stream containing the contaminant. The method includes the steps of providing a feed stream and heating it in a first step to at least partially remove some of the contaminants and recover energy from a concentrate and distillate generated. Further heating the feed stream in a second heating step in a heated separator generates a saturated vapor fraction and a concentrated liquid contaminant fraction. The vapor fraction may be compressed to generate a temperature differential in the reboiler exchanger with the vapor fraction being passed into contact with a reboiler exchanger to provide a stream of condensed vapor from the reboiler. The stream may be circulated through the reboiler exchanger and the heated separator to maintain from about 1% to about 50% by mass vapor in the stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated inspection apparatus for detection of anomalies in a 3D translucent object, the apparatus having a scanhead assembly including an image processing unit and image capture device, a first and a second light source, and conveyor means, the improvement comprising a light block member positioned along a substantially common axis of the image capture device and a light source.

Abstract: In combination with a rupture disc assembly, there is provided an improvement by using a support ring having a projection and a continuous, generally clover leaf pattern cutting edge.

Abstract: A single speed gear assembly suitable for use in a wheelchair is disclosed. The assembly incorporates a sun gear together with a plurality of planet gears which reduces the amount of torque required by the user in order to effect rotation of the wheel to which the assembly is attached. Specific ratios for the diameter of the sun gear to the each planet gear is taught. The assembly conveniently eases the use of a wheelchair by those confined to using same.

Abstract: A vehicle having a hydrostatic drive and transmission having multi-range speed modes, a counter configured steering assembly providing for a turning radius less than would normally be commensurate with the length of the wheel base, and a suspension system having a resiliently deformable device for maintaining stability of the vehicle body and cargo during operation and for maximum operator comfort.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bale processor for separating and selectively chopping baled crop materials. A moving barrier advances a bale into a separator which includes a rotating elongate tube provided with hinged finger-like flails. The flails remove material from the bale and discharge it in a directed manner. The material may be cut to differing sizes as desired by retractable knives positioned in the discharge outlet. Alternatively material can be separated without chopping. A second freely rotating blade separates material from the upper portion of the bale directing it into the path of the separator tube. The processor may be used to distribute crop material over a wide area mounted on a trailer and towed by a tractor. The apparatus advantageously can accommodate square or round bales employing a simple and economical bale handling mechanism.

Abstract: There is disclosed a soft and compliant spacer body wherein the body is provided with modified substrate engaging surfaces to accommodate transverse dimensional changes when the spacer is bent about a corner or otherwise flexed in an insulated assembly. In one embodiment, the corners are cut to reduce the thickness of the strip as the same is bent or flexed about a corner. Other embodiments are disclosed. The advantage is that when the transverse dimension is maintained relatively constant about the bent corner, the result is a more effective seal between the substrate engaging surfaces and the substrates. This is augmented by the use of cellular materials and selected sealants to provide multiple sealing surfaces in a high efficiency spacer body.

Abstract: A method for regenerating perchloroethylene by passing the fluid through a sorbent resin to remove fatty acids and other organic contaminants which reduce the fluid quality from new fluid quality. The method involves an optional step of treating the fluid with an anionic exchange resin to remove the organic dye contaminants. The key advantage over the prior art is that the process is economical, does not involve evaporative losses as realised in distillation cleaning and is environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A multiple shear mixing apparatus for forming or treating solid-liquid mixtures including a pump selected for handling the solid-liquid mixtures, a rigid shear filter, a jet nozzle, a vacuum chamber surrounding the jet nozzle and having at least one port for introducing materials, a venturi tube coupled with the jet nozzle, a storage tank for the mixture having an internal jet mixer therein, the above components being connected in series such that storage tank contents are pumped through the screen filter, through the jet nozzle, through the chamber and through the venturi tube back to the storage tank. A bleed is fed preferably from between the shear filter and nozzle to drive the internal jet mixer. After cycling through this series of components until uniformly blended, product is withdrawn between the shear filter and nozzle.

Abstract: An insulating spacer for use in glazing assemblies is provided. The spacer comprises a foamed insulating body and further includes a second sealant material. The insulating body partially contacts the substrates as does the sealant to provide a double seal when used in a glazing assembly. In other embodiments the spacer is a composite of foam, sealant material, rigid plastics and desiccated matrices. A further embodiment discloses an undulating foam spacer body for easy manipulation about the corner in glazing assemblies. The result of incorporation of the foam is a substantially energy efficient spacer and assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for applying sealant material to the void in the perimeter between spaced-apart substrates in an insulated glass assembly. An apparatus includes a traveling applicator head and a stationary head, both applicator heads including a nozzle member and independently movable wiper member which cooperate to apply a smooth and even layer of sealant material. An advantage of the cooperating nozzle and wiper members is the ability to mold corners and to apply sealant material without lifting the applicator from the glass assembly. The method is sequential and employs two cooperating applicator heads, conveyors and position sensors to permit fully or semi-automated operation. The smoothing plates move in concert with the extrusion nozzles to ensure uniform distribution of the sealant material from the spacer, and a uniform and planar surface at the perimeter.

Abstract: There is disclosed a supplementary clothing article suitable for outdoor use to provide an insulated area between a user and a substrate surface, such as a cold surface. The article is adapted to be worn about a user's torso in a folded condition when not in use, and to be unfolded for use. The article is made up of a plurality of pad members each comprised of a layer of insulating material, namely a mat of heat insulating material provided with an outer covering of a textile material a flexible connection forming a fold area between the adjacent pad members and a pair of spaced-apart flexible strap means, one of the strap means being near the upper end of the upper pad member for encircling a wearer's torso at the waist and the other strap means being near the upper end of the lower pad member for encircling a wearer's torso at the waist when the article is in a folded form, or when the article is in use, to encircle the lower torso in the region of a user's legs.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for thickening centrifugally separable fractions by the steps of providing a pressurized stream of a liquid suspension medium containing a fraction separated centrifugally from any other fraction, causing the stream of the suspension to flow in the form of an annular helical vortical flow, passing the stream of the suspension through a restricted opening, allowing the stream of the suspension to expand into a larger volume contained within a converging confining zone converging in the direction of stream flow and towards the discharge zone having a restricted opening of a size smaller than the size of the first-mentioned restricted opening, regulating the flow of the stream of the suspension to form and maintain the stream as a first vortex of the suspension flowing towards the discharge zone whereby a portion of the suspension reverses direction in the converging zone adjacent the restricted opening of the converging zone and forms a second vortex flowing towards

Abstract: There are provided improvements relating to liquid jet looms in which one improvement relates to the conversion of conventional shuttle looms to liquid jet looms; in another improvement, there is provided a storage device for retaining a length of weft filament in which the storage device is in the form of an open-top chamber with a pair of open ends between closed side walls with the closed side walls having an open top providing access to a cavity formed by the side walls. In a still further improvement, there is provided a method and apparatus for advancing a weft filament across a shed of a loom in which the filament is advanced by engaging a stream of liquid but in which the flow of liquid is interrupted prior to the filament traversing the width of the shed.