Abstract: A tension solar mirror for a solar collector having a central collector tower is formed from a thin, concave-shaped sheet of fabric, or other flexible material, having a reflective surface on the concave side thereof. The sheet is supported by a plurality of cables attached to a like number of tension towers concentrically positioned the central receiver tower. Due to the action of gravity, the cables assume a natural concave shape that matches the concave shape of the reflective sheet. Further support for the sheet is provided by a small inner ring disposed about the central receiver tower and a larger outer ring near the tension towers. The inner ring is also used as a tie point for cable sections secured to the earth directly adjacent the base of the central tower.

Abstract: A tube and support system for a heat exchanger in which a first and second series of spaced tubes extend from opposite sides of a header. Each tube extends in a serpentine pattern, with the tubes of the first series being offset from the tubes of the second series. Each tube in one of the series is bent in a manner to extend in a same plane as the other series of tubes. A support member extends between the bent tube portions and the corresponding portions of the tubes of the other series.

Abstract: A disc roller mechanism and method for forming helical-shaped structures from a feed wire or rod, wherein the feed wire is drawn through a plurality of staggered disc-shaped forming rollers by rotation of the rollers, while the wire is also being rotated about its own axis so as to form the desired helical-shaped product. The roller mechanism includes a support frame and a first set of at least two fixed position driven disc-shaped rollers and a second set of at least one idler disc-shaped rollers, said idler rollers being transversely adjustable positions relative to the first driven roller set rotatably mounted in the frame. The driven roller set usually has a roughened outer perimeter surface to facilitate drawing the feed wire through the intersecting forming rollers. If desired, the feed wire can be pulled off a rotatable supply spool such as by a pair of guiding rollers and then passed through the staggered disc-shaped forming rollers to provide the desired helical-shaped product.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a vapor generator each wall of which has spaced lower and an upper portions to accommodate relative movement there between. The seal assembly includes a trough containing water and connected to one of the portions of each wall. A dip skirt extends into the trough and divides same into an inner chamber and outer chamber, and a partition extends from the dip skirt, across the space between the wall portions, and to the other wall portion to expose the water in the inner chamber to the boiler pressure and the water in the outer chamber to atmosphere. As a result, relative movement between the wall portions is accommodated by corresponding movement of the dip skirt in the water trough while maintaining an airtight seal.

Abstract: A system and method for removing contaminated fluid from the ground in which water is pumped through a perforated pipe system into the ground to be decontaminated. The water and the contaminants are then drawn into a second pipe system and to a treatment unit for separating the contaminants from the water before the latter is returned to the first perforated pipe system.

Abstract: A solid fuel feed system for a boiler in which a hopper is provided for storing the fuel and a discharge conduit is provided for discharging the fuel to the boiler. A first conveyor belt system conveys the fuel from an inlet to the hopper and a second conveyor system transfers the fuel from the hopper to the discharge conduit. A control system is provided for controlling the speed of the first conveyor system in response to the amount of the fuel in the hopper and a second control system responds to the operation of the boiler for controlling the speed of the second conveyor system.

Abstract: A method of operating a fluidized bed in which a bed of particulate combustible material is disposed on a perforated plate and air is introduced through the plate and into the bed to fluidize and promote the combustion of the material. Additional particulate material, of a size less than that of said combustible particulate material, is introduced to the bed so that it is entrained in the air to maintain the combustible material in the bed.

Abstract: In an industrial process control system, in which the process is controlled via multiplicity of I/O data points communicating with a computer system controller, errors in the addressing signals selecting the I/O data points are prevented from causing the incorrect setting or reading out incorrect data from wrongly selected data points. A multibit parity signal is generated from the address signals as presented at the output of the computer controller and this parity signal is compared with a second multibit parity signal generated from the address signals as applied to the I/O racks on which the I/O data points are organized. If the parity signals don't compare, the change of the setting of or the read out of valid data from the I/O data point selected by the address signal is prevented.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor and a method of operating same in which three discrete chambers are formed in a housing and a main fluidized bed containing particulate fuel and adsorbent material is established in a first chamber. The fluidizing air in the first chamber entrains a portion of the particulate material as it passes through the bed and the first chamber. A portion of the particulate material that is entrained by the air is separated and introduced to additional grid means disposed in a second chamber to establish a bed of the separated particulate material. Air and a cooling fluid are passed through the bed of separated particulate material for cooling same. The cooled separated particulate material is passed to a third chamber for storage and the latter is connected to the main fluidized bed for selectively reinjecting the cooled separated particulate material back to the main fluidized bed.

Abstract: An explosive activated assembly for repairing a heat exchange tube in which a grooved metal casing is inserted into the tube to be repaired and has a plurality of projections extending from the outer surface thereof. A force-transmitting member extends within a bore formed in the casing and contains an explosive member so that, upon detonation of the explosive member, the force-transmitting member and the casing are expanded radially outwardly to drive the projections against the tube. A booster is located within the casing and adjacent the charge and is activated by a transfer cord connected to an externally located detonator. The casing is formed with an extension that extends over a portion of the transfer cord and has a hole through which the cord extends to contain the debris and vapor caused by the explosion.

Abstract: Cutters for removing excess weld material from elongated welds are moved by hydraulic cylinders into precise positions in proximity to the article having the welds to maintain the desired uniform thickness of the welds. The movement of the hydraulic cylinders is controlled by tracer control valves having operating elements engaged by members connected to sensing rollers which engage the article as the article is moved past the sensing rollers. The positions of the rollers and the cutter are adjustable to accommodate articles of various sizes.

Abstract: In an electrostatic precipitator system powered by a primary power source, the power supply has a converter and a high voltage device. The converter can be coupled to the primary power source for producing a converter voltage with a different frequency content. The high voltage device is driven by the converter, producing from its converted voltage a high voltage. This high voltage is influenced by the different frequency content, having at least one frequency component at a predetermined low frequency which is sized to promote efficient precipitation.

Abstract: A patch unit apparatus and method for expeditiously closing openings in metal walls by explosive welding. The patch unit comprises a metal plate having on one side an explosive charge located near the plate perimeter, and having on the opposite side a continuous double angled recess surface. After cleaning the wall surface, the patch unit is placed centrally over an opening to be closed and initially secured to the wall by an adhesive material provided on the plate side opposite from the explosive. If necessary, a mechanical type seal can also be used for improved sealing of the patch unit to the wall. The explosive charge is then detonated to explosively force the patch plate unit against the wall at high velocity, so as to weld the plate onto the metal wall to permanently close the opening, and thereby provide substantially the original strength to the metal wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the flow of a hot material, such as gases emanating from a coal gasification plant, in which a ball is rotatable in a housing having a passage therethrough. Rotation of the valve aligns a passage in the valve with the passage in the housing to permit the passage of fluids through the assembly. Conversely, counterrotation of the ball closes the valve to the passage of fluids. Both the housing and ball are provided with channels for the passage of a cooling fluid therethrough, which prevents destruction of rubber seals, reduces erosion by abrasive materials in the gases, and reduces the thermal distortion which results in poor sealing characteristics.

Abstract: In a distributed computer control system in which remote stations are interconnected by a communications link, the remote stations take turns having supervisory control over the communications link. Each remote is numbered in sequence in a predetermined succession order and takes its turn having control of the communications link in accordance with this succession order. When a remote station has completed its turn of having supervisory control, it transmits a first control message over the communications link. The next remote station in the succession order then takes control over the communications link by transmitting a second control message over the communications link. Each remote station has two variable timers which are set in response to the first control message and the second control message, respectively, and have time out intervals depending upon the offset of the receiving remote station from the remote station which transmitted the control message.

Abstract: A split type sealing device for providing high pressure sealing around a cylindrical member such as a tube. The sealing device utilizes a primary flexible split seal ring element and a rigid split back-up ring, which have their splits positioned on opposite sides of the cylindrical member so as to encircle the member. The seal rings are maintained in position against high sealing pressure by a split seal retainer enclosed by mating clamping means, such as a slotted coupling member having an external threaded end and a mating conduit and ring nut. The pressure axial loading on the tube is accommodated by a split clamp ring which clamps the coupling to the cylindrical member, which is usually a tube. The seal device is suitable for sealing against internal pressures of 0-5000 psi.

Abstract: A conduit weld positioner for positioning two conduit portions extending at an angle to each other in which one of the conduit portions is grasped by a frame tiltably mounted relative to a turntable adapted to rotate about a central axis. The degree of tilting is adjustable in proportion to the angular relationship between the two conduit portions.

Abstract: An internal bore welding torch assembly and method for use in making remote arc welds inside metal tubes. The torch assembly includes a torch body unit of plastic electrical insulating material, to which is connected the necessary welding services of coolant, shield gas, and electric power. The body unit contains a removable and rotatable welding wand which is made of flexible plastic and has a welding electrode oriented radially at its outer end. For making a weld, such as for repairing a damaged tube, a metal sleeve is first inserted into the tube the flexible welding wand is then inserted into the tube and the radial electrode positioned adjacent an end of the sleeve. The flows of coolant and shield gas are provided through the torch body unit to the wand, and the wand is rotated while making the metal arc welds desired to seal weld the sleeve ends to the tube.

Abstract: An improved splitter for use with a coal-fired furnace utilizing a low load burner in which a splitter is provided in the main conduit leading from the pulverizer for splitting the stream of coal and air into two separate streams which are then fed to separate nozzles communicating with the furnace. The splitter includes a damper assembly defining a gap which can be adjustable and including a plurality of projections which prevent coal slippage along the damper blade.

Abstract: A flow control assembly in which a valve member is movable in a housing between a first position in which it permits the flow of material from an inlet to said housing, through said housing and to an outlet in said housing, and a second position in which it prevents the flow. A shield is provided in said housing which is movable to and from a position in which it shields the valve member from said material.