Abstract: A system for editing videotape includes a subsystem to scan particular information lines within vertical blanking intervals and to identify particular lines that contain time code information, and a subsystem to generate time code information and to write the generated time code information at selected lines in vertical blanking intervals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a video composite blanking signal which provides for selectively unblanking lines of video information which would normally be blanked according to a predetermined television standard. Each line in a frame of video data is assigned a line type based on its location in the sequence of lines of video information. Those lines that are in the vertical blanking period are assigned a different line type than those which are not. In response to unblanking selection data, line types of lines which are normally blanked are selectively modified to the line types of those lines which are not normally modified. The vertical interval blanking signal is produced only for those line types for line in the vertical blanking period.

Abstract: A system to improve image quality during shuttling of a video tape in a record and playback machine of the type in which each image field is recorded on one or more tracks on video tape. The system includes an offset signal source coupled to a displaceable mechanism during shuttling to provide relative displacement between a reproduce transducer and a video tape to cause the transducer to cross tracks of recorded information irregularly, thereby providing frequent updating of substantially all regions of an image field by information stored on the tape.

Abstract: A lime slaking system for hydration of lime and removal of unwanted grit, particularly for formation of reactive slaked lime to be used in SO.sub.2 scrubbing of effluent gases, comprising a series of slaking vessels (10,12) for reacting CaO and water while agitating the reactants, a dilution mix tank (14) receiving a viscous slaked lime slurry from the vessels, diluent for the dilution tank comprising an upstream classifier overflow stream (16), a cyclone (19) receiving pumped diluted slurry from tank (14), the overflow (21) of the cyclone providing usable slaked lime product and the underflow (22) exiting to the upstream classifier 24 where grit materials are separated and removed. Dilution for effective classification is provided by spent scrubbing process water containing appreciable sulfate ions.

Abstract: A method and apparatuses for expressing the liquid phase from a wet mixture such as a clay-like mixture includes a primary roll (12, 104) with a plurality of smaller pressure rolls (13, 112-118) biased against its surface at circumferentially spaced intervals and at increasing pressures. The primary roll and at least the upstream one (112) of the pressure rolls have a thick outer covering of a substantially deformable elastomeric material. A pair of opposed filter belts (22, 23 or 142, 144) are trained about the primary roll and means are provided to feed the wet mixture between the belts to carry the mixture successively through the nips between the primary roll and the pressure rolls. The mixture is initially subjected in the first nip to a relatively gradual rate of increase in pressure and in subsequent nips is subjected to progressively steeper rates of increase in pressure adapted to the different flow behavior of the mixture caused by the increasing solids content of the mixture.

Abstract: An oscillation lock for an articulated mining vehicle having a front frame and rear frame with pivot means therebetween which prevents oscillation and possible tipping of the vehicle when hauling heavy front-mounted loads. The device includes a mounting plate attached to one of said frames cross-wise of the pivot link between the frames and a lock plate assembly including a pair of depending stop blocks which blocks and plates in assembled position straddle the pivot link and restrict oscillatory movement between the frames.

Abstract: A rotatable drum solids-liquids separation device having bailer scoop means forming a fluid-holding trough attached to and rotatable with the drum which is operable to pick-up fluid in an internal drum sump and during rotation to lift and transport the fluid to an outlet position higher in elevation than the sump level, normally at the centerline of the drum.

Abstract: An improved filtering machine of the down-flow type is disclosed wherein a particular section of a granular media filtration bed is isolated for backwashing while allowing filtration to proceed in the remainder of the bed. The filter machine includes a liquid-holding tank containing a bed of granular media, structure permitting passage of filtrate through the bed from below, a flume for distributing influent liquid containing suspended solids across the bed for downward percolation therethrough, and a partitioning chamber mounted on a carriage mechanism which selectively conveys the partitioning chamber across the surface of the bed. The partitioning chamber is reciprocatably insertable into the bed to isolate selected sections from the remainder of the bed. A pump is in communication with the partitioning chamber to draw liquid upward through the bed within the isolated section.

Abstract: A suspension for a rigid front axle assembly (28) of an articulated mining truck (10) includes a bolster plate (30) upon which the axle assembly is fixedly cradled, a spherical or swivel bearing assembly (36) connecting the front end of the bolster plate to the chassis of the vehicle, and a hollow unitary elastomeric block (70) that is mounted to resiliently couple the rear end of the bolster plate to the chassis. The elastomeric block is preferably elongate and longitudinally oriented, and the block has a cavity that extends longitudinally through its center that is aligned with a longitudinal axis (A-A) through the spherical bearing. The elongate walls thus provided at the sides of the elastomeric block are sufficiently flexible to bulge outwardly when the axle assembly oscillates about the longitudinal axis A-A.

Abstract: A coupling system includes a connecting assembly 4 having two upwardly facing critically angled U-shaped lifting forks mounted at the upper ends of its sides. A bucket 2 has two transversely spaced locating members 6 and 8 defining a central profiled portion 10. Two co-linear transverse pins 12 are mounted at the top of the portion 10, and a central recess 18 is formed in the profiled portion 10. An end member 22 having an aperture 24 therein is located at the base of the recess 18. A latch bar 34 and an operating cylinder 36 are mounted on the assembly 4, and are dimensioned to fit in the recess 18.In operation, the assembly 4 is tilted forwardly and advanced until the lifting pins 12 enter the forks 32. The assembly 4 is then tilted backwards and edged forwardly until the cylinder 36 and the latch bar 34 enter the recess 18. The cylinder 36 is then operated to advance the latch bar 34 into the aperture 24 to couple together the bucket 2 and the assembly 4.

Abstract: A machine for filtering slurry includes a frame with two drums mounted to said frame for rotation and spaced apart from one another. An endless, perforated drainage belt is disposed around the two drums to define a substantially horizontal drainage surface on the top of the drainage belt. A vacuum pan is located below the drainage surface to apply vacuum to material on the drainage surface, and a raising and lowering system is coupled to the vacuum pan to selectively support the vacuum pan in sealing engagement with the drainage belt and to selectively lower the vacuum pan away from the drainage belt.

Abstract: A machine and process for washing paper stock pulp and other vacuum-filterable materials includes a wash drum mounted in a tank. Two endless filter belts are trained to pass around the wash drum and through wash liquid contained in the tank. A mat of pulp is formed between the two endless filter belts and carried on the wash drum and through the tank for washing therein. Wash liquor is pulled by vacuum through the pulp mat as it travels under the drum thereby washing the pulp mat. After the pulp has been washed it is removed from between the two belts.

Abstract: A thyristor power controller for rapidly varying the current delivered to a load and including: a clock circuit for developing a clock pulse for each zero crossing of an AC source, an analog phase circuit responsive to an adjustment current and operative to produce a firing signal for each clock pulse, a first thyristor acting on a positive half cycle of an AC source, a second thyristor acting on a negative half cycle of an AC source, a first thyristor control circuit enabling and disabling the first thyristor, a second thyristor control circuit enabling and disabling the second thyristor, and a thyristor selector operative to route the firing signal to the first or second control circuit.

Abstract: A system is provided for treating spent geothermal brine to remove silica. The process includes introducing the brine into the reaction zone of a reactor-clarifier and allowing the brine to flow therefrom into the clarification zone of the reactor-clarifier. In the clarification zone, particles settle from the brine and are urged to the center of the tank beneath the reaction zone, and the settled particles are drawn upwardly into the reaction zone by an impeller. The particles mix with the brine in the reaction zone to form a substantially uniform distribution therein to provide nuclei for silica precipitation from the brine. A stream of sludge is removed from the bottom of the reactor-clarifier and disposed of.

Abstract: There is provided a system for treating wastewater having a tank and a partition mounted in the tank to define an endless circuitous channel. An aerator and impeller is mounted in the tank to cause the liquid to flow through the channel. A clarifier is disposed in the channel and has a liquid outlet in its upper portion.

Abstract: A system and process for determining the concentration of nonmethane organic chemicals in a gaseous sample includes a separation system to receive the gaseous sample. In the separation system nonmethane organic chemicals including ethylene and ethane are reversibly retained on a packing material while methane and inert gases pass through the separation system and are vented. Thereafter a carrier gas is directed through the separation system, the nonmethane organic chemicals are released into the carrier gas, and the carrier gas containing the organic chemicals is conveyed to an analyzer for analysis of the organic chemicals.

Abstract: An ultrasonic system for sensing a liquid-fluid interface comprises a support structure (10) to which a transmitting crystal (21) and a receiving crystal (22) are bonded in such a way that the crystals (21 and 22) are positioned opposite each other across a gap (30). Each of the crystals (21 and 22) has a relatively high resonant frequency and a relatively low resonant frequency. An amplifier means (40) and a bandpass filter means (50) are connected to the crystals (21 and 22) to form a feedback loop. In normal operation, the transmitting crystal (21) is excited to resonate at its high resonant frequency in order to cause transmission of an ultrasonic signal across the gap (30) without causing appreciable ultrasonic transmission through the support structure (10) to the receiving crystal (22).

Abstract: A mounting assembly (12) for suspending an electrically conductive support frame for high-voltage electrodes (10) in an electrostatic precipitator comprises an electrical insulator (20) secured to a roof portion (13) of the precipitator and a fastening means for securing the support frame to the insulator (20). The insulator (20) has a bore therethrough, and is positioned circumjacent an aperture in the roof portion (13). The fastening means includes a rod (23), the lower end of which is attached to a horizontal member (11) of the support frame and the upper end of which extends through the bore of the insulator (20). The upper end of the rod (23) is secured to an annular member (25), which bears against a top portion of the insulator (20) to support the weight of the support frame and of the high-voltage electrodes (10) attached thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for steam drying a cake of filtered solids formed on a disc filter element of a rotary disc vacuum filter where the disc filter element is mounted on a rotating means for rotation in a container, the lower portion of which includes a slurry tank and the upper portion of which includes a steam hood. The steam hood encloses a portion of the disc filter element in a steam chamber and includes a pair of sidewalls and a spine wall which joins the pair of sidewalls. A linear seal means is mounted to the pair of sidewalls of the hood to define a steam-retaining exit for the steam chamber through which the disc filter element rotatably moves, and includes two elongated flexible flaps which extend in a straight line from the spine wall into the slurry tank.

Abstract: An improved filter press for separating solids from liquid is provided. The press includes a plurality of filter plates which are suspended from overhead I-beams such that the plates may be removed either from the top of the press or from the sides of the press as desired. The filter plates are suspended from the I-beams by rollers which alternate in position for adjacent filter plates between engagement with the outside flanges and engagement with the inside flanges of the beams and, thus, allow larger rollers to be utilized. The filter press includes a press head for moving the individual filter plates into abutting relationship which is pivotally suspended from the I-beams such that the press head can assume the alignment of the filter plates when the press is closed. The press further includes a pair of vertically-arranged, independently-operable hydraulic closing rams for applying different closing pressures at the top and bottom of the filter plates to compensate for variations in plate stacking.