Abstract: Apparatus for igniting a main gas mixture to be burnt in a combustion chamber includes conduit systems for separately feeding an oxygen-bearing gas and a combustible gas into an ignition region. At least a part of at least one of the conduit systems is formed as an electrical heating resistance thereby to raise the temperature of the gas component flowing therein so that when the components are mixed in the ignition region, ignition of the ignition gas mixture will occur, thereby igniting the main gas mixture. The apparatus also includes means for detecting the temperature of the heated gas component or components flowing through the conduit systems, and/or the temperature of the gas mixture ignited in the ignition region.

Abstract: A horizontally disposed scrubber is provided with a generally horizontally disposed adjustable venturi having a slot-type liquid introduction through which a liquid is introduced into a particle laden gas stream.

Abstract: The cleaning apparatus includes a pre-rinse tank, a cleaning tank, and at least one post-rinse tank. The cleaning tank cleans oil, flux and other foreign matter off the surface of a work product by subjecting the work project to a rising stream of bubbles of uniform density which overflow the upper end of a chimney and return to the bottom end of the chimney. The bubbles are created by porous chambers internally pressurized with a gas such as air. The post-rinse tank is likewise constructed so as to subject the work product to a rising column of bubbles having uniform density across the width of the post-rinse tank but without any recirculation of the rinse liquid.

Abstract: An improved cap is provided for selectively sealing a tube, such as a drain tube, of a suction bag used in medical/surgical suction equipment. The cap is preferably a generally hollow truncated cone, closed at one end and open at the other end to receive the tube. The inner structure of the cap generally defines two chambers. A first chamber has an inside diameter slightly larger than that of the tube. A plurality of axially oriented ribs are disposed on the inside surface of the first chamber to engage in sliding contact with the tube. A raised portion on at least one of the ribs acts as an intermediate stop which defines a first operative position of the cap. In this first operative position, air can pass through the channels defined by the inside of the first chamber wall, the ribs, and the tube. A second chamber has an inside diameter approximately equal to or slightly smaller than that of the tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling electrode drive speed in a consumable electrode furnace. The electrode drive speed is regulated at a base speed computed from measured changes in physical characteristics of the electrode or ingot, such as changes in weight, as the melt proceeds. The base speed also takes into consideration the known geometry of the electrode, the furnace mold or crucible, the density of the ingot material, and the speed of movement of the bottom of the ingot if any. This base speed is increased or decreased by a trim speed determined from measurement of an electrical phenomenon associated with the consumable electrode process, which electrical phenomenon has a relatively long term value related to the distance between the bottom surface of the electrode and the top surface of the ingot.

Abstract: The thickness of a single faced corrugated web is sensed by a flexible resilient member in contact with the corrugated side of the web while the smooth side of the web is in contact with a preheat drum. A frame is supported for movement toward and away from the drum and has said resilient member mounted thereon for contacting a plurality of adjacent corrugations and a sensing member which is movable in response to the contact member. A sensor cooperates with the sensing member to generate a signal.

Abstract: An assembly system for assembling microcomponents of semi-conductor or other electronic devices includes on a unitary machine frame the tooling for precision excising tape mounted microcomponents, precision forming their electrical leads, placement of the components in correct registration with conductors on a pre-positioned substrate, and bonding the formed leads to the conductors. Bonding is conducted by clamping the leads to the conductors at the bond site, moving a heated anvil into contact with a heat conductive path to the bond site and withdrawing the heated anvil while maintaining the clamping.

Abstract: The load support structure includes a compression member joined adjacent its ends to the end portions of a tension member. A foam plastic is disposed between said members and bonded to the juxtaposed surfaces of said members so that force applied to one of said members will be resisted by the shear and tension modulus of the foam plastic whereby the load support structure can support increased loads. The support structure may be the floor in a storage housing.

Abstract: A multiple tube holder is suspended at the upper end on a frame so that the lower end can pivot through a small arc about a horizontal axis adjacent the upper end of the holder. A motor is connected to the lower end of the holder for pivoting the lower end of the holder through said small arc at a rate of approximately 1800 cycles per minute. A tray means is positioned below the holder for supporting a cooling liquid at a controlled temperature so that the lower end of the tubes on the holder will be immersed in the liquid to prevent destruction of proteins and enzymes released during cell breakage.

Abstract: Novel compounds are prepared by reacting essential or semi-essential amino acids with nitrogen-free analogues thereof, particularly alpha-keto and/or alpha-hydroxy analogues. The mixed salt reaction products are precursors of essential and semi-essential amino acids in the body, and mixtures of the salts are useful in the treatment of renal and hepatic disorders characterized by protein intolerance leading to deficiencies of various essential and semi-essential amino acids in the body. They may also be useful in the treatment of nitrogen wasting disorders and protein malnutrition. The novel compounds are generally far more palatable and soluble in aqueous solutions than the individual essential or semi-essential amino acids, nitrogen-free analogues thereof, or simple mixtures of these.

Abstract: A single conductive spring resiliently biases a pick-up shoe against a track rail while resiliently biasing a brush arm against the motor commutator segments. The spring provides an electrical current path between the pick-up shoe and brush arm.

Abstract: Plural sticks for collecting candy floss are stored in a removable annular storage facility. The sticks are automatically dispensed, one at a time, from the storage facility. A dispensed stick is retained in a collar and sleeve arrangement. A mechanism permits relative rotation between the collar and sleeve to insure proper alignment and reception of the stick. The collar and sleeve arrangement clamps and rotates the stick about its own axis. A rotary head for producing floss is rotated as the stick is rotated. A rotary drum surrounding the head sweeps the floss towards the stick. During the machine cycle, heat is applied to the head to enable the head to produce the floss. When the application of heat to the head ceases, the head, drum and stick continue to be rotated for a "run-off" period of time. During the "run-off" time, floss which would otherwise accumulate in the machine is spun off and collected by the stick. The rate at which heat is initially applied to the head is adjustable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the quality of the air in a specific environment including a base portion having a plurality of air purification means. The base provides support for an upwardly extending central tower having a plurality of air inlet openings which are shielded from the weather by protective covering means. The tower is covered by a roof. On entering the tower, the content of the air is monitored. A fan means creates an air flow path through the air inlet openings, downward through the tower to the air purification means in the base, through any one of the plurality of air purification means before being vented to the outside environment through air outlet openings. The air is monitored again after being filtered to determine the amount of pollutants. If the amount of pollutants in the air is below a predetermined level, the air is vented to the outside environment by retaining an air outlet gating means in its open position so that the purified air can pass to the outside.

Abstract: The size of the gap between the leading and trailing portions of a severed web is monitored with respect to an upper limit. The severed web is cut into box blanks which are transported on a stacker conveyor in shingled relation. The speed of the severed web through the corrugator is continuously controlled to prevent the gap from exceeding the limit when the gap reaches the stacker conveyor. Alternatively, the stacker conveyor is temporarily stopped until the size of the gap falls below the limit, and the stacker conveyor is re-started before the gap can close. In either case, the gap control prevents bumping of consecutive box blanks on the stacker conveyor following a change-over of production runs while insuring that the first blank of the new production run shingles on the last blank of the old production run with sufficient tail to insure retention of the first blank by stacker conveyor suction cups or tail grabbers.

Abstract: The present specification describes and claims a method and apparatus for use in cooling the solid residue of gasification of a reactor operated at a pressure above atmospheric for the gasification of carbonaceous materials. The residue of gasification is conducted out of the reactor into a cooling apparatus located therebelow and flows through the cooling apparatus from the top to the bottom thereof. A cooling liquid is introduced into the solid residue in the upper region of the cooling apparatus and is metered such that the greater portion of the heat contained in the residue is eliminated in the form of heat of vaporization, sensible heat and chemical binding energy with the resultant steam and reaction products produced. The remaining residual heat which corresponds to the difference between the desired final temperature and the temperature after cooling by the liquid, is eliminated by a gas blown into the bottom region of the cooling apparatus and/or by indirect heat exchange.

Abstract: A building is disclosed an integrated solar heating system forming a part of the design of the building by a portion of the heating system being the structural support walls in the form of vertically disposed hollow vessels preferably made of metal. Insulation is applied to opposite sides of the vessels. A fluid is circulated from an upper manifold through heating panels to an intermediate manifold which in turn communicates with the upper end of the vessels. A lower manifold communicates with the lower end of the vessels and with said upper manifold by way of a pump. Ducts for circulating air to rooms of the building are in heat exchange relationship with the hollow vessels.

Abstract: This application covers a device included in the microprocessor control for winders or sheeters; the device is arranged to stop the machine when a desired length of web has been fed by accurately-timed start of deceleration from full speed. This avoids the need to run at a lower speed for a period as the desired length is approached.In the device, the web speed is sensed by a transducer which delivers a speed signal, and from this is calculated the length of web which will be fed during standard deceleration. The result of this calculation can then be compared with the difference between desired length and length already fed (or the result plus length already fed can be compared with desired length) and when the result of this comparison indicates deceleration should start a signal is sent to the braking system.As an alternative to calculation of length of web fed during deceleration from the sensed speed, the result may be obtained by a "table look-up" operation.