Abstract: A sensor switch for controlling the fill level of granular material filled into a container in which the sensor may either be mounted adjacent a fill path of the container or at a separate location. The sensor includes an elongated arm pivotally attached to a bracket for operating a switch located within the bracket. The sensor may be adjustably mounted on an elongated, remote support member mounted either to the side walls or to the top of the container. The sensor may have three operating positions including an initial position, an actuated position in which the arm actuates the switch, and a third position in which the arm releases the switch.

Abstract: An improvement in a water chiller of the kind used for industrial processes such as electrical discharge machining (EDM). The chiller includes a reservoir for water (frequently de-ionized water), an evaporator, refrigerating apparatus such as a condenser and a compressor, and a pump; there is a supply line connection to an electrical discharge machining apparatus or other industrial process apparatus, and a return line connection. The pressure in the return line is usually lower than the pressure in the supply line. The improvement includes a fitting connected in series in the supply line and a bypass line connected to that fitting to afford a bypass flow of water in parallel with the process apparatus. A flow-limiting orifice member in series in the bypass line limits the bypass flow to a predetermined rate; the rate may be determined by the pressure differential between the supply and return lines. All fittings are formed of non-ionizing resins such as nylon; the orifice member is stainless steel.

Abstract: A pneumatic pickup probe or wand, for picking up a dry flowable material from a container and introducing that material into a vacuum conveyor system, constitutes an elongated unitary pickup tube having a plurality of axially displaced air control holes near the vacuum conduit connection end of the tube; the material entry end of the tube is cut off at an acute angle (preferably about 45.degree.), has a narrow, elongated flow modulation slot of about three inches (7.5 cm) axial length extending toward the hose connection end of the tube, and has an anti-closing spacer to preclude blockage of the material entry opening.

Abstract: A thermal dryer for drying granular resin immediately prior to its introduction into a molding machine or other resin processing apparatus comprises a vertically oriented cylindrical drying chamber with means to introduce granular resin at its top, the resin flowing down through the chamber and out into the processing apparatus; a rectangular tubular member defines an air passage around the drying chamber, with communication from the top of the drying chamber to the air passage. An enclosed electrical heater and a blower are mounted in a housing encompassing the tubular member and the drying chamber; the blower pulls air through an inlet port into the housing to pass over the blower and its motor, into the heater enclosure and out through an air discharge tube into the bottom part of the drying chamber, out the top of the drying chamber into the air passage, and then through the blower to an outlet port.