Abstract: The apparatus and method of the invention are applied to the generation of alternating sample, dark, reference and dark beams for direction of said sample and reference beams into an integrating sphere which comprises detecting means and a reference source, for spectroscopic analysis of a sample contained in a sample cell which is operatively associated with said integrating sphere; to the generation of digital control signals attendant the generation of said beams; and to the processing of the multiplexed, sample analysis results analog data signal, as provided by the detecting means, by aligning a digital control signal therewith in time and further operating upon the thusly aligned data signal to precisely calculate the sample analysis results therefrom.

Abstract: When continuously heat treating a liquid the flow of which varies, incoming liquid is preheated by already heated liquid and is then heated to a predetermined temperature-time-effect by a medium giving off heat in a second step. The flow of incoming liquid is sensed and controlled by a pump (1) with a variable capacity. The amount of heat needed to obtain the desired heating effect is influenced by a control unit (9). The heating effect is adjusted to the liquid flow by increasing/decreasing the temperature of the medium giving off heat or increasing/diminishing the flow of this medium from a heat store (6).

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the invention are applied to the generation of alternating sample, dark, reference and dark beams for direction of the sample and reference beams into an integrating sphere which comprises detecting means and a reference source, for spectroscopic analysis of a sample contained in a sample cell which is operatively associated with the integrating sphere; to the generation of digital control signals attendant the generation of the beams; and to the processing of the multiplexed, sample analysis results analog data signal, as provided by the detecting means, by aligning a digital control signal therewith in time and further operating upon the thusly aligned data signal to precisely calculate the sample analysis results.

Abstract: A decanter centrifuge typically includes a bowl which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and an independently rotatable screw conveyor mounted coaxially therein. A drive motor is provided to rotate the conveyor at a differential speed from that of the bowl, which has a separate drive motor. An engagement element, in the form of an indexing clutch, an over-running clutch or a selectively controllable clutching element, is provided between the conveyor drive motor and the bowl to simultaneously rotate the bowl and the conveyor during a cleaning in place operation of the centrifuge.

Abstract: During milking of dairy animals, the produced milk is membrane filtered and transported to a container or other end unit (1). From this end unit, the milk is led by way of a balance tank (6) to a circulation path, of which the membrane filter (10) is a part. The permeate obtained during membrane filtration is returned to the end unit and used to press forward milk from the end unit and from the other equipment in the filtration unit between the end unit (1) and the membrane filter (10).

Abstract: A centrifuge apparatus having an adjustable weir surface for adjusting the depth of an annular pool of a light and heavy phase material mixture therein. A first annular plate is positioned over a discharge outlet and includes a plurality of notches, each defining a generally arcuate opening and in the periphery thereof. A second annular plate is positioned in coaxial parallel juxtaposition with said first annular plate and also includes an identical amount of notches, each defining a generally arcuate opening. The annular plates are angularly positioned with respect to each other such that the generally arcuate openings are placed in overlapping relationship. Therefore, depending upon the relative angular position of the annular plates with respect to each other, the weir length can be increased and decreased.

Abstract: Automatic dilution apparatus and method are provided, and are operable in conjunction with automated sample liquid analysis systems to automatically dilute sample liquids as supplied thereby to automated sample liquid analysis apparatus. One embodiment of the dilution apparatus operates to dilute the sample liquids by flowing the sample liquids from the analysis system sample liquid supply conduit, diluting the same, and returning the diluted sample liquids to the supply conduit for flow therethrough to the sample analysis apparatus for sample liquid analysis. Flow of undiluted sample liquids through the supply conduit is prevented attendant operation of the dilution apparatus. A second embodiment of the dilution apparatus operates to remove predetermined volumes of the sample liquids from the supply conduit, and to replace the same with like volumes of a diluent liquid; thereby diluting the sample liquids in the supply conduit for continued flow to the sample liquid analysis apparatus.

Abstract: A food patty molding machine of the horizontally reciprocating mold plate type, using a plunger type food pump, has its food product storage hopper set off to one side, horizontally offset from the mold plate and its drive and also clear of the food pump plunger and its drive; the mold plate and plunger pump drives are also offset horizontally as well as vertically so that the pump feed path is an offset V and there is clear access to the mold plate, to the food pump plunger, and to their drives for both machine changeover and maintenance purposes. All machine operations are driven by fluid pressure drive motors to facilitate changes in the overall time of the machine cycle by varying only one operating interval, preferably the dwell of the machine occurring immediately after knock-out.

Abstract: A paper interleaver for a food patty molding machine of the kind using a mold plate cyclically reciprocating along a linear path between a fill position and a knock-out position comprises a shuttle connected to the mold plate for synchronous movement along a linear path between a transfer position and a pickup position. When the mold plate is at its knock-out position and the shuttle at its pickup position, the shuttle pulls a single paper sheet from the bottom of a storage stack by vacuum; when the mold plate and shuttle are at their respective fill and transfer positions, the shuttle "puffs" the paper sheet up a very short distance to be held by downwardly facing vacuum ports of a fixed paper holder frame, essentially immune to clogging from the food product particles and juices present at the knock-out position. A molded patty subsequently moves down through the frame to pick up the paper sheet when the mold plate returns to the knock-out position.

Abstract: A plate evaporator comprises several heat exchange plates arranged substantially vertically in spaced face-to-face relationship to define between the plates evaporation passages alternating with heating medium passages. An increasing cross-sectional area and a decreasing perimeter of the evaporation passages are achieved by so arranging the two heat transfer surfaces of adjacent plates defining an evaporation passage that they diverge from each other in the flow direction of the medium to be evaporated and by decreasing the width of said heat transfer surfaces in said direction.

Abstract: Centrifugal separator, the separation chamber (9) of which is surrounded by a first rotor part (1) and a second rotor part (2), an annular flange portion (3) of the first rotor part (1) being axially inserted into a sleeve formed end portion (5) of the second rotor part (2) and connected thereto by means of a locking joint. The locking joint comprises locking elements (8), which are brought radially outwards from a position radially inside said sleeve formed end portion (5) and axially outside said annular flange portion (3), such that one part of each locking element (8) is located in an internal recess (7) in the sleeve formed end portion (5), whereas the remaining part of the locking element (8) is located radially inside the periphery of said flange portion 3, whereby the locking element 8 is arranged to transmit axial forces from the first rotor part (1) to the second rotor part (2).

Abstract: A horizontal cylindrical tank contains a conveyor screw rotatable on a horizontal axis below the symmetry axis of the tank, the latter having at its lower part an inlet at one end for organic material and an outlet at the other end for fermented material. A heating medium is circulated through one of the bearings, a frame supporting the screw, and the latter's peripheral portion. The screw moves sludge along the tank bottom toward the outlet and recirculates fermented material back to the inlet region via a space at one side of the screw, while evolved gas discharges through an outlet in the top of the tank.

Abstract: In a centrifugal separator an outlet member (9) is rotatably arranged within the centrifuge rotor (1, 2) such that it can be entrained in rotation by liquid having been supplied to the rotor. The outlet member (9) forms a groove (13) which is open towards the rotor axis and in which there opens an outlet channel (11) starting in the part of the rotor which contains, during operation of the rotor, a separated liquid component. A non-rotatable outlet member (7) has at least one outlet passage (8), one end of which opens in said groove (13) at a level where separated liquid component will be present during operation of the rotor only when the rotatable outlet member (9) is caused to rotate with a certain lower speed than the liquid within the rotor.

Abstract: In a centrifugal separator, an outlet member (9) is rotatable in the centrifuge rotor (1, 2) in a way such that it may be entrained in rotation by liquid supplied to the rotor. The outlet member (9) has an outlet channel (11) leading from one place within the rotor, where a separated mixture component is present, to a reception place (13) for the mixture component. A first means (19) is arranged to counteract rotation of the outlet member (9) so that a desired relative movement is obtained between the outlet member (9) and the separated mixture component in the rotor which is to be removed. A second means (27-30) senses the magnitude of the force by which the outlet member (9) is counteracting the braking effect of said first means. The first means (19) is connected with the second means (27-30) and arranged to accomplish a desired relative movement between the outlet member (9) and the separated component in the rotor in response to the magnitude of said sensed force.

Abstract: Apparatus for weighing out powder and liquid and mixing the powder in the liquid comprising two receptacles (2 and 3, respectively) and a pump (8), which are connected to each other in a unit (1) which is suspended in a weighing machine (4). A desired quantity of liquid, which is determined by the weighing machine (4), is supplied to one (2) of the receptacles and a desired quantity of powder, which also is determined by the weighing machine (4), is supplied to the other receptacle (3). After that, the liquid is caused to circulate through the pump and the powder is let into the suction conduit (7) of the pump (8) and is thereby mixed in the liquid. The unit also includes a heat exchanger (14) which is connected to the pressure side of the pump (8) for thermal treatment of the liquid.

Abstract: At a centrifugal separator the centrifuge rotor has an inlet (24) to a separating chamber (4) for a fluid mixture of components to be separated, and means for removing of one separated component from another during the operation of the rotor. Said means comprise an outlet member (15) which is arranged to be entrained in rotation by fluid having been supplied to the rotor but which--at least intermittently--may be caused to rotate at a lower speed than said fluid. A channel (16) extends through the outlet member (15) from a point in the rotor, where the separated component is situated, to a reception place therefor. The reception place may be arranged either within or outside the rotor.

Abstract: A plate (1) for a plate heat exchanger is provided with a corrugation pattern of ridges (4) and grooves (3) intended to rest against the corrugation pattern on an adjacent plate so that a great number of supporting points (2) are formed. On at least one of its sides, the plate has ridges provided with recessed parts (5) positioned in the areas of the supporting points (2). Thus, the number of turbulence-generating supporting points and consequently the flow resistance are reduced in an adjacent heat exchanging passage (7).

Abstract: This invention relates to a lining of non-metallic material for inlet ports and outlet ports of a frame plate and/or a pressure plate of a plate heat exchanger.The lining comprises a cylindrical part (10) and at least one but preferably two flanges (11, 12). In this connection the flange (11) that is intended to be positioned between a heat exchanger plate and a frame plate and/or a pressure plate is so thin that no machining of the latter needs to be done.

Abstract: Microorganisms and unicellular organisms in a sample are identified or determined by exposing the sample to an adsorbent having a specific binding power for the entity to be determined to bind the entity to the adsorbent, separating unbound sample, exposing the adsorbent containing the entity to a nutrient medium to initiate metabolism with resulting change in the physical or chemical characteristics of the substrate and observing these changes.

Abstract: Plate heat exchanger having mainly rectangular plates mounted in a frame. According to the invention the plates (6, 8) are arranged in at least two groups, the plates having port holes of one size being arranged in one group, while plates having port holes of another size are arranged in another group, the plate group having the largest port holes being arranged closest to the inlet (3) while a plate group having smaller port holes (9) is arranged further away from the inlet (3).