Abstract: A decanter centrifuge is disclosed for separating a liquid feed mixture into constituent parts. The decanter centrifuge includes a bowl assembly mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis. Opposite ends of the bowl assembly are rotatably supported by first and second bearings. A motor is engaged with one end of the bowl assembly for rotating the bowl about the longitudinal axis. A screw conveyor is coaxially mounted within the bowl with a conveyor shaft attached thereto. A gear box is located between the second bearing and the bowl and includes a transmission engaged to the shaft. The transmission rotates the conveyor at a relative speed with respect to the bowl. A plurality of circumferentially spaced posts mount the gear box to the bowl, spacing the gear box apart from the bowl. Effluent discharge ports on the bowl discharge effluent into the space between the bowl and the gear box.

Abstract: A decanter centrifuge is defined for separating a heavy phase material from a liquid within a feed mixture. The decanter centrifuge includes a bowl rotatable about its longitudinal axis for separation of the heavy phase material from the liquid feed mixture due to centrifugal force. The bowl typically includes a cylindrical portion and a frusto-conical portion at one end. A solids discharge is provided in the restricted end of the frusto-conical bowl portion. A screw conveyor is coaxially mounted for rotation within the bowl, having a spiraled conveyor flight extending radially outwardly to a position adjacent the inside wall of the bowl. The conveyor is adapted to rotate at a relative speed with respect to the bowl for conveying separated heavy phase material toward the heavy phase discharge. A baffle in the form of a disc extends radially outwardly from the conveyor hub and is adapted to project into the separated heavy phase material being conveyed along the bowl wall.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mist pump for a conveyor of a decanter centrifuge. The mist pump is incorporated into the feed chamber and prevents mist from leaving the feed zone and building up a layer of feed in the conveyor hub. The mist pump includes a plurality of vanes attached to, extending radially inward from and spaced about an interior surface of the sidewall of the feed chamber. The mist pump also includes a ring positioned coaxially about the longitudinal axis, attached to each of the pump vanes and spaced radially inward from the sidewall to provide a plurality of return openings defined by the ring and the sidewall.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body formed of a cylinder having upper and lower ends with an inlet port at one end, an outlet port on an opposite end and at least one side outlet port. An annular ring element has upper and lower ends on which are formed upper and lower valve seats, respectively, the ring being sealed around its periphery on each end to the valve body. A central portion of the ring connecting the upper and lower ends has at least one and preferably about 6 to 8 openings therethrough in fluid flow communication with the side outlet port. An actuator assembly fitted in the cylinder includes actuators, concentrically fitted actuator rods valve stems and valve plugs for opening and closing the two valve ports by engaging the valve seats on opposite sides of the ring. The rod for the upper valve seat is in the form of a hollow cylinder concentric and coaxial with the actuator rod for the lower seat, the first and second rods being independently actuatable.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in conjunction with a milking machine for reducing the incidence of milking claw or cluster contamination following uncoupling and retraction of the milking claw or cluster from an animal. The milking claw is retracted from the animal by the application of negative pressure and is retained in a retracted position by a retaining device which retains the milking claw in a predetermined position, even when the milking machine is turned off or, in the case of a portable machine, transported to another location.

Abstract: A milk claw is provided with a flow separator having vanes separating streams of milk from the individual quarters of a cow's udder in the upper part of the claw but permitting communication between said streams in the bottom of the claw.

Abstract: A programmable, wide area insecticide (or other airborne chemical agent) dispensing system and method is disclosed in which a supply of a fluid insecticide is maintained and delivered under pressure to one or more spray heads which may be located remotely from the supply, as for example in various locations within a warehouse, dairy barn, or the like. A programmable controller effects the dispensing of the insecticide from the selected spray heads at predetermined times and in predetermined amounts so as to effectively control insects at various areas of the building at various times of the day so as to avoid indiscriminate spraying of the insecticide when it is not needed, or when it may interfere with activities within the building.

Abstract: In centrifuges for separating solids-liquid slurries and which discharge concentrated solids through nozzles at the periphery of the centrifugal bowl or rotor, it is necessary to maintain a feed or influent rate at least as great as the nozzle discharge rate. According to the present invention, this is accomplished by driving from the centrifuge drive train a pumping means for returning concentrated solids from the nozzles to the centrifuge for recycling through the bowl.

Abstract: A trap chamber is formed by a cylindrical container and a head sealed to and closing the upper end of the container, which is releasable from the head by actuating a detent. Air and entrained liquid from a milk receiver are sucked into the head through a tangential inlet from which air discharges through a top outlet to a vacuum pump while separated liquid spirals down along the chamber wall to a valved drain outlet. Liquid accumulating in the chamber eventually raises a floating ball valve against a seat to close the air outlet and break the vacuum so that the chamber is drained through the bottom outlet. The ball valve is then released from its seat by an element operable to break the vacuum in the air outlet. Vacuum in the chamber draws the container upward to compress a sealing gasket against the head and thus prevent leakage.

Abstract: A system for backflushing milking machinery comprises a backflush valve for alternatively connecting one or a plurality of milking units to a wash line or to a vacuum milk line. When the milking units are connected to the wash line, a manifold valve operated by high pressure air under automatic control, sends water, sanitizing fluid and air sequentially through the milking units. Provision is made for sending bursts of air through the water and sanitizing liquid as they are furnished to the milk units. Provision is also made for flushing the back-flush valve with water after a washing cycle to prevent entry of washing fluids into the milk line.

Abstract: To a previously agitated blend of fruit and sugar is added a water solution of pectin to form a premix which is heated to 90.degree.-125.degree. F. during gentle agitation. After adding an acid solution to the premix, it is heated to 135.degree.-145.degree. F. and passed through an evaporation zone at 145.degree.-160.degree. F. under a vacuum of 20-27 inches Hg., all during gentle stirring, to obtain a concentrated product which is then heated to a sterilizing temperature and passed through a holding zone at such a temperature. The resulting product, after cooling, is a fruit preserve concentrated to a desired degree, such as 65.degree. Brix, and in which the fruit has retained its particulate identity and integrity and is well distributed in the preserve.

Abstract: For washing a milker unit, the teat cups are inserted in respective flexible receivers which seal around the enlarged end portions of the teat cups and communicate with a distributor having an inlet connected to a vacuum line for washing liquid. During washing, a high vacuum in the milk pipe line raises a valve in the distributor, while closing a drain opening therefrom, and draws washing liquid through the distributor, the receivers, the teat cups therein, the milk claw connected to the teat cups, and then into the milk pipe line for washing the latter. After washing, atmospheric pressure prevailing in the milker unit and distributor allows the valve to drop to a position where excess washing liquid can drain through said opening. For milking, the teat cups are applied to the cow after removing them from the receivers, which are then stored by simply pushing them upwardly onto respective holders where they are automatically closed against entrance of dirt.

Abstract: In a centrifuge for the separation of solids from liquid in which concentrated solids are discharged from radial nozzles at the rotor periphery, there is a need for control of the solids concentration by controlling the recycle of solids to the centrifuge. The present invention provides a flow path divided into small cross-sectional areas, as with parallel plates, for the flow of recycled solids therethrough, at an appropriate pressure drop and flow rate to cause a strong dependence on fluid viscosity. A small receiving tank, with a fixed or adjustable weir, is attached to the inlet of the sectional flow path to provide a constant pressure drop through the device by maintaining a volume of concentrated solids at a pre-selected height above the inlet. The cross-sectional area available for flow is manually adjustable by means of a blocking plate at the inlet of the sectioned flow path.

Abstract: Oily waste is separated by gravity settling into a light oil phase forming an upper layer and a heavy phase forming a lower layer. An overflow stream of oil passes from the upper layer to a raw fuel storage tank while an underflow from the lower layer, after addition of diesel oil, is centrifugally separated into a light component of oil with some water which is returned to the gravity settling, an intermediate component of clarified water which is discharged to a sewer, and a heavy sludge component which is fed to a second centrifuge for separation into substantially dry solids and a mixture of water and residual oil which is returned to the gravity settling.

Abstract: To measure the milk yield of a cow, milk is passed continuously from the milking machine into an upper chamber of a meter while releasing air from the milk; and when the milk rises to a certain high level in the upper chamber, a valve opens to effect gravity flow of milk at a predetermined rate Q from the upper to a lower chamber until the milk descends to a certain low level in the upper chamber, whereupon the valve is closed until the milk again rises to the high level. These steps are repeated until the milk flow from the cow substantially ceases, whereupon the valve opens to effect gravity flow of the milk for the last time to said low level. The total time t occupied by said gravity flows is measured, as is the amount W of milk required to fill the upper chamber to said low level; and the milk yield is calculated by adding the values Qt and W.

Abstract: The invention provides a breakover detection device for use with a centrifugal separator. The device comprises a main chamber, a float in the main chamber operative to actuate switch contacts in response to the presence of liquid in the main chamber, an inlet and outlet for the main chamber arranged so that small volumes of liquid trickle from the inlet to the outlet without activating the float and large volumes of liquid at least partially fill the main chamber, thereby activating the float, electrodes in the main chamber for connection to circuitry discriminating between different liquids detected by the float in the main chamber. The device can detect the occurrence of breakover in a centrifugal separator, without leading to shutdown solely as a result of an increase in volume of the separated liquid.

Abstract: A valve for connecting two flexible hoses of a milking machine to a milk line and a vacuum line, respectively, comprises a housing containing two opposite valve seats and a rotatable slide having sealing surfaces cooperating with said seats. The slide is provided with a recess for receiving a connection piece connected to the hoses and having sealing surfaces cooperating with the valve seats. The connection piece is rotatable together with the slide between a connected position in which the hoses are connected to their respective pipe lines, and a disconnected position in which these connections are shut off by the slide. The valve housing is preferably attached to one of the pipe lines and connected to the other one by means of a flexible hose.

Abstract: From the centrifugal basket chamber to which the liquid-solids mixture is fed, the separated liquid discharges through an overflow outlet at the radially inner edge of an annular horizontal wall forming the upper end of said chamber, the discharging liquid then flowing upwardly along the inner surface of an annular vertical wall protruding upwardly from said horizontal wall and then flowing radially outward along the upper surface of a lip which overlies only the radially inner part of said horizontal wall in spaced relation thereto. The discharging liquid is thus prevented from contacting the upper surface of said horizontal wall and thereby imposing a drag on the rotating basket.

Abstract: A method for freeze-stabilizing wine and a system for carrying out this method are described. The method is of a type in which the wine is first chilled so that ice crystals are formed in the wine while the wine is still pumpable, whereupon the wine is conveyed to a residence tank in which tartrate crystals are formed. The wine is then heated to melt the ice crystals, whereupon the tartrate crystals formed are removed from the wine. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the wine is conveyed continuously to and from the residence tank, where the wine is agitated in such a way that there is maintained a homogeneous suspension of ice crystals and tartrate crystals in wine. It is advantageous to stir the wine with a horizontally pivoted stirrer which rotates at a relatively low speed. Suitable operating conditions are obtained if the wine is first chilled to a temperature which is 0.2.degree. to 5.degree. C.

Abstract: A heat exchanger equipped for indirect heating, stirring and steam removal is charged with a finely divided fish mass, whereafter a combined boiling and drying procedure is carried out in the heat exchanger with essentially continuous heat supply and steam removal until the heat exchanger contains fish meal with a desired low water content and oil content. The oil removal is effected during part of the period for said boiling and drying procedure by feeding fish mass from the heat exchanger to a decanter having three separate outlets for separated sludge phase, oil phase and water phase while continuously recirculating to the heat exchanger the sludge phase separated in the decanter, removing separated oil for storing or further treatment, and removing separated stick water, at least part of the stick water being recirculated to the heat exchanger and/or being remixed with the fish mass discharged from the heat exchanger to be fed into the decanter.