Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically actuating slave devices in direct response to the discharge of a dry chemical fire extinguishant is disclosed comprising at least one main fire extinguisher from which pressurized dry chemical fire extinguishant passes into a main discharge pipe, and a cartridge containing a pressurized gas connected to the main discharge pipe through an actuator valve. The actuator valve includes a resilient check closing the valve due to the pressurized gas in the cartridge and a piston having a head fit into the actuator valve at sufficiently close tolerance to minimize gas transfer therethrough. The piston head is disposed toward the main discharge pipe and an integrally connected base portion faces the tip of the check and is disposed such that depression of the piston head into the actuator valve moves the check, opening the valve and releasing the contents of the cartridge into a secondary discharge pipe.

Abstract: A gas shielded, flux-cored welding electrode for vertical or overhead welding as well as for horizontal or flat welding is disclosed having a generally tubular metal sheath and a core defined within the sheath, wherein the core includes a slag forming system based, primarily, on about 2-7.5% of the fluorides of calcium and/or strontium.

Abstract: A nozzle for a carbon dioxide snow cyclone separator shapes the swirling discharge from the separator to form a unidirectional downwardly directed flow. The nozzle passage is defined by an annular series of transversely concave, juxtaposed, elongate surfaces formed in the body of the nozzle, whereby the passage is scalloped in transverse cross-section. In preferred forms, there are four identical, laterally contiguous, surfaces in the annular series defining the nozzle passage, each of which extends through an arc of .pi. radians.

Abstract: A rotary freezer for cooling resilient golfball centers to a uniform, substantially rigid state is provided with a dispenser to permit dispensing of rigid centers in one-at-a-time fashion from a large batch of frozen centers in the freezer at a rate indepenent of the residence time. As the freezer drum rotates, paddles on the inner circumference serve to lift randomly-selected centers from the batch to a predetermined height for gravity loading onto an inclined rack forming a part of the dispenser. Centers on the rack are arranged in a rectilinear series leading to an outlet port where a metering assembly controls dispensing of the centers from the drum in one-at-a-time fashion at a rate determined by the operator. A gravity conveyor exterior of the freezer drum transports each dispensed center from the outlet to a work station where the winding process is to be initiated before the center returns to its resilient state.

Abstract: A compact, high-efficiency, J-tube carbon dioxide snow hood has a novel diffuser at the discharge end of the J-tube for providing a well-confined, concentrated snow deposit at a reduced exit velocity. The diffuser includes a pair of juxtaposed, axially upright cylindrical baffles which intercept the fine-particle snow discharge from the J-tube in a manner to create counterswirling currents of carbon dioxide snow. An upright cylindrical tube circumscribing the cylindrical baffles, and depending substantially beyond the lower ends of the baffles, forms a mixing chamber where the segregated counterswirling currents of carbon dioxide snow interact to form desired larger-particle snow which is then passed from the chamber in a confined, low velocity, downwardly directly discharge.

Abstract: A flux-cored welding electrode is disclosed having a generally tubular sheath and a core defined within the sheath, wherein the core includes a slag forming system comprising from about 5 to 9 percent titanium dioxide, less than about 2 percent calcium fluoride and from about 0.003 to 0.080 percent boron, based on the total electrode weight.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating the level of a liquid in a closed metallic container having curvilinear walls with a thickness of from 1/8 to 3/8 inch is disclosed comprising a manually portable transducer having a piezoelectric material for transmitting and receiving sonic waves, and a sonic pulse generator capable of exciting the piezoelectric material to emit sonic signals into the container from a location adjacent the outside wall of such container at a frequency within about 20% of the natural resinate frequency of the container.

Abstract: A slice control circuit senses the angular position of a blade employed to slice products, such as bacon or cheese. The position information is utilized to correctly position the product relative to the blade to obtain uniform slices. When slicing is interrupted the product is withdrawn from the blade to prevent nonuniform slices. When slicing is resumed the circuit inserts the product into the blade path at the correct point of blade rotation to resume production of uniform slices. A voltage controlled oscillator maintains the product movement in synchronism with blade velocity.

Abstract: An improved method of producing carbon monoxide in a plasma arc reactor is disclosed, wherein carbon dioxide is delivered to an arc to form a plasma into which solid carbon is delivered. The products are quenched and filtered to yield carbon monoxide. High yields of carbon monoxide of high purity and high efficiencies of electrical-to-chemical conversion thus may be achieved.

Abstract: Scraped-surface heat exchangers and similar apparatus employing scraper blades hinged to a shaft so as to scrape a fluid being processed from an elongated cylindrical wall are improved so as to obviate any need either for separate bearings at opposite ends of the shaft or for special skids to be used in disassembly and reassembly and so as to allow the blades to be biased against the wall without separate springs. Each blade bears on the wall not only at its leading or scraping edge but also at a trailing or bearing surface, so as to center the shaft and facilitate its rotation, so as to hold the edge in uniform relation to the wall, and so as to bias the edge of the blade against the wall.

Abstract: A machine for picking up stacks of sliced food obtained from a slicer and loading the stacks into cavities of a packager which then encloses same. The machine includes a transmission driven in synchronism with the packager that pivots a placer having spring closed doors for stack support from a load position wherein a ram loads each cavity, to an upper pick up position on an inclined, transmission driven, conveyor having suitable stops. The stops retract, and the conveyor pivots downwardly, as the placer moves the stacks to the load position without interference with the stops and the conveyor. Suitable feed conveyors load an escapement for the stacks for the sequential movement of the stacks to the stop positions. A control system is provided to regulate the flow of stacks from the slicer to the loader for continuous loader operation if desired.

Abstract: A respiration unit for supplying a preselected limited volume of breathing gas to a patient at limited positive pressures, and at a preselected limited flow rate is disclosed. The system includes an air delivery cylinder having a drive weight which is free to move up and down. A diaphragm connected to the weight divides the cylinder into an upper control chamber and a lower delivery chamber. A vacuum source is connected to the control chamber through a first solenoid-controlled valve to regulate the lifting of the weight, and a second solenoid-controlled valve regulates the bleeding of air into the control chamber to release and regulate the rate of fall of the weight, thereby driving breathing gas under pressure out of the lower chamber. A control system regulates the lift and lower cycles of the drive weight to provide the required operation of the system, with various sensors being provided to allow patient control of the system under selected conditions, and to assure patient safety.

Abstract: A wire-feeding mechanism comprises a rotatably mounted pulley formed on its edge with a continuous circumferential groove and plural rollers arranged to hold an endless flexible belt against a segment of the edge of the pulley. The belt thus is adapted to hold the wire in the groove as one roller is driven.

Abstract: A substantially completely water-soluble and pepsin-digestible protein is obtained by the hydrolysis of the keratin contained in animal structures with saturated steam at a pressure of from about 50 to about 250 p.s.i.g. or higher and from about 5 to about 30 parts of liquid water per part of the keratin source, by weight, at the temperature of saturated steam at the pressure employed. Conversion of the keratin to soluble protein and meal is about 80%; the yield of water-soluble protein being as high as about 70%. The water-soluble protein is an excellent animal food.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for forming a gaseous mixture comprising a carrier gas substantially saturated with vapors of a normally liquid chemical material, under conditions of high throughput. The apparatus of the invention is adapted to pass a carrier gas through a normally liquid chemical material in a pressure vessel, while controlling the temperature and pressure of the system, thereby controlling the concentration of the vaporous, normally liquid chemical material in the carrier gas and to assure the formation of a substantially saturated gaseous mixture. Before exiting the pressure vessel the initial dispersion of carrier gas and chemical material is contacted with means adapted to retard passage of liquid chemical substance from the pressure vessel and to enhance the degree of saturation of the carrier gas. The invention is also directed to the use of a gaseous mixture of curing agent and carrier gas to cure low temperature curing sand molding compositions.

Abstract: A machine for continuously conveying slabs of meat, such as bacon, to a revolving blade and slicing same into accurate, weight controlled groupings, preferably by control of the conveying system. The machine has a plurality of longitudinally spaced, generally transversely extending rollers and a plurality of finger means mounted on the front roller that is adjacent to the blade, but rearward of the front roller, to apply downward and rearward forces to the conveyor supported slab to positively control the slab travel to, and particularly adjacent, the blade.

Abstract: A bed light safety apparatus which includes a normally wall mounted lighting fixture. The upper rearward edge of the fixture is pivotally mounted to a plate adapted for attachment to a wall. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a switch carried by the fixture. When used in conjunction with a hospital bed or the like which is power operated to a raised position, the switch is made a part of the electrical circuit for the bed drive means. In the event equipment carried by the bed strikes the fixture on raising of the bed, the consequent pivotal movement of the fixture causes the switch to open the circuit to the bed drive means and halt further raising of the bed. In other embodiments the safety apparatus may include visual or auditory alarms actuable by a switch in the fixture.

Abstract: A line or directional valve of the type that is adapted for use in fire extinguishing systems of the gas dissemination type is provided, employing a moveable piston adapted to be unseated from a valve seat, upon delivery of fluid for opening thereof, wherein the forces of the valve piston against the valve seat are reduced and controlled by utilizing inlet fluid pressure that is operative against the piston in such a way as to reduce the forces from inlet fluid pressure on the piston to a desired net or resultant force. A vent is also provided for facilitating keeping the piston open after its initial opening.

Abstract: A pipe cross fitting for interconnecting tubular structural members of an offshore platform of the type used by the oil industry. The cross fitting is reinforced by the addition of an internal structural element that extends across the central open portion of the fitting and into all of the branches of the fitting to resist the tension and compression forces applied to the fitting during use.

Abstract: A control circuit is provided for a microwave oven in which a crystal rectifier is responsive to variations in the level of the electromagnetic field within the oven cavity when items of different energy absorption or reflection characteristics are placed in the oven. The electric current developed by the crystal is employed to generate a ramp type electrical signal which is compared with a fixed reference voltage to control the termination of microwave power to the oven. Compensation for the nonlinear relationship between crystal current and the level of the electromagnetic field within the oven is provided. In addition, compensation for the initial temperature of the food item which is placed in the oven is provided.