Abstract: An improvement in an electrostatic precipitator and method for removing particulate contaminants entrained in a gas stream passed through an electrode arrangement in which particulates are charged in a first electrostatic field and subjected to a second electrostatic field to be removed and collected for further disposition. The electrode arrangement includes a charging section having a charging electrode and a field electrode, and a collecting section having a repelling electrode and a collecting electrode. The field electrode and the collecting electrode are integrated, providing a relatively compact construction, and the charging electrode and the repelling electrode are electrically separated by high voltage diodes in a single power supply arrangement such that the charging section and the collecting section each are provided with a corresponding electrostatic field operated at an optimum voltage and current for respectively charging and collecting particulate contaminants entrained in the gas stream.

Abstract: A condensing wet electrostatic precipitator for cleaning hot gases is constructed of collection electrode modules which establish longitudinally extending collection electrodes and a cooling jacket, each collection electrode module having a configuration including at least one part-tubular section and a cooling fluid chamber integral with the part-tubular section for containing cooling medium for cooling the part-tubular section. In some arrangements, the collection electrode modules are spaced apart laterally to enable the passage of the hot gases through the collection electrodes in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction in which the collecting electrodes extend.

Abstract: A condensing wet electrostatic precipitator is constructed of collection electrode modules which establishing collection electrodes and a cooling jacket, each collection electrode module having a configuration including at least one part-tubular section and a cooling fluid chamber integral with the part-tubular section for containing cooling medium for cooling the part-tubular section, the configuration of each collection electrode module being such that upon assembly of the collection electrode modules into an assembly of juxtaposed collection electrode modules the part-tubular sections are juxtaposed to establish at least one corresponding generally tubular collection electrode comprised of the juxtaposed part-tubular sections and the discrete cooling fluid chambers are juxtaposed to establish a corresponding cooling jacket comprised of the juxtaposed discrete cooling fluid chambers.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing particulates and corrosive gases from a gas stream includes the serial use of a condensing wet electrostatic precipitator section for removing smaller particulates, in the submicron range, in conjunction with a vertically aligned preliminary scrubber section which removes larger particulates, in the micron range, and corrosive gases, in an integrated unit in which the temperature and moisture conditions in the gas stream are controlled for assuring effective and efficient operation of the condensing wet electrostatic precipitator section. Discharge electrodes of the electrostatic precipitator are supported by insulators which are protected against deleterious deposits of particulates by discharge electrode elements and collector electrode elements placed between the gas stream and the insulators.

Abstract: An improvement in the operation of a thermal oxidizer during regeneration of an adsorber, wherein adsorbates collected in the adsorber are removed from the adsorber and introduced into the thermal oxidizer, by regenerative steam passed through the adsorber, to be oxidized in the thermal oxidizer during a regenerative cycle of prescribed duration, regulates the concentration of adsorbates in the regenerative steam passed to the thermal oxidizer such that the concentration of adsorbates introduced into the thermal oxidizer throughout the duration of the regenerative cycle is regulated to avoid excessive deviations from a selected average concentration of adsorbates, the regulated concentration of adsorbates enabling more efficient operation of the thermal oxidizer throughout the full duration of the regenerative cycle.

Abstract: A modular clean room structure in which the interior is finished without any seams between adjacent modules or crevices at the corners of the room such that the room can be easily sterilized. The seamless nature of the interior surface of the clean room eliminates locations where moisture can accumulate and promote bacteria growth. A cove is used to finish the corners of the room with a larger radius curve blending smoothly into adjacent flat surfaces. A durable coating is applied continuously over the ceiling, side walls and floor of the clean room to provide a seamless interior surface.

Abstract: A vehicle ignition signal is sensed and digitized for subsequent display on a display device, the digitization comprising sampling the sensed signal at a number of predetermined time intervals, all shorter in duration than an interval determined by the display device resolution, to determine a signal transition to a maximum spark value, to determine the maximum spark value, and to determine the sample within each display resolution interval having the greatest absolute value displacement from that of the determined sample from the previous resolution interval, the determined sample and the maximum value sample being displayed on the display device.

Abstract: An non-intrusive tachometer for measuring engine RPM includes a hand-held probe having an antenna for sensing radio frequency electromagnetic signals radiated from an operative spark ignition engine. The probe includes means for providing a pulse signal indicative of plug firing events to signal processing means which executes a statistical algorithm to determine the time between spark plug firings and engine RPM. A visual display displays engine RPM. Automatic gain contol means provides the pulse signal with a relatively constant amplitude by compensating for the inherently wide variation in amplitude of the electromagnetic signals among different automobile ignition systems. The signal processing means and display are located separate from the probe in an emissions testing system, or the signal processing means and display are integrated within the probe.

Abstract: Vehicle parameters are sensed at each of a plurality of engine speeds and are used to calculate different type vehicle performance signals, which are displayed together in a rectangular coordinate system having an engine speed axis and axes perpendicular thereto, one for each different type of vehicle performance signal, each performance signal being displayed in alphanumeric characters and connected with line segments, to identify the type of performance signal.

Abstract: A modular clean room load bearing structure having a negative air pressure plenum above the clean room ceiling to prevent the collection of dust and dirt above the ceiling. The vertical sidewall of the clean room is constructed of individual wall modules which are assembled together on site to construct the clean room. Each wall module serves as a return air duct for circulating air from the clean room upwardly through the wall module to the negative pressure plenum where the air is drawn out to a HVAC unit for conditioning the air. The conditioned air is returned to the clean room through a supply air duct system which includes HEPA filters in the clean room ceiling which filter the air immediately prior to the air being blown into the clean room. A support deck spans across the top of the sidewall and is formed by four foot wide structural panels spanning across the clean room. The deck supports the HVAC equipment above the deck while the clean room ceiling and HEPA filters are suspended from the deck.