Abstract: An extractor tool for an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed. Some system embodiments comprise a bracket configured to couple to a spoolpiece of an ultrasonic flow meter and a tube inserted through and coupled to the bracket. The tube is configured to seal to the spoolpiece and permit a transducer to be selectively installed and removed therethrough.

Abstract: A system for actively damping the low-frequency coloration of sound in a listening room is provided comprising an acoustic wave sensor, an acoustic wave actuator, and an electronic feedback controller. The listening room defines at least one mode of low-frequency coloration. The acoustic wave actuator is substantially collocated with the acoustic wave sensor within the listening room. The electronic feedback controller is operative to generate a signal at its output by applying a feedback controller transfer function. The feedback controller transfer function comprises a second order differential equation including a first variable representing a predetermined damping ratio and a second variable representing a tuned natural frequency and creates a 90 degree phase lead substantially at the resonant frequencies of at least one mode of low-frequency coloration. The feedback controller output signal represents a rate of change of volume velocity to be produced by the acoustic wave actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a more robust article dispensing apparatus that is relatively simple in construction and usage for dispensing articles in a clean and protective environment. More specifically, the apparatus accepts, separates, and dispenses articles from a nested stack of articles such as beverage cup lids one at a time.

Abstract: An insert for an insect control product comprising a first side and an oppositely facing second side; a first portion; a middle portion; a third portion, the middle portion being connected to the first portion and the third portion along fold lines. A formula applied on a coated region of the second side of the insert and dried, and the formula applied to a coated region of the first side of the insert and dried. The insert is folded in upon itself to take on a Z-shaped configuration or cross section, and slid into a box or housing to complete the insect control product. The insert is made by the process of placing the stamped insert on an assembly line and first coating a coated region of the second side with formula and then flipping the insert over and drying same. Then, the coated region of the first side of the insert is coated with formula, flipped over and dried.

Abstract: A swivel joint has uniform ball bearing requirements for all bearing races. The swivel joint has a male connector and a female connector that coaxially interconnect and swivel relative to each other while still maintaining a high pressure seal. Each connector has three bearing races to form three sets of bearing races, each of which supports the same number of ball bearings. The circumference of the main set of races are enlarged by less than the diameter of one ball, so it is impossible to add another ball to the coupled male and female connectors of the swivel joint.

Abstract: An apparatus to evaluate an illuminated panel comprises a camera to acquire a real-time digital color image of the illuminated panel and a stored digital color image of a standard illuminated panel. A monitor is provided to alternately display the real-time image and the stored image to detect any differences in the illuminated panel.

Abstract: A self-contained thermal actuator positions the piston return member inside the actuator cup. The inventive configuration eliminates the guide and diaphragm seal that closed the open end of the wax filled cup in the typical thermal actuator configuration. The piston and an O-ring seal seated in an annular recess defined by the piston contain the thermally responsive wax. A return member within the cup and engaged between axially spaced, radially overlapping shoulders on the cup and piston biases the piston toward its pre-actuation position. The return member may be a spring or an elastomeric O-ring that also seals the thermal actuator against intrusion of contaminants from the use environment. The piston is closely received in the cup for guided axial reciprocation therein.

Abstract: A valve for the fuel system of a turbine engine works to relieve high pressure transients in the liquid fuel side of the turbine engine arising from the elevated ambient temperatures of operation of the turbine on gaseous fuel. The valve also prevents significant pressure losses during turbine start-up and sustained operation. The valve is bi-stable and has a liquid fuel driven poppet that toggles between one of two closed positions to interrupt flow through the valve when below a lower pressure limit and when above an upper pressure limit. The poppet moves to an intermediate position temporarily to permit pressure relief. A method of operating such a valve is also provided.

Abstract: A cable cover for an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed. In some embodiments, the cable cover includes multiple interlockable pieces configured to couple to a spoolpiece of an ultrasonic flow meter. Each interlockable piece includes a body having a dowel and a slot. The interlockable pieces are assembled in a series with the dowel of each interlockable piece inserted into the slot of another interlockable piece.

Abstract: A self-metering, automatic (i.e. pressure regulating) industrial-scale fire fighting nozzle, with or without self-eduction, for self-metering a concentrate in accordance with varying liquid flow through the nozzle occasioned by the pressure regulating, with additional features of having a “ratio selectable” means for self-metering for different selected additive concentrations or mixing ratios and of having a mechanical flowmeter.

Abstract: A fluid proportioning valve meters flow of pressurized inlet fluid in proportion to a pressure drop between the inlet and outlet of the valve. A pressure acutated, return biased poppet valve is actuated by the fluid above threshold fluid pressure to meter fluid to the outlet against spring force. The poppet is annular and has a circular metering edge that controls flow through circumferential orifices in a valve guide. Smooth stable flow is achieved by shearing action of the metering edge over the orifices. Sliding point contact with the poppet valve by non-ferrous convex buttons to eliminate galling and reduce particle contamination within the valve.

Abstract: A thermowell mounting assembly and method which allow a finite-length thermowell tube to be precisely adjusted by length during field installation to a desired position within a machine, process unit, or other location to be evaluated by a thermocouple. The adjustable length thermowell protects the thermocouple from a harsh process environment while simultaneously facilitating temperature measurement by the thermocouple at the adjusted length of the thermowell. Adjustment of thermowell length is achieved by rotation of the thermocouple-thermowell assembly from a position exterior to a mounting flange connected to the machine or process unit.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical flow meter for measuring fluid flow through a pipe which obviates the need for the flow to be seeded with foreign particles. The meter comprises a fiber optic Sagnac interferometer with optical path crossing the flowing fluid. The interferometer measures velocity of the fluid by measuring the phase difference between the two beams propagating in the optical path in opposite directions. Light, which is deflected by the fluid, is collected by optical means at both sides of the optical path for calculation, the scintillating statistics and compensation for light intensity.

Abstract: A tumble breading system for applying a breading material to a food includes a housing designating an internal clean area, and an infeed belt for conveying the breading material and the food, arranged across the infeed belt in an infeed order, into the clean area. A rotary assembly with a plurality of vertically offset, rotating tumblers accepts and tumbles the food with the breading material as the tumblers rotate, to bread the food. An output belt accepts the breaded food from the tumblers and conveys the breaded foods from the clean area and the housing. The food arrives at the output belt in substantially the infeed order.

Abstract: A bi-directional orifice plate assembly is disclosed. In an embodiment, the orifice plate assembly includes a first ring member, a second ring member, an orifice plate disposed between the first and second ring members, a first seal assembly disposed between the first ring member and the orifice plate, and a second seal assembly disposed between the second ring member and the orifice plate. The first ring member includes a first plurality of arms having latching portions, and the second ring member includes a second plurality of arms having latching portions. Both ring members include latch-receiving recesses. The latching portions of the arms of the first ring member engage the latch-receiving recesses of the second ring member, while the latching portion of the arms of the second ring member engage the latch-receiving recesses in the first ring member.