Abstract: A cupping press includes at least one blanking die that operates between a rest position and a forming position through the action of a first servomotor. At least one forming punch operates between a retracted position and an extended position. The forming punch in the extended position is at least partially disposed in a forming cavity defined in a lower die of the press. The operation of the cupping press is controlled by a control circuit that is electrically connected to the first servomotor. The control circuit operates to generate a synchronization pulse based on a parameter, and functions to coordinate the operation of the first servomotor with the synchronization pulse.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating a feed gas stream rich in hydrogen sulfide by partially combusting the feed gas stream rich in hydrogen sulfide with an oxygen-enriched gas in a Claus reaction furnace to produce to a combustion reaction product stream containing sulfur. The combustion reaction product stream is split into a recycle stream and a treatment stream and the recycle stream directed back into the Claus reaction furnace, without first condensing sulfur out of the recycle stream, while the treatment stream is directed into a condenser to condense sulfur out of the treatment stream.

Abstract: A seat reclining and fold-flat mechanism for reclining the seat-back, folding the seat-back flat and locking the seat in an upright or reclined position. The mechanism includes an arm, a pawl and a locking member. The arm is pivoted to the frame at one end and attached to the seat-back at a second opposite end to pivot the seat-back relative to the frame. The pawl is pivoted to the frame and pivots between a locked position, in which the pawl engages the arm to prevent arm from pivoting, and a released position, in which the pawl releases arm allowing arm to pivot. The locking member secures the pawl in the locked position, thereby securing seat-back in an upright or reclined position even when substantial force is executed on the seat-back.

Abstract: This machine is a cell for bulk palletizing a load such as the packaging of containers (bottles). The machine comprises a tier building system, a bulk load and dunnage supply systems. The cell also includes a programmable robot with cantilevered arm including an effector for transferring pallets, tiers of bulk product, tier sheets and top frames to the load build area. The effector includes an inverted drawer, suction means, pallet gripper means and top frame grippers for doing the transferring.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a reduction of a level of electrolyte in a wet cell battery includes an electrically conductive sensing rod in contact with an electrolyte in a battery cell, a voltage comparator connected to the rod for generating a first output signal when an input voltage is greater than a reference voltage and generating a second output signal when an input voltage is less than the reference voltage, and an indicator responsive to the output signals for generating a green visual signal when the rod is immersed in the electrolyte and generating a red visual signal when the rod is not immersed in the electrolyte. The apparatus also include an audio alarm device sounding an audio indication when the red visual signal is generated. A sensing circuit can be connected between the voltage comparator and a pair of battery voltage input terminals to selectively connect the terminals to the comparator when a voltage of a battery connected to the terminals exceeds a predetermined voltage level.

Abstract: A bushing for a lift axle assembly for a heavy vehicle. The lift axle assembly selectively lowers and raises supplemental wheels of the vehicle into and out of engagement with a support surface and forms a part of the support system for the vehicle when the supplemental wheels are lowered. The assembly comprising at least one bushing. The bushing includes a hard polymeric sleeve having a wall thickness of about 0.1″ to about 0.3″ (0.25-0.76 cm) and a hardness of greater than Shore 65D. An elastomeric polyurethane sleeve surrounds the hard polymeric sleeve and is fixed to it. A metal shaft is rotatably mounted in the hard polymeric sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method in which hydrogen sulfide-containing liquid sulfur is introduced into a containment vessel to partially fill the containment vessel and create a hydrogen sulfide-containing liquid sulfur phase and a hydrogen sulfide-containing vapor phase. A portion of the hydrogen sulfide-containing liquid sulfur phase is then treated to produce a liquid sulfur-containing phase and a gaseous hydrogen sulfide-containing phase, such that the gaseous hydrogen sulfide-containing phase has a pressure of at least about 60 psig. A portion of the hydrogen sulfide-containing vapor phase is then withdrawn from the containment vessel using at least one eductor driven by a motive fluid, where the motive fluid is the gaseous hydrogen sulfide-containing phase from the container vessel. The hydrogen sulfide-containing waste gas stream exiting the eductor is then treated to reduce the hydrogen-sulfide content of the waste gas.

Abstract: Three mechanical locks are part of a mechanism for adjusting and dumping a vehicle seat. A master mechanical lock attaches to the seat back. When it is unlocked, depending on the condition of the other locks, one can adjust or dump the seat. A dumping mechanical lock also attaches to the seat back through an intermediary of a slave mechanical lock. When the dumping mechanical lock is unlocked, a connection to the master mechanical lock also opens that lock to allow the seat back to dump. When one unlocks just the master mechanical lock, a connection between that lock and the slave lock unlocks the slave lock. When that lock is unlocked, one can adjust the distance of dumping mechanical lock to the seat back. Because the slave lock remains locked during dumping, the distance between the dumping mechanical lock and the seat back remains constant after dumping. A latch mechanism keeps the dumping lock unlocked until the dumping lock returns to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A process is set forth for improving an oxygen-enriched Claus plant by recycling through an ejector effluent from the first condenser back to the reaction furnace to moderate oxygen induced high temperatures and thus allow additional oxygen-enrichment and attendant throughput in the Claus plant.

Abstract: A manway assembly (10) designed for mounting within an opening (19) in a vessel wall (20) is provided which includes a manway ring (12) having a passageway (24) therethrough, with an inner cover (14) and a cover lock (18). The cover (14) is supported by a swing mount (16) including a tubular member (42), an arm (44) telescopically received within member (42), and a suspension connector (48). The lock (18) is made up of studs (38) secured to cover (14) and extending through passageway (22), with an annular locking plate (50) having bores (54) for receiving the studs (38); nuts (64) complete the locking arrangement.

Abstract: A manway assembly (10) designed for mounting within an opening (19) in a vessel wall (20) is provided which includes a manway ring (12) having a passageway (24) therethrough, with an inner cover (14) and a cover lock (18). The cover (14) is supported by a swing mount (16) including a tubular member (42), an arm (44) telescopically received within member (42), and a suspension connector (48). The lock (18) is made up of studs (38) secured to cover (14) and extending through passageway (22), with an annular locking plate (50) having bores (54) for receiving the studs (38); nuts (64) complete the locking arrangement.

Abstract: A novel truss track assembly for use in transporting passenger vehicles provides two sets of tracks for supporting two passenger vehicles concurrently. The truss track assembly includes four running rails for mounting passenger vehicles and a central support rail. A series of frame elements are periodically secured to the running rails and the central support rail to support and maintain the parallel relationship of the running rails and the central support rail. The truss track assembly may be “split” into two individual truss track assemblies wherein the individual truss track assemblies each accommodate a passenger vehicle or a train of passenger vehicles. The present invention further provides a novel side-mount vehicle suitable for mounting of the present invention on the truss track assembly.

Abstract: A novel truss track assembly for use in transporting passenger vehicles provides two sets of tracks for supporting two passenger vehicles concurrently. The truss track assembly includes four running rails for mounting passenger vehicles and a central support rail. A series of frame elements are periodically secured to the running rails and the central support rail to support and maintain the parallel relationship of the running rails and the central support rail. The truss track assembly may be "split" into two individual truss track assemblies wherein the individual truss track assemblies each accommodate a passenger vehicle or a train of passenger vehicles. The present invention further provides a novel side-mount vehicle suitable for mounting of the present invention on the truss track assembly.

Abstract: An improved wet scrubber for removing airborne particulates and absorbing water-soluble gases from an airstream includes an outer shell and a continuous spiral flight within the outer shell. A first bank of scrubber nozzles spray water and/or chemical through the airstream as it enters the scrubber through an air intake. The airstream increases in velocity as it moves through the tapered helix formed by the continuous spiral flight. A second bank of scrubber nozzles mounted on a sidewall of the outer shell sprays water and/or chemical through the airstream as it moves up the spiral flight. An inner shell provides a downward path for the airstream after it has ascended the spiral flight and traversed an abrupt direction change in which water/chemical precipitates from the airstream. The inner shell extends downward into a reservoir, forming a seal with precipitated water that has collected there.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regenerating an ion exchange resin utilizing recycled solution or reused regeneration solution. At least one tank containing an ion exchange material is provided having a spaced first and second ports which define a fluid flow path through the ion exchange media. Water to be treated is introduced at an inlet and flows through the resin bed ultimately being discharged at the outlet. A polishing zone is located at the outlet which includes highly regenerated, uncontaminated resin. The media is regenerated in a multi-step process in which regeneration solution is introduced into the resin bed in two separate steps. In the first step, a first regeneration solution is introduced into the resin bed upstream from the polishing zone, flows in a countercurrent direction and is discharged through the inlet of the tank. A second regeneration fluid is introduced at the outlet of the tank and flows in a countercurrent direction through the entire resin bed.

Abstract: A micro-rotary screener for removing airborne materials from an airstream includes a shell for defining a generally drum-shaped shell, the shell including a first passageway for receiving the airstream and a second passageway for discharging cleaned air. A multi-blade rotating air lock within the shell includes an odd number of rotor lock blades for defining an odd number of pockets into which the airstream is directed. A drive is provided for causing the multi-blade rotating lock to rotate. Seals are attached to the rotor lock blades for contacting inner portions of the shell and restricting airflow between the plurality of pockets. Screens are attached to the edges of the rotor lock blades, and rotate therewith, for filtering airborne materials and for releasing filtered materials during rotation of the multi-blade rotating air lock. A material-discharge bin is provided for receiving filtered materials after they have been released from the screens.

Abstract: An article transfer system and method and various components thereof that provide various benefits and advantages comprises a conveyor carrying a plurality of article holding devices having an eject feature, a rotary loader for loading articles onto the holding devices carried by the conveyor for transfer through one or more processing stations including, for example, a spray coating station, and a rotary unloader for removing the articles from the holding devices. Provision also is made for selective removal of articles from the holding devices at one or more strategic locations along the conveyor.

Abstract: A finger chuck assembly and method for holding a bottle or other hollow article having a neck opening at one end, characterized by a support member having an axis; a plurality of jaws each including a finger, an actuator arm and an intermediate portion interconnecting the finger and actuator arm; and a chuck operator member carried on the support member for movement relative to the support member. The jaws each are pivotally mounted at the intermediate portion to the support member for movement of the jaw between a contracted position for inserting the fingers into a neck opening of a hollow article and an expanded position for engaging an interior surface of the hollow article. The fingers of the jaws extend generally parallel to one another and to the axis of the support member when the jaws are in the contracted positions thereof and diverge laterally outwardly away from one another when the jaws are in the expanded positions thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating water includes a vertically extending contact vessel, wherein water is contacted with ozone, and a return vessel which contains a column of water of a sufficient height to drive water through downstream filtering stages. Ozone is removed from the water and the rate of ozone injection is monitored and automatically adjusted so that no great amount of ozone remains in water entering the filtering stages. The ozone is generated in elongated elements that are cooled by the process water and that are positioned to serve as a static mixer for such water.

Abstract: A finger chuck assembly and method for holding a bottle or other hollow article having a neck opening at one end, characterized by a support member having an axis; a plurality of jaws each including a finger, an actuator arm and an intermediate portion interconnecting the finger and actuator arm; and a chuck operator member carried on the support member for movement relative to the support member. The jaws each are pivotally mounted at the intermediate portion to the support member for movement of the jaw between a contracted position for inserting the fingers into a neck opening of a hollow article and an expanded position for engaging an interior surface of the hollow article. The fingers of the jaws extend generally parallel to one another and to the axis of the support member when the jaws are in the contracted positions thereof and diverge laterally outwardly away from one another when the jaws are in the expanded positions thereof.