Abstract: A direct heat rotary calciner and method for providing improved thermal treatment of particulate material comprises a rotary tube having a plurality of screened apertures along the length thereof. Material to be treated is passed through the rotating tube and contacted during passage with a cross-flow of heated gases entering and leaving through the screened apertures. At least a portion of the internal wall of the tube may be provided with spiral flights to aid in the conveyance of the particulate material through the rotating tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying/calcining comprises a horizontally extending rotatable drum and a center tube, concentrically positioned within the rotatable drum to provide an annular combustion chamber between the outer wall of the center tube and the inner wall of the rotatable drum. One or more gas jet burners are positioned to inject gas fuel and combustion air into the annular combustion chamber in a tangential direction to create a vortex flow of combustion gases through the annular combustion chamber. The flue gas is discharged through the center tube. In operation, a material to be dried and/or calcined is applied to the external wall of the rotatable drum as it rotates toward a scraper or doctor blade where the dried or calcined product is removed by scraping.

Abstract: An improved control valve to control very low rates of flow having a valve body housing a throttle mechanism. The throttle mechanism comprising a bore and throttle plunger, having a helical exterior groove, sized with an annular passage therebetween. The size of the cylindrical passage is selected and held within limits so that media of a chosen viscosity maintains fully developed laminar conditions as it enters and exits the valve, by keeping the Reynolds Number under 4000. The flow rate is controlled by varying the distance that the throttle plunger extends into the bore. Because the valve operates under constant laminar conditions this varying distance yields linear results between the length of engagement of the throttle plunger in the bore and the flow rate resulting in an increased accuracy control valve.

Abstract: An improved latch mechanism for a fluid flow control valve. The latch mechanism having a latch body, a spring, a plunger and a thumb release lever for disengagement of the plunger. The latch mechanism is attached to a valve handle which controls the fluid flow rate through the valve. Provided with the latch, the handle and thereby the valve can be locked into either a closed or open position at the limits of the valves' necessary rotation thereby preventing inadvertent opening or closing of the valve. The thumb release lever disengages the plunger with detent notches provided in the valve body allowing safe and efficient single handed operation of the handle and latch mechanism even under adverse environmental conditions when operator dexterity is impaired by gloves.

Abstract: A two-wheeled hand truck comprising a pair of side frames molded from highstrength plastic formed in an open truss with compression and tensile members. The side frames are held in a rigid parallel relationship to each other by cross rails, handles and a toe plate with integral stiffeners attached to the side frames.

Abstract: A gas burner is interconnected with structure such as a range top wall or mixing tube flange by interengagement of a mounting projection and a locking hole. The locking hole has an entry portion and a narrower capture portion. The mounting projection has a neck portion and an enlarged head portion. The enlarged head portion is inserted through the entry portion of the locking hole and the neck portion is then shifted into the capture portion to accomplish a locking function. In one arrangement the gas burner is of mild cold rolled steel and the mounting projection is formed integral and of one single piece with the burner wall. In another arrangement, the burner is formed of galvanized or stainless steel, and the locking projection is formed integral and of one single piece with the cooperating mounting element. In another arrangement, the burner is supported by a bracket having mounting projections.

Abstract: An oven control system and a method are provided for controlling for a gas oven burner. A gas valve is operatively controlled to supply gas to the gas oven burner. A spark voltage supply is operatively controlled for generating ignition sparks near the gas oven burner. A flame sensing circuit coupled to the gas oven burner provides a flame status representative signal to a control processor. The control processor operatively controls both the gas valve and the spark voltage supply.

Abstract: An indexable latching handle assembly for quarter-turn rotary valves which permits the arc of operation to be oriented as necessary to avoid surrounding obstacles and enhance ease of operation. This handle assembly has a latching device capable of latching the valve in the closed position or in the open position and is readily disengaged without regard to the orientation of the handle on the valve.

Abstract: A thermostat for an electric/gas oven includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, a switch spring arm for moving the electrical contacts into and out of engagement and a pair of actuators for coupling forces to the switch spring arm. An enclosure encloses the switch spring arm and the first and second electrical contacts. The enclosure has axially aligned channels extending through opposed walls for slidably receiving the actuators. A temperature responsive subassembly includes a mechanism for movement responsive to changes in oven temperature and a spindle subassembly including mechanism for movement responsive to manual rotation of a spindle. A frame supports the enclosure and supports both the temperature responsive subassembly and the spindle subassembly in operative position with respect to the actuators. A self cleaning temperature calibration mechanism selectively determines a self cleaning oven temperature setting.

Abstract: A foldable hand truck apparatus having 1) a main support frame assembly; 2) a support wheel assembly connected to the main support frame assembly which resembles a conventional hand truck structure; 3) an extendable handle assembly having a handle support tube which is anchored to the main support frame assembly; and 4) a dual foldable load assembly pivotally connected to the main support frame assembly. The extendable handle assembly includes a handle member telescopingly mounted within the handle support tube and movable from a compact storage position laterally of the handle support tube to a locked usage position. The dual foldable load assembly includes a luggage or large article support frame and a load support plate, both pivotally connected to a lower portion of the main support frame assembly. The load support plate is first pivotal to a position 90 degrees perpendicular to the main support frame assembly for carrying smaller loads thereon or gripping an edge portion of an article to be moved.

Abstract: An improved spark ignition switch and gas valve assembly is provided. A gas valve includes a manually rotatable stem for controlling gas flow rates through the valve. A spark ignition switch includes a first stationary electrical contact; a second electrical contact including an arm for moving the second electrical contact into and out of engagement with the first stationary electrical contact; and a rotor rotatable by the valve stem. The rotor includes a cam moving the arm for moving the electrical contacts into engagement for a predetermined range of rotation of the valve stem and for moving the electrical contacts out of engagement with rotation of the valve stem past the predetermined range. A detent mechanism is operatively arranged with the rotor for providing tactile feedback to a user. The detent mechanism is arranged for engagement at a predefined rotational angle within the predetermined range of rotation of the valve stem.

Abstract: A replacement endless drive track for use on a heavy duty tracked vehicle such as a bulldozer or tank includes a reinforced polymeric drive belt, two parallel sets of closely spaced rail blocks adjacent the drive belt, a plurality of drive pins extending between opposing ones of the rail blocks, and supporting members adjoining the drive belt and the rail blocks. The rail blocks are substantially Z-shaped, such that a forward portion of one rail block is offset and overlaps the rearward portion of a directly adjacent rail block. The rail blocks, drive pins and drive treads may be comprised of a polymeric material which is harder than the polymeric material of the drive belt. The drive pins may alternatively be disposed at a lateral end of the supporting members to accommodate a tracked vehicle with peripherally disposed drive sprockets. In addition, the frame of the tracked vehicle may be adapted to provide for attachment of widened rollers which roll directly on the track for smoother and quieter travel.

Abstract: A replacement endless drive track for use on a heavy duty tracked vehicle such as a bulldozer or tank includes a reinforced polymeric drive belt, two parallel sets of closely spaced rail blocks adjacent the drive belt, a plurality of drive pins extending between opposing ones of the rail blocks, and supporting members adjoining the drive belt and the rail blocks. The rail blocks are substantially Z-shaped, such that a forward portion of one rail block is offset and overlaps the rearward portion of a directly adjacent rail block. The rail blocks, drive pins and drive treads may be comprised of a polymeric material which is harder than the polymeric material of the drive belt. The drive pins may alternatively be disposed at a lateral end of the supporting members to accommodate a tracked vehicle with peripherally disposed drive sprockets. In addition, the frame of the tracked vehicle may be adapted to provide for attachment of widened rollers which roll directly on the track for smoother and quieter travel.

Abstract: The invention provides a valve stem locking assembly for releasably locking a threaded fastener relative to a valve stem of a quarter-turn valve such as a ball valve. The assembly includes a handle defining an opening shaped to engage a corresponding shape of the valve stem to preclude relative rotation therebetween while allowing relative motion therebetween along the longitudinal axis of the valve stem. A standard nut engages the handle and is threaded onto the valve stem for movement relative to the valve stem along the axis. A spring biases the nut and the handle into relative rotation resisting engagement with each other. A camming mechanism, defined by the handle and the chamfer of the nut, is biased by the spring to prevent relative rotation therebetween until a desired torque about the axis is applied to the nut relative to the handle.

Abstract: An assembly method and a thermostat for an electric/gas oven are provided. An enclosure formed by a base and a cover for enclosing a switch subassembly includes axially aligned channels extending through opposed walls and external keying and positioning features. A pair of axially aligned actuators are received within the axially aligned channels. A frame having cooperating keying and positioning features positions and supports the enclosure containing the switch subassembly and supports both a temperature responsive subassembly and a spindle subassembly in operative position with respect to the actuators.

Abstract: A valve handle latching assembly having a selectable latching slider which engages a detent on a fluid control device such as a ball valve. During assembly, a particular slider is selected for inclusion in the final assembly resulting in a valve tailored for its intended purpose. Depending upon which latching slider is selected, the valve handle latching assembly latches in the open and/or closed position(s) thereby preventing inadvertent rotation. The latching handle assembly may be manually disengaged to permit rotation of the handle in the opposite rotational direction.

Abstract: A gas burner assembly is provided for a gas stove. The gas burner assembly includes a burner base and a burner cap mounted by the burner base and defines a plurality of gas burner ports. The burner base and burner cap have cooperating members defining a gas stabilization port. The burner cap and the burner base are connected to electrical ground potential. An electrode assembly for manual spark ignition of the gas burner includes an electrically conductive electrode. An electrically insulative support member mounted by the burner base encloses and positions the electrically conductive electrode proximate to the gas burner. Responsive to a user's manual operation, a high voltage potential is applied to the electrically conductive electrode for spark ignition.