Abstract: A flow control has a rotary gate residing within an internal flow space in a conduit. The gate is mounted for movement relative to the conduit between first and second positions, the gate in the first and second positions accounting for a different flow rate between first and second fluid masses between which the gate resides. The gate has an actuator with a plurality of spaced shoulders. A flexible force-applying member is connected to the actuator and bears upon the shoulders to thereby urge the gate towards the other of the first and second positions. The shoulders are situated so that the number of shoulders engaged by the force-applying member at any one time is not the same as the gate moves from the one of the first and second positions towards the other of the first and second positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for routing a passageway in a conduit includes an elongate cable for direction into a conduit passageway. A cable supply drum contains a supply of the cable and is rotatable about an axis, there being a length of the cable projecting to outwardly of the drum. A motor selectively imparts rotation to the drum about the axis. The cable and drum are configured such that the projecting length of cable rotates about its length as an incident of the drum being rotated about its axis. A brake is provided for stopping rotation of the drum and thereby rotation of the projecting length of cable so as to prevent torquing of the projecting length of cable as when the projecting length of cable is prevented by freely rotating by an obstruction encountered in a conduit passageway.

Abstract: A rotary drain and sewer cleaning apparatus includes a flexible elongate cable insertable into a line. An end of the elongate cable is attached in a drum and a portion of the elongate cable is wound in the drum. A motor rotates the drum. A power supply and switch selectively provide current to the motor causing the motor to rotate. A circuit includes a sensor for measuring a motor drive torque as the drum rotates and generating a torque signal representing motor drive torque level. An indicator is controlled by the torque signal and indicates the torque level.

Abstract: A valve unit for producing pulsed delivery of a fluid from a supply to a point of use.

Abstract: A draft inducer having a pair of arcuate semi-scrolls within a cylindrical housing defined by a circular inner end plate and a circular outer end plate vertically spaced by a sidewall. A metal conduit element is connected concentrically to the inner end plate and an electric motor is connected adjacent the outer end plate. A fan blower wheel is disposed in the housing coaxially with the conduit element and is drivingly connected to the motor. The semi-scrolls define curved air passages with twin, oppositely directed outlets for discharging fluid flow outdoors at rates minimally effected by ambient wind conditions.

Abstract: A lightweight car-on-track system having a pair of spaced-apart rails and an associated rotatable drive tube with a captive carrier movable along the rails and having a drive wheel in driving engagement with the rotatable drive tube. The drive wheel is spring-loaded against the rotatable drive tube and the capture of the carrier to the rails results in a controlled drive force achieved regardless of the weight of the carrier or of a load supported thereon. The system is made up of a selected number of modular units, each having adjustably mounted frame members supporting opposite ends of a rail section and a drive tube section. Adjustable mounting of frame members to an alignment plate assures alignment between rail and drive tube sections when assembling the system. A transfer device is utilized for transferring a carrier from the end of one track section to the spaced-apart end of another track section with the transfer device being oscillatable about a pivot axis.

Abstract: A lightweight car-on-track system having a pair of spaced-apart rails and an associated rotatable drive tube with a captive carrier movable along the rails and having a drive wheel in driving engagement with the rotatable drive tube. The drive wheel is spring-loaded against the rotatable drive tube and the capture of the carrier to the rails results in a controlled drive force achieved regardless of the weight of the carrier or of a load supported thereon. The system is made up of a selected number of modular units, each having adjustably mounted frame members supporting opposite ends of a rail section and a drive tube section. Adjustable mounting of frame members to an alignment plate assures alignment between rail and drive tube sections when assembling the system. A transfer device is utilized for transferring a carrier from the end of one track section to the spaced-apart end of another track section with the transfer device being oscillatable about a pivot axis.

Abstract: A linear drive unit having a carriage reciprocal along a path of travel and having a plurality of pairs of angularly adjustable drive wheels engaging opposite sides of a rotatable drive tube whereby rotation of the drive tube imparts linear motion to the carriage. The angle of the drive wheels is controlled by a remotely-operable air motor mounted directly on the carriage. A plurality of cams provide controlled acceleration and deceleration of the carriage adjacent the ends of its path of travel. A selectively operable inching control is remotely operable to provide for a reduced speed of travel of the linear drive unit. The linear drive unit is easily associated with the mass to be moved, such as a travelling hoist, and the forces generated by opposed drive wheels compressively engaging the drive tube are self-contained within the carriage. Additional control cams can be provided along the path of travel, if additional stopping locations are desired.

Abstract: A carrier system having a carrier movable along a path as defined by a trackway and driven from a rotatable drive tube by means of one or more drive wheels which can be adjustably angularly related relative to the drive tube for determining the direction and speed of carrier travel. The carrier has a multi-function accumulation rod operable in both accumulation of carriers as well as at a stop station along the path of travel. The accumulation rod is movable to control the angular position of the drive wheel to achieve stopping of the carrier at the stop station as well as to cause accumulation of one carrier behind another. The accumulation rod is operable in either direction of travel of the carrier to affect accumulation.

Abstract: An ammonium thiosulfate product and method of making the same are provided in which the product is ammonium thiosulfate crystals with a film of water, i.e. about 80% to 90% ammonium thiosulfate with 10% to 20% water and preferably about 85% ammonium thiosulfate and 15% water at a pH of about 8 to 10, preferably about 9 and preferably produced by adding anhydrous ammonium thiosulfate to a 60% solution of ammonium thiosulfate or by vacuum separation of water from a 60% solution of ammonium thiosulfate to produce a product at about 80% to 90% ammonium thiosulfate.

Abstract: An article handling system and, more particularly, a box or container picker system having miniaturized components for detecting the presence as well as the orientation of various sizes of boxes and containers in a pallet layer of product including suction cups and associated pneumatically-operated sensing structure arranged in arrays for detecting the presence or absence of a box or container therebeneath during a cycle and controls for determining the coordinates at which box presence is detected and also for activating those suction heads which are to function to pick a box from a layer of product. The vacuum pickup head including the suction cup has a casing with an interior vacuum chamber controlled by a motor-operated valve member which, in one position, connects an operating negative pressure to a suction cup and, in another position, closes off the negative pressure and connects the suction cup to atmosphere.