Abstract: A receiver for separating and collecting contaminants, such as lint produced by a textile machine, from an airstream. The receiver includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet. The receiver includes a dumping mechanism to selectively dump the collected contaminants from the bottom of the housing. The housing contains a perforated filter support positioned in a flow path of the airstream from the inlet to the outlet. A tubular mesh screen is attached under tension to the perforated filter support. The tubular mesh screen is positioned in the flow path of the airstream from the inlet to the outlet so that the screen can separate the contaminants from the airstream. An annular bracket ring is attached to a lower portion of the screen to position and facilitate replacement of the screen. Pressure sensors are provided to activate the dumping mechanism based on a predetermined pressure differential.

Abstract: A corner piece for a sheet metal connector system that includes coupling members which have a V-shaped cross section and inwardly turned retaining edges spaced a given distance from the apex of the V includes a first leg which has a width slightly less than the given distance and a length, and a second leg which has a width slightly less than the given distance and a length which extends at an angle other than 180 degrees with respect to the first leg's length. The first leg may be snugly fitted between the apex of a first V-shaped coupling member and the inwardly turned edge of the first coupling member and the second leg may be snugly fitted between the apex of a second V-shaped coupling member and the inwardly turned edge of the second coupling member to join the two coupling members together at the angle. The first and second legs may be identical separate pieces which can intersect and be joined.

Abstract: A corner piece for a sheet metal connector system that includes coupling members which have a V-shaped cross section and inwardly turned retaining edges spaced a given distance from the apex of the V includes a first leg which has a width slightly less than the given distance and a length, and a second leg which has a width slightly less than the given distance and a length which extends at an angle other than 180 degrees with respect to the first leg's length. The first leg may be snugly fitted between the apex of a first V-shaped coupling member and the inwardly turned edge of the first coupling member and the second leg may be snugly fitted between the apex of a second V-shaped coupling member and the inwardly turned edge of the second coupling member to join the two coupling members together at the angle. The first and second legs may be identical separate pieces which can intersect and be joined.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining flanged, abutting duct ends or for reinforcing ducts comprises an elongated coupling member including a V-shaped portion made up of two slanting walls approaching an apex and having lower portions spaced apart a given distance. It also includes inwardly turned edges on the slanting walls spaced from the apex, extensions of the slanting walls diverging from one another as the slanting walls approach the apex extending from the slanting walls a distance about equal to the given distance, and a joining portion extending from the extensions doubling back over the apex. The extensions and the joining portions have substantial parallel segments with a curved connection between the parallel segments. The edges, slanting walls, extensions and joining portion being integrally formed of sheet metal.

Abstract: A reinforced duct includes a duct section having a peripheral skin of sheet metal, a plurality of lengths of metal straps, each strap being configured to have a cross section including a V-shape portion and inwardly turned edges spaced from the apex of the V to form a gap between the edges. The straps circumscribe the duct with the apices of the V-shapes away from the peripheral skin. A plurality of screws driven outwardly through the peripheral skin into the gaps in the circumscribing straps and engage the inwardly turned edges to bind the skin to the straps so that the straps reinforce the skin to prevent excessive flexure of the skin.

Abstract: A single high vacuum pump is connected to the downstream side of a pair of filtration chambers for collecting solid constituents from one or more pickup points upstream of the filtration chambers, entraining such solid constituents in a collection airstream, and separating the solid constituents from the airstream in the filtration chambers. Periodically, the filter screen of each filtration chamber is backflushed by a system of control valves which shut off the collection airstream thereto, opens the bottom gate of the filtration chamber to dump the accumulated constituents therefrom, and generates a reverse airflow path through the filter screen of the filtration chamber being cleaned. The reverse airflow path is then transferred to the other filtration chamber and through the filter screen thereof in the normal forward direction. Both the collection airstream and the reverse airflow are generated by the same high vacuum pump.

Abstract: A fiber collector collects fiber from a moving airflow having entrained fibers. A primary plenum has a fiber collection zone in its lower portion. Adjacent screens downstream of the primary plenum are slanted with respect to the primary plenum so that fiber held by the screens will be gravitationally attracted to the fiber collection zone. Secondary plenums downstream of the screens have independently openable air inlets and independently closable passages. A fan downstream of the passages pulls air through the primary plenum, screens, secondary plenums and passages. Pressure sensors upstream of the screens and downstream of the passages provide pressure sense data to a control means which closes the passages for one of the secondary plenums and opens the independently openable air inlet of the same secondary plenum when the pressure difference between the first and second pressure sensors exceeds a desired range.

Abstract: An improved building panel. The panel includes a pair of identically formed facing sheets arranged with adjacent edges extending parallel and spaced apart to one another and an insulating core between the facing sheets to minimize the transfer of heat from one facing sheet to the other through the space therebetween. The panel further includes a channel member assembly for receiving the adjacent edges of the sheets to form a joint between the sheets. The channel member assembly includes at least one pair of opposing legs extending parallel and spaced apart to one another for interconnecting the sheets with one another and a web portion extending between interconnecting the opposing legs. The web portion includes an insulating bridge member positioned between the opposing legs adjoining the pair of facing sheets to minimize the transfer of heat from one facing sheet to the other through the web portion and defining a noncontinuous space.

Abstract: Dirty air contaminated with cotton dust or the like is alternately directed against the left-hand section of a filter screen, then the right-hand section by a pair of movable baffle plates or vanes. While the dirty air impinges upon one section of the filter screen, backwash air is blown in the reverse direction through the opposite section of the other section to flush the impurities there collected. Upon receipt of a pressure differential generated signal that the one side is loaded, the baffle plates or vanes are moved to the opposite position whereby the one section of the filter screen is cleaned by the backwash air while the dirty air impinges upon the opposite side section. The interior of the filter apparatus is so constructed that the backwash air, after passing through the filter screen in the reverse direction circulates back beneath the vanes and exits in the forward direction through the screen with the clean air.

Abstract: An adjustable-pitch axial fan wheel. A hub has an outer surface forming a portion of a sphere. A plurality of blades are attached to the hub, each blade having a substantial flange at the base portion, the inner surface of the flange being spherical to match the surface of the hub. A central strengthening bolt extends through the blade and projects into the hub to form a pivot axis for the blade. Arcuate holes are formed in the flange, the arcuate holes being alignable with bolt holes in the hub to bolt the flange to the hub while permitting blade pitch adjustment within about 28.degree. of rotation of each blade with respect to the hub.

Abstract: A generally conventional air washer is modified by dividing the water delivered to a bank of sprays into a first portion that is directed to a header at the top of the bank and a second portion that is directed to a header at the bottom of the bank. A throttling valve is placed in the line upstream of the upper header. When the air washer is being used as a dehumidifying apparatus, as in summertime use, and during situations of minimum use as a dehumidifier, the water supply to the upper headers may be throttled or even cut off completely without affecting the water pressure to the lower header. Water from the lower nozzles in such situations continues to be emitted into the air stream as an atomizing spray.

Abstract: Abutting sections of sheet metal ducts are joined at an interface by flanging the ends of each section adjacent the interface and forming a plurality of spaced tabs in the wall surface of the flanges, which tabs protrude outwardly in a direction away from the interface. A generally V-shaped coupling member, having a portion of the free edges thereof folded back under the corresponding side wall, is then assembled over a pair of opposed flanges with the edges of the folded under portions snapping in behind the tabs to lock the flanges together.

Abstract: A roof-mounted apparatus is disclosed for discharging exhaust gas at a high velocity. The apparatus includes a stack having a tapered annular cross-section for achieving a relatively high discharge velocity for exhaust gas so that the effective height of the stack is equivalent to that of a considerably taller conventional chimney. The tapered annular stack preferably includes an outer wall and a coaxial inner wall which tapers outwardly toward the outer wall from the bottom to the top of the stack. An in-line fan having an annular outlet which communicates with the bottom of the tapered annular stack is preferably included for impelling exhaust gas admitted to the inlet of the fan into the stack.

Abstract: Return air from a work area is so treated as to arrive at a prescribed temperature/humidity level responsive to a direct acting absolute humidity sensing and control apparatus. The return air is mixed with fresh air, then subjected to a water spray in an air washer. The air mixture is controlled by the absolute humidity control device to maintain a constant absolute humidity level. The amount of water sprayed is controlled by a dry bulb thermostat which in turn operates to throttle the spray as necessary to reach the prescribed temperature level in an evaporative cooling technique.

Abstract: A grout-like material of a type which is initially liquid is poured or floated into the chamber beneath the cylindrical elements of conventional carding machines, or other textile machines which generate quantities of waste thereunder, to a desired level greater in depth than the largest crack between the carding machine frame and the surface on which it rests, so that the grout fills and covers all the cracks around the bottom of the frame. Upon drying the grout material adheres to the surface on which the card frame rests and the side walls of the frame and essentially seals the area beneath the machine as well as forming a slick surface over which lint and dust may be more easily moved by pneumatic undercard cleaning systems. Such a floor construction eliminates burrs or other areas where tags and lint might accumulate. If desired, the grout may be covered with a slick finish or outer coating, such as a urethane or acrylic type floor coating to provide an even smoother finish.

Abstract: An air current is caused to sweep through the chamber beneath a carding machine from one end to the other by means of a suction plenum beneath the lickerin end of the machine and an air inlet beneath the doffer end of the machine through which air enters and is conveyed toward the suction plenum. One or more baffles extending across the width of the area beneath the carding elements extend down in close proximity to the floor causing the air to pass closely adjacent the floor, rather than to drift up into the upper areas of the chamber. One of the aforementioned baffles is adjustably positioned in air deflecting arrangement with the aforementioned inlet to divert the incoming air currents immediately to the floor. The suction plenum is so connected with a source of negative pressure as to cause an air flow rate of at least 360 cfm through the inlet to the suction plenum.

Abstract: A plurality of separate V-shaped wire mesh members are arranged and connected in side-by-side relationship to provide a plurality of V-shaped cells across an air stream. A W-shaped retainer or connector formed of perforated sheet metal has outer, downstream facing trackways which receive side edges of the wire mesh members, and a central, upstream facing trackway which receives and retains the free edges of V-shaped filter media bags which are inserted into the V-shaped cells overlying the wire mesh. A stabilizer bar extends across and attaches to the exposed adjoining edges of the V-cells to support the cells in proper relation and retain the filter media in place.

Abstract: A pair of identically formed facing sheets are joined along opposite side edges and include a fiberglass core therebetween. Each of the facing sheets includes a central web section, a side wall extending inwardly from each side edge thereof, a first flange extending inwardly from the free edge of one of the side walls and a second flange extending outwardly from the free edge of the other of said side walls. Both flanges are substantially parallel to the central web section. The pair of facing sheets are positioned opposite each other and with the first flange of each sheet adjacent the second flange of the opposite sheet. A support member is inserted in the space formed by the inwardly extending flange, adjoining side wall, and opposite section of the central web.

Abstract: An elongated, generally U-shaped in cross-section, retainer strip, of the type which includes longitudinally extending, resilient, confronting semi-walls extending inwardly and downwardly from the free ends of the legs to grip the edges of a fibrous filter mat, includes a pair of exterior flanges. One exterior flange extends in spaced, parallel relation to one of the walls of the retainer strip to mount the retainer strip on a planar portion of a filter frame without rivets or cement. The other exterior flange extends in spaced, parallel relation to another wall of the retainer strip to secure the edges of a conventional screen or mesh backing member eliminating sheet metal tabs.