Abstract: An automatic system for depalletizing or destacking items, containers or crates. The automatic depalletizing system includes an electronically controlled, automated, lift conveyor having a specialized pick mechanism at its free end, and having a self-contained hydraulic power supply system. The conveyor sequentially lifts pre-stacked crates, containers or items and places them in a single-file on a rotating conveyor automatically (hands free operation or individually controlled).

Abstract: A modular switch assembly comprises a multiple switch configuration operated by a single finger. The assembly consists of a base member with a push-button or plunger switch located on its top. Four upright switch operators extend above the surface of the push-button switch for contact by movement of a finger in any of four directions 90.degree. angularly offset from one another. These upright switch operators normally are magnetically biased to a first position, located near the push-button switch. They are operated by the finger to a second position, by rocking them outwardly from the first position. All of the parts snap fit together; and there are no mechanical springs or hinge assemblies to hold the various switch parts together.

Abstract: A feed monitor for providing a selectable midcycle coil stock feed check on a mechanical power press. A midcycle position of the coil stock feed from which the press can be stopped prior to the reciprocating die contacting the coil stock is chosen. With each reciprocating cycle of the die, a desired midcycle coil stock feed length is compared to a measured midcycle feed length. The press is stopped if the difference between the desired and measured feed lengths is greater than a predetermined tolerance. If the measured midcycle feed length is within the tolerance, the press operation continues.

Abstract: A three-position floating beam armature switch includes a hollow housing, in which a floating beam armature is resiliently biased toward the closed top of the housing. An operator member is carried by the housing to apply a predetermined force to the armature; so that a first end of the armature initially moves toward the bottom of the housing by pivoting the armature about its second end. Continued application of additional force by the operator member, causes the armature to pivot about the first end; so that the second end then moves toward the bottom of the housing. With both the first and second ends at the bottom of the housing, the third position of the switch is attained. Release of force by the operator member allows the floating beam armature once again to be biased toward the top of the housing to the initial position.

Abstract: A vehicle for the removal of sludge from the interior bottom of liquid storage tanks is disclosed. The vehicle includes a gathering header at the lead edge of the vehicle and a gathering arm extendable out over the header. The gathering arm reaches out and gathers sludge between the header and arm urging the sludge toward the header of the vehicle and the vehicle towards the sludge. The gathering header includes a floor mounted brass scraper and a cross feeding auger. The cross feeding auger in combination with the header body receives the material forced into the header by the gathering arm and directs it to a central portion of the header. Underlying the central portion of the header there is positioned a super charging auger series feeding a positive displacement pump.

Abstract: A tank cleaning system wherein a cleaning liquid is sprayed into a dirty tank and simultaneously sucked out of the tank. The cleaning liquid is stored in a pressure vessel and incompletely fills the vessel to leave a space above the liquid. A pump draws the liquid from the bottom of the vessel through a line to be sprayed into the tank to be cleaned. A vacuum is created within the space above the free surface of the liquid within the pressure vessel by a vacuum pump. While spraying the cleaning fluid into the tank, a vacuum line sucks up the cleaning liquid and dislodged contaminants from the bottom of the tank. The vacuum line terminates at the pressure vessel so that cleaning liquid and contaminants are discharged into the vessel so that cleaning liquid and contaminants never pass through the vacuum pump. Solids settling on the bottom of the vessel are pumped out into a solids separator. Liquid collected by the solid separator is sucked back into the vessel by the vacuum in the vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming fats and oils from sewage scum includes a scum cooker, a solids separation system, a vacuum dryer, and a condenser. The scum cooker liquifies and renders sewage scum obtained from a sewage treatment plant by maintaining the raw sewage scum at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure to sterilize and separate the scum into the solid, aqueous, and oily components. The solid separation system removes the solid and particulate matter from the liquified scum for disposal, preferably after washing the solids with treated water from the sewage treatment plant. The solid-free liquified scum is then communicated to a digester for degradation or transferred to the vacuum dryer which is maintained at an elevated temperature and preferably at least a moderate vacuum to remove the water and other volatiles from the liquified scum.

Abstract: The vacuum loading cleaning system includes a pair of interconnected pressure vessels containing a cleaning liquid which is pumped through a heat exchanger and into a dirty tank. Cleaning liquid and dislodged contaminants are sucked up from the dirty tank by a partial vacuum in the pressure vessel. Solids and cleaning liquid from the pressure vessel are separated by a solids separator with the cleaning liquid being passed through a centrifuge to remove fine solids before being returned to the pressure vessels. A skimmer in a pressure vessel removes floating solids and liquids. A phase separator is mounted beneath the suction inlets of a pressure vessel to speed the separation and concentration of solids, liquids and gases. The phase separator includes a number of vertically aligned, downwardly and inwardly tapered truncated conical concentrators with open tops and open bottoms above and below the free surface.

Abstract: The cleaning system includes a pressure vessel containing a cleaning liquid pumped out of the pressure vessel and into a dirty tank. Cleaning liquid and dislodged contaminants are sucked up from the dirty tank by a partial vacuum created above the cleaning liquid within the pressure vessel. Solids and cleaning liquid are pumped from the pressure vessel at a first rate and are separated by a solids separator with the cleaning liquid being centrifuged to remove fine solids and then collected in a makeup tank. Cleaning liquid from the makeup tank is pumped into the dirty tank at a second rate, less than the first rate. Excess liquid in the makeup tank is sucked back into the pressure vessel. A phase separator, mounted beneath the suction inlet, speeds the separation and concentration of solids, liquids and gases/vapors. The phase separator includes a number of vertically aligned, downwardly and inwardly tapered truncated conical concentrators with open tops and open bottoms above and below the free surface.

Abstract: A sludge remover and processor includes a first vessel holding cleaning liquid and a second, phase separating vessel. Cleaning liquid from the first vessel is sprayed against a dirty surface. A vacuum pump keeps the second vessel upper region at a partial vacuum so cleaning liquid and dislodged matter from the dirty surface is sucked into the second vessel. Solids and liquid are pumped from the second vessel into a solids separator where the larger solids are removed for disposal and liquid is pumped into a centrifuge which removes fine solid particles. The fine particles are mixed with a bulk solidification medium for disposal. Oil collection in the vessels is enhanced by the partial vacuum which lowers the boiling point so tiny bubbles are formed to aid separation of the oily and non-oily phases. Passing the liquid through a centrifuge also aids separation of the oily and non-oily phases in the first vessel.

Abstract: A cleaning system includes a pressure vessel partially filled with a cleaning liquid which is pumped from the vessel, heated by a heat exchanger and sprayed onto a dirty surface to be cleaned. A vacuum pump creates a partial vacuum above the free surface of the cleaning liquid in the vessel. A vacuum line connects a low point at the dirty surface to the pressure vessel so that dislodged contaminants and cleaning liquid are sucked into the vessel. Liquid and solids are pumped from the pressure vessel into a solids separator to remove relatively large solids. Liquid passes from the solid separator into a centrifuge which removes very fine solid particles, which are combined with a bulk solidification medium in a blender/extruder to create disposal cake. Exhaust gases from the vacuum pump can be either recycled into a substantially sealed dirty tank or directed through a scrubber to remove condensate and other substances. The exhaust gas from the scrubber can be burned in the heat exchanger burner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming fats and oils from sewage scum includes a scum cooker, a solids separation system, a vacuum dryer, a condenser and product storage tanks. The scum cooker liquifies and renders sewage scum obtained from a sewage treatment plant by maintaining the raw sewage scum at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure to sterilize and separate the scum into the solid, aqueous, and oily components. The solid separation system removes the solid and particulate matter from the liquified scum for disposal, preferably after washing the solids with treated water from the sewage treatment plant. The solid-free liquified scum is then transferred to the vacuum dryer which is maintained at an elevated temperature and preferably at least a moderate vacuum to remove the water and other volatiles from the liquified scum.

Abstract: The vacuum loading cleaning system includes a pair of interconnected pressure vessels containing a cleaning liquid pumped out of one or both of the pressure vessels, through a heat exchanger and into a dirty tank. Cleaning liquid and dislodged contaminants are sucked up from the dirty tank by a partial vacuum above the cleaning liquid within the pressure vessel. A submersible booster pump aids passage of material along the vacuum line. Solids and cleaning liquid from the pressure vessel are separated by a solids separator with the cleaning liquid being returned to the pressure vessels. A skimmer is used within one or both of the pressure vessels to remove floating solids and liquid contaminants from the system. A phase separator, mounted beneath the suction inlets so that the material from the dirty tank passes through the phase separator, speeds the separation and concentration of solids, liquids and gases/vapors.

Abstract: The cleaning system includes a pressure vessel containing a cleaning liquid pumped out of the pressure vessel and into a dirty tank. Cleaning liquid and dislodged contaminants are sucked up from the dirty tank by a partial vacuum created above the cleaning liquid within the pressure vessel. Solids and cleaning liquid are pumped from the pressure vessel at a first rate and are separated by a solids separator with a cleaning liquid being collected in a makeup tank. Cleaning liquid from the makeup tank is pumped into the dirty tank at a second rate, less than the first rate. Excess liquid in the makeup tank is sucked back into the pressure vessel. A phase separator, mounted beneath the suction inlet, speeds the separation and concentration of solids, liquids and gases/vapors. The phase separator includes a number of vertically aligned, downwardly and inwardly tapered truncated conical concentrators with open tops and open bottoms above and below the free surface.

Abstract: A cable analyzer is capable of having a group of 25 pairs of wire from a telephone cable connected by a module to the analyzer. By a central processing unit or computer in the analyzer, a series of relays connect any one of the pair of wires to a routing board. At the routing board, a plurality of analog tests may be directed to be conducted upon the pair of wires and ground, or the wires may be routed within the analyzer for other purposes. The results of the analog tests are converted to binary digital format so that they may be analyzed by the central processing unit. The results are visually displayed or printed. The central processing unit has the capabilities, through different programs, to conduct a plurality of tests upon each pair, and upon the completion of the plurality of tests, proceed to a subsequent pair for a plurality of tests.

Abstract: A device for restricting or resisting rotation of an associated bolt or nut, comprising an open topped cage or receptacle having a base portion and side wall portions extending upwardly, adapted to receive a nut or the head of a bolt. Retaining means are provided on the side wall portions, disposed in overlying relation to the base, for retaining the nut or bolt in assembled relationship within the cage, and means are provided into which anchoring means is adapted to be inserted, for restricting rotation of the cage and assembled bolt or nut.