Abstract: A method for shear forge bonding two or more metal parts having forging compatible compositions is comprised of the steps of sizing parts to be joined across a forged bond line, disposing those parts in forging dies configured to present them in a bonding-effective orientation, shearing surfaces, one on each of the metal parts, located proximately and opposite one another across a gap, under controlled conditions of temperature and atmosphere selected to prevent the formation of any bonding disruptive surface contamination on the sheared surfaces, and then finally forging those parts to close the gap and bring the sheared surfaces into contact under controlled conditions of temperature, pressure, atmosphere, and outer diameter constraint to yield a shear forged bond between the sheared surfaces.

Abstract: A method for preparing rings having an integral stiffening geometric pattern on its outer surface is disclosed. The method employs a variation of the drum rolling process, but it incorporates unique tooling for providing the pattern, preferably comprising a plurality of segments which fit together to define a ring, the inner surface of which presents the desired pattern toward the center of the ring. A unique drum arrangement includes inner and outer components for locking the segments in place and for providing the structural integrity required for the final drum rolling operation. A cylinder, for example an aluminum or aluminum alloy cylinder, is placed in the drum, the cylinder being preformed and presized to fit concentrically within the segment defining ring. Following heating of the assembly to forming temperature, the cylinder is radially expanded using a sizing tool, and the assembly is then placed over a mandrel in preparation for drum rolling.

Abstract: A two stage blender is capable of handling high viscosity liquid-powder mixtures. The mixture discharged from the first stage is directed to the second stage, from which it is discharged at a relatively high discharge pressure. The second stage further enhances the natural vacuum created within the first stage, so that powder is fed at a constant ratio for a wide variety of liquid flows. Selected internal parts of the blender are designed to permit cleaning the blender in place.

Abstract: A valve stem is reciprocable in an axial bore of a valve body toward and away from the valve seat. The valve plug has integral lip seals for preventing leakage of product out the valve and preventing entry of foreign matter into the valve along the stem. The valve plug has integral seating surfaces having small and large diameters for seating on valve seats having small and larger diameters, respectively and hence the valve plug can be used for different size valves. Steam flows through the bore around the stem to serve as a barrier to entry of foreign matter and to sterilize the zone behind the valve plug and the rearward lip seal.

Abstract: An improved multi-piece pipe clamp particularly useful for clamping the ends of two flanged sanitary pipes together in longitudinal alignment. When in the closed position the clamp engages the flanges to draw the pipe faces into intimate sealing contact. The clamp pieces pivot with respect to each other to an open position which more nearly approximates the closed position than previous clamps, thus facilitating assembly of the clamp and pipes.

Abstract: A sanitary valve assembly including a valve and a field replaceable gasket. The gasket is formed with a plurality of resilient fingers which conform to a frusto-conical surface of the valve head. The apex end of the valve head frusto-conical surface is provided with a laterally extending shoulder. To assemble the gasket to the valve head, the gasket is pushed onto the valve head so that the fingers deflect as they contact the shoulder. Upon passing over the shoulder, the fingers snap back to their undeflected position to engage the shoulder and retain the gasket on the valve when in the relaxed condition. The gasket fits loosely on the valve head when the valve assembly is in the open position, thereby permitting the assembly to be cleaned in place by flushing washing fluid through the clearances between the valve head and gasket.

Abstract: A sanitary positive displacement pump having increased internal clearances to allow increased operating pressures without detrimental wear while maintaining high volumetric efficiency. The invention includes rigid and accurate positioning of the liquid impellers to the shafts while maintaining ease of disassembly and assembly. The impellers are secured on the shafts by cooperating frusto-conical surfaces on each of a pair of nuts. A rubber retainer ring enables manual release of the nuts but prevents inadvertent spinoff.

Abstract: An interconnector for the coaxially adjacent permeate tubes of filtration apparatus comprises a molded elastomeric spheroidal body having opposed coaxial bores for receiving the tube ends which extend from filter membrane modules. Complementarily shaped interdigitated pairs of anti-telescoping devices are interposed between membrane modules in mutual interacting relationship and without contacting the interconnector.

Abstract: An interconnector for filtration modules comprises inner and outer integrally bonded coaxial rubber sleeves. The inner sleeve comprises rubber of a lower indentation hardness than the outer sleeve and is relatively soft while the outer sleeve is relatively hard and has an indentation hardness higher than that of the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve has an inwardly projecting rib or washer of said relatively hard rubber against which proximate ends of filtration module tubes abut. The inner sleeve has a circumferential slot or gap through which the washer projects inwardly.

Abstract: A module, utilizing a spirally wound membrane envelope, and adapted to be fitted into a containment tube of a fractionator, has a lip seal between the module and the containment tube, there being small apertures in the lip of the seal arranged and directed so as to allow a small controlled flow to continually bypass the module and thus prevent the product from becoming stagnant behind the seal.