Abstract: A drive assembly for a sootblower which provides a non-constant rate of rotational motors of the lance tube through the use of non-circular gears in the drive assembly. The drive assembly is used to provide a uniform or near uniform rate of progression of a jet of cleaning medium ejected from the lance tube along a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new design of the nozzle and the lance tube of a sootblower to clean the interior of a heat exchanger by impingement of a jet of cleaning medium. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention the sootblower design developed, incorporates a nozzle at the tip of the distal end of the lance tube (downstream nozzle). The lance tube also includes an upstream nozzle positioned opposite and longitudinally apart the distal end nozzle. This design allows for the flow of the cleaning medium to enter into the inlet end of the nozzle without coming to a halt at the end of the lance tube. Further, the present invention also provides for a converging channel to be disposed in the interior of the lance tube to direct the flow of cleaning medium passing the upstream nozzle into the inlet end of the downstream nozzle with minimal hydraulic losses and flow maldistribution.

Abstract: A pyrometer for use in measuring temperatures in a furnace, has a lens-tube for supporting an optical head in a port of the furnace for viewing an interior of the furnace along a line of sight. The optical head converts infrared radiation to electrical signals. A photometer circuit connected to the optical head processes the electrical signals and a scaling circuit connected to the photometer circuit scales the electrical signals. An output circuit connected to the scaling circuit receives the scaled electrical signals and produces output signals for display or control of the furnace. A power supply connected to the scaling circuit powers the photometer, scaling and output circuits. Calibration in the scaling circuit scales the electrical signals to be most sensitive to a wavelength of middle infrared radiation to which at least one gas component in the furnace is semi-transparent, for measuring the temperature of the at least one gas component.

Abstract: An articulating water monitor-cleaning device for cleaning internal surfaces of large-scale combustion devices. The device is mounted to the exterior of a wall of a combustion device and positions a water spray lance to direct a stream of water against internal surfaces over a range of position. Pairs of orthogonally oriented four-bar linkage assemblies are provided, each having rotary actuators. The relative position between a pair of joints affixed to the lance tube allows the position of the lance to be set over a range of positions.

Abstract: To improve the speed with which a worksheet is positioned in a press brake, and to further eliminate the need for conventional moving back gauge systems, the present invention replaces the conventional back gauge mechanical system with sensors that non-contactedly determine the positioning of the worksheet, with reference to the bending tools. The thus sensed worksheet position is compared with the desired worksheet location preprogrammed into the CNC controller. Any deviation between the sensed, or the actual worksheet position, with the desired worksheet position for each bend of the worksheet is compensated by further moving the worksheet, until there no longer is any discrepancy between the actual and the preprogrammed desired locations.

Abstract: A sootblower assembly for cleaning heated surfaces within a boiler or other combustion system of the long retracting oscillation type. A kinematic drive mechanism is provided for causing the sootblower lance tube to oscillate such that cleaning medium discharge from nozzles on the lance tube emit jets of clean medium against the surfaces to be cleaned. The kinematics of the oscillation drive mechanisms are related to the lance tube nozzle positions and the distance to the surfaces being cleaned in various positions to provide a constant or nearly constant rate of sootblowing medium jet progression along the surfaces to be cleaned.

Abstract: To maximize the production run speed of a sheet fabrication machine such as a turret punch press, and yet at the same time maintaining the requisite accuracy for each part produced from the production run, historical data pertaining to the various parameters for effecting the positioning moves of a worksheet are measured and collected using a reference machine or a prototype machine. For each positioning move to be effected, the CNC controller of the system retrieves the historical data from a database and, using that historical data, calculates the various parameters that affect the positioning move. By using fuzzy logic, the controller becomes, in a sense, self teaching, especially if updated historical data are provided to its database store to enhance the accuracy for later positioning moves. In addition to measuring and collecting historical data from reference or prototype machines, static process control (SPC) tests may be performed for different types of worksheets under different loads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method therefor of sorting and unloading various pieces cut from sheet blanks which have different dimensions in a sheet metal fabricating environment. To achieve this end, prior to the production run, the various program routines whose operations for effecting the cutting of the sheet blanks are retrieved and the data relevant to the to be cut pieces are grouped and analyzed so that pieces of different dimensions cut in accordance with the different program routines are respectively allocated to the corresponding sorting addresses for unloading. Accordingly, different pieces with the same dimension cut from different program routines during the same production run are unloaded to the same location of the unloader area. Optimization of the unloading process and optimal utilization of the available loading space are thereby achieved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the injecting of NOx inhibiting liquid reagent into the flue gas of a utility or industrial type boiler to reduce emissions of NOx including a temperature sensor for measuring the boiler flue gas temperature and a moveable conduit for injecting the NOx inhibiting reagent into the flue gas at a sensed predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: To roll form a worksheet by a turret punch press, at least one pair of coacting tools are mounted to the opposed turrets so that when those tools are rotated to the work location, they could be driven to a predetermined relative distance towards each other to make contact with the workpiece. The depth of the formed shape is determined by the relative distance the coacting tools are driven towards each other. By moving the worksheet at the same time that the coacting tools are making contact with the worksheet, roll forming of the worksheet is effected. By providing the coacting tools in the opposing indexing stations and synchronously rotating those stations, a complex pattern can be roll formed on a worksheet.

Abstract: To determine whether a machine tool is operating effectively, the present invention system, instead of directly measuring the operating parameters of the machine tool, monitors the presence or absence of any holes made by the machine tool and the quality of those holes, if made. The operational effectiveness of the machine tool is then correlated with the data thus monitored.

Abstract: A pressure equalization valve for alternatingly equalizing pressures between a first fluid source and at least two second fluid sources is disclosed. The pressure equalization valve includes a valve body, which includes a first port in fluid communication with the first fluid source and at least two second ports in fluid communication with the at least two second fluid sources, respectively, and a valve gate movable between a first equalizing position, wherein the valve gate allows fluid flow through one of the second ports and restrains fluid flow through another of the second ports to equalize substantially the fluid pressure between the first fluid source and one of the second fluid sources, and a second equalizing position, wherein the valve gate restrains fluid flow through the one of the second ports and allows fluid flow through the other of the second ports to equalize substantially the fluid pressure between the first fluid source and another of the second fluid sources.

Abstract: A PLC based parameter sensing sootblower having a retractable lance tube that is extended and retracted by a drive motor. A PLC sensing circuit is used to sense when the lance tube is fully extended and/or fully retracted. The PLC sensing circuit can be configured to sense drive motor current, power, torque or other drive motor characteristics to determine when the lance tube has come to a hard stop upon extension. The PLC sensing circuit then calculates an approximate time window in which the lance should be fully retracted. The parameter sensor is configured to sense the drive motor current, power, torque or other characteristic only during the time window to determine when the lance tube is fully retracted while ignoring any motor load variations outside of the designated time window.

Abstract: To adapt a punch press to cut work blanks, a cutting mechanism having a freely rotating cutting wheel is provided to a first support of the punch press while a corresponding die having a groove for mating with the cutting wheel is provided to a second support of the punch press. To operate, the cutting wheel is moved toward the die a given distance such that the cutting edge of the cutting wheel slidably mates with the cutting edge of the groove of the die to effect cutting of the workpiece. By synchronously rotating both the cutting wheel and the die to different orientations while maintaining their respective cutting edges aligned and in sliding contact with each other, by moving a worksheet relative to the cutter wheel and die, a multidirectional cut path may be effected on the worksheet.

Abstract: A gas turbine power plant operating on a dual Brayton cycle and utilizing a circulating pressurized fluidized bed combustor is disclosed. An open Brayton cycle is provided in which the hot flue gas from the fluidized bed combustor is expanded to extract work to drive compressors to supply combustion air for the fluidized bed combustor and to drive an electric generator to produce electricity. The residual heat of the flue gas exhausted from the open Brayton cycle can be utilized for heat cogeneration at high power-to-heat ratios. A closed Brayton cycle is also provided, the working medium of which is heated in an indirect heater of the circulating pressurized fluidized bed combustor and expanded to extract work to drive another electric generator. The air supplied by the open Brayton cycle is also used to fluidize the heated particles in the indirect heater.

Abstract: To ensure that a worksheet is effectively operated on, the present invention system monitors the life expectancy of a tool by counting the number of hits the tool has made so that when it is reached, the tool is replaced by a spare tool. Alternatively or in combination therewith, in place of monitoring the life expectancy of the tool, the operational effectiveness of the tool is monitored. Thus, anytime that the operational effectiveness of the tool is deemed to fall below a given standard, the tool is replaced by a spare tool. The replacing of the tool by a spare, and the subsequent replacement of the spare tool by yet another spare can go on ad infinitum. With such a system, severe failure of tools are prevented.

Abstract: To eliminate the need for manually measuring the length of a punch to provide compensation for any shortening of its length in a punch press, a sensor probe is provided at a predetermined height from the punch so that as the punch is driven by its driving ram, it makes contact with the probe. As soon as contact is made between the punch and the probe, the movement of the ram is stopped and its relative position is recorded and compared with a theoretical ram start position for driving, for example, a brand new punch. The difference between the theoretical ram start position and the thus measured position is provided as an offset to reposition the ram so that the wear of the punch is compensated.

Abstract: To move or remove a workpiece from a worktable, as for example a finished workpiece from a work station, an elongate conveyer member, once it has been positioned so that at least a portion thereof is superposed over the finished workpiece, is lowered to contact at least one portion of the finished workpiece. Upon contact, the conveyer member is activated to convey the workpiece away from the work station, and if desired, automatically convey the workpiece to a storage bin or pallet.

Abstract: To enhance the separation of sheet materials from a destacker, an air provider mechanism is attached to a frame of the carriage to bias against the being lifted sheet so as to maintain the air steam provided by an air ejector of the system directed to a location substantially immediately beneath the bottom surface of the being lifted sheet. Accordingly, as the sheet is being picked up, the air ejected from the air ejector system is directed to the gap between the being lifted sheet and its underlying sheets to enhance the separation of the being lifted sheet and the underlying sheets.

Abstract: A rotary engine includes a rotor with a plurality of working surfaces. Each working surface of the rotor includes a recess covered by an insulating plate. A ledge is formed within and part way around a periphery of the recess and across one end of each recess. A slot extends into the rotor adjacent the other end of each recess. The plate is supported by the ledge and has one end fixed to a corresponding end of the recess. The other end of each plate is slidably received in the slot so that the plate is spaced apart from a bottom surface of the recess, thus forming an insulating air space or chamber between the plate and the body of the rotor. A small vent through the plate prevents pressure changes within the chamber from deforming the plate.