Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for grinding. Based on a vertical shaft impactor, a method is disclosed which provides improved results by allowing materials to be ground in a wet form. The grinding apparatus includes supply lines (171, 172) and inlets (170, 187) which allow material to be supplied in such a form.

Abstract: A counter apparatus for counting the cycling of fluid flow in an automatic pneumatic pump. A magnet inside the pump repetitively moves along a fixed path in response to the pump cycling. A magnetic sensor for detecting magnetic flux is mounted on the pump. The sensor transmits an electrical signal to a counter in response to detecting the magnet at a certain location. When the magnet leaves this location the sensor stops transmitting the signal. Since the magnet is only at any location along the path only once during a complete pump cycle, the transmitted signal represents a pump cycle which is then counted by the counter.

Abstract: A float operated, top fill, recovery unit floats in a body of contaminated groundwater to recover a layer of liquid hydrocarbons residing on top of the groundwater. The recovery unit has an upper end fitted with a discharge check valve assembly and a lower end that is closed, the discharge valve assembly including a semi-permeable screen which is positioned in and skims the liquid hydrocarbons, and a series of passages and check valves for directing the hydrocarbons via a return line to a holding tank. In an embodiment disclosed, the lower end of the unit is formed in part by an inlet check valve arrangement which has had its check ball removed such that the arrangement does not operate to inhibit flow, and a closure plate is secured to the inlet valve arrangement to prevent external fluid from entering the unit.

Abstract: A counting apparatus which is designed to be placed in parallel to a fluid flow line has a differential pressure switch which is placed across an orifice positioned within the fluid flow line. A counting mechanism is associated with the differential pressure switch to register a count when signaled by the differential pressure switch. The differential pressure switch is operable to react to the difference in pressure across the orifice to signal the counter to register a count. The orifice can be a fixed or a variable orifice. In another embodiment of the invention, a fixed or variable orifice is placed within the diaphragm of a diaphragm type differential pressure switch to adapt the differential pressure switch to be placed in series with the fluid flow line rather than in parallel to it.

Abstract: There is provided a counting apparatus which is designed to be located in any position in series with a fluid flow line. The apparatus has a first magnet in an air chamber of the body of the counter. As the fluid passes through the air chamber, the first magnet is forced down the air chamber by the fluid flow. The magnetic field of the first magnet passes through a magnetic field of a second magnet located in the mechanical counter causing the counter to mechanically change the number. When the fluid flow is stopped, a spring returns the first magnet to its original position again passing by the second magnet in the counter allowing the counter to reset for the counting of the next cycle.

Abstract: A float operated, top fill, recovery unit floats in a body of contaminated groundwater to recover a layer of liquid hydrocarbons residing on top of the groundwater. The recovery unit has an upper end fitted with a discharge check valve assembly and a lower end that is closed, the discharge valve assembly including a semi-permeable screen which is positioned in and skims the liquid hydrocarbons, and a series of passages and check valves for directing the hydrocarbons via a return line to a holding tank. In an embodiment disclosed, the lower end of the unit is formed in part by an inlet check valve arrangement which has had its check ball removed such that the arrangement does not operate to inhibit flow, and a closure plate is secured to the inlet valve arrangement to prevent external fluid from entering the unit.

Abstract: A float operated pneumatic pump has an outer pump body forming an outer chamber and a dip tube forming an inner chamber therein. The inner chamber of the dip tube is in communication with the outer chamber of the pump body through a back flow discharge check valve. An inlet is located at a first end of the outer pump body for permitting liquids to enter both the inner and outer chambers. A discharge housing is located at a second end of the tubes and contains a liquid discharge port in communication with the second end of the dip tube. An air inlet port is located in the discharge housing for permitting pressurized air to enter the second end of the outer pump body. An air exhaust port is provided for permitting air in the outlet chamber to escape to atmosphere when fluid is entering the inner and outer chambers. A float is disposed on the outside of the dip tube within the outer chamber of the pump body. The float provides buoyancy to actuate the pump and provides weight to de-activate the pump.

Abstract: There is provided a dual pump floating layer recovery apparatus for pumping a floating layer of contaminant out of a well. The apparatus comprises an upper pump and a lower pump. The lower pump creates a cone of depression which increases the amount of the floating layer within the well. The upper pump pumps the contaminant from the well or cone of depression. The upper and lower pumps preferably are gas-actuated pumps. The lower pump preferably includes an automatic switching device to activate the lower pump upon sensing a predetermined amount of fluid within the pump. A gas conduit interconnects the actuation chambers on both pumps such that when the lower automatic pump is provided with pressurized gas, the upper pump is simultaneously provided with the identical pressurized gas. Upon deactivation, both pumps relieve the activation pressure through the lower pump.

Abstract: There is provided a flow-through cell with a diverter valve for continuously monitoring specific parameters of a fluid which passes through the flow-through cell. The diverter valve diverts a portion of fluid flow from a fluid line to the flow-through cell. The flow-through cell has an analyzing probe capable of monitoring a plurality of conditions of the fluid that is flow through the cell. By continuously monitoring specific parameters of the fluid as it moves through the flow-through cell, it is possible to constantly monitor the condition of the fluid and react to changes or stabilization of the readings provided by the probe.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for obtaining liquid samples from a well which incorporates a vented packer. The packer reduces the amount of groundwater which must be pumped by the pump of the apparatus in order to purge the well by isolating the input of the pump to a reduced volume of groundwater. The region below the packer, which is the region in communication with the pump, is vented to the atmosphere in order to permit the pump to operate at its maximum pumping rate regardless of the recovery rate of the well. The venting of the packer eliminates the condition where the pump is trying to pull a vacuum due to a low recovery rate of the well.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of enhancing nuclear fusion reactions utilizes a plasma, made up of ions and electrons, contained within a region, and enhances the density of the plasma using a collision-diffusion compressional enhancement process. Ion acoustic waves generated within a central region of the system permit increased reflection and scattering of ions and thereby reduces their mean free path within the core region to permit greatly increased ions density sufficient to enhance nuclear fusion reactions within the core.

Abstract: A liquid pump apparatus is disclosed for pumping groundwater samples, contaminants or other fluids from a well, monitoring site, tank, vessel, or the like. The pump apparatus is applicable in systems including dedicated wellhead assemblies permanently installed at such wells or monitoring sites in order to minimize cross-contamination from site to site. Another application of the pump apparatus for recovery, collection and control system for cleanup of leachate or other liquid material or contaminated groundwater from a landsite is also disclosed. The pump apparatus according to the invention includes check valve means adapted to accommodate vertical, horizontal, non-vertical, or even inverted pump orientations, without requiring a high level of static head in order to function properly.

Abstract: A system and method for implanting an underground device. The system includes a hollow body for containing said underground device and a drive cone adapted to penetrate the ground. The drive cone is removably attached to the hollow body so that once the system is driven into the ground to a desired depth, the hollow body may be pulled upward slightly to cause the drive cone to be removed. This permits underground fluids to enter the hollow body and the underground device. The system provides a durable and inexpensive method for sampling fluids from a desired depth without requiring the drilling of a well.

Abstract: A floating layer recovery apparatus is disclosed for selectively pumping a liquid floating on groundwater. The apparatus preferably includes a first float which is buoyant in the floating layer attached by a guide to a bottom float which has neutral buoyancy in the groundwater. A middle float is slidably attached to the guide for upward and downward movement between the first and bottom floats. The middle float being an inlet is constructed to have an effective density in the assembly such that it rests at a point where its inlet is near the bottom of the floating layer. Coiled conduits disposed above and below the bottom float carry the floating layer liquid received by the inlet to a pump disposed below. The pump then pumps the floating layer liquid from the conduit to the ground surface. In a preferred embodiment, more precise control over the level of the inlet port is achieved by means of an adjustable inlet port means.

Abstract: A floating layer recovery apparatus is disclosed for selectively pumping a liquid floating on groundwater. The apparatus preferably includes a first float which is buoyant in the floating layer attached by a guide to a bottom float which has neutral buoyancy in the groundwater. A middle float is slidably attached to the guide for upward and downward movement between the first and bottom floats. The middle float being an inlet is constructed to have an effective density in the assembly such that it rests at a point where its inlet is near the bottom of the floating layer. Coiled conduits disposed above and below the bottom float carry the floating layer liquid received by the inlet to a pump disposed below. The pump then pumps the floating layer liquid from the conduit to the ground surface. In a preferred embodiment, more precise control over the level of the inlet port is achieved by means of an adjustable inlet port means.

Abstract: The application discloses a food probe comprising an optical rod insertable in a body of food, for example, a roast of meat. At its inner end, the rod is configured to receive and transmit axially through the rod a color image of the food in the area contacted by the end of the rod. The image is transmitted to the outer end, where it is desirably magnified for convenient viewing of internal conditions. If desired, the probe may provide for a plurality of viewing areas, for simultaneously viewing the food at multiple depths. The probe preferably is rigid but may be connected to a flexible fiber optic bundle for viewing at a remote location.

Abstract: A fluid sampling apparatus is disclosed for withdrawing samples of groundwater or other fluids from a well or other monitoring site. The apparatus preferably includes pump means, conduit means and a wellhead assembly that are substantially permanently installed at such well or monitoring site and are thereby dedicated thereto in order to avoid or minimize cross-contamination of samples from site to site. The apparatus preferably also includes a removable and portable controller means adapted for easy and convenient transportation and connection to such dedicated fluid sampling components at various wells or monitoring sites.The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/001,494, filed Apr. 18, 1988, have been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CRF 1.570(e).