Abstract: A fluid flow manifold to deliver pressurized fluid to a series of outlets from a common supply duct has a block body and fluid outlets disposed in linear array along one side of the block. Valves are spread over an opposing side of the body block and connected to the fluid outlet by outlet ducts extending transversely through the block. A supply duct extends longitudinally through the block and delivers fluid to the valves via transfer ducts. The valves are spread in cylindrical array about an axis extending along the linear array of outlets and the outlet ducts converge radially to converge into a linear array defining the fluid outlets such that lengths of all outlet ducts between the valves and the fluid outlets are equal.

Abstract: A rapid response valve particularly suited for controlling a jet of fluid of variable duration, the valve having a chamber with a valve seat surrounding a valve orifice, a valve member within the chamber movable toward and away from the valve seat, the chamber having an inlet compartment and an outlet compartment, means being provided to effectively balance the fluid pressure on opposite sides of the valve element when in the closed position so that the valve may be rapidly moved to the open position when actuated, means also being provided to create a venturi effect to assist in rapidly returning the valve to its closed position.

Abstract: In the photometric sorting of objects each object is examined in each of a predetermined number of zones for the presence or absence of one or more predetermined surface characteristics. The invention provides that a characteristic determined in one zone be attributed to at least one other zone into which the object extends.

Abstract: A self-contained process for the treatment of liquid waste from a unit source which involves a flow of liquid waste purified in a heating zone, preferably an electrode boiler, by direct passage of an electric current through the raw waste, the water content thereof being converted to a water vapor and the total body of the waste becoming sterilized, the produced steam is condensed to water and returned to the water system of the unit for re-use, residual purified solid content of the stored waste is dried if to be used for fertilizer, the latent heat of the steam is utilized for either heating or cooling the unit and a portion of the sensible heat of the condensed vapor is utilized to preheat the effluent waste prior to the heating zone. The process is preferably continuous and may use automatic circulating means. It may be staged in one or more stages and pressurized for more efficient utilization of heat.

Abstract: A tracking system for a sorting apparatus for sorting pieces of material moving through a sorting zone in a wide path random stream has a light scanning device which makes repeated scans across the sorting zone to detect light reflected from the pieces of material, and downstream of the scanning device a plurality of deflection devices extending across the sorting zone. An electronic control generates timing signals which, in effect, represent a plurality of overlapping analyzing channels extending in the direction of movement of the pieces of material and overlapping one another across the sorting zone. An electrical circuit arrangement for each analyzing channel receives signals from the scanning device and accumulates information relating to pieces of material in that channel and provides a decision signal based on the accumulated information.