Abstract: A modular filter assembly is described comprising a filter stack having a plurality of filter sheets and a plurality of filter support plates each having a perimeter and an internal filter flow passageway portion. The filter sheets are sandwiched between surrounding filter support plates forming the stack and the filter flow passageway portions of the plates and filter sheets are aligned to form a filter flow passageway extending from the top to the bottom of the stack. The filter stack has engaging means capable of keeping the filter support plates together while minimized top to bottom dimension because it is not necessary to use external clamps for keeping the support plates together. Also described are support plates for modular filters and a method for forming a modular filter assembly.

Abstract: A sludge drier for removing water from sludge has a plurality of augers functionally interconnected to provide a continuous closed loop path of movement to the sludge through an area for drying. The drying area comprises a heated surface with a means for removing dried sludge from the heated surface after drying is carried out.

Abstract: A holder for supporting a printed circuit board in a vertical plane for movement along a path for treatment of sides of the board. The holder comprises a rigid frame support an means for mounting the frame for movement along the path. The improvement comprises means for mounting an edge of the board at a first position on the frame and a moveable weight bar for mounting a second edge of the board at a second position on the frame below the first position. The weight bar acts to provide a stretching force to the board for aiding and maintaining the board substantially planar during processing of the board as mounted in the frame.

Abstract: A printed circuit board conveyor apparatus has a conveyor for moving a planar circuit board components mounted on frames, in a vertical plane, seriatim, along a first path through a spray treatment area. The components are then raised and returned toward a starting point along a second path with additional processing occurring during the return trip. The use of an overhead return along with positive positioning of the components provides substantial efficiency and allows precision and accuracy in treatment of printed circuit board components while minimizing floor space requirements.

Abstract: A printed circuit board conveyor apparatus has a conveyor for moving a planar circuit board components mounted on frames, in a vertical plane, seriatim, along a first path through a spray treatment area. The components are then raised and returned toward a starting point along a second path with additional processing occurring during the return trip. The use of an overhead return along with positive positioning of the components provides substantial efficiency and allows precision and accuracy in treatment of printed circuit board components while minimizing floor space requirements.

Abstract: A flipper assembly has a flipper plate and an aligned guide rail both of which provide a support surface for a movable assembly. The flipper plate is movable into and out of the plane of the support surface. An extension arm is mounted on the guide rail for movement in a horizontal plane thereon and for movement in a vertical direction at the location of the flipper plate if permitted by the position of the flipper plate. The flipper plate is counterbalanced to an open position permitting the carrier arm to be moved vertically at that location, but is automatically positioned in a down closed position supporting the carrier arm in the plane of the guide rail support, by an automatic camming action as the slide arm moves toward and onto the flipper plate. In the preferred embodiment, the flipper plate safety device is utilized in a multistation work processing conveyor apparatus and is mounted on a vertical elevator.

Abstract: A control scheme is used in a conveying system which is preferably a programmable conveying system of the station searching type including a wagon with a hoist that is capable of traveling between a number of different stations in the system. One or more of the stations has the control which in the disclosed embodiment is a rectifier setting control associated with a tank at a station. At the time that the piece being conveyed is loaded at a load position, the operator introduces a coded card or the like carried by the hoist, which card may be subsequently read by a reader with the data on the card representative of a particular rectifier setting. This data in a binary form is conveyed by a multiple bit data bus to a digital to analog converter. If the system includes a plurality of stations to be controlled then the data is coupled to all digital to analog converters.

Abstract: A low pressure, high flux water purification system. In a continuous loop recirculation system metal hydroxides are employed to bind impurities in wastewater into particles of a size greater than ten angstroms which are then separated from the water by means of an ultrafiltration membrane. A large metal hydroxide/impurity ratio is maintained thereby permitting a purified water flux of over 30 gfd using filter tubes of diameter greater than 100 mils and length greater than 6 inches under a wastewater pressure as low as 9 psig. The filter tubes are grouped in bundles, each bundle within its own water collecting box, so that system down time is minimized and purification standards may be maintained in the event of a partial failure of the system.