Abstract: A substantially uniform blanket of solid carbon dioxide (i.e., snow) is formed by introducing a plurality of low velocity streams of CO.sub.2 solid and gas generally downwardly into a funnel section which exhibits an increasing, generally rectangular cross-sectional area in the direction of flow of the CO.sub.2 streams. Baffle means are provided in the upper reaches of the funnel section and are effective to initially separate the CO.sub.2 streams introduced into the funnel section from one another and to cause the resulting solid carbon dioxide to fall generally downwardly and uniformly throughout the cross-sectional area of the funnel section to thereby form a substantially uniform blanket of CO.sub.2 snow in a container for products to be refrigerated.

Abstract: A switching mechanism and valve using the same wherein a two remote valve or switch positions are provided. The switching mechanism includes a valve operator having of outwardly extending port closures that move above a central pivot point. As the valve operator shifts between its two remote positions, each port closure closes or opens respectively a port associated with such port closure. A flat bearing surface is formed as part of the valve operator and is in a plane generally perpendicular to a line bisecting the angle between the two port closures. A roller, biased against that flat bearing surface is on a pivot arm also moveable about its remote pivotable end. The biased roller normally holds the valve or switch in one of its remote positions.

Abstract: Soot deposition from protective atmospheres and residual lubricants normally carried on ferrous wire and removed during annealing. During the cooling stage of an annealing cycle, air or other suitable oxygen containing gas is introduced into an annealing furnace containing the wire when the wire temperature is between approximately 1050.degree. and 950.degree. F. At these temperatures, the introduced oxygen is effective to volatilize the residual lubricant and soot formed from decomposition of carbon monoxide. This removal is accomplished without significant decarburization of the wire and only minor oxidation thereof. The oxygen containing gas may be introduced into a bell furnace by raising the inner cover thereof or the oxygen containing gas may be injected into the inner retort of a bell furnace or directly into a batch furnace.

Abstract: A coaxial breathing circuit is disclosed and which includes an inner tube for supplying fresh gas to a patient, which may contain a vaporized anesthetic for anesthetizing the patient, and a corrugated outer tube for conducting the patient's exhaled gases from the patient. At the patient end, there is allowed a slippage between the inner and outer tubes to provide flexibility of the overall circuit to bending. At the the machine end, the end that is connected to a mahcine supplying the inspiratory gas, a connector provides the means to join the inner and outer tubes to a male coupling or directly to a male fitting on the machine. The corrugated outer tube is joined to the connector and an outlet is provided for the discharge of the exhaled gases. For the coaxial circuit to be operable, the inner tube is sandwiched between the outer diameter of the male coupling and the inner diameter of an opening in the connector.

Abstract: A flowmeter of the type having a float 3 freely movable along the bore of a tapered tube 2 includes a source 8 of electromagnetic energy and a sensor 28 for detecting said energy when emitted by the source 8 axially along the tube 2. The arrangement is such that, for a given flowrate of fluid through tube 2, the float 3 will take up a corresponding position in the bore of the tube 2 thereby determining the amount of energy reaching the sensor 28 from the source 8.

Abstract: An infant care center that includes a standing, vertical frame and has an infant bed that is suspended outwardly from the vertical frame. The infant bed is adapted to retain the infant and is readily adjustable to a plurality of positions devised for the infant. The bed itself is tiltable about an axis to the various positions and a unique tilt mechanism allows the degree of tilt to be easily selected and then locked into position by attending personnel. The tilt mechanism includes a double acting piston assembly that secures the frame to a point on the infant bed remote from the axis about which the bed is tiltable. The double acting piston assembly includes a piston operable within a cylinder and which divides the cylinder into two variable chambers. Each chamber has a part to introduce and remove hydraulic fluid therefrom and a closed circuit joins the parts so that fluid normally can move from one chamber to the other or the piston travels within the cylinder to move the tilt position of the infant bed.

Abstract: A filter for removing particulate matter from a fluid stream, particularly from gas flowing through a pressure regulating valve. The preferred embodiment is a regular geometric pattern, such as a toroid, formed from a length of yarn. Preferably the yarn comprises continuous filaments of glass which are twisted together. When placed in a fluid line, such a filter has a large capacity for trapping and retaining small particles which disperse throughout the filter.

Abstract: A monitor system for an oximeter that sequentially tests the operative conditions of light emitting devices of the oximeter, the light detector of the oximeter, and the reference voltage of the oximeter. Data processing means is responsive to the determined test values for indicating the occurrence of the test values outside of predetermined ranges corresponding to the respective test value.

Abstract: A continuous process is disclosed for preparing 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol from 2-halo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane, preferably 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane. In the process, 2-halo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane, a carboxylic acid salt and an hydroxylated compound such as water are continuously provided to a reaction mixture in a reactor. The 2-halo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane, the carboxylic acid salt and the hydroxylated compound are reacted therein at a reaction pressure at or above the autogenously developed pressure and at a reaction temperature of from about 223.degree. C. to about the critical temperature of the hydroxylated compound. At least a portion of the reaction product mixture is continuously withdrawn from the reactor and unreacted 2-halo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane is separated therefrom. The separated unreacted 2-halo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane is recycled as part of the 2-halo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane provided to the reaction mixture. The 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol is recovered from the reaction product mixture.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed of the formula ##STR1## optically active isomeric forms thereof, and/or pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, in which formula: R is defined in the disclosure.

Abstract: An inert gas stream containing parts per million levels of impurities such as O.sub.2, CO, CO.sub.2, H.sub.2, H.sub.2 O, is purified by passing the same sequentially through a first bed and second bed of material. In the first bed, carbon monoxide and hydrogen are both reacted with oxygen to form CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O. The latter is retained in this first bed while the reaction products and the inert gas stream are supplied to a second of material which is comprised of a getter. In this bed, oxygen reacts with the getter material and carbon dioxide is adsorbed therein so that the inert gas stream leaving the second bed is substantially free of such impurities. The first and second beds of material operate at temperatures up to about 38.degree. and these materials may be regenerated by heating the same to approximately 200.degree. C. and purging such beds with a purge gas flow.

Abstract: A compressed gas mixture, for example air, is passed through one of beds 12 and 14 of adsorbent that selectively adsorbs oxygen from the air. Unadsorbed nitrogen-enriched gas flows into a buffer vessel 28, from which product gas is withdrawn through pipeline 30. While one of the beds 12 and 14 is adsorbing oxygen for air the other is being regenerated, and during this period the communication between the beds is denied. At the end of a chosen period of time the beds are placed in communication with one another by opening valves 54 and 56. Then the bed that was previously being regenerated is placed in communication with the source of compressed air and the other bed regenerated. The period of intercommunication between the beds lasts for as long as it takes the volume of product gas as measured by an integrating flow meter 31 from the start of the preceding adsorption step to reach a chosen value. The apparatus is able to supply nitrogen of a chosen purity at a variable flow rate.

Abstract: A needle valve having improved accuracy and wear characteristics is disclosed in which the valve stem is subjected to a constant force to prevent backlash throughout its entire movement with respect to the valve seat. In addition, the needle contained within the valve stem has a tapered end which moves within the cylindrical bore in a valve seat to control fluid passing through the valve and such needle is affixed to the valve stem only at its other end remote from its tapered end. The needle thus floats for a substantial portion of its length and its tapered end is relatively flexible and free of movement. The needle is, however, angled with respect to its valve seat such that the needle physically makes contact with the internal surface of the valve seat and maintains that contact throughout its lateral movement within the valve seat.

Abstract: There is disclosed an agent and a method for producing the same for removing impurities from a molten metal comprising a first compound capable of reacting with and removing the impurities contained in the molten metal and a second compound coated on the first compound to form a composite. The second compound has a contact angle with the molten metal less than that of the first compound, thereby causing the composite to be more wettable in the molten metal as compared to the first compound. This allows the composite to penetrate into the molten metal, resulting in the first compound efficiently reacting with the impurity contained within the molten metal.

Abstract: A vapor component of a gas mixture is separated by condensation and is recovered for further use. A solvent vapor mixed with inert gas is condensed in a multistage heat exchange system in a manner which utilizes a first refrigerant to condense a portion of the vapor in a first heat exchange device, a second refrigerant, typically cold inert gas, for condensing a further portion of the vapor in a second heat exchanger and a third heat exchange device wherein the liquid phase of the inert gas (i.e. cryogenic liquid) is supplied to provide a source of refrigeration. In this latter heat exchange device, the cryogenic liquid is introduced into a body of condensed vapor thereby chilling such condensed vapor and stirring the same to avoid freezing. Chilled, condensed vapor is removed from the latter heat exchange device and is returned as a reflux thereto to condense the vapor component of the gaseous mixture supplied thereto.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the purification of mixed gas streams containing hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur, hydrogen, and methane and other hydrocarbon gases, and mixtures thereof, by the use of an oxidizing reactive solid. In one method, the oxidizing reactive solid is, in a first step, contacted with the mixed gas stream which may contain, among other gases, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. The reactive solid removes the hydrogen sulfide in the form of elemental sulfur with no detectable formation of sulfur oxide. The reactive solid also partially removes the carbon dioxide from the mixed gas stream. In the second step of the first method, the oxidizing reactive solid is regenerated by flowing air. In a second method of the present invention, mixed gas streams, containing hydrogen sulfide and oxygen in an approximate stoichiometric amount, are contacted with the solid, and hydrogen sulfide is converted directly to sulfur with minimal formation of compounds of sulfur.

Abstract: Rod and wire or other ferrous material is annealed, normalized, spherodized, etc. in a furnace under nitrogen based atmospheres to which is added a mixture of methylacetylene and propadiene. This latter mixture reacts with decarburizing substances such as carbon dioxide in the furnace at relatively low temperatures of about 1000.degree.-1100.degree. F. to substantially preclude decarburization of the ferrous material. The use of a mixture of methylacetylene and propadiene in the amount of approximately 0.1-10% by volume of the furnace atmosphere also results in a relatively high CO level, reduces decarburization and oxidation of the ferrous material.

Abstract: A vapor component of a gas mixture is separated by condensation and is recovered for further use. A solvent vapor mixed with inert gas is condensed in a multistage heat exchange system in a manner which utilizes a first refrigerant to condense a portion of the vapor in a first heat exchange device, a second refrigerant, typically cold inert gas, for condensing a further portion of the vapor in a second heat exchanger and a third heat exchange device wherein chilled liquid is utilized to condense a still further portion of the vapor. In a fourth heat exchange device, a cryogenic liquid is passed in heat exchange relation with the liquid passed thereto from the third heat exchange device. The cryogenic liquid is vaporized to form an essentially pure inert gas which is supplied to the vicinity of the oven exit and entrance, but exteriorly of the oven to form inert gas barriers. The fourth heat exchange device may effect direct or indirect heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid.

Abstract: A pressure relieving device for use with gas flowmeters, pressure regulators and other fluid flow equipment is described. The device includes an O-ring and means for compressing and retaining the O-ring to provide a fluid-tight seal under normal operating pressure, but having a gap positioned such that the occurrence of an excessive pressure causes a portion of the O-ring to move into and through the gap to relieve the excessive pressure. A passage for enabling the fluid to contact the O-ring is sized to allow sufficient flow to relieve a fluid pressure substantially in excess of the normal operating pressure.

Abstract: Wood pulp is bleached in a process which includes passing pulp slurry from a chlorine tower through a washer to a downflow extraction tower which is open to the ambient atmosphere. Caustic and steam are supplied to the extraction tower as is dilution water which is introduced into the lower portion thereof. Oxygen is dissolved in the dilution water which may be at least partially comprised of recycled washer filtrate. This addition of oxygen to the dilution zone of an extraction stage enables the consumption of chemicals such as hypochlorite and/or chlorine dioxide to be reduced while still meeting required levels of pulp brightness and strength. Oxygen may be added to the extraction or other alkaline stages of a bleaching process.