Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a pretrip diagnosis and identification of generator set problems which could cause shutdown or undesired operation of the generator set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restarting a generator set following a nuisance shutdown.

Abstract: A phase change material for maintaining a food product at a temperature of less than 0.degree. F. The phase change material includes a mixture of an organic alcohol, a salt, and water. The organic alcohol has a concentration of between about 2 and 25 percent by weight. The salt has a concentration of between about 15 and 25 percent by weight.

Abstract: An energy efficient high pressure pump system includes a drive motor driving an eccentric transmission, which drives a reciprocation pump having a number of cylinders. The eccentric transmission transmits a torque demand from the reciprocating pump, which varies with time, to the drive motor such that the torque demand on the drive motor is substantially constant. The pump system includes an eccentric sprocket mounted on the output shaft of a drive motor and driving an eccentric sprocket on an idler which includes a concentric sprocket driving a concentric sprocket on the reciprocating pump with the eccentricity of the eccentric sprockets being proportional to the maximum and minimum torque demand characteristics of the reciprocating pump.

Abstract: Clumping cellulosic animal litter comprising a cellulosic substrate coated with a first layer of xanthan gum and a second layer of guar gum and a unique method of making such particles by applying water coatings between application of the two gum layers.

Abstract: An active web stabilizer including a structure having a leading edge and a working surface coupled by a curved surface, the working surface being positioned proximate to a passing web. An internal pressurized air duct extends along the working surface orthogonally to the passing web. An air nozzle is provided at the leading edge and is in fluid communication with the air duct, the nozzle directing air flow around the curved surface and along the working surface. The air duct includes first and second chambers separated by a perforated baffle. An extension surface extends from the working surface and includes a trailing end which is angled away from the passing web. A comb is associated with the nozzle to promote web spreading.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stabilizing and changing the direction of a web moving in a web path between web handling devices. The apparatus includes an airfoil having a bulbous front end tapering to a narrowed rear end, the airfoil having first and second oppositely facing surfaces. A coplanar surface extends from the rear end of the airfoil to define an active surface with the second surface of the airfoil. The web is arranged to move in spaced relation with and along the active surface such that the interaction between the active surface and the boundary layer air associated with the moving web serves to both stabilize and alter the direction of the boundary layer air and the moving web.

Abstract: A method for preparing granules containing pesticidal or herbicidal biological organisms which can be stored for prolonged periods and conveniently dispensed is provided. Compositions are provided which comprise granules containing entomopathogenic nematodes. Methods for controlling insects, comprising applying the composition to a plant or field is also disclosed.

Abstract: Extraction of calcium salts from papermaking sludge or sludge-derived ash is accomplished by mixing with a solution of an inorganic or organic acid. The acid extraction typically results in solubilization of other salts as well, e.g., those of aluminum, magnesium and iron. However, because these non-calcium salts precipitate as hydroxides at lower pH than calcium hydroxide, a caustic (or any other alkaline agent, in a solid or liquid form) is gradually added to precipitate non-calcium salts to facilitate their removal from solution (generally by filtration or centrifugation) prior to precipitation of calcium hydroxide. The desired calcium salt is then precipitated through addition of the appropriate acid anion (either by way of the acid or a salt having greater water solubility than the resulting calcium salt).

Abstract: The apparatus is a washer, thickener and classifier for recovering solids from liquids including a truncated conical screen with walls typically sixty degrees from the horizontal and formed of filter media. Stock sprayer assemblies rotate about a longitudinal axis of said conical screen and direct stock, particularly deink paper stock, onto the walls of the conical screen. Wash fluid sprayer assemblies, including high impact shower nozzles, direct wash fluid onto the stock on the walls of the conical screen. The wash fluid cleans the stock, with the unwanted solids and contaminants passing through the conical screen to the discharge pipes. The wash fluid similarly washes the cleaned stock through the exit formed at the truncated portion formed at the apex of the conical screen for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the free cement content of concrete plant waste water held in a pit or tank P in which the temperature of the water in the pit or tank and the temperature of water in a reference pit or tank R.sub.1, is measured by thermocouples (T.sub.1, T.sub.2), the difference in temperature .DELTA.T determined and used to calculate an estimate of the free cement in the waste water whereby the reduced amount of cement to be used in a concrete batching process (without compromising the strength of the concrete product) can be determined.

Abstract: Atomic force microscope system is provided which is designed to be incorporated into or attachable to an objective lens which can be mounted on a lens turret of an optical microscope such that simultaneous atomic force microscopy and optical viewing of a sample through the objective lens can be performed. In one embodiment, the atomic force microscope (AFM) is designed to be removably attached to a standard objective lens of an optical microscope. In another embodiment, the AFM system is designed to be removably attached to an optical microscope and includes integrated optics for providing an optical view. In both embodiments, the optics are used solely for generating an optical view and/or other optical contrast mechanisms and are not used in conjunction with a detection mechanism of the AFM.

Abstract: A drainage device and method which provides for drainage from paper or pulp stock on a fabric in a sheet or mat making machine which includes a primary blade and trail blade with a gap therebetween for drainage wherein the size of the gap controls drainage and the primary blade is so configured so as to force a portion of the drained liquid through the fabric to create paper stock activity and disbursement while minimizing turbulence and maintaining laminar flow in the machine direction along with providing reinforcement of CD shear.

Abstract: A heat storage, in particular for automotive vehicles, includes a storage housing which consists of an internal casing of a not round cross-section and an external casing enclosing the former in spaced relationship and a heat insulation, in particular a not supportive high vacuum insulation, enclosed between the internal and external casings. The cross-section of the casing shell of at least the internal casing comprises circular arc segments. The casing shell is supported at the transitions between the circular arc segments and adjacent cross-sectional portions of the container shell. Supplemental or alternative to such structure of the circular arc segments the external casing shell and the internal casing shell can be rigidly connected by connection elements so as to form an insulation container havina walls of sandwich-structure.

Abstract: A rotary paper pulp refiner system and method includes a rotor having one or more refining elements mounted on a rotating shaft and complimentary non-rotating or stator elements defining with the rotating element a refining gap or gaps through which the paper stock material passes, and which the rotor is mounted for rotation on magnetic bearings that support the rotor shaft for rotation and define the axial and radial running position thereof. Optionally, a movable stator housing wall may also be controlled by a magnetic bearing.

Abstract: A rotary vane motor for efficiently extracting mechanical energy from an expanding gas at low rotational speeds is provided. The motor includes a housing having a cylindrical enclosure, a rotor having a plurality of radially oriented slots, a plurality of vanes slidably movable in the slots, a shaft for rotatably mounting the rotor in an eccentric position within the housing enclosure, and a slidable connection between the rotor and the shaft for equilibrating close clearances between the rotor and the side edges of the vanes and the inner surfaces of the housing to minimize inefficiencies due to blow-by and friction. Additionally, the materials forming the rotor, the vanes, and the housing are all selected to have the same thermal coefficient of expansion so that the vanes tightly interfit within their respective slots and the sealing surfaces of the housing over a temperature range spanning the cryogenic temperatures associated with the prefeffed drive gas, and maximum ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A reverse hydrocyclone cleaner (10) for the centrifugal separation of lightweight contaminants contained in a suspension of papermaking fibers is formed with an elongated hollow body (12) of circular cross section which converges uniformly from a first inlet end to a second apex end, in which the ratio of the length of the conical body to its largest diameter is at least approximately 20 to 1 and defines an included angle of less than 3 degrees.

Abstract: In order to reduce the exhaust gas emissions of automotive vehicle combustion engines including exhaust gas catalytic converters, the exhaust gases are caused to flow between the engine and the catalytic converter through conduit branches of different thermal characteristics. Said conduit branches comprise a full load tube and a partial load tube, with the full load tube surrounding the partial load tube so as to provide an annular space between the full load tube and the partial load tube.

Abstract: A papermaking apparatus such as a Fourdrinier table which includes a long blade and a trail blade. In the first aspect of the invention, the long blade includes an upper undulated surface with vents passing from the upper undulated surface to the lower surface of the long blade which is at substantially atmospheric pressure. In the second aspect of the invention, the trail blade includes an elevator-type device for adjusting the vertical position of the trail blade. In a third aspect of the invention, a single elevator is used to adjust the angle of the blade, the blade is provided as a modular or multiple-piece design, mounting buttons are used to engage slots of T-shaped cross section in the blade and/or ceramic inserts are included at wear points.

Abstract: A refrigerated mobile trailer is provided that includes a trailer body having an opening present in both its front wall and roof for receiving a transportable refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit includes a housing having a roof panel and a side panel, a condenser assembly disposed within the housing that includes a condenser coil, an air inlet located in the side panel of the unit housing for receiving ambient air for circulation over the condenser coil and at least one air outlet for discharging circulated air to remove waste heat from the coil. The condenser coil is located adjacent to the roof panel of the refrigeration unit, and all air outlets for removing waste heat from the coil are advantageously located in the unit roof panel directly above the coil. The fact that all of the waste heat air outlets are located in the roof panel advantageously prevents air discharged from these outlets from recirculating back into the condenser air inlet when the mobile trailer is in a stationary position.