Abstract: Crude oils and other oleaginous substances which have washed onto and soaked thoroughly into coarse bottom sediments such as sand beaches and sediments forming the bottom of certain holding ponds may be released for recovery by mechanical or hydraulic plowing of the relatively loose sediments followed by hydraulic agitation of the sediments to permit the substances to float to the surface of the body of water. Shallow water beach areas may be plowed by a conventional crawler tractor having an array of ripper teeth fitted with hydraulic jet nozzles for severely agitating the sands which are plowed by the ripper teeth. A submersible pump or pump intake is preferably supported spaced from the normal path of the tractor and in the body of water to collect relatively clean water for discharge through the nozzles.

Abstract: A method of preparing a plurality of thermoset resin preforms by extruding a rod, cooling the rod to retain its dimensional uniformity and to reduce further curing of the resin, forming a plurality of grooves in the rod, and fracturing the rod at the grooves to yield the preforms.

Abstract: A method for separating liquids, particularly hydrocarbons from water, whereby a small amount of a high molecular weight polymer is dissolved in the hydrocarbon to render it viscoelastic. A hydrocarbon layer is then mechanically removed from the water in a manner which causes rapid stretching of the hydrocarbon with attendant development of elastic properties in the hydrocarbon layer. The polymer may be applied to the surface of the hydrocarbon as droplets of a relatively concentrated polymer solution or as solid particulates having a polymer core covered by a powdered solid material which is non-reactive toward the polymer.

Abstract: Liquids can be separated from the solids contained in slurries, sludges, etc. by forcing a liquid-permeable fabric, downward into the slurry so that solid materials are retained below said liquid-permeable fabric and liquids can be pumped or drained from above said liquid-permeable fabric. Apparatus is provided, comprising liquid-permeable fabrics and weighting means.

Abstract: A pellet mill controller includes a plurality of temperature sensors to sense the temperature of material as it traverses the pellet mill, and a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the die to determine when it reaches the approximate nominal boiling point of water. As the die reaches the approximate nominal boiling point of water, the differential is measured between two of the temperature sensors and stored in the pellet mill to control the pellet mill in accordance with temperature differential control modes previously patented.

Abstract: A multilayer membrane for performing reverse osmosis is disclosed. The membrane comprises a porous support and interfacially polymerized thereon a superposed layer of poly meta-phenylene tetrahydrofuran-2,3,4,5-tetracarboxamide in which up to 50 mole % of the tetrahydrofuran-2,3,4,5-tetracarboxamide units have been replaced with isophthalamide or terephthalamide units. The preferred material for forming the support is a polysulfone.

Abstract: A cleaning unit for collecting debris in a swimming pool has a hollow main body that is pivotally connected to a leading end section. The leading end section and the main body may pivot through about 10.degree. when in an operative configuration to accommodate curvature of a wall or floor of the swimming pool. The leading end section and the main body are kept in the operative configuration by fingers. The fingers extend from the leading end section into the main body and may be disengaged so that the leading end section may be folded over. The main body defines a mouth at its front end and houses a bag in which debris is collected. When the leading end section is folded over the bag may be removed for cleaning and re-inserted. The leading end section has a tubular conduit which is connectable at its leading end to a supply hose. The tubular conduit carries a displacing jet for displacing the unit.

Abstract: An improved tubular membrane filtration module including an outer cylinder and a plurality of water permeable non-woven fabric pipes formed on the inside thereof, the non-woven fabric pipes being inserted into the outer cylinder in a closely bundled state, the spaces between the fabric pipes and the outer cylinder at each end thereof being filled with hardened synthetic resin to fix and seal the assembly. The ends of the non-woven fabric pipes are coated with a resin such that the inside coating of resin at the end of the fabric pipes is less than that on the inside thereof.

Abstract: A method for directly preparing a plated denture having improved accuracy within a short period of time by properly using photo-polymerizable resins having varied viscosities, and using as the impression material a dough product of photo-polymerizable resins having different viscosities with preparing of a basic plate, formation of alveolar ridge portion, arrangement of artificial teeth, formation of gingival portion, whereby the impression of the details of the mucosal surface of the oral mouth is reproduced with high fidelity, and is then polymerized and cured as such by active energy beams to use it as the resin surface.

Abstract: A propelled floating swimming pool skimmer having a plurality of angularly related channels with gate means in each of the channels permitting ingress of water and floating leaves and debris into a central area of the body of the device. Nozzles around the periphery of the body propel the unit in desired directions which change automatically in a desired sequence so the unit will cover the entire pool surface. The entrapped leaves and debris are forced downwardly in a spiral path by downwardly-directed jets into a mesh bag in which the leaves and debris may be removed from the pool and, in another form, the leaves and the debris are drawn downwardly through a mesh basket and then through a flexible conduit to the swimming pool vacuum system. Propulsion is accomplished by water under pressure furnished through a flexible conduit to the unit from a suitable source.

Abstract: A swimming pool skimming and vacuuming system includes a passage plate for insertion in the passage interconnecting a pool filter to a pool. The passage plate has a skimmer weir positioned therein for drawing off scum from the upper surface of pool. An aperture is formed in the plate for enabling automatic vacuuming of the pool while simultaneously enabling skimmer weir action to occur. A weir basket is positioned in the skimmer well for collecting scum from the weir. A top mounting plate is secured in the skimmer well and contains a basket opening therein for enabling the top surface of the basket to be positioned in the plate. A hose opening is formed in the plate for enabling the vacuum hose to be connected thereto. A regulator valve is coupled to the pool suction pump for enabling the suction between the vacuum hose and the weir basket to be adjustably controlled.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for treatment of flowing slurries of particulate material mixed in liquid employ a wide, elongated downwardly-slanted, metal tray with upturned edge flanges, cable-suspended for unrestrained vibratory flexing and undulation. The tray is provided with a plurality of ultrasonic transducers mounted on its underside, and the flowing slurry is delivered to the upper tray end, flowing lengthwise down the tray in a shallow flowing sheet. Ultrasonic vibratory energy coupled through the tray to the flowing slurry has a "microscopic scrubbing" action on all particles and agglomerates, breaking the surface tension on the particle, cleaning particle surfaces, and separating different constituent particles and coatings of gels, slimes, algae, clay or mud. Mixtures of fine particles of coal or other valuable minerals with ash, clay, rock or sand particles are separated with unexpected efficiency by these techniques.

Abstract: An automatic pool vacuum unit is connected to a skimmer housing by a vacuum housing fitted in an inverted U-shaped opening in the skimmer weir, open to the bottom of the weir. In order to avoid interfering with normal pivoting of the buoyant weir by the vacuum housing, the housing in planes at right angles to the pivotal axis of the weir has upper outlines that are arcuate about that axis, and the vacuum housing has an outline matching the outline of the inverted U-shaped opening in planes through the weir pivotal axis, so that the vacuum housing substantially fits and substantially seals the weir opening as the weir pivots. A removable cover over the debris-collecting basket in the skimmer housing has an opening connecting with the vacuum housing and an adjustable opening for skimmer water spilling over the top of the weir. The vacuum housing is removably secured to the cover to facilitate removal of the debris collecting basket.

Abstract: A strainer basket for a swimming pool having a basket top closure affording two flow paths thus-through to the basket, one via a coupling for a suction hose which is so disposed that the hose can be introduced to the skimmer through a lateral throat at the pool surface, and the other via a weir-gated enclosure carried by the basket closure. The relative flow area of these flow paths is controllable by a valve mechanism.

Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly having a filter box with an impeller unit. An encapsulated electromagnetic power unit is removably coupled to the filter box for driving the impeller unit. The power unit is thermally separated from the filter box to prevent damage to the filter box as a result of the heat generated by the power unit.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a face plate for use in conjunction with the skimmer apparatus for recreational devices, such as swimming pools and spas, wherein the face plate for the fitting positioned in the swimming pool wall and extending into the swimming pool includes a plurality of ribs on each leg thereof to prevent closure of the aperture from the pool to the skimmer apparatus.

Abstract: A deflector apparatus easily and quickly mounted in position relative to an inlet opening of a swimming pool skimmer to deflect water and surface trash into the inlet opening and including a planar deflector member, an extensible member adapted to be positioned in the inlet opening to mount the deflector apparatus thereof, and readily adjustable mounting means on the deflector member and extensible member for mounting the deflector member in any one of multiple operative positions and inoperative positions.

Abstract: Organic sulphides are extremely malodorous compounds that are found in gaseous or aqueous effluents from many industries such as paper and pulp manufacture, hydrocarbon refinering, tanneries, and in the synthesis of organic sulphur compounds. Their removal is necessary before such effluents can be discharged into the environment.In the present invention their removal is effected using hydrogen peroxide at a pH controlled to pH 8.5 to 11.5 and in the presence of a catalytic amount of a soluble tungstate. Such a process is especially applicable to the removal of dialkyl disulphides, which are regarded as being especially difficult to remove oxidatively. In especially preferred conditions, the pH is about pH 11 and about 3-4 moles H.sub.2 O.sub.2 is used per mole equivalent of sulphur, in the presence of at least 20 ppm sodium tungstate (as W).

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus and method for use in cleaning ultraviolet radiation inhibiting deposits from the active surfaces of ultraviolet radiation emitting devices utilized in liquid purification systems by inducing ultrasonic vibrations in the emitting devices with ultrasonic transducers coupled to portions of the emitting devices extending outside the conduit through which the liquid to be purified is passed, the coupling being accomplished through a coupling liquid contained within a chamber of relatively small volume into which the extending portions of the emitting devices project to be immersed in the coupling liquid.

Abstract: An aquarium cleaning arrangement characterized by the use of an open bottomed casing for selectively defining the boundary of a portion of the pebbles and/or gravel in an aquarium, and where water is pumped into the casing to achieve agitation therwithin and to dislodge and remove unwanted settled debris. A water recirculating arrangement is provided which includes a pump, a filter, and a water discharge system within the casing, the latter presenting stationary or fixed water jets extending into the pebbles and/or gravel and a rotatable member driven by water flow passing through angled outlet jets thereon. Provision is made for valving, forming part of the water recirculating arrangement, to achieve filtering of all water in the aquarium, i.e. including that which is outside of the casing.