Abstract: A pneumatic tube conveyor station comprises a loading position for convey cases (11) to be dispatched, in which the latter are placed in a waiting position on a supporting surface, ready for being collected. The conveying cases (11) are provided with a machine-readable label (61) for identifying the station of destination and for routing the conveying cases. A label scanner (51) is arranged at the pneumatic tube conveyor station (10). The supporting surface is designed as a rotary disc (41) which has a drive (43) connected to the label scanner (51) via a signal line (65).

Abstract: Rail hopper cars have loading gates which is a way of controlling the flow of material that is in hopper cars out through a connection tube. There are control rods for opening and closing the loading gate. There is an end cap that fits over the open end of the connection tube. The cap, in the present invention, has outwardly extending radially spaced locking lugs each having a locking convex surface. A separate locking lug concave surface is positioned on each handle of the control rods for mating with the convex surfaces on the cap. When the end cap is placed over the tube and is rotated to a position where the locking convex surfaces are adjacent the locking lugs on the operating handles of the control rods, the control rod handles cannot turn. Also when in this position the locking lugs on the handles prevent the cap from being removed. A spring loaded locking lever on the end cap engages a locking slot on the end tube and prevents rotation of the end cap when it is positioned thereon.

Abstract: A fire suppression system in which fire suppressant material is contained in a reservoir, the reservoir having an outlet and a system containing one or more nozzles from which the suppressant is delivered for fire suppresant purposes.The system incorporates a valve between the reservoir outlet and the nozzle(s) the valve including a movable valve member and a valve seat which cooperates with the movable member. The valve member is movable from a closed position with respect to the valve seat preventing communication of suppressant between the reservoir and the nozzle(s) to an open position permitting flow of the suppressant from the reservoir to the nozzle(s).An actuator is provided to selectively open and close the aforesaid valve member. The actuator maintains a fluid (preferably nitrogen) under pressure to maintain the valve member in the closed position and is operable to vent the fluid to lower the pressure in the valve, thus permitting the valve member to open.

Abstract: An expandable barrier for isolating a mine entry or similar open area is disclosed wherein the expandable barrier includes an expandable hollow curtain or bag housed within a horizontal brace member connected to the roof of an entry, the expandable hollow curtain being connected to vertical brace members adjacent to the walls of the mine entry. The expandable bag fills with a material capable of expanding the bag, such as a foam-like material, and expansion of the bag causes the bag to descend downwardly from the first horizontal brace member. The bag fills with distensible material in response to a stimulus detected by a monitor associated with the containers which contain the distensible material. A closeable opening or flap is disposed in the bag to allow passage of people or equipment therethrough. The expandable barrier may also be oriented in a horizontal position for use in vertical shafts.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system comprising: a pair of terminals; an overhead cylindrical tube connecting the terminals; a captive carrier for passage through the tube, the carrier having an internal cavity for carrying articles and removable caps at the distal ends thereof enclosing the cavity; a carrier receiver enclosed within each of the terminals for receiving the carrier, the carrier receiver being operable to reciprocally move the carrier axially along a pre-determined axis which is angularly movable relative to the tube; and a cap removing assembly in each of the terminals operable to remove a cap from one end of the carrier to permit access to the carrier cavity and to replace the cap to permit transfer of the carrier through the tube.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system comprising: a pair of terminals; an overhead cylindrical tube connecting the terminals; a captive carrier for passage through the tube, the carrier having an internal cavity for carrying articles and removable caps at the distal ends thereof enclosing the cavity; a carrier receiver enclosed within each of the terminals for receiving the carrier, the carrier receiver being operable to reciprocally move the carrier axially along a pre-determined axis which is angularly movable relative to the tube; and a cap removing assembly in each of the terminals operable to remove a cap from one end of the carrier to permit access to the carrier cavity and to replace the cap to permit transfer of the carrier through the tube.

Abstract: An accelerator ring arrangement for use on an article carrier used in a pneumatic transfer system, the system including a transfer tube defining a passage through which the carrier is propelled. The accelerator ring arrangement includes a continuous seal member surrounding the carrier which is operable to form a pneumatic seal thereabout. The seal member has an outer edge dimensioned to generally conform to the cross-sectional profile of the passage. The seal member is mounted to the carrier wherein the seal member is laterally movable relative to the carrier.

Abstract: A cyclone comprising a swirl cylinder, an inner tube disposed in the upper section of the swirl cylinder, an inlet duct arranged tangentially to the outer periphery of the swirl cylinder, a drop opening formed in the lower section of the swirl cylinder, and a straightening instrument disposed in a space directly below the inner tube. The straightening instrument includes a conical member coaxial with the inner tube and guide plates arranged along a conical surface at the outer periphery of the conical member. A lower section of each of the guide plates is curved to encounter the turn tangential velocity components of a circumferential spiral stream smoothly into axial velocities alone, and unnecessary vortices which are not required for separation of particles and which cause energy loss are eliminated.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport apparatus. A main terminal and a remote terminal each have one end of a carrier tube connected thereto. A sub-carrier is slidably received in each terminal for vertical movement therein. Means are provided at each terminal for locking the sub-carrier in the upper portion of the terminal. A carrier for transporting items between the terminals is received within the sub-carriers and moved between terminals through the carrrier tube. Reversible motors are mounted on a housing at the main terminal that is in communication with the terminal for selectively creating pressure or suction therein to cause the carrier to move from one terminal to the other.

Abstract: Fire-fighting apparatus and the method of using of same in which water from a supply source is adapted to be pumped at high pressure and predetermined flow rates through a fire hose and in which metered quantities of a chemical foamant are injected into the fire hose and mixed with the water stream to increase the effectiveness of the mixture as a fire extinguishant. A special purpose computer module is configured to monitor the flow rate of the water through the hose, the level of chemical foamant in a supply reservoir and the speed of the positive displacement pump used to inject the foamant. The computer then determines an appropriate speed for the pump and provides a closed-loop control signal to the pump's drive motor to maintain a desired chemical injection rate.

Abstract: A transport unit for transporting fire fighting hoses, explosive materials, equipment or other items, the unit having a projectile launcher including a pressure tank providing a compressed gas chamber, and a projectile barrel mounted on the tank in fluid communication with the interior of the tank, a projectile positioned in the barrel, a hose or other line connected at one end to the projectile launcher and adapted for connection at its other end to the projectile, the line being adapted for connection to a pressurized fire fighting or explosive fluid source, or the line being comprised of an explosive material, the compressed gas chamber adapted to provide launching force to the projectile upon actuation of the launcher.

Abstract: Lump coal is able to be pumped through a pipeline by suspending it in a slurry which is composed of water, fine coal and finely-divided magnetite. At the terminal end of the pipeline, the lump coal is separated from the slurry, which is pumped back for re-use through a return pipeline.

Abstract: A method of unloading a cargo from a lined, modular cargo container having a flexible, expandable liner located inside the container and expanded against the interior surfaces thereof. The method comprises the steps of conducting gas into the interior of the liner to increase the pressure on the bulk cargo therein and to urge the liner outward against the interior surfaces of the cargo container; and drawing gas and substantially the complete supply of the bulk cargo outward from the interior of the liner, without tilting the container and without tilting the liner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extinguishing fires by simultaneously applying a spray of dry powder and liquid/liquid-foam, including a nozzle for the simultaneous spray of powder and liquid.

Abstract: An anti-choke blender fitting used in a pneumatic conveyor system utilizing a negative pressure to transport milling stock material, the fitting including a body with a top surface joined by downwardly extending side walls terminating in an open bottom with a channel-shaped relief gate with upwardly extending side walls hingedly mounted to the body with a closed position of the relief gate closing the open bottom of the body in a non air-tight relationship with the side walls of the gate extending above the spout of the inlet conduit, thereby minimizing the leakage of milling stock around the periphery of the relief gate in its closed position.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for transporting particularly a powdery material for example from a silo after discharge. The apparatus comprises a flexible hose (1) the inside of which is provided with members (2) for fluidizing the material to be transported. These members are formed in the longitudinal direction of the hose as elements (3) functioning independently of one another.

Abstract: A cyclone separator (20) for a pneumatic grain conveyor (10) includes a filter assembly (60) mounted in the upper end thereof. The filter assembly (60) includes a cylindrical casing (62) extending into the separator (20) with a screen (70) therein and an adjustable accelerator plate (84) which cleans an adjacent portion of the screen and distributes the collected dust and foreign particles on the remainder of the screen. A second filter assembly (90) is preferably connected between the air outlet of the separator (20) and air inlet of the blower (52) for further dust and foreign particle removal.

Abstract: A device and a method for fire extinguishing, particularly but not exclusively useful as a fire-extinguisher for vehicles, comprises a rigid tank containing an expansible water chamber for receiving a quantity of water to be used for extinguishing a fire, and an expansible air chamber for receiving pressurized air in order to pressurize the water in the water chamber; a water inlet into the water chamber for introducing water thereinto; an air inlet into the air chamber for introducing pressurized air thereinto for pressurizing the water in the water chamber; a discharge nozzle from said water chamber for discharging water therefrom in the form of a fog jet; and a control valve for controlling the discharge of water from the water chamber through the discharge nozzle.

Abstract: A sprinkler head comprises an elastic retainer which is mounted between a couple of clamps and can absorb and reduce a tightening power which is added to a heat sensitive part by the insertion of a screw. Water can be sprayed according to circumstances due to an improvement in the sensitivity of the heat sensitive part.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying system for particulate material. An upper vessel includes an inlet for the material. An intermediate housing is open to and located under the inlet. A primary check valve is located in the intermediate housing and will receive the material from the inlet. A lower housing is located beneath the intermediate housing. The lower housing includes a secondary check valve therein which receives the material from the primary check valve. A material exit is located below the secondary check valve. Each of the check valves includes an opening through which the material may flow. This opening is oblique to vertical, and a movable closure member is connected to alternatively open or seal the opening. Pressurized air is supplied to the check valves in an alternating manner.