Abstract: A device for transferring solid particles from an area of higher pressure to one of lower pressure. A stack-up section (3) between the areas is full of particles and large enough to reduce the current of gas flowing through the open stack-up section from the area of higher pressure as a result of the pressure loss that occurs in the stack-up section to a level that prevents pneumatic conveyance of the particles. A conveyor is in or at the end of the stack-up section.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing apparatus is connected to the safety valve on an oil flooded rotary compressor to receive the contents expelled by the compressor due to internal combustion in the compressor. The contents are conducted to the fire extinguishing apparatus, which disperses them in a tank holding a quantity of non-combustible liquid sufficient to cool them. The fire extinguishing apparatus has a tank for holding non-combustible liquid, a perforated plate to disperse the burning oil and gases throughout the non-combustible liquid, an opening to allow the escape of excess pressure from the tank, and a spring loaded lid to prevent evaporation of the non-combustible liquid. A pipe connects the fire extinguishing apparatus to a safety valve and the pipe has temperature and pressure switches on its surface which shut down the compressor when the temperature and/or pressure in the pipe exceed preset limits.

Abstract: A dry sprinkler system includes a compressed gas pilot operated water valve between a water supply main and a dry sprinkler pipe, the valve being normally open and held closed upon activation of the pilot by water pressure.

Abstract: A rotatable structure is provided which has a plurality of sets of guide rails. Each set of guide rails can be brought into alignment with objects on a first conveyor system. Each set of guide rails has a different shape or slope so that, by rotating the structure to select a desired set of guide rails, the height or level of objects can be easily selected to match the adjacent conveyor systems.

Abstract: Hydraulic power supplies for aircraft which have such hydraulically operated systems as flaps, ailerons, spoilers, rudders, elevators, brakes, and retractable and steerable landing gear. Typically, the aircraft will be of the multiengine type; and there will also be a multiplicity of hydraulic power supplies and engines. This scheme can be utilized to provide operating redundancy for the hydraulically operated devices of the aircraft. Each hydraulic power supply has a solid state controller which has a number of inputs as well as control and information providing functions. Control over the functioning of each hydraulic power supply can also be exercised by flight deck crew-operated switches which are connected to inputs of the solid state controllers.

Abstract: A system for repeatedly supplying a predetermined quantity of solid particulate material, e.g. solid, spherical silicon particles, to a location remote from the area where the particulate material is stored. The system includes a container for storing solid particulate material, a receiving chamber coupled with the container and sized and configured to admit only a predetermined quantity of particulate material from the container, and means for applying at least one stream of a pressurized fluid so as to entrain and transport said predetermined quantity of particulate material from the receiving chamber to the remote location.

Abstract: A trailer (10) constructed in conformance with European specification has three wheeled rear axles (56, 58, 60) and is adapted for the gravity unloading of a container (18) loaded with particulate lading. A container support frame (20) is pivotally connected about a horizontal axis (86) positioned between the rearmost axle (60) and intermediate axle (58) and is raised by hydraulic cylinder (92) at an unloading site as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 for the gravity unloading of the particulate lading into a hopper (100) positioned rearwardly of the rearmost axle (60) on a rear overhanging trailer portion (72). A rotary valve (116) in the hopper feeds the particulate lading into a high velocity air stream in a lower pneumatic hopper portion (120) for pneumatic discharge.

Abstract: A pneumatic cash transfer system for use in banks and building societies to link a cashier station (1) to a remote teller assist unit (3) and a cash deposit box (4) in a separate secure area (5) comprises an air tube (6) extending between a tube terminal (7) at the cashier station and a tube terminal (8) in the secure area (5), and a cash carrying canister (10) movable pneumatically in the tube (6) between the two terminals (7, 8). The canister (10) is open at its side to permit insertion and removal of bank notes, and comprises a bank note holder (22) formed by a pair of spring-biassed clamping plates (23, 24) for holding bank notes firmly in the canister during travel in the tube (6). At the terminal (8) in the secure area (5) the holder (22) can be opened automatically to release notes to be deposited into the deposit box (4), and on closure of the holder it is ready to receive notes which are fed positively into the holder from the teller assist unit (3) for transmission to the cashier.

Abstract: A method of extinguishing a fire by generating an intense electric field and/or a gaseous plasma constituted of a body of electrically-charged particles, and directing the electric field and/or plasma to the base of the fire until the fire is extinguished.

Abstract: A braking device for a vehicle utilizing a plurality of wheels for motion relative to a surface. The present invention includes a bent axle for supporting at least one of the wheels. The bent axle has a first axle portion being disposed parallel to a y-axis which is perpendicular to an x-axis, the x-axis defining the longitudinal axis of a main structure of the vehicle, the x-axis also defining the direction of vehicle motion. The bent axle includes at least one terminal axle portion angularly disposed from the first axle portion. The first axle portion of the bent axle rotatably engages with the main structure of the vehicle, along an axis parallel to the y-axis. The terminal axle portion of the bent axle rotatably engages with the wheel. Therefore, the wheel rotates in a plane that is not parallel to the direction of vehicle motion.

Abstract: A linear fire extinguisher of the type containing superpressurized Halon in a cylindrical container which is cut by an explosive linear shaped charge is contained in an overall housing which, in addition to preventing fragments from escaping, diverts the outflow of extinguishant to provide an equal and opposite reaction force to the momentum force of the outflow. In addition, the diversion occurs through apertures in the housing to opposed paths in directions substantially perpendicular to the reaction forces to again, nullify any forces due to this perpendicular outflow. The invention is also applicable to other container configurations where a high impulse force might occur.

Abstract: A foam proportioning inductor apparatus is mounted atop a supply tank for providing a quantity of fire extinguishing foam concentrate. The nozzle has a through passage for the flow of water, as in an automatic fire extinguishing system, and has a supply line branch extending into the supply tank for pressurizing the tank with water and driving out a foam concentrate through a concentrate outflow line extending from the supply tank and into the inductor nozzle downstream of a constriction. The combination of the water charge in the tank and the venturi effect created by the nozzle constriction draws the foam concentrate into the water flow stream. The concentrate outflow line has a removable and replaceable pipe section containing a selected size of orifice, permitting the pipe section to be readily changed to select different sizes of orifices to correctly proportion the foam concentrate outflow relative to the different types of foam used in contempory automatic fire fighting systems.

Abstract: A fire control system for buildings, wherein the building is provided with a sprinkler system around the perimeter of the building. The sprinkler system sprays water inwardly against the walls, windows and doors of the building.

Abstract: 1-Bromo-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane is a low ozone-depleting fire extinguishing agent used alone or in blends with other compounds in total flooding and portable systems.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone has a separating part A with a diameter which toward its outlet end for the heavier fraction decreases gradually from a diameter 2 R.sub.a, with the radius being subject to the formula:R=R.sub.a .multidot..sqroot.1-x/1.This describes essentially the shape of a parabola, so that the separating part can practically be considered as a paraboloid. Achieved thereby is an optimum separating performance of the hydrocyclone.

Abstract: A method of regulating the overflow from a cyclone, hydrocyclone or similar device (1) comprises the steps of passing the overflow (1C) to the main inlet (3C) of a fluidic valve (3) and passing at least a proportion of the underflow (1B) from the device (1) to the control inlet (3B) of the said fluidic valve (3). The flowrate of the overflow (1C) leaving the device (1) is maintained despite variations in feed flowrate or feed flow pressure (1A). Preferably, the underflow (1B) or proportion thereof is passed through a restriction (2) before being passed to the control inlet (3B) of the fluidic valve (3).

Abstract: An aerodynamic vehicle includes a central body with a vertical axis, an outer wall and a bottom wall, a first rotatable disk concentric with the central body axis and rotatable in a first direction, a second rotatable disk concentric with the central body axis and rotatable in a second direction opposing the first direction, first and second blade members respectively mounted in the first and second disks draw fluid radially inward and vertically downward to compress the fluid into a funnel-shaped fluid passageway. Selectively vectorable nozzle members are in communication with the passageway for discharging the compressed fluid below the central body to provide lift for the aerodynamic vehicle. Jet engines are mounted on the device for providing additional thrust and for generating hydraulic and electric power for the vechicle control system.

Abstract: A system for delivering a particulate material has a closed storage hopper for the material, the hopper having a bottom hopper outlet and a check valve connected to a top portion of the chamber for venting positive pressure from the chamber; a venturi eductor having a material inlet for feeding the material, an eductor outlet, and a gas inlet; a gas feed valve, the gas feed valve being openable in response to a feed signal for activating the eductor; a hopper passage connecting the hopper outlet to the eductor material inlet; a hopper outlet valve for closing the hopper outlet in response to a hopper signal; a stir valve for pressurizing the hopper passage in response to a stir signal for agitating the material in the hopper; and a pressure sensor for momentarily activating the stir signal in response to an absence of the material at the material inlet, the system being operative in a transporting mode wherein the hopper valve is open, the feed valve is open, and the stir valve is closed; a stirring mode wher

Abstract: A filter apparatus for use in filtering dust and the like from a pressurized air stream flowing through a manhole of a hopper trailer in a particulate transfer system includes a filter sheet having a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the manhole and a plurality of filters mounted thereon. A retainer flange is installed in the manhole for supporting the filter sheet and a filter hold down is provided for holding the filter assembly in the manhole and for pressing the filter sheet into contact with the retainer flange. The filter hold down clamp contacts the filter sheet along the central longitudinal axis of the passage in order to provide one-point hold down of the sheet.

Abstract: A conformable drag reduction article is provided having a patterned surface capable of reducing drag resistance by fluid flowing thereover.