Abstract: A method and apparatus of sanitizing drinking water to be dispensed from a water dispenser having a reservoir includes the steps of providing the ozone gas generator that generates an ozone gas stream, transmitting the ozone gas stream from the generator to the water dispenser reservoir, mechanically breaking up the ozone gas stream inside the reservoir to produce ozone gas bubbles, and using the ozone gas bubbles to disinfect water in the reservoir. The ozone gas stream can be mechanically broken up using a pump such as, for example, an impeller type pump.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus having a filter retrieval apparatus, an integrated jib, and a clamping assembly for providing a seal between a filter and a cabinet.

Abstract: An air-filter for a circulating and/or recirculating air system using a filter medium containing a microbiologically effective amount of a polymeric biguanide or salt thereof. Also claimed is a method for reducing odors and/or air-borne micro-organisms in a circulating or recirculating air system using the air-filter, and a method for protecting an air-filter medium against microbial degradation by incorporating in, or on, the medium a microbiologically effective amount of a polymeric biguanide or salt thereof.

Abstract: A load-lock system includes a load-lock chamber arranged between a storage port which stores a substrate and a process chamber which processes the substrate in a process space maintained at a pressure lower than that in the storage port, and a dehumidifying unit which forms a dehumidified environment in the load-lock chamber. A system preferably includes another chamber between said storage port and said load-lock chamber, wherein said dehumidifying unit dehumidifies said another chamber.

Abstract: A filter retaining system formed from multiple filter retaining frames is disclosed. Each of the frames is formed from either a female type extrusion or a combination of male and female type extrusions. Specifically, each frame has either a tongue or a groove which is engageable into a corresponding groove or tongue of an adjacent frame. The tongue and groove engagement provides added rigidity to the retaining system, as well as preventing air from bypassing the filters retained within each frame.

Abstract: A magnetic water conditioning shower arm disposed in a water circuit supplying a shower head terminating the water circuit, the device comprises magnetic elements disposed within a tubular pipe-like element for treatment of water flowing therethrough by magnetic lines of force. The shower arm is preferably disposed immediately before the shower head in the water circuit and can thus be easily retrofitted into existing shower apparatus as well as installed as part of an original shower apparatus. The shower arm is particularly useful for the treatment of water containing scale minerals which deposit on surfaces of a shower head and which often render such heads prematurely useless. Magnetic treatment of water containing scale minerals according to the invention and prior to contact of untreated water with a shower head inhibits scale formation caused by precipitation of calcium salts, magnesium salts and other mineral compounds, thereby extending the useful life of a shower head to that life normally expected.

Abstract: An improved oil filter adapter is provided and consists of a bracket mounted on an engine block of an industrial gas engine. The bracket has an inlet fitting and an outlet fitting with a threaded lower cylindrical mounting portion. The inlet fitting is connected to an inlet hose and the outlet fitting is connected to an outlet hose of the lubrication system of the industrial gas engine. The threaded lower cylindrical mounting portion engages with the threaded aperture in a standard spin-on type motor vehicle oil filter so as to be integrated into the lubrication system of the industrial gas engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering industrial process liquids is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a tank, a continuous conveyor screen mounted within the tank, a partition spanning the tank walls and having an elongated aperture therethrough, and media sealing means upon and surrounding the aperture. One side of the conveyor screen overlies the tank and is guidably retained for sealing engagment with the sealing means, and the other side of the conveyor screen operatively engages a continuous sheet of filter media. The conveyor screen and filter media span the aperture providing upon the underside of the partition an enclosed filtered liquid reservoir and upon its other side an open unfiltered reservoir. An elongated open-top vacuum chamber is supported within the filtered liquid reservoir with its peripheral edge in sealing registry with the conveyor screen and having a first outlet for delivering filtered liquid to a process area.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetically treating a liquid is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes at least two magnetized inserts mounted in a pipe containing a liquid to be treated. The inserts are disposed parallel to one another and parallel to the direction of flow of the liquid to be treated wherein each of the inserts includes a plurality of successive permanent magnets abutting each other and positioned such that the magnetic flux of each magnet is perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow, wherein the polarity of adjacent magnets of an insert alternates in direction, and wherein each magnetic insert is located opposite an identically polarized magnet in an adjacent insert.

Abstract: An oil filter for an internal combustion engine lubrication system has an anti-drainback valve that is temporarily held open with a quantity of special grease during the initial filling of the engine's oil lubrication system with oil, and then passively melts or dissipates upon contact with the oil so as to allow the anti-drainback valve to thereafter close.

Abstract: A dual purpose automatic transmission oil pan (10) for covering transmission components (20,22) and containing a reservoir of oil in a sump portion (32). First and second drainback channels (34,36) extend to the sump portion (32) from spaced drain openings (16,18) of a closed-barrel transmission case (14) which permit free flow of oil to the sump portion (32). A magnetic filter (40) is secured to a ramp surface (44) at the confluence of the oil flows (A,B) from the first and second drainback channels (34,36) for removing ferrous contaminants from the oil. An inlet port (26) of a filter cartridge opens into an inlet port region (46) of the sump portion (32).

Abstract: A steering force control apparatus for a power steering system includes a hydraulic path, a branch path, and a cylindrical filter. The hydraulic path extends from a pump to a power steering side. The branch path has one end open to a wall midway along the hydraulic path and extends to a hydraulic reaction mechanism. The cylindrical filter is adjacent to the wall of the hydraulic path and has a mesh portion for filtering a pressurized oil. The mesh portion is formed at a portion of the cylindrical filter at which the hydraulic path communicates with the branch path. The portion of the filter at which the hydraulic path communicates with the branch path has a tapered stepped portion mechanically formed at the downstream side of the branch path. The cylindrical filter has upper and lower ring frame members to be fitted in the hydraulic path. The lower ring frame member is formed to have an outer diameter smaller than that of the upper ring frame member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a can-like container adapted with internal structure which allows the container to be filled with a liquid combination of a major liquid component, such as gasoline, and a liquid contaminant such as water which is immiscible with and more dense than the major component, and which container structure allows the major liquid component to be poured from the container while the contaminant liquid is retained in an internal compartment of the container. There is an internal vertical divider wall that makes sealing connection with the top and side walls of the container and which has a lower edge at a set distance below the top of the container. An opening in the container top lies adjacent the top edge of the internal wall, to one side of that wall. The other side of the internal wall, in conjunction with portions of the container top and side walls forms a water trapping zone.

Abstract: A liquid filter as disclosed which includes a housing in which a filtering media is disposed. A relief valve permits the liquid filtrate to bypass the media when the pressure differential across the media exceeds a predetermined level. The relief valve includes a valve member consisting of a valve disc from which four legs extend. The valve closure spring engages the legs to maintain the valve closed until the pressure differential attains a predetermined level. The legs are designed so that only two of the legs engage the spring during normal operation of the valve. Accordingly, the other two legs remain unstressed by the valve spring, but can engage the edge of the valve aperture in case of failure of one or both of the other legs to prevent the valve member from falling into the liquid filtrate, thus blocking the flow of liquid filtrate to the engine, causing catastrophic failure of the engine.

Abstract: A sludge processor is provided which enables rapid disassembly and reassembly for changing between a sludge thickener configuration and a press configuration, and for enabling rapid disassembly for cleaning in the press configuration. The processor includes a frame with opposite sides and roller-holding bearing devices at the opposite sides for holding rollers about which a belt extends past a sludge dewatering region. The bearing devices can be arranged in a first configuration (FIG. 2) wherein the belt (12A) extends in an even path, and a second configuration (FIG. 1) wherein the belt extends in a tightly convoluted path so it and material thereon is squeezed between adjacent rollers. The bearing devices (50, FIG. 4) are releasably mounted to the frame sides to enable rapid conversion, and to enable rapid removal of the rollers for cleaning the processor when used in the second configuration.

Abstract: A fuel filter and method of making same provides an in-tank filter having a novel fitting and seal construction. The filter includes a fabric body and a spacing structure disposed within the body to prevent collapse of the filter and accompanying reduction of or interference with fuel flow. The fitting comprises a first segment disposed outside the filter and incorporating a fuel line receiving aperture and a second, mating segment disposed within the filter. The filter segments are ultrasonically bonded to the fabric such that melting material from the segments flows into the interstices of the fabric and mechanically bonds and retains it within the segments of the fitting.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for filtering particulate matter from dielectric fluids, and for maintaining and monitoring of the purity of said fluids. The invention operates by imparting an electrostatic charge, via a pair of convoluted perforated oppositely charged electrodes, to the particulate contaminates contained in the fluid. The positive electrodes and negative electrodes are each unitary and in combination with a filter media form a unitary cartridge which is removable and replaceable within the apparatus. A microcontroller may be provided to monitor, analyze and report certain parameters of the fluid to be filtered.

Abstract: To sterilize and purify continuously water in a water tank, a water treating apparatus is provided that comprises a circulating type water pipe for taking the water in the water tank outside the water tank and then for returning the water into the water tank, and an ozone supply apparatus, a filtering apparatus, and an ultraviolet-light irradiating apparatus that are situated in the course of the water pipe, so that water can be sterilized and purified thoroughly by a three-stage treatment incluing "an ozone treatment" wherein the decomposition of organic substances, deodorization and inactivation of microorganisms by ozone can be expected, "a filtering treatment" wherein the elimination of foreign matters and microorganisms can be expected, "an ultraviolet treatment" wherein the sterilization by ultraviolet rays can be expected.

Abstract: A fuel conditioner unit for an internal combustion engine, having a priming pump in which the pump diaphragm member also functions as the pump manual actuating surface. The diaphragm is mounted to the basin portion of the priming pump, so that it has a convex projecting surface adapted to be pushed by the user. A spring associated with the basin, biases the diaphragm outwardly so that it can recover after each downward push by the user. The priming pump basin, suction and discharge legs are preferably integrally formed at the upper portion of the unit frame or base. The frame is made of molded plastic such that an opening or archway is formed between the suction and discharge legs. The plastic frame is sandwiched between the filter housing and a steel bracket, with spring clips passing from the bracket through the archway and into retaining engagement with the housing. The anchor points on the bracket and the housing do not stress the plastic frame.

Abstract: A flight attachment is provided for a drive chain comprised of a plurality of overlapping links pivotally connected by pins so that stress loads transmitted through the chain by flight are transferred through the chain pivot pins and not through the chain side bars. The flight attachment comprises a pair of flight brackets, one located on each side of a link of the chain and connected to the chain in cantilever fashion by elongate, laterally extending pivot pins. The flight brackets are constructed and arranged to accept a collector flight securely mounted thereon.