Abstract: Dissolving salt encrustations which are deposited by exceeding the saturation limit from a gas saturated with water vapor on the heat exchanging surfaces of a heat exchanger, by passing the gas through a heat exchanger subdivided into several sections. The predominant part of the sections is subjected to a hot fluid heating the gas saturated with water vapor and the smaller part of the sections to a cold fluid for cooling the gas below the dew point. The salt crust is dissolved in the cooled sections by the separated condensation water and the salt solution is drained from the heat exchanger. After the salt crust is removed, the cooled sections are subjected to the hot fluid and parts of the heated sections to the cold fluid.

Abstract: A batch-type pyrolysis furnace fired by a main gas burner and an afterburner, is effectively safeguarded from explosions and runaway fires due to an undue build-up of flammable vapors within its main chamber, by the simple expedient of maintaining a fire under controlled temperature conditions in the main chamber. This is done by a dual-stage control system requiring three thermocouples, one (first) in the main chamber, a second in the exhaust stack downstream of the afterburner, and a third upstream of the afterburner in the vent passage ("throat") connecting the main chamber with the afterburner chamber. The first thermocouple in the main chamber senses the ambient, essentially instantaneous temperature at that location. The effectiveness of the control system, in large measure, derives from the unexpected difference in temperatures sensed by the first and third thermocouples.

Abstract: A pivoting mechanism having two lockable end positions, and comprising a stationary basic body having two first stop surfaces each defining an end position in cooperation each with a different one of first counter stop surfaces on a pivotable basic body drivable by means of a pivot shaft journalled in the stationary basic body. One of the basic bodies is further provided with two second stop surfaces directed oppositely to the first stop surfaces and each arranged, for locking one of the end positions, to cooperate with one of two second counter stop surfaces on a pawl member mounted for movement on the other basic body. The movement of the pawl member is controlled by a cam on a control body secured to the pivot shaft for rotation relative to the pivotable basic body.

Abstract: A drivable pile with a plurality of helical flanges affixed radially symmetrically about the external surface of an elongated pile member. In a preferred embodiment, two flanges are diametrically opposed at radial positions 180.degree. apart with an axial pitch of 30.degree. to the longitudinal axis. The helical flanges complete a sum total of approximately one turn along a portion of the length of the pile member and are removed slightly from the lower end of the pile.

Abstract: An expansion joint is provided between the bottom supported tube walls and the top supported tube walls of a fluidized bed boiler furnace. The expansion joint includes an upwardly open trough having one side and a floor defined by bent portions of the bottom supported tube wall, and another side wall defined by a refractory lined steel plate. A knife edge or sealing projection is connected to an outwardly bent portion of the top supported tube wall and extends downwardly through the upward opening of the trough and into the spaced defined by the trough. The trough is filled with sand or other inert granular material which partially covers the knife edge. The knife edge is in the form of a tube wall with tubes having lower perforations. Fluidizing gas can be supplied into the knife edge to fluidize the sand around the lower end of the knife edge to permit movement of the knife edge in the sand as the top and bottom supported tube walls expand.

Abstract: A vertical conduit closed at one end by a head wall and connected at its opposite end to a fluidization gas delivery means is provided with side blowing nozzles longitudinally spaced in planes. A shutter is movable inside the conduit so that the bed in which the conduit is disposed in use can be progressively brought into a state of fluidization by supplying fluidization gas to the nozzles successively and cumulatively starting from the top. The invention obviates the need for the introduction via the bottom of the fluidized bed of compressed air at a high pressure when starting up the fluidization of the bed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming elevated structures. A first construction component is emplaced at a construction site, supported by an underlying earth formation. A second construction component is locked in cantilevered relation to the first such component. A support is extended downwardly from the second component, distal the first component, into load bearing engagement with the earth formation, whereafter the second component is interlocked to the support. The ends of the longitudinal components have improved locks in which a connector of the male lock can be passed through a receiving bore in a female lock only if oriented in a particular angular position, whereafter, if rotated to a different angular position, it cannot be withdrawn from the receiving bore. Similar locks are provided for interconnecting such longitudinal components in side-by-side relation via transom components.

Abstract: A combustion chamber (1; 101), is surrounded by a heater (4; 104), by means of which a constant temperature in the order of 850.degree. C. can be maintained in the chamber (1; 101). The chamber (1; 101) has arranged therein devices (17, 18, 117) which, when the arrangement is in operation, partly obstruct the passage of gas through the chamber. The waste gases to be treated are introduced into the chamber (1; 101) through an inlet (2; 102) and the treated, residual waste gas is discharged from the chamber through an outlet (3; 103). The arrangement also includes a supply line (14,15,16, 114,115) for supplying pre-heated reaction medium to the interior of the chamber (1; 101).

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter having an outer tubular member and a coaxially aligned inner tubular member. The outer tube is of a first predetermined diameter over a majority of its length, but then tapers down, in a transition zone, to a second predetermined diameter less than the first and which extends to the catheter's distal tip. The inner tube has a distal end shaped to mate with the inside surface of the outer tube in the transition zone to form a seal when the inner tube is advanced in the distal direction. An expander is secured to the outer tube and inflatable by perfusing a fluid in the zone between the outer and inner tubes and through ports formed through the wall of the outer tube in the transition zone. By manipulating the proximal end of the inner tube, blood or other fluids may be perfused or exasperated and made to inflate or deflate the expander, the distal end of the inner tube acting as a valve, seating with the inner surface of the outer tube in the transition zone.

Abstract: A method of producing underground pipes, with pipe sections being pressed ahead into the ground. For each pipe section, at least two partial pipe shells are used which are separated from one another in the longitudinal direction, and are joined about supply lines which are guided through the pipe. The joining process is effected before the pipe section is pressed into the ground. With this method, the supply lines do not have to be interrupted when a new pipe section is introduced. The apparatus for carrying out the method is provided with at least one joining station for joining the partial pipe shells in a precisely fitting manner, and a combining station for interconnecting the partial pipe shells.

Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a refrigeration cycle including a compressor of a variable capacity type for compressing a refrigerant and an evaporator for evaporating the compressed refrigerant. A driving source is connected to the compressor through a clutch movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A first detector detects pressure of the refrigerant evaporated by the evaporator to generate a signal. A second detector detects temperature relating to a cooling condition of the evaporator to generate a signal. A capacity control unit controls a discharge capacity of the compressor so as to cause the pressure detected by the first detector to approach an aimed pressure.

Abstract: A product dispenser is provided which discourages theft of the products contained by the dispenser by the consuming public yet quickly and easily delivers the product to a salesclerk to make a sale to a consumer. The compartment unit of the dispenser which stores the products cooperates with the shell of the dispenser to prevent direct access to the product. The compartment unit can be extended from the shell to make the compartments of the compartment unit accessible to a store clerk to stack products in or remove products from the compartments. Apparatus is provided to permit a store clerk to make an entry on a console which causes apparatus within the dispenser to eject the desired product and deliver it to the store clerk. Electronic controls can be provided to store information relating to the dispensing of products by the dispenser to aid in the control of inventory by the store owner.

Abstract: A steam generator wrapper closure and a method of installing the same includes a plug member (108) which includes a large diameter portion (110) and a small diameter portion (112) with an annular shoulder portion (114) defined therebetween. A locking pawl (124) is rotatably mounted upon the plug (108) through means of its shaft (122). A pawl shaft extension rod (154) and a handle (150) are utilized to manipulate the pawl (124) and the plug (108) from a position external to the steam generator outer shell (16). The axis of the pawl shaft (122) is radially offset with repect to the axis of the plug (108), and the diametrical extent of the pawl (124) is less than that of the small diameter portion (112) of the plug (108).

Abstract: A furnace arrangement utilizes a single vertically disposed shaft furnace incorporating the features of pellet drying and hardening, oxidizing heat-up, reducing roast and gas separation. The upper portion of the furnace dries and hardens "green" pellets while at the same time subjecting them to an oxidizing atmosphere and temperature increase. A stack of the pellets slowly moves downwardly through a transistion zone to a reducing atmosphere in a lower portion of the furnace. A heated reducing gas circulates through this lower portion and out of the furnace through a recovery system of the furnace arrangement. After the sublimate carried by the reducing gas is removed, the reducing gas is supplemented and returned to the lower portion of the furnace to again produce a reducing atmosphere. A smaller branch of cooled reducing gas enters the lower portion of the furnace adjacent the bottom to cool the pellet residue immediately prior to removal from the furnace.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dehydrating a metal hydroxide sludge, including depositing the concentrated metal hydroxide sludge containing approximately 60-80% water into a feed hopper, breaking up the concentrated sludge with rotary beaters and preferably a rotary breaker bar, then transferring the broken sludge through a feed auger to an elongated dehydrater chamber in which the sludge is conveyed longitudinally along the dehydrater chamber by a dryer auger continuously in contact with a longitudinally flowing hot gas. The moisture-laden hot gas is exhausted from the outlet end of the dehydrater chamber while the dryed sludge is deposited through a discharge port.

Abstract: A cartridge boiler designed for use in multiples in a furnace, each cartridge boiler having a vertically oriented cylindrical drum top and bottom with hemispherical end caps, with a plurality of free-expansion boiler tubes having internal feed water supply tubes depending in a cluster through the bottom end cap. The supply tubes are gravity fed by an open feed water pan within the drum, the feed water supply being controlled by a boiler level monitoring device. The boilers are used in multiples to generate the steam required, the relative small size of individual cartridge boiler being designed to minimize fabrication costs by minimizing drum diameters, and maximize system performance by allowing select cartridge replacement without system shutdown.

Abstract: A resource recovery utility is provided comprising a landfill having a continuous wall surrounding the perimeter thereof and a containment structure extending completely over the landfill affixed to the continuous wall. Refuse can be introduced into the landfill and compacted therein and at least a portion of the compacted refuse can be removed therefrom. Methane generated by anaerobic bacterial digestion of organic materials contained in the refuse can be removed and recovered.

Abstract: A furnace having a fire box at one end of a multi-unit cell boiler receives combustible refuse and delivers hot combustion gases through passages between water cells of the multi-unit cell boiler. The combustion gases enter an exhaust stack at the far end of the boiler after giving up most of their contained heat to the water circulating through the cells. Simultaneously, water flows through the base of the boiler on a circuitous path from its end adjacent to the exhaust stack toward the furnace and through cooling walls of the furnace and then through a holding tank to a pump which delivers the water to a header communicating with the cells of the boiler unit most distant from the furnace. The water being pumped into the cells is preheated to boost the thermal efficiency of the boiler. Steam generated in the boiler enters a steam header connected with the cell boiler unit nearest the furnace.

Abstract: A fluidized bed steam generator with a bottom supported furnace wall structure (14) and a top supported gas pass structure (22). A gas tight expansion joint (26) joins the two structures. Convection heating surface (74,76) is supported (80) within the gas pass below the expansion joint, whereby an expansion joint of relatively low temperature design may be used.

Abstract: A multistage evaporation boiling equipment is disclosed in the form of a single unit, each stage operating at a different pressure. Two or more bundle type heat exchanger units are horizontally positioned along a central column, part of which units protrude from the column. Attached to the protruding part of each unit is a flange which is covered by a sealing tube wall. A cover over a passageway communicating with this sealing tube wall provides a second seal. One or more walls inside the column separate the heat exchanger units. Openings, which may hold a choke means, are found in the separating wall to control passage of vapor.