Abstract: Column (1) for counter-currently contacting gas and liquid having a gas inlet and a liquid outlet arranged in its lower end and a liquid inlet and a gas outlet arranged in its upper end, which column is provided with a plurality of horizontal contact trays (5, 6, 7, 8) arranged axially spaced apart in the column (1), each contact tray (5, 6, 7, 8) being provided with gas passages and a downcomer (10, 11, 12, 13) opening below the contact tray (5, 6, 7, 8), and with a plurality of horizontal separation trays (15, 16, 17) provided with swirl tubes (20, 21, 22) and with means (29, 30, 31) for removing liquid from the separation tray (15, 16, 17), each separation tray (15, 16, 17) being arranged above a contact tray (6, 7, 8), wherein each swirl tube (20, 21, 22) is provided with an annular U-turn deflector (34, 35, 36) arranged over the upper end of the swirl tube (20, 21, 22).

Abstract: The present invention provides for a structured packing element, the element being corrugated with corrugations which form alternating peaks and troughs across the element, the corrugations having a longitudinal axis, the element having at least one band of first fluting at an angle between 0.degree. and 180.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the corrugations and at least one band of second fluting at an angle between 0.degree. and 180.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the corrugations, the first fluting being at an angle greater than zero to the second fluting. The element preferably has a plurality of holes through the element. The foregoing structured packing is suited for use in processes requiring a contact device for accomplishing mass and/or heat transfer.

Abstract: A cooling tower having a housing for forming droplets of hot water in an air stream which causes a small portion of the hot water issuing from said oscillating spray nozzles to evaporate and remove heat from the remaining water thereby cooling said remaining water. A sump collects the remaining water and returns the remaining water to the heat source. The low pressure fluidic oscillating nozzles: (a) form large sized droplets of hot water uniformly over a large area, (b) reduce the quantity of droplets of hot water that are less than 2 mm diameter, (c) issue a spray pattern that reduces aerodynamic interference with air flow from said air blower, and (d) reduce sediments getting into the spraying of said hot water. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic oscillator is a cusped island oscillator having an outlet with diverging sidewalls.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating foam for use in fire fighting having two plates housed in a chamber which respectively introduce pressurized air and water/soap solution into the space between the two plates where foam is generated and emitted from an aperture on the side of the chamber. Pressurized water/soap solution is introduced through an orifice into a small opening through one plate. Pressurized air is introduced into the other plate through a number of channels bored through the plate to an annular grove on the surface of the plate. The plates are provided with flat surfaces which are brought together to form a narrow gap. The narrow gap balances the pressure between the incoming water and the incoming air by achieving an equilibrium at some particular radius out from the center of the two plates. This equilibrium radius moves in and out from the center as necessary to keep the two pressures balanced.

Abstract: A gas/liquid interface structure for transport of a gas stream from an upstream source of same to a downstream processing unit, comprising first and second flow passage members defining an annular volume therebetween, with the second flow passage member extending downwardly to a lower elevation than the lower end of the first flow passage member, with an outer wall member enclosingly circumscribing the second flow passage member and defining therewith an enclosed interior annular volume, and with a liquid flow port in the outer wall member for introducing liquid into the enclosed interior annular volume. The second flow passage member includes an upper liquid-permeable portion in liquid flow communication with the enclosed interior annular volume, whereby liquid from such volume can "weep" through the permeable portion and form a falling liquid film on interior surface portions of the second flow passage member, as a protective liquid interface for the second flow passage member.

Abstract: An engine choke actuation system automatically controls both the opening degree of the choke and throttle valves of a plurality of charge formers during all phases of engine warmup. The engine choke actuation system also includes a manual override mechanism which allows the associated choke valves to be opened manually in case of a system malfunction.

Abstract: A perfume dispenser includes a housing, a fan and a perfume respectively mounted in the housing at different elevations and separated by a partition wall, the housing having clamping plates for mounting in louvers of an air output port of an air conditioner, a first air inlet adapted for guiding currents of air from the air conditioner into the fan chamber to turn the fan, a second air inlet adapted for guiding outside air into the perfume chamber, and a plurality of air outlets adapted for guiding air out of the fan chamber, the partition wall defining an air passage through which air passes from the perfume chamber to the fan chamber.

Abstract: An air freshening device used in conjunction with an air circulation system of a building for impregnating the air with an aromatic scent. The device comprises a combination integrally-mixed plastic and scent substance formed through a manufacturing process that produces a shape for the scent impregnating device which permits it to be removeably attached to an air filter.

Abstract: A fuel metering system comprises a throttle body 1 having an air passage 2, a throttle valve 6 mounted in the air passage, and at least one port 9-11, 13 opening into the air passage which is responsive to engine manifold vacuum to provide a negative pressure signal at a connector 12 or 14. The system also includes a repeater (FIG. 2) remote from the throttle body having a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet for delivery of fuel to the engine, and means for metering the delivery of fuel as a function of the negative pressure signal.

Abstract: A pultrudable, fiber reinforced synthetic resin multiple purpose panel for cooling towers is provided of construction such that when a series of the panels are mounted in side-by-side relationship on supporting structure of the tower, they may be used to form either a deck or wall of the tower. Each of the panels has an elongated main panel section, and two longitudinally extending end sections which project from the main panel section in the same direction. A flange extending outwardly from the outer margin of one of the end sections is adapted to receive a series of self-tapping fasteners for securing each of the panel sections to the tower supporting structure.

Abstract: A liquid vaporizing apparatus includes a container for holding a liquid at a constant temperature with a temperature adjustment unit and a gas that does not react with the liquid is bubbled through the liquid in the container to vaporize the liquid. The container for holding the liquid has an internal space above the liquid and a second temperature adjustment unit for controlling the temperature of the internal space separately from the temperature of the liquid in the container. Since the internal space is maintained at a constant temperature, higher than the temperature of the liquid, the quantity of the vaporized liquid produced is stable.

Abstract: A fluid diffuser includes an inner extruded tube and an outer extruded tube between which there is a woven fabric material tube. The diffuser includes pores formed by a non-ablative piercing process and being arranged to act as valves which are self-closing when fluid is not flowing through the diffuser. The woven fabric material is arranged to restrain diametral expansion of the inner and outer tubes and thereby restrain an increase in pore size as the pressure of fluid flowing through pores is increased. Thus, if the diffuser is used for diffusing air into water, the size of bubbles produced remains substantially constant as the pressure of air supplied to the diffuser is increased. Other diffusers are described which function in a similar manner, including a disc diffuser and tubular diffusers which are made of sheet material.

Abstract: An improved air delivering device for use in a fish raising pond is provided with a hollow shaft having a plurality of slantly drilled holes disposed thereon and connected to the output shaft of a motor. The motor is disposed on the roof of a shelter casing in which the output shaft in connection to the hollow shaft is housed. To the end of the hollow shaft is secured a sleeve having a plurality of discharge bores communicating with the hollow shaft and a blade assembly is integrally formed with the sleeve. An extensible air introducing duct in connection to the shelter casing permits air to be led into the shelter casing for mixing with water in the hollow shaft and discharged through the multiple bores into the underwater area so as to increase the oxygen content level therein.

Abstract: An evaporative humidifier includes a base having a portion defining a reservoir for holding a quantity of water. A housing is mounted on the base over the reservoir, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet. A cylindrically shaped wick filter with a permeable support is seated in the reservoir and extends up into the housing. The cylindrically shaped wick with permeable support filter has an open top end and a sidewall. A color change indicator strip is provided on the inner portion of the sidewall. The color change indicator strip provides a signal when the filter requires changing due to the extent of use and immersion of the filter in water. A fan is mounted inside the housing for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet, then into the center of the cylindrically shaped wick filter through the open top end, then out through the sidewall of the cylindrically shaped wick filter with a permeable support and then out of the housing through the air outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cross flow type cooling tower with which it is possible to prevent the emission of white vapor in cold weather with certainty. In order to accomplish the above object, the cooling tower of the present invention comprises: a heat dissipation unit having filling plates arranged vertically and parallel with each other so as to form dry air passages and moist air passages therebetween, each of the dry air passages and the moist air passages having inner surfaces; water supply means for supplying water to be cooled to the inner surfaces of the moist air passages for cooling the water by contact with air passing through the moist air passage; and water invasion stoppers provided at side ends of the filling plates for preventing the water flowing down the inner surfaces of the moist air passages from invading the dry air passages.

Abstract: A device for mixing two fluids, of which at least one is a liquid, which has a tubular vessel open on both axial ends for receiving the fluids, at least two nozzles which are separated from one another in space for supplying the fluids and a guide device one end of which communicates with the nozzles. At a location approximately in the middle of the guide device, it discharges into the vessel, the vessel surrounding at this point an impact zone in which fluid streams emerging from the guide device impact each other. The guide device is joined securely to the vessel and, one of the walls of the guide device defining a closed passage is the wall of the vessel.

Abstract: A furnace humidifier uses radial air flow through a spaced stack of annular disks rotated through a water bath to provide humidification with reduced encrustation of the water carrying surfaces from minerals in the evaporating water. The disk array is followed by a damper volume providing more uniform air flow through the disk spaces better utilizing the water on their surfaces.

Abstract: A carbonator comprising a tube cylinder having a closed and an open end. A disk is removably retained in the open end for providing access into the interior volume thereof. The disk provides for mounting thereto of water and carbon dioxide gas inlets, a carbonated water outlet, a safety relief valve and a water level sensor. A rigid retaining wire is bent into a square configuration wherein radiussed corners thereof cooperate with slots in the open end of the cylinder to retain the disk therein. Manipulation of the retaining wire provides for removal of the disk from the cylinder when the carbonator is not pressurized.

Abstract: A humidifier includes a base unit defining a reservoir for retaining a liquid. A liquid supply tank is also provided which is supported by and positionable within the base unit. The tank further includes an aperture defined by an aperture wall disposed on the top wall of the tank in order to permit the liquid to be introduced into the tank. The humidifier also includes a plug assembly having an outer diameter dimensioned for being insertable into the tank aperture. The plug assembly has a mechanism for increasing the plug's outer diameter. Such that when the plug assembly is inserted in the aperture, actuation of the mechanism for increasing the outer diameter urges the plug assembly against the aperture wall thereby sealing the aperture.

Abstract: Column tray for a mass transfer column, in particular one provided with a support ring at the circumference, which tray has support elements and tray plates arranged side by side on the support elements and having passages, in particular holes, valves or bubble caps, wherein the majority, preferably the total number, of tray plates are connected liquid-tight, preferably welded, to the support elements or the support ring, in particular in discrete area elements; the majority, preferably the total number, of support elements are connected liquid-tight, preferably welded, to one another and to the column wall or the support ring, in particular in discrete area elements; and in addition the majority, preferably the total number, of adjacent tray plates and support elements are separated from one another and from the column wall or the support ring by gaps having a width of from 1 to 15 mm, preferably from 1 to 7 mm.