Abstract: An omni direction vehicle with a frame having a round surface about its perimeter with no apparatus mounted on the frame extending beyond the perimeter. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the frame are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the frame. Each wheel is powered independently of the other and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The vehicle is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The vehicle can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the vehicle requires a zero turning radius and requires only the space it occupies to change its forward orientation.

Abstract: An omni direction vehicle with a frame having a round surface about its perimeter with no apparatus mounted on the frame extending beyond the perimeter. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the frame are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the frame. Each wheel is powered independently of the other and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The vehicle is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The vehicle can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the vehicle requires a zero turning radius and requires only the space it occupies to change its forward orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for proportionally injecting a liquid chemical into a fluid stream using a portion of said fluid stream as motive force for a chemical injection pump. The apparatus includes a paired single or double acting reciprocating injection pump and driver with the driver piston(s) having a surface area of three times the surface area of the injection piston(s). The portion of the fluid stream is passed through a prime mover to the pump and then discharged to atmosphere. A fluid product flow meter generates a signal which controls the cycling of the reciprocating pump.

Abstract: An omni direction vehicle with a frame having a round surface about its perimeter with no apparatus mounted on the frame extending beyond the perimeter. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the frame are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the frame. Each wheel is powered independently of the other and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The vehicle is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The vehicle can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the vehicle requires a zero turning radius and requires only the space it occupies to change its forward orientation.

Abstract: A metering pump that is capable of delivering a constant, rate of fluid over a wide range of viscosities at infinitely variable delivery rates. Two identical pumping chambers are provided with one operating in the suction mode, and the other in the discharge mode with each cylinder switching modes at each pumping cycle, thereby providing continuous delivery of fluid in and out of the pump. The displacement of the chamber is large in order to facilitate operation at a very slow cycle speed of only one to four reciprocations per minute. The fluid valves are mechanically operated providing for positive sealing thus enabling the pump to operate at very slow speeds without leakage.

Abstract: An omni direction vehicle with a frame having a round surface about its perimeter with no apparatus mounted on the frame extending beyond the perimeter. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the frame are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the frame. Each wheel is powered independently of the other and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The vehicle is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The vehicle can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the vehicle requires a zero turning radius and requires only the space it occupies to change its forward orientation.

Abstract: An omni direction vehicle with a frame having a round surface about its perimeter with no apparatus mounted on the frame extending beyond the perimeter. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the frame are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the frame. Each wheel is powered independently of the other and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The vehicle is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The vehicle can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the vehicle requires a zero turning radius and requires only the space it occupies to change its forward orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stabilizing and preserving water soluble solid chemical used in erosion feeders for sanitizing water. Outside ambient air is forced through the chemical stored in a feeder chamber. Depending on the temperature of outside ambient air, the air may be heated before being introduced into the feeder.

Abstract: A system for automatic control of dissolution rates of chemical tablets for water purification for constant flow rate systems. The system includes a treating unit which does not depend upon variable flow rates of water to obtain predetermined variable concentrations of purifying chemical solution. The system includes sensors and a computer for generating control signals to the treating unit for automatically varying the chemical dissolution rate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dissolving chemical tablets for creating a variable rate of chemical dissolution in a stream of constant flow rate of untreated liquid, especially water. The apparatus includes a housing in which a container is placed. The container includes a sieve plate or perforated grid which separates the container into an upper chamber in which chemical tablets are stored and a lower mixing chamber. A collection reservoir is defined in an annular outside the container wall and inside of the housing. Several arrangements are illustrated by which a vortex of liquid is generated of controllable variable intensity in the lower or mixing chamber thereby creating uneven liquid pressure beneath the perforated grid as a function of radial distance. As a result, fluid passes aggressively through outer radial perforations or holes in the grid and which impinge on the chemical tablets stacked on the grid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stabilizing and preserving water soluble solid chemical used in erosion feeders for sanitizing water. Outside ambient air is forced through the chemical stored in a feeder chamber. Depending on the temperature of outside ambient air, the air may be heated before being introduced into the feeder.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dissolving chemical tablets for creating a variable rate of chemical dissolution in a stream of constant flow rate of untreated liquid, especially water. The apparatus includes a housing in which a container is placed. The container includes a sieve plate or perforated grid which separates the container into an upper chamber in which chemical tablets are stored and a lower mixing chamber. A collection reservoir is defined in an annular outside the container wall and inside of the housing. Several arrangements are illustrated by which a vortex of liquid is generated of controllable variable intensity in the lower or mixing chamber thereby creating uneven liquid pressure beneath the perforated grid as a function of radial distance. As a result, fluid passes aggressively through outer radial perforations or holes in the grid and which impinge on the chemical tablets stacked on the grid.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dissolving chemical tablets for creating a variable rate of chemical dissolution in a stream of constant flow rate of untreated liquid, especially water. The apparatus includes a housing in which a container is placed. The container includes a sieve plate or perforated grid which separates the container into an upper chamber in which chemical tablets are stored and a lower mixing chamber. A collection reservoir is defined in an annular outside the container wall and inside of the housing. Several arrangements are illustrated by which a vortex of liquid is generated of controllable variable intensity in the lower or mixing chamber thereby creating uneven liquid pressure beneath the perforated grid as a function of radial distance. As a result, fluid passes aggressively through outer radial perforations or holes in the grid and which impinge on the chemical tablets stacked on the grid.

Abstract: An omni direction vehicle with a frame having a round surface about its perimeter with no apparatus mounted on the frame extending beyond the perimeter. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the frame are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the frame. Each wheel is powered independently of the other and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The vehicle is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The vehicle can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the vehicle requires a zero turning radius and requires only the space it occupies to change its forward orientation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dissolving chemical tablets for creating a variable rate of chemical dissolution in a stream of constant flow rate of untreated liquid, especially water. The apparatus includes a housing in which a container is placed. The container includes a sieve plate or perforated grid which separates the container into an upper chamber in which chemical tablets are stored and a lower mixing chamber. A collection reservoir is defined in an annular outside the container wall and inside of the housing. Several arrangements are illustrated by which a vortex of liquid is generated of controllable variable intensity in the lower or mixing chamber thereby creating uneven liquid pressure beneath the perforated grid as a function of radial distance. As a result, fluid passes aggressively through outer radial perforations or holes in the grid and which impinge on the chemical tablets stacked on the grid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dissolving various forms of chemicals in solid material form into a liquid solution is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fluid reservoir to which an ultrasonic generating device is attached, capable of creating an acoustic wave that induces alternating compression and rarefaction fronts that react with microscopic inclusions in the liquid to produce cavitation. The cavitation phenomenon works on microscopic inclusions or bubbles or entrained air and or vapor of the liquid. The release of energy during this process causes solids held together by binders to become separated and be blended into solution at a consistent and predictable rate. The chemical to be supplied may be in solid form either in a pelletized or granular form arranged in a vertical column with only the lower portion of the column submerged in the solution with the level of submersion being adjustable.

Abstract: A system for injecting an additive within a fuel storage tank or the fuel tank (10) of a vehicle (12) including an additive injector (22) mounted within the tubular inlet (14) of the fuel tank (10). The additive injector (22) includes an additive pump (46) driven by impeller blades (50) on an end of a pump shaft (48). The fuel discharged from the fuel nozzle (58) strikes the blades (50) to rotate the impeller (47) of pump (46) for dispensing the additive. The additive container (51) has an additive line (56) extending to a pump (46) for the supply of additive thereto for discharge from additive nozzle (54) into the flowing fuel stream. The additive is blended with the flowing fuel stream when discharged. The additive injector (22) may be utilized as a retrofit unit on an existing fuel tank by the removal of fuel tank cap (18) and the insertion of additive dispenser (22) within the tubular inlet (14).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing a flexible bag (54B) containing dry particulate material within a hopper (25B) for dispensing of the dry particulate material from the hopper (25B) through a lower discharge opening into a mixing chamber for the mixing of the dry particulate material with a liquid as shown particularly in the embodiment of FIGS. 9-11. An inflatable seal (49B) is mounted within the hopper (25B) about the receiving opening (14B). A pre-packaged flexible cylindrical bag (54B) has a rigid support member (59B) inserted therein prior to filling with dry particulate material. The upper end of bag (54A) is sealed upon the filling of bag (54B) with the dry particulate material. Upon insertion of the pre-packaged flexible bag (54B) within hopper (14B) the rigid support member (59B) is positioned in opposed relation to inflatable seal (49B).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for injecting dry particulate material into a fluid flow line including a removable material supply unit (18) having an outer rigid container (55) and a sealed flexible bag (54) for the dry particulate material. The removable material supply unit (18) is mounted on a container support (13) above a mixing chamber (12) with a valve member (40) controlling the flow or dispensing of the dry particulate material into the mixing chamber (12). A pump (32) when energized exerts a vacuum in the mixing chamber (12). Water enters the mixing chamber (12) from an elliptical discharge opening (10) tangential to mixing chamber (12) to provide a vortex. Pump (32) exerts a vacuum within the mixing chamber (12) above the level of the water so that any upward migration of moisture from the water in the mixing chamber (12) is prevented by the vacuum when pump (30) is energized.

Abstract: Apparatus for injecting dye in a fuel flow line is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fluid powered motor adapted for placement in a fuel flow line, a dye reservoir and a fluid injector connected between the reservoir and the flow line and driven by the fluid powered motor. The fluid powered motor, dye reservoir, and fluid injector are all housed within a container having a thermostatically controlled heater disposed in it. The arrangement insures that the temperature of dye applied to the fuel flow line is maintained above a certain level during cold weather, thereby preventing the viscosity of the dye from rising above a certain level and preventing clogging and fouling of the dye delivery system which may be caused by high viscosity of the dye.