Abstract: An improved apparatus particularly well adapted for installing a liner within a service pipe having an access end and a terminal end, the liner having a part which is everted and then inflated by the insertion of a fluid thereinto, the fluid being thus inserted by way of a conduit movable into the everted liner part by sliding through the eversion apparatus, the apparatus being further provided with appropriately located winches for controlling the movement of that part into and out of the service pipe.

Abstract: In a tube eversion apparatus having a chamber in which eversion pressure is produced, that pressure is controllably sealed by providing curtain means communicating with the chamber through which the eversion tube slides and by providing inflatable means, preferably one on each side of the curtain means, which when inflated is caused to press against the curtain means, thereby to press the curtain means against the eversion tube sliding therethrough so as to produce the seal which maintains the eversion pressure in the chamber. A pair of sets of such inflatable means may be mounted on the apparatus one above the other with the individual sets of inflatable means being individually controlled, thus producing not only redundancy of the sealing means but also permitting enlarged or discontinuous portions of the eversion tube assembly to pass through the sealing means without interfering with the seal produced thereby.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sewage sludge treatment system resulting in an oxygenated and/or ozonated treated sludge containing substantially no pathogens. The system includes apparatus and a process for mascerating raw sludge, adjusting the pH to about 2.5 to about 3, adjusting the solids content to about 2.5% to about 4%, adjusting the temperature, if necessary, to about 20.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C., mixing an oxygen-rich gas, such as oxygen and/or ozone with the sludge as the sludge is mixed or recirculated through a hyperbaric vessel and simultaneously injecting the oxygen-rich gas into a combination gas and sludge mixing and dispersing assembly in an upper portion of the hyperbaric vessel. Such injection causes mixing of the gas and sludge and dispersement of such mixture in a plurality of streams to atomize and oxygenate the sludge.

Abstract: A remotely controlled locator material dispensing apparatus for use within a conduit having an axis to mark specific conduit locations for later identification. The apparatus includes a control device located outside of the conduit for generating a plurality of control signals for controlling the operation of the locator material dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus includes a first structural unit having a source of locator material to be dispensed onto an interior surface of the conduit. The first structural unit is connected to the control device for receiving the control signals therefrom, and for dispensing the locator material from the first structural unit onto the interior surface of the conduit in accordance with the received control signals. A monitor is positioned within the conduit for locating the specific conduit locations and monitoring the dispensing of the locator material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sewage sludge treatment system resulting in an oxygenated and/or ozonated treated sludge containing substantially no pathogens. The system includes apparatus and a process for mascerating raw sludge, adjusting the pH to about 2.5 to about 3, adjusting the solids content to about 2.5% to about 4%, adjusting the temperature, if necessary, to about 20.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C., mixing an oxygen-rich gas, such as oxygen and/or ozone with the sludge as the sludge is mixed or recirculated through a hyperbaric vessel and simultaneously injecting the oxygen-rich gas into a combination gas and sludge mixing and dispersing assembly in an upper portion of the hyperbaric vessel. Such injection causes mixing of the gas and sludge and dispersement of such mixture in a plurality of streams to atomize and oxygenate the sludge.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing a liner within a service pipe having an access end and a terminal end wherein the terminal end is transversely connected to a main pipe for allowing fluid to flow therebetween. The apparatus includes a flexible tubular member having a leading end and a trailing end. The leading end includes a flexible retainer secured thereto for being positioned within the main pipe proximate the service pipe terminal end. The flexible tubular member is impregnated with a thermosetting resin which cures after the flexible tubular member is positioned within the service pipe. Guiding and forcing members are provided for positioning the flexible tubular member within the service pipe such that the flexible retainer is seated within the main pipe proximate the service pipe terminal end and the trailing end is positioned proximate the service pipe access end.

Abstract: A remotely controlled locator material dispensing apparatus for use within a conduit having an axis to mark specific conduit locations for later identification. The apparatus includes a control device located outside of the conduit for generating a plurality of control signals for controlling the operation of the locator material dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus includes a first structural unit having a source of locator material to be dispensed onto an interior surface of the conduit. The first structural unit is connected to the control device for receiving the control signals therefrom, and for dispensing the locator material from the first structural unit onto the interior surface of the conduit in accordance with the received control signals. A monitor is positioned within the conduit for locating the specific conduit locations and monitoring the dispensing of the locator material.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for treating sewage sludge in a hyperbaric vessel in which the sludge is oxygenated by injecting an oxygen-rich gas into the sewage sludge and then dispersing the mixture of sludge and oxygen-rich gas into the upper portion of a hyperbaric vessel for further interaction with an oxygen-rich atmosphere. The oxygen-rich gas is injected into the sewage sludge by delivering the gas to a combination gas and sludge mixing and dispersing assembly. The gas and sludge are mixed within a plurality of channels formed in the assembly before the mixture is dispersed from the channels.

Abstract: A remotely controlled, hydraulically operated cutter apparatus for use in a conduit includes control panel for generating a plurality of control signals for controlling the operation and a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. Valves are provided for receiving both the pressurized fluid and the control signals, and for distributing the received fluid in accordance with the received control signals. A hydraulically powered cutter motor located within the conduit and including a cutting tool receives hydraulic fluid from the valves for driving the cutting tool. The cutter motor is supported within the conduit by a structural unit. A first hydraulically actuated cylinder is included for receiving hydraulic fluid from the valves and for centering and holding the structural unit in a fixed axial position within the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a generally flexible cable to one end of a generally flexible tubular pipe liner which has been impregnated with a thermosetting resin comprises a reinforcing member for reinforcing the liner end to distribute any tension exerted by the liner on the cable. A portion of the liner proximate the one end of the liner is flattened, with the interior liner surfaces interengaging to close the one end and to establish two generally flat liner end portion sides, the flattened liner end portion including a plurality of openings extending therethrough from side to side, the reinforcing member being secured to both sides of the flattened liner end portion. The reinforcing member includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough, the reinforcing member openings being in registry with the liner end portion openings. Fasteners extend through the registered openings in the liner end portion and in the reinforcing members for securing the reinforcing member to the liner end portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in a sewage sludge treatment system comprising a hyperbaric vessel including sludge inlet means for conveying sludge to the vessel to be accumulated in a lower portion of the vessel, a sludge delivery means having a discharge end for delivering sludge particles from the lower portion to an upper portion of the vessel, oxygen inlet means for delivering oxygen to the upper portion of the vessel to oxygenate the sludge particles at a hyperatmospheric pressure therein, the oxygenated particles falling to and being collected in the lower portion of the vessel, gas outlet means for removing gas from the upper portion of the vessel, a sludge outlet means for rapidly removing the oxygenated sludge from the lower portion of the vessel using the pressurized oxygen as a propellant, the sludge outlet means comprising a discharge pipe connected to the lower portion of the vessel for conducting sludge to a separation apparatus, and a rapidly opening valve means controll

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for installing a flexible tubular liner into a pipe. The apparatus comprises means for defining a pressurized region for inserting the liner into the pipe and an insertion conduit, having an entry end and exit end connected to the means defining the pressurized region. Means are provided on the exit end of the insertion conduit for sealing, clamping the leading end of the liner to the exit end of the insertion conduit and for creating an fluid tight seal between the liner and the insertion conduit. A first feed control mean is provided for substantially continuously controlling the feed rate of the liner as one portion of the liner is inserted into the pipe. The feed control means comprises a conveyor means having a slack conveyor belt, an idler nip roller assembly, including nip rollers juxtaposed in a line space relationship to the conveyor means and means for controlling the speed of movement of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A self-contained, transportable apparatus for inserting a flexible liner having a leading end and a trailing end into a pipe comprises an inversion means or insertion conduit, and means for sealingly clamping the leading end of the liner with a fluid tight seal to the insertion conduit or inversion means. A conveyer means having an entry end and an exit end is provided for conveying the liner to the insertion conduit or inversion means. In one embodiment, the conveyer means is comprised of a single conveyer which is movable between a generally horizontally oriented transport position and a generally sloped operating position. Another embodiment of the invention comprises two separate conveyers aligned in end-to-end relation, the two conveyers being movable between a transport position in which both conveyers are generally horizontally oriented, and an operating position in which the distal ends of the conveyers are higher than the remainder of the conveyers.

Abstract: Provided in an apparatus for sewage treatment is an improvement including, a recycling means for recycling gas from the upper portion of a vessel through a pumping means to pressurize the gas and into a second dispersing means, a second dispersing means comprising means for enabling a stream of pressurized gas from a plurality of gas dispersing nozzle assemblies to impinge upon a major portion of sludge being channeled from a first sludge dispersing means and to divide and disperse sludge particles within the upper portion of the vessel to become oxygenated as they interact with oxygen in the upper portion of the vessel, and to enable the oxygenated particles to fall to an to be collected in the lower portion of the vessel, each nozzle assembly directing a stream of the pressurized gas toward one outlet of a channeling means of the first dispersing means, the outlets of the first sludge dispersing means being arranged radially about the first sludge dispersing means, the nozzle assemblies being arranged radia

Abstract: A remotely controlled, hydraulically operated cutter apparatus for use within a conduit includes a control for generating a plurality of control signals for controlling the operation of a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. Valves are provided for receiving both the pressurized fluid and the control signals and for distributing the received fluid in accordance with the received control signals. A hydraulically powered cutter motor located within the conduit and including a cutter tool receives the hydraulic fluid from the valves for driving the cutter tool. The cutter motor is supported within the conduit by supporting members. A first hydraulically actuated cylinder is included for receiving hydraulic fluid from the valves and for holding the supporting members in a fixed axial position within the conduit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating sewage sludge in which the sludge is conveyed to a vessel having an oxygen-rich atmosphere. The sludge is channelled through a first dispersing means to a plurality of second dispersing means by which it is dispersed throughout the oxygen-rich atmosphere where it is completely oxygenated. Preferably, the first dispersing means comprises separable components which define the channelling means. Preferably, the second dispersing means are aligned with the channelling means and either arranged around the inner periphery of the vessel, or attached to the first dispersing means.

Abstract: A manual video game controller having a joy stick or equivalent is stabilized by a surrounding structure which supports the same. The transverse dimensions of the stabilizer are substantially greater than the height thereof. Filler material is inserted into the stabilizer shell to add weight to the stabilizer. Flowable hardenable glue is also inserted to compensate for shrinkage of the fill material and plug the fill hole in the stabilizer shell.

Abstract: A remotely controlled hydraulically operated cleaner apparatus for use in cleaning the interior of a conduit or pipe comprises a control means located outside of the conduit for generating control signals for controlling the operation of the cleaner apparatus. A source of pressurized hydraulic fluid is connected to valve means for receiving and distributing hydraulic fluid in accordance with control signals received from the control means. The apparatus further includes a housing containing a hydraulically powered motor adapted to receive hydraulic fluid from the valve means. An adjustable cleaner tool means is provided for cooperating with the motor for rotation relative to the conduit, the cleaner tool means being adjustable in order to maintain engagement with the interior walls of the conduit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for treating sewage sludge in which the sludge preferably has its pH adjusted to an acidic range. Then the sludge is conveyed to a vessel having an oxygen-rich atmosphere. The sludge is channelled through two different dispersing means by which it is comminuted and dispersed throughout the oxygen-rich atmosphere where it is completely oxygenated. To assure that the sludge is completely oxygenated, preferably it is caused to travel through two separate angles in the oxygen-rich atmosphere, each being greater than 90 degrees.

Abstract: An envelope opener comprising first, second and third shear stations for shearing three edges of an envelope in sequence one edge at a time. Each shear station sequentially aligns the envelope by contacting the edge to be sheared, shears the contacted edge, and then releases the envelope. A microcomputer monitors the advance of the envelope through and between the shear stations and causes the shear stations to cyclically align, shear and release the envelope. A peel back station downstream of the shear station peels back a panel of the envelope to expose the contents thereof. If an envelope is jammed at or between any of the stations, the microcomputer actuates a display to indicate a jam condition. The microcomputer also shuts off power to the opener to prevent damage to the envelope.