Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing a data stream. Errors are concealed in the data stream by detecting loss or interruption of data delivery and signalling decoders to invoke error concealment.

Abstract: This invention is an automatic gunnery system, responsive to airborne acoustic shock waves produced by a projectile passing through a target area. The invention relates specifically to the "hit" location of the said projectile for the condition when the flight path of the projectile is not perpendicular to the target area. Two pairs of concentric curved elongated acoustic energy conductors (curved sensor rods) are located adjacent to one side of said target area with acoustic transducers attached to the end portions thereof. Said transducers produce an electrical signal when a shock wave from the projectile reaches them through said energy conductors. Electrical signals from the transducers are connected to electronic circuitry and a calculating computer which calculates the intersection of two circles and determines the location of each "hit" on or near the target with each "hit" registered on a graphical display means.

Abstract: A hydraulic boom stop for a crane that permits operation at angles greater than the normal maximum operating boom angle of the crane boom. The hydraulic boom stop has at least one hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic control system that is user controlled. The user controls the hydraulic fluid pressure to a boom control valve that in turn regulates the movement of the boom. As the hydraulic cylinder ram moves, the hydraulic fluid displaced by the ram provides a back pressure in the boom control valve that opposes and slows the continued upward or downward movement of the boom. The back pressure bleeds off through restricting valves in the communication lines. A relief valve in communication with the line associated with the inward movement of the ram releases the pressure in that line when it attains a predetermined value. In this way, the ram movement is less rigid and the hydraulic cylinder acts as an effective damper of impact forces. The user also controls the outward movement of the ram.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the type adapted to pump high consistency fiber suspensions includes impeller vanes having portions which are immediately adjacent the fiber suspension in the interior of a vessel from which the suspension is to be pumped. The pump additionally includes a sideplate which is mounted directly to the vessel containing the fiber suspension so as to permit the impeller of the pump-to be brought in close proximity to the fiber suspension in the vessel. The sideplate additionally includes elongated portions that extend along the outer contour of the vanes of the impeller to determine the directions from which fiber suspension enters the impeller of the pump.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the type adapted to pump high consistency fiber suspensions includes impeller vanes having portions which are immediately adjacent the fiber suspension in the interior of a vessel from which the suspension is to be pumped. The pump additionally includes a sideplate which is mounted directly to the vessel containing the fiber suspension so as to permit the impeller of the pump to be brought in close proximity to the fiber suspension in the vessel. The sideplate additionally includes elongated portions that extend along the outer contour of the vanes of the impeller to determine the directions from which fiber suspension enters the impeller of the pump.

Abstract: A method for attachment to an overhead crane for removing the bearing assembly from a vertical centrifugal pump system without removing the motor. The apparatus includes a rigid C-shaped frame which is attached by a pulley to an overhead crane and also includes a pivotal attachment on the opposite end of the frame which is removably connected to the bearing assembly. Intermediate and vertically aligned with the ends of the frame is a horizontal displacement control member which is removably connected to the bearing assembly at a point vertically above the pivotal attachment. Horizontal displacement of the horizontal displacement control member will cause a rotating of the bearing assembly about the pivotal attachment allowing clearance and lateral removal of the bearing assembly from the vertical pump system.

Abstract: A dynamic shaft seal for a fluid handling apparatus for pumping fibrous slurries, the fluid handling apparatus comprising an impeller mounted on a rotating shaft disposed in a pump housing, the shaft extending through an aperture extending from the pump housing into an impeller casing forming part of the pump housing. Prime mover means rotate the shaft. A slurry of a dispersed fibrous material in a fluid is disposed in the impeller casing, and a repeller chamber is formed in the pump housing in proximity to the aperture and in communication with the impeller casing. A repeller attached for rotation with the shaft extends into the repeller chamber to force a portion of the fluid in the impeller casing to move in a vortex in a direction away from the aperture. The invention includes means associated with the repeller to apply shear forces to the fluid vortex, and create circulatory flow within the vortex to maintain the dispersion of the fibrous material in the slurry.

Abstract: A method of applying a liquid coating material to the inside of a tank(10) and performing a hydrostatic pressure test on the tank at the same time. The method is useable for applying a liquid vitreous enamel coating material to a water heater tank, to be subsequently dried and furnace heated to form a glazed enamel internal coating. Preferably the hydrostatic pressure test is performed by displacing coating material from a portion(68) of an accumulator(51) by pumping liquid into a flexible bladder(66) housed in the accumulator. Pressure from pump(76) is transmitted to the tank(10 by the liquid coating material and held for a prescribed time interval to prove tank integrity. The method avoids excessive shear, hence viscosity changes in thixotropic coating materials.

Abstract: A flow directing device is provided for a fluid filled seal chamber for a centrifugal fluid pump, wherein the pump includes a seal chamber housing, a rotary shaft extending through the housing, an impeller mounted on one end of the shaft, and a rotary seal mounted about the shaft. The rotary shaft and housing define the seal chamber opening toward the impeller. A plurality of angled vanes radially depend about a circumferential portion of the seal chamber to direct the flow of fluid in the seal chamber along the rotary shaft to remove suspended solids from the rotary seal when the vanes extend in one direction, and to remove vapor bubbles from adjacent the rotary seal when the vanes extend in another direction and are coupled with a bulkhead flange.

Abstract: An apparatus for attachment to an overhead crane for removing the bearing assembly from a vertical centrifugal pump system without removing the motor. The apparatus includes a rigid C-shaped frame which is attached by a pulley to an overhead crane and also includes a pivotal attachment on the opposite end of the frame which is removably connected to the bearing assembly. Intermediate and vertically aligned with the ends of the frame is a horizontal displacement control member which is removably connected to the bearing assembly at a point vertically above the pivotal attachment. Horizontal displacement of the horizontal displacement control member will cause a rotating of the bearing assembly about the pivotal attachment allowing clearance and lateral removal of the bearing assembly from the vertical pump system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal pump particularly adapted for pumping fibrous suspensions from within a reservoir, wherein the pump includes a rotor arranged wholly within the reservoir for cooperation with the bottom wall thereof to effect fluidization of suspension and discharge of the fluidized suspension from the reservoir for passage through the pump, wherein an entrained gas, such as air, is withdrawn from the pump by means of a unique pump-out mechanism disposed rearwardly of a shroud of an impeller of the pump and including pump-out vanes and a repeller shroud cooperating with the impeller shroud and pump-out vanes to define radially opening flow paths, wherein flow openings extend across the impeller shroud for flow communication with the radially opening flow paths. The mechanism may also include repeller vanes carried by the repeller shroud to extend rearwardly of pump-out vanes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal pump of the type adapted for use in pumping multiple phase liquids, i.e. liquids having entrained gas and liquids having both entrained gas and solids. The pump includes means for effecting an initial separation of gas from the liquid, as by centrifugal action, and a final separation by means of a unique pump-out mechanism disposed rearwardly of a shroud of an impeller of the pump and including pump-out vanes and a repeller shroud cooperating with the impeller shroud and pump-out vanes to define radially opening flow paths, wherein flow openings extend across the impeller shroud for flow communication with the radially opening flow paths. The mechanism may also include repeller vanes carried by the repeller shroud to extend rearwardly of pump-out vanes.

Abstract: A tape transport front panel is adjustable to position the controls conveniently for operators in various positions.

Abstract: The invention provides a hitch intended especially as a bumper hitch for automobiles and employing a pair of adjustable-length chains to connect the hitch to the bumper. The two chains are connected to the arms of a centrally-pivoted, two-armed lever and the lever pivot is moved backwards by a cam to tighten them simultaneously, with the lever pivoting to take up inequalities. The cam pivots about the lever pivot and engages a reaction member to produce the tightening movement, the cam having a "dead" position on tightening so that it will not move voluntarily out of that position. The hitches can be used in pairs on a transverse trailer-ball carrying bar which extends through the hitch bodies and also constitutes the reaction member for each hitch cam. The hitches are retained on the bar and slide freely thereon until the cam is moved to the tightened position, when it also locks the respective hitch in transverse position on the bar by its reaction engagement with the bar.