Abstract: An improved airlock valve is shown which is used to pass a particulate solid from a first pressure environment to a second, different pressure environment. The valve includes an inlet chamber for receiving particulate solids entering at a first pressure and has an outlet chamber for receiving particulate solids passing from the inlet chamber. The outlet chamber has a discharge opening which communicates with a second pressure environment which is different from the first pressure environment. At least one baffle divides the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. Compressed air is supplied to the lower regions of the inlet and outlet chambers by means of a supply tube having downwardly facing apertures in order to fluidize the particulate solids.

Abstract: An electrical kitchen appliance, such as a garbage disposal unit, is operated by providing a pneumatically actuated switch which prevents the user from being shocked due to the presence of water in the area. The pneumatic switch can be moved between an on and an off position so that electrical current is supplied or cut off from the appliance. A non-electrically conductive air conduit is connected to the switch and leads to a remote location from the appliance. A bellows is supplied at the remote location and forces air through the conduit to the pneumatic switch, switching the appliance on or off. Because the bellows is not electrically connected to the switch and is located at remote distance, electrical shock due to the presence of water is eliminated.

Abstract: The waste sands are passed to a calcining chamber having a floor, connecting sidewalls and a top. The floor of the calcining chambers provided with a plurality of vents. The calcining chambers also connected to a separate firebox which produces fluidizing hot gases for fluidizing waste sands within the calcining chamber and forming a fluidized sand bed. The fluidizing hot gases are introduced into the calcining chamber by means of the floor vents. By precisely controlling the temperature of the waste sands within the fluidized bed, a more consistent product is produced while maintaining the temperature of the waste sands below a critical temperature at which the organic binders present on the sand grains would be fused to the waste sand grains.

Abstract: A method is shown for removing minute traces of thermally fused foundry bonding clays from foundry sands reclaimed by a thermal sand reclaimer. The sand grains are passed to a dual fluid bed sand cooler-scrubber having sparge tubes for fluidizing air distribution, finned water cooling tubes and baffle plates for directing sand travel across the tube banks. The fluidized bed extends under a series of dry scrubber cells where the sand grains are hurled through blast tubes toward target plates by blast nozzles. Air current created within the interior of the device creates a controlled negative atmosphere which carries off unwanted traces of oxides and clays, as well as unwanted fine sand grains. The sand grains which are suitable for reuse are captured and deflected into a discharge section of the fluid bed where they flow over a weir by gravity and are discharged for re-use.

Abstract: Hazardous substances are separated from used foundry sand by means of a triple fluid bed thermal reactor, second stage sand cooler and third stage pneumatic attrition scrubber. Temperatures in each of the reactor's beds are precisely controlled, depending upon the nature of the sand being treated, so that hazardous substances can be separated and disposed of, rather than fixing the substances onto the sand grains in insoluble form.

Abstract: An improved filter bag assembly is shown for use in a filter bag housing having a plurality of filter bags, each of the filter bags being anchored at a lower end and being suspended within the bag housing in a tensioned relation by an upper end thereof. A bag spring is provided having a central coil, and a pair of angularly arranged spring sides extending outwardly from the coil. A hanger bracket is used to suspend the bag spring by engaging a selected spring side and the opposite spring side is engaged by a flexible strap attached to the bag upper end. The bag spring is tensionable between tensed and relaxed positions by applying force to the flexible strap free end, whereby relaxing the spring serves to tense the filter bag.

Abstract: An improved filter bag assembly is shown for use in a filter bag house having a plurality of filter bags, each of the filter bags being anchored at a lower end and being suspended within the bag house in tensioned relation by an upper end thereof. A bag spring is attached at one side to the bag upper end and has an opposite spring side. The bag spring is tensionable between tensed and relaxed positions. A flexible strap is provided having a spring engaging end attached to the bag spring opposite spring side and has a free end. A hanger is suspended within the filter house and the flexible strap free end is engageable with the hanger when the spring is tensed whereby relaxing the spring serves to tense the filter bag.Preferably the bag spring is a butterfly-shaped member having a central, helical coil and a pair of angularly arranged spring sides extending outwardly from the coil.