Abstract: A plastic material extruder combines the features of a generally flat rotatable disc and a generally flat opposed stator. At least one of the two is heated by heating elements. The two define a processing gap into which a hopper for feeding a plastic material mixture is discharged. The rotor and the stator develop a high shear force which further heats up the processed mixture in addition to the heating delivered by the heating elements. At the center of the disc/stator assembly, an axial force developing device such as a ram or a feed screw or screws is adapted to further compress and extrude a mixture of the thermoplastic components and thermosetting components, the latter being comprised of crumbled pieces of used tires. The extruder is shown in two embodiments, one injecting the processed alloy into a mold, the other producing pellets of the processed alloy.

Abstract: Control of the roasting fluidized bed of coffee. It is governed by determining when the pyrolysis of the roasted batch is at its peak. The roasting is then stopped after a predetermined period of time. The following of the commencement of pyrolysis accurately and uniformly determines the starting period for the timing of the stoppage of the process to obtain uniform roasting result. The process is not vulnerable to variations in roasting such as moisture, temperature of the roasting air etc. Air circulation control conduit is provided with a vent port for gases and an inlet port for fresh air, the two ports can be simultaneously opened or closed while the control conduit is simultaneously closed or opened, respectively. Additional air circulation and discharge systems are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A downstream plug is disclosed of a simplified structure where a dragging disc is used at a rear end to induce the expansion of locking elements engaging the pipeline. The locking results in an expansion cone being firmly held in place and forming a solid counterpart to the elastomeric seal expanded by the cone.

Abstract: A pipeline plug is disclosed having an elastomeric disc-shaped sealing element provided with deforming means whereby the outside diameter of the elastomeric element is deformed to reduce its outside diameter to facilitate its insertion onto a pipeline. In another embodiment described, the plugging element and the deforming means are so arranged that when the deforming means act on the element, the latter is expanded into a sealing arrangement. The plugging elements are shown at one end of a spool assembly with resilient guide means to permit movement of the plug through a pipeline, but the plugging elements and their deforming means can also be used separately.

Abstract: An ice plug for defining a barrier in a pipeline section filled with water, comprises a hollow, cylindrical body enclosed at a front end and provided with guide means for sliding movement of the plug along and within the pipeline. The body has a diameter smaller than that of the pipeline to define with the latter an annular interspace enclosed at opposed axial ends of the plug. The thickness of the annular space is selected to allow free movement of the body through curves in a pipeline and to form a continuous, annular ice layer firmly engaging the inside wall of the pipeline and the outer surface of said body to thus form, together with the body, a temporary water impermeable barrier within the pipeline. A water supply system fills the interspace with process water.

Abstract: The assembly is designed to contain a leak arising from a damaged gasket positioned between the flanges of a pipe connection forming part of a pipeline carrying pressurized fluid. The assembly comprises a pair of steel half rings that are hinged together at one end so that they can be mounted to the connection in the form of a split ring. Each half ring contains an elongate seal element having an annular configuration. The ends of the half rings are lapped so that the split ring can be contracted with the ring ends overlapping. A chain and clamp assembly is tightened around the split ring to compress the seal elements into sealing engagement with the flanges. Shoulders formed by the half rings squeeze the abutting seal element ends together to effect a seal at the split ring breaks.

Abstract: A pipeline plug is disclosed wherein the rear portion of the plug is axially movable relative to the body of the plug and is provided with pipeline engaging drag inducing members. While the plug is propelled by the pipeline fluid flow, the dragging effect maintains the rear portion at its rearmost extreme. When the plug reaches its determined position in the pipeline, the reversal of flow in the pipeline is resisted by the drag means with the resulting shift of the rear portion forwardly of the plug, triggering the locking of the plug in place and subsequent expansion of the seals of the plug, all caused solely by the pressure differential generated in the pipeline to be worked upon.

Abstract: A pressure transducer is provided, in a preferred embodiment, with a pair of diaphragms (29, 28), each with a strain gauge, and with a rubber-like intermediate layer (33) therebetween. The layer (33) supports the first diaphragm (29) without interfering with its flexing up to a point where the layer (33) becomes non-resilient and transmits further flexing of the first diaphragm to the second diaphragm (28). The diameter of each diaphragm has to be about 2.75-3.75 times greater than that of its central flexing portion forming the bottom of a cavity (30) which, in the shown embodiment, is conical. The overall thickness of the diaphragm is preferably about 5 times greater than the thickness of the flexing portion to eliminate or at least substantially reduce the influence of parasitic stresses introduced by clamping forces holding the diaphragm in place.

Abstract: An engine shutdown valve comprises a substantially circular gate valve movable about an axis between open and closed positions within a valve housing mounted in an engine induction manifold. A gate lever connects the gate valve with the axis and a movement mechanism acts to move the lever between the two positions. A latching mechanism holds the gate lever and gate valve in the open position and a release mechanism is operable to release the latching mechanism when desired. The latching release and movement mechanisms are all located in a latch housing which is located exterior of the valve housing and manifold.

Abstract: A secondary sealing device is provided for a pump used for pumping gases under pressure. Leakage of gas between a main seal and the pump shaft is permitted up to a predetermined maximum pressure but once that pressure has been exceeded, a pressure sensor activates a switch to stop rotation of the pump shaft. When the shaft has come to a halt, a high pressure gas such as nitrogen is introduced into a secondary seal circumferential of the shaft whereby a resilient sealing ring is forced into tight sealing contact with the pump shaft to prevent any further leakage of the pumped gas to the atmosphere.