Abstract: Fires in tanks storing combustible liquids are treated by introducing a fire extinguishing media comprising frozen projectiles onto the surface of the burning liquid. The media is applied across the surface of the burning fluid to extinguish the fire and prevent its re-ignition.

Abstract: A thrower system includes a container for storing a projectile to be thrown, a centrifugal thrower for propelling the object a distance away from the thrower system through centrifugal force, and conveying means for transporting the projectile between the container and the centrifugal thrower. The thrower system may throw baseballs, softballs, golf balls, or similar objects, and in particular, may be a cryogenic projectile thrower system.

Abstract: The invention defines a position-indicating valve handle that is adapted to be mounted to the free end of a valve stem, wherein the handle includes a spiral groove in which a steel ball is free to move when the handle is turned by gravitational or magnetic force so that the ball will remain at a fixed point within the spiral groove (such as the lowest point where the handle is angularly disposed to the horizontal and gravitational force is used) as the handle is rotated. A transparent plate with indicia thereon is positioned to cover the spiral groove and allow the operator to visually determine by means of the location of the ball the approximate position of the valve stem within the body of the valve.

Abstract: A cryogenic deflashing apparatus includes a plurality of serially oriented work stations and a conveyor for transporting articles to be deflashed past each of the stations. The work stations include (1) a prechill station connected to vapor compression refrigeration system to lower the temperature below ambient (2) a chill station connected to a cryogenic refrigeration system in which a cryogenic refrigerant such as liquid nitrogen is introduced into a closed coil adjacent the station for cooling the residual flash on the article to the embrittlement point while maintaining an atmosphere of air at the station and delivering the vaporized cryogen for use in other processes and (3) a deflashing station in which a blasting media such as plastic pellets are propelled against the article to remove the flash. An article carrying open mesh basket is also provided on the conveyor for orienting the article in a preselected attitude with respect to the blasting media pattern.

Abstract: A blast media transport and throwing wheel apparatus includes a throwing wheel in the form of a straight vane centrifugal fan with a conically shaped axial opening therein for receiving the blast media (e.g. pellets) to be propelled against molded article to be deflashed. A shroud surrounds the throwing wheel and includes an entrance opening aligned with the axial opening and an exit opening through which the media is propelled. A feed cage is mounted on the shroud and extends into the axial opening and a feed tube connects the feed cage with a hopper containing a static quantity of the media. The feed cage includes a passageway for directing the media into the throwing wheel on one side of the rotational axis thereof.