Abstract: A foreign object removal system is disclosed including a removal chamber projecting laterally from the combustion chamber of a fluid bed reactor and connected via a downwardly directed pipe to a material flow control plenum chamber which includes means for fluidizing the mixture of inert fluid bed particles and foreign objects at the bottom of the pipe for lateral movement into an air classifier wherein the foreign objects are dropped to a collection tank and the fluid bed particles are carried upwardly by a stream of classifying air to a deentrainment chamber where their velocity is reduced and they are returned to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A propulsion system suspension is provided for a railway truck of the type which includes a pair of wheels associated with the propulsion system which are secured to the ends of an axle which is mounted to extend transversely between the ends of first and second side frames of the truck. The propulsion system suspension includes a gear box having an output end supported by the axle extending therethrough and an input end which is resiliently supported by a strut from the first side frame. A motor has a rear end which is resiliently secured to the second side frame as the motor extends transversely toward the first side frame. A universal coupling device is provided between the input end of the gear box and a front end of the motor.

Abstract: In previously proposed arrangements for charging an electret foil the electret charge implanted varies over the area of the foil. In order to promote more even charging of the foil, the method of the invention subjects the foil to a progressively increasing electric field. One form of apparatus used to carry out the method has rollers at progressively higher potentials and electric fields are applied across the foil between these rollers and a metallized layer on the rear face of the foil which is earthed by a roller.

Abstract: A fluid bed combustion method and apparatus are disclosed utilizing an induced draft fan downstream of the exhaust port of the combustion chamber. Fluidizing air is given a velocity vector toward one side of the chamber for moving foreign objects to that side where the objects are removed and separated by air classification from bed particles which are returned to the fluid bed. Air classification is accomplished using a blower which is valved off during preheat operation to draw hot air from above the fluid bed down through the particle bed.