Abstract: The present invention has been designed to provide a solution to problems with conventional gasifiers which operate by having fuel introduced at one end of a gasification retort and gas and residues removed from the other end. This frequently results in powdered char residues being ejected with the gas, causing increased gas clean-up requirements. The present invention provides a solution to this problem by removing the gas from the retort at the fuel inlet end via the fuel feed apparatus which is preferably a combined ram and scroll feed providing a supply of fuel under anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machining apparatus (1) having a frame (2) for the machining of a workpiece (3) that has a tool holder (4) that is mounted such that it can be shifted in a straight line in three axial directions (x, y, z) relative to a workpiece support (5) that is mounted beneath the tool holder (4), the workpiece support (5) being designed such that it can swivel the workpiece (3) about at least one axis (A, B). For improving the applicability of the machining apparatus, this machining apparatus according to the invention is characterized by a workpiece-holding table (6) that is designed such that it bridges the workpiece support (5) and can thus be firmly attached to the frame (2).

Abstract: A feed mechanism in which a ram (2) fed from a hopper (1) compresses a fuel against a closed valve (11) which is then opened for the ram to push the fuel towards a rotary scroll (6) for delivery to a processing vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for converting carbonaceous or other material with calorific value, wood, plastic, sewage, etc into high quality gas preferably to fuel a reciprocating gas engine for the generation of electricity. Wet fuel is delivered via conveyer 13 to fuel hopper 14. From the hopper the fuel is fed into the dryer 15 by a screw feeder The dried fuel then is checked for size via a trommel 16 where the correctly sized fuel passes through and the oversized fuel goes onto the reject conveyer 22 where it is delivered for shredding. The correct sized dry fuel is transported via a conveyer 17. The fuel is then fed via a feed system, to avoid the ingress of air, into the gasifier 19. The gas is cooled and cleaned in the gas quench unit 20. The gas is then compressed and stored. The char is quenched in a water trough then fed by a screw conveyer to a dryer 29 then stored in a hopper 30. Oils and tars that are carried over with the gas are removed by an extraction unit 27 and stored in storage vessel 28.

Abstract: A method for detecting an object in a body of water by generating a plurality of signals and applying each signal to a separate submerged sonar node that is a part of an array of sonar nodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machining apparatus (1) having a frame (2) for the machining of a workpiece (3) that has a tool holder (4) that is mounted such that it can be shifted in a straight line in three axial directions (x, y, z) relative to a workpiece support (5) that is mounted beneath the tool holder (4), the workpiece support (5) being designed such that it can swivel the workpiece (3) about at least one axis (A, B). For improving the applicability of the machining apparatus, this machining apparatus according to the invention is characterized by a workpiece-holding table (6) that is designed such that it bridges the workpiece support (5) and can thus be firmly attached to the frame (2).

Abstract: By using a high molecular weight syrup phase comprising PMMA or PMMI, it is possible to distribute fillers in the polymerization batch so that the distribution of the fillers remains homogeneous during the polymerization. A homogeneous foam results.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing polymethacrylimides in two steps: 1) radical copolymerization of (meth)acrylamides (A, (Me,H)HC=CHCONHR2) and alkyl(meth)acrylic esters (B) and optionally further ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of an aqueous solvent. The monomers (A) include, in addition to acrylamide and methacrylamide, (meth)acrylamides that are substituted on their nitrogen group (R2<>H). The monomers (B) are the (meth)acrylic esters of secondary or tertiary alcohols, preferably tert. butylmethacrylate. 2) Thermal or catalytic reaction of the copolymers produced in 1) to polymethacrylimide or for R2<>H to N-substituted polymethacrylimides while alkenes are separated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for producing foamed material, especially poly(meth)acrylimide foams, which are foamed from polymer plates produced according to the casting method. The two-step method consists of a pre-heating step and at least one foaming step. The product obtained has a significantly smaller compressive strain, measured according to DIN 53425(ASMD 621), than prior art products.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for preparing derivatized and partially derivatized polymethacrylimides. The properties of the material can be adjusted by appropriate selection of the derivatization, in terms of number and type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for producing poly(meth)acrylimide foams having reduced flammability which comprise ammonium polyphosphate and/or zinc sulphide. Furthermore, the present invention also provides poly(meth)acrylimide moulding compositions and also poly(meth)acrylimide foams obtainable from the abovementioned compositions and moulding compositions. The present invention further relates to processes for producing poly(meth)acrylimide foams having reduced flammability.

Abstract: By using a high molecular weight syrup phase comprising PMMA or PMMI, it is possible to distribute fillers in the polymerization batch so that the distribution of the fillers remains homogeneous during the polymerization. A homogeneous foam results.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for producing foamed material, especially poly(meth)acrylimide foams, which are foamed from polymer plates produced according to the casting method. The two-step method consists of a pre-heating step and at least one foaming step. The product obtained has a significantly smaller compressive strain, measured according to DIN 53425(ASMD 621), than prior art products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining tag location is disclosed. Tag reference data may be stored, e.g., in the form of a lookup table, as a trained neural network, and so on, and used to determine the location of tags. Readings used to determine tag location and/or preliminary tag locations may be filtered to produce reliable tag location indications. Packages of user configurable parameters can be provided and used for the filtering of the preliminary tag locations. Confidence levels may also be generated for determined tag locations and used, for example, to indicate how well an asset location system can distinguish between different tag locations.

Abstract: A first stage chamber has upwardly diverging walls so that an upward airstream has different air velocities at different heights in the chamber. When particles such as seeds are fed homogeneously along the chamber top length, they reach equilibrium at different heights depending on their weights and volatilities. The particles suspended and classified at different heights are conveyed by a horizontal airstream in parallel horizontal channels toward a chamber side wall, where they are removed by suction. Ribbed sections adjacent to the channels divide the chamber into deviating cascaded pathways, where the upward air velocity is homogenized and an opposite horizontal airstream conveys falling particles toward the side wall opposite to that on which the particles are removed, to thereby homogenize the spread of particles in the chamber. Light trash is removed through a convergent top section toward a cyclone. Heavy particles not suspended in the chamber are collected and removed at the chamber bottom.

Abstract: A dental flossing aid device for use with a length of floss, mainly those formed as an endless loop, comprises a floss stretcher and a fork. The fork has an elongated handle and a pair of spaced apart fork prongs extending from one end of the handle. The floss stretcher comprises an elongated floss stretcher arm, a group of spaced apart floss holding teeth coupled to the stretcher arm, and a coupling pivotally connecting the fork to an end of the stretcher arm. In use, a length of floss is extended from one of the floss holding teeth and across the free ends of the prongs and the stretcher arm is pivoted so as to stretch the portion of the length of floss which extends across the substantially immobile free ends of the prongs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating solids from liquid containing same comprises a conical-mesh which rotates within a casing about a vertical axis with the mesh walls upwardly diverging. A liquid-solid slurry is introduced to the center of the mesh at a top inlet. Stationary wiper arms in the center of the mesh, along with fluid pressure inside the mesh, pumping effect of the rotating blades, gravity force on the slurry and tangential pump suction at the bottom drive the liquid out through the mesh, while the solid material passes down through a central outlet opening in the bottom of the mesh.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for drying particulate materials such as seeds and grains in which an air dryer having at least one drying stage is accompanied by means to create an upwardly vertical air flow having a velocity in the mesh openings at least equal or larger than the suspension speed of the particles to be dried so that they are temporarily suspended until enough accumulate to provide sufficient weight or downward pressure for the particles to overcome the upward air flow, pass downward through one or more mesh screens and reach the bottom of the dryer. The present invention also relates to a method and apparatus for effecting chemical and/or physical reactions.

Abstract: A chamber has upwardly diverging walls so that an upward airstream has different air speeds at different heights in the chamber. When particles such as seeds are put into the chamber, they reach equilibrium at different heights depending on their weights. A horizontal conveyor airstream, much less in magnitude than the upward airstream, directs the classified-by-height particles to a side wall of the chamber, where they are removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating solids from liquid containing same comprises a cylindrical casing within which a rotor assembly or block having a conicalmesh rotates about a vertical axis with the mesh walls upwardly diverging. A liquid-solid slurry is introduced tangentially to the inside of the mesh at a top inlet. Stationary wiper arms inside the mesh remove the solids from the mesh as it rotates. Fluid pressure inside the mesh, pumping effect of the rotating blades, gravity force on the slurry and particularly tangential pump suction at the bottom of the casing, drive the liquid out through the mesh, while the solid material is expelled vertically downwards through a central outlet opening in the bottom of the mesh.