Abstract: A method of splitting hollow cellulosic fibers employs the steps of wetting the fibers, feeding the wet fibers to a gaseous flow, and conducting the gaseous flow carrying the fibers through a venturi tube, the pressure drop in the venturi tube throat bringing a pressure difference between liquid inside the fibers and gas outside of the fibers and causing the fibers to split in their longitudinal direction, to open the lumen inside the fibers.

Abstract: A method of splitting hollow cellulosic fibers employs the steps of wetting the fibers, feeding the wet fibers to a gaseous flow, and conducting the gaseous flow carrying the fibers through a venturi tube, the pressure drop in the venturi tube throat bringing a pressure difference between liquid inside the fibers and gas outside of the fibers and causing the fibers to split in their longitudinal direction, to open the lumen inside the fibers.

Abstract: An engine block is disclosed in one embodiment having a cylinder shape bore, which forms the outside wall surface of a cylindrical air chamber. Radially outwards from the cylindrical air chamber there is an annular shape combustion chamber, which has a circular inner wall surface, circular outer wall surface, closed annular shaped top surface, and an annular shaped open end opposite of the top surface. The bottom end of the circular inner wall surface of the annular shape combustion chamber and the bottom end of the outside wall surface of the cylindrical air chamber defines an annular shape surface. This surface fits inside the annular shape air chamber in the piston assembly. In one embodiment, in the lower part of the circular inner wall surface of the annular shape combustion chamber there is a circular groove for an oil scraper ring of conventional design.

Abstract: An engine block is disclosed in one embodiment having a cylinder shape bore, which forms the outside wall surface of a cylindrical air chamber. Radially outwards from the cylindrical air chamber there is an annular shape combustion chamber, which has a circular inner wall surface, circular outer wall surface, closed annular shaped top surface, and an annular shaped open end opposite of the top surface. The bottom end of the circular inner wall surface of the annular shape combustion chamber and the bottom end of the outside wall surface of the cylindrical air chamber defines an annular shape surface. This surface fits inside the annular shape air chamber in the piston assembly. In one embodiment, in the lower part of the circular inner wall surface of the annular shape combustion chamber there is a circular groove for an oil scraper ring of conventional design.

Abstract: An engine block is disclosed in one embodiment having a cylinder shape bore, which forms the outside wall surface of a cylindrical air chamber. Radially outwards from the cylindrical air chamber there is an annular shape combustion chamber, which has a circular inner wall surface, circular outer wall surface, closed annular shaped top surface, and an annular shaped open end opposite of the top surface. The bottom end of the circular inner wall surface of the annular shape combustion chamber and the bottom end of the outside wall surface of the cylindrical air chamber defines an annular shape surface. This surface fits inside the annular shape air chamber in the piston assembly. In one embodiment, in the lower part of the circular inner wall surface of the annular shape combustion chamber there is a circular groove for an oil scraper ring of conventional design.

Abstract: A continuous pulp digester having an elongate horizontally aligned pressure vessel through which the wood chips and digesting fluid flow in a forward direction. In a first and second embodiments within the pressure vessel there is an inner container defining an elongate chamber or passageway having a square cross sectional configuration. In a third embodiment the digesting chamber is cylindrical. At locations along the digester, there are several pair of liquid flow inlets and liquid flow outlets which enable filtrate from a pulp washer and a digesting agent to be moved into and across the digesting chamber to flow out the flow outlets. These are recirculated in a net upstream flow pattern toward the outlet end of the digester, and discharged as black liquor at different locations in the digester.

Abstract: A continuous pulp digester having an elongate horizontally aligned pressure vessel through which the wood chips and digesting fluid flow in a forward direction. In a first and second embodiments within the pressure vessel there is an inner container defining an elongate chamber or passageway having a square cross sectional configuration. In a third embodiment the digesting chamber is cylindrical. At locations along the digester, there are several pair of liquid flow inlets and liquid flow outlets which enable filtrate from a pulp washer and a digesting agent to be moved into and across the digesting chamber to flow out the flow outlets. These are recirculated in a net upstream flow pattern toward the outlet end of the digester, and discharged as black liquor at different locations in the digester.

Abstract: A continuous pulp digester having an elongate horizontally aligned pressure vessel through which the wood chips and digesting fluid flow in a forward direction. In a first and second embodiments within the pressure vessel there is an inner container defining an elongate chamber or passageway having a square cross sectional configuration. In a third embodiment the digesting chamber is cylindrical. At locations along the digester, there are several pair of liquid flow inlets and liquid flow outlets which enable filtrate from a pulp washer and a digesting agent to be moved into and across the digesting chamber to flow out the flow outlets. These are recirculated in a net upstream flow pattern toward the outlet end of the digester, and discharged as black liquor at different locations in the digester.

Abstract: A system for dewatering/washing wood pulp and also for bleaching the same. Pulp from a digester is directed into a dewatering/washing apparatus which comprises a high pressure vessel in which there is a table assembly having a perforate support surface for receiving the pulp thereon. A pressure differential is applied across the table assembly so that liquid is removed from the pulp. Also, a processing chemical and/or compound for bleaching is directed into the pulp at a final stage in the washer so as to be retained in the pulp. The pulp is then directed to a pressurized processing vessel where the compound and/or chemical reacts with the pulp. The pulp so treated in the processing vessel is then directed through a second washing station where the pulp is dewatered and has a compound and/or chemical introduced thereon, after which the pulp is transmitted to a second pressure vessel. This process is continued until the bleaching process is completed.

Abstract: A continuous pulp digester having an elongate horizontally aligned pressure vessel through which the wood chips and digesting fluid flow in a forward direction. In a first and second embodiments within the pressure vessel there is an inner container defining an elongate chamber or passageway having a square cross sectional configuration. In a third embodiment the digesting chamber is cylindrical. At locations along the digester, there are several pair of liquid flow inlets and liquid flow outlets which enable filtrate from a pulp washer and a digesting agent to be moved into and across the digesting chamber to flow out the flow outlets. These are recirculated in a net upstream flow pattern toward the outlet end of the digester, and discharged as black liquor at different locations in the digester.

Abstract: A continuous pulp digesting apparatus where wood chips and a cooking liquor are directed into a first cooking zone, and a portion of the cooking liquor is extracted at an intermediate region downstream, of said first cooking zone. Fresh liquor is introduced into said intermediate region to adjust pH level to inhibit scaling and/or clogging of strainers in the digester, and further digesting is accomplished in a second cooking zone downstream of an intermediate region. Liquor is extracted through strainers at a lower location of said second cooking zone.

Abstract: A processing roll adapted to engage paper or the like to heat and/or shape the same. The roll has a cylindrical side wall and defines a interior condensing chamber for steam. The interior surface of the roll is formed with longitudinal grooves which slope away from the longitudinal axis toward a central location. The steam condensates in the chamber, collects in the grooves, and flows toward a center location where the condensate is siphoned out and removed from the chamber. Improved heat transfer is achieved, and greater uniformity of heat is accomplished at the outside surface.

Abstract: A processing roll adapted to engage paper or the like to heat and/or shape the same. The roll has a cylindrical side wall and defines a interior condensing chamber for steam. The interior surface of the roll is formed with longitudinal grooves which slope away from the longitudinal axis toward a central location. The steam condensates in the chamber, collects in the grooves, and flows toward a center location where the condensate is siphoned out and removed from the chamber. Improved heat transfer is achieved, and greater uniformity of heat is accomplished at the outside surface.

Abstract: A pulp digester having a number of screening/cleaning units mounted within the digester. Each unit has a screen member and a cleaning propeller which is mounted adjacent the inner surface of the screen member. There is for each unit a hydraulic motor which is positioned entirely within the digester housing, and which rotates the propeller. Hydraulic lines extends through sealed openings in the digester wall and power is supplied from an exterior hydraulic pump which is controlled by a valve.

Abstract: The blade of the stick is formed by placing two blade sections against the lower tapered end of a handle of the stick. The two blade sections are each made as laminated sections, made up of two laminations of wood with a fiberglass layer therebetween. The grain of the two wood pieces of each blade section are offset 45.degree. to one another for greater shear strength. The cavity between the two blade sections is filled with a pliable material that hardens to make the complete blade structure. The outer surfaces of the blade and the side surfaces of the handle are coated with layers of fiberglass.

Abstract: The shaft of the stick is formed with a downward taper at the lower end, with the two sides surfaces of the shaft having an outer lamination of high strength fiberglass material. To form the blade portion of the stick, two blanks are formed from a thin wood veneer sheet and the two toe ends of the blanks are bonded together, while the rear heel ends of the blanks are separated moderately. The heel ends of the two blanks are placed on opposite sides of the lower tapered end of the shaft and bonded thereto. Then the space between the blanks is filled with an epoxy glue which hardens to form the completed blade.

Abstract: A sailboat having a hull, a sail assembly and a keel. The keel is shaped as a longitudinally and horizontally extending hydrofoil which developes a vertically downward force. When the boat is traveling in a heeled position, the keel member exerts a downwardly and outwardly directed keel force having a lateral force component to substantially counteract an opposite lateral aerodynamic force component exerted by wind against the sail assembly, thus diminishing the yaw angle in the travel of the boat. Further, the keel force acts through the center of gravity of the boat to produce a righting moment which tends to counteract the capsizing moment developed by the force of the wind against the sail assembly.

Abstract: A wood pulp and paper drying machine comprising a plurality of drying drums around which a sheet of pulp or paper material travels in a circuitous path in heat exchange relationship with the drums. Pressurized steam is directed into the interior of each of the drums, with a syphon removing condensate from the interior of each drum. To reduce the effect of the water condensate in the drum inhibiting heat transfer through the cylindrical wall of the drum to the pulp or paper material, the interior surface of each drum is made as a polished metal surface (such as stainless steel) having a roughness index no greater than about 125 and desirably in the order of 4 - 32 on General Electric Surface Roughness Scale Cat. No. 342 .times. 60.