Abstract: A system for abrasively cleaning surfaces such as by sandblasting and including a vacuum arrangement for recovering the material abrasively removed from the surface as well as the abrasive material is provided with a control circuit operable to actuate an alarm and/or deactivate the abrasive cleaning operation by sensing a drop in the vacuum pressure at the blast head which is indicative of an inappropriate positioning of the blast head and thus discharge of the abrasively removed material and abrasive material to the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A quick connector assembly for interconnecting of two conduits in fluid flow relationship is provided. The connector assembly has an elongated tubular housing connected to one conduit and adapted to receive a terminal end portion of another conduit in axially inserted relationship. A retainer cap rotatably attachable to an end of the housing includes a plurality of spring fingers that project axially inwardly of the housing and that engage with an annular ring formed on the axially inserted conduit to mechanically engage therewith and lock together the housing and conduit with a fluid seal provided between the housing and conduit. A visual and tactile indicating mechanism is included to provide a perceivable indication that the housing and conduit are mechanically interlocked.

Abstract: A container for pooling plasma and the like has an integral cap. The cap includes an air vent with an inline bacterial filter. The cap also includes a fluid passage to which a length of tubing can be integrally connected to transfer fluid into the container. The transfer tubing can be sealed and severed close to the cap. The cap includes a pocket which receives the remaining sealed end portion of the tubing to protect the sealed end portion from inadvertent contact and damage during subsequent handling. The cap also includes a cover which closes the pocket to further enhance the protection of the sealed tubing end. The cover includes a plug which, when the pocket is closed, hermetically seals the vent and, thus, the entire container.

Abstract: A method of operating a plasma welding apparatus producing a plasma arc and having valve means arranged to control gas flow for the plasma arc and power supply means arranged to control welding current for the plasma arc, wherein the plasma arc current, gas flow to the plasma arc and the feed of a filler material to the arc are coordinated for producing a weld. The gas flow and welding current are maintained at a steady rate during the weld run. The gas flow is reduced at a constant rate to a minimum valve of about 30 % of the steady flow rate at the conclusion of the welding run and the welding current is subsequently reduced at a constant rate from the steady value of the welding current.

Abstract: A tape tension control system is provided which controls the rotation of two tape reels to maintain substantially constant tension of the tape over its full length for all operational modes. The device utilizes inputs from two reel tachometers and a tape counter-roller for controlling the torque applied to each reel by AC induction motors. The tape counter-roller effectively measures the linear velocity of the tape which is driven by a capstan and the tachometers measure the rotational velocity of each reel. Appropriate logic circuitry, supplied with these velocity readings, enables the system effectively to sense tape diameter on each reel for providing the necessary torque to each reel to maintain uniform tape tension. This system provides for rapid start of the reels to allow for fast lock-in of the capstan and also controlled starts in fast modes such as rewind and fast-forward to prevent high stresses on the tape.