Abstract: Apparatus and a process for use in aeration of a fluid. The apparatus includes a tubular drive shaft having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to a selectively rotatable power source. A compressed air source is in fluid communication with the tubular drive shaft. A first propeller having a propeller shaft is coupled to the second end of the tubular drive shaft. An atomizing mechanism is located proximate the propeller shaft. The apparatus may further include a second propeller having a propeller shaft positioned between the first propeller and the second end of the tubular drive shaft. In another mode of operation, the aerator may be used solely as a mixer in an nitrification/de-nitrification process without the introduction of outside air or compressed air.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in aeration of a fluid. The apparatus includes a power unit having a rotatable shaft. An impeller is coupled to the shaft. The impeller has a blade with a generally uniform outside diameter. A diffuser head is positioned proximate the impeller. The impeller may be a screw impeller. The diffuser head may be a stepped diffuser head.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump includes upper and lower pump bodies clamping a diaphragm therebetween which separates a driving fluid chamber in the upper body from a pump chamber in the lower body, each body having gripping ridges surrounding the chamber; a driving fluid reservoir in the upper pump body; an outlet check valve having a seat, a closure member and a spring to urge its closure; drive means for alternately pressure loading and unloading the driving fluid chamber; a diaphragm having a central body portion connected to an annular clamping portion by annular webbing; a protruding annular rib inside of the ridges, and sized to bite into the diaphragm before the ridges when the bodies are clamped together; means for adjusting the size of an opening between the driving fluid reservoir and the driving fluid chamber; means for adjusting the distance that the closure member can move away from the seat; a piston assembly including piston received within a cylinder having an upwardly facing sealing surface and adapted to

Abstract: A pressure unloading valve responsive primarily to the pressure of the outlet passage in a diaphragm pump. The pump includes a driving fluid chamber and a pump chamber separated by a flexible diaphragm. Between the pump chamber and the outlet passage is a check valve allowing fluid flow only from the pump chamber to the outlet passage. The unloader valve is unseated, allowing relief of fluid pressure in the driving fluid chamber, when the pressure in the outlet passage exceeds a first predetermined value or when the pressure in the driving fluid chamber exceeds a second predetermined value. An adjustment knob is provided to vary the first and second predetermined values. An anti-blow-by seal is provided to check fluid seepage from the driving fluid chamber to the sump.

Abstract: A pressurized paint supply system for delivering paint or other coating material under pressure to a variety of interchangeable paint applicators. The invention is also concerned with an improved pad assembly for trimming purposes and to an improved pressure-tight joint which can be used with any of the accessories used in the system of the present invention.

Abstract: A paint roller assembly for a pressurized paint supply system including a hollow roller arm, a delivery tube within the roller arm for receiving pressurized coating material such as paint therethrough, the tube terminating in a horizontally disposed end portion, a circular flange mechanically coupled to the roller arm inwardly of the end portion to prevent relative rotation therebetween, an annular sealing member received over the end portion and arranged to abut the circular flange while permitting relative rotational movement therebetween, a cylindrical roller core having one end received on the end portion, the core having an axially extending relatively shallow groove at its periphery along a major portion of its length, the roller core being recessed at the discharge end of the end portion to provide a sump therein of greater depth than the groove and communicating with the groove.

Abstract: A paint dispensing system including a pressure-tight container for holding paint under pressure, the container having spaced vents along a base portion thereof, a resilient securing means on the container in spaced relation to the vents, and a trough having a pair of spaced tabs extending therefrom and proportioned to be received in the vents to hold the trough in a generally horizontal position. The trough serves as a receptacle for a paint roller comprising a handle and a paint roller assembly detachably secured to the handle, the handle being insertable into the resilient securing means to hold the paint roller suspended above the trough.

Abstract: A fluid operated dispensing gun for dispensing viscous material in a disposable cylindrical cartridge. The dispensing gun has a hand grip and a barrel releasably secured to the hand grip. The cartridge containing the viscous material is positioned inside the barrel of the gun and a piston-like rear wall is advanced toward the open front end of the cartridge by pressurized fluid introduced into the rear end of the barrel on the rear side of the piston-like rear wall. Fluid passageways are provided in the hand grip for providing fluid communication from a source to the rear end of the barrel. A pair of manually operated valves are provided, one valve being provided for opening and closing the fluid passageway to the rear end of the barrel and the other valve being provided for controlling the rate of flow of the fluid entering the rear end of the barrel to thereby control the rate at which the viscous material is ejected from the cartridge.

Abstract: A fluid spraying apparatus, such as for use in paint spraying and the like, including a high pressure diaphragm pump, a safety and pressure adjustment valve system, and a high pressure safety spray gun. The valve system includes a valve for maintaining a desired pressure relationship between the sprayed fluid side of the system and the pumping fluid section of the high pressure diaphragm pump. The high pressure safety gun includes a pressure-responsive locking barrel portion which prevents access to the spray tip while the fluid being sprayed is under pressure.