Abstract: A method for hydrothermal processing of a raw grain composition for production of food or animal feeds is provided. The method includes the steps of contacting a raw grain composition in a conditioning chamber with steam produced from boiler water in a boiler and delivered through a conduit including a pressure-reduction valve and through a steam inlet on the conditioning chamber. The method further includes the step of selecting the pressure-reduction valve to reduce the pressure in the conduit downstream of the valve to a value of no less than 30% of the boiler pressure. The method also includes the step of sizing the conduit so that stoichiometric amounts of steam can be delivered to the conditioning chamber at a linear velocity in the conduit of about 8,000 to about 12,000 feet per minute measured downstream of the pressure-reduction valve.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for hydrothermally processing a raw grain composition with steam in a conditioner as a preliminary step in the production of a pelletized feed product. More specifically, this invention is directed to an apparatus and a method for massing in-process grain composition in a chamber to enhance efficacy and efficiency of hydrothermal treatment and to improve the production rate and quality of pelletized feeds.

Abstract: A limited slip differential gear assembly has a rotating housing containing meshing spur gears each turning a gear element which is externally helically toothed. Each gear element meshes with its own externally-toothed gear member which has a larger diameter and drives one of two output shafts between which differential movement is to take place. The meshing helical gear teeth have the characteristic that the efficiency of drive transmission in opposite directions is different and this provides the limited slip. As the axes of rotation of all rotating parts of the assembly are parallel, reduced constructional and operating costs result.

Abstract: A metal wall frame structure for a building which includes a horizontal top plate, a horizontal bottom plate and a number of vertical studs. The top and bottom plates are identical each being of U-shaped channel section, having side walls and a base, and having a plurality of paired inwardly directed tabs arrayed along each of the side walls. The studs each are of a U-shaped section having side walls and a base. The studs are of such a width that their ends nest neatly within the plates. The wall frame structure is characterized in that each stud is adapted to be nested in a plate between two adjacent pairs of tabs or around a single pair of tabs, or both. Each stud has adjacent at least one end and adjacent to each side wall at least a pair of aligned apertures aligned transversely to the axis of the stud.