Abstract: An electrostatic actuator is provide that can include a fluidic line, a first electrode, and a second electrode such that a gate chamber portion of the fluidic line is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrostatic actuator can also include a pressure-balancing channel in fluid communication with the gate chamber portion where the first electrode is sandwiched between the pressure-balancing channel and the gate chamber portion. A pneumatic valve system is provided which includes an electrostatic gate and a fluidic channel fluidly separate from a fluidic control line. A pneumatic valve portion of the fluidic control line can be positioned relative to a portion of the fluidic channel such that expansion of the pneumatic valve portion restricts fluid flow through the fluidic channel. Methods of using an electrostatic actuator and a pneumatic valve system are also provided.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator is provide that can include a fluidic line, a first electrode, and a second electrode such that a gate chamber portion of the fluidic line is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrostatic actuator can also include a pressure-balancing channel in fluid communication with the gate chamber portion where the first electrode is sandwiched between the pressure-balancing channel and the gate chamber portion. A pneumatic valve system is provided which includes an electrostatic gate and a fluidic channel fluidly separate from a fluidic control line. A pneumatic valve portion of the fluidic control line can be positioned relative to a portion of the fluidic channel such that expansion of the pneumatic valve portion restricts fluid flow through the fluidic channel. Methods of using an electrostatic actuator and a pneumatic valve system are also provided.

Abstract: A spray nozzle for discharging at least one fluid in a spray pattern into a fluid stream in a vessel, such as an atomized mixture of oil and steam in a fluidic catalytic cracking unit, wherein the nozzle alters the flow patterns of the fluid stream in the vicinity of the nozzle to inhibit erosion of the nozzle and maintain the spray pattern. The nozzle comprises an inlet member defining at least one inlet conduit and an outlet member in fluid communication with the inlet member. The outlet member includes an exterior surface and a plurality of bosses angularly spaced relative to each other about an axis of the outlet, each boss defining an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the at least one inlet conduit having a length (L) and a diameter (D) and an axially extending wall, wherein the axially extending wall extends outwardly a length (X) greater than about ? inch relative to the exterior surface and L/D is at least about ½.

Abstract: A spray nozzle for discharging at least one fluid in a spray pattern into a fluid stream in a vessel, such as an atomized mixture of oil and steam in a fluidic catalytic cracking unit, wherein the nozzle alters the flow patterns of the fluid stream in the vicinity of the nozzle to inhibit erosion of the nozzle and maintain the spray pattern. The nozzle comprises an inlet member defining at least one inlet conduit and an outlet member in fluid communication with the inlet member. The outlet member includes an exterior surface and a plurality of bosses angularly spaced relative to each other about an axis of the outlet, each boss defining an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the at least one inlet conduit having a length (L) and a diameter (D) and an axially extending wall, wherein the axially extending wall extends outwardly a length (X) greater than about 1/8 inch relative to the exterior surface and L/D is at least about 1/2.

Abstract: In a spray nozzle (10), a carrier (12) defines a spray aperture (20), a groove (30) surrounding the spray aperture for receiving an o-ring (32), a first locating bore (26) for slidably receiving an orifice plate (14) seated against the o-ring (32) and for aligning the orifice plate with the spray aperture, and a second locating bore (28) for slidably receiving a swirl unit and aligning the swirl unit (16) with the orifice plate and spray aperture. The swirl unit (16) defines on its peripheral surface a recessed flat (58) forming a fluid passageway between the swirl unit and carrier. The swirl unit (16) includes a swirl chamber (60) defined by a curvilinear surface (62) formed within the swirl unit, and an inlet port (64) formed in fluid communication between the swirl chamber and fluid passageway. The nozzle body (18) is threadedly received within the carrier (12) behind the swirl unit (16) to axially press the swirl unit, and in turn press the orifice plate (14) against the adjacent surface of the carrier.

Abstract: In a spray nozzle, a carrier defines a spray aperture, a groove surrounding the spray aperture for receiving an o-ring, a first locating bore for slidably receiving an orifice plate seated against the o-ring and for aligning the orifice plate with the spray aperture, and a second locating bore for slidably receiving a swirl unit and aligning the swirl unit with the orifice plate and spray aperture. A pair of retaining lugs project inwardly from the carrier a predetermined distance for engaging the upstream end of the swirl unit to thereby retain the swirl unit and orifice plate within the carrier. The swirl unit defines on its peripheral surface a recessed flat which is aligned with the retaining lugs to thereby clear the lugs upon inserting the swirl unit into the carrier. An elongated slot is formed on the upstream end of the swirl unit for receiving a screw driver.

Abstract: A machine for forming an H-section carton (19) from three corrugated blanks--two section blanks (21a and 21b) and a main body blank (23)--is disclosed. The machine has a generally L-shaped silhouette, with one leg of the L shape generally defining the path of travel of the section blanks and the other leg defining the path of travel of the main body blank. A supply of vertically oriented section blanks are located on opposing sides of the section blank leg. The two section blanks facing one another are simultaneously moved toward the main body blank leg, along parallel paths. The section blanks are first moved past glue heads (61a and 61b), which apply glue to the center region (22a and 22b) of the facing surfaces of the section blanks. Then, section forming mandrels (85) ram the section blanks toward one another into a U and H-section forming die (87). More specifically, the section modules first deform the section blanks into a U-shape.

Abstract: In a spray nozzle (10), a carrier (12) defines a spray aperture (20), a groove (30) surrounding the spray aperture for receiving an o-ring (32), a first locating bore (26) for slidably receiving an orifice plate (14) seated against the o-ring (32) and for aligning the orifice plate with the spray aperture, and a second locating bore (28) for slidably receiving a swirl unit and aligning the swirl unit (16) with the orifice plate and spray aperture. The swirl unit (16) defines on its peripheral surface a recessed flat (58) forming a fluid passageway between the swirl unit and carrier. The swirl unit (16) includes a swirl chamber (60) defined by a curvilinear surface (62) formed within the swirl unit, and an inlet port (64) formed in fluid communication between the swirl chamber and fluid passageway. The nozzle body (18) is threadedly received within the carrier (12) behind the swirl unit (16) to axially press the swirl unit, and in turn press the orifice plate (14) against the adjacent surface of the carrier.

Abstract: In a spray nozzle (10), a carrier (12) defines a spray aperture (20), a groove (30) surrounding the spray aperture for receiving an o-ring (32), a first locating bore (26) for slidably receiving an orifice plate (14) seated against the o-ring (32) and for aligning the orifice plate with the spray aperture, and a second locating bore (28) for slidably receiving a swirl unit and aligning the swirl unit (16) with the orifice plate and spray aperture. The swirl unit (16) defines on its peripheral surface a recessed flat (58) forming a fluid passageway between the swirl unit and carrier. The swirl unit (16) includes a swirl chamber (60) defined by a curvilinear surface (62) formed within the swirl unit, and an inlet port (64) formed in fluid communication between the swirl chamber and fluid passageway. The nozzle body (18) is threadedly received within the carrier (12) behind the swirl unit (16) to axially press the swirl unit, and in turn press the orifice plate (14) against the adjacent surface of the carrier.