Abstract: A separator that provides a convergent conical flow path for a mixture introduced into the separator at fairly high velocity. Within the convergent flow path, the angular velocity of the spiraling mixture increases such that heavier species are segregated from lighter species. The convergent flow path transitions into a substantially uniform flow path where the spiraling mixture maintains a fairly uniform velocity and further separation occurs. The uniform flow path then transitions to a divergent conical exhaust flow path where some or all of the heavier species are exhausted from the separator. Within the substantially uniform flow path, a retrograde flow of the lighter species is created with an interaction with a diffuser surface arranged in the exhaust flow path. As such, the lighter species are channeled to a separate exit port to provide some degree of separation of the mixture.

Abstract: A separator that provides a convergent conical flow path for a mixture introduced into the separator at fairly high velocity. Within the convergent flow path, the angular velocity of the spiraling mixture increases such that heavier species are segregated from lighter species. The convergent flow path transitions into a substantially uniform flow path where the spiraling mixture maintains a fairly uniform velocity and further separation occurs. The uniform flow path then transitions to a divergent conical exhaust flow path where some or all of the heavier species are exhausted from the separator. Within the substantially uniform flow path, a retrograde flow of the lighter species is created with an interaction with a diffuser surface arranged in the exhaust flow path. As such, the lighter species are channeled to a separate exit port to provide some degree of separation of the mixture.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns the application of the pulse echo principle to the non-intrusive method of low liquid level sensing to determine the level of a liquid in a container. Generally, the sensor is attached to an outer wall of a liquid container by means of an epoxy adhesive. An ultrasonic pulse is transmitted through from the sensor into the container and is reflected back through the epoxy adhesive and the container wall. The acoustic reflection coefficient for the container wall varies depending on whether the wall is backed by a liquid, the level of which is being determined. Specific integral equations which are provided to manipulate the data and to render the sensor less sensitive to noise, wall thickness and reflections from thin liquid levels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for centrifugally separating the component species of a mixture, at least one of which species is a fluid, when the mixture includes at least one or more species of specific weight different from that of the fluid. The mixture is fed tangentially into the inlet end of a converging nozzle, at high speed, to establish an axial helical flow path of the mixture. As the mixture moves along the converging nozzle, generally the lighter species collect in the center and the heavier ones collect at the outside wall. A throat of constant diameter or slightly converging angle may follow the nozzle. As the mixture moves through the throat, the radial separation is maintained similarly as in the nozzle. A diverging diffuser is located downstream of the throat and a throttle valve element is located at least partially within the diverging diffuser. The throttle valve element controls the size of the diffuser gap between the throttle valve element and the diffuser.

Abstract: A novel lateral support system for a canister launched missile is provided which comprises, a plurality of long, narrow flexible pads of elastomer or like material disposed on the surface of said missile along a substantial lengthwise portion thereof and configured to substantially fill the annular gap between the missile and canister, each of said pads being hingedly attached near the canister exit opening whereby the pads are peeled from the surface of the missile during launch thereof.

Abstract: A first fluid injected at high velocity into a chamber forms a tornado-like vortex advancing toward a smoothly curved narrow throat communicating with an outlet. A second fluid inlet located within the eye of the vortex has a second fluid which is pumped therethrough and mixed with the first fluid by action of the vortex.

Abstract: A landing net assembly (10) provides a controlled deceleration landing device for pole vaulters, high jumpers and the like in such a way that the impact of a free-falling body and the rate of displacement of the landing net is dampened in a controlled manner. Each of a plurality of damping devices includes a supporting post (12, 14) which contains a fluid (72) and float (76) submerged in the fluid (72), the float (76) being connected by tendons or cords (82) to the landing net (18) so that when the (18) net is displaced the float (76) is displaced within the fluid (72). In this manner, the viscous drag force of each float as it moves through the fluid and the buoyant force of the float in the fluid dissipate the initial impact of the free-falling body and damp the rate of displacement of the net.

Abstract: A powered pattern cutter particularly adaptable for use in cutting paper is made up of an anvil which is slotted on its outer periphery to receive a blade member, the latter being angled toward the center of the anvil, and the anvil being oscillated in a direction to force the paper between the edges of the slot in the blade so as to shear off a selected width of the paper as the paper is fed across the blade.

Abstract: An improved ejector utilizing a vortex flow for pumping a fluid. The ejector includes a funnel shaped fluid chamber circumscribing a longitudinal axis and converging from a wide end to a narrow end. A venturi-like throat circumscribing the longitudinal axis is in fluid communication with the narrow end of the funnel shaped chamber. A pair of diametrically opposed fluid inlets are disposed in the wide end of the chamber for directing a driver fluid tangentially into the wide end of the funnel shaped chamber. The chamber and throat are configured to form the driver fluid into a swirling flow which advances toward the throat in the form of a vortex flow having a low pressure region. A secondary fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the low pressure region of the vortex flow. A deflector member is disposed in the funnel shaped chamber radially inward of the venturi throat. The deflector includes a surface which diverges away from the longitudinal axis.