Abstract: The present invention provides a friction reducing device for an elongate member. The device comprises a friction reducing sleeve removably positionable on a first longitudinal segment of the elongate member. The present invention also provides a method of inserting an elongate assembly into the ground. The method comprises the step of incorporating the inventive friction reducing device in the elongate assembly.

Abstract: A pump for pumping liquids includes a casing formed by upper and lower casing parts secured together. The upper casing part houses a centrifugal rotor having blades which direct liquid to a volute and the lower casing part houses an axial lift impellor which supplies liquid to the centrifugal rotor by way of fixed blades. The lower casing part also houses a further rotor which induces flow of liquid through the pump inlet. The rotor is directly connected to a drive shaft and the centrifugal rotor and impellor are coupled to the shaft preferably through step up gearing.

Abstract: An improved throttling bushing for a seal is used in a machine which has a casing and a shaft journaled in the casing. The throttling bushing reduces the flow of cooling and flushing fluid by maintaining a closer tolerance at the throttling bushing by using a labyrinth mounted on the shaft or a sleeve attached to the shaft, and an elastic bushing attached to the casing and positioned around the labyrinth. The clearance between the elastic bushing of the labyrinth is dimensioned to provide noncontact clearance prior to assembly.

Abstract: This is an improved apparatus used with a storage and reclamation apparatus which handles slurry formed of particulate matter and fluid. The reclaim apparatus includes a tank having a side wall and bottom. The slurry is added into the tank and is subsequently removed from the tank by a downwardly facing bell mouth coupled through a pipe to a pump. Fluidizing jets surround the bell mouth with a dilution control port mounted between the mouth and the pump. The dilution control port is connected to a second pump in series with a source of fluids. Process control apparatus measures the flow and density of the material being drawn into the mouth and adds or reduces dilution fluid in accordance with a set point so that a constant density is maintained at all times. The improved version accepts the overflow from the tank into a second tank which has a second bell mouth mounted at the bottom of the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting a slurry containing solids and entrapped air in a fluid carrier into a tank filled with fluid by injecting the slurry into a chamber in a manner to form a vortex so that the solids and fluids are centrifugally forced to the outside of the chamber and the air is centripetally forced to the center axis of the chamber and exhaust out the top. The liquid and solids remaining in the slurry are then transferred to a second location by gravity where the rotation is reduced and the slurry is then dropped out an opening into the fluid filled tank.

Abstract: An electrically actuated servocontrol system for a static pressure-operated load is connected to a supply of hydraulic fluid under pressure. The supply has an outlet port and a return port. A relief means is connected across the supply port for maintaining the supply at a constant pressure. A servocontrol valve has its inlet coupled to the outlet of the outlet port of the supply and its outlet coupled through a flow restrictor to the return sump of the power supply. The load is coupled between the output of the servocontrol valve and the flow restrictor. The flow restrictor also includes means for adjustably varying the amount of restriction so that the function of the servovalve can be made with linear variations in input control signals.

Abstract: A flexible pipe joint coupling apparatus for attaching a pipe to a flange comprises a pipe portion which fits into an alignment ring which is attached in turn to the flange. The alignment ring provides centering and anchoring of the pipe portion. A yieldable gasket is positioned between the end of the pipe portion and the flange. Spaced from the end inserted into the alignment ring is an attachment system which basically includes a flange formed in the outer wall of the pipe portion. A restraining ring is slipped over the outer diameter of the pipe portion and engages the flange. Holes are spaced around the alignment ring, the flange and the restraining ring in a manner to place bolts through the holes in order to attach the pipe portion to the flange.

Abstract: A process control system for use in movement of slurry material from a first lower level through a vertical flow way to an upper or surface level. In particular, this system is utilized for moving slurried particulate from a subterranean mine level upward through a vertical flow way such as an earth borehole to a surface pumping station or the like. The vertical pump system includes series-connected pumps having variable speed capabilities at the lower level, and the pumps then direct the slurried material through the vertical flow way to an upper level receiving station. The process control monitors the upper level volume, the slurry line pressure in the pipeline underground, and the flow rate in the pipeline underground thereby to select a controller output signal. The output signal is then utilized to control a hydraulic servo mechanism which adjusts the variable speed drive to one or more of the series-pumps thereby to maintain a proper flow rate and pressure through the vertical flow way.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequence control of vertical movement of slurried particulates from a lower level to the upper levels, more particularly a vertical hoist system for movement of slurry from a subterranean mine area upward through an earthen or cased borehole to a surface station. The vertical pump system includes series-connected pumps having variable speed capability to transport slurry particulate from an underground sump upward to a surface surge tank or other repository. The logic sequence system exercises control over valving sequence between the underground pumps and the vertical borehole in order to control slurry surges during start-up, shut-down and emergency dump operations. Thus, the pump input to the vertical conduit utilizes energy dissipator units as selectively controlled by automated block and by-pass valves to control flow of fluids from the pumps upward through the vertical conduit.

Abstract: Pumping apparatus for collecting polluted liquids such as oil on water and including a first pumping stage comprising a rotatable annular rotor having curved blades shaped to draw liquid inwardly towards the center of rotation, and stationary blades disposed within the rotor blades to receive liquid into the spacers between them, and a further pumping stage having rotatable blades shaped to receive the liquid from the stationary blades and deliver it under pressure in an upward direction to an outlet. The pumping apparatus may be mounted on a flotation unit which is suitable for collection of oil from the surface of water.

Abstract: Apparatus for dissipating the pressure of a confined fluid has a housing with a sidewall in a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration with a top and bottom. Inlet means is formed into the sidewall so that the axis of the inlet is tangent to a diameter of the sidewall. An outlet extends through the bottom and an opening extends through the top. High pressure fluids entering the inlet form a vortex around the sidewall and between the top and the bottom and pass out the outlet under low pressure. Air is introduced through the openings in the top to prevent cavitation within the housing. A device may be coupled to the outlet to reduce the velocity of the fluids leaving the outlet.

Abstract: An input for a sump for uniformly distributing material along the length of the sump has a support mounted above and along the length of the sump with a flexible pipe extending over the sump and moveably attached to the support. One end is connected to a discharge outlet which is positioned over the sump for depositing material into the sump, and the other end passes through an arcuate bend to a pipe which is connected to a source of slurry. Apparatus is attached between the support and the discharge outlet for moving the discharge outlet along the length of the sump in a predetermined manner which will either depend on the movement of the dredge and/or the density distribution of the material in the bottom of the sump.

Abstract: A method for maintaining suitable velocity or velocity range in a slurry pipeline system of the type with a water pipeline return and slurried material pipeline output with more than one slurry injection point. A single set of primary pipelines, one water and one slurry, is able to serve multiple points of hydraulic injection by means of slurry pipeline flowmeters downstream from each slurry injection water bypass junction, with each flowmeter actuating water control valves to bypass water to the slurry pipeline at the respective junction so as to maintain slurry pipeline velocity within prescribed limits.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated control valve normally includes a hydraulic cylinder which has an internal piston connected through a shaft to the actuating mechanism in the control valve. Ports are provided on each side of the piston through which fluid flows to move the piston axially inside the cylinder. The piston can be controlled electrically by an electro-hydraulic servo-controlled valve which includes an electrical input, a mechanical feedback input, and first and second outputs. The outputs are connected to the two ports in the cylinder, a mechanical feedback is coupled to the shaft and the mechanical feedback input of the control valve, and an electrical circuit is coupled to the electrical input of the servo-controlled valve to signal the hydraulic portion of the valve to either move the shaft in a manner to close the valve or move the shaft in a manner to open the valve.

Abstract: A transport vehicle for movement along the surface of the earth has a forward portion with apparatus mounted for mixing dry coal with fluid to form a slurry. The terminus of a cart-supported slurry hose apparatus is connected to the rear portion. A portion of the cart-supported slurry hose apparatus includes linkages which are attached to the rear portion of the transport vehicle. An improvement in the attaching apparatus includes means for pivotally attaching the terminus of the linkage to the vehicle. An arcuate support is attached to the vehicle over the rear end of the vehicle. A coupling is attached between the arcuate support and the linkage to permit the linkage to pivot freely while supporting the linkage from contact with the surface of the earth.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for determining fluid levels and pressures in a fluid-containing vessel wherein the sensor apparatus comprises a mounting member having a fluid passageway positioned therein; a pressure sensor in operative contact with one end of the mounting member and a pressure fluctuation dampening device operatively positioned on the other end of the mounting member. The dampening device comprises an arrangement of fluid passageways arranged so that the fluid passageway through the mounting member substantially perpendicularly intersects a second fluid passageway intermediate the ends of the second fluid passageway with the second fluid passageway being intersected at each of its ends by third and fourth fluid passageways.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving solids, fluids, slurries, and discharging a slurry stream which has a controlled particulate matter content including a tank with an inlet for passing the above into the tank. A slurry withdrawal region is located in the lower portion of the tank which is in fluid communication with a slurry apparatus including a pump. A plate is mounted above the slurry withdrawal region to restrict the movement of particulate matter into the region. A plurality of liquid jets is positioned around the slurry withdrawal region to fluidize the particulate matter in the withdrawal region.

Abstract: A control system for use in controlling the positioning of a continuous hydraulic pipeline system of extensible type. The system includes automatic control apparatus responsive to pipeline or hydraulic transport position sensing apparatus which functions to maintain the pipeline apparatus in proper position automatically during operation. The control system is particulaly adapted for use in controlling position and tension in hose hauler vehicles for coal slurry transport in automatic mining operations, and serves to continually sense tension in the slack loop of the hose hauler vehicle to maintain the tension within predetermined limits thereby assuring proper positioning of the entire hose hauler vehicle and machinery train.