Abstract: A float control valve for liquid treatment apparatus is located sufficiently far above the level of the liquid being treated that forces created by the liquid, or forces created during movement of the apparatus, do not harm the control valve or interfere with its functioning.

Abstract: A liquid soap dispenser for dispensing liquid soap. The liquid soap dispenser includes a housing with a soap reservoir and a pressurized gas reservoir disposed in the housing. The pressurized gas reservoir is in fluid communication with the soap reservoir. A dispensing valve is provided between the pressurized gas reservoir and the soap reservoir for selectively opening and closing passage of gas from the pressurized gas reservoir to the soap reservoir. The dispensing valve has an actuator extending from the housing. An elongate flexible dispensing tube in fluid communication with the soap reservoir outwardly extends from the housing.

Abstract: A float for a liquid level detection apparatus including a tube extendable through liquid in a tank. The float is a buoyant body slidably mounted about the tube and having a diameter passable through an aperture in the tank. The float is preferably formed of two separate bodies joined by spacers positioned to allow the body to pivot from a first position substantially axially in line with the tube for insertion and removal of the float with respect to the tank to a second position substantially perpendicular to the tube in operative floating engagement with the liquid surface in the tank. The spacers, in one embodiment, are in the form of pins arranged in pairs along opposite side edges of the two bodies and spaced apart along the length of the two bodies such that the innermost pins of the two pairs of pins define an aperture for mounting the bodies transversely about the tube in the second, floating position.

Abstract: A gas supply system connected to vent a tank of a product filling system is set forth. The gas supply system comprises a high pressure/low pressure gas supply having a common outlet. The high pressure/low pressure gas supply is operable in a first mode of operation in which high pressure gas is supplied at the common outlet and a second mode of operation in which low pressure gas is supplied at the common outlet. A sterile filter having an inlet and an outlet is also provided. A steam supply system is disposed in-line between the common outlet of the high pressure/low pressure gas supply and the sterile filter. A tank valve system is provided having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the sterile filter. The tank valve system also has first and second outlets and is operable in a first mode of operation in which the inlet is placed in fluid communication with the first outlet and a second mode of operation in which the inlet is placed in fluid communication with the second outlet.

Abstract: An air volume control valve apparatus is provided for use with a water system pressure tank. The apparatus includes an elongated tube that is supported on the tank with a first end exposed to an area exterior of the tank and a second end within the tank. A valve is provided for controlling the volume of air in the tank. The valve includes an elongated, buoyant float member having a first axial end supported for pivoting movement on the tube about a pivot axis extending in a direction transverse to the length of the tube, and a second free end opposite the first end. As the water level rises in the tank beyond a predetermined level, the float member is lifted on the water to an upper pivoted position in which the second end of the tube is closed off, and when the water level drops beneath the predetermined level, the float member pivots away from the upper position and the second end of the tube is uncovered.

Abstract: Sewage system comprised of a collector pipe with one or more house connections and to which collector pipe an air compressor and/or vacuum pump is connected, wherein a house connection is comprised of a collection gully with a connection for the sewer pipe, and which gully, at its bottom side is provided with a valve, which may be operated under the control of a level switch arranged in the gully, while the valve at the discharge side is connected to the collected pipe which at that place is provided with a bend situated in a vertical plane, to the middle part of which the valve is connected and from which both the sideways running bend parts run upwards to a height below the valve.

Abstract: A method for purging water from flooded expansion tanks without necessitating the complete drainage and subsequent refilling of the systems allows for a stabilized hydronic water system in much less time with less effort and expense.

Abstract: A microwave melting furnace for treating a liquid, comprising an upper furnace body, a lower furnace body, means disposed to the upper furnace body for supplying material to be treated, a crucible disposed in the lower furnace body, means for detecting the position for the upper surface of the material to be treated supplied into the crucible and a controller for stopping the means for supplying the material to be treated depending on a detection signal from the detection means. The liquid supplied to the crucible can be surely prevented from overflowing automatically.

Abstract: A pump-out control valve for use in connection with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner that includes a collection tank, a top cover and a vacuum blower with an air inlet and air outlet. The control valve is mounted over a pair of openings formed through the cover. The valve includes a manifold plate located over the pair of openings and spaced above the cover, and a valve rotor located between the manifold plate and the cover. The plate is provided with an air inlet fitting and an air outlet fitting that are connected through flexible hoses to the centrifugal blower. The fittings are in general alignment with the openings in the cover. The rotor has one through passage for connecting the manifold plate inlet with one of the openings through the cover and one lateral passage which is adapted to divert flow laterally and at the same time, block the other opening in the cover. The rotor is turned approximately 180.degree.

Abstract: A precision pressure regulator not only providing makeup pressure in response to a low pressure condition, but also for providing the ability to vent off excess pressure. A system in a self-contained unit is used, thereby eliminating a need for an external power supply such as battery, electrical, or mechanical power. The precision pressure regulator also provides extremely accurate control of pressure even in the low pressure ranges of less than 1 inch of water column, and does so without the need for constant supervision by a skilled technician. A safe inert atmosphere is provided for chemical processes utilizing volatile and/or contaminant sensitive substances.

Abstract: A pressure control system for a storage tank, including a supply of working fluid under pressure. A conduit establishes fluid communication between the supply and the storage tank. A supply regulator is provided in the conduit for maintaining a substantially constant pressure to the storage tank. A tank regulator is provided in the conduit between the supply regulator and the storage tank for selectively admitting the substantially constant pressure as a function of temperature to the storage tank. A control selectively operates the tank regulator in response to given conditions, such as temperature conditions, in the storage tank.

Abstract: A liquid accumulator (28) for use in a substantially zero gravity environment which utilizes the surface tension of a liquid to form a meniscus which acts as a gas-liquid interface providing a barrier to the passage or entrainment of a gas into the liquid. The apparatus includes a plurality of tubes (36) for capillary containment of a liquid, a grid member (34) provided with a plurality of holes (one of each tube) for receiving therein in sealing engagement an end of the tube. An opposite end of each of the tubes contains a gas. The apparatus further includes a housing (30) extending circumferentially about the grid member and defining a liquid zone (38) on the side of said grid member opposite said tubes located within the liquid zone and extending partially into each of the tubes is a body of liquid which forms a meniscus (42) in each of the tubes. Fluid communication is provided between the liquid zone of the apparatus and a source of liquid subject to thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: Apparatus for regulating the flow of a fluid from a supply conduit at one end of an elongated housing to a nozzle having one or more orifices extending longitudinally of the housing has a partition which is installed in and divides the interior of the housing into a first compartment receiving fluid from the conduit and a second compartment communicating with the orifice or orifices of the nozzle. Two marginal portions of the partition are adjacent the bottom wall of the housing at opposite sides of the nozzle and define with the bottom wall a number of paths in the form of passages and/or channels for the flow of fluid from the first compartment into the second compartment. The inclination of the marginal portions of the partition relative to the bottom wall of the housing is adjustable by hand or by one or more motors to thereby select the rate of fluid flow along the respective path or paths.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a gas from a liquid but truly suited for use in a zero gravity environment. The apparatus includes first and second closed vessels each of which are separated into a gas and liquid zone. The first vessel is separated by gas de-entrainment means and the second vessel by a plurality of elongated passageways for capillary containment of a body of liquid. The passageways provide the sole source of fluid communication between the gas and liquid zones. The gas zones of the first and second vessels are in fluid communication with one another as are the liquid zones of the first and second vessels.

Abstract: A drip trap for separating a liquid from a gas includes a casing, an inlet duct near the top end of the casing for introducing a liquid-containing gas into the casing, a downspout on the inner end of the casing beneath the bottom end of the downspout for discharging liquid from the casing, and a four-way two port valve for connecting either the inlet duct to a gas line for receiving liquid-containing gas, or the outlet duct to a drain for discharging liquid from the casing. The liquid-containing gas is fed into the casing until the liquid rises above the bottom of the downspout to compress gas in the top end of the casing. The valve is rotated to close the inlet duct and open the outlet duct to the drain, whereby liquid is discharged from the casing. The trapped gas provides the driving pressure for discharging the liquid and positive prevention of continuous venting of manifold gas vapors through the trap to atmosphere.

Abstract: The apparatus and method disclosed prevents hydrate formation in subsea oil and gas pipelines including at least one marine riser. The invention reduces the pressure on the fluids in a shut in pipeline by displacing fluids in the system into a reservoir thereby reducing the height of the column of fluids in the riser. A pump may be used to remove additional fluid from the fluid reservoir and pipeline to ensure the hydrostatic pressure associated with the final fluid level is below the pressure where hydrates may form at shut in temperatures. During start-up, a pump removes fluids from the fluid reservoir at about the same rate as produced fluids are allowed into the pipeline. The pump is shut down and pipeline operations are resumed when the liquid full wellstream fluids in the pipeline warm to a temperature outside the range where hydrates may form.

Abstract: The stability of bicarbonate dialysate is maintained over a prolonged period by maintaining a blanket of CO.sub.2 at atmospheric pressure over the solution in an air-tight storage tank having a non-leaching interior. The CO.sub.2 blanket is kept at atmospheric pressure in the storage tank by use of a negative pressure regulator connected to the CO.sub.2 gas cylinder. HCO.sub.3 in the stored dialysate remained stable for as long as thirty days.

Abstract: A container for holding a plurality of supplies of fluids of different colors for being provided to a color changer connected with spray painting equipment, is characterized by a canister in which is contained a plurality of bottles containing the fluids. Caps on the bottles have outlets connected through associated fluid supply tubes with inlets to the color changer, and vent holes are formed through the caps. The interior of the canister is maintained at a selected pressure, so that by virtue of the vent holes in the bottle caps the interiors of the bottles are pressurized and the fluids are supplied under pressure through their associated tubes to the color changer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for converting a continuous fluid stream into a succession of discrete fluid segments or boluses traveling independently of each other in a capillary passage, the menisci of the boluses so generated providing a clear basis for observing, accurately measuring, and controlling fluid flow. The meniscus generator is surrounded by a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid, and the wall of the capillary passage is provided with a longitudinal slit for reducing the effect of surface tension, for the spontaneous formation of boluses of the first fluid, for eliminating the effect of differential pressure on the boluses, and for maintaining separation of the boluses.

Abstract: In a gas-liquid receptacle that holds liquid in contact with pressure gas and has a concentric liquid port in its flat bottom wall, liquid inflow is controlled, to prevent foam generation, by a baffle disc and a screen, both over the liquid port. The baffle disc, which diverts liquid entering the liquid port into decelerating radially outward flow, is at least as big as the liquid port but small enough to be well spaced from the side wall of the receptacle, and it is spaced above the bottom wall by a distance preferably equal to 3/8 of the liquid port diameter. The screen extends entirely across the receptacle and is spaced above the baffle disc by a distance preferably about 50% greater than the distance from the bottom wall to the baffle disc.

Abstract: A pressure flush tank assembly for toilets which includes a combination of a flush valve coordinated with an air induction valve and refill valve to insure successful repetitive operation, together with a construction which prevents back-flow in the event of a negative line pressure and an initial outflow control to reduce noise and eliminate back bounce from the toilet bowl.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a first chamber in which there is present a gaseous or vaporous medium under pressure and a second chamber which is predominantly filled with a liquid medium under a pressure independent from the pressure in the first chamber. In addition to these two chambers an intermediate chamber is filled in normal operation with substantially the same gaseous or vaporous medium at substantially the same pressure as present in the first chamber. The first chamber is connected through ducts via the intermediate chamber with the second chamber and at normal operation an unavoidable predetermined pressure drop is caused between said intermediate chamber and said second chamber. The pressure regulation is effected by a piston-operated shut off device adapted to assume an open and a closed position which device is disposed between the first and second chamber.

Abstract: A primer valve for sewer line drain traps comprises a case having an upper water inlet communicating with the pressurized house line and a lower water outlet communicating with the trap. The hollow interior of the case is divided into a lower valved dispensing chamber which dispenses water into the trap; an intermediate supply chamber which supplies water to the primer valve system, and an upper trapped-air chamber. The latter actuates the valve in the dispensing chamber and dispenses water to the trap each time the pressure in the house line drops.

Abstract: A liquid isolator to prevent cross-contamination in the supply of liquid to and between animal racks. The isolator comprises cylindrical concentric tubes arranged to form a liquid storage chamber, a standpipe in the chamber, and a liquid entry tube within the standpipe. Near their upper ends, a liquid transfer port is provided between the standpipe chamber and the liquid storage chamber. An air lock is formed between the liquid transfer port and the level of any liquid in the storage chamber. The air lock isolates liquid in the standpipe chamber from the liquid in the storage chamber. Check valves are also provided in a liquid inlet at the top of the isolator and a liquid outlet at the bottom of the isolator, thus to prevent back flow through the isolator.

Abstract: This method and apparatus comprises displacing the product to be removed from a tank by forming and permanently maintaining at the upper part of the tank, above the product, an aqueous phase filling progressively the tank as the product is removed through a drain pipe. Jets of hot water are introduced into this aqueous phase and a secondary injection is effected in said aqueous phase above the level of these jets.

Abstract: A fluid check valve device for use with a gas precharged fluid storage tank comprising a valve body including a float chamber having an upper and lower check valve assembly formed at opposite ends thereof wherein the lower check valve assembly comprises a lower float member movable between a sealed and unsealed position and a lower valve seat and the upper check valve assembly comprises an upper float member movable between a sealed and unsealed position with a first and second upper valve seat together with antivortex flow apertures formed in the lower portion of the lower float chamber immediately above the lower valve seat and a plurality of float control apertures formed on the mid-portion of the float chamber such that as the gas precharged fluid storage tank is filled with fluid the lower float member is unseated from the lower valve seat permitting the gas precharged fluid storage tank and lower float chamber to be filled through the antivortex flow apertures and wherein the upper float member is moved

Abstract: A wet/dry vacuum apparatus is disclosed including a collection tank and a suction head. The suction head includes a base defining a tank inlet aperture, a blower intake aperture, a blower exhaust aperture, an atmospheric, intake-discharge aperture and an integrally molded valve housing. A blower is secured to the base in line with the intake aperture and includes an exhaust outlet connected to the exhaust aperture. The valve housing is opposite the blower and defines a tank opening communicating with the collection tank. A planar valve element is rotatably mounted within the housing and selectively permits communication of the blower intake with the tank for collection of debris and liquid or connection of the blower exhaust outlet with the tank to pressurize the tank and force the contents thereof out through the tank inlet.

Abstract: A system for controlling pressure in a container, for example the carburetor of an internal combustion engine, from a periodic acoustic source, for example the intake or exhuast of the engine or a selected engine component where the alternating pressure varies only slightly according to engine speed where it is desired to modify the slope of a fuel richness curve over a wide operating range. The system is characterized in that it comprises a conduit connecting the container chamber to the acoustic source, the pressure losses being different according to the direction of flow in the conduit.