Abstract: An onsite petrochemical storage and transport system comprising a land based facility, which provides storage at a well site for hydrocarbon reservoir products which include gas, oil and water at a high pressure. The pressurized mixture is transferred, by means of pressure equalization, into a truck with multiple pressure containing vessels and transported to a plant suitable for processing the raw hydrocarbon mixture. The well site facility and transport truck are configured to allow for separation of gas and liquids to selectively transfer the gas or liquids as desired. Remote well sites may be periodically serviced by transport trucks while maintaining continuous production.

Abstract: A rapid acting flow limiting valve is provided for an autoclave processing system. In this environment, each of a plurality of parts is placed in immediate proximity with a tool, then impressed into congruent engagement with the tool by an overlying vacuum bag, the interior of the vacuum bag being subjected to a vacuum via a vacuum manifold connecting all of the parts to a source of the vacuum, the interior of the vacuum bag being subjected to pressure. A first conduit leads from the chamber of the valve housing to the interior of the vacuum bag for its associated part, and a second conduit leads from the chamber to the vacuum manifold. An annular seal is positioned concentrically with an opening from the chamber into the first conduit. A flexible disk-shaped floating piston diaphragm assembly is peripherally fixed to the housing and is movable between an open position distant from the seal and a closed position engaged with the seal to thereby block flow through the first conduit.

Abstract: A compressed natural gas charging system includes a gas charging passageway whose one end is capable of being connected to a compressed natural gas supply device capable of supplying a compressed natural gas and whose other end opens into a gas vessel, and a one-way valve incorporated in the gas charging passageway to permit the compressed natural gas to flow from the one end of the gas charging passage through the one-way valve toward the other end. In the compressed natural gas charging system, a constriction is provided in the gas charging passageway downstream of the one-way valve and has a constriction degree larger than that of the one-way valve. Thus, it is possible to prevent an excessive temperature drop due to the adiabatic expansion of the compressed natural gas from occurring across the one-way valve and to rapidly charge the compressed natural gas, and it is unnecessary to use an expensive material for a part of or constituting the one-way valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve arrangement which can preferably be used in connection with a removal system comprising digester screens for digester liquids in cellulose digesters. The valve is characterized by a housing (1) with inlet openings (7) for digester liquid from each screen and at least one outlet opening (5) for the digester liquid from the screens and also at least one inlet opening (8) for digester liquid intended for back-flushing the screens and a rotor (10) in the housing (1) which is designed to shut off intermittently at least one of the inlet openings (7) from the screens and instead open the latter for the liquid for back-flushing.

Abstract: A master/slave discharge valve assembly for pressurized fluid containment systems includes a primary valve chamber, for connection to a fluid pressure source, formed by an eccentrically disposed first longitudinal bore and a secondary valve chamber defined by a second bore generally parallel to that of the primary chamber, communicating at one end with the primary valve chamber and a the other end with a discharge port. A displaceable primary valve member is positioned within the primary valve chamber. A slave valve member and an actuating piston are to open the slave valve member and permit a holding portion of pressurized fluid to vent to the atmosphere, thereby permitting the pressurized fluid to open the first valve member and allow pressurized fluid out the discharge port. A master/slave valve assembly according to the invention is of lower cost to manufacture as well as simpler and sturdier in construction than known valves for carbon dioxide fire suppression systems.

Abstract: A gradient generator comprising plural vessels of identical height but varied in cross section filled with compositional different liquids, having inlets for filling and outlets connected to a common discharge tube for discharge and delivering; but said plural vessels are formed by plural pieces of non-rigid bags with different profiles arranged side by side and sandwiched within a clearance of an erect parallel plate pair, and has an extrusion means at bottom to extrude and press flat of said filled plural non-rigid bag vessels parallel from their bottom toward the top when said outlets connected to said common discharge tube is at top.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing liquid chemicals into a laundry machine is described. An operator interface with a small number of programming/execution buttons is provided. The programming/execution buttons are pressed to define a liquid dispensing program which is stored as a compact set of instructions which can be executed with minimal computing power. Each step of the liquid dispensing program is defined by either delay information or chemical volume dispensing information, and a synchronization flag. When enabled, the synchronization flag in a program step causes the apparatus to wait for a synchronization signal before executing the program step. Synchronization signals are produced by a sensor that identifies water flows either into or from the laundry machine.

Abstract: A liquid heating or cooling circulator in which a liquid such as liquid egg is heated and cooled and flows easily and which is easily cleaned. The circulator includes a casing which holds a number of vertically disposed pipes held between upper and lower holding plates. The interior surface of the pipes is an aluminum alloy for corrosion resistance. A circulating pump and valves circulate the liquid egg or other liquid through the pipes in the casing.

Abstract: A liquid chemical delivery system automatically delivers viscous chemicals to a number of destinations, such as a number of industrial clothes washers. Several distinct chemicals are pumped, one at a time, into a manifold. The chemical being pumped is mixed with water in the manifold and then transported through a distribution line to its specified destination. By mixing the chemicals with water, viscous chemicals are diluted and delivered using a low pressure delivery system. A single flow meter is used to calibrate all the chemical metering pumps and to recalibrate those pumps periodically, thereby providing accurate chemical metering. The manifold and distribution tube are automatically flushed with water after every chemical delivery so as to reduce corrosion and maintenance costs. In addition, potentially reactive chemicals are kept separate from one another despite the use of only a single distribution line.

Abstract: High gas flow requirements of large size lines are conveniently provided by a series of high pressure tubes connected to header means adapted to control the storage and distribution of gas to the lines at desired flow rates for relatively short periods of time. Gas thus supplied can conveniently be used as a propelling gas stream for the in-situ cleaning of large size lines under high exit velocity conditions requiring the supply of gas at a high flow rate not conveniently supplied by conventional pumpers.

Abstract: Several high pressure gas cylinders are attached together in a pack, each container having a valve at one end that controls flow of gas from the cylinder and each valve having a removable valve control handle, the cylinders being arranged coextensive and contiguous in the pack with all cylinder valves at the same end of the pack, a gas manifold at that end of the pack having a gas input for each cylinder and a gas output for feeding gas to a utilization device, a gas line from each cylinder valve to one of the manifold inputs and a manifold valve at the manifold output, so arranged that the manifold valve controls gas flow from the pack of cylinders to the utilization device and the cylinder valves control gas flow from each cylinders to the utilization device.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is represented by a process and a layout for feeding gas stored in a cavern storage facility into a consumer network, in which a high feed-out rate for removal of gas over a protracted period of time can be achieved by means of a multistage procedure by prescribing specific supply line paths between the individual storage caverns and the consumer network to be supplied and by coordinating removal of gas from the individual storage caverns at an originally high storage pressure to a minimum residual pressure which is still below the operating pressure in the consumer network, by means of suitably controlled shut-off valves in the connecting supply line system between storage caverns and consumer network, the only ancillar equipment provided being a compressor station also required for feeding gas into the storage caverns.

Abstract: A device and method for automating immunohistochemical staining of biological material on glass slides is presented. The slides are placed on a base with the tissue section facing upwards. A "chamber" consisting of a rectangular plastic box with a hinged overhead door is clamped directly over the tissue section. A rubber gasket seals the chamber--slide interface. Reagents are dropped on to the tissue section by opening the hinged overhead plastic door. When the door is closed, the chamber is sufficiently sealed so as to prevent evaporation. Washing of the tissue section is accomplished by the addition and aspiration of buffer through ports in the chamber. The ports are connected via flexible tubing to a manifold. Because the wash steps are peformed in tandem and do not require manual manipulation of slides, a significant time savings is realized.

Abstract: A system for continuously charging containers with a flowable substance including solid material, has a first pipe, a flow sensor for detecting substance flow in the first pipe; a plurality of valved second pipes each communicating with the first pipe and extending into a respective container; a level sensor associated with each second pipe for directly responding to a predetermined height level of the solid material accumulating in each respective container; and a control arrangement connected to the flow sensor, the level sensors and the valves of the second pipes for shutting off the valve of that second pipe through which charging was in progress and simultaneously opening the valve of another second pipe which is associated with an empty, standby container, at the moment when the level sensor associated with the container undergoing charging indicates that the solids reached the "full" level, while, at the same time, the flow sensor continues to indicate substance flow.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing liquid chemicals such as photoresist from containers, in particular, from collapsible pouch-type containers.

Abstract: A multi-engine helicopter fuel supply balance system effects automatic trfer of fuel from a larger tank to a smaller tank in response to low fuel level in the smaller tank when in automatic mode, and effects a transfer of a predetermined quantity of fuel between selected tanks by timed operation of a constant delivery pump when in manual mode.

Abstract: An aircraft fire protection system includes a plurality of extinguishant bottles which can be detonated to deliver extinguishant into a manifold and then to selected fire zones through valves associated with the respective fire zones. Solid state control circuitry opens the appropriate valve when a corresponding push button switch is initially depressed and detonates one or more bottles in sequence when the same switch is subsequently depressed one or more times. A manual crash switch opens all valves when depressed once and discharges all bottles when depressed again. An automatic crash switch opens all valves and detonates all bottles if the aircraft should crash. A test circuit operates in a test mode to open all valves in sequence and to simulate sequential detonation of all bottles by applying low level current to the bottle detonator circuits.

Abstract: A multifluid dispensing system especially suited for web tinting machines or the like. A plurality of fluid and, optionally, air-tight tanks are provided. In a recirculating embodiment, the tanks feed fluid to, and receive fluid from, two manifolds. The upper (output) manifold receiving fluid from each tank slopes to gravity drain into the second manifold. The second (inlet) manifold is level to eliminate low spots for fluid accumulation. The inlet manifold drains into the tanks through valves in the side of, and level with, the manifold. A non-recirculating embodiment uses only the second manifold with pressurized tanks. An optional flush tank may be provided.

Abstract: A valve mechanism for a dual tank fuel supply system includes a housing (304) communicated to the return circuit (118, 218) and supply circuit (116, 216). The valve mechanism is responsive to pressure differentials between branches (170, 172 and 270, 272) of the supply circuit (216) to switch communication between branches (178, 180, 278, 280) of the return circuit (118, 218) accordingly.

Abstract: A pair of vacuum chambers (27 and 28) are mounted on a T-bar gripper (19) which engages the back walls of a pair of adjacent batteries (16). Operation of a knurled, internally threaded collar (23) draws the vacuum chambers into sealed (54) engagement with the battery casings. A pair of drills (66) mounted at acute angles greater than 45.degree. are operated to drill angular holes (71) through the casings into the vicinity of the bottoms of the casings. Application of vacuum to the chambers draws electrolyte from the casings to levels below the levels of the entries of the angular holes into the casings.

Abstract: Hydropneumatic energy reservoir for accumulating the braking energy recovered on a vehicle by means of a hydrostatic energy recovery-restoration device, combined or not with the vehicle transmission and working between a high-pressure accumulator and a low-pressure accumulator, characterized in that it comprises several oblong cylindrical hydropneumatic accumulators (1) connected hydraulically in parallel and placed side by side inside a single casing (6) of small height, the space included between the said casing (6) and the said accumulators (1) forming the low-pressure accumulator (16).

Abstract: In a device for dispensing liquids from a first into a second container via a conveying conduit including a flow counter and shut-off means, flow measuring errors due to the presence of gas in the liquid are prevented by controlling the effective free cross-section of the shut-off means so that flow is permitted only if the pressure upstream of the flow counter is between two positive pressure values.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a portable gas supply station comprising two or more gas bottles or cylinders for welding and other applications.The gas cylinders are mounted via their necks in a block. A movable handle makes it possible to open and close the gas lines simultaneously. In its carrying position, the handle ensures closure which allows complete safety.The gas supply station is particularly suitable for welding, soldering, flame cutting and other applications.

Abstract: Energy saving systems for a commercial laundry utilizing a plurality of machines wherein a simple diverter valve directs the effluent from the machines to either a waste area or a recycle tank. In one embodiment a system of troughs in the floor of the laundry are provided to collect the effluents from the different machines are directed to one or the other by the diverter valve. In the second embodiment, a self-contained modular device is provided, but again with separate diverter valves to control the effluent of each machine. Numerous optional features and many combinations of the features are possible.

Abstract: A fluid handling system and multi-positionable valving arrangement for use therein wherein a plurality of fluid source means such, for example, as a plurality of fuel tanks or the like, are adapted to be interconnected with a plurality of fluid utilization means such, for example, as a plurality of diesel engines or the like, in such a manner that fluid contained in a selected one or ones of the plurality of fluid source means can be directed to all or selected ones of the plurality of fluid utilization means, and wherein excess fluid which is unused by the fluid utilization means can be returned to the particular source means from which it was supplied or, in certain instances, can be returned to fluid source means other than that from which it was supplied.

Abstract: An underwater gas/liquid reservoir 1, particularly designed to be used as a ballast/buoyancy tank in an offshore drilling platform, has a pressurized supply duct 2 for introducing gas into the reservoir to control the liquid level therein. The gas supply duct has two openings 8, 11, one near the bottom of the reservoir and the other near the top. A movable straddle packer 14 is disposed in the gas supply duct for selectively closing the bottom opening 8 so that gas is allowed to flow only through the top opening 11 of the supply duct. The packer can also be positioned to uncover the bottom opening 8 of the gas supply duct. In operation, the liquid level within the reservoir is controlled by the introduction or release of pressurized gas into or from the reservoir through the openings of the gas supply duct either to force liquid from the reservoir or to allow liquid to flow into it.

Abstract: A hydrostatic gradient generator has a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber detachably attached to a base provided with a pressure regulator. The regulator has inlets, one for each chamber and in communication with the lower end thereof with the two inlets opening into the regulator close to its upper end and at the same level to provide a pressure reference plane inclusive of the bottom of the gradient producing portion of the liquid in the second chamber. The portions of the chambers for the gradient forming volumes are of the same volumetric capacity with their cross sectional areas constantly increasing from a minimum at one end to a maximum at the other end, the minimum at the lower end of the first chamber and the maximum at the lower end of the second chamber. Means are provided to enable the first chamber to be offset vertically relative to the second chamber.

Abstract: A hydrostatic gradient generator has a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber detachably attached to a base provided with a pressure regulator. The regulator has inlets, one for each chamber and in communication with the lower end thereof with the two inlets opening into the regulator close to its upper end and at the same level to provide a pressure reference plane inclusive of the bottom of the gradient producing portion of the liquid in the second chamber. The portions of the chambers for the gradient forming volumes are of the same volumetric capacity with their cross sectional areas constantly increasing from a minimum at one end to a maximum at the other end, the minimum at the lower end of the first chamber and the maximum at the lower end of the second chamber. Means are provided to enable the first chamber to be offset vertically relative to the second chamber.

Abstract: Calibrated control of the duty cycle of fast acting pulse valves provides highly accurate control of fluid flow through the valve. While the flow is precisely controllable, it is not directly proportional to the duty cycle and thus a calibration curve is needed for each valve.

Abstract: Treating and venting gaseous nuclides in the gas space above the liquid level in tanks containing radioactive liquid is accomplished by connecting the gas spaces in series with the gas space at one end having the highest radioactivity, normally discharging at a limited rate into a waste gas system, and air to replace the discharged gas, introduced into the gas space at the other end. Sudden surges or fluctuations in gas pressure in the gas spaces due to rapid filling of the tank with liquid is relieved by discharging gas from the gas space of low activity at the other end into a stack. Voids in the tanks created by rapid emptying of the tanks is filled by air entering the gas space of low activity at the other end. A self cleaning filter which removes nuclides from the gas before entering the stack is reactivated by the passage of air in a reverse direction through the filter with the return of the nuclides to the gas space of low activity.

Abstract: A hydrostatic gradient generator has a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber detachably attached to a base provided with a pressure regulator. The regulator has inlets, one for each chamber and in communication with the lower end thereof with the two inlets opening into the regulator close to its upper end and at the same level to provide a pressure reference plane inclusive of the bottom of the gradient producing portion of the liquid in the second chamber. The portions of the chambers for the gradient forming volumes are of the same volumetric capacity with their cross sectional areas constantly increasing from a minimum at one end to a maximum at the other end, the minimum at the lower end of the first chamber and the maximum at the lower end of the second chamber. Means are provided to enable the first chamber to be offset vertically relative to the second chamber.

Abstract: The disclosure of this specification illustrates and teaches the use of a self contained breathing apparatus for attachment to a user's back and incorporates a plurality of tanks having a manifold between them that is common to all with a single filling block leading thereto, and a reserve system mounted at one end thereof. The reserve system comprises a poppet valve which signals a loss in pressure by closing, after which it can then be actuated to open it for supplying the remaining portion of the reserve breathing gas through the manifold.The system also has a first and second stage regulator to provide regulated breathing gas to a user. The first stage regulator incorporates a dynamically balanced piston which is supported by an O-ring that is deformed through its cross section to provide movement to the valving piston.The entire system is encapsulated within a package or casing which can be opened along a parting line thereof and which is secured by over-center latches.

Abstract: A sewage system having a central drywell pump room surrounded by a circular-segment well system comprising first and second wet wells and a third or overflow retention well.

Abstract: Apparatus for copolymerizing at least two gaseous monomers to form block copolymers or gradient copolymers comprising a closed reactor for receiving the monomers and subjecting them to copolymerizing conditions, at least three feed tanks for containing the monomers under pressure, a first feed manifold connecting one end of each feed tank to the reactor, first valve means in the first manifold for controlling flow therein between the first and second feed tank, between the second and third feed tank and between the feed tanks and the reactor, a second feed manifold connecting the other end of each feed tank to the reactor, and second valve means in the second manifold for controlling flow from each feed tank into the second manifold.

Abstract: To a water stream, during the steady flow conditions thereof, a friction-reducing additive is introduced from a vessel through a supply line by means of a mixing nozzle. During the transient flow conditions of the water stream, for preventing the admixture of the friction-reducing additive into the water stream, instead of this additive a buffer liquid is introduced into the supply line between the vessel and the mixing nozzle.

Abstract: A gravity feeder for a liquor distribution system includes a manifold having a vented chamber, there being a series of vertically extending nipples on the manifold that are of different lengths. Interchangeable feeder caps detachably secured to individual bottles telescope over the manifold nipples to support the bottle in inverted position. Each feeder cap has a feeder tube that projects into the manifold chamber with its lower end at a level corresponding to the different lengths of the nipples themselves. A feeder system is established in which the bottles go on line in sequence. An uncomplicated and efficient system is provided.

Abstract: An electrically heated hot water system made of two superposed interconnected closed containers having a substantially elongated shape, a water inlet provided at the bottom of the lower container and a water outlet provided at the top of the upper container, two tubular members connecting the top surface of the lower container to the bottom surface of the upper container for allowing the water of the bottom container to raise into the upper container, immersible electrical heating elements disposed substantially across each container for heating the water adapted to be contained in the said containers, and a thermostatic control device connected to each container and to each heating element for maintaining the temperature of the water contained in each container at a predetermined degree, whereby the water heated in the containers by the heating elements is raised from the lower container to the tubular members.

Abstract: A device for sparging carbon dioxide from an acidified aqueous stream for use in a system for quantitatively determining the organic carbon content of the stream has a body with vertically extending cavities formed therethrough and passageways which connect the cavities in series so that the aqueous stream travels the length of a cavity before passing into the next. Dispersion tubes are mounted in the cavities for dispersing fine bubbles of sparging gas into the aqueous stream. The gas and carbon dioxide which has evolved from the aqueous stream is collected and discharged through the cavities.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus for sequentially gravity feeding the liquid contents from a plurality of liquid containers into a closed manifold for selective dispensing therefrom. The manifold itself is disposed in a generally horizontal position and includes a plurality of individual container receivers extending generally vertically upward therefrom and in liquid communication therewith. Each receiver includes means for supporting a liquid container in an inverted, vertically disposed position with successive ones of the containers having their liquid outlets positioned at a different vertical level than the liquid outlet levels of the other containers. This arrangement permits the establishment of an initial steady state liquid level wherein all the container liquid outlets are at least covered by liquid to prevent further liquid flow therefrom.