Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning device includes a fluid distribution system for controlling its operation. More particularly, the distribution system includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid, a pair of outlet openings and a valve chamber positioned between the inlet and the outlet openings. A piston, including a valve member, is movably mounted in the housing so as to be movable between a first position, in which the valve member closes one of the outlet openings so as to divert pressurized fluid to the other one of the outlet openings, and a second position, in which the valve member closes the other one of the outlet openings so as to divert pressurized fluid to the one of the outlet openings. A valve is provided for controlling the movement of the piston between the first and second positions. The piston has a passage extending therethrough so as to permit flow of pressurized fluid from the valve chamber to the valve.

Abstract: A liquid gathering and transferring apparatus for gathering liquid from a liquid source containing a quantity of liquid having a liquid surface and containing debris and discharging the liquid into a liquid receiving location includes an intake chamber having a chamber discharge end in fluid communication with the liquid receiving location and a chamber structural end opposite the chamber discharge end and a chamber side wall extending between the chamber discharge end and the chamber structural end and a longitudinal series of liquid intake ports in the chamber side wall extending generally between the chamber discharge end and the chamber structural end, the intake ports being of generally increasing diameter along the chamber side wall toward the chamber structural end for minimizing liquid vortex formation at the intake ports; so that the intake chamber can be suspended below the liquid surface at a minimal depth where less debris is present and draw liquid with negligible vortex formation.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for maintaining a minimum flow velocity in return piping receiving dirty coolant from a plurality of machine tools receiving filtered coolant from a filter apparatus. A bypass line diverts clean coolant into the return piping via a pressure reducing valve set to allow make up flow of clean coolant into the return piping just sufficient to maintain a pressure corresponding to the minimum flow velocity in the return piping. A pressure maintaining valve is interposed upstream of the pressure reducing valve and set to restrict flow as necessary to maintain adequate pressure to insure that the machine tools are adequately supplied with clean coolant at start up prior to the beginning of contaminated flow in the return piping.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filter for use in a valve is disclosed. The valve can include a bore, an orifice disposed in the bore for accommodating a fluid flow therethrough, and a filter disposed in the bore between the input port of the fluid flow being filtered and the orifice being protected. The filter can include an entrance head in predetermined spaced relationship with the bore of the valve to define a filter entrance and a body portion. The entrance head can be configured to prevent particles of a predetermined size from entering the filter entrance. The body portion can include at least a portion that has a different shape than the entrance head which cooperates with the bore to define a fluid passage. The fluid passage can have an exit port which is communicable with the orifice to send filtered fluid to the orifice. The filter can include an offset portion which extends beyond an end face of the bore which is useful to develop pressure gradients which provide for a self-cleaning function.

Abstract: A diverter valve comprises a housing having inlets, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The inlets are connected to hot and cold water supplies, and mixing of the hot and cold water occurs both inside the housing and inside a mixing chamber external to the valve. The first outlet is connected to a spout, and the second outlet is connected to a spray unit. A valve element is mounted in the housing, movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the first outlet. A piston member comprising a first piston at the bottom end of the valve element, and a second smaller piston at the top end of the valve is responsive to pressure differential between the second outlet and the inlet for movement to a first and second position. When a lower pressure exists at the second outlet, the piston member moves to the second position, closing off the first outlet. The valve also includes a flow regulator to regulate the flow through the second outlet.

Abstract: A fluid spigot with a spigot body, a spigot tube, a rotary disc valve located in a valve cavity in the spigot body, the rotary disc valve having an opened and closed positions, a valve stem for turning the rotary disc valve, and a handle for turning the valve stem. The invention further provides a filter unit for attachment to a water spigot or faucet. The filter unit has a filter cannister with a hollow body with a fluid inlet and an open mouth portion, a filter sized to fit within the filter cannister, and an adapter that fits over the open mouth portion of the filter canister, wherein the filter cannister is sized to fit through a hole in a sink rim, the filter being replaceable from above the sink by removing the adapter to access the filter.

Abstract: A refrigerant connection includes a ferrule positioned within a threaded nut. The threaded nut is received on a connector body. A seal is positioned between the ferrule and the connector body. As the nut is turned on the connector body, the ferrule squeezes the seal. The seal is cylindrical such that sealing surfaces are provided at each axial end and at an outer periphery. In this way, the seal is not as sensitive to surface imperfections in the various components as was the case in the prior art.

Abstract: A fluid pick up device for removing fluid from storage tanks includes an intake, a submerging member that maintains the intake submerged in the fluid, and a float that enables the intake to move in relationship to the level of fluid. The submerging member can include an extension communicating with the intake. The extension can be an adjustable arm connected to a delivery member by a swivel joint. A stopping member can control the arm's range of motion. The intake is angled downward, and the length of the arm is set to prevent the intake from passing into a contaminated volume of fluid near the tank bottom. The intake can also be movable. The adjustable arm can retract into the delivery member.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a plurality of cylinders containing pistons connected with a crankshaft for transmitting power. The cylinders have closed ends, intake and exhaust ports communicating with the cylinders through the closed ends, valves operable to open and close the ports to air and exhaust flow to and from the cylinders, and a lower end pressure oil lubrication system operative to lubricate at least the cylinders, pistons and crankshaft of the engine. The engine includes hydraulic actuators operable to actuate the valves and forming part of a separate upper end hydraulic oil actuation system operative to selectively supply high pressure hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuators to actuate the valves in a predetermined manner. Optionally, the hydraulic system may have an oil reservoir within the engine block, such as in the valley between the cylinder banks of a V type engine.

Abstract: A valve has a valve housing having a flow path for a medium with at least one bore. At least one screen is arranged in the flow path of the medium in the valve housing. The screen is a perforated plate having screen openings and is made of a strap. The valve housing has at least one annular channel and the screen is arranged on a support surface provided in the annular channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for analyzing a blood or other biological fluid sample in a quiescent state, whereby particulate constituents of biological samples that contain sparse populations of interesting cellular species can be enumerated and inspected using an optical scanning instrument. Specifically, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining increased cellular or particulate concentrations within the use of said optical scanning method.

Abstract: A fuel injector system (10) calculates a first derivative filtered signal and a second derivative filtered signal from an unpowered spool valve coil signal. When the spool valve (16) reaches the end of travel, either open or closed position, a flat slope f is generated on the falling edge of the bell shaped signal. The second derivative provides a readily apparent determination of when the steep slope occurs. A comparator (62) thereby need only determine when the second derivative is zero to identify that the spool valve has reached the end of travel.

Abstract: After a second plate member 3 is inserted into a space which is surrounded by side walls 6a through 6d of a first plate member 2, the bonded surface 3a of the second plate member 3 is bonded and fixed to the bonded surface 2a of the first plate member 2 by an adhesive to form a sample handling unit 1. At this time, the second plate member 3 is positioned by protrusions 35 and 36 of the first plate member 2 in X and Y directions, and positioned and fixed by holding members 8 through 13 and inside holding members 26 and 27 in Z directions (normal directions on an external surface 7). A microfluidic device 101 includes microchips 106 through 108 of plural kinds having passages 132 through 134 for transporting a sample, and a base member 102 on which the microchips 106 through 108 are arranged.

Abstract: A differential pressure valve is used to deliver a medical gas such as oxygen to a patient. A movable slave diaphragm operates to open and close a gas passageway in response to the patient's inhalations. In particular, the slave diaphragm opens and closes a nozzle that is pressurized by stored oxygen in a gas reservoir. The diaphragm is pneumatically controlled in response to the patient's inhalation. The nozzle is sized so that the forces exerted on the diaphragm on the nozzle side of the diaphragm nearly balance the forces exerted on the opposing (timing gas chamber) side of the diaphragm. Furthermore, the nozzle includes a filter element.

Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a valve body, an annular groove portion formed in an outer periphery of the valve body, a filter provided in the groove portion. The filter includes a plate with a plural of perforations and formed into a cylindrical shape. The filter further includes a snap ring formed from a thin bar bent into a loop. Both ends of the snap ring extending in an axial direction and freely contacting with opposed side surfaces defining the groove portion.

Abstract: To prevent foreign particles from entering the inlet of a solenoid valve during assembly in a coolant circuit, a particle filter is connected upstream of the inlet.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filter for use in a valve is disclosed. The valve can include a bore, an orifice disposed in the bore for accommodating a fluid flow therethrough, and a filter disposed in the bore between the input port of the fluid flow being filtered and the orifice being protected. The filter can include an entrance head in predetermined spaced relationship with the bore of the valve to define a filter entrance and a body portion. The entrance head can be configured to prevent particles of a predetermined size from entering the filter entrance. The body portion can include at least a portion that has a different shape than the entrance head which cooperates with the bore to define a fluid passage. The fluid passage can have an exit port which is communicable with the orifice to send filtered fluid to the orifice. The filter can include an offset portion which extends beyond an end face of the bore which is useful to develop pressure gradients which provide for a self-cleaning function.

Abstract: In order to provide a simply-structured fuel filter which permits soaking at least part of a filter unit all the time in fuel in a reservoir, a reservoir unit is configured of a resin-built cylindrical reservoir having a bottom arranged on the bottom of a fuel tank, a primary filter installed near the inner bottom of that reservoir and a fuel pump sucking fuel in the reservoir through the primary filter, wherein projections protruding upward from the inner bottom of the reservoir are integrally molded and engaging holes to engage with those projections are bored in the circumference of the primary filter.

Abstract: The invention is a sea water suction strainer and pump assembly for drawing and filtering a fluid to be used for cooling or other purposes for machinery and the like requiring a supply of filtered water. A typical application is onboard a ship or boat where sea water is drawn and filtered for cooling the engines or supplied to the air conditioning plants. A sea water suction strainer is fluidly coupled to a sea water suction pump via a quick disconnect coupling so that the individual components can be removed separately from a special mounting plate. The special mounting plate is mounted onto the hull or bulkhead of a ship or boat. The mounting of the individual components directly adjacent another on the special mounting plate allows the individual components to be serviced and/or replaced quickly and conveniently.

Abstract: The pressure regulator has a regulator body with a control chamber and outlet and inlet passageways opening thereto, a bonnet with a bonnet chamber and a diaphragm separating the chambers. A filter housing is mounted in the control chamber and mounts a filter and a valve seat that opens to the inlet passageway while spring urged mechanism moves the a valve stem to permit fluid flow through the valve seat and into the control chamber between the filter and diaphragm when the pressure therein falls below a preselected level, and then through the filter to the outlet passageway. When the pressure in the outlet passageway is at or above a preselected value, the pressure acts against a diaphragm whereby the piston retains the valve stem in a fluid flow blocking position.

Abstract: An instrument station in the form of a single-piece body is provided that incorporates ports for a flow measuring device or a piping accessory, including a thermometer, a drain valve, an air vent, a pressure or temperature transmitter, or other measuring device. A balancing type valve may be connected to the instrument station to allow the flow to be adjusted. The instrument station has an inner specific diameter and is attached to a pipe with an equal inner diameter. The pipe section typically has a length that is at least the sum of five inner specific diameters of the body of the instrument station.

Abstract: A flow control valve is disclosed having a cylindrical housing having inlet and outlet ends and a central portion there between; a piston slidably disposed within the central portion and having a wall at one end thereof; a piston rod having a base and a top, a filter located within the rod, and a spring surrounding the rod for urging the rod and the piston toward the inlet end; and a flow restrictor through which the rod is able to pass. The flow restrictor has a first portion with one or more inlet ports and a second portion separated from the first portion by an annular ridge.

Abstract: A hydraulic power assembly (10) includes an electric motor (30) disposed on a removable top (26) outside a tank (12) defining a chamber (25). A first pump (32) depends from the removable top (26) and into the chamber (25) and includes a first inlet (34) and a first outlet (35) to deliver fluid to a fluid line (36) and a fluid distribution manifold (38) disposed on the removable top (26). A leakage line (52) extends from the pump (32) and through the removable top (26) and back through the removable top (26) and drains into the chamber (25) for determining if the pump (32) is operating efficiently. A heat exchanger (78) is adjacent the motor (30) for cooling the hydraulic fluid as it is returned into the chamber (25) thereby cooling the fluid in the chamber (25). The tank (12) also includes a liner (74) for reducing the noise of the pump (32).

Abstract: Engine oil solenoid control valve having a solenoid coil, a solenoid armature movable by energization of a solenoid coil, a check valve communicated to a fluid exhaust port of the control valve, a fluid control valve movable relative to a fluid control port in response to armature movement, and a permanent magnet disposed relative to one or more fluid supply ports of the control valve to magnetically attract and hold or getter ferrous particles in hydraulic fluid supplied to the supply port(s).

Abstract: An automatic valve includes a housing having an inlet passage and a passage to outlet, a linearly movable shaft disposed in the housing having two stops separated by a predetermined distance, a hydraulic unit connected to the housing and to the linearly movable shaft, and a sealing flange having at least one aperture accommodating the linearly movable shaft. The sealing flange being movable on the linearly movable shaft to close and open the passage to outlet through force of one of the stops on the sealing flange, the linearly movable shaft being biased to urge the sealing flange toward the passage to outlet by contact with one of the stops wherein the sealing flange in position to close the passage to outlet from the inlet passage despite limited movement of the linearly movable shaft.

Abstract: A whirlpool reduction cap. The cap for redirecting fluid flow towards an exit port or drain in a vessel comprises a top solid surface area greater than or equal to the area of the exit port, a base connected to the exit port, a side wall positioned between the top surface and the exit port, and an inlet positioned in the side wall, thereby reducing formation of a vortex as a fluid is drained from the vessel.

Abstract: A faucet assembly is mounted to a mounting surface and is coupled to a filter assembly that is replaceable both above and below the mounting surface. The faucet assembly includes a faucet including a valve to control the flow rate of water and a base attached to the mounting surface. The filter assembly is disposed beneath the mounting surface and includes a filter and a flexible water line connected to a water source. The filter assembly is sized to fit through an opening in the mounting surface.

Abstract: This invention provides apparatus and methods for controlling the particle size of the solid mass present in the circulating drilling fluid returning from an underwater wellhead during the drilling of a subsea wellbore. The system may include a separator at the sea floor adjacent the wellhead, which separates solids above a predetermined size from the wellstream. The wellstream then enters one or more underwater pumps, which pump the wellstream to the surface. A crusher, as a separate unit, integrated in the separator or in the pump, receives the separated solids and reduces them to relatively small-sized particles. The small particles are then pumped or moved to the surface by the pumps utilized for pumping the wellstream to the surface or by a separate underwater pump. Alternatively, the separated solids are collected from the separator into a container, which container is then transported to the surface by a suitable method.

Abstract: A filter arrangement for use with a vessel that receives fluid includes a body engageable with the vessel. The body has an inlet port, an outlet port, a body cavity, a first fluid path disposed between the inlet port and body cavity, and a second fluid path disposed between the body cavity and the outlet port. A filter is disposed at least partially in the body cavity, and includes a filter cavity and filter media for filtering the fluid. A valve is associated with the body for allowing the fluid to flow into and out of the vessel. When the fluid flows into the vessel, the fluid flows through the filter cavity and along the first fluid path without flowing through the filter media. When the fluid flows out of the vessel, the fluid flows along the first fluid path, through the filter media and along the second fluid path.

Abstract: A faucet assembly is mounted to a mounting surface and is coupled to a filter assembly that is replaceable both above and below the mounting surface. The faucet assembly includes a faucet including a valve to control the flow rate of water and a base attached to the mounting surface. The filter assembly is disposed beneath the mounting surface and includes a filter and a flexible water line connected to a water source. The filter assembly is sized to fit through an opening in the mounting surface.

Abstract: For use with a city water system having a plurality of street water mains interconnected by branch water mains and having hydrants connected to the branch water mains, a city water flushing and sludge prevention method consisting the steps of: inserting a sludge-prevention control valve into a branch water main between two street water mains and closer to one of the two street water mains; the sludge-prevention control valve in the closed position preventing water from flowing through the branch water main from the closer street water main during a flushing operations, whereby all water flows through the branch water main from the more distant street water main and thereby flushes the portion of the branch water main between the sludge-prevention control valve and the more distant street water main; and an optional control mechanism adapted to close and open the sludge-prevention control valve. The control mechanism can utilize any power source such as electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, etc.

Abstract: An adapter assembly for use in mating a filter cartridge to a filter manifold, includes an adapter body having a manifold coupler and a cartridge coupler. The manifold coupler is for mating with the filter manifold and has an inlet being fluidly communicable with a filter manifold fluid inlet and a fluid outlet being fluidly communicable with a filter manifold fluid outlet and having sealing means, the sealing means isolating an inlet flow of unfiltered water from an outlet flow of filtered water. The cartridge coupler is for mating with the filter cartridge and has an inlet being fluidly communicable with a filter cartridge inlet and being in fluid communication with the manifold coupler inlet and a fluid outlet being fluidly communicable with a filter cartridge outlet and being in fluid communication with the manifold coupler outlet and having sealing means, the sealing means isolating an inlet flow of unfiltered water to the filter cartridge from an outlet flow of filtered water form the filter cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention is related to valves for the controlling the flow of media. For example, the valves of the present invention may control the flow of solid media into a fluid stream. More, specifically, the valves of the present invention may be used to control the flow of a blasting media into an air stream as part of a blasting apparatus for treatment of a surface. In one embodiment, the media control valve of the present invention includes a valve body having a media inlet and a media outlet. A housing is connected to the valve body. A plunger is positioned within the valve body and is connected to a piston positioned within the housing. A base is connected to the valve body such that it communicates with the media outlet. The media control valve of this embodiment may further include a sleeve disposed between the valve body and the plunger. This sleeve may contain a media opening.

Abstract: A flow control valve is disclosed having a cylindrical housing having inlet and outlet ends and a central portion there between; a piston slidably disposed within the central portion and having a wall at one end thereof; a piston rod having a base and a top, a filter located within the rod, and a spring surrounding the rod for urging the rod and the piston toward the inlet end; and a flow restrictor through which the rod is able to pass. The flow restrictor has a first portion with one or more inlet ports and a second portion separated from the first portion by an annular ridge.

Abstract: A water faucet assembly comprises a spout, a water supply port, a filter, and a valve. Fluid flow is stopped, between the water supply port and the filter inlet, before fluid communication is closed, between the filter outlet and the spout, as the valve is moved from on to off position when the water supply port is connected to a water source.

Abstract: An adapter assembly for use in mating a filter cartridge to a filter manifold, includes an adapter body having a manifold coupler and a cartridge coupler. The manifold coupler is for mating with the filter manifold and has an inlet being fluidly communicable with a filter manifold fluid inlet and a fluid outlet being fluidly communicable with a filter manifold fluid outlet and having sealing means, the sealing means isolating an inlet flow of unfiltered water from an outlet flow of filtered water. The cartridge coupler is for mating with the filter cartridge and has an inlet being fluidly communicable with a filter cartridge inlet and being in fluid communication with the manifold coupler inlet and a fluid outlet being fluidly communicable with a filter cartridge outlet and being in fluid communication with the manifold coupler outlet and having sealing means, the sealing means isolating an inlet flow of unfiltered water to the filter cartridge from an outlet flow of filtered water form the filter cartridge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a maintenance device (1) in which the individual functional modules (3-6) are aligned in a vertical direction and the compressed air flows through them in a vertical direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a flow-based fire alarm. A bypass system is provided to allow sufficient water flow where a pressure drop, particularly in a residential or multi-purpose piping system such as a water softener is encountered, by providing an alternate, lower pressure flow path allowing additional flow when the pressure drop through the system becomes too great. Flow detection means are also provided with minimal pressure drop to insure that flow for fire protection need is not unduly restricted. The flow detection means includes either a differential pressure switch coupled to an orifice plate or a moving orifice plate having thereon a magnet, which communicates with a Reed switch in proportion to the flow therethrough. An integral system incorporating all of the elements discussed provides multiple levels of security for a fire protection system for use in a residence or other structure.

Abstract: An injection valve for internal combustion engines has a filter element arranged on the inside of the injection valve in the fuel flow of the latter with ducts for the fuel. The filter element is designed as a throughflow heating element, for which purposes the walls of the throughflow ducts are capable of being heated, at least in certain regions, along their longitudinal extent.

Abstract: A high-pressure fuel pump device which can facilitate the assembly of a high-pressure pump and a high-pressure regulator by standardizing a pump body or a valve housing. The pump body of the high-pressure pump has a high-pressure valve connection portion on the exterior side including a high-pressure passage which is used to connect the high-pressure regulator, the valve housing of the high-pressure regulator has a high-pressure pump connection portion on the exterior side including a high-pressure passage which is used to connect the high-pressure pump, and the high-pressure valve connection portion and the high-pressure pump connection portion are connected to each other to assemble the high-pressure pump and the high-pressure regulator together.

Abstract: This invention refers to a microsplitter in flow systems especially used for separation techniques in analytical chemistry such as microliquid chromatography (MLC), high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ancillary techniques. The splitter system comprises a microsplitter and a micromixer which are connected by a microbore tubing. A high collection rate and high resolution of the sample peak are achieved by the proper choice of tubing length and diameters and the use of a back pressure regulator to obtain a controlled split ratio.

Abstract: A liquid filter (10) with a built-in pressure regulator (11) for fuel is proposed, wherein the pressure regulator (11) with its diaphragm (41) is built on the housing (12) on a component (18) on the front with at least one connection (19). The disk-shaped diaphragm (41) has a single clamping site (39) on its external circumference and a centrally arranged movable closure closure member (42). The diaphragm (41) is acted upon by pressure in a pressure chamber (45) connected with the clean side against the force of a spring (49) in a gas-filled spring chamber (48). The integration of the pressure regulator (11) in the housing (12) permits a simple, compact, cost-effective construction of the liquid filter (10), through whose valve (44) in the pressure regulator (11) only cleaned fuel flows and which is insensitive to backpressure in the tank connection (17).

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing and a float. The housing is constructed and arranged to inhibit movement of the float between a resting position to a position where it is situated in its valve seat, unless a selected liquid volume within the valve housing is attained. In one embodiment, a series of projection members or rings creates a tortuous path, such that there is no clear path for the float to reach the valve seat. In another embodiment, vacuum pressure is created between the float and its cup support. Still other embodiments utilize magnets, springs, linkages, and bent wires. Methods for preventing liquid ingestion into an engine through an air intake are also provided.

Abstract: A gas pressure-reducing valve in which a valve member to be seated on a valve seat having a valve hole opened at its central portion and leading to a pressure-reducing chamber between a body and a diaphragm is fixed on a valve stem connected to the central portion of the diaphragm and arranged coaxially with the valve axis. A bottomed mounting bore which is aligned with the valve axis and opened toward the pressure-reducing chamber is formed in the body. A cylindrical valve seat member forming a valve chamber between itself and the closed end of the mounting bore for accommodating the valve member and inserted into the mounting bore is fixed on the body. A valve seat facing the valve chamber is formed on the inner surface of the end portion of the valve seat member on the side of the pressure-reducing chamber. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and to enhance the degree of freedom for the arrangement of the parts in the body.

Abstract: For use with a city water system having a plurality of street water mains interconnected by branch water mains and having hydrants connected to the branch water mains, a city water flushing and sludge prevention apparatus consisting of: a sludge-prevention control valve insertable into a branch water main between two street water mains and closer to one of the two street water mains; the sludge-prevention control valve in the closed position preventing water from flowing through the branch water main from the closer street water main during a flushing operation, whereby all water flows through the branch water main from the more distant street water main and thereby flushes the portion of the branch water main between the sludge-prevention control valve and the more distant street water main; and a control mechanism adapted to close and open the sludge-prevention control valve.

Abstract: A throttle element installed in a blind bore of a connecting conduit which delivers fluid to cool an electromagnet. The throttle element includes a filter region upstream of a throttle which throttles flow of the fluid from an annular groove to the blind bore that connects with the electromagnet.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding fuel to an engine is disclosed including a storage tank and a supply tank, the storage tank having a substantially greater volume than the supply tank, a filter, a first conduit for feeding the fuel from the storage tank to the filter to provide filtered fuel, a second conduit for feeding the filtered fuel from the filter to the supply tank, a third conduit for supplying the filtered fuel from the supply tank to the engine, and a fourth conduit for recirculating excess fuel from the supply tank to the storage tank.

Abstract: An-line trap assembly is disclosed for preventing the drop out of suspended particulant matter within a cooling water flow stream. The in-line trap assembly is provided with a collector tank for gathering debris and a bleed through piping network for creating a continuous flow of cooling water. The continuous flow of cooling water from a supply header to a return header assists in moving the debris into the collector tank where the collected sediments are then removed by a manual or automated blow-down of the in-line trap.

Abstract: A portable gold mining dredge for use in collecting potentially gold containing aggregate from streambeds for subsequent classification and separation. The dredge has a receptacle, comprised of a drum with a water-tight lid, for receiving the aqueous dredged aggregate. The receptacle is of a size suitable for carrying. A self-priming pump having an inlet port and an outlet port is attached to the receptacle. A dip tube extends into the receptacle, the outer end of the dip tube being connected to the inlet port of the pump by a conduit. A suction tube communicates with the interior of the receptacle. Hoses are connected to the inlet of the suction tube and to the outlet port of the pump. During operation the suction hose is used to suck up aqueous aggregate from a streambed and the discharge hose is used to wash aggregate from cracks and crevices in rocks.

Abstract: A sewer basin has a tube mounted longitudinally in the basin to isolate the level sensing elements from particulate and non-soluble materials present in the basin which could contaminate the elements, which are used for selectively activating a pump in the basin. The liquid level in the tube is kept in equilibrium with the liquid outside of the tube by an aperture below the normal low liquid level. A filter is provided in the tube between the aperture and the level sensing elements. The filter is formed by a stack of filter elements mounted on an axial post extending into the tube from a bottom end cap. The elements are limited in their axial mobility on the axial post.