Abstract: Metal particles are introduced to reactor beds in a hydrogen generator without introducing contaminating oxygen or nitrogen to the generator. The particles are protected against oxidation under an inert gas atmosphere, are flooded with water prior to injection into the generator, and are further flooded with hydrogen gas drawn from the generator to replace the water prior to injection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container for fiberglass wool, as well as a method and apparatus for producing a continuous length of fiberglass wool and for filling the container through which a gas flows, e.g. a muffler, with said wool. The apparatus comprises a feeder means which advances multifiber thread to a nozzle into which compressed air is blown which imparts movement to the thread at the same time as the fibers of the thread are blown apart and entangled so as to form continuous wool. The wool is blown directly into the container while air is evacuated by a suction fan.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for filling a conventional Bourdon tube with an outgassed fluid to permit use of the Bourdon tube to measure fluid pressures at high temperatures. The filling device includes a hot reservoir containing hydraulic fluid that has been heated to facilitate outgassing and a cold reservoir in fluid communication with the hot reservoir to prevent exposure of the fluid in the hot reservoir to oxygen. A vacuum line connected to the cold reservoir permits evacuation of the filling apparatus, the Bourdon tube and a typical bellows that may be attached to the Bourdon tube. The bellows is mechanically compressed and provided with a center post to reduce the volume of the bellows by about fifty percent. After the Bourdon tube, the bellows and the hydraulic fluid in the hot reservoir have been heated and outgassed, the vacuum is removed from the cold reservoir to permit hydraulic fluid to flow from the hot reservoir into the bellows and Bourdon tube.

Abstract: The invention herein consists of an apparatus and method whereby containers such as syrup cannisters can be depressurized for disassembly and cleaning after use. The invention includes a relief head having a circular array of depending resilient, projecting members which are positioned to contact the dispensing valves of the containers and to allow air or other gases contained therein to escape.

Abstract: The specification describes a process and apparatus for pumping and removal of unwanted gases by effecting a chemical reaction between the gases and a highly reactive substance which is in the form of aerosol particles, to form a non-volatile, solid reaction product. In one embodiment of the invention, the reactive substance is initially provided in the form of a solid; the solid is heated to liquify it; and the liquid is forced through spray nozzles under high pressure to form the desired aerosol particles, which then react with the gas to be pumped.

Abstract: During the process of filling containers with an oxygen-sensitive liquid under pressure, a buffer layer of gas is maintained over the surface of the liquid throughout the filling process in order to maintain the liquid separated from any oxygen which may be present within the container.

Abstract: An improved pressure compensator for earth boring drill bits for minimizing the pressure differential between the lubricant and the well bore. A flexible diaphragm is located in the lubricant reservoir for separating the lubricant from the borehole fluid. The diaphragm is positioned in the reservoir so that a substantial void space exists on the borehole fluid side of the reservoir. A retainer holds the diaphragm in this position, requiring a positive lubricant pressure to stretch the diaphragm in order to fill the void space. For lubricating the bit, the lubricant is introduced under pressure sufficient to stretch the diaphragm. The lubricant pressure is then released, allowing the compensator to return to its original shape which in turn causes the excess lubricant to be expelled. This assures complete filling and a desired void space.

Abstract: Method for transferring a volatile liquid fuel from a common source, into one or more of a plurality of fuel receiving tanks, including the steps of directing vapors from each receiving tank to a common manifold, passing the collected vapors into a vapor circulating circuit which functions to establish a uniform degree of vacuum in the vapor system and which disposes of excessive vapors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating flexible pouch-like containers prior to heat sealing of the containers. The method comprises simultaneously injecting superheated steam into a filled container to evacuate air from the container and directing pressurized steam at the inside edge of the container which is to be heat sealed to remove contaminants from this region. Optionally, the method of the present invention may also include a simultaneous directing of steam under pressure to the outside edge of the container in the heat sealing region to enhance the cleaning operation. The apparatus for accomplishing this result comprises a nozzle having a first chamber through which steam may be injected into the container and a second chamber having a plurality of openings through which steam under pressure may be directed against the inside walls of the container from a line supplying the pressurized steam.

Abstract: A vacuum pump and motor drive are mounted on one side of a portable disc, and a resilient sealing element is mounted on the other side. The disc is manually pressed into sealing engagement with the mouth of a mixing pan of a tablet coating pan. A suction inlet nozzle at one end of a flexible conduit is inserted into a container in which materials to be coated are located. The other end of the conduit is mounted on and extends through the disc to thereby communicate with the interior of the pan. Actuation of the pump and motor generates a suction force which causes the materials in the container to be loaded into the pan. Insertion of the nozzle into another container in which coating materials are located causes the latter to also be loaded into the pan.

Abstract: A method and means for removing the fire extinguisher dry powder from its pressurized cylinder using a vacuum pump and appropriate apparatus and collecting the powder in a drum and to prevent powder degradation. The apparatus is simple to operate and provides a clean, fast method for discharging and removing dry chemical powder from fire extinguisher cylinders.

Abstract: In the automated, batch preparation of diluted samples, i.e., the preparation of sample/diluent aliquots of repetitively and exactly maintained fixed ratio, metered diluent is pneumatically introduced into a vented mixing chamber, using the principle of gas pressure drop in the dynamic or flowing condition to deposit and entrap the diluent in the chamber. The diluent is thus suspended on the head of a moving gas column that continues to pass through the diluent, producing bubbling agitation. Following the introduction of metered sample by a preferred technique, pressure is equilibrated, producing a momentary quiet condition, and is then reversed, compressing the column of supporting gas underneath the aliquot, and displacing the aliquot into a remote injection loop, and ultimately onto an analytical instrument for testing. The technique permits direct, successful immersion, as an illustrative example, of 2,4-dichlorophenol sample, process stream temperature 180.degree. C.

Abstract: An enclosure for an electrochemical device, especially useful for electrochemical cells having an internal pressure above ambient, wherein the enclosure is formed in accordance with techniques based upon aerosol container filling procedures.

Abstract: Filled liquid crystal cells containing a soluble, pleochroic dyestuff are treated by heating above the nematic to isotropic liquid transition temperature until the cells appear uniformly colored.

Abstract: A dynamic scattering liquid crystal cell is filled from a single fill port by first applying a film of a mixture of at least two resistivity dopants, each having different ions, to the cell walls, then filling the cell with a liquid crystal composition containing both dopants.

Abstract: Air or other fluid is removed from a container by placing the mouth of the container inside a nozzle and having air or other fluid flow between the mouth of the container and the nozzle so as to extract the air of fluid from the container.

Abstract: An automatically operational net weight filling machine having a plurality of similar but independently adjustable operational stations which conveyably receive from a bulk storage source a loose and flowable dry particulate material, measures out an adjustably predetermined net weight amount of that material into a net weight receptacle enclosed within a chamber provided with a selected atmosphere, and then dispenses the net weight amount of that material from the net weight receptacle into an evacuated container such as a bottle or the like, wherein the respective containers are also automatically delivered to and discharged from the machine after net weight filling thereof with the subject material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting blockages in one or more vapor flow lines such as vapor recovery lines used in liquid gasoline dispensing systems. The method and apparatus operate by sensing pressure in vapor flow lines and determining whether the frequency of the variations in the filtered rate of change with time of the pressure signal exceeds a preset limit indicating vapor bubbling through a liquid blockage. The method and apparatus also operate to determine whether the pressure signal exceeds a preset limit indicating a blockage condition.

Abstract: A dynamic scattering liquid crystal cell can be filled from a single fill port by evacuating the cell, filling with a solution of an ionic dopant in a volatile solvent, evaporating the solvent and refilling under vacuum with the dynamic scattering liquid crystal composition. Ion hang-up is avoided and only a single volume of the liquid crystal composition is required to fill the cell.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells containing highly reactive anodes are filled with a volatile electrolyte under controlled pressure conditions in a controllable pressure chamber. The cells are placed in the chamber with the fill port down and the chamber evacuated to a high vacuum for a given period of time. Thereafter, the pressure is increased to above the boiling point of the electrolyte being employed. A measured amount of electrolyte is then introduced to the chamber and the chamber is returned to atmospheric pressure and then raised to a pressure above atmospheric to force the electrolyte into the evacuated cell. The pressure is maintained at this level for a time sufficient to allow absorption of the electrolyte by the porous electrodes in the cell and then the excess electrolyte is blown from the chamber under pressure. Upon removal of the electrolyte the chamber is vented to the atmosphere and the cells removed and positioned with the fill ports up. The cells are now ready for final hermetic sealing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting fluids into flexible containers. The apparatus includes an outer vacuum chamber having a flexible container disposed therein. A split inner chamber is positioned around the flexible container. A bladder means is disposed between the inner chamber and the outer chamber. The bladder means is in communication with the atmosphere so as to cause the bladder means to expand and fill the space between the inner chamber and the outer chamber when the vacuum is applied to the outer chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vacuum evacuation and pressure filling of a lubricant reservoir are provided which includes a sequence timing and shutoff mechanism for controlling evacuation, testing for air leaks, and filling with lubricant. Visual indication of mechanism performance is provided. A charging gun is adapted for sealingly mating with an opening in the reservoir. Alternatively, a pointed probe utilizable with stoppers of the conventional as well as vented type may be used.

Abstract: A method of needleless medicant injection with an ampule having a medicant chamber and a bore extending therefrom dimensioned for needleless injection which includes the steps of evacuating the medicant chamber such that it is at less than ambient pressure, sealing the chamber from ambient pressure, thereafter exposing the chamber to a contained medicant to permit transfer of the medicant into the chamber, and then exposing the medicant in the chamber to a higher than ambient pressure to force it through the bore.