Abstract: A gravity separator for separating two immiscible liquids of different specific gravities and particularly for separating oil from water. The separator is composed of a horizontal, generally cylindrical closed vessel and water is pumped into an inlet in the vessel, and clarified water is discharged through an outlet. In addition, an oil drain line is connected to the upper end of the vessel. Located within the vessel is a cylindrical assembly of generally parallel inclined separator plates. The assembly of separator plates is freely positioned within the vessel and means is provided to prevent rotation and axial movement of the plate assembly within the vessel. A liquid level sensor extends downwardly through aligned openings in the assembly plates, and when the oil level reaches a predetermined maximum depth, the sensor actuates a draining system to drain the oil from the vessel.

Abstract: A device for filtering a liquid, provided with a chamber for the circulation of liquid, divided into at least two compartments by a filtering-unit mounted across the liquid path. That device comprises, in an area where the air present in the liquid or separated therefrom has accumulated, a one-way valve for exhausting air, should any overpressure take place in that area. The valve is provided with an obturator integral with a float driven by the free level of the liquid. That obturator cooperates with two opposed valve-seats for closing a passage made in the wall of the filtration chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating water in which water is delivered under pressure to a closed tank in the form of a spray or fog. An aerator in the bottom of the tank draws atmospheric air from outside of the tank and creates laterally directed air jets for violently stirring up and oxidizing the water. Gases are exhausted from the tank at the top. A series of baffles surround the aerator against which the jets impinge and provide for hydraulic streams. Float valves control the amount of water maintained within the tank. Treated water is drawn from the tank through a pipe extending to the lower portion.

Abstract: Drycleaning fluid is recovered from spent drycleaning fluid filter elements by passing steam through the elements to form a steam/drycleaning-fluid vapor mixture. The mixture is condensed into liquid state and the two constituents are separated. The apparatus includes a condensing chamber and a separating chamber with a novel valve for ensuring that drycleaning-fluid vapors do not escape into the work area.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved shut off valve for a canister and lid assembly used as part of a medical suction apparatus. The valve includes a cylindrical plunger made of a soft rubber-like material and having an upwardly facing concave disc integrally formed on the top of the plunger. When the fluid within the canister rises to a predetermined level, the plunger floats upwardly forcing the disc into a sealing relationship covering and blocking a suction port. Alternately, the soft rubber plunger may be dimensioned for use as a plunger cap for the upper end of a hard plastic plunger.The soft rubber plunger and integral concave disc are formed in a composite die, including a disc die and a plunger die. Rubber is injected into the composite die through a bore to form the plunger and integral concave disc. To remove the rubber concave disc from the disc die, air is injected into a bore while the disc die is simultaneously moved away from the plunger die.

Abstract: Industrial waste water, containing oil, sand and other debris, flows into the separator via a sewer line. In a first phase of operation, solids are separated by mechanical filter means, such as a bar screen, and the water is separated by permitting the oil to rise to the surface of the oil-water mixture in a large settling chamber where turbulence is reduced by various baffles. The water in the settling chamber flows through a passageway formed near the bottom of the tank by a vertical wall extending to the top of the tank. This oil-free water is continuously removed and directed to a settling pool until phase two begins. Phase two begins when the oil floating on top of the water in the settling chamber reaches a predetermined depth. The sewer and water discharge valves are closed. Liquid is then pumped into the bottom of the settling chamber to raise the liquid level in that chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the liquid level of overflow ponds and the like. It comprises a vertical standpipe having a polymer feed inlet near its bottom, a valve for controlling flow of polymer to the polymer feed inlet, at least 1 fluid discharge inlet near the bottom of the vertical standpipe. A flexible hose connects the fluid discharge inlet to a corresponding opening located in a horizontal plate which is adapted to ride up and down on the standpipe. The horizontal plate is fitted with a float, filter and a valve shut off plunger.

Abstract: An oily-water separator comprises a single vessel having a partition wall dividing the interior of the vessel into an upper and a lower chamber, a filter device disposed coaxially within the vessel and extending into the both chamber, an oil-water mixture inlet opened at a lower portion of the upper chamber, a first oil outlet opened at a top portion of the upper chamber, a second oil outlet connected to a top of the filter device, a third oil outlet opened at an upper portion of the lower chamber and a water outlet opened at a lower portion of the lower chamber.

Abstract: A device for separating a first liquid from a second liquid contaminated by the first liquid comprises a casing having an inlet and an outlet in the upper region of the casing, the separated first liquid collecting in the lower portion of the casing, a float which is arranged to float on the separated first liquid, the vanes for guiding the movement of the float and a seating in the upper part of the casing which forms a valve with the float, to prevent flow of liquid to the casing when the level of the first liquid rises above a predetermined level.

Abstract: A fuel filtering system comprises a case having a cartridge-type filter disposed therein, along with a separator which defines a reservoir. Fuel, such as diesel fuel, is adapted to normally enter an inlet to the case, flow through the filter and thence to an outlet of the case for engine consumption purposes. A valve member, having a specific gravity less than water but greater than that of the fuel, is movably mounted adjacent to the outlet. When the level of water in the reservoir exceeds a predetermined level, the valve member will float on the water and move upwardly to at least partially close-off communication of fuel to the outlet to thus adversely affect engine performance whereby the vehicle operator is alerted to the water-in-fuel problem. In a first embodiment of this invention, such valve member comprises a tubular member mounted exteriorly on a tube defining the outlet therein whereas in a second such embodiment the valve member comprises a spherical ball movably mounted in the tubular member.

Abstract: A non-return valve comprising: a pipe for waste waters having a passageway for draining the waters in a downstream direction, a circular seat having a given diameter transversely disposed in said pipe and a housing opening into the passageway directly downstream and laterally with respect to the seat. The housing has an upper wall provided with a guiding strip transversely disposed with respect to the pipe and leaning in the upstream direction. A shutting ball, having a specific gravity lower than the specific gravity of the sullage and a diameter larger than the diameter of the seat is connected with the guiding strip so that the shutting ball can be brought to seat on the seat by floating on the waters in the case of an inopportune upstream back flow and be held into the housing when the waters are flowing in the normal direction.

Abstract: An improved gravitational separator for mixtures of immiscible liquids of different densities, particularly oil and water, includes a reaction member in the form of a dome or diaphragm immersed in more dense liquid to be separated and which floats upwardly in the more dense liquid under the influence of liquid of less density accumulated beneath the dome or diaphragm, and a precise, passive balance means for the reaction member used to sense the accumulation of a predetermined volume of less dense liquid in the separator. The balance means is a system of weight masses contained entirely in the separator that are raised by the upward movement of the reaction member under the influence of accumulated less dense fluid, in combination with remote sensing means outside the separator for sensing the respective balance conditions and signalling appropriate system controls to cause suspension of the influx of mixture into the separator and discharge therefrom of accumulated lighter liquid.

Abstract: A closed system of cyclically storing and dispensing nearly pure water discharged from a reverse osmosis module which is free from exposure to light and air.

Abstract: An ozone and oxidation chamber for treating a liquid has a housing provided with an influent line and an effluent line spaced from one another for creating a flow of a liquid through the housing. At least one rotatable axle provided with an agitating blade is arranged extending through the housing transverse to the influent and effluent lines, and to the path of liquid being treated, for agitating the liquid in order to mix into the liquid at a high rate oxygen and ozone received from an injection nozzle directed into the liquid and toward the blade. The rotation of the agitator blade is adequate to generate sufficient frictional forces created during the passage of the blade through the liquid to create static electricity on the blade that facilitates conversion of oxygen injected into the liquid, and found in the liquid itself, into ozone which kills germs, virus, and the like in the liquid.

Abstract: A human conveyance having a toilet and a fuel burning engine is provided with an arrangement for converting waste from the toilet to a combustible gas and for feeding the gas to the engine where it is burned as a fuel additive to increase the gas mileage of the conveyance.

Abstract: A counterbalance and control system for a gravitational oil and water separator using a floating inverted bell comprises a linkage, sealed coupling shaft and weight system for controlling an outlet valve for the separated oil accumulated beneath the bell during operation of the separator. The linkage and shaft system transmits motion of the bell in response to accumulated oil in a fluid-tight manner to the control system, which is located exteriorly of the separator vessel. Counter-weight masses are connected to the bell through the linkage and shaft system to enable the control system to respond to the accumulation of a predetermined weight of oil beneath the bell.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus is disclosed having an aeration chamber for aerating unpurified water from a source. A filter chamber is provided beneath the aeration chamber containing granular media for filtering the aerated water and having spaced apart headers for introducing backwash water as well as removing filtered water for storage in a reservoir beneath the filter chamber. A float actuated valve controls the flow of filtered water from the header to the reservoir in response to the water level of aerated water in the filter chamber. A float actuated timing device is provided for controlling the introduction of backwash water to the headers for a predetermined duration in response to the frequency the reservoir has been filled and emptied of purified water.