Abstract: A swimming pool skimmer includes a paddle wheel that directs fluid and debris into a debris catcher. The paddle wheel is turned by a motor that is powered from an array of solar cells. A solar concentrator focuses solar energy onto the solar cells, and an alarm circuit includes a strain gauge on the debris catcher. The strain gauge forms one leg of a bridge circuit that is connected to a comparator having a feedback loop. The output of the comparator is connected to an alarm element either directly or remotely.

Abstract: A system for measured tightening of an oil filter to an engine block mount includes an array of clocks placed circumferential around oil filter (20). Each clock has one dark hand (26) and one light hand (28). The light hand is advanced of the dark hand. The degree of tightening is determined by amount of separation between hands. As filter is rotated, next clock coming into view, has hands positioned one hour advanced (4-13). Panoramic movement of hands as filter is turned will indicate degree of rotation and tightening.

Abstract: A regenerating control system for liquid conditioners includes ball valves positioned and sized so that they do not cause any flow restriction during the normal operation of the conditioner. The valves are operated by low voltage D.C. motors which require power only while moving the valves from one position to another position. An electronics control system and timer control the operation of the valves and require very small amounts of power. Consequently, a battery backup system can operate for extended periods of time when a commercial power outage occurs. A two-piece housing assembly provides improved seals for sealing between the two housing halves and between the housing assembly and the valve.

Abstract: A method and a device for ultrafiltration during hemodialysis are described in which ultrafiltrate fluid, before removal from the dialysis circuit, is passed through a balancing device, which is also used as ultrafiltrate pump. For this purpose, a controller controls and actuates inlet, outlet, and dialyzer valves, in such a way that a desired amount of ultrafiltrate, corresponding to the filling volume of a balancing chamber or a multiple thereof, is introduced to the discharge through the balancing chamber. In order to carry out continuous ultrafiltration during hemodialysis, a predetermined amount of air is introduced to the dialysis fluid flow circuit through an air separator and is then pumped off during hemodialysis so that a corresponding amount of ultrafiltrate is obtained.

Abstract: A bypass valve 30 for a fuel supply system 10 of an aircraft. The bypass valve 30 has a housing 32 with a chamber 38 having an entrance port 34 connected to a pump 16 and an exit port 36 connected to a regulator 14. An end cap 44 which is screwed into the housing 32 to seal the chamber 38. A sleeve 46 which extends from the end cap 44 into chamber 38 has a series of radial openings 48 and 50 to communicate the exit port with the interior of the sleeve 46. A piston 58 is retained in the sleeve 46 by a retainer stop 68. A spring 64 acts on the piston 58 to move a face 66 against retainer stop 68 to separate the entrance port 34 from the exit port 36. When a predetermined pressure drop occurs across a filter 26, piston 58 moves and allows fuel to directly flow to regulator 14 without passing through filter 26. At the same time, the fluid pressure acts on the cylindrical body 76 of indicator 74 to move face 75 away from housing 32 and provide a visual indication that unfiltered fuel has entered the fuel system.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing and analyzing blood serum includes an input rack for holding test tubes containing whole blood specimens and separator gel, a centrifuge, an optical sensing unit for receiving centrifuged test tubes and generating output signals indicative of whether the centrifuging was successful and, if it was, the boundary position between the separator gel and the blood serum, and a computer connected to receive and analyze the output signals of the optical sensing unit. An aspirator/dispenser needle unit is positioned above the sensing unit and is capable of lowering a needle, under the control of the computer, to puncture the stopper of a test tube and then withdraw blood serum.

Abstract: A cleaner for removing floating debris from the surface of pools has a floating body with a central chamber within which is positioned a screen. An impeller at the front of the cleaner propels water rearward into the chamber, and propels the cleaner. The water passes through the screen and exits from the chamber. In one example the screen is mounted in a removable support structure, which can be removed through the rear of the body for emptying. The impeller is driven by a motor powered by a solar cell array and batteries.

Abstract: A replaceable filter cartridge is mounted in a housing body having an inlet and an outlet permanently attached to a line carrying the liquid to be filtered. The filter cartridge contains activated charcoal. An outlet in the filter cartridge can be closed by a buoyant poppet valve which is normally held out of engagement with its valve seat by a trigger wire. An impeller is rotated by the flow of the liquid through the cartridge and the impeller drives a toothed disc which abrades the trigger wire. The abrading eventually cuts through the wire and releases the poppet which then seats against the valve seat of the outlet and renders the cartridge inoperative. The amount of abrading of the trigger wire is proportional to the flow of liquid through the cartridge and the trigger wire is sized to fail after a quantity of liquid has passed through the filter sufficient to exhaust the filtering capabilities of the cartridge. The spent cartridge must be replaced with a new filter cartridge.

Abstract: An improved resin sensor which senses a change in the condition of the resin by forces acting on a receptacle for the resin. The sampling resin is utilized to indicate a change of ion or equilibrium condition of the resin when employed as an indicator for resin regeneration or end of a rinse cycle in a water softening or deionization system. The sampling resin is placed in a receptacle which will confine the expansion in volume of the resin as the resin is acted upon by a sampling or indicator liquid causing the resin to exert a force on the receptacle. The receptacle for the resin allows water to freely flow in and out while entrapping the resin therein. In one embodiment, the container is composed of screened walls and the pressure sensor is a strain gauge which is attached thereto. In another embodiment, the pressure sensor is the container and in the form of a multiapertured Bourdon tube in a fluid compartment.

Abstract: A small portable appliance for purifying potable water. A vertical "C" shaped body supports a purified water container on its lower horizontal leg. The rearward portion of the body's vertical back releasably carries a filtration cartridge defining three separate intercommunicating chambers replaceably carrying a pre-filter cartridge, an osmotic filter cartridge and a carbon post-filter cartridge. Control circuitry shuts off water input when the purified water container is full, senses and annunciates the amount of dissolved solids in effluent water and measures use time to annunciate estimated time for filter cartridge change. Internal structure provides storage for a removable connector tube.

Abstract: A water treatment or processor device for household use or commercial use (for example, in a restaurant) is provided with fail-safe features in accordance with this invention to shut the treatment device "off" when an element thereof has become ineffective, such as the saturation of an adsorption element or the clogging of a filter element. Once the device is turned "off", it cannot be restarted until the depleted element has been replaced.

Abstract: The tubular trash net is a cleaning and collecting device for pre-treatment of sewage, where the water which is to be separated from waste trash materials is led through a collecting net (8), after which the net (8) containing the separated trash is drawn through mechanically-driven rollers (10) which simultaneously de-water the trash prior to its being conveyed, together with the used net (8), to a container for disposal, while runoff pre-treated water is sent on for either further treatment or deep-water outfall.

Abstract: A filter press equipped with a filter cloth hanging rod detecting arrangement which includes a support beam which is so arranged between the front and rear stands and above the hanging rods as to suspend the shatter members by means of corresponding brackets. The brackets respectively have longitudinal apertures extending vertically or shafts extending horizontally. Meanwhile the shatter members respectively have shafts inserted in the longitudinal apertures of the brackets or apertures in which the shafts of the brackets are inserted. Accordingly the shatter members may move upwardly and downwardly according the vertical movement of the hanging rods and also swing in an imaginary vertical plane parallel to the support beam following to the horizontal movement of the hanging rods.

Abstract: A water quality monitor receives water that has passed through a water softener treatment tank. The monitor contains a sample of ion exchange resin that is exposed to the water and which shrinks in volume when the water quality deteriorates to the point where it is no longer being softened. Shrinking of the resin sample signals that corrective action should be taken, such as regenerating the softener. Signaling may be a visual or audible signal or it may involve closing a valve preventing the flow of service water to one or more points of use, or restricting the flow to the extent that the restricted flow constitutes a signal to the user. The sample ion exchange resin is contained in a replaceable cartridge that can be inserted into the monitor and replaced after the monitor has functioned to signal deteriorating quality.

Abstract: A differential pressure indicator is provided for detecting and indicating a clogging condition of a filter element and subsequently an opening condition of a by-pass valve. The indicator also indicates when no filter element is installed in a fluid system. A thermal lockout effective even at high internal fluid differential pressure prevents false actuation of the indicating means at low temperatures due to increased viscosity of the system fluid. A positive locking feature prevents resetting of the indicating means after actuation. Servicing of the filter element is required in order to reset the indicator.

Abstract: In an industrial filter apparatus having a tank with an inlet receiving contaminated effluent from an industrial washing device and a discharge outlet connected to the washing device for recirculating washing fluids, a continuous filter spanning the tank interposed between the inlet and outlet, a continuous drive connected to the filter, a motor connected to the drive and a pump delivering filtered fluids from the outlet to the washing device, an automatic filter media indexer comprises a sensing arm rotatably journaled upon the tank having a contactor engagable with the filter on its downstream side connected by a link and a pull rod to a normally open switch connected to a power source and to the motor. A switch actuator on the pull rod is in registry with the switch, and an adjustable spring normally biases the pull rod.

Abstract: A filter apparatus having a hollow, T-shaped body, the upper portion of the "T" defining a fluid flow path and the lower portion of the "T" defining a filter housing portion. A baffle plate is positioned in the "T" to direct fluid into a filter element retained within the filter housing portion of the housing. A first end of the filter element extends into an aperture in the baffle plate and is retained thereby. A second end of the filter element is coupled to a base, a portion of which extends externally to the housing. The externally extending portion of the base may contain data regarding the filter element. An aligning pin and alignment tab for such externally extending portion of said base may be provided to facilitate assembly of the filter apparatus.

Abstract: A separatory funnel having a valve stem mounted through its center to accurately open, close, and regulate the flow of liquid from the funnel. The valve stem is provided with a passageway therein for forming a separate channel from the path of liquid flow to permit air to pass through the separatory funnel independently of the liquid flow from the funnel. This air passageway may exit internally of the funnel chamber, or externally thereof. In the external exit version, the valve stem is modified so that the air exit path can be capped and/or connected to another device. The lower end of the valve stem is provided with sealing structure of several types for assuring a tight and positive seal when the valve is closed. Also, the lower end of the valve stem is sandblasted to effect flow of all liquid therealong and tapered to a spherical ball at the very end for collecting and forming liquid droplets for precision liquid flow measurement.

Abstract: A filter assembly for detachable connection with a housing, comprising an elongated tubular filter element; and a holder assembly for the filter element, which includes a closure plate which engages one end of the filter element and an annular retainer which engages the other end. An elongated rod extending axially through the center of the filter element connects the closure member and annular member together so that the filter element is entrapped therebetween. The filter assembly is insertable through the open end of the housing and into the filter chamber so that the housing inlet is open through the annular retainer to the interior of the filter element. The filter element is spaced radially inwardly from the walls forming the filtering chamber thus defining an annular chamber which is fluidly connected to the housing outlet. A closure cap is then secured to and closes the end of the housing.

Abstract: A filter press comprises a main frame having upper side bars for movably supporting a plurality of plates in horizontally stacked relation. The plates are moved to open the filter press by plate transporting trolleys which are supported on the upper side bars. Light emitters are mounted at one end of the press on each side bar and light detectors are mounted at the opposite end of the press on each side bar and are aligned to receive light from the light emitters. Shutters are coupled to the plate transporting trolleys such that the light from the light emitters is normally blocked by the shutters. The shutters are opened for a brief period of time when the plate transporting trolleys are moved into engagement with one of the filter plates such that plate engagement signals are generated by the light detectors.

Abstract: A biogas generator which includes a medium conducive to the growing of plants that are floating and of the family that includes water hyacinths, lily pads, and elodea; a conveyor for transferring the free floating plants from the growing area to a decomposition area including a canopy adapted to entrain therewithin biogas given off by decomposing plants constrained thereunder, and an instrumentality for scavenging the biogas generated therein to a remote area for subsequent use and or compression.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering useable products from waste products deriving from the manufacture of aluminium fluoride on the basis of aluminium hydroxide and fluosilicic acid. Silica contaminated with fluorine and aluminium and obtained in the manufacture of aluminium fluoride is dissolved with a strongly basic hydroxide, whereafter the first solution obtained is mixed with a second solution, obtained by dissolving aluminium hydroxide with a strongly basic hydroxide, and with waste mother liquor and optionally also washing water from the manufacture of aluminium fluoride, in such proportions that the pH-value of the mixture is from about 10-14.

Abstract: A filter comprising a filter head, a canister secured to the filter head and a tubular filter within the canister. The filter head has inlet and outlet ports for connecting into a hydraulic conduit. A first passage normally delivers fluid from the inlet port to the outer cylindrical surface of the tubular filter element. A second passage delivers fluid from the interior of the filter element to the outlet port. The filter head has a sliding element between the inlet and outlet ports. The sliding element is spring biased which bias can be overcome by differential pressure across the filter element. An indicator is associated with said sliding element and extends through the filter head to the exterior thereof. The filter head has a butterfly valve in the second passage. A plunger slidably positioned in said filter head is spring biased to a first position in which it extends into the canister in the space normally occupied by the tubular filter element.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus comprises a tiltably mounted container having a liquid permeable filter bottom, a wall opposite such bottom, and an inverted neck extending inwardly from that opposite wall. A power shaft extends through the inverted neck into the container and carries a mixing implement in the container. A guide bearing for the power shaft is located in the inverted neck. A drive for the mixing implement is supported on the container wall opposite the filter bottom for driving the power shaft. A lifting mechanism connected to said power shaft is also supported by that opposite wall for axially displacing the power shaft and mixing implement in said container. A support bearing at one side of the container and the frame has an apertured part rotatable with the tiltable container. Conduits are conducted through the apertured part for angular movement with the container, thereby avoiding a tangling of lines.

Abstract: A cleaning and/or disinfecting system for flushing water and chemical treatment liquids through the hydraulic circuitry of dialysate preparation and supply apparatus, the system employing, for each particular treatment liquid of a plurality of possible liquids, a keyhole adjacent to a chemical intake port and means to send electrical signals to an electrical controller indicating the presence of a key within a particular keyhole, whereby the particular treatment liquid connected to the port is flushed through the hydraulic circuitry of the apparatus at the proper flowrate and for the desired period of time.

Abstract: A system for softening water comprising a regeneratable softener having an ion-exchange resin exposable to the water, a salt reservoir containing a supersaturated sodium-chloride solution for the regeneration of the resin, and a water hardness detector including a housing containing an ion-exchange shrink resin charge regeneratable by the solution, the shrink resin charge being exposable to water having passed through at least a part of the resin in the softener. The detector further includes a piston reciprocable within the tank, which piston contacts a single free surface of the shrink resin charge at least during detection of water hardness. The regeneration of the softener is initiated in response to the position of the piston.

Abstract: A filtering arrangement of thermoplastics extruding apparatus has a rotatable cylindrical screen unit through which material flows radially inwards and is discharged axially and an outlet aperture for impurities which are washed from the screening unit by reverse flow, i.e. radially outward flow, of part of the filtered material. The outlet aperture for the impurities is variable in cross-section by moving an arcuate segment about the axis of the cylinder to control the extent of reverse flow washing.

Abstract: An unhooking dirty filter alarm for a filter comprising a filter head, canister and tubular filter element. The filter head has a bypass valve therein. Linkages to the outside of the filter element rotate a pointer indicating whether or not the filter element has been bypassed. The linkages are arranged not to restore the pointer after the bypassing condition has abated to thereby latch the information that the filter was bypassed.

Abstract: A filter media supply and extraction apparatus for a plate type liquid filtering device having a stack of separable filter plates. The extraction mechanism comprises a driven roller for each sheet of filter media in combination with an adjacent, movable bar having a series of spaced apart pinch wheels mounted thereon for penetrating accumulated cake and filtered dirt on the media when an actuator moves them against the roller as the media is being advanced. The driven rollers are mounted on separate bearing plates which are movable in response to sensor signals to steer the moving filter media and maintain its alignment with the filter plates. The supply section of the apparatus comprises a series of supports for supply rolls of filter media provided with adjustable centering means to help maintain proper alignment of the filter media between filter plates.

Abstract: A fluid filtering device is provided which is particularly suitable for connection with the suction line of a hydraulic system. The fluid filtering device comprises an elongated housing open at its upper end and secured to a fluid reservoir so that the lower end of the housing is positioned below the fluid level in the reservoir while fluid outlet means are formed on the lower submerged end of the housing. An annular housing member is coaxially positioned within and secured to the main housing below the fluid level of the reservoir so that the annular housing member is spaced radially inwardly from the main housing thus forming an annular chamber therebetween. The interior of the housing member is open to the filter outlet while fluid passageways through the housing member establish fluid communication between the annular chamber and the fluid outlet.

Abstract: An artificial kidney dialysate system provides a predetermined rate of flow of dialysate solution into a dialyzer, and a predetermined rate of flow of dialysate solution from the outlet of the dialyzer. Through positive displacement pumping at the inlet and outlet of the dialyzer, the two rates can be adjusted so that an accurately predetermined quantity of excess fluid from the patient's blood stream can be withdrawn into the dialysate solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for tanks of circular type, such as for example thickeners, sludge tanks, mixing tanks and the like, in which at least one scraper arm, mixing arm or the like is journalled, as well as mounted in the center of the tank so as to be raisable and lowerable, and in which there are drive means capable of imparting a sweeping motion to the arm and its scrapers over the bottom of the tank. According to the invention an element is arranged extending between the periphery of the tank and its center, which element is longitudinally movable in relation to the periphery of the tank and is sufficiently rigid to be capable of transferring active or reactive forces to an extent at least corresponding to the torque of the scraper-carrying arm or the like.

Abstract: A method of positioning a filter cake discharge device for a filter press, which is mostly a vibrating device or vibrator for vibrating a filter cloth between opened filter plates. The relative position of the vibrating device with respect to the filter plates is determined by utilizing each signal from a switch provided on the discharge device for detecting a position of the vibrating device and other switches provided on the discharge device for detecting a condition of the filter plates. These switches are operated by protrusions provided on the top end of the filter plates.

Abstract: In a fluid filter device particularly suited for installation in an automotive power steering system, a cylindrical filter element which is axially movable in a casing having inlet and outlet passages at its opposite ends includes a foraminous side wall constituting a primary filter and a valve member at one end of the filter element normally urged to engage a seat about the opening of the inlet passage by a spring acting on the filter element so that, when the primary filter becomes clogged, the buildup of the differential pressure between the inlet and outlet passages causes axial movement of the filter element for unseating the valve member and permitting the fluid to bypass the primary filter through an annular clearance between the latter and the casing wall, and a secondary filter annulus extends from the filter element across such annular clearance for filtering the fluid which bypasses the primary filter.

Abstract: A solids-liquid separating centrifuge with bowl and conveyor members rotated about a common axis at a differential speed has means for sensing torsional vibration of at least one of the members about its axis and providing an output representative of the vibration amplitude, and signal means which provides an indicative signal when the output indicates vibration amplitude above a predetermined level. The indicative signal may operate an alarm, or an automated centrifuge throughput reducing system, or both.

Abstract: A settling tank having a flat bottom and an inclined side extending from an arcuate corner along one side of said bottom, a drag-out conveyor means along said bottom around said arcuate corner and up said inclined side, and a mechanism for permitting the idler sprocket or roller of the conveyor to move away from said arcuate corner to prevent jamming, as well as to control the thickness and/or to sense the drag of the settlings on the bottom of the tank. This conveyor hold-down control mechanism comprises an adjustable elongated means parallel to said inclined side, pivoted at one end above the normal surface of liquid in said tank, and at the other end to the idler sprockets or rollers for the conveyor at the arcuate corner, for normally resiliently urging said idlers into said corner, as well as indicating when said idlers move away from said corner by encountering foreign objects which otherwise would jam the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the thickness of filter cake on a filter by using the difference in pressure between the inside of the filter apparatus and the inside of a hollow body spaced from a filter element to provide a signal of measurement.

Abstract: A filter press has a support frame; a plurality of face-to-face oriented filter plates movable towards and away from one another and forming a filter plate stack; a closing device connected to the filter plates for exerting thereon a pressure with which the filter plates are urged to one another; a closing pressure regulator coupled to the closing device; a stationarily supported path-sensing signal transmitter connected to the closing device; and a sensor arm connected at least indirectly to one of the filter plates for displacing the sensor arm by, and as a function of the motion of, that filter plate. The sensor arm is coupled to the path-sensing signal transmitter for controlling the closing pressure of the closing device by the signal transmitter as a function of the position of the sensor arm.

Abstract: A septic tank system is provided with an indicator above the ground surface to indicate the water level in the tributaries leading from the tank so that any excess water therein may be pumped out before it causes a back up of sewage upstream of the septic tank.

Abstract: A fluid filter has a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a filter element in the fluid pathway, and is provided with a by-pass which includes a fluid pressure indicator. The by-pass comprises a cylinder attached to a cover and removable therewith. The cylinder has one aperture which provides fluid communication between the cylinder and the inlet and has another aperture which, when open, provides fluid communication between the cylinder and the outlet and hence provides a fluid pathway between the inlet and outlet which by-passes the filter element. A piston is movable within the cylinder responsively to fluid pressure from a first position where it closes the second aperture to a second position where the second aperture is open. The cylinder can be removed and mounted in a first position which provides both an indicating and a by-pass function or it can be rotated to a second position which provides only an indicating function.

Abstract: Apparatus for warning of the failure of a sump pump comprising an electrical alarm connected in an electric circuit, a switch for closing the circuit to activate the alarm, and a movable float positioned in the sump for actuating the switch when the water level in the sump reaches a height indicative of sump pump failure.