Abstract: Porous pipe having a porosity which varies continuously and controllably with length is produced by extruding a mixture of particles of prevulcanized elastomer such as reclaimed crumb rubber and a thermoplastic binder such as polyethylene with all parameters controlled except for die temperature of pull-off rate. By gradually varying temperature or pull-off rate during extrusion, the porosity of the pipe gradually changes. The leak rate can be controlled in a manner to produce a length of porous pipe in which the leak rate is constant as the pressure drops over the length of the pipe.

Abstract: A mixture of virgin crumb rubber sized to between 30 mesh and 100 mesh containing less than 5%+100 fines and thermoplastic binder, such as carbon black filled polyethylene containing a coating promoter, such as a citrate salt and lubricant, such as a calcium stearate, is mixed in a vented Banburg mixer heated to at least 350.degree. F. to remove volatiles through vent before extrusion. The mixture is formed into sheet in the nip of a two roll assembly and cooled in air before diced into pellets by a dicer.The pellets are formed into porous pipe by extrusion in a pipe extruder having the feeding, transition and metering zones separately heated to temperatures from 320.degree. F. to 400.degree. F. (T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3). The die has a separate jacket receiving heat exchange fluid for heating the die to a temperature from 290.degree. F. to 380.degree. F. to form a porous pipe having more uniformly spaced and sized pores and a smoother inner wall surface.

Abstract: An improved gas diffuser tube assembly, particularly for diffusing bubbles of oxygen gas into liquid sewage during treatment thereof, is provided. The assembly is characterized by a construction which creates substantially the smallest bubbles that would be operationally practical and which satisfactorily prevents back flow of liquid into the diffuser assembly by including the following. An inner support tube has apertures extending radially therethrough in a bottom portion thereof for passing gas from the inside to the outside thereof. A flexible membrane surrounds the support tube and has a plurality of minute punctures extending therethrough and located in an upper section thereof for receiving the gas which passes between the support tube and the membrane and discharging the gas under pressure out of the membrane sheath in the form of fine streams of tiny bubbles of the gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in contacting a gas with a liquid comprises a pair of ported injector pipes onto which elastic sleeves having a series of slits therein are mounted by means of axially-spaced bands. The elastic sleeves expand as gas flows from the pipe to open the slits for discharging the gas into the liquid. The apparatus functions to maintain a desired gas flow rate irrespective of the accumulation of gas-liquid reaction products tending to block the slits.

Abstract: A fluid diffusion member, particularly useful for insertion in the hood of a hair dryer, or the like, wherein the diffusion member is shaped congruently and adapted to be retained within the hood of the hair dryer so as to diffuse the heated air emanating from the source of heated fluid so as not to disrupt the hairdo, or the like, of the individual using the hair dryer. The fluid diffusion member is, in one embodiment, dome-shaped and molded of an open pore polyurethane foam which satisfactorily breaks up the air, permitting adequate drying without attendant disruption of the hairdo. In other embodiments, interconnected segments make up the diffusion member.

Abstract: Diffusion apparatus for gated irrigation pipes including a gate retainer slidingly engaging the pipe to selectively control water dispensed therefrom, and a water diffuser which removeably connects directly to the gate retainer and is moveable therewith. The diffuser includes a framework which may be water porous and a water porous covering of fine meshed screen or bristles for diffusion of the water. The covering and framework together form a channeled or trough-like diffuser. The diffuser is provided with a pin which engages a receiving slot on the gate retainer to hold the diffuser in place. Use of the apparatus prevents soil erosion and unwanted furrowing of the soil at the outlets of gated irrigation pipes.

Abstract: A fluid-solids contacting device is provided in tanks which can be essentially filled with particulate solids treating medium. An improved fluid distributor element is provided in such vessels including a tube-defining-frame such as a helix which is anchored to a fluid inlet or outlet pipe and which is covered with a fabric sleeve secured annularly to the pipe end. Where the pipe is an inlet pipe, all of the fluid must flow through the sleeve and is distributed over the area of the sleeve within the fluid-solids treating vessel. Where the pipe is an outlet pipe, the fluids leaving the tank must pass through the sleeve before entering into the outlet pipe. In both cases the flow distribution of the fluid within the tank is improved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a plasma etching system, which includes a lower flange and a spaced upper flange; a chamber wall mounted between the flanges to form a closed etching chamber; a grounded wafer support plate disposed in said chamber for receiving thereon a wafer to be processed; an electrical insulating element interposed between the chamber wall and the support plate; a sintered or sintered-like porous electrode plate mounted in the chamber in spaced relationship with respect to the wafer; said plate having a gas inlet for receiving a supply of etching gas; circuitry for applying an excitation voltage to this plate, and said chamber having a gas outlet leading to a vacuum source.

Abstract: A furrowed irrigated field is diked and water is applied to the furrows. The water is prevented from running down the furrows by the dikes and therefore stays in the approximate location where applied. The water is applied to the furrows from an elevated pipe at right angles to the furrows. The pipe moves along the furrows. At each furrow to be irrigated, a drop pipe extends downward, terminating a short distance above the ground. A sock or flexible drop hose is attached to the end of the drop pipe. The hose drags along the ground so that there is a minimum of erosion to the soil or evaporation of the applied water.

Abstract: A single-wall sheet metal box functioning as a gas plenum has an open face closed by a porous matrix of refractory fibers bonded together to form a rigid, boardlike heating element. A combustible gas mixture is fed into the box, forced through the porous heating element, and burned at the outer face thereof to provide a continuous infrared radiant surface. The outer surface of the sheet metal box is completely covered by a blanket of flexible insulation material having an edge portion stuffed between the periphery of the heating element and an adjacent flangelike edge of the box. A first type of snap-on clip maintains the heating element in position, while a second type of snap-on clip retains the stuffed edge of the insulation blanket between the heating element periphery and the adjacent edge of the box.

Abstract: A rope wick for selectively applying liquid chemicals to plants. The rope wick comprises an outer covering made of braided polyester yarn and an inner core made of spun acrylic yarn.

Abstract: An apparatus and process applying herbicide-containing liquid to weeds in a field also containing growing cultivated crops neighboring said weeds comprises means for moving an apparatus that transports a load of herbicide-containing liquid in a reservoir therefor along that field and then distributing that liquid from that reservoir to a weed-contacting surface: the pressure-controlled liquid reservoir provides the herbicide-containing liquid to any array of dispenser units arranged to rapidly and reliably and selectively and efficiently apply such herbicide-bearing liquid to the surface of weed plants in the field projecting above a neighboring cultivated crop without misapplication of such herbicide-containing liquids to such neighboring crops.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating water in a reservoir, comprising a pipe system including at least one supply conduit, at least part of which pipe system is disposed in the vicinity of the surface of the water in the reservoir, means for supplying hot air through the supply conduit to the pipe system, a plurality of open-ended tubules of flexible material or hoses being secured in spaced relationship to the pipes of the pipe system, the open ends of which tubules or hoses are located under the water surface.

Abstract: A sewage aeration system comprising a header pipe, plenums of synthetic thermoplastic or thermoset resin with side walls inclined upwardly and outwardly to diffusion element support means, generally horizontal diffusion elements free of through-holes other than air diffusion pores, retaining means securing the elements about their peripheries to the plenums, sealing means adjacent the peripheries of the diffusion elements and airflow regulator members which terminate in the plenums beneath the horizontal diffusion elements.

Abstract: A porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) article which is made up of a number of smaller articles with a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils, these articles having been joined to one another such that their microstructure is virtually unaltered across the join. A process for producing such a PTFE article by closely abutting small-shaped PTFE segments and applying a force perpendicular to the seam while heating to a temperature above the crystalline melt point of the segments.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising a liquid aeration apparatus having a carrier element 62 which can be guided to a position engaging an air distributing pipe 36 to raise same by means of a guide rod 66. The movement of the guide rod is controlled by a guide device 64 disposed on the free end of a boom 52 suspended vertically above the air distributing pipe, such that the movement of the guide rod is restricted to a plane perpendicular to the air distributing pipe, thus preventing contact with and damage to aeration tubes 38 extending from the air distributing pipe.

Abstract: Gas diffusion elements, formed of a body of solid particles which has been shaped, pressed and rendered coherent by bonding or sintering in a compacted form having pores, and having an enhanced apparent volumetric compression ratio in a central zone thereof, are disclosed. Such elements have a generally horizontal portion including an upper gas discharge surface having a bubble release pressure in water, by a test disclosed herein, in the range of about 2 to about 20 inches of water. Among the preferred embodiments is an element whose gas discharge surface has the property that its coefficient of variation is not greater than about 0.25, based on the values of bubble release pressure at a plurality of points over said surface. Such elements may provide improved gas, e.g. oxygen, transfer efficiency, and therefore hold promise of improving the efficiency and economics of gas transfer processes, such as for instance treatment of sewage or other waste water with air, oxygen and/or ozone.

Abstract: Gas diffusion elements, formed of a body of solid particles which have been shaped, pressed and rendered coherent by bonding or sintering in a compacted form having pores, and having an enhanced apparent volumetric compression ratio in a central zone and in a boundary zone thereof, are disclosed. Such elements have a generally horizontal portion including an upper gas discharge surface having a bubble release pressure in water, by a test disclosed herein, in the range of about 2 to about 20 inches of water. Among the preferred embodiments is an element whose gas discharge surface has the property that its coefficient of variation is not greater than about 0.25, based on the values of bubble release pressure at a plurality of points over said surface. Such elements may provide improved gas, e.g. oxygen, transfer efficiency, and therefore hold promise of improving the efficiency and economics of gas transfer processes, such as for instance treatment of sewage or other wastewater with air, oxygen and/or ozone.

Abstract: A drip irrigation pipe for use aboveground having conical apertures in the wall of the pipe at spacings corresponding to the space between the plants to be irrigated. The apertures diverge from the inside to the outside of the wall, with a center line making an angle of between 14.degree. to 30.degree. to the axis of the pipe and oriented in the direction of the water flow. Water is supplied at drip irrigation pressure of 10-35 p.s.i.

Abstract: Diffuser apparatus comprises a frame including end portions interconnected by and integrated with an elongate intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is formed to produce a longitudinally extended trough, preferably of generally hemi-cylindrical configuration. The diffuser sleeve which mounts about and the length of the frame is longer than the frame and its excess length is used to provide reversibly bent extremities which produce a double layer of the sleeve thickness in areas thereof which overlie the frame end portions. The latter have circumferentially and longitudinally spaced ribs to which the double layered sleeve end portions are clamped to produce a positive and insured seal as between the sleeve and the frame at their end portions. One end portion of the frame has a through bore outwardly extended by an integral adapter to which a line connected to a source of fluid under pressure may be directly coupled.

Abstract: The upper end portion of an upright tubular wall whose inner side is contacted by material requiring to be cooled, is surrounded by an annular receptacle for cooling water. An annular baffle extends from the receptacle towards but not into contact with the exterior of the wall; its free edge defines with the wall an annular gap. This gap is bridged by tufts of fibers which are arranged along the gap in one or more rows, so that water running from the receptacle over the baffle travels along the fibers whose free ends are in contact with the wall, and is applied to the wall of a film of uniform thickness.

Abstract: The apparatus includes an elongated hollow body with exposed portions of wick extending along the body and having inner portions extending into the body through openings of the body. Each end of an exposed portion is peripherally sealed with respect to the body opening through which it extends, and inner portions of the wick communicate with a chemical in the body. Exposed portions of the wick span the length of the body and the chemical is applied by moving the body horizontally across a field in a direction transverse to its length. The wick material can be braided nylon rope, and the body can be made of any selected length for multi-row application of the chemical.

Abstract: A porous flexible hose primarily of crumbed rubber and synthetic rubber reclaimed from rubber tires, ground to a relatively small granular size, with metal removed; such as, for example, would pass through a 30-mesh screen, process-mixed through an extruder, with a much smaller binder mix of primarily polyethylene, in the order of 25% by weight, and with approximately 0.5% of the mixture added sulphur and 0.5% oil that can be random mixed grades of automobile engine oil. The resulting product is useful as a soil watering soaker hose that has a high degree of flexibility along its length. It is a water leaking soaker hose formed in the process through the extruder with limited foaming from steam originating from absorbed moisture in the crumbed, reclaimed rubber tire material, and from residual gases venting from the material mix, with product mix heating in the extruder, forming some open cell fluid flow paths.

Abstract: An irrigating device formed from an absorbent product, such as a polymeric pulp or hydrophilic textile contained within a filtering envelope, such as a woven, knitted or non-woven fabric. The device is placed in the ground in communication with a source of water which may be above or below ground. The irrigation device provides for a uniform rate of irrigation of the soil in which it is placed, requires less water than conventional irrigation devices providing the same overall coverage, and is not subject to dogging or blockage, as with conventional irrigation devices.In one embodiment for preparing the irrigation device, the absorbent product is in the form of a tow of hydrophilic continuous filament and the textile filter envelope is produced in a continuous in-line operation in conjunction with the production of the tow.The irrigation device can be applied to the irrigation of soils to facilitate the growth of plants, trees, crops and the germination of seeds.

Abstract: A firefighting hose has an exposed woven textile jacket and an internal elastomer lining which has openings each of which is formed of a set of radiating cracks. In use, water emerging from the openings is absorbed in the jacket to protect the hose from flame and ember damage. The hose is formed by forming and uniting the jacket and lining, and making the openings by penetrating the hose with a reciprocating needle.

Abstract: A plastic tubular irrigating structure is provided for agricultural and other irrigation systems. The structure comprises (A) a flexible outer layer of a thermoplastic synthetic resin tube having at least one continuous fin-like heat-sealed portion along its length and watering orifices, and (B) a flexible inner layer, as a filter, of a water-permeable, water-insoluble sheet, preferably a nonwoven fibrous sheet, fixed partly to the inside of the outer layer (A), the inner layer (B) being permeable to a larger amount of water than the outer layer (A). In the absence of water supply, the structure is a flattened tube, but upon supply of water therethrough, it assumes an expanded tubular shape.

Abstract: A device for underground drainage and irrigation of soil. The device includes a porous element which can be engaged about a distribution pipe at a perforation or opening in the pipe. In one form, the porous element comprises an annular flange connecting adjacent pipe sections. In another embodiment, the element can be clipped over an aperture or orifice in the pipe.

Abstract: A drip irrigation system is disclosed wherein individual drip irrigation tubes are fed from a header by means of a flow controller which feeds water to the irrigation tube at an essentially uniform rate over a wide variety of pressures in the header. Generally the flow controller will be capable of maintaining the flow therethrough within .+-. 15% of a predetermined value within a pressure variation of from 3 to 60 psi.

Abstract: An irrigation device in the form of an elongated conduit of predetermined length wherein the conduit comprises a one piece wall of plastic material formed by extrusion in a continuous length. The conduit comprises at least two compartments having specific relative dimensions and disposed in fluid communication with one another wherein the configuration and disposition of the two compartments are defined by the configuration of the single wall portion which is formed from the single piece of extruded material. Dispersion means in the form of a strip of elongated liquid permeable material is mounted within one of the compartments and configured to extend outwardly to the exterior of the conduit whereby liquid is dispersed through the two compartments to the exterior of the conduit through the liquid permeable dispersion element by a capillary-type action.

Abstract: An air-permeable diffuser disc (diffuser element) for use in an air diffuser head for aerating liquids, particularly sewage, characterized by the outer periphery of said permeable disc having a higher density than the balance of said disc, rendering same substantially impermeable, thereby preventing edge leakage which generates larger, undesirable bubbles, by forcing all air to diffuse from the outer, horizontal face of said element into the liquid to be aerated, resulting in a uniform flow of smaller, more effective bubbles.

Abstract: An electrostatic powdering nozzle comprising means for avoiding the fixing of powder particles on at least one of the electrodes, the said means consisting either in constructing at least one of the said electrodes in graphite or silicon, or in constructing at least one of these electrodes in electrically conductive porous material and in blowing a stream of gas through this or these electrodes.

Abstract: A nozzle for use in delivering a primary fluid having solids in solution or suspended therein which gives the fluid nozzle-caking tendencies. The nozzle has a first passage through which the primary fluid passes and a second passage through which a purging fluid passes, each passage terminating at an exit orifice. The orifice of the first passage is unrestricted and the orifice of the second passage has means for distributing the purging fluid in a manner to form a low velocity fluid buffer to inhibit caking of the solids of the nozzle due to reverse flow of the primary fluid caused by a circulating action thereof immediately after leaving the exit orifice of the first passage.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer comprising an axially apertured disc of reticulated metal foam, means for feeding liquid to be atomized to the surface of the aperture, and means for rotating the disc at such speeds that the liquid to be atomized travels radially through the disc and is atomized at the outer surface thereof.

Abstract: A wash liquid distributor for a rotary drum filter which distributes liquid uniformly across the filter cake and provides very effective washing. The distributor apparatus in its preferred embodiment comprises an elongated hollow pipe, one or more being used in parallel operation, each pipe having a multiplicity of evenly spaced and axially aligned small holes. Each hole imposes a substantial pressure drop on the fluid passing therethrough and creates a uniform distribution of the wash liquid along the distributor pipe. To avoid damage to the filter cake from the jets of liquid produced, a diffusion channel is provided which damps the kinetic energy of the jets and subdivides the liquid entering the channel. Upon leaving the diffusion channel the liquid is collected and redistributed from drip points spaced at intervals which are generally narrower than those of the holes in the distributor pipe.

Abstract: A porous pipe primarily of rubber and synthetic rubber reclaimed from rubber tires, ground to a relatively small granular size, with metal removed; such as, for example, would pass through a 30-mesh screen, process-mixed through a pipe extruder, with a much smaller binder mix of primarily polyethylene, along with vinyl, ABS binder, and a trace of attaclay. The resulting product is useful as a subsurface irrigation buried pipe, having high structural integrity effectively resisting soil-loading pipe collapse, and it even resists collapse from moderately large rocks in the soil, and yet has a high degree of flexibility along its length. A pipe is provided with cross sectional area of pipe wall more than twice the cross sectional area of the pipe opening.

Abstract: A system, which induces air flow past a gel type product and into the environment, comprises a cartridge that includes a porous container for holding the product and a battery mounted with the container. The cartridge is formed to be received in an air flow inducing device that includes a housing having an air admitting opening and an air discharging opening. A fan is mounted in the housing to induct air flow through the air admitting opening, through the container, past the product and out of the air discharging opening into the environment. The fan is driven by a motor that is connected to two contacts mounted in the housing and positioned to make contact with the terminals of the battery when the cartridge is received in the air flow inducing device.

Abstract: A tank for liquid drainable towards an outlet is disclosed which may be u in appliances where the action of gravity is neutralized such as in artificial satellites. The tank comprises a casing and inside said casing a porous retention material in contact with the inner surface of the casing and designed as a structure with compartments, the sections of the compartments decreasing in size in the direction towards the tank outlet and the dimensions of the pores decreasing in the said direction.

Abstract: The projecting nozzle for powder coating is a device for dispersing finely divided powder paint particles in a pattern controlled by swirling air without accumulating unwanted powder particles. A hollow nozzle is located concentrically to a guide member forming a gap through which the powder is projected. Orifices and, or slits located in the guide member direct compressed air in a swirling motion. A porous plate, forming the front of the guide member allows air to pass therethrough and thereby prevents the accumulation of powder particles.

Abstract: A diffuser device for use in disseminating air or other gaseous fluid under pressure characterized by wall structure at least a portion of which is formed of impermeable material having a multitude of normally sealed microscopic ruptures. Said wall structure, at least in the area of said ruptures, is characterized by the ability to flex when the interior wall surface thereof, which defines the diffuser chamber, is filled with air or other gaseous fluid under a predetermined level of pressure. Said ruptures are so designed that as long as the required air pressure is maintained they form a multitude of jet-like flow passages each of which has an exceedingly small diameter.

Abstract: An irrigation or drainage system is provided comprising one or more conduits having radially positioned spaced apertures in the walls thereof, the system being otherwise closed except for an inlet/outlet aperture. The exterior of the conduits is covered by a snugly fitting fine mesh fabric sheath which covers all of the radial apertures, the interstices in the mesh of the fabric being very small and uniformly distributed such that fluid under slight to moderate pressure will flow through said sheath at least partially as the result of capillary action, and fluid distribution will be uniform throughout the length of the fabric sheath and about the periphery thereof.

Abstract: In storage containers for fluids, a disperser/diffuser member is positioned between the inner end of the fillpipe and the interior of the container, to cause dispersion of the fluid flowing into the container from the fillpipe during a filling operation. The disperser member has therein a multiplicity of tortuous fluid passages, and may be used in a subterranean storage container, or in a mobile storage and transportation container (tank truck).

Abstract: Flexible tubing, particularly suitable for irrigation purposes, consists of a plurality of superposed, elongated, flexible strips, heat sealed along their longitudinal edges and is substantially flat when empty. At least one of said strips is thermoplastic and at least one has a permeable, fibrous structure and is preferably formed from a non-woven fabric such as spun-bonded polyethylene fiber.

Abstract: Combustion chamber apparatus and process for use in gas turbine engines including a premix chamber bounded by porous ceramic material and a combustion chamber immediately adjacent a porous ceramic diaphragm which bounds the premix chamber. In this premix chamber, partial vaporization of the fuel, without combustion, takes place so as to improve combustion efficiency and shorten the length of the flame tube or combustion chamber needed for complete efficient combustion of the fuel. Primary air is introduced into the premix chamber, which passes with the fuel into the flame tube or combustion chamber, for futher mixture with secondary and tertiary air.