Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatuses for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes. In one embodiment, a wafer carrier track for levitating and traversing a wafer carrier within a vapor deposition reactor system is provided which includes upper and lower sections of a track assembly having a gas cavity formed therebetween. A guide path extends along an upper surface of the upper section and between two side surfaces which extend along and above the guide path and parallel to each other. A plurality of gas holes along the guide path extends from the upper surface of the upper section, through the upper section, and into the gas cavity. In some examples, the upper and lower sections of the track assembly may independently contain quartz, and in some examples, may be fused together.

Abstract: A conveyor device is used for the pneumatic conveying of bulk material. The conveyor device has a main conveyor pipe and a plurality of bypass conveyor pipe sections which are separate from one another and arranged one behind the other within the latter. The main extent direction of the bypass conveyor pipe sections runs along the main conveyor pipe. The bypass conveyor pipe sections in each case have an inlet opening and an outlet opening for conveyor gas. The inlet opening, when the main conveyor pipe is horizontally installed, is arranged in a cross sectional portion of the main conveyor pipe, which is located above a cross sectional portion of the main conveyor pipe, in which the outlet opening is arranged. The result is a conveyor device, of which the efficiency, in other words the ratio of the conveying power and the conveyor gas quantity used, is improved.

Abstract: A singulating and counting device includes a bulk housing for storing a plurality of substantially identical articles, an exit channel, and in the exit channel, forwardly- and rearwardly-directed jet apertures, each of which is fluidly connected to a positive pressure source. A forwardly-directed jet generated by the positive pressure source through the forward jet aperture can accelerate singulated articles in the exit channel, thereby increasing the interval between individual articles and rendering them more easily and accurately counted. A rearwardly-directed jet generated by the positive pressure source through the rearwardly-directed jet aperture can cause articles in the exit channel to return to the housing.

Abstract: A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: A plant for transport of granular material comprising container for granular material to be transported, receiver-meter group designed to receive granular material from container, conveyance duct of granular material from container to receiver-meter group, depressurization-pressurization means arranged to suction/inject a gaseous medium from/into container, and vacuum duct between receiver-meter group and depressurization-pressurization means, thereby creating a flow of granular material and gaseous medium in at least one conveyance duct or line directed to receiver-meter group and a flow of gaseous medium between receiver-meter group and depressurization-pressurization means, the plant comprising detection means of parameters of flow located in vacuum duct or line, adjusting means of the power of depressurization/pressurization means and electronic control means designed to receive in input control signals from speed detection means and to emit control signals in output for driving adjusting means.

Abstract: A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: An equipment for conveying sheet-shaped members, including a plurality of blower ducts being arranged in parallel; a common duct connected to outlets of the blower ducts; an air stream unit for generating air streams in the blower ducts; a plurality of sheet feeding units respectively connected to the blower ducts, the sheet feeding units feeding sheet-shaped members into the blower ducts; a plurality of open/close valves respectively provided to the blower ducts, the open/close valves opening and closing the blower ducts; a drive section for respectively driving the open/close valves; a collecting unit provided to a terminal end of the common duct, the collecting unit collecting the sheet-shaped members conveyed; and a control section for controlling the drive section.

Abstract: A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: The catching nozzle according to the invention for a powder conveying device has a tubular powder flow duct and a shoulder, with which the position of the catching nozzle is predetermined in the powder conveying device and that is arranged between a upstream catching nozzle section and a downstream catching nozzle section. The shoulder has a duct for dosage air, wherein the duct connects the upstream catching nozzle section to the downstream catching nozzle section. The downstream catching nozzle section is developed such that it forms, with a hose socket that can be pushed over the downstream catching nozzle section, another duct for dosage air in order to lead the dosage air up to the downstream end of the catching nozzle.

Abstract: A method for blending dry material in a plant comprises automatically controlling fluidization of the dry material, transfer of the material, or both. In various embodiments, the automatically controlling comprises optimizing an amount of time that the dry material is fluidized prior to transfer, optimizing the transfer rate of the dry material, detecting and eliminating a developing plug of the dry material, estimating the weight of the dry material in the transfer line, minimizing dribbling during transfer of the dry material, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Make-up water derived from an on-shore treatment facility is returned to a slurry processing unit on board a dredge by means of a water supply pipeline floating alongside a slurry delivery pipeline that conveys dredged material to the on-shore treatment facility. After separation from the slurry solids, the return water is pressurized to a transport pressure at the treatment facility with a centrifugal pump and then boosted to the desired working pressure once aboard the dredge. This two-stage pumping and re-cycling process reduces the amount of clear make-up water needed for proper operation of the slurry processing unit by more than 50%. This has resulted in a substantial reduction in the overall cost of remediation by reducing the amount of water that must be cleaned prior to disposal.

Abstract: A transport system for a spherical object. The transport system has a supply of a first fluid and a passageway for communication of a spherical object in a path between an inlet and an outlet. At least part of the passageway is bounded by a first tube having a first annular wall with at least one opening through the first annular wall. The first tube guides flow of a spherical object in the first fluid from the inlet towards the outlet. The transport system further includes a source of vacuum in communication with the passageway through the at least one opening through the first annular wall. The source of vacuum produces a low pressure region which causes the first fluid in the passageway to be drawn from the passageway through the at least one opening through the first annular wall. The transport system further includes a supply of a second fluid which is in communication with a spherical object moving between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A system for handling a bulk particulate material generally consisting of a vessel for holding a mass of such material; a first elongated tube formed of a gas permeable material, having an inlet communicating with such vessel; a second elongated tube formed of a gas impervious material encompassing the first tube and spaced therefrom about the periphery of the first tube; a plurality of transversely disposed, longitudinally spaced partitions disposed between said first and second tubes, forming a plurality of isolated chambers encompassing the first tube; each of such isolated chambers having means for selectively introducing a fluidizing gas therein independently of the other of such chambers, at variable volumes and pressures whereby the volume and pressure of fluidizing gas diffused through the first tube may be modulated along the length thereof; and means for injecting a flow inducing gas into the first tube.

Abstract: Conveying systems and methods in which a series of inflatable bladders are inflated and deflated in such a way as to convey objects in given directions.

Abstract: A system and method for conveying and dispensing packing material, such as a chain of linked air bags which includes a pressurized pathway and an elongated hopper that conveys and dispenses the air bags. The hopper includes a plurality of air jets that transfer the bags between each jet to a remote end of the hopper, and a series of dispensing ports so the bags may be accessed by several users. The hopper further includes a venting and display surfaces throughout its length.

Abstract: A gas conveying system capable of conveying a solids material without pushing or compressing the solids material. The system comprising: at least one conduit assembly comprising a conduit, a lance assembly disposed about a first end of the conduit which is capable of removing the solids material from a holding device, and a first eductor which is capable of entraining the solids material in a gas stream and moving the solids material through the conduit; a cyclone disposed about a second end of the conduit, the cyclone being capable of separating the solids material from the gas stream; and a second eductor disposed to receive the solids material from the cyclone, the second eductor being capable of entraining the solids material in a second gas stream which has a solid-material-to-gas mass ratio which is greater than that of the first eductor. The second stage eductor transports the particles further downstream for storage, additional transport or for further treatment, such as burning in an incinerator.

Abstract: A non-contact sheet handling system includes a first valve controlling air flow to a manifold and a second valve controlling air flow from the manifold to an air pan. A non-contact plate having venturis covers the air pan. In an alternate embodiment, the system includes a diffuser that diffuses air flow in the air pan. A method of using a non contact sheet handling system includes adjusting a first and second valve to set air flow to a first and second area, respectively, of the system and adjusting a third valve to set air flow to the first and second valves.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying transport system for bulk materials has a conduit that carries material in a gas flow, and at spaced locations along the conduit air assists are provided to inject a supplemental amount of air into the conveying conduit when back pressure builds up in the conduit at the selected locations. The air assists include air outlet lines connected to provide air into the conveying conduit. A low volume flow source maintains a positive flow of air out of the air outlet lines during pneumatic conveying.

Abstract: A feeder system (1) and method supplies electrical components (20) to a pick-and-place machine (14). The feeder system (1) has a hopper (2) coupled by a passage (4) to a pickup location (3). The electrical components (20) are provided by air blasts to a first air outlet (6a) associated with the hopper (2) to agitate the components (20). Air blasts are concurrently supplied to a second and third air outlets (6b, 6c) located in the passage (6b) to thereby retain at least some of the components (20) therebetween. The third air outlet (6c) is disposed between the pickup location (3) and the second air outlet (6b) and in use an air blast from said third air outlet (6c) is effected immediately before an air blast from said second outlet (6b) is effected.

Abstract: An injector for conveying a pulverulent material is supplied with entraining air via a line and with dosing air via another line. Dosing air and entraining air are kept constant in their total rate of flow by a flow controller. This yields a particularly homogeneous powder/air mixture, which is particularly advantageous in the conveying of coating powder for coating welded seams on can bodies.

Abstract: A multiple lane ironing and doming apparatus for ironing and doming cup-shaped blanks into can bodies by pushing them through ironing dies by reciprocations of punches. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of punches vertically held and retained at their upper ends for vertical reciprocations; at least one ironing die unit arranged below and coaxially with each of said punches for ironing cup-shaped blanks into ironed can bodies; one doming unit arranged below the ironing die for doming the bottoms of the ironed can bodies into a predetermined configuration; stripping means for stripping the ironed and domed can bodies from the punches; and conveying means for discharging the stripped can bodies from below the punches.

Abstract: By utilizing two inlet pumps and one discharge pump, and controlling the speed of the discharge pump, the pressure in a slurry processing unit can be controlled to facilitate measurement and handling of compressible slurry. It has been found that multiple specific gravity measurements with water injection between the measuring stations can provide an accurate indicate of clear water to be added, even though the slurry is compressible and of varying composition, by allowing controlled undershooting of the required water at one or more injection stations, followed by accurate specific gravity measurement under closely controlled pressure and flow rate conditions, followed by a small final clear water addition.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating solids transport in a pneumatic conveying l. The apparatus reduces the velocity of a gas within the pneumatic conveying line. The following describes a preferred embodiment. An inner cylinder is spliced into the line. An upper portion of the inner cylinder is made of a porous material. An outer cylinder having a diameter larger than the inner cylinder encircles the inner cylinder and defines a cavity therebetween. Two solenoid valves are associated with the outer cylinder; one for purging the gas and the other for introducing a reverse jet of gas to dislodge particles from the porous material. A pressure transducer measures fluctuations across the top of the inner cylinder and is connected to a control unit which, in turn, controls the valves.

Abstract: A dense phase conveying system for particulate material utilizes air at high pressure and low volume to transport particulate material between a source and a receiver through a conveying line that can range in length to several hundred feet. A series of air assists are provided to reduce the tendency of the material to build up in locations and form large slugs that cause high energy impacts on the interior of the conveying tube at corners or at the bin receiver. The air assists are positioned to provide a flow of air under regulated pressure and which use plant line pressure for a source. The air assists are intentionally zoned to provide for reducing air assist pressure in two or more zones from the source to the receiver. A plurality of air assists are provided in each zone.

Abstract: In a method of controlling the infeed of air from an auxiliary conduit of a pneumatic conveyor installation into a tubular conveyor conduit into which compressed gas is introduced from a connecting conduit and the latter, upon a rise in pressure occurring upstream of the mouth thereof in the conveyor direction, in the conveyor conduit, is opened with a supply of air from an auxiliary conduit at high pressure, said supply of air into the conveyor conduit is interrupted in the event of pressure equalisation building up therein, by a control member which opens and closes the connecting conduit and which is guided in a path of movement which can be acted upon by at least one secondary flow of the auxiliary conduit, and a closing force is applied in a pulse-wise fashion to the control member.

Abstract: A manifold is disclosed which is adapted to be used with a system such as a truck mounted vacuum system and includes a nozzle which re-routes a portion of the exhaust air from the blower associated with the vacuum system back through the nozzle into the intake vacuum hose, thus creating a boost heretofore unavailable. A second embodiment teaches an insert to be used at a junction in the line to further increase the efficiency of the loading system.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tube having an inlet and an outlet. A plurality of apertures are spaced along a wall of the tube. Flow inducers are applied to the inlet for distributing the flow between the plurality of apertures. The flow inducers may include at least one venturi portion located within the tube. The tube is typically used to remove material contained within a hopper wherein the angle of a collection face, of the hopper, may be reduced and still effectively remove all the material applied to the collection face.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for the fluidized-bed cracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock.In accordance with the invention recycling of the regenerated catalyst particles to the intake of the reactor comprise, from upstream to downstream, a preferably substantially vertical pipe (1) for the discharge of the regenerated particles from the regenerator, and a substantially straight pipe (2) connected to the vertical pipe (1) and sloping downward therefrom to the base (3) of the reactor to which it is connected, the downward-sloping pipe (2) being connected to the vertical pipe (1) and to the base (3) of the reactor through inward-curved portions or elbows which impose neither a sharp change in direction on the course of the particles nor sudden changes in the diameter of the pipes.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting particulate material, such as cut tobacco, including a duct having an inlet for receiving material to be transported, an outlet for transported material, air inlet zones in the duct wall for the passage of air under pressure into the duct and air outlet zones in the duct wall wherein the inlet zones and outlet zones are positioned in the duct wall and are so dimensioned to cause an air velocity in the duct which has a first velocity component directed to urge the material transported away from the wall of the duct and a second velocity component directed to urge the material along the length of the duct.

Abstract: A powder spray gun comrpises a tubular housing having ambient air flow passages located in the side wall thereof medially of the opposite ends. A pair of air flow amplifiers are mounted in the housing on opposite sides of the ambient air flow passages and are so oriented that compressed air supplied to the upstream one of these amplifiers, the so called suspension amplifier, is operable to draw ambient air into the outlet end of the suspension amplifier, and compressed air supplied to the downstream amplifier, the so called pattern amplifier, is operable to draw ambient air into the inlet end of the pattern amplifier. The amplifiers are secured within the housing by end caps which are sealingly secured onto the ends of the housing by bayonet pin and slot connectors.

Abstract: A transport system particularly for flat articles, e.g. cards, includes guides which allow alternate articles to be conveyed in different orientations through the same duct (122) so that the risk of jamming or shingling during conveyance is eliminated. In a preferred arrangement the system includes a crossed-axes pneumatic duct (122) and driven rollers (144) for introducing cards (12) into the duct in different orientations. The system also includes intermediate air supply stations (138), a card inspection unit (134), and a receiving station (139) including a device (145) for turning cards so that they are all received in the same orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically conveying bulk material includes a conveyor line for transporting the bulk material and a secondary line which carries clean gas and is sectionized by spaced three-way/two-way directional control valves. Each control valve is actuated by a pressure transmitter which compares the actual pressure in the conveyor line with the desired pressure in a third line carrying a fluid at a desired pressure decreasing in downstream direction in accordance with the pressure drop in the conveyor line during normal operation. A communication between the conveyor line and the second line is provided by respective branch lines which define the third connection of the control valves and are multiply connected to the conveyor line.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for the production of gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a solid fuel in a fluidized bed, the solid particles contained in the product gas are separated off in a cyclone separator and recycled to the fluidized bed by way of a recycling conduit. The recycling conduit is provided with injection nozzles for introducing gas flows into the recycling conduit in a pulse-like manner in order to loosen up the particles therein. The gas flows may be introduced into the recycling conduit in displaced relationship in respect of time in such a way that, of two adjacent injection locations, gas is injected through the injection location which is arranged at a greater spacing from the reactor at a later time than at the injection location which is closer to the reactor.

Abstract: The hydraulic forwarding of solids over long distances and/or differences in height is effected by means of tube-chamber distributor systems which operate as pressure locks on the booster principle, where use is made of pressure-measurement instruments, shut-off devices with limit switches and time switches. These control means effect the continual changeover between the filling of the particular tube chamber concerned with the slurry to be forwarded and the emptying of the same by the application of pressures with the forwarding liquid so that, on the one hand, the forwarding liquid which is present in the tube chamber is forced out by the slurry which is being filled into the tube chamber and, on the other hand, the introduction of the forwarding liquid into said tube chamber forces out the slurry contained in said tube chamber.

Abstract: An improved reinjection system is described for a bubbling bed fluidized bed combustor of the type having a combustion zone in which fuel is burned in a fluidized bed of granular material, means for collecting particles from the flue gases and means for reinjecting the collected particles into the combustion zone. The improved reinjection system comprises a first particulate material conductor pipe sloping downwardly toward the combustion zone, the lower end of this first downwardly sloping pipe being flow connected by way of a lower corner or elbow to a short section of upwardly sloping pipe. The upper end of this short upwardly sloping pipe is flow connected by way of an upper corner or elbow to a second downwardly sloping pipe. The first downwardly sloping pipe, the upwardly sloping pipe and the second downwardly sloping pipe form therebetween a Z-valve.

Abstract: Flow control in a standpipe is improved by the introduction of aeration gas into the standpipe immediately above and in a direction of a valve forming the bottom of the standpipe.

Abstract: Pneumatic pipeline conveying system includes a bleed valve for bleeding conveying gas into or out of a pipeline conduit. Such bleed valve is located at one or more strategic locations along the pipeline conduit where a degree of gas/material separation occurs in the conduit such as at bends and in long horizontal runs where a re-entrainment device is employed to re-entrain particulate material into the conveying gas within the pipeline.

Abstract: Articles having a defined geometric shape are transported from a starting to an end location by fluid flowing through a pipe system. The articles also flow through at least one jet pump which is creating the flow. Guides for the articles are provided in the pipe and within the jet pump. The articles may be subjected to heat or pressure treatment during transport. To create a predetermined pressure in a particular pipe section, a second jet pump can be positioned at the end of the section and operates in the direction opposing the action of the pump at the starting end.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing powdered particles from a single pressurized transporting vessel to a plurality of receiving ends through a plurality of transporting pipes. The vessel is supplied with a pressurized gas to fluidize the powdered particles, which then are distributed to the transporting pipes which include discharge control valves to control the discharging rate of the particles in each of the transporting pipes. The transporting pipes are supplied with booster gas, the flow rate of which is controlled by a booster flow rate control valve. The booster flow rate control valve in each pipe is controlled in cascade by a booster flow rate controller receiving an output signal from a differential pressure detector for detecting a differential pressure of a discharging nozzle at the end of the pipes.

Abstract: Aggregate, fragmented material and the like is transported in a pipeline by introducing foam under pressure into the pipeline along with the aggregate, fragmented material and the like to be transported and the foam and aggregate, fragmented material and the like are maintained at a pressure to move the aggregate, fragmented material and the like and foam along the pipeline. The foam may be regenerated at spaced positions along the pipeline by introducing additional foam into the pipeline or introducing gas under pressure into the pipeline to agitate the foam. The gas phase of the foam, as well as the gas employed to regenerate the foam consists essentially of one of the group consisting of air, nitrogen, natural gas or carbon dioxide and the liquid phase of the foam consists essentially of one of the group consisting of water, brine or oil.

Abstract: A continuously cleaned bag filter provides a second filter stage for removing dust from air discharged from a cyclone or other primary separator. The primary separator removes the majority of particulate matter from air delivered thereto. In the bag filter dust is filtered from the air, which is discharged through the filter walls. The filtered dust is conveyed along the bottom of the bag filter by an air conveyor and is recirculated back to the primary separator for removal thereat. The air conveyor and a recirculating air blower, the latter providing impetus to carry dust back to the primary separator, are balanced relative to the inflowing air to the bag filter from the primary separator; such balance prevents excessive back-pressure or negative pressure in the filter bags that would otherwise interfere with ordinary air discharge therefrom.

Abstract: Transporter and method for directly transporting powdered materials or the like by a pressurized gas from the delivery container to a hopper connected to packaging or pilling machines through a pipe arrangement connected to the container at its one end and the hopper at its other end. The container is combined with a conical part to form an airtight system by a connecting device, inverted by a turning mechanism and then connected to the pipe arrangement through the conical part, and thereafter, the powdered materials in the container are transported to the hopper by the pressurized gas fed from pressurized gas feed-pipes connected to specified locations of the sigmoid pipe.

Abstract: In the back-pass of a steam generator, hot fly ash collects at a station. At the station to which the ash gravitates, a liquid bath is provided to receive the ash. Nozzles are arranged within the liquid receiving the ash to urge the material into a mechanical grinder in which the ash is reduced for ultimate disposal.

Abstract: A conveyor for peanuts or other particulate solid has an elongated duct or conduit, an opening for charging the particles into the duct, a fan for moving air at a high velocity through the duct from upstream of the opening, a partition in the duct for creating an air jet in the duct which sweeps across the opening, and an additional partition for creating additional longitudinally spaced jets in the duct downstream of the opening.