Abstract: The invention relates to a coverslipping module for mounting coverslips onto specimen slides (12) for microscopic investigations, having a transport apparatus (9) for transporting a specimen slide (12) out of a rack (3) or a specimen slide holder to a coverslipping position (13) in which the specimen slide (12) is equipped with a coverslip, and having an alignment device for aligning the specimen slide (12) in the coverslipping position (13) for mounting the coverslip. In order to allow the specimen slide (12) to be reliably and quickly aligned for mounting of the coverslips, thereby ensuring a high level of process dependability with a short processing time, the alignment device are constituted by multiple movable orientation jaws (18) which are arranged so that by closure of the orientation jaws (18), the specimen slide (12) becomes aligned in the coverslipping position (13).

Abstract: Continuous transfer of particulate material into pressurized steam reactors is provided by “flow feeder” methods and devices. Material such as lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks are compacted into a “low density” plug, <700 kg/m3, which provides a dynamic seal against pressurized steam through exploitation of a steam condensation zone. The rate at which the steam condensation zone moves into the “low density” plug is offset by the rate at which compacted material is fed into the pressurized reactor. Preferred devices compact material within a flow feeder chamber by use of a loading device that works against counter-pressure provided by an unloading device. Compacted material is actively disintegrated and fed into the reactor by the unloading device. In preferred embodiments, compacted material is fed in a steady-state operation in which the interface between the steam condensation zone and the low pressure inlet zone remains stationary within the flow feeder chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system for feeding biomass into a pressured vessel, the system includes a screw-feeding housing, a drive motor, a rotary airlock, a first conveyor screw, a second conveyor screw, a barrel, a low friction liner attached to a substantial portion of the inside surface of the barrel, a pressure sensor positioned within the screw-feeding housing for monitoring backpressure, a compression disk, an actuator, a function controller which controls the pressure sensor, the drive motor and the actuator, and a control loop which comprises the function controller, the actuator, the drive motor, and the pressure sensor for monitoring backpressure within the screw-feeding housing and for controlling and adjusting the force applied by the actuator to the compression disk and the torque applied by the drive motor to the first conveyor screw, thereby effectuating an effectively sealed biomass plug.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system for feeding biomass into a pressured vessel, the system includes a screw-feeding housing, a drive motor, a rotary airlock, a first conveyor screw, a second conveyor screw, a barrel, a low friction liner attached to a substantial portion of the inside surface of the barrel, a pressure sensor positioned within the screw-feeding housing for monitoring backpressure, a compression disk, an actuator, a function controller which controls the pressure sensor, the drive motor and the actuator, and a control loop which comprises the function controller, the actuator, the drive motor, and the pressure sensor for monitoring backpressure within the screw-feeding housing and for controlling and adjusting the force applied by the actuator to the compression disk and the torque applied by the drive motor to the first conveyor screw, thereby effectuating an effectively sealed biomass plug.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to instrumentation for performance of a spinal implantation procedure. In one form, this instrumentation includes: a tube device with an inner surface defining a passage from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion, a conveyor including a threaded conveying rod to be received in the passage of the tube device that can be rotated in the tube or moved in translation along the passage, and a deformable prosthesis structured to move through the passage of the tube by rotating the threaded conveying rod while at least a portion of the deformable prosthesis is positioned between the inner surface and the rod. Optionally, a tool to maintain position of the tube device can be included that has a jaw mechanism, among other things.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus having a station for loading and unloading substrates from the apparatus, includes an aperture closure for sealing a loading and unloading aperture of the station, apparatus for removing a door of a substrate magazine and thus opening the substrate magazine, and for operating the aperture closure to open the aperture, and an elevator for precisely positioning the open substrate magazine along a vertical axis within a usable range of motion. The station may also include a sensor for mapping locations of the substrates, and a mini-environment for interfacing the station to a substrate processing system.

Abstract: The method invented is based on sluice system according to which the product is first conveyed through a portioning device, which produces a sequence of uniform product portions divided by uniform particle free spaces, and subsequently the product portions are conveyed individually through a sluice device, which comprises at least one sluice chamber and two pressure locks of which at least one at any time secures a pressure tight barrier between the two pressure zones, and the product portions are force loaded from the first zone into a sluice chamber by means of a piston screw, the axis of which is practically in line with the axis of the sluice chamber, and the product portions are force unloaded from the sluice chamber and into the second pressure zone by means of said piston screw or a piston or by means of gas, steam or liquid supplied at a pressure higher than that of the second pressure zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching substrates is provided with a buffering member between an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The buffering member reduces a load applied to a lifting device during vacuum exhaustion of a sealing space between the chambers. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a force applied to a lifting screw and a frame supporting a chamber, thereby extending the lifetime of the substrate attaching apparatus and component replacement. Also, it is possible to increase a lower chamber supporting force of a lifting part by coupling the lifting part to an external frame with a fixing device. As the result, the lower chamber is stably fixed and thus it is possible to reduce failures in a substrate attaching process.

Abstract: A drain apparatus for the intake end of an auger is disclosed. The drain apparatus comprises a bearing with radial arms, a cover with a cover portion, a drain and a drain cap for removably closing the opening of the drain. The drain apparatus facilitates a clean in place procedure.

Abstract: A plurality of liquids, the flow of each controlled by a volumetric flowrate controller, are mixed in a mixer to form a final precursor that is misted and then deposited on a substrate. A physical property of precursor liquid is adjusted by adjusting the volumetric flowrate controllers, so that when precursor is applied to substrate and treated, the resulting thin film of solid material has a smooth and planar surface. Typically the physical property is the viscosity of the precursor, which is selected to be relatively low, in the range of 1-2 centipoise.

Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting or sterilizing contaminated materials including a first worm screw (15) inside a pretreatment chamber (14) and a second worm screw (17) arranged close to the end of the first worm screw (15) and extending inside a treatment chamber (16). Elements are provided for sealing both ends of the treatment chamber (16) so that an elevated pressure can be maintained in the treatment chamber. Energy can be introduced into the treatment chamber in a controlled manner to supply or produce steam sufficient to create and maintain an elevated pressure and temperature needed to disinfect and/or sterilize the contaminated material. The pretreatment chamber (14) and the treatment chamber (16) are connected to each other by a reversing component (1) having two tube sections (2, 3) which form an angle relative to each other and which are secured to the pretreatment chamber (14) and the treatment chamber (16) by flanges (4, 5).

Abstract: A drive member has a spiral magnetic coupling in its upper surface configured from a N pole spiral and a S pole spiral. A carrier can slidably move in the shaft direction to pass through a point that is a fixed distance from the upper surface of the drive member, and a magnetic coupling is provided at an interval the same as the interval between the N pole spiral and the S pole spiral of the spiral magnetic coupling. The carrier is moved directly by the rotational operation of the drive member. The arranged interval (d) of the drive member along a conveying path is a positive integer multiple of twice the interval (p) between the N pole spiral and S pole spiral of the spiral magnetic coupling. The carrier can be moved smoothly and without interruption, even though a transfer part divides the magnetic carrying path between successive chambers.

Abstract: To provide a magnetic transfer system capable of smoothly delivering a carrier between chambers by providing a independently-rotating carrier-feed driving shaft for each chamber without using a synchronous control mechanism and used for a semiconductor fabrication equipment or the like provided with a plurality of chambers. The magnetic transfer system is provided with a rotational driving member which is divided into two portions serving as a fixed driving shaft and a movable driving shaft in the axial direction and in which the fixed driving shaft is secured to a shaft core member and the movable driving shaft is set to the shaft core member so as to be limited in the rotational direction but so as to be freely movable in the axial direction at a certain width, and spiral magnetic coupling sections are formed on the surface of each driving shaft at the same pitch.

Abstract: Flat mail pieces of intermixed sizes and thicknesses are received and distributed to separately arranged storage compartments. Each such compartment contains special features and functions which ensure smooth entry of incoming mail, maintain the facing and orientation of received mail pieces, readily permit stack accumulation, and readily enable release of a full stack from the storage compartment. A vertically-mobile stack support plate maintains a relatively short but constant drop distance for all mail pieces entering the stacking compartment. To transfer a stack of mail, the stack is stripped off its support plate and onto a bed of rollers by lateral movement of the storage compartment away from the support plate. After a tray container has been positioned to accept the stack of mail, the bed is rolled out from beneath the stack, gently transferring the stack onto the bottom of the tray.

Abstract: An impeller is for separating a conveyed stream of material. The impeller has a central rotatable hub with a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom. The hub and blades form a number of generally wedge-shaped material receiving spaces within the impeller. One set of spaces has a baffle arrangement which is configured to direct material in this set outwardly from the impeller on the upstream side of the baffle arrangement. Another set of spaces has a guide arrangement which is configured to guide the material in this set of spaces outwardly from the impeller on the downstream side of the baffle arrangement. The impeller is particularly useful for separating streams of particulates, such as wood chips, compressed shavings, or the like.

Abstract: "An apparatus for plasma treating fine-grained materials, having a receptacle that can be evacuated and that accepts and agitates the materials to be treated, and having an electromagnetic device that comprises an excitation device and electrodes and to activate a process gas filling the space of the receptacle means to form a plasma, wherein the receptacle has a conveyor which conveys the material from one end to another end and is configured for continuous admission and discharge of the material and admission and discharge of the process gas, but that is otherwise hermetically closed, and at which or in which the electromagnetic excitation device that effects the plasma formation within the conveyor is arranged.

Abstract: Worm conveyor for bulk material, the outlet of which is separated from an outlet chamber, in which a higher gas pressure obtains than at the inlet of the worm conveyor, by a non-return flap, which is pressed by a flexible force into the closed setting. The operating behaviour of the conveyor is improved, in particular drive power and wear are reduced, in that a damper is provided for damping the movement of the non-return flap, in particular for damping the opening movement.

Abstract: A heater and pedestal actuator is provided to actuate the pedestal of a deposition chamber from a first position wherein a wafer may be placed thereon to a second position adjacent to the deposition target. To adjust the inward travel of the heater to compensate for target erosion, the actuator includes a worm drive apparatus driven by a stepper motor. The worm drive is pitched, and the stepper motor is selected, to allow fine movement of the heater on the order of less than 0.01 mm for each arcuate step of the stepper motor. A computer is used to actuate the stepper motor, and cause additional stepper motor actuation, to increase the travel of the heater toward the target to compensate for target erosion. Additionally, the computer may vary the speed of the worm drive rotation, to create different heater travel speeds within the chamber.

Abstract: Disintegrated material is supplied to a pressure chamber by a rotatable and axially translatable screw piston. The piston is rotated while in a first axial position to transport and compact the material in a receiving chamber against a closed output valve in front of the piston. The output valve is opened and the compacted material is moved into the pressure chamber by axial non-rotative motion of the piston. The output valve then is closed, and the piston is axially returned to its first axial position while rotating in the same direction as before. The operation cycle is repeated as above. An apparatus for carrying out a process comprises an axially movable guide piston rotationally carrying and guiding the screw piston for rotation and axial movement by action of a hydraulic cylinder and a mechanism for rotationally positioning the screw piston.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for isolating solids or wetcakes from fluids is disclosed. Said apparatus is closed to the atmosphere and comprises a slip joint and a floating auger which allows for solid recovery under pressure in the absence of substantial solvent volatilization.

Abstract: A system for disposing of refuse-derived fuel ("RDF") and converting the refuse-derived fuel into a fuel gas is described. The system includes a positive pressure combustion chamber and a feed system for feeding the RDF into the combustion chamber at high speed. No compaction of the low density RDF is required. The feed system includes a feed conveyor, first and second air locks with a first conduit between the feed conveyor and the first air lock, and a second conduit between the first and second air locks. Both conduits are generally vertically oriented, but sloped at an angle that prevents bridging of the RDF.

Abstract: A continuously and automatically functioning device for the drainage of sludge treated with a flocculent, especially of sewage sludge, comprising a screw conveyor installation with a driven conveyor screw consisting of shaft (16) and helix (17) and a screen wall (18). The screw conveyor installation possesses a first cylindrical area (10) of a large diameter and gap width followed by a conical area (12) for purposes of volume reduction in the throughput direction of the sludge. Connected to the conical area (12) of the screw conveyor installation is at least one pressure area (13) which, with the diameter of the shaft (16) being constant, possesses a decreasing lead of the conveyor helix (17) at the side of the entrance, and in its final area carries a conical piece (49) placed upon the shaft (16).

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a solid medium for cultivating mushrooms includes a mixer for mixing and agitating medium materials, and a heater coupled to the mixer for sterilizing the medium materials from the mixer with the heat of steam. The sterilized medium materials are then delivered into a cooler connected to the heater, and cooled and moistened by water scattered by a sprinkler. The cooler is coupled to a mycelia supply source for supplying mycelia of the mushroom with which the cooled medium materials are spawned. The solid medium thus produced is then packaged by a packaging mechanism in a germ-free environment.

Abstract: A screw seal for conveying bulk particulate solids between spaces at differing gas pressures with minimal leakage of gas. A tubular housing encloses a screw conveyor section and a sealing section receiving the solids and forming a sealing plug. The sealing section has a divergent configuration that functions in combination with friction to create sufficient solids pressure with minimal driving torque and wear on the screw conveyor.

Abstract: A system for discharging and cooling hot ash from a coal combustion unit, such as a coal combustor or an associated filter, where the hot ash at a temperature in excess of 700.degree. C. and at superatmospheric pressure is charged to a jacketed, cooled screw conveyor and passed therethrough in contact with a countercurrent flow of a purge gas. The ash is cooled in the screw conveyor to a temperature of below 320.degree. C. and dischaged to a collection hopper, under pressure, while the purge gas and gases evolved from the hot ash are returned to the combustion unit.

Abstract: In this process for the removal of residue particles from a discharge opening of a pressurized gasification reactor according to the fluidized bed or flue dust principle the residue particles are removed by a worm conveyor. To avoid pressure fluctuations in the actual gasification process and to perform a continuously operating residue removal not susceptible to disturbances the discharge opening of the worm conveyor housing is provided with an adjustable pressure device for exerting a closing pressure on a closing element.

Abstract: Carbonaceous solids such as coal and oil shale are fed to a high temperature processing vessel without bridging and plugging problems interrupting the flow of the solids into the processing vessel by passing the solids at a controlled rate from a feed vessel into a first conduit communicating with the feed vessel. The solids are then passed through the first conduit into a second conduit which communicates with the first conduit and the processing vessel, and which contains a scraper for scraping the inside walls of the conduit. The pressure in the feed vessel is maintained at a level higher than that in the processing vessel by passing a sufficient amount of a gas into the feed vessel such that the solids are passed through the second conduit into the processing vessel in dense phase pneumatic flow as the scraper scrapes the inside walls of the second conduit thereby preventing any bridging or plugging from occurring.

Abstract: An ash handling system includes a conveyor and crusher extending from an ash collection trough beneath an underfeed stoker retort to a hopper from which ash is discharged into an ash receiving zone of a container. A suction nozzle is used to extract ash from the zone for disposal.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus includes a casing having a bore therethrough with an inlet for solid particulate material to be conveyed and an outlet. A screw impeller is rotatably mounted in the casing by front and rear bearings with the rear bearings being positioned near the inlet. Material is discharged from the casing through a coaxial outlet into a discharge chamber. Gaseous fluid under pressure is supplied to the discharge chamber for entraining and conveying the particulate material through a pneumatic conveying line which is flow connected to the outlet of the discharge chamber. A valve, which closes the outlet of the casing, is biased closed by a weight and opened by material being advanced by the screw impeller. The valve includes a valve plate with an opening which surrounds the shaft of the screw impeller and provides a seal at the casing to substantially prevent gaseous fluid from entering the casing.

Abstract: A dry sealing leg apparatus is comprised of four chambers through which a moving bed of retorted shale particulates from an oil shale retort is passed serially: a surge chamber, a gas injection chamber, a seal leg chamber, and a gas disengaging chamber. In the gas injection chamber, a sealing gas penetrates the moving bed of shale and divides into two portions. One portion travels countercurrently to the shale through the surge chamber and enters the retort at a positive pressure to seal product gases therein. A second portion travels co-currently with the shale through the seal leg chamber and gas disengaging chamber and exits at a pressure less than that of the retort, having been reduced in pressure by resistance to its passage through the shale.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump for transferring solid particles from a low pressure zone into a high pressure zone comprises a centrifugal rotor and a housing that are each rotatable about a central axis. The rotor debouches particles into the interior of the housing and a screw conveyor is arranged in the housing for transporting particles along the inner surface of the housing to an outlet which is coaxial to the central axis.

Abstract: Method for supplying fuel material to a gasification reactor into which a mixture of finely powdered fuel material, in suspension in a liquid phase, is charged inside a pressurized combustion chamber into which the combustion-supporting gas is injected and constituting the reactor, by means of a screw conveyor producing a continuously fluid-tight plug by compression of the driven material. By intermeshing at least two overlapping screws with identical threads rotated in the same direction, a wringing of the mixture introduced through an input orifice is compressed by regulating the flow rate of the mixture supply and the rotary speed of the screws so that, for a given flow rate of material, the plug constituted in a braking zone is at a given pressure and contains a certain proportion of liquid phase. The additional amount of liquid phase is expelled into the braking zone and reascends upstream into a drive zone where it is removed through orifices formed in filtering parts of a sleeve.

Abstract: In a system for moving large quantities of pulverulent material from receiving hoppers, such as those of a fly ash precipitator, into a pressurized air conveyor pipeline, separate auger conveyors move material from a first line of receiving hoppers and from a second line of receiving hoppers downstream into gravity material inlets at opposite ends of an effectively airtight pressure conveyor casing. In the casing auger conveyor flights of opposite hand and substantially smaller than the casing means it toward a central outlet through which it drops into the pressurized air conveyor pipeline. Above the outlet the auger conveyor shaft has radial material agitating rods. The system is cycled to alternately feed material into the pressure conveyor casing at receiving hopper pressure, which is about atmospheric pressure, and out of the pressure conveyor casing at pipeline pressure.

Abstract: Liquid sealed lock hoppers for use with a particulate material having a density greater than that of the sealing liquid are provided for connection to the inlet and outlet of a high pressure zone.

Abstract: A pump for feeding granular material into a pressurized zone having a feed screw (14) located within a cylinder (12). The cylinder is tapered (34) at its discharge end, and the outside diameter of the flights (32) is also tapered (43). The clearance (38) of the tapered flights is significantly greater than the clearance (40) of the non-tapered flights.

Abstract: A system for moving large quantities of pulverulent material from receiving hoppers, such as those of a fly ash precipitator, into a pressurized air conveyor pipeline. Separate auger conveyors move material from a first line of receiving hoppers and from a second line of receiving hoppers into gravity material inlets at opposite ends of an effectively airtight casing of a pressure mechanical conveyor wherein auger conveyor screws of opposite hand move it toward a central outlet through which it drops into the pressurized air conveyor pipeline. The auger conveyors and the pressure conveyor augers operate continuously; and the system is cycled to alternately feed material into the pressure conveyor casing at receiving hopper pressure, which is about atmospheric pressure, and out of the pressure conveyor casing at pipeline pressure. The cycles of two or more pressure conveyors are out of phase with one another so they feed material into the pipeline consecutively to provide level pipeline flow.

Abstract: A vacuum grain moving apparatus connected to a three-point hitch of a tractor and operated with the power take-off drive of the tractor. The apparatus has a grain holding tank connected to a grain collection hose used to carry grain and air to the tank. An air moving unit mounted on the tank has a rotatable power driven impeller that draws air from the center of the chamber of the tank to provide a vacuum pressure within the tank. The impeller has first and second generally radial blades that pump the air from the tank chamber. An auger conveyor operatively associated with the lower end of the tank moves the grain from the tank into a transport vehicle. The auger conveyor has a driven helical auger located within a tube. The tube extends beyond the outer end of the auger and retains a plug of grain in the tube to inhibit back flow of air into tank chamber during the running of the air moving unit. A swinging gate pivotally mounted on an outer end cap normally closes the exit opening of the tube.

Abstract: An improved auger airlock is disclosed which includes a blade for preventing blockage or buildup of material conveyed through the airlock. An axially rotatable auger blade is disposed within the elongated auger tube and has a central shaft extending to the outlet end of the tube. An elongated blade is secured to the end of the shaft, transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof, for rotation with the shaft. The blade is operable for cutting up agglomerated material at the outlet end to prevent clogging. A hingeably mounted door is attached to the outlet of the tube and is biased to the closed position by an adjustable counterweight operably attached to the door.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are provided for continuously conveying particulate compressible fibrous material from a first zone at a first gas pressure to a second zone at a second gas pressure with a pressure differential therebetween of at least 0.5 bar while retaining the prevailing gas pressure in each zone, which comprises:(1) continuously compressing the particulate material in the first zone into a gas-containing but gas-impermeable mass extending across the interface between the two zones;(2) continuously passing the mass of material out from the first zone into the second zone while maintaining the gas pressure within the mass constant at the gas pressure of the first zone; and(3) continuously breaking up the mass entering the second zone into particulate material.

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing solid fuels into a pressure gasification reactor comprising at least one conveyor worm turnable in a housing for conveying finely divided fuel, optionally mixed with a binder, and compacting the fuel into a gas-tight plug which is discharged through a discharge opening leading to the pressure gasification reactor. The discharge opening is provided with a closure member and the housing has an outlet opening also provided with a closure member near the discharge opening. The outlet opening is open to the ambient atmosphere. The closure members of the discharge opening and the outlet opening are alternatively actuatable such that when one is open the other is closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring solid materials between zones of substantially different pressures, the solid materials being supplied to a lockhopper containing a liquid having a density less than the solid materials, the solid materials with associated liquid passing through a solids-liquid separator chamber separating the solid materials and liquids so that the solid materials, substantially free of liquids, are passed into a vessel such as a pressurized reaction vessel.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an economical system for the pyrolysis of municipal solid waste to recover valuable by-products while reducing the putrecibility and bulk of the residue requiring disposal. Prior to this treatment, the solid waste has been processed to remove most of the metallic components, and shredded, which steps are not part of the invention disclosed. The pyrolysis and by-product recovery technology is complicated by (a) the inherent variability of the chemical and physical characteristics of the shredded solid waste as received at the pyrolysis plant and (b) the relatively low heat value of said waste as thus received.