Abstract: A device and a method for the continuous degassing of casting resin. A housing (1) is provided which has an inlet (2) and an outlet (3) for passage of the casting resin and is connected to a vacuum source (4). In order to achieve with a compact design of the housing a complete continuous degassing of the casting resin material, several spatially connected areas (5) are provided in the housing (1), through which areas the casting resin is sequentially guided. A structure (6; 14; 16; 35) for applying the casting resin to a degassing surface (40) are provided in each of the areas. A brush or comb 42 is provided for slicing through the casting resin so that new surfaces in the casting resin are created which are sufficient to enhance any gas contained within the casting resin to surface and be removed from the vessel through the connection to the vacuum source. A transferring structure is provided for transferring the casting resin into the next adjacent area.

Abstract: A discharge stream conditioner and method for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of devices which discharge pressurized liquids is disclosed. An elongated rod having a plurality of outwardly radiating, spiraling, fingers or spokes is placed within the discharge conduit or flow path of a pressurized liquid to be discharged. The purpose of the discharge stream conditioner and method is to effectuate a partial separation of the propellant gas which has dissolved into the liquid agent to be discharged thereby providing for a more even flow and more efficient discharge of the liquid agent from its pressurized container.

Abstract: A defoaming device and method for aeration, for use in a processor equipped with an aeration apparatus for sending air into a processing solution. The defoaming device includes a pipe for guiding foam produced in the aeration apparatus to outside the aeration apparatus; and at least one of a throttle portion, which is disposed midway in the pipe and formed by reducing a cross-sectional area of the pipe, and an air-stream guiding device for guiding an air stream into a portion of the pipe in a downstream direction corresponding to the direction of the flow of the foam. The flow rate of foam in the pipe is accelerated by the throttle portion and/or the air-stream guiding device, thereby positively removing the foam produced in the aeration apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention has two basic aspects: (a) a mechanical method for controlling the macrofouling of zebra mussels; and (b) a mechanical apparatus for reducing the dissolved oxygen of natural source water, such as for industrial or municipal use, to a level below that sufficient to support the survival respiration of zebra mussels.

Abstract: A cavitation chamber is driven by a hydraulic driving system in which acoustic pulses are generated by repeated water hammers. In the driving system a liquid is pumped through a conduit. The flow of liquid through the conduit is periodically interrupted by a valve. A water hammer is created each time the valve closes. Acoustic pulses produced by the water hammer propagate directly into a cavitation chamber where they are reflected back and forth by acoustically reflective plates. The cavitation chamber may be applied to degas liquids, mix chemicals or slurries, or promote sono-chemical reactions. The design generates acoustic pulses efficiently. The acoustic pulses are coupled to the cavitation chamber with minimal losses. The apparatus is rugged and inexpensive when compared to systems which incorporate electromechanical transducers.

Abstract: Rarefaction pulses are generated in a chamber containing a liquid to be degassed. The rarefaction pulses are generated by creating repeated water hammers in a conduit. The water hammers result in sudden high pressure pulses which deform a stiff springy, impermeable deflection cap. After the water hammer pulses pass, the deflection cap snaps back toward its equilibrium position. The snapping action of the deflection cap causes a rarefaction pressure pulse which enhances bubble formation in the chamber. The deflection cap may resonate for some time after each water hammer pulse passes. During the interval when the deflection cap resonates the deflection cap generates an attenuated acoustic wave which is transmitted into the liquid being degassed. The deflection cap may also be driven by a system in which a high pressure fluid, such as steam, is introduced into a sealed chamber behind the deflection cap and then suddenly vented.

Abstract: A de-aerator apparatus for removing gas from fluid flowing through a pipe includes a housing having a chamber, an inlet connected to an inlet pipe for allowing the passage of fluid into the chamber, an outlet connected to an outlet pipe for discharging fluid from the chamber, and a vent for venting gas from the top of the chamber. The arrangement is such that as fluid flows into the chamber through the inlet and out of the chamber through the outlet, relatively large gas pockets present in the fluid in the chamber rise to the surface of the fluid and exit the chamber through the vent. A device disposed within the chamber has bristles facing the flow of fluid into the chamber through the inlet. The bristles vibrate for merging micro gas pockets present in the fluid with one another to produce large gas pockets which rise to the surface of the fluid within the chamber and exit the chamber through the vent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispensing process particularly for a sealing/adhesive product which comprises at least one step of pumping the sealing/adhesive product to allow a step of distribution thereof onto at least one part to be sealed, such as for example a motor vehicle mechanical component; an intermediate step of deaeration of the sealing/adhesive product, so as to optimize its distribution on the part to be sealed, is provided between the pumping step and the distribution step. The apparatus for dispensing the sealing/adhesive product (14) comprises elements (2) for feeding the sealing/adhesive product to elements (4) for distributing it onto at least one part (5) to be sealed and sealing/adhesive product deaeration means (3) which cooperate with the pumping and distribution elements for the uniform deposition of the sealant/adhesive on the part.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating fluids by increasing the fluid's rate of diffusion, removing minerals in solution, releasing entrained gases, and destroying bacteria includes a pair of cascaded vortex nozzles positioned in opposed relation. Each of the vortex nozzles communicates with a fluid source to receive a fluid stream which it rotates. The cascaded vortex nozzles feed their rotating fluid stream into the rear of the vortex nozzle with which they are cascaded. The rotating fluid streams fed into the vortex nozzles combine with the rotating fluid stream within each nozzle. The combined streams then circularly rotate and exit the opposed vortex nozzles to collide in a chamber. The collision between the combined rotating streams results in the breaking of the bonds holding the fluid, gases, and minerals in their molecular array, thus, increasing the fluid's diffusion rate, allowing the gases to escape, the minerals to agglomerate, and destroying bacteria.

Abstract: A device and a method for the continuous degassing of casting resin comprising a housing (1) which has an inlet (2) and an outlet (3) for passage of the casting resin and is connected to a vacuum source (4). In order to achieve with a compact design of the housing a complete continuous degassing of the casting resin material, several separate but spatially connected areas (5) are provided in the housing (1), through which areas the casting resin is sequentially guided. A structure (6; 14; 16; 35) for applying the casting resin to a degassing surface (40) are provided in each of the areas. A stripping structure (7; 17; 35; 37) is provided in each of the areas for removing the casting resin from the degassing surfaces and simultaneously transferring the casting resin into the next adjacent area.

Abstract: Bubbles are removed from small cavities, such as blind via holes in a semiconductor wafer, by immersing the article having the cavities in a liquid medium. A wetting agent is preferably present in the liquid medium. A vacuum is applied to the liquid medium, and the vacuum is vented to air. The application of vacuum and venting are repeated several times, causing the bubbles to be drawn from the cavities and to dislodge from the surface of the article. The bubbles float free, and processing within the cavities can commence.

Abstract: A blow molded rigid plastic venous chamber for hemodialysis, for use in a venous hemodialysis set. The chamber defines a plurality of first access ports adjacent to a first end thereof. A second access port is provided at an opposed end. A tubular plastic filter is positioned in close-fitting relation within the second access port to project into the chamber. Unique advantages are provided by such a blow-molded, filter-carrying chamber.

Abstract: A deaeration vessel has a partition wall dividing the hollow vessel body into first and second portions, and defining a weir with a top surface establishing the level of pulp suspension in the vessel body. Turbulence in the deaerated pulp is minimized by providing the outlet for deaerated pulp immediately adjacent the partition wall, in the bottom of the vessel body first portion (on the same side of the weir as the inlet conduits for the suspension being deaerated). The weir is preferably configured so that the top surface, defining the liquid level within the vessel, overlies the outlet. A partition wall may extend substantially linearly at an angle of about 60.degree. to the bottom of the vessel, or it may have a vertical bottom with a top extending at an angle to the bottom, or it may be continuously curved from the vessel bottom to the top surface, about a horizontal and/or vertical axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of a fiber suspension having a direction of flow and a consistency from 5-25% including a treatment chamber having an axis extending in the direction of flow of the fiber suspension, a suspension inlet and a suspension outlet opposite the suspension inlet, the suspension inlet and outlet having the same diameter and an axis in alignment with the axis of said treatment chamber;a fluidizing rotor within the chamber for fluidizing the fiber suspension, the fluidizing rotor having an axis of rotation transverse to the axis of the treatment chamber; anda throttling arrangement disposed between the rotor and the suspension outlet for throttling the suspension flow.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for degassing an aqueous composition of chunked gelatin. Prior to melting the gelatin chunks, the gelatin is subjected to a pressure near the steam pressure corresponding to the temperature of the gelatin chunks. Application of this pressure degasses the gelatin chunks to that they can be sent directly to the melter and to the coating station.

Abstract: Leucocyte depletion filter assemblies decrease the leucocyte content of a biological fluid in an extracorporeal circuit. These filter assemblies are suitable for use in an extracorporeal circuit. Methods for removing leucocytes and other deleterious matter are also disclosed. The removal medium used in these assemblies and methods may be pleated structures which have been subjected to gas plasma treatment, improving the amount of leucocytes removed and increasing the amount of platelets which pass through the medium.

Abstract: Oil and gas well production flow is gathered in field common line manifolds and conducted through a separator to make a coarse separation of gas from liquid and minimize slug flow in the conduits leading from the manifolds to further separation, treatment and pumping facilities. A liquid level signal transmitter provides a signal to a valve controller which controls separate liquid and gas discharge flow control valves or a variable speed pump to maintain a set point level of liquid in the separator. Liquid level control is accomplished automatically by varying the flow from the fluid discharge conduit which is connected to the lower pressure flow line, which is usually the gas flow line. Manifold pressures may be sensed to prevent exceeding a predetermined pressure in the manifolds and the well flow lines.

Abstract: Separation of wet steam into its liquid and vapor phases is facilitated prior to encountering a junction. The separated phases are recombined as the steam exits the respective arms of the junction.

Abstract: A method of separating an aqueous solids containing suspension includes (a) subjecting a first solids containing suspension to centrifugal forces so as to separate the suspension into a first gas containing flow, a second gas-free flow and a third flow; (b) feeding the third flow into a flotation cell having a bottom; (c) introducing air at the bottom of the flotation cell into the third flow for separating from the third flow a fourth partial flow; (d) withdrawing the air containing third flow after the separation of the fourth partial flow from the flotation cell; and (e) subjecting the third flow to the centrifugal forces of step (a).