Abstract:
A mixer supports a cradle holding an inlet component for a cascade impactor, and has sealing caps to close open ends of the component to trap a solvent in the component. The cradle is rotated by a motor for dissolving particles in the inlet component.
Abstract:
A valve for downwardly dispensing a precisely controlled flow of granular material from a material storage device has a discharge orifice proximate a lower extremity thereof and includes an axially reciprocable tubular member aligned with and slidable axially upwardly and downwardly within the orifice, having a lateral material intake port formed therein remote from vertical extremities of the member, a lower end member being open to define a discharge orifice for granular material dispensed therby, a chamber at least partially surrounding the tubular member, having an open lower end confronting and spaced above the orifice, the chamber open end affording flow of material from the storage device through the port and into the tubular member when the tubular member is at a first position below the open end, the port being spaced upwardly from the open end when the tubular member is at a second position and a pneumatic piston for moving the tubular member axially between the first and second positions.
Abstract:
A valve assembly for a molding system includes a plurality of sequentially activated valves. The valves suppress the initial surge of each individual fluid material component such that a proper quantity of each component is supplied to the mix head at the beginning of each cycle. Each of the valves includes a respective opening. The feed assembly continues to force fluid material against a first valve until the pressure is above a predetermine value. Once the pressure is above the predetermined value, the controller releases the pressure from an actuator associated with the first valve such that the valve opens. Fluid material can now flow through the valve assembly at a rate suppressed by the first valve. As the feed assembly continues to build toward it operational pressure, each remaining partially closed valve is opened in sequence. The restriction of one valve is thereby replaced by a lesser restriction. By opening the valves at a predetermined pressures the pressure buildup can be readily controlled.
Abstract:
A mixing apparatus comprises a mixing container having an opening. The mixing container is hollow cylindrical, having a length l.5˜2.5 times an inner diameter. The mixing container is loaded with a powder such as a metallurgical powder to 30 % ˜80% of the capacity of the mixing container. The mixing container is tilted at 10 degrees ˜40 degrees off the horizontal level and rotated while a liquid such as a lubricant is supplied to the powder in the mixing container from a nozzle portion. The nozzle portion is constituted to prevent the liquid from discharging when the supply of the liquid is not needed. After the liquid is supplied, the nozzle portion is evacuated from the mixing container while the mixing container is rocked for mixing the powder with the liquid. Thereafter, the mixing container is tilted to position the opening at a downward location, and the mixing container is given rotation and impact while unloading a mix from within the mixing container.
Abstract:
A device and method for dispensing precise amounts of dry particulate matter, such as agricultural chemicals, directly into a liquid carrier stream, such as a flow of water, and a method of employing such a device to distribute chemicals. The device includes a bin for holding a quantity of particulate matter, a conduit for transporting a stream of liquid carrier, and a meter at the bottom of the bin for controllably releasing a desired amount of the particulate matter from the bin into the conduit while disallowing entry of the liquid carrier to the bin. The bin, conduit and meter are all mounted upon a portable structure for transportation with particulate matter in the bin. The meter includes a multi-vaned rotor turned by a controlled motor, and defines discrete pockets of known volume. The operator simply connects the device to a flow of water and keys into the controller an amount of material to be released. The rotor releases the material into a chamber under vacuum pressure generated by a venturi, through a check valve, and into an eductor. Agricultural chemicals may be advantageously distributed to end users in particulate form, to be mixed with a liquid carrier at the work site, without possibly harmful exposure to chemical dust and fumes.
Abstract:
A wide throat internal mixer and method of mixing a batch of petrochemical material wherein bales are fed by a corresponding large size ram weight from a large size hopper into a mixing chamber through a corresponding large size throat opening having wear plates.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a microfabricated device for the rapid detection of DNA, proteins or other molecules associated with a particular disease. The devices and methods of the invention can be used for the simultaneous diagnosis of multiple diseases by detecting molecules (e.g. amounts of molecules), such as polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) or proteins (e.g., antibodies), by measuring the signal of a detectable reporter associated with hybridized polynucleotides or antigen/antibody complex. In the microfabricated device according to the invention, detection of the presence of molecules (i.e., polynucleotides, proteins, or antigen/antibody complexes) are correlated to a hybridization signal from an optically-detectable (e.g. fluorescent) reporter associated with the bound molecules. These hybridization signals can be detected by any suitable means, for example optical, and can be stored for example in a computer as a representation of the presence of a particular gene. Hybridization probes can be immobilized on a substrate that forms part of or is exposed to a channel or channels of the device that form a closed loop, for circulation of sample to actively contact complementary probes. Universal chips according to the invention can be fabricated not only with DNA but also with other molecules such as RNA, proteins, peptide nucleic acid (PNA) and polyamide molecules.
Abstract:
Acoustic energy is used to control motion in a fluid. According to one embodiment, the invention directs acoustic energy at selected naturally occurring nucleation features to control motion in the fluid. In another embodiment, the invention provides focussed or unfocussed acoustic energy to selectively placed nucleation features to control fluid motion. According to one embodiment, the invention includes an acoustic source, a controller for controlling operation of the acoustic source, and one or more nucleation features located proximate to or in the fluid to be controlled.
Abstract:
A composition of matter, apparatus, and method relating to silicone-aggregate mixtures for pumping and spraying applications. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and method can include a metering mechanism for dispensing the mixture to the pump, an agitator for mixing the mixture before it enters the pump, and a spray nozzle for applying the mixture exiting the hose. Even more preferred embodiments can include a metering mechanism in the form of a variable speed auger screw, a hose internally lined with a coating of polytetrafluoroethylene, a hose structurally reinforced, and a pump and hose that are individually sealable.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for mixing two or more liquids and detecting light emitted by the mixture. The method comprises forming a liquid droplet containing two or more liquids on a substantially planar surface in containerless containment on the surface and causing the droplet to deform in an essentially zero air flow environment thereby mixing the liquids and surrounding the planar surface with a reflective housing and photodetector. An apparatus of the invention comprises (a) a substantially planar support, (b) means for dispensing liquids onto the support to form a droplet, and (c) non-evaporative means for causing the droplet to deform without deforming the support thereby mixing the liquids and a two part reflective housing and photodetector which is moveable. The drop can be deformed by, for example, application of acoustic energy or a variable electrostatic field. The methods and apparatus have particular application to the determination of an analyte.