Other

Edco USA

Vanson, Inc.

Edwin L Johnson

Quintin P Peniston

Everett J Nichols

The method and system for attenuating or damping the amplitude of vacuum pressure oscillations in a vacuum system uses a flow-modulated damper to disperse and damp high-amplitude vacuum oscillations of a vacuum generator to a degree where fine vacuum control may be achieved for delicate work such as eye surgery.

Method and system for attenuating transmission of high amplitude oscillations by a vacuum system

A retarder control valve assembly and system for controlling speed of rail cars, utilizes cartridge valves carried in a manifold body including piping and pilot control apparatus, but no wearing surfaces, dynamic seals, or moving parts. The cartridge valves are replaceable without replumbing, and include all moving valve elements and dynamic seals. The valves each include a piston controlled poppet carried on a spool movable within a cartridge body to open and close the valve and supported to withstand high side loads. The pressure sensing and feedback to the retarder system controller is at the manifold, in a pressure spike attenuating circuit having a phase modulating capability to mimic retarder pressure remotely.

Retarder control valve assembly and system for rail cars

The present invention provides novel methods of producing chitosan having a tap density of at least about 0.4 g/ml. In one aspect of the present invention, chitosan is selected having an average molecular mass of from about one thousand Daltons to about two million Daltons; a particle size that is smaller than 20 mesh; a viscosity of at least about 1 cps, and a percentage of deacetylation of from about 65% to about 98% A measured amount of the selected chitosan is then mixed with an amount of water that is from about two to about ten times the weight of the chitosan, and an amount of an acid that is at least about 0.1% of the weight of the chitosan. The acid is preferably an organic acid. The mixture of chitosan, water and acid is then mixed to a smooth paste, dried to a moisture content of from 0% moisture to about 20% moisture, and the particle size is preferably reduced to smaller than 20 mesh. In another aspect of the invention, chitosan is provided having a tap density of at least about 0.4 g/ml and the ability to freely flow through an orifice having a circular cross section having a diameter of about 4 mm. The chitosan of the present invention is relatively odorless.

High tap density chitosan, and methods of production

A flow sensor device includes a main passage having a normally open shut off valve therein which is configured to shut off at a predetermined rate of air flow therethrough. The shut off valve includes a seating structure and a centering structure positioned within the main passage, a sealing member being positioned between the seating structure and centering structure. The sealing member is biased toward the centering structure by a resilient member. Air flow through the main passage exerts a force on the sealing member which pushes the sealing member toward the seating structure. When the force caused by the air flow exceeds the opposing force of the resilient member, the sealing member contacts the seating structure in a sealing relationship such that air flow through the main passage is substantially eliminated. The flow sensor device may also include a controllable release valve and/or a controllable reset valve, enabling control of the shut off valve of the main passage. Further, an air pulse distribution device is also provided for controlling the reset valves and/or release valves of a plurality of flow sensor devices.

Flow sensor device and associated vacuum holding system

A process is described for extraction and recovery of chemicals from the shell of various crustacea species. Significant features of the process are determination and use of conditions for extraction which are sufficient to liberate protein from its combination with chitin in the shell matrix and to dissolve it as an alkali proteinate solution while causing minimum alteration to the protein so that products of high nutritional quality can be obtained; the conditions for the extraction of the chitin from the shell matrix and in a useful form; and, the recovery of a calcium compound from the shell matrix.

Process for the recovery of chemicals from the shells of crustacea

This invention deals with a novel process of manufacturing chitosan from chitin with reduced temperatures, increased reaction rates involving higher alkali-to-solids deacetylation ratios, and a quiescent air-expelled final deacetylation step. Recovery of the alkali is also attainable.

Process for the manufacture of chitosan

This disclosure is concerned with a process for treating chitin under certain moisturized conditions with microwave energy to increase its reactivity in general, and when in appropriate alkali, to accelerate the deacetylation thereof. Highly active chitin products or derivatives are thus produced.

Process for activating chitin by microwave treatment and improved

This disclosure is concerned with the demineralization of crustacea shells and the like, before or after protein removal therefrom, with sulfurous acid, thus to convert the calcium carbonate of the shell to calcium bisulfite solution which may be separated from the solid residual shell, and regenerating sulfurous acid from the said solution for reuse in the process.

Process for demineralization of crustacea shells

This disclosure is concerned with the use of chitosan as a coating or packing in fluid filtration and other systems to provide a high ratio of surface-to-volume of reactive material that exposes a maximum number of reactive amino groups for rapid reaction with fluid media passed therethrough.

Method of and apparatus for fluid filtration and the like with the aid

A quick-disconnect buckle for engaging and tightening the ends of a strap, the buckle having a channel-shaped frame member with upwardly extended flanges fixed to one end of the strap, the flanges having downwardly extending slots with narrow apertures. A channel-shaped handle member is adjustably secured to the other end of the strap and has downwardly extending flanges with transversely extending pins. The pins, having non-circular cross sections, are detachably pivotally engaged within the slots when the handle member is in an open position and are fixedly pivotally engaged within the slot when the handle member tightens the strap by pivoting from an open to an over-the-center closed position.

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Ballwin, MO, United States of America

Edwin L Johnson