Other

General Electric Company

Paul L Guilmette

Bang M Kim

Jeffery L Schworm

Kevin C Green

Joseph Shoulian Zhu

An electrolyte solution containing an alkylene glycol and a chloride salt is useful for electropolishing metal substrates. An electropolishing method using the electrolyte solution is effective for polishing a varied of metals, including titanium and noble metals. The method avoids the handling and disposal challenges associated with previous methods using etching solutions containing hydrofluoric acid. A method of recycling the spent electrolyte solution is also described.

Electropolishing solution and methods for its use and recovery

A measurement interferometer ( ) having a frame structure ( ), a laser source ( ), a detector ( ), a beam splitter ( ), a reference retroreflector ( ), a reference holder ( ) and a test retroreflector ( ). The reference rertoreflector ( ) and beam splitter ( ) are disposed in fixed relation to the reference holder ( ) to constitute a splitter-holder assembly ( ). The test retroreflector ( ) and the splitter-holder assembly ( ) are movable relative to each other and both are movably mounted on the fine structure ( ). Preferably, the test retroreflector ( ) is situated between the reference holder ( ) and the beam splitter ( ). In a particular embodiment the beam splitter ( ) is connected to the reference holder ( ) by a carbon composite rod ( ), and the test retroreflector ( ) is mounted on a probe ( ) made from a carbon composite. In one embodiment, the reference retroreflector ( ) is integral with the beam splitter ( ). There may be a vibration-dampening member such as a spring ( ) between the splitter-holder assembly ( ) and the frame structure ( ).

Interferometer for length measurement

A collection device ( ) or a recovery device ( ) made up of several interconnected collection devices is usable in a method for collecting a floating liquid, e.g., oil, from the surface of a body of a first liquid, e.g., water. Recovery device ( ) includes one or more collection devices ( ), each of which includes a flotation member ( ) having a first regulator frame ( ) connected to a receiving tray ( ) having a suction port ( ). The respective suction ports of the receiving trays are connected to one or more pumps ( ) which transport the collected floating liquid from the receiving trays to a collection conduit ( ). A liquid separator ( ) may be connected to the collection conduit ( ) for receiving the collected liquids and separating them. The pumps may be operated by movement of the body of liquid on which the device ( ) floats, such as the natural wave action of a body of water. A method of collecting the floating liquid utilizes the collection device ( ) or recovery device ( ) and may include operating the pumps ( ) by wave-induced relative movement of the individual collection devices ( ).

Method and device for collecting a floating liquid

A hanger ( ) comprising a suspension hook ( ), a shank ( ) and a retainer ( ) is fashioned from a single piece of heavy gauge wire curved into a predetermined shape. Suspension hook ( ) has a tip ( ) capable of easily penetrating heave gauge sheeting material such as 6 mil polyethylene or canvas. Retainer ( ) is configured to engage a ceiling tile support rail either between a support rail and a ceiling tile or between a support rail and a wall. In other embodiments, the hanger ( ) may be configured to engage a masonry nail or other fastener or may be configured to be driven directly into the wall. The hanger may be bent in a single plane or bent in two or more planes.

Sheet hanger

A recovery device ( ) for containing a material ( ) floating on the surface of a liquid ( ) comprises a shroud ( ) having an open top and an open bottom, the top being of smaller diameter than the bottom, thus forming a truncated cone-like shape. The open top has an open area which is smaller than the area of the open bottom. The device ( ) is positioned with the open bottom above the surface of the liquid ( ) and encircling at least a portion of the floating material ( ). It is then allowed to sink to its collection position, in which the open bottom is submerged below, and the open top is at or above, the surface of the liquid ( ). As a result, the floating material ( ) is encircled by the open bottom and is forced into the smaller area of the open top as the device ( ) sinks into the water. The recovery device ( ) may include a collar ( ) attached to the open top, a skirt ( ) attached to the open bottom and ballast weights ( ) to aid in sinking the device ( ).

Spillage recovery device and method of use

A pump ( ) comprises a pair of bladders ( ) attached to respective opposite sides of a flexure plate ( ) for pumping fluid by alternately compressing and expanding the bladders. Each bladder has at least one input connector ( ) with a one-way valve ( ) therein and at least one output connector ( ) with a one-way valve ( ) therein, in order to provide one-way flow of fluid through each of the bladders. The pump ( ) is positioned to be acted upon by a moving liquid, such as natural wave action of a body of water, for example, by being connected to floating objects on the surface. The moving liquid causes the flexure plate ( ) to bend in an undulate manner, first in one direction and then in the other. This bending action causes fluid to be alternately drawn into and expelled from the bladders as the bladders are alternately expanded and compressed. Alternatively, one end of the flexure plate ( ) of the pump ( ) may be attached to a stable object such as a dock and the other end to a floating object such as a boat. Alternate embodiments of the pump ( ) may operate as a fender pump or a bilge pump.

Fluid pump

A liquid separator ( ) for separating two immiscible liquids having different specific gravities, for example, a first liquid comprising water and a second liquid comprising oil. The liquid separator ( ) has a housing ( ) that defines a separation chamber ( ) and liquid inlet ( ), a first liquid outlet ( ) and a second liquid outlet ( ) mounted above the first liquid outlet ( ). A float is positioned within separation chamber to translate in the vertical direction and has a specific gravity between that of the first and second liquids so that it floats at approximately the interface ( ) between the two liquid phases ( and ). Valve closure devices ( and ) contact valve seats in the valves and of first and second liquid outlets ( and ) to control the flow of separated liquids from separation chamber as determined by the level of the interface ( ) and the length of the valve rods ( and ).

Liquid separator

The moment pump ( ) of the present invention includes a flexible container ( ) having an outer wall ( ) and two opposing end walls ( ) attached thereto. The container ( ) is made of a resilient material and has a preformed, non-biased shape. A pair of one-way valves ( ) is operably attached to the container ( ) and provides for the flow of a liquid therethrough. A first actuator rod ( ) has fixedly attached on one end a first biasing object ( ) and on the other end a restraining member ( ). The first end wall ( ) is attached to the first actuator rod ( ) between the first biasing object ( ) and the restraining member ( ). A second actuator rod ( ) has fixedly attached on one end a second biasing object ( ) and on the other end a transfer housing ( ). The second actuator ( ) slidably passes through the second end wall ( ). The transfer housing ( ) has an interior chamber ( ) into which the longitudinal restraining member ( ) of the first actuator travels in confinement, not being able to leave the interior chamber ( ). The interior chamber ( ) prevents the longitudinal restraining member ( ) from being removed therefrom. The transfer housing ( ) is cylindrically shaped about the interior chamber ( ) and has open end ( ) into which the first actuator enters ( ). Attached between the exterior wall ( ) of the transfer housing ( ) and the inner surface ( ) of the outer wall ( )of the container ( ) is a plurality of biasing tension actuators ( ) divided into two sets of tension actuators, a clockwise set and a counterclockwise set. Movement of the transfer housing ( ) by the second actuator rod ( ) or movement of the container ( ) by the first actuator rod ( ) causes the outer wall of the container to be pulled in a direction to the transfer housing ( ) thus decreasing the volume therein. This acts as the pump action. Upon release of the biasing force, the outer wall of the container ( ) returns to its resilient shape and this action draws in fluid into the container ( ).

Growing community of inventors

Canton Center, CT, United States of America

Paul L Guilmette