Abstract: A powder sample inspection cell assembly comprising a cell, an aperture being provided in a side wall of the cell; a closure member which can be clamped over the aperture to close it; and means for compacting the contents of the cell, the cell being oriented such that, after compaction, powder in the cell is sufficiently compacted so as not to escape through the aperture when the closure member is removed.

Abstract: A variable temperature NMR probe having a RF coil surrounding a sample position and a fluid jacket for conveying fluid to control the temperature at the sample position. An RF electromagnetic shield prevents fluid in a fluid conveyor from affecting a NMR signal from the sample position.

Abstract: X-ray Fluorescence Inspection Apparatus comprises an X-ray tube (1) for generating X-rays having a range of energies which are directed towards a sample position. A first filter assembly (3) is mounted between the X-ray tube (1) and the sample position and is movable between at least two positions to enable the energy band of X-rays reaching the sample position to be controlled in two different ways. An X-ray monitor (8) monitors X-rays from the sample position; and a second filter assembly (6) mounted between the sample position and the monitor (8) is movable between at least two positions to enable the energy band of X-rays reaching the monitor to be controlled in two different ways.

Abstract: A fuel management system for use in the operation of a fleet of commercial vehicles, comprising a fuel supply means comprising a fuel pump connected to a fuel dispensing nozzle by way of a flexible fuel delivery hose. A fuel management system is coupled to the fuel pump for controlling the amount of fuel dispensed via the nozzle. One end of a fibre optic is carried by the pump nozzle for receiving information from a radiation transmitter on any of said commercial vehicles when the pump nozzle is inserted into the fuel entry port of that vehicle, the other end of the fibre optic being positioned to supply the information to the fuel management system. The fibre optic is run from the top of the nozzle, through a special fitting into the interior of the hose, the fibre optic then running the length of the delivery hose, surrounded by the fuel product, until it reaches the region of the fuel pump, where it emerges from the hose via a gland and runs on to the fuel management system.

Abstract: An ion drift detector comprising an electrically insulating cylindrical tube. A means is provided for establishing along the tube a laminar flow of air into which heavier than air molecules, whose presence is to be detected, can be introduced. An ionizing means is disposed at a location on the central longitudinal axis of the tube for ionizing at least some of the molecules in the laminar flow. Disposed in the tube at a location downstream of the ionizing means there is provided a means for establishing a radial electric field extending across the space between the longitudinal axis and the wall of the tube, such that the ions formed on the axis of the tube are caused to be drifted generally radially across the laminar flow of air under the influence of the radial electric field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing flexible sealed packages of the type wherein the package is at least partially made of a flexible, electrically conductive foil or metallic laminate wherein the capacitance between the flexible conductive foil or metallic laminated of the package and a fixed electrode is measured when the package is subjected externally to a partial vacuum. The apparatus includes an evacuable chamber adapted to support a package under test therewithin so that at least part of the flexible foil or metallic laminate portion of the package lies opposite said fixed electrode and a means for monitoring the capacitance between the electrode and that part of the foil or metallic laminate when the chamber is evacuated.

Abstract: Baseline drift and noise can produce difficulties in registering signals quantitatively without recourse to frequent rezeroing of the registering instrument. The invention provides a circuit in which the registering instrument only functions when a required signal is to be noted, the instrument at all other times being at a zero reading. The characteristics of a signal to be registered will be known. The circuit includes a differentiator which notes the rate of change of incoming signals and operates a switching device upon detecting a required rate of change to enable the signal to pass to the registering instrument. At all other times the registering instrument is isolated by the switching device.