Abstract: Microprocessor controlled industrial monitoring equipment uses a separate portable keypad which can be applied to a sealed casing containing a control unit to transmit commands and calibration to the equipment, which normally operates and provides a display of information in the absence of the keypad. The equipment is usually acoustic level sensing apparatus, in which pulses of acoustic energy are transmitted by an electrically energized transducer towards a surface to be sensed, and the electrical output from the transducer following the pulse is digitized and analyzed to detect a return echo from the surface.

Abstract: Programmable apparatus for monitoring an industrial installation, such as for measuring the depth of material in bins or silos, utilizes a computer having a hermetically sealed case, with an externally visible display and necessary connections to the installation being monitored. The computer includes non-volatile random access memory for the storage of operating parameters which is written to under control of a portable external programming unit which can temporarily access the computer via an infrared or equivalent communications link. The case of the computer has provision for temporary docking of the programming unit, which has a keypad for the selection of calibration and diagnostic routines, and the entry of data or commands to be transmitted to the computer.

Abstract: A weigh scale for a variable inclination conveyor includes an idler or other support for part of an upper belt run of the conveyor, the support being associated with sensors for determining loadings applied to the belt run perpendicular to the direction of the conveyor, and a compensating unit receiving the sensor output calculating the weight of material on the conveyor causing the loading, the unit including a clinometer, and a computing device for causing the sensor output to be modulated by the secant of the angle of the conveyor to the horizontal as sensed by the clinometer.

Abstract: The efficiency of hard chromium plating from a standard aqueous acidic bath containing hexavalent chromium ions and sulfate ions is increased by the addition of lower alkyl amino acids, di(lower alkyl)formamides, di(lower alkyl)sulfoxides and bisulfate salts.