Abstract: The area of a cross-section perpendicular to a flow direction in a flow path for guiding a sample gas to a detector is set to be larger than that of a cross-section perpendicular to the flow direction in a hollow portion of a base under a membrane of the detector so as to set the volume of the flow path near the hollow portion to be larger than that of the hollow portion. One or both of a thermal conductivity of the gas and its change are measured with high sensitivity and high precision.

Abstract: The invention is a device that senses the presence of detergent, sanitizer, or rinse agent in chemical feed tubes. More specifically, the device is a non-invasive chemical sensor which alleviates any need for direct contact with fluid or extra connections in the chemical feed tubes.

Abstract: A multi-port tool which tests for leaks in the seals of a control rod drive that has been removed from its housing. The fixture is attached to the flange of the control rod drive using quick-release clamps. Two ports of the fixture are respectively coupled to the insert and withdraw ports of the control rod drive. A source of demineralized water at a constant pressure is applied to an inlet port of the leak test fixture. The pressurized water is applied to the control rod drive while the index tube is restrained by a restraining rig. A number of valves are selectively opened or closed to provide a flow path for the pressurized water to either the insert port or the withdraw port. The leakage rate at each of a number of leakage points is determined when the pressurized water is applied at the insert port only and again when the pressurized water is applied at the withdraw port only.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for testing seal integrity includes a test chamber 24 for receiving a sealed article 12 containing a tracer fluid, a reservoir chamber 44, and an analysis instrument 20 for detecting the presence of tracer fluid leaked from the article 12. A reservoir valve 64 in a conduit 58 coupled between the reservoir chamber 44 and the analysis instrument 20 has an open position for enabling a vacuum to be created in the reservoir chamber 44 using the analysis instrument 20. When closed, the reservoir valve 64 blocks fluid communication between the reservoir chamber 44 and the analysis instrument 20 to isolate the vacuum in the reservoir chamber 44. A valve 48 in a conduit 38 coupled between the test chamber 24 and the reservoir chamber 44 has a closed position for blocking fluid communication between the test chamber and the reservoir chamber. This prevents a pressure change in the test chamber 24 during creation of the vacuum in the reservoir chamber 44.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled timer is installed in a petroleum service station product dispensing system that includes a pump relay, a pump, a dispenser, and a leak detection monitor. The timer activates pump relays to pressurize a liquid product line that runs from a tank to the dispenser at predetermined intervals to compensate for thermal contraction during product line leakage testing. Prior to activating pump relays, the timer has circuitry to determines if product is currently being dispensed. If product is being dispensed, the timer waits until dispensing has halted before activating pump relays to pressurize the product line. Also prior to activating pump relays, the timer has circuitry to determine if pump operation should be inhibited and if so halts before activating pump relays. Optical isolation is used between the timer and pump relays and a dispenser switch.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for determining the permeability and the porosity of small sections at and just below the surface of a slabbed sample of porous rock or other material. The measurement is performed by forcing air or other gas through a central passageway of a deformable (e.g. rubber) probe tip pressed against the surface of the sample to be tested. Permeability of the matter directly under the probe tip is computed from the ratio of flow rate into the sample to the pressure drop between the gas in the probe-tip and the ambient atmosphere. A preferred and an alternative means for measuring flow rate are disclosed involving the use of an optical interferometer to detect displacement of a bellows chamber.

Abstract: A leak-detection installation for testing the gastightness of flexible or rigid sealed packages containing a certain concentration of tracer gas, said installation including a belt conveyor, a bell-shaped cover situated above said conveyor and including drive means enabling said cover to be raised and to be lowered until it bears against the belt of said conveyor, said cover being connected to a tracer gas leak detector, the resulting assembly being controlled by control electronic circuitry, wherein said belt is made of a material that is both non-porous and non-perforated, and wherein the cover carries sealing means at its bottom periphery for co-operating with the belt of said conveyor to guarantee the gastightness of said cover when it is in the low position, wherein the cover is connected to a vacuum pump, and wherein a backing plate provided with a system of sealing rings is disposed under said belt and in alignment with said cover, said backing plate having a recess and being connected to said cover vi

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring thickness and traction properties of elastohydrodynamic lubricant (EHL) films is described. The apparatus utilizes at least one ball or roller loaded against the internal diameter of a transparent ring having a larger radius than said ball or roller. A lubricant is placed between the rotating roller and ring thereby forming an EHL film where the ball and ring contact. Roller and ring rotating speeds are controlled to obtain different amounts of relative sliding motion between their surfaces. Contact between the surfaces and the resultant film are observed via the transparent ring which allows optical measurements of lubricating film thickness. Traction forces generated during contact are measured by any suitable force measuring device.

Abstract: A line leak detector system that requires no existing piping modifiction for installation. The system consists of a controller and transducer and installs at existing fuel dispensers. The two components are connected by a length of electrical cable. The invention detects leaks in underground pressurized piping systems for fuel products and other incompressible liquids. The system performs three levels of leak detection, broken pipe, 3 gph and 0.2 gph. Existing piping system variables relating to bulk modulus, variable pump off pressure and thermal differential between fuel and piping with surrounding soil influence, are compensated for. The status of the leak test is reported by encoded lights and horn. In various combination of flash, blink and steady state lights, plus chirp or audible horn. The transducer and cable are intrinsic safe, permitting installation in hazardous environments.

Abstract: A method for measuring a pressure dependent characteristic of a dispersion of a solid material in a fluid, comprising passing the fluid through a screen until a pad of the solid material is formed on the screen and, thereafter, measuring said characteristic, characterised in that the pressure on the screen side of the pad is maintained at a predetermined value, with respect to the pressure on the opposing side of the pad, during a measurement of the characteristic.

Abstract: In order to increase the reliability of detection of gaseous contamination in containers, gas (G) from the container is subject to several different methods of analysis (54a to 54d), each of which emits differing output signal courses (I.sub.1 to I.sub.4), depending on the contaminants and their concentration. A vector of the state vector type (P.sub.GAS) is formed with the output signals (I.sub.1 to I.sub.4) as a state variable and checked to see whether it defines a permissible or an unacceptable state of contamination (56). On the basis of this examination the decision is taken whether a container is acceptably or unacceptably contamined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the continuous determination of the dust content of flowing media with the isokinetic flow sampling with the separation of the dust or aerosols by cake filtration on a filter and the measurement of the pressure drop at the filter to determine its degree of clogging. To this end the time cycle of the quantity of dust separated on the filter is determined by the measurement of the pressure loss at the filter of an isokinetically operating sampling system. To find the dust load, this quantity of dust is related to the partial quantity of gas extracted isokinetically during the period concerned.

Abstract: A process and a device for determining the viscosities of liquids are described, which work quickly, reliably and accurately. The process according to the invention makes use of the fact that disturbing effects are eliminated when measuring the change in the rate of flow of the liquid from the viscometer, while utilizing the change in the hydrostatic pressure during viscosity measurement and that the viscosities can be reliably determined from the measured data by the Hagen-Poiseuille law. The viscometer according to the invention is designed so that the hydrostatic pressure change during measurement is maximal.

Abstract: For testing bottles in particular by mass spectrometric analysis, gas samples are removed simultaneously from several bottles by means of probes. The gas samples are fed in succession and in a predetermined sequence to a mass spectrometer by a distributor unit. In this way, a single mass spectrometer is sufficient for testing a number of bottles thus substantially reducing costs in terms of money, maintenance and calibration time.

Abstract: An ultrasonic viscometer and method for measuring fluid viscosity are provided. Ultrasonic shear and longitudinal waves are generated and coupled to the fluid. Reflections from the generated ultrasonic shear and longitudinal waves are detected. Phase velocity of the fluid is determined responsive to the detected ultrasonic longitudinal waves reflections. Viscosity of the fluid is determined responsive to the detected ultrasonic shear waves reflections. Unique features of the ultrasonic viscometer include the use of a two-interface fluid and air transducer wedge to measure relative signal change and to enable self calibration and the use of a ratio of reflection coefficients for two different frequencies to compensate for environmental changes, such as temperature.

Abstract: A detection or safety system is disclosed for preventing leakage of harmful gases when fragile ampoules break during heating of components in crystal growth experiments. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes an inner silica ampoule to house the components and reaction product; an outer silica ampoule that encases the inner ampoule, leaving a gap between them; an inert gas (preferably neon) that is normally trapped in the gap; and a metal canister that houses or contains the ampoules. If the pressure becomes too great within the inner ampoule, during heating by the crystal growth furnace, both ampoules may break. If that occurs, the neon is released, where upon its presence is sensed by a thermal conductivity detector ("TCD"). The TCD then sends off a signal to a controller which shuts off the furnace power. The resulting decrease in temperature releases the pressure and prevents the canister from being breached.

Abstract: An improved method and arrangement for calculating the fluid phase fractions of gas, oil, and water and oil-water emulsion in a fluid steam flowing from an oil well which includes separating out the majority of gas from the well stream and repeatedly trapping a sample of the primarily resultant liquid well stream in a vertically disposed sampling chamber. The well stream sample is held therein to permit separation of the phase fractions to the extent possible within a reasonable time. A number of measurements of the well stream sample are taken. In addition, a number of measurements are taken of the capacitance at a plurality of discrete vertically spaced locations within the sampling chamber. These capacitance measurements relate directly to the varying permitivity of the phase fractions of gas, oil, and water and the oil-water emulsion of the sample. The measurements are processed by a data processor to provide precise information on such phase fractions and emulsion interfaces.

Abstract: A gas detection apparatus having a microprocessor control circuit mounted within a housing chamber which is operable for processing input signals associated with measured gas levels and generating output signals corresponding to same to the output port. An interchangeable electrochemical sensor device is removably disposed within the chamber via an access opening of the housing, the sensor being operable for sensing and measuring gas levels and generating the input signals to the microprocessor circuit. An elastomeric connector unit is removably and sealingly disposed between interfacing contact surfaces of the sensor and control circuit via the access opening. The connector unit provides a conductive path between the microprocessor circuit and the sensor device and electromagnetic shielding therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the capillary attraction developed at a surface of an absorbent body intended to be used in a sanitary article such as a sanitary napkin, a diaper, a urinary pad, an adult brief, a tampon or a wound dressing, among others. The apparatus comprises a probe of fritted glass providing an array of capillary passageways in fluid communication with the interior of a closed cell completely filled with liquid. A pressure sensor mounted to the closed cell observes the liquid pressure therein. When the probe is placed in contact with the absorbent body, the capillary attraction exerted on liquid in the probe capillaries by the porous network of the absorbent body is transmitted through the liquid medium in the cell to the pressure sensor. The pressure data thus obtained reflects the state of dryness of the absorbent body surface. The capillary attraction measurement is made with no appreciable transfer of liquid toward the absorbent body to avoid altering its condition.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon leak detector apparatus detects defectively sealed packages by monitoring for the presence of a volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance that leaks from defective packages. The apparatus includes one or more sealable chambers, a vacuum generator pump, a hydrocarbon detector and conduit means for delivering air from the chamber(s) to the hydrocarbon detector.