Abstract: An improved pulse radar level sensing gauge for insertion into a storage or processing tank includes a housing; a probe cover comprising a sealing flange; and a probe for sensing electrical and mechanical properties, positioned at least partly below the sealing flange of the probe cover. The unitary flange of the probe cover aids in preventing contamination of the tank contents by foreign substances. Additionally, the location of the probe at least partly below the sealing flange of the probe cover improves the accuracy of the level sensing gauge by reducing disruption of the properties by the tank following the attachment of the level sensing gauge to the tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid level gage and an illuminator therefor. One embodiment of the liquid level gage includes a housing, a liquid column, an illuminator, and a power supply. The housing has a first or front end and a second or rear end. The liquid column includes a plurality of liquid column bodies connected to the front end of the housing. The liquid column also includes a first or front port assembly and a second or rear port assembly connected to each liquid column body. The liquid column is connected, either directly or indirectly, to a vessel. The illuminator includes a plurality of directed light source assemblies connected to the rear end of the housing. Half of the directed light source assemblies emit a first color light and half of the directed light source assemblies emit a second color light. A pair of bi-color directed light source assemblies (i.e.

Abstract: A system for actuating an indicator in response to a depth change in a liquid that is confined to a container comprises a housing, a float constrained to vertical movement in response to changes in liquid depth in the container and a drive rod arranged to move in response to vertical movement of the float. A flexible coupling is connected to the actuator and arranged to maintain the actuator in a vertical orientation in the liquid when the actuator and the housing are out of vertical alignment, and a coupler mechanism arranged to transfer movement of the actuator to the indicator.

Abstract: A container of a dialysis machine has a determined shape and a known volume occupied in part by a volume of a mass of blood; a remaining part is occupied by a volume of a mass of gas. A disturbance is induced in a combined mass of the liquid and the gas in the container and an entity of the disturbance is measured. Measurements of pressure in the container before and after the disturbance are taken, the volume of gas is calculated using a function correlated to a gas law, and the volume and level of the liquid in the container are derived after the volume occupied by the gas is calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the performance of a turbine by monitoring the temperature in a gap between the inside of a shroud and the tips of the turbine blades as they rotate.

Abstract: A device for measuring fill levels, in particular liquid fill levels, is provided, which device has a capacitive sensor and, connected to the sensor, a unit for analyzing a measuring signal from the sensor. The device for measuring fill levels may be manufactured cost-effectively and enables highly accurate measurements. The sensor has at least two base components including finger-shaped electrodes projecting therefrom. The electrodes are situated offset from one another, and the base components are fixed in position with respect to one another by at least one fixing element, the fixing element being situated outside the overlapping area of the electrodes.

Abstract: Exfiltrometer apparatus includes a container for holding soil. A sample container for holding sample soil is positionable with respect to the container so that the sample soil contained in the sample container is in communication with soil contained in the container. A first tensiometer operatively associated with the sample container senses a surface water potential at about a surface of the sample soil contained in the sample container. A second tensiometer operatively associated with the sample container senses a first subsurface water potential below the surface of the sample soil. A water content sensor operatively associated with the sample container senses a water content in the sample soil. A water supply supplies water to the sample soil. A data logger operatively connected to the first and second tensiometers, and to the water content sensor receives and processes data provided by the first and second tensiometers and by the water content sensor.

Abstract: An improved liquid level sensor is disclosed which provides a reliable and simple device for accurately determining the level of a liquid within a vessel. The sensor utilizes a plurality of thermocouple junctions grouped in pairs with the pairs being spaced along a line extending generally in the direction in which the liquid level may vary. A first thermocouple junction of each pair is located in relatively close thermal proximity to an electrically powered heater and the second of each pair of thermocouple junctions is spaced away from the heater. The thermocouple junctions are connected in series and produce a signal indicative of the level of liquid along the sensor. Alternatively, a single threshold liquid level sensor is provided for use with a hermetic interface to provide a signal to indicate a level of liquid within a container. Additionally, a pressure sensing circuit may also be incorporated with either liquid level sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for noninvasively monitoring the flow and/or the composition of a flowing liquid using ultrasound is described. The position of the resonance peaks for a fluid excited by a swept-frequency ultrasonic signal have been found to change frequency both in response to a change in composition and in response to a change in the flow velocity thereof. Additionally, the distance between successive resonance peaks does not change as a function of flow, but rather in response to a change in composition. Thus, a measurement of both parameters (resonance position and resonance spacing), once calibrated, permits the simultaneous determination of flow rate and composition using the apparatus and method of the present invention.

Abstract: A bidirectional air pump assembly includes a pump mounting case, a valve and an air pump. The pump mounting case is mounted in an inflatable object and has a valve mounting hole. The valve is held in the valve mounting hole and includes an adapter with a valve port and a valve disk. The valve disk is attached to the adapter and has a disk body and at least one disk stop protruding from the disk body. The air pump is detachably mounted in the pump mounting case and connects to the valve port. Therefore, the air pump draws air out of the inflatable body through the valve port and a gap caused by the at least one disk stop abutting the air pump, which keeps the disk body from completely closing the valve port.

Abstract: A container of a dialysis machine has a determined shape and a known volume occupied in part by a volume of a mass of blood; a remaining part is occupied by a volume of a mass of gas. A disturbance is induced in a combined mass of the liquid and the gas in the container and an entity of the disturbance is measured. Measurements of pressure in the container before and after the disturbance are taken, the volume of gas is calculated using a function correlated to a gas law, and the volume and level of the liquid in the container are derived after the volume occupied by the gas is calculated.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for sensing the level of a fluid in a reservoir. The device comprises a generator for generating symmetrical pulses of electric potential, a ground generator in communication with the above generator, means for sensing resistance, and a latch circuit in communication with the above means for sensing resistance. In a method of the invention, a first electric potential is applied to an electrode within the reservoir. The first electric potential has a predetermined value and duration. The resistance of fluid within the reservoir is measured during application of the first electric potential. A second electric potential is applied to the electrode after the measurement for a period of time substantially equivalent to the duration of the first electric potential and of a value substantially equivalent to and opposite to the predetermined value of the first electric potential.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for measuring and/or monitoring a process parameter, with a sensor, an intermittently working measurement circuit, which has at least one energy storer unit, wherein the measurement circuit or individual components of the measurement circuit are activated for a predetermined time span, the so-called active phase, and with a control center, wherein the measurement circuit and the control center are connected with one another over a two-wire line and wherein a control-/evaluation-unit is provided, which activates the measurement circuit at the earliest, when the energy in the energy storer unit has reached a predetermined level.

Abstract: A gravimetric moisture-determination instrument which is cooled by an air stream includes a housing containing a balance and a radiant heater. The moisture content of a sample placed on the balance pan is determined by measuring the weight loss of the sample while it is being dried under the heater. The gravimetric moisture-determination instrument further includes a heat source located above the balance for heating the sample in order to evaporate the moisture from the sample, so that the moisture content can be determined from the weight loss of the sample. Between the heat source and the weighing cell of the balance, the instrument contains a device for conducting an air stream.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a stuck or malfunctioning fuel tank level sensor calculates an estimated fuel tank level sensor value and compares the estimated sensor value with the actual sensor value. Upper and lower threshold values may also be determined along with the estimated value. If the actual sensor value falls outside the threshold values, the sensor is considered faulty and an error signal is set in the system. The system also compares the actual sensor value with a reference sensor value to detect whether the fault is due to a stuck sensor or due to a different type of sensor malfunction.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting fluid levels in an oil and gas well environment and transmitting a signal to a remote site when sensing that the level has reached a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for noninvasively monitoring the flow and/or the composition of a flowing liquid using ultrasound is described. The position of the resonance peaks for a fluid excited by a swept-frequency ultrasonic signal have been found to change frequency both in response to a change in composition and in response to a change in the flow velocity thereof. Additionally, the distance between successive resonance peaks does not change as a function of flow, but rather in response to a change in composition. Thus, a measurement of both parameters (resonance position and resonance spacing), once calibrated, permits the simultaneous determination of flow rate and composition using the apparatus and method of the present invention.

Abstract: A probe is described, that complies to high standards of hygiene, comprising: a process connection, a metal rod comprising a first end of the rod connected to the process connection, a first gasket provided between the process connection and the rod forming a seal between the rod and the process connection, and a cylinder, which is located between the process connection and the rod, which is surrounded by the first gasket, and which defines a minimal distance between the process connection and the rod, the minimal distance ensuring a defined compression force exerted on the first gasket.

Abstract: A device for sensing a level of a fluid, the device including a microcontroller and a probe coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller applies a given DC potential to the probe for a first period of time, measures a voltage associated with the level of the fluid to be sensed after the first period of time, and applies a reference DC potential to the probe for a second period of time.

Abstract: A dust sampling device having a sampling nozzle is provided. The nozzle is provided with an inlets the diameter of which is variable. The diameter of the nozzle can be instantaneously changed, while keeping constant a sampling flow rate within a measuring device as the nozzle is introduced into a chimney or a duct in response to a change in flue gas flow velocity, to thereby maintain an uniform sampling rate in the nozzle. The nozzle is connected to a dust measuring device and is inserted into an interior of an flue gas passage. The diameter of the nozzle can be changed so as to keeping sampling gas flow rate determined by the dust measuring device constant at the sampling velocity corresponding to the flow velocity of the flue gas. The flue gas sampled through the nozzle is introduced into the dust measuring device.