Patents Examined by Richard C. Queisser
  • Patent number: 4203321
    Abstract: This disclosure deals with apparatus for and a method of testing a plurality of hydraulic and/or pneumatic systems. Each such system has a hose connected in it and the hose terminates in a valved fitting. All of the fittings are releasably attached to a subassembly which in turn is attached to center member or a manifold. When the systems are to be tested, a test fixture is attached to the center member, such attachment automatically opening the valved fittings. The test fixture also includes valved fittings identical with those connected in the systems. All of the fittings are opened by attachment of the test fixture, and the appropriate tests are then carried out. When the systems are not being tested, the test fixture is removed and a protective cover is applied to the center member in place of the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Stratoflex, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerrard N. Vyse, Horise M. Cooke
  • Patent number: 4178795
    Abstract: A plugging meter for automatically measuring the impurity concentration in a liquid metal is designed to have parallel passages including a cooling passage provided with a plugging orifice and with a flow meter, and a by-pass passage connected in series to a main passage having another flow meter, so that the plugging points may be obtained from the outputs of both flow meters. The plugging meter has a program signal generator, a flow-rate ratio setter and a comparator, and is adapted to change the temperature of the plugging orifice in accordance with a predetermined pattern or gradient, by means of a signal representative of the temperature of plugging orifice and a flow-rate ratio signal obtained from the outputs of both flow meters. This plugging meter affords an automatic and accurate measurement of a multi-plugging phenomenon taking place at the plugging orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Assignee: Doryokuro Kakunenryo Kaihatsu Jigyodan
    Inventor: Akinori Nagai
  • Patent number: 4168621
    Abstract: A pressure indicator rod is attached to a spring pressed piston mounted upon a cap for a plumbing line. The rod is entirely retracted in the absence of pressure to be protected from impact and to be shielded from vandals. The indicator rod is visible from any angle for ease of reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1979
    Inventor: Harvey Kreitenberg
  • Patent number: 4165649
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection system is disclosed which provides for penetration of highly attenuative materials by use of the longitudinal mode of particle vibration. Separate transmitting and receiving transducers, which are electrically isolated, are utilized in the inspection system as are specially designed transducer wedges producing refracted longitudinal ultrasonic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Amos S. Greer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4161715
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the interior dimensions of the walls of a hollow body. The apparatus is insertable into a restricted opening of the hollow body and includes means for transmitting a beam of electromagnetic energy toward an interior wall of the hollow body. When the electromagnetic energy illuminates the interior wall, acoustic waves are radiated back to the apparatus. The apparatus detects the acoustic waves and measures the elapsed time between transmission of the electromagnetic energy and detection of the acoustic waves. From elapsed time measurements the dimensions of the interior walls are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1979
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Harris
  • Patent number: 4159638
    Abstract: Detecting conditions related to the heat absorptive characteristics of a surrounding medium by heated thermistors exposed for heat transfer to the medium, and connected to a restorative energizing electronic circuit that supplies heating power. The restorative circuit responds to differences between the resistance of the sensing leg containing the thermistors and a reference value to vary the power flow through the leg and thus to restore the resistance of the leg toward the reference value. With two or more thermistors in the leg, the thermistors are heated in unison by the single energizing circuit, each thermistor is disposed in a different relationship to the conditions to be discriminated and differences between the individual thermistor resistances, reflecting differing rates of heat loss to the medium provide indications of the various conditions. When one thermistor is used, the power flow through the overall leg can serve as a measure of conditions of the surrounding medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Inventor: Bronson M. Potter
  • Patent number: 4159636
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously monitoring clearances between a moving and a stationary machine part, utilizing compressible fluid flow. A measuring nozzle is disposed in the clearance space, and a conduit connects said nozzle with a space having a compressible fluid pressure different from the pressure in the clearance space. A measuring orifice is disposed along the conduit path. First and second comparison nozzles are situated in a pressure chamber and coupled through conduits to the same pressure space as that to which the conduit of the measuring nozzle is coupled. Measuring orifices are also situated in the conduits coupled to the comparison nozzles. Differential pressure meters are coupled between the conduit of the measuring nozzle and a conduit of one of the comparison nozzles; and between the conduits of the two comparison nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Assignee: Prvni Brnenska strojirna, narodni podnik
    Inventors: Jan Jicha, Karel Kopecek, Bretislav Langer
  • Patent number: 4159637
    Abstract: A test tool and a method of testing is disclosed for testing for leaks in apparatus having a bore and a landing surface, such as blowout preventers, wellheads, casing hangers, and the like. The test tool is connected to pipe having a passage therethrough, which has a landing surface for landing on the landing surface of the bore, bypass passages automatically closed on landing and during testing, packing means for effecting a seal in the bore, a pressure relief valve and hydraulic passages communicating with the passage in the pipe, the packing means, and the relief valve which opens at a predetermined pressure. The packing is set either hydraulically, mechanically or by a combination thereof. The packing is set hydraulically by a piston and cylinder which are activated by hydraulic setting pressure in the passages and then hydraulic test pressure is released by the relief valve to the space above the packing for testing the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Assignee: Baylor College of Medicine
    Inventors: Raymond K. Lamb, Stephen J. Walker
  • Patent number: 4157665
    Abstract: A device for forming acoustical images comprises an ultrasonic source, a linear array of first receiving transducers for receiving the echoes from a target illuminated by a source. The signals from the linear array of first receiving transducers are processed by a system comprising an oscillator at a frequency higher than that of the source, and, for each said receiving transducers, a mixer, a filter for separating the components of the beating frequency and a transmitting transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1979
    Assignee: Agence Nationale de Valorisation de la Recherche (ANVAR)
    Inventors: Edouard Bridoux, Christian D. Bruneel, Roger J. Torguet, Bertrand Nongaillard
  • Patent number: 4157036
    Abstract: A level sensing system for fluids and particulate material comprised of an immersed rotating body, an arrangement for measuring the resistance to rotation encountered by said body and a compensating method for reducing the effect of extraneous variables whereby said resistance varies primarily with changes in level. Output devices and controls attached to read and act from said resistance measurements can thus be calibrated in terms of fluid and particulate material levels in various storage vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1979
    Inventor: Gilbert Kivenson
  • Patent number: 4157033
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved device for testing the compression, tension, or spring rate of a spring or other resilient material. The device is adapted to automatically display the load reading of a spring at a preselected height by merely compressing the spring past the check point. Alternatively, additional displays may be provided so that load readings at different height settings can be displayed with a single compression of the spring through all of the check points. In addition, the rate of a spring can be readily determined by setting two check points a unit distance apart and utilizing the load reading from the first check point to establish the reference level of the meter. The spring tester includes an electronic control circuit comprising a plurality of sample and hold circuits and a corresponding plurality of thumbwheel comparators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1979
    Assignee: Link Engineering Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Shereda, Tilak R. Sahni
  • Patent number: 4156341
    Abstract: Device for monitoring the feeding of a fiber sliver in a spinning machine having a device for feeding the fiber sliver thereto and a device for loosening the fibers of the sliver prior to spinning the fibers into a thread includes a device for detecting the presence and absence of the fiber sliver at a location forward of the fiber-loosening device along a path of travel of the fiber sliver from the device for feeding the fiber sliver to the device for loosening the fibers of the sliver, the fiber-loosening device having an inlet for the fiber sliver being fed thereto, and the sliver detecting device being located a distance at least equal to a staple length of the fibers of the sliver from the inlet of the fiber-loosening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1979
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst & Co.
    Inventor: Hans Raasch
  • Patent number: 4155250
    Abstract: A viscometer wherein a sample of the material to be tested is introduced into the annular clearance between a stationary cylinder and a vertical shaft which carries several weights. As the shaft descends at a speed which is a function of the combined mass of weights and the viscosity of the sample in the clearance, successive weights are automatically detached from the shaft, either by piling up on top of each other after the lowermost weight comes to rest on a platform, or by being intercepted by plates which are mounted at different levels. Means is provided for centering the weights prior to start of a multi-stage test and for returning the shaft and the weights to starting positions upon completion of a multi-stage test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Inventor: Herbert Durner
  • Patent number: 4154094
    Abstract: A fluid handling apparatus, such as a viscometer of the falling piston type, wherein at least a portion of the fluid in a main conduit is diverted into a secondary conduit system which includes a measurement channel having a filter at the entrance to prevent entry of undesired material. When the flow of fluid into the measurement channel is stopped, the fluid flows past the filter, removes the undesired material which has been retained thereat, and carries it back into the main stream. The viscometer can further provide means for producing an external visual indication of the piston movement within the channel. Further, the fluid can be permitted to flow continuously in a second channel, thermally coupled to the measurement channel, so as to maintain the temperature of the measurement channel at or substantially near that of the main stream. Further means can be provided in the second channel to permit adjustment of the fluid flow in the measurement channel to assure adequate operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Assignee: Norcross Corporation
    Inventor: Austin S. Norcross
  • Patent number: 4152927
    Abstract: An improved viscosity measurement device which employs a sample container having a sleeve therein and a rotor disposed within the sleeve. The rotor is cylindrical and includes openings which extend through the rotor in the axial or longitudinal direction, parallel to the rotor axis. This enables the viscometer to test non-Newtonian oils at very low shear rates without introducing non-uniform shear rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: I-Ming Feng, Harold Shaub
  • Patent number: 4152924
    Abstract: A combined test and isolation tool for sub-sea well equipment is used particularly for testing the integrity of internal sealing surfaces of sub-sea well head housings and also for testing casing hangers and their seals. The same tool is run on drill pipe in a sub-sea well to isolate a casing hanger seal from components of the well blow-out preventer to determine accurately and with finality where a detected leak originates. The use of the tool enables costly well head housings, casing hangers and seals normally discarded following a single usage to be reused with safety and efficiency and at a great savings in cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Inventor: John H. Mayo
  • Patent number: 4152928
    Abstract: A system utilizing a bank of frequency staggered band-pass filters spanning the range in which fat emboli are known to occur is provided for the early detection of fat emboli in blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Assignee: University Patents, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4151744
    Abstract: A new and improved method and apparatus for the measurement and control of the bulk properties of slurries is provided. The bulk properties are measured in the slurry while it is flowing downwards at a rate greater than the settling velocity of the discontinuous phase of the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1979
    Assignee: M.D. Research Company Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Charles E. Hemmings
  • Patent number: 4151749
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for obtaining a continuous substantially particle-free sample of a liquid comprising a rotatable disc disposed beneath a conduit from which a stream of liquid to be sampled is discharged onto a portion of the disc and a drive motor for rotating the disc at a speed sufficient to form a bed of liquid about the disc periphery. A continuous sample of the liquid is removed by a blade positioned to engage the bead adjacent an edge portion of the disc at a point along the disc periphery opposite the portion wetted by the stream so that any solid particles which may be present in the liquid are carried off in the stream flowing from the disc before reaching the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1979
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Kushner, Henry G. Zwirblis
  • Patent number: 4150570
    Abstract: A multiple laminate humidity sensing device for visually indicating changes in relative humidity including a moisture impermeable transparent cover layer; an indicator layer including a transparent carrier material and an inorganic salt composition dispersed in the transparent carrier material that provides a known visible color response to changes in relative humidity to which the indicator layer is exposed; and a moisture permeable reflective layer behind the indicator layer so that light passing through the cover layer and the indicator layer is reflected back through the indicator layer and the cover layer so as to be readily visible from that side of the cover layer opposite the indicator layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Inventor: David L. Fuller