Abstract: This invention relates to a grab sampler for liquids especially for crude oil flowing through pipelines. The sampler has a set of concentric tubular members including an outer body with an inlet and outlet, and a sleeve and a hollow piston which are respectively axially slideable within the body and the sleeve. The piston has an internal non-return valve as its base. The sleeve, the piston base and the body are capable of defining a sample chamber so as to trap a sample of the liquid flowing through the pipeline. Application of pressure on the piston displaces the trapped sample through the nonreturn valve to the inside of the piston and is recovered therefrom by sample removal means.

Abstract: The invention relates to pressuremetric apparatus used to determine the mechanical properties of soil.The apparatus comprises means which include solenoid valves (10, 14, 19), pressure sensors (11, 16, 20), and an electronic unit (21) which controls the solenoid valves on the basis of information from the sensors and of preselected information, so as to automatically provide a pressure rise, in accordance with the desired program, in the dilatable cell of the pressuremeter.The invention is useful in controlling the pressure rise in probes of pressuremetric apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting the presence of very fine leaks through the walls of an enclosure which include a sniffer nozzle (1) open to the atmosphere, a vessel (5) having molecular sieves (4) therein for adsorbing substantially all gaseous products which have entered the sniffer nozzle (1) with the exception of the probe gas which has been pressurized within the enclosure being tested, a pump system (8, 9) for creating vacuum conditions within the system, a mass spectrometer (12) for detecting the presence of the probe gas, and a capillary tube (2) interconnecting the nozzle sniffer (1) and the molecular sieve assembly whereby the probe gas draw rate, and sensitivity of the apparatus of the present invention, are significantly increased.

Abstract: A method of obtaining the peak value of a signal. The signal is sampled at certain intervals of time. The value of the sampled signal is compared subsequent to sampling with a value previously stored in a memory. The higher of the two compared values is stored in the memory for later comparison with a value obtained during a subsequent sampling. The higher of the values stored in the memory is stored in another memory after a maximum signal has been obtained.

Abstract: A seam welding apparatus is provided which automatically senses and adjusts the position of a welding torch in triaxial X, Y and Z directions and controls the position so as to maintain a predetermined position of the torch with respect to an irregularly shaped workpiece such as elliptical shapes. The apparatus also provides for continuously sensing and adjusting the surface speed of the workpiece so as to maintain a predetermined constant speed. A slope/speed sensor is also provided for sensing surface speed and slope of the workpiece. A method of continuously sensing triaxial position and surface speed of the workpiece adjacent the torch and adjusting the position of the torch and speed of the workpiece so as to maintain a desired position and speed is also provided.

Abstract: A nebulizer assembly has an interface (20) at which sample liquid is formed into an aerosol such as by the introduction of a gas at (13). Contamination of the interface is substantially reduced by stopping the production of aerosol and flooding the interface with liquid. The aerosol is supplied to a cloud chamber (22) before analysis. Means are also provided to purge the cloud chamber prior to analysis.

Abstract: Wheel balancing apparatus includes a shaft for rotating the wheel. Sensing devices are provided on spaced bearings for the shaft to obtain dynamic and positional data concerning the imbalance of the rotating wheel. A feeler arm is mounted so as to be angularly and axially slidably movable about and along an axis parallel to the wheel axis, in such a manner that contact means on the arm are brought successively into contact with opposite edges of the wheel disc. Potentiometers are associated with the arm to sense its axial and angular position when the contact means are in contact with the wheel edges. The radius and thickness of the wheel can then be derived from these positions.

Abstract: An air conveyor for gas test tubes used in the detection of foreign gases or suspended matter in air having an instrument body in the form of a handle and including a channel therethrough. The body has at one end a sealing element for connecting the gas test tube to the channel and at its other end a suction element in the form of a bellows. A base plate is included to which the suction element is mounted and has an air outlet valve therethrough and in communication with the bellows. A counter ring means is mounted to and rotatable about said body and including a spring biased locking element. A control rod is connected to the base plate and positioned for guided movement in the channel, said control rod being arrestable when said suction element is empty and releasable to initiate a suction stroke of said suction element by rotation of such counter ring.

Abstract: A surface finish, displacement and contour scanner is disclosed which effectively protects its stylus from damage even if the stylus meets an obstacle, such as a wall, a major ridge or a crack. The surface finish, displacement and contour scanner further includes a unique transducer designed to provide true displacement transducer operation with or without traverse, a magnetic attach-release mechanism disposed median between the stylus and a transducer, and a ball-and-notch seating structure formed about the point of flexing of the stylus support.

Abstract: A combined weight and sampling device as described for use in grain elevators and similar storage facilities. The device comprises a weight element which is attached to the end of a measuring tape for being lowered to the top surface of the stored product for volume measurement purposes. Additionally, the device includes a hollow upper portion which will be filled with the measured material for sampling purposes. All of the structural elements of the device are formed of non-sparkable material, i.e. non-ferrous materials to eliminate the possibility of a spark induced explosion of grain dust, etc.

Abstract: A method for separating gaseous samples from a contained atmosphere that includes aerosol particles uses the step of repelling particles from a gas permeable surface or membrane by heating the surface to a temperature greater than that of the surrounding atmosphere. The resulting thermophoretic forces maintain the gas permeable surface clear of aerosol particles. The disclosed apparatus utilizes a downwardly facing heated plate of gas permeable material to combine thermophoretic repulsion and gravity forces to prevent particles of any size from contacting the separating plate surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for measuring the viscosity of a fluid. This apparatus and method is particularly useful for the measurement of the viscosity of a liquid in a harsh environment characterized by high temperature and the presence of corrosive or deleterious gases and vapors which adversely affect conventional ball or roller bearings. The apparatus and method of the present invention employ one or more flexural or torsional bearings to suspend a bob capable of limited angular motion within a rotatable sleeve suspended from a stationary frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing liquid storage tanks for leakage by using apparatus to measure changes in liquid level and temperature over a predetermined period of time in which the liquid level apparatus includes means for discharging a uniform low pressure to a fixed point below the liquid level in the container and measuring any change in pressures over the predetermined period of time and in which the temperature measuring apparatus includes a liquid filled probe extending for substantially the full depth of the liquid in the tank with any changes in temperature in the probe liquid resulting in an expansion or contraction of the probe liquid with such liquid expansion or contraction being visibly indicated at a sight tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for testing devices of the type having elongated flexible appendages (12, 14; 16, 18) at which test signals or responses must be applied or received. An elongated flexible carrier (40) is provided with a plurality of fixtures (44) for supporting such devices so that the free ends (14, 18) of their appendages are positioned conveniently for testing. The carrier is wound to and from large reels (124, 126) and passes through a multiple probe station (186) where each device is tested.

Abstract: The method of testing the moisture ingression rate of semiconductor devices encapsulated in plastic packages comprising first treating the devices in a pressure cooker at elevated temperature and immediately thereafter treating said devices in an 85.degree. C. temperature and 85% humidity atmosphere for a time.

Abstract: Apparatus for sampling and characterizing aerosols having a wide particle size range at relatively low velocities may comprise a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the chamber including: a plurality of vertically stacked, successive particle collection stages; each collection stage includes a separator plate and a channel guide mounted transverse to the separator plate, defining a labyrinthine flow path across the collection stage. An opening in each separator plate provides a path for the aerosols from one collection stage to the next. Mounted within each collection stage are one or more particle collection frames.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the friction and susceptibility to damage by casters of various floor materials. A sample of floor material is moved under a caster wheel by a moving table. The caster orientation, pressure and size are variable. Forces on the caster are monitored by instruments which also read the reaction of the floor sample to the test. Records are produced both in tabular and in graphic form.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic calibrator to be used in testing and calibration of electro-pneumatic devices having the capability of generating or measuring air pressure in psi, current in milliamps or voltage and measuring air pressure in inches of water or resistance in ohms. A plurality of separate digital meters allow simultaneous use of the separate functions. The apparatus includes a switch and two potentiometers which allows setting variable zero points and spans when the apparatus is used to generate a current or voltage and quickly switching between the set zero point and span.

Abstract: A thermograph for automatically recording variations of temperature correlated with the passage of time and characterized by a light weight and durable construction protectively combined with a shipping container which serves as a housing enclosing the instrument while exposing a heat transfer element for quick response and a direct recording of prevailing temperature upon a chart. The instrument is a permanent and reuseable unit that is carried within the expendible shipping container to produce a thermogram from a prepared chart of pressure sensitive material that is transported over a thermometer stylus by means of a clock motor drive.

Abstract: A flow meter prover is disclosed which includes an outer fluid housing having an inlet and an outlet, a measuring conduit coaxially mounted within the outer housing and having first and second sets of fluid apertures adjacent, respectively, the upstream and downstream ends thereof, a fluid barrier mounted within the annular cavity between the outer housing and the conduit, a controllable piston mounted within the conduit, an actuating rod axially projecting from the downstream side of the piston where the free end of the rod extends through the downstream end of the outer housing, a bypass valve connected between the inlet and outlet of the outer housing, and first and second piston detection switches spaced apart along the length of the measuring conduit. There are provisions for automatically correcting for variations in the dimensions of the measuring conduit due to variations in fluid temperature.