Abstract: Apparatus for removing deposit from fuel elements of a nuclear reactor, by scraping the elements C by means of a remote-controlled scraping device entering the pool A of the reactor. The scraped sample is sucked, together with a certain amount of liquid, into an intermediate reservoir (20), the liquid removed with the sample is passed into a detachable filtration chamber (3), which retains the sample, the liquid being led into a buffer reservoir (21), and the filtration chamber (3) is introduced into a storage container (4), all the operations being carried out under the protection of shielded walls.

Abstract: A prover detector comprising a barrel having a longitudinal bore formed therethrough to receive a proximity switch mounted in one end thereof and a piston mounted in the other end thereof to extend from the barrel bore into the prover. The proximity switch is of the type that is responsive to the proximity of an unmagnetized, ferromagnetic mass near the end thereof disposed within the barrel bore for closing a set of contacts in the proximity switch and the piston has a cylindrically symmetric portion at the end thereof nearest the proximity switch, such portion centered on an axis of movement of the piston relative to the proximity switch defined by the barrel bore, so that the position of the piston for which the contacts in the proximity switch close depends only upon the distance between the proximity switch and the piston.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determination of the concentration of a component in a solution, such as ethyl alcohol in gasohol, acetic acid in hexane-acetic acid solution, or the like. Such determination is made with ease and accuracy based on a rate of pressure change caused in a closed container due to mass transfer occurring between two liquids through porous material.

Abstract: An elongated stud has an axial bore down which an inspection probe is rotated and translated on the end of a shaft which is moved through gearing with a pair of motors. Encoders on the motors coordinate the signal from the probe at a single station which manifests the sensed conditions of the stud at positions within the bore.

Abstract: A pipeline gauging vehicle has two resilient driving cups arranged to contact the interior surface of the pipeline to create a pressure differential which will propel the vehicle along the pipeline. A plurality of first monitoring arrangements, each consisting of six detecting elements located at circumferentially spaced positions, are axially spaced on a support structure, their orientation being commensurate with a minimum radius of curvature of bends in the pipeline which the vehicle needs to negotiate. A plurality of second monitoring arrangements axially spaced on the support structure have detecting tabs radially spaced from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle by a distance commensurate with a desired minimum radial clearance are arranged to provide an indication when the minimum clearance is exceeded. The vehicle can monitor pipelines having complex three-dimensional geometry involving a succession of bends in different directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring the condition of the stirring block and solid plug therein as incorporated in the normal refractory brick lining of a molten metal ladle to provide a structure through which gas can be introduced into the molten metal, the method utilizes heat sensors and/or Hall Effect transducers embedded in the stirring block and/or solid plug therein in connection with apparatus providing a warning of critical wear and/or erosion in the gas stirring devices by the molten metal in the ladle. An appropriately shaped stirring block provides for the positioning of some of the normal refractory brick lining of the ladle partially thereover so as to eliminate loosening or cracking of the stirring block and the undesirable escaping of molten metal from the ladle.

Abstract: According to the invention, fluid is adapted to flow through a piston and cylinder disposed in the housing of a meter prover. The cylinder is telescopingly received within the piston. The fluid is permitted to flow into the piston and cylinder through an upstream inlet and leave through exit ports in the cylinder. A poppet valve is provided for closing the exit ports whereupon the piston becomes a fluid barrier and is adapted to move in synchrony with the fluid flow from the upstream fluid inlet. A single detector is provided which is activated at the start of the proving run and at the end of the proving run. A rack is mounted on the piston for turning a gear. The gear rotates a disc having a plurality of markings indicating the incremental displacement of the piston. A photopulser transmits a pulse to a counter for each marking detected upon rotation of the disc. Sufficient piston displacement is permitted to generate a minimum of 10,000 pulses.

Abstract: The invention relates an apparatus for measuring and indicating the fluid level in a vessel, such as larger LP-gas tubes for household purposes.A pulse device is used for causing the vessel wall to vibrate, for example by causing a striking pin momentarily to thrust against the wall, and for scanning the oscillation frequency of the wall varying with the filling degree of the vessel. A transducer is provided which, for example, is a piezoelectric element abutting the wall. The output signal from the element is passed to a processing unit for evaluating the signal, and the result is passed to an indicator, which may be of the analog or digital type.

Abstract: A sampler for communicating with the interior of a vessel containing a slurry under pressure extracts a sample of the slurry from the vessel and conveys the same to a point of collection. The sampler includes a conduit having an inlet for communication with the interior of the vessel and an outlet to the exterior of the vessel, and a valve for selectively establishing and interrupting communication between the conduit inlet and the interior of the vessel. When communication is established, a sample of slurry flows into the inlet, through the conduit and to the outlet for collection, and when communication is interrupted a source of flushing liquid is coupled with the inlet to flush the conduit clean of residual sampled slurry. By virtue of introduction of flushing liquid through the conduit when slurry is not being sampled, residual slurry is prevented from settling out and/or hardening in the conduit and clogging the sampler.

Abstract: A method and system for experimentally determining response characteristics and strength capacity of submerged hull structures subjected to underwater explosion. This method and system allows testing in relatively shallow water, near the shore and in close vicinity of data recording and process equipment. Moreover, the test item is more accessible for inspection and modification/s, as necessary. This method and system also allow a more controlled environment independent of waves and weather.

Abstract: A sampler for taking samples from multiple sources has a fixed, non-moving needle at a sampling station. A sample vial is lifted from a tray at the sampling station. The needle pierces the septum of the vial and enters the sample as the vial is lifted toward the needle. The sample vial is also rotated as it is lifted, and a bar code reader makes a number of spaced apart, helical reads on a bar code label attached to the vial for label identification of the sample. The needle includes an inner, sample needle and an outer, gas-pressurization needle. The sample is withdrawn by the positive displacement of a syringe connected to the sample needle. The combination of the gas pressurization within the vial and the positive displacement of the syringe insures movement of the sample and accurate control of the volume removed independent of the viscosity of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a viscosimeter adapted to operate continuously, comprising a measuring capillary in which the liquid phase whose viscosity is measured undergoes a loss of pressure. It is characterized in that the measuring capillary (17) consists of a tube of several meters length, wound around itself according to a helix having a diameter of at least 10 cm, the internal diameter of the tube being substantially comprised between 0.20 and 0.30 mm, and in that a sensor for measuring the loss of pressure consists of two identical pressure sensors (22,23) positioned at the entry and at the exit of the capillary (17) for differentially measuring the loss of pressure in this capillary.

Abstract: An automatic liquid transfer system includes a horizontally translatable table and a vertically translatable set of pipettes. The table accommodates a titer tray having a multiplicity of receptacles to be filled, or holding liquid samples to be diluted, and a rack housing plural rows of disposable tips. During each cycle in a serial dilution process, a fresh set of tips are picked up by the pipettes and used to transfer liquid in a sterile manner from a sample or diluent source to a row of wells in the titer tray, or from one row to a succeeding row of wells where it is mixed with diluent. Thereafter, the tips are discharged back into the rack to maintain sterile conditions during the process. A sensor is provided on the machine to detect whether all of the tips in each set are disengaged and another set successfully picked up.

Abstract: A device for detecting contraband in closed luggage is provided. The device is especially useful for detecting fruits, vegetables, foodstuffs and other materials that give off carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A vacuum package tester is capable of providing data by which the internal pressure and volume of residual gas of a flexible wall vacuum package exposed to atmospheric pressure may be calculated. A container partially filled with liquid is surrounded by a deformation-absorbing enclosure. A vacuum pump reduces the pressure in the head space above the liquid, thereby causing a submerged package to expand. Pressure gauges record the respective pressures in the head space when the package expands by first and second known volumes. From this data, the internal pressure and volume of residual gas of said package, when exposed to ambient pressure and temperature, may be calculated. In use, the invention also performs an improved method.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for collecting and concentrating trace ions from a pressurized aqueous sample in a sample line. A three-way valve is connected to the sample line which in one position can divert the sample into a syringe and in another position can close off the sample line and permit the sample to flow from the syringe through the three-way valve into a concentrator column. In an alternative apparatus, the sample line is connected to a tee which permits the diversion of the sample into a concentrator column connected to the tee. The other end of the concentrator column is joined to a syringe for drawing the sample through the concentrator column. Methods of operating the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: The flushing of the syringe with a side port is performed by introducing a liquid solvent through the side port while the plunger is retracted from the barrel. At the completion of the flushing operation the plunger is fully inserted into the barrel expelling all the solvent except that in the needle. The needle is then inserted into the sample and the plunger is raised to withdraw the sample. With this arrangement, it is possible to take a 0.1 L sample and dispense it because of the solvent reserve in the barrel. Furthermore, the solvent reserved in the barrel provides a buffer so that sampled material does not contact the plunger or get into the annular space around the retracted plunger.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring density of drilling mud. An elongated cylindrical measuring chamber is pivoted on a base at one end and includes conduits for introducing the mud into the chamber. A force measuring thrust a gauge mounted on the base and supporting the chamber intermediate its ends provides a signal proportional to the weight of the receptacle and its contents. Since the volume of the chamber is constant the weight varies as a function of the density of mud. A rotating wire brush mounted within the chamber tends to scrape away accumulating solid material on the inner walls thereof. The chamber is provided with a ceramic liner.

Abstract: A multi-position rotary valve for injecting a variable liquid sample into a stream of diluent flowing through a high pressure liquid chromatograhic column, without interrupting diluent pressure conditions is disclosed. The valve is switchable between a load position and an inject position. Associated with the valve are a plurality of sample loops each of whose upstream ends are selectively connected to a needle cavity in the valve. Moreover the valve possesses means for arcuately articulation whereby one of the loops may be selected from loading of the sample and then for presentation to a diluent under pressure while in each of such position is also in operative alignment with the column.

Abstract: A smoke detector containing at least one smoke measuring chamber which possesses a mounting or socket plate having an upper surface intended to be mounted at the ceiling of a room or other appropriate area to be monitored and a housing enclosing the smoke measuring chamber and suspendingly secured at the socket plate. The housing possesses openings for the entry of the ambient air into the smoke measuring chamber. The smoke detector comprises a manually adjustable device by means of which it is possible to change the air entry opening in a manner such that the smoke detector can be accommodated to different environmental or ambient conditions, especially those containing different quantities of dust and other contaminants. A hood ring member, movably supported at the inside of a sleeve member of the smoke detector, can be selectively displaced in order to change the air entry openings.