Abstract: Particular implementations of an electrical conduit coupling comprise a coupler body having an open end defined by an outer body wall. The open end comprises an interior diameter sized and shaped to accept a cylindrical conduit. A raised shoulder portion extends inward from an inside surface of the coupler body. A locking element in the outer body wall comprises a locking tab recess. The locking element comprises a compression plate, a locking tab, and a release. The compression plate is slidably engaged with the outer body wall and extends past the inside surface of the coupler body to engage an outer wall of the conduit. The locking tab extends into the locking tab recess when the compression plate is in its engaged position. Upon actuation of the release, the locking tab withdraws from the locking tab recess and the compression plate slides to an unengaged position.

Abstract: A hand tool includes a rotatable bit cartridge for holding a plurality of stored bits and a retractable shaft that extends from a housing of the hand tool. A distal end of the retractable shaft includes a bit holder for holding a bit. Retracting the shaft within the housing of the tool causes the bit to be ejected from the distal end of the shaft and transported through an opening in the tool housing to the rotatable bit cartridge. The bit cartridge is then rotated to retrieve another bit and the shaft is then extended to transport the new bit through the opening in the housing and into alignment with the bit holder of the shaft. The shaft is further extended to engage the bit and extend the bit to an operative position outside of the tool housing. Example hand tools include a screwdriver and a power drill.

Abstract: A method of electromagnetically measuring the distance between adjacent tube elements in a heat exchanger. A cylindrical, high magnetic permeability ferrite slug is placed in the tube adjacent the spacing to be measured. A bobbin or annular coil type probe operated in the absolute mode is inserted into a second tube adjacent the spacing to be measured. From prior calibrations on the response of the eddy current coil, the signals from the coil, when sensing the presence of the ferrite slug, are used to determine the spacing between the tubes.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection method for measuring the thickness of non-welded (non-metallurgically bonded) cladding on the inside surface of a vessel from an outside diameter surface of the vessel relies upon the occurrence of a phase change at an interface between the base metal and cladding layers to precisely determine its presence and location. By measuring the length of time for the ultrasonic pulse to propagate through the cladding material, suitable predetermined calibration standards for the cladding material in question can be used to convert the time of flight of the ultrasonic pulses through the cladding into a thickness of the cladding. The cladding thickness can be measured from an outside surface of the vessel whether or not it is empty and/or without stopping the process and/or draining it, and the method can even be employed at elevated temperatures through the use of known delay lines.