Abstract: Broadly, one aspect of the present invention is an articulated combine having increased on-board grain storage capacity (e.g., 1,200 bushels) and which is composed of a forward unit having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, and being devoid of an on-board grain bin; and a rearward unit jointedly attached to the forward section and having, steerable and powered wheels, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward section grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The grain transfer assembly, joint, and grain off-loading assembly and controls, form other aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: Broadly, one aspect of the present invention is an articulated combine having increased on-board grain storage capacity (e.g., 1,200 bushels) and which is composed of a forward unit having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, and being devoid of an on-board grain bin; and a rearward unit jointedly attached to the forward section and having, steerable and powered wheels, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward section grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The grain transfer assembly, joint, and grain off-loading assembly and controls, form other aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: A zero turning radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero radius turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned near this turning point or axis so that the standing occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds. The low center of gravity created by the position of the riding platform for the standing operator also results in the mower having improved traction and being less likely to pop “wheelies” upon acceleration.

Abstract: An intake and plucking arrangement comprises a rotatable intake device that grasps a standing plant and directs it to a plucking gap. The plucking gap is located above parallel first and second stalk rolls that pull the stalk of the plant downwardly so that the plucking gap can separate the useful parts of the plant from the stalk. The upstream end of the first stalk roll is provided with a lower screw conveyor. A conveyor element is drivingly connected to the screw conveyor. The conveying element comprises an upper screw conveyor that is located above the lower screw conveyor. Both screw conveyors are located upstream from and above the inlet end of the plucking slot. The conveying element working in conjunction with the rotatable intake device direct standing plants into the plucking slot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ring twisting and winding spinning machine with autonomous and independent unitary production modules.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method of manufacturing, by friction spinning, a reinforcing thread (1) for fabric covering or a technical textile intended to be incorporated in a textile base, in which:

Abstract: A spinning rotor 30 of an open-end spinning device 3 is slowed down for piecing to a low rotational piecing speed and is then accelerated to the operating speed. For this purpose the spinning rotor 30 or an element in drive connection with it is presented from a service unit 2 a drive transmission device 7 by means of which the spinning rotor 30 can be switched from normal production speed to a reduced piecing speed and back. In this process the drive transmission device 7 can be driven either by a driving apparatus 20 installed on the service unit 2 or by a drive belt 12 extending alongside the rotor spinning machine 1. The driving apparatus 20 mounted on the service unit 2 is connected for control to a control device 5 for the control of the evolution of the rotational speed of the spinning rotor 30 which is driven according to a rotational speed course controlled by means of a program applied by the control device 5 during the time when its rotational speed deviates from its operating speed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of fueling gas turbines from natural gas reserves with relatively low methane concentrations. The invention uses such reserves to generate electric power. The invention permits the use of these reserves at significantly lower cost than by producing pipeline natural gas to fuel gas turbines to generate electric power. These reserves currently generally are used only after the removal of impurities to produce pipeline natural gas quality turbine fuel. The latter current technology is capital intensive, and at current natural gas prices, economically unattractive. The process of the invention can remove the impurities from the gas from the natural gas reserve necessary for protection of the environment, and leaves inert gasses in the fuel in an amount which will increase the output of a gas turbine for the generation of power by about 5 to about 20%.

Abstract: An engine is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the engine comprises a compressor, and combustor, and an expander. The compressor compresses ambient air. The combustor bums the compressed air, and produces exhaust gasses. The expander receives the exhaust gases from the combustor, and expands the exhaust gasses. The compressor may be a gerotor compressor or a piston compressor having variable-dead-volume control. The expander may be a gerotor expander or a piston expander having variable-dead-volume control. In another embodiment, an engine comprises a piston compressor, a combustor, a piston expander, and a pressure tank. The piston compressor compresses ambient air. The combustor bums the compressed air, and produces exhaust gasses. The piston expander receives the exhaust gasses from the combustor, and expands the exhaust gasses. The pressure tank receives and stores the compressed air from the compressor.

Abstract: A rocket engine has a combustion chamber, an injector, and an attachment between the combustion chamber and the injector. The attachment includes an annular metallic deposit joined to the chamber wall outer surface, and an annular transition ring structure. The transition ring structure has an annular step collar, and an annular adaptor ring brazed to the annular step collar. The adaptor ring is welded on one end to the injector and on the other end to the metallic deposit.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon the discovery that microporous catalysts, especially zeolites in the class of metallic Faujasites, Linde Type A (LTA) and combinations thereof having a pore size greater than 3 angstroms in combination with a plasma are capable of catalyzing conversion of NOx to N2 in a real or actual exhaust stream without any gas phase additive.

Abstract: An engine control equipment capable of activating a catalyst and preventing exhaust gas from deteriorating in order to early perform combustion by compressive self-ignition.

Abstract: A stator support structure of a torque converter is configured to reduce the number of parts and an axial size of the stator support structure. The stator support structure has a first support member 5, a second support member 7 and a one-way clutch body 8. The first support member 5 has a first annular flange 11 extending radially outward and a first thrust receiving portion 13. The second support member 7 has a second annular flange 15 formed of an inner peripheral portion of the stator extending radially inward and opposed to the first annular flange 11, and a second thrust receiving portion 17 being in contact with the first thrust receiving portion 13. The one-way clutch body 8 is disposed between the first and second annular flanges 11 and 15, and is subjected to an axial load in a locked state for inhibiting rotation of the stator only in one direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic circuit for a crane wherein a switching valve is provided between a plurality of motor circuits connected in series within the same actuator group, and at the time of simultaneous operation of the motor circuits, the switching valve is switched from a first position to a second position whereby the series connection between the motor circuits is cut off, and they are driven by each of separate hydraulic sources, thereby enabling prevention of pressure interference at the time of simultaneous operation of the motor circuits within the same actuator group without increasing hydraulic sources.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a control system 20 of a hydraulic construction machine for enhancing a responsibility and stability of a work implement movement The control system 20 comprises a variable displacement type hydraulic pump 2, a hydraulic actuator 7 driven by hydraulic fluid delivered from the pump 2, a flow control valve 5 for controlling the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator 7 in response to a an amount of an operating lever 8, the variable bleed valve 14 disposed in the bleed-off hydraulic circuit 13 through which exhausts the hydraulic fluid supplied to the hydraulic actuator 7 and a controller 15 for controlling the flow rate through the variable bleed valve 14.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic actuator 10 contains a tapered piston 30 that is first propelled through a chamber 18 upon actuator 10 operation. A narrower portion 38 of the piston 30 initially enters an annular retainer 40 having an annulus 42. The diameter or cross-sectional area of the annulus 42 is about equal to or less than the cross-sectional area of portion 38. As the diameter of the tapered piston 30 increases over the length passing through retainer 40, to a diameter greater than that of annulus 42, the piston 30 is then wedged or fixedly received within the annular retainer 40, thereby preventing retraction of piston 30 once a load is exerted thereon.

Abstract: A method and system for reliably and cost effectively operating a turbocharged diesel engine by injecting propane in gaseous form from a vehicle mounted tank into the engine by the use of a fuel pressure regulator valve responsive to the boost pressure of the engine turbocharger to adjust fuel flow correspondingly. A safety switching arrangement requires manual reactivation of the system each time the engine is restarted.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel discharge member which can reduce the amount of NOx exhaust. The fuel discharge member is fixed on a fuel supply conduit, and comprises: a main body having an internal space which communicates with a fuel passage in the fuel supply conduit, fuel discharge outlets which communicate with the internal space, and a trailing edge. The thickness of the trailing edge is no more than 5 mm, or a flow passage block ratio of the fuel discharge member is no more than 10% with respect to the cross-sectional area of the air flow passage in which the fuel discharge member is to be placed. Alternatively, the main body is a flat tube.

Abstract: A fuel injector nozzle for dispensing fuel in the combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine, includes an elongated, multi-layered, convoluted nozzle feed strip having an internal passage for directing fuel through the length of the strip from the inlet end to an outlet end; and a cylindrical, multi-layered fuel dispensing nozzle unitary with the feed strip and fluidly connected to the outlet end of the feed strip for dispensing the fuel. The multi-layered feed strip and nozzle allows complex porting of fuel circuits through the injector. The internal fluid passages through the feed strip and nozzle are formed by etching.

Abstract: A shaped article is capable of at least one of containing and delivering a cryogenic fluid. The article has a porous structure that restricts the passage of cryogenic fluid in the liquid phase while permitting the passage of cryogenic fluid in the gaseous phase. The article may be in the form of a tube or container. The article permits a liquid cryogen to be transported to a specific site, and then cool the site by means of conduction from the cold article and convection of cold gas, the phase change of the evaporating liquid greatly enhancing the heat loss.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method for modifying a vending machine to provide a vending machine for storing product at a temperature no greater than −40 degrees Celsius. The method of the invention includes the steps of replacing an existing refrigeration compressor with a different compressor having a higher compression and replacing an existing refrigerant with a more efficient refrigerant. Then, the length of an existing capillary tube was increased (preferably to approximately 21 inches). Finally, a new thermostat capable of achieving a −40 Celsius set point. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the pre-existing thermostat was rewired into a safety switch, which is operable to disable the vending machine from dispensing product if the temperature exceeds the set point. A novel business method is also provided; namely a method of manufacturing and distributing ice cream.

Abstract: A temperature controller is in a position at a height of 130 cm or more from a base surface settling, of which the refrigerator is settled, on a door of the refrigerator, which position is on an upper side of a handle for opening and closing the door. Further, a minute control depending on a preserving condition of foods, the seasons, a quantity of the foods, and so on is made possible.

Abstract: A simple field installable/removable indicator is usable with a field pressure measurement to indicate the degree of subcooling or superheat of refrigerant in a vapor-compression or refrigeration system. The indicator can be attached to a pipe at an appropriate location in the system. The indicator can be used with a pressure measurement obtained at an existing service valve. Temperature-indicating liquid crystals or other chemicals, or alternatively, a conventional thermometer included on the indicator can be used with a scale which shows the superheat or subcooling without requiring saturation curves or tables.

Abstract: A substrate-processing apparatus comprising a processing chamber in which a substrate is processed, an air-supplying device for supplying air having controlled temperature and humidity into the processing chamber, an air passage having an inlet port and an outlet port connected to the processing chamber, for guiding the air from the inlet port to the outlet port, a cooling/dehumidifying section arranged in the air passage and having a thermoelectric cooling device, for cooling and dehumidifying the air introduced from the inlet port, a heating section arranged in the air passage, for heating the air that has been cooled and dehumidified by the cooling/dehumidifying section, a humidifying section provided in the air passage, for humidifying the air heated by the heating section and guiding the air to the outlet port, a temperature-humidity sensor provided at a position in the air passage, and a control device for controlling the cooling/dehumidifying section, the heating section and the humidifying section, in

Abstract: A hot water supply system wherein a flow of a refrigerant on a high-pressure side of a supercritical heat pump cycle and a flow of hot water are oppositely directed, and wherein water heated by the refrigerant on the high-pressure side is stored in heat insulating tanks of a vacuous and double structure. Water is heated with heat absorbed from the atmosphere and by the supercritical heat pump cycle having a high heat exchange efficiency &eegr;, to reduce the power required to heat the water. Therefore, hot water can be generated even in the daytime during peak power rates. Accordingly, because it is unnecessary to store hot water for daytime use in insulated tanks, system space requirements are reduced.

Abstract: A cooling device for installation in a furniture niche includes at least one thermally insulating container defining a cooling space and having a door for sealing the space, and a cooler having a compressor, a condenser, and a ventilator. The base has at least two sidewalls, a front region disposed near the door, a rear region, at least one air supply aperture at the front region, and an exhaust aperture at the rear region. The base houses the compressor, condenser, and ventilator. The base is disposed below the cooling space and is force ventilated by the ventilator through the air supply aperture and the exhaust aperture. The exhaust aperture is in at least one of the sidewalls, preferably, in the rear region of the base averted from the door. Preferably, the cooling device is installed in a furniture niche of a kitchen unit.

Abstract: An ice-making device includes a case, an ice tray having a plurality of ice cubes and being rotatably installed clockwise and counterclockwise in the case, and a rotation stopping unit provided at the case and the ice tray to limit a rotation of an ice tray if the ice tray is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise within a predetermined angle in a state that the ice tray is poised horizontally. Since the ice tray can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise according to a user's selection, the pieces of ice can be easily from the ice tray, ensuring that the user can separate the pieces of ice more conveniently.

Abstract: The invention is aimed at making a space necessary for installing an adjusting mechanism for a diffuser small to thereby miniaturize a turbocompressor as well as a refrigerating machine where this turbocompressor is a constituent element.

Abstract: A low reflection film comprising silica fine particles and a binder in a weight ratio proportion of 60:40 to 95:5 is obtained by mixing starting fine particles comprising at least non-aggregated silica fine particles with a mean particle size of 40-1000 nm and/or linear (chain-like) aggregated silica fine particles with a mean primary particle size of 10-100 nm, a hydrolyzable metal compound, water, and a solvent, hydrolyzing the hydrolyzable metal compound in the presence of the starting fine particles, and then coating the prepared coating solution onto a glass base substrate and subjecting it to heat treatment.

Abstract: Fused silica boules (19) having improved radial homogeneity are produced by controlling the air flow around the boule (19) during its formation. The boule is formed in a cup-like containment vessel (13) which collects silica particles from a plurality of burners (14). The containment vessel (13) rotates and oscillates relative to the burners (14) as the boule (19) is formed. The containment vessel (13) is bounded by a cup-like containment wall (22), and a shadow or air flow wall (130) is spaced apart from and surrounds the containment wall (22) forming a gap or air flow passage (175) therebetween. A radially-outwardly extending deflecting wedge portion (23) is formed at the upper extent of the containment wall (22) and at an outlet end of flow passage (175).

Abstract: There are provided a method of manufacturing an optical glass element, for which flatness and smoothness of the surfaces of the optical glass element can be improved while securing the similarity of the cross-sectional shape of the optical glass element to that of the mother glass, and for which continuous production involving few steps can be carried out, and an optical glass element manufactured using the method. A mother glass is prepared, which has a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to a desired cross-sectional shape of the optical glass element, and the mother glass is drawn while heating to a predetermined temperature such that the mother glass has a viscosity of 105 to 109 poise.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a stirrer apparatus for glass melts. A stirring element and a stirrer shaft are provided, each comprised of a metal or a metal alloy having a high melting point temperature. A drive shaft for the stirring element comprises a different metallic material, for example an ODS alloy on the basis of iron or nickel. The junction between the stirrer shaft and the drive shaft is located approximately in the region in which the level of the surface of the glass melt is located during use. The end portion of the drive shaft or the end portion of the stirrer shaft, which can be covered by the melt during use, are isolated by a platinum casing.

Abstract: An optical fiber preform suspending and supporting apparatus able to prevent deformation of a pin placed in a high temperature environment and able to support a porous optical fiber preform without adversely influencing supports of the pin and without causing inclination relative to the vertical line of a main shaft, wherein a movable connector is fitted into an enlarged-diameter portion of the lower end of a main shaft, this enlarged-diameter portion is connected with the movable connector by a pin so that the movable connector is able to swing around the pin, a holding portion including a supporting portion is formed integrally at the bottom of the movable connector to hold an enlarged-diameter portion of the upper end of a starting preform, and the diameter of the pin is in the range of 20% to 50% of the outside diameter of the enlarged-diameter portion of the lower end of the main shaft, and an optical fiber processing apparatus including the same.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine has a cabinet 2 and a drum 1 suspended within the cabinet for rotation about a horizontal axis. The drum 1 includes a pair of drum ends with a pair of vanes 110, 111 extending between the drum ends 11, 12 rigidly connecting the drum ends together. The drum 1 has a substantially cylindrical perforated skin 22 having a main section 34 and a hatch section 35. The main section 34 and hatch section 35 connect along the edges to form the complete drum skin.

Abstract: In a buckle, in which a housing of a female body and an inserting plate of a male body are engaged with each other and which is provided with a simple locking mechanism by using a key, the housing of the female body is provided with an engaging portion, while the inserting plate of the male body is provided with an engaged portion. Alternatively, the housing is provided with an engaged portion while the inserting plate is provided with an engaging portion. Therefore, the female body and the male body can be engaged with each other to be locked. When they are locked, a belt adjusting portion of the male body is concealed in the housing of the female body, so that a belt is difficult to be adjusted. Specifically, the belt can be never loosened but only adjustable in a direction of fastening. Thus, the buckle is provided with a convenient belt adjusting portion, which can not adjust a length of the belt when the female body and the male body are locked with each other.

Abstract: A device to lock a brake or clutch pedal of a vehicle so as to deter theft of the vehicle includes a base for placement on the floor of the vehicle beneath the pedal of the vehicle being locked and beneath a pedal shaft supporting the pedal. The device includes a generally U-shaped housing with a second leg attached to the base, a first leg shorter than the second leg, and a cross member connecting the first and second legs to define an opening between the first leg and the base and a slot between the first and second legs to receive the pedal shaft and permit travel of the pedal shaft through the slot. A locking mechanism includes a locking pin and a lock. The locking pin is selectively movable on the U-shaped housing between a raised locked position sufficiently close to a lower side of the pedal shaft to prevent the pedal shaft from being operably depressed, i.e.

Abstract: A locking device suitable for NID housing security. The device includes a slotted cylinder, a key and key tool. The slotted cylinder has a resistance component contained in the cylinder. The key is mateable with the slotted cylinder and is held in place by the force of the resistance component. The key head has a cavity therein of a complimentary shape to the key tool so that the tool may be used to turn the key for locking or unlocking. A cylindrical sleeve is used for additional security. The sleeve fits over the mated key and slotted cylinder to protect against release of the parts and may further provide a barrier to removal from a structure being locked. By use of different key head cavity shapes each subscriber may only access their own line in a NID.

Abstract: In a rolling mill facility having a strip shape detection equipment, making it possible to measure the strip shape of metal strip after rolling easily and with a simple construction. In a rolling mill facility consisting of a single or plural rolling mills 4 having a pair of top and bottom work rolls 2 and 3 that roll strip steel 1 and strip shape detecting devices 5 and 6 installed at least on one side of the inlet and outlet sides of the rolling mill 4, said strip shape detecting devices 5 and 6 consist of a single roller 14 on which the metal strip 1 gets wound, and at least two bearing boxes 9A and 10A on one side or four bearing boxes on both sides with said bearing boxes 9A and 10A supporting the roller in a free-to-rotate manner, and at least two load cells 11A and 12A on one side or four load cells on both sides for measuring the supporting load of each of the bearing boxes 9A and 10A.

Abstract: A device for ultrasonic peening of metals is intended for strengthening and relaxation treatment of metal surfaces with an ultrasonic oscillation and includes an ultrasonic generator (1) having the optimized power of from 0.2 to 0.5 kW, a piezoelectric transducer with an ultrasonic velocity transformer (6) and a set of readily replaceable heads with striking tools (pins). Various sizes and arrangements of the tools allow for ultrasonic peening of parts of complicated configuration fast and efficiently. In the device, drop-wise cooling and lubrication of striking tools, as well as of treatment area are provided.

Abstract: In the process for the monolithic molding of superplastic material, generation of wrinkles on the molded product can be prevented by avoiding local expansion generated in the no-bonding regions of both of three or more metal plates when the metal plates are monolithically molded by means of superplastic molding. The process is characterized in that auxiliary plates for molding are placed on both sides of the superposed plates through the no-bonding regions, these plates are set in the molding die, and a pressure lower than applied to the non-bonding regions is applied to spaces between inner wall of the molding die and the auxiliary plates to control movement of the top and bottom.

Abstract: A rivet setting machine is provided that includes a movable die supporting member that operates to increase working space when inserting and removing workpieces during non-fastening operations. In a first position, the die supporting member positions a die in an opposed relationship to a punch. In a second position, the die supporting member positions the die at a position apart from the punch, which increases the distance between the die and the punch during non-fastening operations.

Abstract: An intake air oxygen concentration sensor calibration device is provided with an oxygen concentration sensor that detects a concentration of oxygen contained in intake air, intake passageway pressure detection means, stable condition determination means that determines whether the intake passageway pressure is in a stable condition based on the amplitude of fluctuations in intake passageway pressure and a predetermined stable condition criterion value, calibration coefficient calculation means that calculates a calibration coefficient based on the intake passageway pressure and a reference output value of the oxygen concentration sensor, and calibration means that calibrates the output of the oxygen concentration sensor based on the calibration coefficient, wherein and the stable condition criterion value is set so that the smaller the intake passageway pressure detected, the smaller the value, and the greater the intake passageway pressure detected, the greater the value, and the calibration coefficient calc

Abstract: A meter such as a speedometer for use in an automobile instrument panel includes a pointer driven by a stepping motor. A pulse voltage having a wider pulse width is supplied to the stepping motor to obtain a higher induced voltage to be compared with a threshold voltage for detecting the pointer-zero-position. After the pointer-zero-position is detected, the stepping motor is driven by a pulse voltage having a narrower pulse width to obtain a quicker response of the pointer. In this manner, the pointer-zero-position is accurately adjusted without sacrificing the quick response of the meter pointer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a measuring arrangement for measuring the gas content of a fluid (13). The fluid (13) comprises gas bubbles. In the method, microwave radiation (20) is transmitted through the fluid (13) and a signal (7) indicating the travel time, phase or amplitude of the radiation (20) is formed in a microwave measuring device (16), and a gas measuring equipment (18) determines the gas content of the fluid (13) by means of the signal (7).

Abstract: Gas chromatographs of the invention generally comprise four or more analysis channels. Specifically, four or more gas chromatography columns are configured for parallel analysis of four or more gaseous samples with detection being effected using a microdetector array comprising four or more microdetectors. In one embodiment, the four or more microdetectors 510 are microfabricated detectors, and are integrally formed with a substrate or with one or more microchip bodies mounted on a substrate. In a preferred embodiment, a microdetector array comprises four or more thermal conductivity detectors having one or more thin-film detection filaments. A preferred heated environment for highly parallel gas chromatographs is also disclosed.

Abstract: High temperature substance sensor, including

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting knocking combustion during the operation of an internal combustion engine with a device for measuring the ionic current, in which the raw ionic current signal or the evaluated value of the knocking intensity are normalized, which enables the value of the knocking intensity to be reliably compared with a threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically electronically testing condoms includes an inflation tub that has an internal chamber for housing a plurality of condoms. A jug assembly has a plurality of jugs. Each of the jugs receives a condom from the inflation tub. A mandrel assembly has a plurality of mandrels. Each of the mandrels receives a condom from one of the jugs to electronically test the condom.

Abstract: An asphalt stability testing vessel includes a container, an external heater, an internal heater, an agitator assembly, a temperature controller, and at least one sampling tube. The external heater is disposed on the outside surface area of the container. The external heater is surrounded by a thermal insulator. The internal heater is located inside the container and at substantially the bottom thereof. The agitator includes a motor, a shaft, and at least one propeller. The top of the container has at least one opening for the insertion of a sampling tube. The asphalt stability testing vessel is used to prepare modified asphalt binder for numerous stability tests. The tests include external heat without agitation, internal heat with high agitation, and internal heat without agitation. The values of complex shear modulus and phase angle obtained from the modified asphalt binder are analyzed for separation and degradation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of the circulating blood of a living being over plural shear rates caused by a decreasing pressure differential by monitoring the changing weight of the blood, or the changing level of a column of blood over time. The apparatus and method utilize a riser, a capillary tube, a collector and a mass detector, such as a precision balance or a load cell, for monitoring the changing weight of a sample of fluid that flows through these components under the influence of the decreasing pressure differential; alternatively, the apparatus and method use a column level detector to monitor the changing level of the column of blood over time.