Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for detecting thermal waves. This system is based on the measurement of the change in reflectivity at the sample surface which is a function of the changing surface temperature. The apparatus includes a radiation probe beam that is directed on a portion of the area which is being periodically heated. A photodetector is aligned to sense the intensity changes in the reflected radiation probe beam which results from the periodic heating. These signals are processed to detect the presence of thermal waves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for evaluating surface and subsurface features in a sample by detecting scattering of a probe beam. More particularly, the subject invention relates to the detection of thermal and/or plasma waves through the phenomenon of optical scattering. The apparatus includes a periodic excitation source for supplying energy to the surface of the sample to generate thermal and/or plasma waves. A radiation probe is directed to the surface of the sample within the area that is being periodically excited and in a manner that the probe beam is scattered from the excited area. Variations of the intensity of the scattered probe beam are detected and processed to evaluate surface and subsurface characteristics of the sample.

Abstract: A method is described for the non-destructive testing of a joint obtained by the electrical spot-welding of two sheets of substantially the same material joined together in a local zone with the formation of a weld core which has a thermal diffusivity substantially different from the thermal diffusivity of the material of the two sheets before welding, such a core being obtained only when the welding is of a good quality.The testing is effected by a device the main characteristic of which is an electrode which delivers heat and a detector electrode located at two conveniently chosen points on one surface or opposite surfaces of the two welded sheets. The detector electrode is connected through an amplifier and an analog-digital converter to a computer which processes the signal to provide an indication of the weld quality on the basis of the measured value of the thermal diffusivity.

Abstract: A heat pipe stablized specimen container for irradiation of specimens at substantially constant temperature within a liquid metal cooled fast reactor comprises a heat pipe containing a vaporizable substance such as sodium. The container is of double-walled construction with the gap filled with argon and at top of the container a volume of argon is trapped within a cavity of the liquid metal level within the container in such a way that retention of argon in this zone is not dependent on sealing welds in the structure of the container, the argon blanket in this zone affording thermal insulation at the top of the container and also around part of the heat pipe, viz an adiabatic section of the latter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring viscosity of an oil at low temperature and low shear stress. It employs a columnar container of the oil with vertically spaced temperature control devices to apply different cooling histories simultaneously. After the cooling histories have been applied, the viscosity of all the different histories is determined by measuring the instantaneous velocity of a probe moving through the column of oil under a constant force.

Abstract: Equipment for investigating crack propagation in thick steel plates of a material with applicability for pressure vessels comprises a test specimen in the form of a hollow cylinder of the material under investigation, a vertical spindle from which the hollow cylinder is suspended and which can be rotated at a speed of the order of thousands of revolutions per minute, damping means for damping against flexural resonance vibrations of the cylinder and spindle, a container for the cylinder and means for supplying hot air to the container via a port, means for applying through a port in the container, a jet of cold fluid on to a surface of the cylinder to apply thermal shock thereto the spindle being hollow to accommodate leads from instrumentation on the cylinder to a slip ring unit from which leads to control and recording equipment extend, the instrumentation serving to monitor crack propagation under the conditions of high speed revolution which induce a hoop stress in the material approaching its yield stren

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for detecting thermal waves. This system is based on the measurement of the change in reflectivity at the sample surface which is a function of the changing surface temperature. The apparatus includes a radiation probe beam that is directed on a portion of the area which is being periodically heated. A photodetector is aligned to sense the intensity changes in the reflected radiation probe beam which results from the periodic heating. These signals are processed to detect the presence of thermal waves.

Abstract: A thermal shock chamber comprising a test area, a high-temperature air conditioning unit having a gas outlet and a gas inlet adjacent to the test area, an outside air supplying unit having an air outlet and an air inlet adjacent to the test area, a low-temperature air conditioning unit having a gas outlet and a gas inlet adjacent to the test area, a first damper assembly for opening the outlet and the inlet of one of the high-temperature air conditioning unit and the outside air supplying unit and closing the outlet and the inlet of the other unit at the same time, and a second damper assembly for opening the outlet and the inlet of one of the low-temperature air conditioning unit and the outside air supplying unit and closing the outlet and the inlet of the other unit at the same time.

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: A method of evaluating the cooling performance of a heat treatment agent, wherein a sensor (1), in which the relationship between the electric resistance value and the temperature is known, is immersed in the heat treatment agent, a voltage and a current are applied to the sensor, the voltage and the current are made variable to change the temperature of the sensor, and a predetermined relationship is sought between the temperature and the dissipated heat value on the basis of the change in temperature.

Abstract: A method for determining an amount of non-stabilized zirconia in a ceramic specimen involves subjecting the ceramic specimen to an environment having a controlled temperature and humidity and measuring mechanical and/or chemical properties of the specimen to determine if any deterioration of the specimen has occurred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thin film thickness measurements with thermal waves in which heating and detection laser beams are focused onto the film, normal to the surface of the film, with the two beams parallel and non-coaxial.

Abstract: A method for measuring thermal waves in a sample is disclosed. More particularly, thermal waves, which may be used for imaging, are generated in a sample through local periodic heating as, for example, by impinging an intensity modulated beam of energy on the surface of the sample. A laser probe is focused on a portion of the heated area on the surface of the sample in a manner such that the beam is reflected from the surface. The angular displacement of the reflected beam, resulting from the local angular change in surface conditions of the sample due to the thermal waves are monitored. By this arrangement, the displacement of the reflected beam can be used to detect the thermal waves.

Abstract: A device which simulates the burning of an elongated smoking product such as a cigarette, for testing the combustability of an article. The device includes a rod-shaped resistive heating element, the length and cross section of which are the same as those of the product whose burning characteristics are to be simulated. The heating element may be divided into a plurality of longitudinally aligned heat insulated segments. A plurality of lead wires are successively spaced along the length of the heating element so as to respectively uniformly heat the respective portions of the heating element between the adjacent lead wires when an electric current is applied separately thereto. Circuitry is provided for applying an electric current to successively adjacent portions of the heating element through the lead wires for predetermined periods of time, beginning at one end of the heating element and ending at the other, thereby simulating the burning of a cigarette.

Abstract: In deep fat frying, the shortening breaks down to be unuseable. The shortening management method and apparatus of this invention evaluates the effect of temperature, time and the kind and amount of product cooked in the deep fat fryer and utilizes look up table means in a computing circuit to signal when the shortening is becoming unuseable.

Abstract: A technique is described that permits direct and accurate evaluation of a thin film conductor's reliability which requires only a few hours to carry out. The technique involves a temperature ramp procedure which dynamically exposes a conductor operating under constant current stress to a linear (in time) rise in temperature. Changes in resistivity of the conductor provides kinetic data that is directly related to both the electromigration process and the reliability of the device.

Abstract: Cracks and surface flaws in billets are detected by heating the surface of the work-piece by means of high frequency current, the heating taking place while the work-piece is brought to pass in its longitudinal direction through a high frequency induction coil. That part of the work-piece, which has just left the coil is immediately, while the work-piece is still passing through the coil, scanned by means of infrared recording equipment which records the temperature distribution across the work-piece. The emission coefficient for the different work-pieces is increased and differences equalized by moistening the surface of the work-piece with an appropriate liquid, for instance water, to which have been added components for reduction of the surface tension.

Abstract: A monitoring system for checking an electric rotary machine for local overheating including a sensing device for sensing the concentration of minuscule particles in a gas serving as coolant for the machine, and a supply device for supplying to the sensing device a test gas containing minuscule particles of gasifiable liquid. The test gas is supplied to the sensing device by the supply device to permit the sensing device to perform a sensing operation, so as to determine whether or not the sensing device is functioning normally.

Abstract: A high temperature outdoor weathering chamber approximating the passenger compartment of an automobile body for testing the effect of natural sunlight on material fibers and colors. The chamber comprises a box having insulated side and end walls and a hinged closure of standard automobile glass. The hinged glass closure provides access through the top of the box to a sample rack that is positioned below the glass closure to support samples for exposure to solar radiation.An aluminum heat shield is positioned below the sample rack. The chamber is constructed and arranged so that air enters an air intake at the bottom of the box, flows through thermostatically controlled heater strips, then beneath the heat shield and out an exhaust outlet at the opposite end of the box above the level of the heat shield. Airflow is solely by convection.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the burning and/or glowing rate of a smokable article. The apparatus comprises a sensor for sensing the incandescent zone of the smokable article and a drive apparatus for moving the sensor along a path parallel to the direction of burning and glowing of the smokable article.