Abstract: Various components of thermal systems are shown molded within a polymer composite sheath, including heaters, sensors, and control circuits. The use of transfer and compression molding allows for the use of thermoset polymers containing very high levels of reinforcement fillers. These improved materials, in turn, create a component with superior thermophysical properties, including high heat flux levels, thermal conductivity, impact resistance, corrosion resistance, and maintenance of mechanical properties at high temperatures (>300.degree. F.). The present invention also allows for wide variety of geometric configurations and the possibility to insert temperature sensors directly in hot zones of heaters.

Abstract: An end cap for a defrost heater is shown in which a positive locking mechanism is used to allow the lead wires to extend downward from the end cap. This increases the end cap's resistance to moisture and simplifies the design, thus lowering manufacturing cost. The end cap is also shown with a vertical vent that overlaps the retaining bore to significantly increase venting area over prior designs. The positive locking mating tab and the vent are located in two separate, but adjacent, vertical passages.

Abstract: A molded polymer composite heater is shown. The use of transfer molding and compression molding allows for the use of thermoset polymers containing very high levels of reinforcement fillers. These improved materials, in turn create a heater with thermophysical properties superior to the prior art, including higher heat flux levels, thermal conductivity, impact resistance, and maintenance of mechanical properties at high temperatures (.about.>300.degree. F.). The present invention also allows for wide variety of geometric configurations and the possibility to insert temperature sensors directly in hot zones of the heater.

Abstract: An end cap with a inwardly flanged bevel tapered seal utilized on sample cylinders for pipeline applications that provides a better means for sealing the sample cylinder. The present invention specifically relates to mating ring seal members having a beveled mitered interface and each member having an inward flange or lip. The preferred embodiment of the invention was designed with a sample cylinder in mind wherein the sample cylinder has an end cap with a purging port and a piston that reciprocates within said sample cylinder. The typical sample cylinder is designed such that contents in the internal sampling chamber can be purged through the purging port of the end cap by plunging the piston inside the sampling chamber against the end cap in a reciprocating fashion.

Abstract: A partially automated decoring saw having a tubular blade and a table surface partially blocking the saw blade opening and means decreasing the blockage temporarily to allow for passage of an enlarged portion of the core into the saw. A core knocker can also be provided, as can air purge of blade seals to achieve partial self-cleaning.

Abstract: A thermocouple with a tubular metallic sheath extending longitudinally about a sheath centerline; a first wire of a first material within the sheath and coiled about a first centerline lying parallel to the sheath centerline; a second wire of a second material within the sheath and coiled about a second centerline lying parallel to the sheath centerline; a hot junction within the sheath connecting the wires; and a layer of insulation separating the wires from each other and from the sheath.

Abstract: A case for heating sample containers during transport, where the case has a housing that containing thermal insulation and a disposable heating material that generates heat by chemical reaction with oxygen. Closeable apertures allow control over the access of oxygen to the heating material, and thereby over the rate of reaction. A method of portably heating a sample cylinder is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optic device for use in viewing the interior of pressurized vessels, especially high pressure fluid pipelines. Embodiments of the optic device allow manual or automatic insertion/retraction of the viewing head allowing variable depth viewing of the interior. The viewing head is capable of various embodiments including the ability to carry various optic devices and is adapted to withstand high pressures. The automatically insertable optic device can be either hydraulically or pneumatically actuated. Both the automatic and manual optic devices may be fixed or variable focus. The fixed focus devices utilize lenses, ultra-miniature color cameras, and fiberscopes either with or without integral light sources as part of the viewing head. The variable focus device utilizes lenses and a reflector. Preferably, the viewing head utilizes sapphire viewing windows which exhibit excellent light transmission and resistance to high pressures.

Abstract: A probe structure for inserting into and operating upon an object within a pipeline, especially a high pressure pipeline carrying liquid or gas, is characterized by two coaxial cylinders that can be either pneumatically or hydraulically actuated. A primary cylinder is adapted to be mounted onto a pipeline tee and/or valve, and includes a movable primary piston to which is fixedly attached a primary lower hollow shaft that moves with the primary piston and preferably a primary upper hollow shaft that also moves with the primary piston. The primary lower hollow shaft is adapted to selectively extend into the pipeline while the primary upper hollow shaft extends above the primary cylinder and is fixed to a secondary cylinder, such that the secondary cylinder moves with the primary piston. The secondary piston includes a secondary piston that moves independently of the first and second cylinders.

Abstract: An elastomeric vaporizing injection nozzle for pipeline applications that provides an adjustable fluid flow rate, and a uniform, consistent and predictable spray pattern.

Abstract: An electric, resistance element heater utilizes quartz as a sheath material and has a resistance (heating) element that is in intimate, substantially continuous contact with a surface of the quartz. This allows the heater to operate in any one or all of the three modes of heat transfer, namely, radiation, conduction and convection. Such intimate, substantially continuous contact of the resistance element is achieved by applying the element in direct contact with the quartz surface. This is accomplished by applying a heating circuit directly to the quartz surface, which heating element can be a foil element, or a thick or a thin film deposition element. The overall heater is formed by covering the heater element by a quartz sheath and attaching leads formed on the ends of the heater element to a source of electric energy. Sensors such as thermocouples, RTD's and the like can also be incorporated directly into the heater structure. Also, the heater can be fashioned into a variety of shapes.

Abstract: A tank piston is shown with an improved seal and wiper. The piston is used in conjunction with tanks used for transporting semi-solid and viscous materials such as grease, oil, ink, and the like. The improved seal consists of an annular rubber member with a hollow chamber filled with an open cell foam material such as polyurethane, or a gel such as silica gel. The material in the chamber is compressible and expandable to provide a seal about the piston. Additionally, the piston is provided with an annular wiper structure that extends about the outer forward periphery of the piston, and is forwardly angled at about 45.degree. relative to an axis of the piston. The wiper has a beveled end that makes contact with the interior surface of the tank to provide a cleaning action. A complementary second wiper may be added near the outer rearward periphery of the piston.

Abstract: An adjustable variable flow restriction element and an extruder containing the same are provided for mechanically controlling the bulk density of an extruded material. The adjustable flow restriction element is located in an extruder proximate to the die of the extruder in position to partially block the downstream flow of material through the extruder. The adjustable flow restriction element is structured to be capable of assuming one of a plurality of uniquely flow restrictive positions, where the degree of restriction of flow controls the bulk density of an extruded material. A method of mechanically controlling the bulk density of an extruded material by restricting the flow of the material through an extruder is also provided.

Abstract: Hot runner injection molding systems with externally heated injection runner nozzles for such systems. The heater is preferably a tubular heater with the resistive element applied to the exterior surface by fine film printing. The heater is adapted to externally heat a hot runner injection mold runner nozzle.

Abstract: A device for introducing a sample into or removing a sample from a pipeline, tube, or the like, and more particularly to a device for sampling fluids under pressure in a pipeline, tube, duct, conduit, or the like.

Abstract: A selectively lockable button structure allows for simple and easy mechanical button deactivation and reactivation. The button structure is especially adapted for interface panels of various types of electrical equipment wherein there may be a need for button lockout once the equipment is installed. The button structure includes a button and button retention/housing portion. The button has a head and body with the body terminating in radially outwardly extending flanges that allows easy button installation into the button retention portion of the interface panel but inhibits button removal therefrom. The button retention portion includes angled, diametrically opposed shelves, each shelf of which has a pair of positive lock interference tabs. The button head and the shelves/tabs co-act such that in one rotational position the button is depressible (unlocked) while in another rotational position, the button is not depressible (locked).

Abstract: A compartmentalized plastic food package includes a container and sealed cover which have a plurality of individually sealed chambers for distinct foodstuffs. The container includes a top flange or surface which extends about the individual chambers onto which the removable cover is secured by an adhesive or heat sealing. The top flange includes a peripheral shoulder and lip which cooperates with the rear or bottom edge of certain of the chambers to facilitate substantially upright self-display of the container and contents. The sidewalls of the chambers are tapered and include notched or stepped spacers such that the containers may be controllably nested, the spacers preventing overly tight nesting and thus facilitating separation prior to filling and sealing. A plurality of distinct foodstuffs such as meat, cheese, crackers and cookies, for example, may be individually sealed in the chambers, thereby maintaining each foods flavor, aroma and desired moisture content.