Abstract: A device for elevating the head of a baby in a crib comprising a wedge divided into a plurality of parallel spaced apart sections adapted to fit between the vertical bars of a crib and under the crib mattress to raise one end of the mattress an amount substantially equal to the height of the wedge.

Abstract: A method for quantitative mineral analysis of core samples obtained from oil and gas wells is disclosed. The method includes the steps of grinding the sample to very small particle size and combining the sample with a carrier material such as KBr to form a pellet. The pellet is observed in a Fourier transform infra-red spectrometer and the resultant spectra compared with those of known standards in a digital computer to produce a quantitative analysis of the material.

Abstract: The volumetric capacity of the firing chamber of an air gun is discretely quantized by mounting unit-volume inserts interiorly of the firing chamber.

Abstract: Two tracks are mounted between a vibratory source of shear, or horizontally travelling, wave siesmic energy and its transport vehicle. The tracks are parallel to each other in the direction of horizontal movement of the source when vibrating. One track is attached to the source, and the other to the vehicle. Pressurized rounded resilient members, which may be either spherical bags or wide tires, are mounted between the tracks to isolate the vehicle from vibrations, insuring that the seismic energy enters the earth.

Abstract: A seismic receiver is provided for measuring seismic signals transmitted through the earth and received in a well borehole. A reversible electrical motor drives a harmonic drive reducer which amplifies the torque provided to drive a ball screw. The ball screw moves linearly along the axis of the well borehole to control the extension of a clamp arm into and out of an extended position in contact with subsurface earth adjacent the well borehole. A releasable electric clutch is provided so the receiver is retrievable in the event of a power failure while the clamp arm is extended.

Abstract: An optical sound source signature transducer system for use in marine seismic exploration in which coherent radiation from a laser is coupled to unequal length optical paths exposed to modulation by the acoustic energy wave generated by the sound source. The reflected beams from the paths are crosscoupled to generate interference fringes in two output beams out of phase with each other. The fringes in one output beam are counted in an up/down counter to determine the magnitude of the pressure as a function of time. The direction of the pressure change is determined by examination of the phase relationship between the fringes in the output beams. Peaks and valleys in the pressure are detected as phase reversals between the fringes in the output beams be detecting the beginning and end of a fringe in one beam without detecting the beginning or end of a fringe in the other beam therebetween.

Abstract: Mass, or changes in mass, of a rock specimen are measured to determine the changes in saturation of a rock specimen. Measurements can be obtained in test environments of high temperature or high pressure or both. The mass is rigidly attached beneath a stiff spring and made to vibrate or oscillate at a characteristic frequency. The frequency of oscillation is detected and the data then used to determine mass of the specimen.

Abstract: A first sweep signal consists of a plurality of waveforms having non-invariant fundamental periods exhibiting a monotonic frequency progression of at least one octave over the duration of the sweep. Each waveform may consist of an ordered set of asymmetrical pulses distributed within the period of the waveform in a prescribed sequence as a function of time. A second sweep signal is orthogonalized with respect to the first by time-reversing the distribution-sequence of the pulse set.

Abstract: A baseplate for a seismic vibrator is formed from two identical cast plate members having stiffening ribs and alternating plug and socket cones along the ribs. The cast plate members are arranged together to align opposed plug and socket cones of the plates and are connected by attaching mechanisms passing through holes in the aligned cones. The aligned cones accomplish a wedging or clamping action on each other when the plate members are connected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a seismic wave in a borehole in the earth is disclosed. A portion of the borehole, which may be the bottom of the hole or any other point along its length, is selected as the site for seismic wave generation. A device is provided to oscillate the borehole fluid in a selected portion of the borehole to establish a resonant standing pressure wave of desired frequency within the fluid. The wave is maintained by continuing to supply energy to the fluid to replace losses due to fluid friction, structural losses and radiated acoustic energy. The standing wave thus created is radiated through the borehole wall into the earth and is eventually received by seismic detectors located on the surface.

Abstract: An optical telemetric system for use in seismic exploration consists generally of a recorder, a plurality of transceivers, and a like number of cable sections interconnecting each transceiver in parallel with others and the recording unit. A fiber optic transmission channel is provided within each cable section and is interconnected by an optic-fiber delay loop within each transceiver, thus providing a contiguous, optically-continuous data and control channel. Within each transceiver, a logic circuit and associated data acquisition unit is optically coupled to the data and control channel so as to bidirectionally receive signals from, and transmit signals to the recorder. The logic circuit of each transceiver also is able to measure the strength of a received signal propagating in the data and control channel, and if necessary, augments the signal in the original propagation direction.

Abstract: I provide a combination land/bay cable capable for simultaneous use on land and in water-covered areas. When the cable section is placed in a water-covered area suitable for hydrophone use, a polarized plug containing an impedance matching transformer is detachably connected to a polarized socket. The transformer connects the hydrophones to a transmission line. If the cable is to be used on land, the transformer is unplugged deactivating the hydrophones and at least one geophone having a substantially identical plug is inserted in the socket. The plug connects the geophone to the transmission line and leaves the hydrophones inactive.

Abstract: An optical encoding goniometer includes a rotatable chamber containing unequal volumes of two immiscible fluids having different indices of refraction and different densities. A plurality of optical fibers are bent to a critical radius and mounted in the chamber. The fiber cladding is exposed in different desired patterns along the bent fibers. The transmissivities of the respective fibers are measured as a function of the angular rotation of said chamber, the transmissivities of the fibers being governed by the radiation bending loss due to immersion of the exposed cladding in one of the two fluids.

Abstract: A pressure gradient sensor is disclosed for optically sensing the direction and magnitude of an acoustic wave propagating through a fluid. Each sensor consists generally of at least three fiber-optic displacement sensors disposed within a circular array oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a streamer. Each sensor phase-modulates a coherent light signal indicative of the water pressure sensed outside the streamer. The output of the signals include a component due to transient pressure waves and a component due to hydrostatic pressure differences between the sensors.

Abstract: In a two-stage, time-division multiplexing method and apparatus, a plurality of sensors are disposed at equal intervals along a plurality of transmission channels. An interrogation signal is transmitted from a recording station to all of the sensors along each channel. Because of the spatial arrangement of each sensor along the telemetric system and different propagation path lengths along each channel, the output signals from the sensors are time-division multiplexed along each channel. The multiplexed signals along each channel are time-division multiplexed a second time upon arrival at the recording station where the signals from each channel are interleaved with each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a change in the liquid level in a liquid storage tank, such as an underground hydrocarbon storage tank. A gas line is inserted just below the level of the liquid in the tank, and a second interconnected gas line is placed in a small liquid cup located on the surface. The differential pressure between the two lines is measured and used to compute the level in the tank. A second measurement taken hours later reveals any change in level indicating a leak. Provision is made to accurately zero the apparatus at each measurement to insure precision.

Abstract: A ruggedized depth transducer for measuring ambient hydrostatic pressure adjacent an acoustic source wherein the transducer includes a housing having a depth sensor mounted therein. The housing further includes a bore for placing the depth sensor in fluid communication with the ambient pressure. Mounted within the housing bore are a series of mechanical filters for attenuating high-intensity pressure spikes generated by the acoustic source from damaging the depth sensor contained within the housing. The mechanical filters allow gradual changes in ambient pressure to pass into the bore and influence the depth sensor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the food cooking time in a microprocessor controlled microwave oven in response to the remotely sensed condition of the food being heated. The average food temperature is constantly derived during cooking, utilizing user entered data on the food category, the food's initial mass, and the measured input power to the magnetron. The average current and average peak voltage input to the magnetron are sensed and the absorbed power in the food is derived using the magnetron efficiency. A self-calibrating analog to digital converter provides the magnetron input power in digital form for a microprocessor controller. In one embodiment the microprocessor sequentially derives the average food temperature as a function of cooking time using the entered food data, stored cooking coefficients previously determined by regression analysis, and the measured magnetron input power.

Abstract: A front programmable timer provides for the programming, selecting, and operating according to desired operating times in a set of input switches for a microwave oven controller. Retention of the times programmed is provided for in the event of loss of power. A TEST mode provides for exercising a visible display, an audible indicator and a microwave command output signal from the controller. A tamper-proof switch assembly is provided to select OPERATE or PROGRAM modes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling cooking in a microwave oven whereby the power input to the cooking cavity is held at a predetermined, constant level. Available line power is measured through a winding or tap on the high voltage transformer secondary and the duty cycle of the magnetron power supply is adjusted to maintain a constant average power output.