Abstract: A billiard cue has a centrally disposed, generally S-shaped member which laterally offsets its conventionally-shaped straight end pieces, yet keeps them in parallel alignment. In a specific embodiment, the S-shaped member is threadably coupled to the mating end pieces, so that the cue can be disassembled to facilitate carrying.

Abstract: A pressure transmitter is provided for producing a voltage signal representative of the magnitude of pressure being applied to a diaphragm of the transmitter, wherein a network including strain-sensitive resistors that are formed in the diaphragm is coupled to the output of a constant-current power supply for producing the voltage signal in response to the strain generated by the applied pressure in the diaphragm and a feedback circuit operates in a non-linear manner for generating a control signal in response to a temperature signal produced by the network. The power supply coupled to receive the control signal is responsive thereto for changing the current supplied to the network so that compensation is thereby provided for errors in the pressure measurement caused by changes in the temperature of the network resistors.

Abstract: A self-cleaning optical device, suitable for use in dirty process environments has a composite, multi-layered structure. A protective outer layer, exposed to the process environment, is a transparent plastic film which is resistant to the adhesion of contaminants to its surface. A light-interactive layer, either light-transmissive or light-reflective depending on the intended function of the optical device, is disposed beneath the protective plastic film layer. A semi-rigid plastic material forms a support layer to give the device structural integrity. The optical device is vibrated to shake loose collected particles from the protective plastic film. The vibrational motion is generated either externally or by excitation of piezoelectric materials incorporated into the device construction.

Abstract: A vortex-sensing fluid flowmeter has a freely rotatable vortex-shedding body suspended in a section of conduit through which a fluid stream passes, the body being oriented generally transverse to the direction of fluid flow. The body has an integrally formed upstream-facing portion adapted to shed a series of vortices within the fluid, which vortices alternately influence opposite lateral faces of the body, tending to produce a periodic rotation of the body about a firmly attached rotational shaft. The shaft is rotatably mounted to the conduit and passes at one end through the wall of the conduit to the exterior thereof. A sleeve-like tube surrounds the shaft and is fastened tightly at its bottom end to the shaft and at its top end to the conduit wall to provide a fluid-tight seal around the shaft. The tube is sufficiently flexible and pliable to exert negligible restraining force against the rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A turbine flowmeter includes a rotor within a narrow-profile housing, the rotor having an axis of rotation aligned perpendicularly to the direction of fluid flow. The rotor employs a pair of oppositely directed, semi-cylindrical rotor elements disposed on either side of the axis of rotation, arranged in a generally rectangular configuration. Each element has a high drag front surface and a low drag back surface, the elements being twisted with respect to the axis so that at least a portion of a high drag surface is presented continually to the incoming fluid stream. Due to the wide disparity in drag between the front and back surfaces, and this twisted orientation, there is produced a continuous unidirectional net driving torque acting on the rotor, to prevent the occurrence of a null point, despite counter-resistance offered by the fluid. Furthermore, the gradually curving rotor protrudes minimally beyond the housing, and is able to rotatively adapt itself to the narrow spacing between pipe flanges.

Abstract: An instrument for developing at a central control station a signal responsive to the value of a process condition occurring at a field measurement station remote from the central control station wherein a resonant device is used as the instrument basic sensor element. The resonant device which is located at the field station may be excited by either a voltage pulse or a continuous wave. In a particular aspect, the output measurement signal of the instrument is solely dependent upon the value of a desired measured variable, which is representative of a process condition, and is independent of other variables. The resonant device is coupled to excitation and detection circuitry located at the central control station and produces in the detection circuitry when excited with a pulse of energy first and second signals, one of which is dependent upon the desired measured variable and a second variable and the other dependent upon at least the second variable.

Abstract: A float is disclosed for use in tank gauging systems of the type having a vertically supported guide. The float includes a donut-shaped body member adapted to be positioned about the guide to ride freely with the liquid surface. A discharged tube is positioned concentrically with the body member by a number of support members. The discharge tube is positioned below the liquid surface and acts as a discharge electrode to maintain the path of least resistance for an electrostatic discharge of the float below the liquid surface.