Abstract: A device for measuring moisture concentration in a gas is provided which includes a sensing device capable of producing physical response to an energy input and having at least one surface coated with a metal hydroxide capable of adsorbing moisture. The metal hydroxide is derived from a metal coating on the sensing device.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus is provided which is formed from multilayer presealed elements and monolayer elements that are insert molded together. The device is provided with a feed port, a filtrate port and, optionally, a retentate port. The sealing configuration of the presealed elements and the seal provided by the insert molding step effect a seal configuration that causes a feed liquid to be filtered to form a filtrate such that the filtrate is not mixed with either the feed or a retentate.

Abstract: A racquet stringing machine which accomplishes tensioning of the strings of a racquet by the use of one or more combination tensioning and holding clamp units which operate directly on the string inside the racquet. The present invention also provides fixed, non-rotating racquet head frame holding fixture holds the racquet stationary throughout the stringing process. The racquet is supported against distortion by compressive mounts disposed along the outer perimeter of the racquet head frame only. The racquet stringing machine further includes an offset pedestal which stabilizes the machine by counterweight effect while keeping the floor beneath the racquet holding fixture free of obstruction.

Abstract: A composite porous membrane is provided which comprises a porous membrane substrate having an average pore size between 0.01 and 10 microns formed of a first polymer which is coated over its entire surface with a crosslinked second polymer. The second polymer is dissolved in a solvent with a free radical polymerization initiator in the absence of a crosslinking agent. The second polymer is crosslinked in situ and rendered insoluble by mild heating and/or exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A filter element for filtering a particle-containing paint composition or a particle loading slurry composition which is a precursor to a particle-containing paint composition is provided. The filtration element comprises at least one filtration layer formed from woven polymer fibers and having substantially uniform pores and two spacer layers. The spacer layers have raised projections to create a space between adjacent spacer layers having contacting projections. The filtration element has a pleated or spirally wound configuration.

Abstract: An improved water flow test for determining the integrity and/or pore size distribution of a porous filter is disclosed. The improvement involves the ability to determine and take into account the changes in filter structure due to filter compaction or creep resulting from compressive forces when pressure is applied to the surfaces of the filter. By proper characterization of the filter under test, the initial system volume and the volume change associated with pressurizing the filter can be accurately determined at all points in time during a test cycle. As a result, composite flowrate changes (i.e. the flow due to filter compaction/creep plus the flow due to liquid intrusion) can be evaluated to distinguish between various flow components to accurately determine the pore size of the filter being tested or a filter defect.

Abstract: An improved method of determining a viable microbial cell count in a sample solution with an enhanced detection sensitivity is provided, comprising filtering the sample solution through a filtration membrane having hydrophobic properties to entrap microbes within hydrophobic barriers; applying thereto a fine spray of ATP releasing reagent to extract a luminescent ingredient from the microbes; applying thereto another fine spray of liquid luminescence-inducing reagent to allow the released luminescent ingredient to emit luminescence; and measuring the level of the luminescence, using a competent means for measuring the luminescence level. The microbes and the two types of reagents are locally concentrated due to the hydrophobic properties of the membrane and thus the sensitivity is greatly enhanced, permitting instant counting in the case of large microbes, and decreased culture time for smaller bacterial microbes.

Abstract: A membrane filtration module is disclosed for use in fluid processing systems in which all active connections between the module and the fluid processing system are located only on one end of the module. A central flow conduit within the module directs all of the flow of liquid from one of the connections to the opposite end. In this manner, dead volume is essentially eliminated as the flow pattern causes the liquid to sweep all the volume within the module while still providing for easy installation and replacement by virtue of having all of the active connections on only one end.

Abstract: A filter element for filtering a particle-containing paint composition or a particle loading slurry composition which is a precursor to a particle-containing paint composition is provided. The filtration element comprises at least one filtration layer formed from woven polymer fibers and having substantially uniform pores and two spacer layers. The spacer layers have raised projections to create a space between adjacent spacer layers having contacting projections. The filtration element has a pleated or spirally wound configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum filtration device including; (a)filter body including a filter membrane; (b) a passageway extending through the body and communicating with the upstream side of the filter for receiving a fluid to be filtered; (c) a junction mounted on the body on the downstream side of the filter and adapted to receive a closed container for receiving the filtered fluid and including sealing for creating a fluid tight seal between the container and the body; (d) a vacuum port communicating with said junction and adapted to be connected to a vacuum source for drawing the fluid through the filter and comprising a sealable vacuum vent which, when open, provides fluid communication between the vacuum port and a gas source. The device also includes a vacuum vent cap and a filter body vent and vent cap.

Abstract: An automated, syringe filling apparatus is disclosed for the on-site filling of syringes with a viscoelastic fluid material from a supply reservoir. A housing has a port for receiving the outlet end region of the viscoelastic supply reservoir and a retainer is provided for releasably retaining a conventional syringe to be filled from the viscoelastic supply reservoir. A flexible plastic tube, preferably formed as part of the viscoelastic supply reservoir, is used to interconnect the supply reservoir with a filling end of a syringe retained in the syringe retainer. A peristaltic pump mounted in the housing has a rotating head with a plurality of rollers which force the viscoelastic material through the tube from the supply reservoir into a retained syringe when the tube is locked between the pump head and a back-up member. Electric pump controls include a timer calibrated for causing the automatic filling of the syringe with predetermined amounts of viscoelastic material from the supply reservoir.

Abstract: A shaft for such items as sporting goods, including golf clubs fishing rods bicycle frames, and ski poles is constructed of metallic tubular structures. The hollow tubular shaft is brazed to a helical coil of reinforcing wire which fits snugly against the inside surface of the shaft. Brazing is accomplished by fitting the helical reinforcing wire into the tubular shaft and placing the assembly inside a controlled atmosphere or vacuum furnace where heat is applied to initiate the brazing function. By using appropriate metals and alloys the brazing and hardening is accomplished simultaneously without the use of flux. The proper choice of metals and the gauge of the metals ensures the desired strength, rigidity, and torsional characteristics of the shaft.