Abstract: An self-aligning biaxial loading apparatus for use in testing the strength of specimens while maintaining a constant specimen centroid during the loading operation. The self-aligning biaxial loading apparatus consists of a load frame and two load assemblies for imparting two independent perpendicular forces upon a test specimen. The constant test specimen centroid is maintained by providing elements for linear motion of the load frame relative to a fixed crosshead, and by alignment and linear motion elements of one load assembly relative to the load frame.

Abstract: An integrated optical sensor for arc welding having multifunction feedback control. The sensor, comprising generally a CCD camera and diode laser, is positioned behind the arc torch for measuring weld pool position and width, standoff distance, and post-weld centerline cooling rate. Computer process information from this sensor is passed to a controlling computer for use in feedback control loops to aid in the control of the welding process. Weld pool position and width are used in a feedback loop, by the weld controller, to track the weld pool relative to the weld joint. Sensor standoff distance is used in a feedback loop to control the contact tip to base metal distance during the welding process. Cooling rate information is used to determine the final metallurgical state of the weld bead and heat affected zone, thereby controlling post-weld mechanical properties.

Abstract: A process is provided for solubilizing phosphate from phosphate containing ore by treatment with microorganisms which comprises forming an aqueous mixture of phosphate ore, microorganisms operable for solubilizing phosphate from the phosphate ore and maintaining the aqueous mixture for a period of time and under conditions operable to effect the microbial solubilization process. An aqueous solution containing soluble phosphorous can be separated from the reacted mixture by precipitation, solvent extraction, selective membrane, exchange resin or gravity methods to recover phosphate from the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A dry-running gas seal includes a stationery seal ring carrier holding a stationary seal ring, a rotary seal ring carrier holding a rotary seal ring facing the stationary seal ring, scoops radially outside and extending toward the rotary seal ring carrier, and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the scoops, whereby the portion of the gas is trapped by the scoops and transferred to and cooled by the heat exchanger and returned to and the high pressure area adjacent to the seal.

Abstract: A multi-ply sealing ring and method of manufacturing same. Two annular members are nested one within the other and then welded together at equi-distant intervals to form a plurality of annular weld zones. The two annular members are then cut along the weld zones to form a plurality of multi-ply cylindrical bands having weld-sealed opposite axial ends. Each cylindrical band is then formed to include a sealing profile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus resulting in the simplification of phase shifting interferometry by eliminating the requirement to know the phase shift between interferograms or to keep the phase shift between interferograms constant. The present invention provides a simple, inexpensive means to shutter each independent beam of the interferometer in order to facilitate the data acquisition requirements for optical interferometry and phase shifting interferometry. By eliminating the requirement to know the phase shift between interferograms or to keep the phase shift constant, a simple, economical means and apparatus for performing the technique of phase shifting interferometry is provide which, by thermally expanding a fiber optical cable changes the optical path distance of one incident beam relative to another.

Abstract: A spectroscopic method to rapidly measure the presence of plutonium in soils, filters, smears, and glass waste forms by measuring the uranium L-shell x-ray emissions associated with the decay of plutonium. In addition, the technique can simultaneously acquire spectra of samples and automatically analyze them for the amount of americium and .gamma.-ray emitting activation and fission products present. The samples are counted with a large area, thin-window, n-type germanium spectrometer which is equally efficient for the detection of low-energy x-rays (10-2000 keV), as well as high-energy .gamma. rays (>1 MeV). A 8192- or 16,384 channel analyzer is used to acquire the entire photon spectrum at one time. A dual-energy, time-tagged pulser, that is injected into the test input of the preamplifier to monitor the energy scale, and detector resolution. The L x-ray portion of each spectrum is analyzed by a linear-least-squares spectral fitting technique. The .gamma.

Abstract: A general purpose programmable optical analyzer employs a nonlinear gain at the input stage of an analog to digital converter in order to limit the number of bits used to resolve shot noise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the in-process measurement of internal particulate temperature utilizing ultrasonic tomography techniques to determine the speed of sound through a specimen material. Ultrasonic pulses are transmitted through a material, which can be a multi-phase material, over known flight paths and the ultrasonic pulse transit times through all sectors of the specimen are measured to determine the speed of sound. The speed of sound being a function of temperature, it is possible to establish the correlation between speed of sound and temperature, throughout a cross-section of the material, which correlation is programmed into a computer to provide for a continuous in-process measurement of temperature throughout the specimen.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling an electrophoresis cassette of the type having a gel layer between two glass plates. The filling system includes a filling manifold which is brought into abutment with the bottom edges of the glass plates. A rubber gasket provides a seal between the manifold and the cassette, The gasket includes a trough extending along the bottom edge of the cassette which communicates with an opening adapted to receive an injector. Liquid gel material in the injector fills the cassette from the bottom to the top.

Abstract: A sealing ring including first and second annular elements, each being substantially J-shaped in cross section. Each element includes a leg portion and an arcuate portion, the arcuate portion of the first and second annular elements being coaxially interfitted to form a pivotal connection between the first and second annular elements. The leg portions of the first and second annular elements are acutely angled with respect to each other to form a V-shaped diverging annular enclosure opening towards a source of relatively high fluid pressure when the sealing ring is installed.

Abstract: A portable fiber optic detector that senses the presence of specific target chemicals by electrostatically attracting the target chemical to an aromatic compound coating on an optical fiber. Attaching the target chemical to the coated fiber reduces the fluorescence so that a photon sensing detector records the reduced light level and activates an appropriate alarm or indicator.

Abstract: A light beacon for marking tall obstructions which may present a navigational hazard to air traffic comprises a transparent cover and a plurality of linear light sources, each having a central axis. The linear light sources are positioned within the transparent cover in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to a reference plane which will typically be parallel to the horizon. The plurality of reflectors corresponding to the plurality of linear light sources are positioned behind respective ones of the light sources. Each of the reflectors has an optically reflective surface and is configured as a partial cylinder having a parabolic or pseudo-parabolic cross-section. The reflective surface having the parabolic or pseudo-parabolic cross-section defines an optical center comprised of a focal line. The linear light source is disposed with its central axis being substantially coincident with the focal line or optical center of the respective reflectors.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for measuring length of an optical fiber, a light source of a selected wavelength transmitted along the fiber is modulated by both a first and a second light modulation signal, which light modulation signals each differ in frequency from a first modulation frequency by a fixed amount. A time detector responds, alternately during a period, to the light signal as modulated by of each of the first and second light modulation signals by using each of the light signal modulation frequencies as a reference. Consequently, the output of the time detector has a phase responsive to the effective length of the fiber. A phase sensitive detector receives as a signal input an output of the time detector means. A second modulation frequency defines the period of alternation of response and provides a reference input to the phase sensitive detector.

Abstract: A bi-directional seal for sealing, from the ambient, a pressurized fluid in the interior of a housing fitted with a rotatable shaft. The seal is a non-contact seal which balances hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces to form a predetermined proper gap between the annular sealing faces of the rotor and the stator. The hydrodynamic forces are primarily a result of the size and configuration of the radial grooves formed in the sealing faces of either the rotor or the stator.

Abstract: A drained seal for sealing, from the ambient, a pressurized fluid in the interior of a housing fitted with a rotatable shaft and for eliminating fluid leakage along the shaft. The seal is a drained face seal that minimizes or eliminates leakage from between the sealing faces and onto the shaft. The seal includes a drain cavity formed in the stator, a drain port formed in the seal cup, a sealing dam adjacent to the drain cavity, and a tapered rotor which cooperate to prevent fluid leakage.

Abstract: A seal for inhibiting the flowing of a gas or liquid in the stream along a shaft within a machine housing, the shaft having an axis of rotation in a predetermined radius, the seal comprising a seal housing attached to the machine housing, and a plurality of fingers extending axially upstream from the seal housing the fingers annularly surrounding the shaft and circumferentially spaced from each other, the fingers extending to contract the shaft when the shaft is not rotating, and the fingers curved in the same direction as the shaft, the radius of curvature of the fingers being greater than the radius of curvature of the shaft. The fingers may be angled away from the direction of rotation, have pockets in the radially inner surface of the fingers, and/or have a plurality of strips extending from the housing radially outside of the fingers and annularly surrounding the shaft, the strips covering the circumferential space between the fingers.

Abstract: A segmented carbon seal assembly for mounting into a machined housing around an application runner includes a segmented carbon seal ring, and an annular outer shell radially outside and surrounding the segmented seal, an annular retainer plate retained by the outer shell, drive lugs formed in the outer diameter of the outer shell for mating with the machine and fingers extending from the outer shell into the segmented seal and springs extending from the seal ring and pressing against the retainer plate.

Abstract: A hydrostatic seal includes a high pressure cavity in one of two opposed sealing faces between a shaft and housing for supplying a pressurized barrier fluid between the opposed sealing faces, and an arrangement for preventing passage of the barrier fluid into the interior of the housing and for preventing the passage of machine fluid from the housing into the high pressure cavity. The arrangement includes a first circumferential dam for providing a narrow gap between the high pressure cavity and the interior of the housing and a system for maintaining the pressure of the barrier fluid in the high pressure cavity substantially equal to the pressure of the machine fluid in the housing. A discharge cavity is provided in one of the sealing faces for discharging barrier fluid from between the opposed barrier faces and preventing barrier fluid from leaking between the housing and the shaft to the ambient.

Abstract: To set up sealing between two parts, having the possibility of relative rotation to a limited extent around a determined axis, a concertina element is used. This concertina element has two rigid, end tubular sections, fixedly joined in an impervious way with respective zones of each of said parts and an intermediate tubular part between said end tubular sections, and is capable of changing shape under torsion around said axis, to an extent that is at least equal to said extent. Thus, all risks of leakage between the two parts are removed.