Abstract: A viscosimeter for measuring the viscosity of liquids and, in particular, viscous material such as polyester resins and the like which includes a rotatably driven cup in which the liquid sample to be measured is introduced and heated and a torsion wire and spindle assembly suspended from an upstanding support with a plunger mounted on the lower end of the assembly by means of a thermal isolation coupler for immersion in the sample, the support being provided with an adjustment mechanism including a clamp for positioning the plunger in a calibrated position within the sample together with a capacitive-type transducer connected to an electronic readout circuit whereby rotation of the cup rotates the torsion wire and spindle assembly due to the drag of the liquid until the restoring force of the torsion wire just balances the drag of the liquid to provide a readout from the readout circuit corresponding to the viscosity of the liquid.

Abstract: A full height compensation circuit for a capacitive type probe of the type used to measure the mass of fuel in a tank which includes a probe capacitor for immersion in the fuel connected to a source of power for supplying current to the probe capacitor, the probe capacitor current being summed with a current corresponding to the capacitance of the fuel tank in the empty state to provide an output voltage, the output voltage being positively integrated to a predetermined value as determined by the number of pulses counted by a counter, following which the counter is actuated to count down the number of pulses required to return the integrated output voltage to zero, and the number of pulses counted down providing a digital number output proportional to the mass of fuel sensed by the probe capacitor.

Abstract: A performance advisory system which includes a display, a control unit and an onboard computer, the computer receiving inputs from aircraft instruments and gauges and from the control unit and providing advisory output information on the display.

Abstract: A surge control system for a centrifugal compressor having a recycle line between the discharge and suction, modulates flow in the line in accordance with molecular weight and temperature of the gas being compressed, pressure drop across the inlet orifice, and pressure drop across and power input to the compressor. The system is based on the standard relation that the product of the gas constant times the pressure drop across the inlet orifice divided by the suction temperature equals the pressure drop across the compressor.

Abstract: A bar and circular display or scale indicator utilizing a matrix of miniature incandescent lamps which individually illuminate closely stacked light transmitting segments forming closely spaced dot positions spaced along the length of the bar. The incandescent lamps are staggered throughout the length of the display with the light transmitting segments (fiber optics) directing light from the lamp source toward the center of the display, to present emitted light in a well defined line to which provide a linear or circular solid state display. The dot positions can be illuminated in any number of ways individually, sequentially or otherwise, depending on the selected mode of operation.

Abstract: A bar-type display utilizing incandescent lamps stacked in a linear array in a metallic lamp block preferably of aluminum shaped to form a parabolic reflector configuration along its length and a tongue and groove configuration for attachment to an insulating connector block. Fins are provided on each side of the block for heat dissipation and grooves are formed transversely of the block through the parabolic reflector configuration at intervals into which barrier plates are inserted to sectionalize the block into separate reflectors for each lamp. To disperse the radiated and reflected light, a plastic diffuser is placed across the top of the reflector configuration, which may be colored to color the transmitted light, and to provide anti-reflective qualities for non-glare viewing.The insulator connecting block is molded to the lamp block and the lamp pins are arranged so that alternate lamps may be powered by separate power supplies for redundancy purposes.

Abstract: A bar display comprising incandescent segmented display module presenting a plurality of dot positions to the viewer wherein a plurality of miniature incandescent lamps illuminate all the segments except one, the latter segment being illuminated by an elongated incandescent lamp capable of illuminating not only this one remaining segment but all segments or supplementing the miniature lamps depending on ambient light conditions. This arrangement permits a fully lighted dot position bar display with only one lamp thus saving power or permits a dot position bar display with each individual miniature lamp illuminated separately or a bar display responding to ambient lamp conditions, by utilizing only the elongated lamp alone or the elongated lamp plus the miniature lamps as desired.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring the temperature, and the electrical conductance and capacitance, of a liquid product during processing of the liquid product, and automatically converting the measured electrical conductance and capacitance values to the conductance capacitance of the liquid product at a selected reference temperature of the product. An a.c. sine wave voltage is applied across a conductivity cell immersed in the liquid and an admittance signal proportional to the current flowing through the cell is resolved into a signal proportional to the conductance of the liquid, and a signal proportional to the capacitance of the liquid, within the cell.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensor for use in hostile environments comprises a ceramic substrate, and two conductive regions formed on the substrate and having opposed edges defining a narrow gap therebetween. The gap configuration is such as to maximize the fringing of electric flux lines outwards from the substrate when one conductive region is energized from a high frequency source. The other conductive region is connected to remotely located signal conditioner operative to maintain said other region at virtual ground and thereby eliminate signal error due to cabling capacitances. On approach of a flux-shielding body to the sensor, the sensor output current to the signal conditioner will decrease as a function of the proximity of the body. The sensor can be used as a simple proximity sensor or incorporated in a shaft torque measurement system operative down to zero r.p.m.

Abstract: A liquid-level gauging system comprises a capacitive probe arranged in a liquid storage tank and electrically connected into timing circuitry of a pulse generator to render the period of the pulse output produced by the generator directly proportional to the probe capacitance and thus proportional to the level of liquid in the tank. The generator pulse output is used to gate a counter receiving pulses from an oscillator whereby, for each cycle of the generator output, an accumulated count is produced in the counter which is proportional to the cycle period. This count is a proportionate measure of the liquid level. The count can be used as an address code for a read-only memory such that the memory output is the number stored in the memory at the address represented by the count value. Suitable programming of the memory can thus give any desired relation between count value and memory output and therefore any desired relation between memory output and tank liquid level.

Abstract: A monitoring system for determining the volumetric percentage of liquid nitrogen in a quantity of liquified natural gas (LNG) whose composition of liquified hydrocarbon gases is known, and which is stored at atmospheric pressure. The system includes a device, such as a temperature-dependent resistor connected to a power source, for producing an electric signal proportional to the temperature of the liquified gas. This temperature signal is subtracted from a reference signal which is equal to the temperature signal when the liquified natural gas does not contain any nitrogen, and which can be produced by a device such as a precision resistor connected to the power source. The differential signal output of the temperature and reference signals will be proportional to the volumetric percentage of nitrogen in the liquified natural gas, and a standard readout device, such as a voltmeter, can be calibrated to read the volumetric percentage of nitrogen from this differential signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring liquid level. A generated broad-band swept-frequency C.W. microwave signal (2-4 GHz) is upverted to a high frequency band signal (34-36 GHz), which is transmitted towards, and reflected from, a liquid surface. The reflected signal is downverted to the frequency band of the original generated signal, and then the phase difference between the original and downverted signals is measured by a microwave phase discriminator and a quantizer, which generates video pulses proportional to the total phase shift across the swept C.W. band. During an adjacent sweep in the same direction, the original signal is compared with a signal transmitted through a calibration cable equivalent to a known free-space path length.

Abstract: This alternator includes a stator comprising an armature winding and a rotor comprising a permanent magnet field. A sleeve is located between the rotor and stator and comprises on its periphery alternating ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic segments. When the ferromagnetic segments are aligned with the poles of the stator, the flux linkage between the rotor and stator is maximum. When the nonmagnetic segments are aligned with the stator poles, the flux linkage is a minimum. The sleeve is shiftable through 90 electrical degrees by means of a motor. The output of the alternator may be regulated between maximum and minimum values by so shifting the sleeve.

Abstract: A signal transmission system responsive to A.C. signals has rectifier means arranged to receive the A.C. signals. The rectifier means are connected to first and second circuit paths so as to establish respective unidirectional currents of opposite polarity and dependent on the A.C. signals, in the two circuit paths. Integrating means are connected to at least one of the circuit paths to integrate the current therein to thereby produce an output signal dependent on the A.C. signal but independent of any stray A.C. pickup on either circuit path.

Abstract: A liquid density measurement system comprises a capacitance probe and a temperature sensor both immersible in a liquid the density of which is to be measured. Signals derived from the probe and sensor are converted into respective electrical signals representing changes in the dielectric constant and temperature of the liquid respectively. These signals are scaled in a predetermined mutual ratio and then summated to give an output signal proportional to the density of the liquid. The scaling ratio is set according to predetermined liquid parameters such that the accuracy of the density represented by the output signal is unaffected by changes in liquid composition.

Abstract: A fuel tank alarm system comprises three density sensors disposed at different heights within a fuel tank. An electrical density signal produced by the lowest sensor is subtracted from the corresponding signals from the upper two sensors to produce two density-difference signals which are then compared with a reference signal. When an inverse density gradient of dangerous proportion exists in the fuel tank, one or both of the density-difference signals exceeds the reference signal in magnitude and an alarm circuit is actuated. The alarm circuit can automatically start a pump to circulate fuel in the tank and reduce dangerous density inversion of fuel therein.

Abstract: A non-contacting shaft horsepower measurement system in which a torque indicating signal is obtained from the phase shift between a pair of signals derived from two sensors sensing the passage of a torque responsive toothed wheel and a reference toothed wheel spaced on the shaft, this torque signal being then multiplied by a speed signal derived from a third sensor thereby developing a signal proportional to instantaneous horsepower.

Abstract: An electro-visual indicator comprises a space having two parts. A transparent member covers one of the two parts. A magnetic fluid partially fills the space. An electromagnet is disposed so as to set up a magnetic field within the other part of the space when energized, the magnetic field being effective to draw the magnetic fluid into that part. The shape of the part behind the member is so defined that a capillary action is effective to draw the magnetic fluid into that part when the electromagnet is de-energized. The presence and absence of fluid within the part of the space visible through the transparent member are externally visually distinguishable through the member to thereby indicate the state of energization of the electromagnet. The fluid is given a color which contrasts with the background color of the space.

Abstract: An E-shaped magnetic core with a sensing coil wound around each outer leg, these coils being connected in series and the center leg made of a magnet to establish a symmetrical magnetic field. When a conductive but non-magnetic material is passed through the flux field established in the air gap between the center and outer legs, eddy currents are induced in the material which oppose and momentarily change the magnetic field inducing a detectable voltage in the coils.