Abstract: An apparatus for indicating meter tampering in a plug in meter with a transparent cover such as a watthour meter is disclosed which includes a spring loaded "mouse trap" mechanism including a tyne member adapted to be released so as to strike and rupture a dye-filled frangible container upon a tampering incident to indicate tampering.

Abstract: A temperature differential detection device for detecting the temperature differential between predetermined portions of a container wall is disclosed as comprising a Wheatstone bridge circuit for detecting resistance imbalance with a first circuit branch having a first elongated wire element mounted in thermal contact with a predetermined portion of the container wall, a second circuit branch having a second elongated wire element mounted in thermal contact with a second predetermined portion of a container wall with the wire elements having a predetermined temperature-resistant coefficient, an indicator interconnected between the first and second branches remote from the container wall for detecting and indicating resistance imbalance between the first and second wire elements, and connector leads for electrically connecting the wire elements to the remote indicator in order to maintain the respective resistance value relationship between the first and second wire elements.

Abstract: A precipitation gauge in which precipitation is absorbed by a suitable material having two pairs of grids also disposed therein to form two capacitances. An ac signal is applied to the grids to measure the impedance between the grids and hence the volume of precipitation absorbed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pressure change indicator useful in determining whether the pressure-change/time values are exceeding safe levels. The device is constructed of clear plastic and employs a ball indicator in a cylindrical chamber operatively connected to an air reservoir. The reservoir is filled at the maximum dive depth with ambient air until air leaks from air outlets in the wall of the reservoir. As the air expands during the ascent it exits through the outlets. At excessive ascent rates, air cannot escape through the outlet fast enough and forces the ball indicator down the chamber past an indicator line alerting the diver.

Abstract: There is provided an improved method and apparatus for enabling one to easily hitch a trailer to a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a rod mounted vertically a predetermined distance from the ball receiving cavity of the hitching tongue on a trailer. A second rod is mounted to the motor vehicle at or near a ball on its trailer hitch. A third rod having a guide at one end is mounted on either the first or the second rod, with the guide being the same distance from the rod upon which it is mounted as the first mentioned predetermined distance.

Abstract: A selectable medical indicator is adapted for removable attachment to the outside cover of a medical record binder or a medical chart holder, so medical personnel may preset color indicia at a viewing slot, to thereafter signal other medical personnel as to the treatment to be rendered to a patient. A preferred embodiment comprises the assembly of three injection molded parts. The first part is a rectangular indicator having multiple transverse color stripes and an integral resilient side finger manipulator actuator. The second part is a back body having integral resilient depending prongs serving a clipping function, with the outside of the back body cooperatively serving this clipping function, and with the inside of the back body serving a guiding function for the rectangular indicator.

Abstract: An ancillary device for food-preparation, which provides a combination implement which both provides a a food-handler device and a probe for determining the interior temperature of the food being handled. The device in a desired form resembles a pair of tongs, and they not only carry a temperature-sensing probe and visual signal or gauge, they carry a structure which positions the probe midway of whatever is the span of opening of the food-gripping jaws of the tongs; and since the tongs' jaws, as they engage upon the food article, automatically sense the overall thickness of the food article, their positioning of the temperature-sensing probe midway of the span of the jaws' opening automatically achieves a sensing of the food article's temperature at the midpoint of its thickness, thus giving better and more reliable information as to the thoroughness of the cooking procedure. Optional spatula jaws are also provided.

Abstract: Test equipment which permits smoke or tear gas grenades to be detonated iors within an expansion chamber portion of the test equipment. The smoke or gas is then channelled through an opacity monitor which is capable of accurately measuring the volume of smoke or gas produced by the grenade. A borescoping system in the expansion chamber permits operating personnel to accurately check the duration of the smoke or gas emmission using external timing devices. After testing the smoke or gas is ducted through a high efficiency filtering system so that when exhausted into the atmosphere it is at a contamination level acceptable to federal and local air quality standards.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fatigue indicator for mechanical parts subjected to repeated stresses, which comprises two thick elements spaced apart from one another and joined together by a thin web having a slit, these two elements being incorporated in the part or fixed thereto so as to move with respect to one another upon application of stress on the mechanical part in a plane which is parallel to the plane of the web, the thin web being thus subjected to a shearing stress in its plane, and wherein the slit of the thin web extends from one of the edges of the web in the direction of relative movement to a blind end so that, when the part is stressed, two cracks appear from corners of the blind end of the slit, extend progressively in the web and finish by reaching the opposite edge of the web or joining cracks coming from this opposite edge, the web thus being detached or practically detached.

Abstract: A method for detecting the surface level of a molten metal, particularly in a continuous casting process, utilizes the thermal radiations emanating from the surface of the metal. An antenna is directed so that its beam width encompasses a portion of the surface of the metal and the adjacent inner wall of the mold or container. The interference between radiations that propagate directly to the antenna from the surface of the metal and those that are reflected off the container wall is measured in terms of its electric power, i.e., the electromagnetic component of the radiations. Fluctuations in the measured electric power are indicative of changes in the level of the metal.

Abstract: A transmission shift indicator for a floor-mounted transmission shift lever has a pointer to indicate the drive position selected by the operator. The indicator mechanism including the pointer is self-adjusting through a ratcheting detent mechanism connected between the indicator and the manual shift lever. The indicator contacts a stop member at the extreme limits permitted fortransmission ratio selection such as low (L) or Park (P). The manual transmission lever, as permitted by the ratchet detent mechanism, can continue movement after stoppage of the indicator until the transmission is actually positioned at the desired setting so that the indicator and the actual setting are in agreement. The relative positioning thus achieved is maintained by the ratchet detent mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the relative humidity of an atmosphere by measuring the dew point of the atmosphere. The dew point is measured by lowering the temperature of a condensing or sensing surface associated with a heat flow sensor. When condensation begins to occur this is detected by the heat flow sensor as a change in the rate of heat flow through the condensing surface. In one embodiment a pair of heat flow sensors are employed, one maintained at a slightly lower temperature than the other. The sensors are connected in series opposition so that output signals due to background or convective heat transfer are cancelled, any change in the combined output signal of the two sensors then indicating heat flow resulting from condensation. The temperature of the cooler face will be the dew point temperature. Two arrangements of sensors are disclosed.

Abstract: An envelope of an electronic clinical thermometer has an inner wall on which is mounted a vibrating element adapted to produce an audible tone. The portion of the envelope at which the vibrating element is provided is formed to include a portion that vibrates together with the vibrating element, when the latter is set into operation. The mounting arrangement for the vibrating element is defined in part by a recess formed in the inner wall of the envelope.

Abstract: A moisture content measuring system for sheet material which uses microwave radiation. Two pairs of microwave radiators and receivers are combined with surface and below surface temperature measuring sensors to furnish data to a computer which interprets the data and yields moisture readings. Each pair of microwave radiator and receiver straddles the sheet test sample and checks microwave transmission through the sample and reflected from it, but the two radiators are cross polarized so that signal interchange between them is avoided.

Abstract: An improved knob lock commonly used, which comprises a bell inside. The main part of which is a rotator which is turned by rotating either of the knobs and has two extending-out springs to which are attached a steel ball respectively at their ends. Hindrance rods, which are used to prevent the springs from passing freely, make the springs bend until they are forced past the hindrance rods to knock hard on the bell giving out a ringing sound at the same time.

Abstract: A semi-quantitative method for determining the amount of water in contaminated oil samples wherein a small sample of contaminated oil is placed in one or more compartments of a container. An equal size sample of reference oil of the same composition as the test oil, but containing a known quantity of water, is placed in one or more compartments of said container. The container is then heated rapidly and bubbles formed in the contaminated oil are compared with bubbles formed in the reference oil, thereby bracketing the water content rapidly (less than 5 minutes) with reasonable accuracy.

Abstract: A pair of metallic thin films are attached to opposite surfaces of a heat resistive thin film, and the heat flux through the heat resistive thin film is determined by measuring the temperature gradient therein while using the metallic thin films as resistance thermometer elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a temperature profile along a single optical fiber. The temperature profile is determined by measuring the output power spectral distribution. By measuring n points along the spectral power distribution curve, n "resolution elements" of temperature can be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an increase to a selected level of the height of a bed of particulate solids in a shuttle car for the transportation of particulate solids. The apparatus including a support member adapted to be rotatably supported through or on a wall of the shuttle car for rotation about its longitudinal axis with its first end inside the shuttle car and its second end outside the shuttle car, a relatively flat plate member positioned on the first end of the support member in a plane generally parallel to the longitudinal axis on the support member so that the plate member is biased to extend vertically downwardly from the support member and a level indicator operatively connected to the second end of the support member so that when the plate member is rotatably urged toward a horizontal position by the increased height of particulate solids an indication of such increased height is provided to the shuttle car operator.

Abstract: A thermally responsive electrical control device is operable for producing a control signal having first and second voltage levels for controlling the operation of a system actuating device for first and second modes of operation. One embodiment of the device includes a multiple bridge circuit for sensing two temperatures and for making multiple control decisions in response to the two temperatures. Another embodiment of the device includes a thermistor and a nonlinear variable resistance element which is matched in a substantially linear relation with the thermistor for compensating for the inherent substantially nonlinear character of the thermistor. Still another embodiment of the device includes a monitoring circuit which is interconnected to a bridge circuit of the device for providing visual indications of sensed temperatures without significantly interrupting the control function of the device.