Abstract: A lid knob for a pressure cooker contains a whistle which informs the user when boiling has occurred. The lid knob is designed so that the whistle hole of the knob may be rotated into alignment with the steam hole of the lid of the pressure cooker during initial heating and then rotated out of alignment with the steam hole once boiling has occurred. The lid knob is simple in structure and is easy to disassemble for cleaning.

Abstract: A convective heat flow probe device is provided which measures heat flow and fluid flow magnitude in the formation surrounding a borehole. The probe comprises an elongate housing adapted to be lowered down into the borehole; a plurality of heaters extending along the probe for heating the formation surrounding the borehole; a plurality of temperature sensors arranged around the periphery of the probe for measuring the temperature of the surrounding formation after heating thereof by the heater elements. The temperature sensors and heater elements are mounted in a plurality of separate heater pads which are supported by the housing and which are adapted to be radially expanded into firm engagement with the walls of the borehole. The heat supplied by the heater elements and the temperatures measured by the temperature sensors are monitored and used in providing the desired measurements.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring and controlling the parameters and conditions of a thin-wall submersed-tube fluid transport system called an "equiduct" system. The tube or tubes preferably are located near the bottom of a water artery such as a river, and are in fluid equilibrium with the surrounding water. This permits the tubes to have relatively thin, flexible walls, which makes the tubes relatively inexpensive and easy to install. Simple pumps cooperate with the slope of the river bed in pumping fluids through the tubes. Parameters such as fluid pressures and velocities, depth, gas and liquid concentrations, etc. are measured at spaced locations in the tubes, and the measurements are delivered to a central data processing and control station so that the parameters can be adjusted, or the need for repairs in the tubes can be detected and the repairs can be made.

Abstract: Capacitative device for measuring the moisture content of granular or powder materials, particularly materials in motion on a conveyor belt or in a pipe comprising a capacitative probe provided with at least two electrodes separated by an insulating zone and in contact with the material being examined, a support frame for the capacitative probe, and high frequency oscillator circuit associated with the electrodes in order to supply an alternating voltage of a frequency variable with the moisture content. The probe, which has a cylindrical body may be rotated by a motor and comprises cleaning scrapers mounted on the frame which cooperate with the body of the probe when the latter is rotating.

Abstract: Thermostat calibration apparatus is provided having a locking arrangement to ensure proper calibration whereby operator discretion is eliminated. The thermostat calibration apparatus includes circuitry for generating a calibration signal having a predefined time window and corresponding to a predetermined calibration temperature. The thermostat calibration apparatus further includes circuitry for generating control time windows corresponding to a predefined calibration accuracy and circuitry for detecting the ON operation of the thermostat relative to the calibration window and control windows.

Abstract: A current meter for measuring the velocity and direction of the water current comprising a housing, a support cable rigidly secured to the housing and appendages rotatably mounted at opposed ends of the housing and formed of a neutrally buoyant material. The appendages are formed from a single piece of the neutrally buoyant material which is attached to a pair of sleeves which are rotatably mounted to the exterior of the housing by a pair of ballbearing races.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor includes a pair of sonic waveguides separated from and parallel to one another. The waveguide pair together define axially separated pairs of lens surfaces so that sonic pulses are coupled therebetween in a time phase relationship when liquid covers those lens pairs below the liquid level, cross coupling of those lens pairs above the liquid level thereby being prevented. Since the axial separation dimension of the lens pairs is known as well as the vessel geometry and location of the waveguide pair in the vessel, counting the pulses returned by virtue of such cross coupling of those lens pairs below the liquid level will establish accurate level detection by standard algorithmic techniques.

Abstract: A device for raising a warning flag in the rear of a boat pulling a water skier if the skier falls, is disclosed. The device comprises a pivot member in which the flag pole is mounted and which is spring biased towards a position in which the flag pole is vertical. A retaining device normally holds the pivot member in a position in which the flag pole is lowered. When the skier falls the retaining device is released either manually or automatically to allow the pivot member to move under the spring-bias to raise the flag pole.

Abstract: A portable traffic signalling apparatus of the wheeled trailer type for temporary signalling at a traffic location for controlling the flow of traffic thereat. The apparatus includes a telescoping mast and a telescoping boom carried by the trailer for positioning at the traffic location. The telescoping action is performed without any large bending loads to permit the extended boom carrying a traffic signal to be moved over a traffic lane under traffic conditions after the traffic apparatus is erected alongside of the traffic location. The extended mast may also carry a traffic signal to be viewed by motorists along with the boom suspended traffic signal. The mast and boom can be telescopically collapsed to assume a storage position on the wheeled trailer after the need for traffic control has been eliminated to allow the trailer to be hauled to another location.

Abstract: A warning device adapted to be laid flat upon a roadway produces an audible warning sound when contacted by the wheels of a moving vehicle. The device is comprised of a mat of flexible resilient material having an elongated configuration, and a series of rigid panels upwardly positioned upon the mat. The warning sound is produced when the panels are downwardly deflected, and thereby contact each other in domino fashion. By virtue of its specialized construction, the device can be folded and rolled into a compact storage state which can be contained in the trunk of an automobile.

Abstract: A temperature sensing transducer has a mechanically vibrating member whose rigidity varies with temperature, changing the resonant frequency. An output signal is generated having a frequency controlled by the vibrating member. The rigidity is caused to vary with temperature by making the vibrating member from a material whose modulus of elasticity is sensitive to temperature changes in the desired measurement range. Also by making the vibrating member of a bimetal shaped as a frusto-conical disk, the rigidity of the disk changes with temperature due to internal strains.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for measuring heat flux, as is a method for forming a device for such use. Thermopile junctions are formed on a belt-like support so that the heat flux from an article, such as a pipe or process equipment, is sensed while the support is positioned against a surface of the article, and a voltage indicative of the sensed heat flux is generated and coupled to an outlet connector adapted for connection to a voltage readout device. The belt-like support is relatively narrow, flexible, and has one side of a polymer with high infrared emissivity and the other side of a metal foil with low infrared emissivity.

Abstract: An electronic clinical thermometer capable of executing plural temperature prediction functions in which elapsed measurement time is a variable, each function prescribing a temperature change up to a final, stable temperature. One of the temperature prediction functions is set, and actual body temperature is sensed at a specific point in time. Then, based on the sensed temperature and selected function, a final temperature is obtained at least twice in accordance with a time series and the temperatures are compared to obtain a difference between them. When the difference falls outside prescribed limits, a new temperature prediction function is selected, a final temperature is obtained based thereon, and the foregoing process is repeated until a difference is found which lies within the prescribed limits. The final temperature obtained at such time is delivered as an output indicative of measured temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing the structural formation and surface properties of fibrous sheet materials, particularly printing papers, are described. The method requires advancing a marker over a substantial area of the sheet to be tested. The marker is urged into contact with the sheet so that it exerts a pressure on it, typically of printing process magnitudes. The marker is any material which produces an image the intensity of which is proportional to the pressure exerted upon it by the test sheet. A preferred marker is graphite. The image produced is equivalent to those produced by Beta ray formation analyzers and may be evaluated by a missing dot technique commonly employed in rotogravure print quality evaluations.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment, calorimetric properties of a microwave heatable work load are obtained while the load is being heated by producing electrical signals indicative of the net applied microwave power and the temperature of the material, and using the signals to produce a signal indicative of the net energy, or the specific heat, or the reflection coefficient of the work load as a function of its temperature.

Abstract: An ultrasonic temperature sensor is based upon the variation in the speed of propagation of a torsional wave in a material whose torsional modulus varies as a function of temperature. A transducer for producing a torsional wave is coupled through an accoustic waveguide to a sensor element which has a torsional modulus which varies with temperature. A discontinuity in the sensor causes a portion of the torsional wave to be reflected while the remainder traverses the sensor and is reflected. The time delay between the first and second pulses is thus a measure of the temperature.

Abstract: A sighting device for a bow which is fixedly mounted on a bow and which is provided with a lever and link arrangements such that a sight unit thereof is tilted at a progressively increasing rate as the sighting device is adjusted for longer distances so as to compensate for gravity effect on arrows. Also, the sight unit is so mounted whereby it tilts relative to the bow in a manner wherein the sight unit generally lies in a plane which is normal to the sighting axis therethrough for all adjustments of the sighting device.

Abstract: A tire equalizer comprises a housing having upper and lower chambers divided by a flexible diaphragm opposing a seat in the upper chamber connected to one of the tires. The diaphragm is urged toward the seat by a spring-pressed inverted cup larger in diameter than the diaphragm and having an arm extended longitudinally from the cup away from the spring. The arm is curved in horizontal cross-section and its upper end is formed with a slot receiving an off-center pin on the back of an indicator disc. Also connected to the upper chamber is a fill conduit, and a conduit to the other tire.

Abstract: A device for indicating whether a container has been both exposed to a critical temperature and not subsequently opened which includes a housing, a temperature-sensitive member which assumes a first position and a second position within the housing, and a rigid member connected to the temperature sensitive member which moves into view when the temperature sensitive member assumes its second position upon exposure to a critical temperature, and moves out of view when the container is opened.

Abstract: A dielectric heat sensor system for monitoring and measuring the effects of electromagnetic radiation on the performance or physical integrity of an electrical or electronic component includes a dielectric receiver in the form of a rectilinear array of fiber optic ends positioned to receive infrared heat waves from a bridgewire of an electro-explosive device and transmitting the infrared heat waves by way of a waveguide of electro optic fibers to an infrared detecting unit which is effective to activate an indicator.