Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for centering an object within a housing. The apparatus comprises first and second spaced apart adjustable jaw arrangements aligned in the housing, an adjustment for adjusting the opening and closing of the jaw arrangements and first and second connecting members for connecting the first and second jaw arrangements respectively to the adjustment in a manner such that a single adjustment provides substantially simultaneous and corresponding adjustment of each of the first and second jaw arrangements.

Abstract: An adjustable T-square comprising an elongated blade with measuring indicia on its top surface and an elongated cross member having angular measurement indicia on its top surface. The blade and cross member are coupled together to provide precise relative perpendicular positioning, relative movement of the cross member along the longitudinal axis of the blade while maintaining the perpendicular relationship, and relative angular adjustment. The perpendicular orientation between the cross member and blade is provided by a notch within the top surface of the cross member which receives the blade. A threaded member and knob are employed for attaching the cross member and blade to permit relative positioning angularly and linearly while coupled, and to secure the blade and cross member in a desired position.

Abstract: The present invention is a thermometer used for measuring furnace temperaes in the range of about 1800.degree. to 2700.degree. C. The thermometer comprises a broadband multicolor thermal radiation sensor positioned to be in optical alignment with the end of a blackbody sight tube extending into the furnace. A valve-shutter arrangement is positioned between the radiation sensor and the sight tube and a chamber for containing a charge of high pressure gas is positioned between the valve-shutter arrangement and the radiation sensor. A momentary opening of the valve shutter arrangement allows a pulse of the high gas to purge the sight tube of air-borne thermal radiation contaminants which permits the radiation sensor to accurately measure the thermal radiation emanating from the end of the sight tube.

Abstract: The elevated projection head of a conventional overhead projector is equipped with a flip panel of opaque material which, in a free-hanging vertical position, blocks light from the projection head and, in a raised position, is clear of the projected light path. The flip panel is attached to the projection head by a free-flexing hinge element to facilitate flipping the panel between its two positions of use. During presentations made with use of the overhead projector, the necessity for turning the projector off and on during brief interruptions of the presentations or while changing transparencies is eliminated. The structure of the projection head need not be altered to accept the flip panel attachment.

Abstract: The determination of the surface tension of a liquid or of the interfacial tension between two immiscible liquids is effected by drainage methods in which the movement of an air bubble or a droplet of the lighter liquid is observed, certain measurements made and the surface tension or interfacial tension determined from such measurments. The apparatus used, comprising a tapered tube, a rotating uniform diameter tube or a tilted uniform diameter tube, is simple and inexpensive and accurate measurements are obtained.

Abstract: A shutter 4 is movably mounted in a housing 6 for actuation between given positions by an SME (shape memory effect) element 8 in response to a given level of current flow through the SME element 8 causing I.sup.2 R heating of the latter above its transition temperature. The shutter 4 may be an indicator flag exposed by a window 10 in the housing 6, or may interrupt an optic beam 22.

Abstract: A plexiglass or similar plastic windvane that has beveled peripheral edges or is otherwise provided with surface markings from which light rays impinging thereon exit from the plexiglass causing illumination of the edges or markings, whereby the windvane is effectively used at night or under conditions of diminished visibility to designate wind direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the position of the center of a circular object. The object has a known diameter and is placed on a preferably flat surface. A sensor for indicating presence of an object proximate it is moved over the surface in a predetermined path comprising a number of line portions extending over the surface. The greatest distance between two adjacent line portions being less than the radius of the object. The position of the sensor in the path is measured at two points where the line portion intersects the outer contour of an object. The center of the object is determined on the basis of the two points.

Abstract: A differential-vacuum alarm device is disclosed. The device comprises a housing divided into three chambers by two walls. One wall isolates one chamber from the other two. The other wall, preferably transverse to the first wall and integral therewith, substantially isolates the second chamber from the third. The second wall preferably carries a vibratable reed which is activatable when air, moving via effects of differential vacuum, passes from the second chamber into the third. The housing further includes a cover, preferably snap engageable with the housing. The walls are preferably integral with, and depend from, the cover. Inner surface portions of the housing preferably include integral, U-shaped channels for receiving edge portions of the walls. With the wall edge portions engaged in the channels and the cover snap engaged with the housing, the three chambers are substantially isolated, one from the other. A housing bottom, forming a floor common to the three chambers, includes three through apertures.

Abstract: A device that contains a pocket wherein checklist cards can be inserted that match with pushbuttons that are used to indicate completion of certain steps in a series of steps.

Abstract: Differential dilatometers are described which employ a linear variable differential transformer dilation sensor in which the core and/or coil is independently supported to accommodate the imposition of a constant load on a specimen abutting a pushrod coupled to that transformer element. The independent support system has at least one collar that slidably enages a mating extension of the supported transformer element, thereby permitting long range axial movement of that element while rigidly restricting lateral movement. The collar which thus holds the supported transformer element may be tilted by an adjustable clamp on at least one plant parallel to the path of axial movement of that element, thereby facilitating alignment adjustment.

Abstract: A device which simulates the burning of an elongated smoking product such as a cigarette, for testing the combustability of an article. The device includes a rod-shaped resistive heating element, the length and cross section of which are the same as those of the product whose burning characteristics are to be simulated. The heating element may be divided into a plurality of longitudinally aligned heat insulated segments. A plurality of lead wires are successively spaced along the length of the heating element so as to respectively uniformly heat the respective portions of the heating element between the adjacent lead wires when an electric current is applied separately thereto. Circuitry is provided for applying an electric current to successively adjacent portions of the heating element through the lead wires for predetermined periods of time, beginning at one end of the heating element and ending at the other, thereby simulating the burning of a cigarette.

Abstract: A resistance thermometer in which a temperature sensing resistor is connected in parallel with a series combination consisting of a signal output resistor and a compensating resistor. By choosing the resistance ratio between two resistors to be equal to the ratio of the desired resistance value to the error of the temperature sensing resistor, the output voltage developed on the signal output resistor reflects the voltage expected on the temperature sensing resistor without the resistance error thereof. The temperature sensing resistor and the compensating resistor constitute a circuit unit which is detachable from the rest of the resistance thermometer.

Abstract: Remote measurement of temperature variations within polymer process melts is performed by irradiating the melt with a collimated radiation source such as laser light and relating the transmitted radiation to the temperature distribution within the melt. A method and apparatus for temperature profile determination is based upon the variation of light transmittance through the melt as a function of temperature and wavelength of the incident light.

Abstract: A test system for rapid and accurate testing of valves, especially delay valves for automotive applications, includes both an apparatus and test method. This test apparatus utilizes a reference pressure to avoid calculating a barometric adjustment to a measured flow rate through such delay valves.

Abstract: A molten metal sample cup is provided with a temperature sensor to detect phase change in molten metal within the cup as the sample solidifies. A blob of material which promotes the formation of carbides is disposed within the cup. The exposed surface of the blob is limited by locating the blob within a recess in a bottom wall of a cavity so that the exposed surface of the blob is a predetermined uniform amount which is less than the total surface of the blob.

Abstract: A briddle-bit like device having a temperature determining device with the heat expansible fluid within the bit-like device for obtaining the temperature of a horse. The bit-like device is supported in the horse's mouth by attachment to the halter worn by the horse. The bit-like device is provided with apertures therein for admitting the heat to the heat expansible fluid within the bit-like device. The temperature is determined by a scale such as by any well known thermometer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to means adapted for connection to a gaseous fluid container for visually signalling a reduction of pressure in the container, for example a vehicle tire, to indicate a decline or diminution of fluid in the container. This signal alerts and enables an observer to initiate steps for restoring the desired pressure when the pressure of the gaseous fluid in the container is diminished for any reason below a predetermined minimum desired pressure.

Abstract: Liquid level measuring capacitors, each having two vertically disposed generally polygonal plates, are made by preparing a provisional assembly including a first electrode plate having plural holes and a baffleplate shape. A second electrode plate opposite to the first electrode has plural holes corresponding to the first electrode plate holes. A one-piece dielectric spacer network inserted between the plates includes plural annular spacers arranged correspondingly to the holes of the plates. The spacer has zigzag connecting bars to breakably connect a number of the spacers to one another by relatively weak joints with a generally arc-like part of the outer periphery of each spacer. A fastener is inserted in the center hole of each spacer through aligned holes of plates. Each fastener is fixed to the plates. The end portions of the connecting bars are pulled to break and separate spacers.

Abstract: An air purification system monitor having an encapsulating cartridge for housing a humidistat to monitor the limits of humidity within a highly pressurized system having adjustable switch points from 0 to 70% relative humidity in a pressure range of from 0 to 5,000 p.s.i.g. with said encapsulating cartridge having electrical contacts associated with the humidistat to transmit a signal to a remote location.