Abstract: Interfacial strength of a composite material between its fibers and matrix is measured by observing a sample material through a microscope, measuring the diameter of selected one of the fibers by moving indicators in the field of vision of the microscope, applying pressure on the selected fiber by means of an indentator and measuring both the displacement of the indentator and the load on the fiber, and thereby obtaining a curve between the indentator displacement and the square root of the load. The curve has a straight portion and the point at which the curve begins to deviate from the straight portion is determined. The load value corresponding to this point is used to calculate debonding and sliding interfacial shear strengths of the material according to given formulas.

Abstract: A temperature sensing system has a signal means which provides a signal representative of a temperature responsive luminescence, where the luminescence has a characteristic time-rate-of-decay. A means for comparison is connected to the signal means and samples the signal during two time intervals, the first interval overlapping the second. The averages of the samples are compared to provide a difference signal representative of the difference between the two measured averages. Control means coupled to the comparison means provide an output representing the temperature as a function of the time-rate-of-decay, by adjusting the overlapping intervals so that the difference signal converges to a preselected limit.

Abstract: Low cost temperature sensor for thermostats utilizing a calibration resistor and a microprocessor with switchable ports wherein said microprocessor selects between high impedance input or an output for a temperature sensing element and a calibration resistor where by selecting the input, the temperature sensing element or the calibration resistor are effectively removed from the circuit thus allowing the low cost temperature sensor to self calibrate itself.

Abstract: An uncomplicated and reliable temperature sensor has a pair thermistors coupled in parallel with a current source that is connected in series with a load resistor. Temperature variations cause a robust current output change that generates a corresponding robust output voltage determined by a proper selection of the load resistor. Increased sensitivity is provided by the robust current to avoid many of the problems otherwise associated with D.C. amplifiers (e.g., drift).

Abstract: A magnetostrictive liquid level transducer equipped with a number of temperature sensitive resistors is supplied with low level power from a remote station and charges a capacitor to store power for interrogation of the level transducer. The transducer is interrogated periodically for level measurements and the capacitor is recharged between interrogations. During the recharging periods, temperature measurements are made. Thus the level and temperature related data is measured and transmitted alternately. Each measurement results in a pair of pulses having a spacing corresponding to the measured value. The transmission message comprises a plurality of frames or time periods. The first frame is blank and is used for synchronizing the receiving device with the message frames. The subsequent frames have the level and temperature related data interleaved in the message and are easily sorted by the receiving device at the remote station. The data pulses are sent on the power transmission conductors.

Abstract: A device for exhausting foul air from a toilet of the type having a bowl with a rim, bolt caps for mounting the bowl to a floor, a seat with a hinged cover and a tank with a flush handle and tank lid placed adjacent a wall is provided. The device consists of an intake hose extending from the rear portion of the rim of the bowl below the seat and hinged cover, bottom of the tank and through the wall, an exhaust hose extending upwardly within the wall and a mechanism coupled between the intake hose and the exhaust hose within the wall, for driving a current of air therethrough, so that the foul air within the bowl will be exhausted into the wall.

Abstract: A novel method for determining a coefficient of moisture expansion of a single, identified workpiece or coupon. The method includes the steps of positioning the workpiece in a chamber having known environmental parameters; determining a workpiece length change .DELTA.L caused by a chamber induced change in the workpiece moisture content .DELTA.M, by positioning first and second transformers to opposite ends of the single workpiece; and, measuring a chamber induced change in the workpiece moisture content .DELTA.M, by weighing the workpiece.

Abstract: A scoreboard system for use in tournament play such as in golf, tennis and trap and skeet shooting events, which includes a plurality of scoreboard panels which are portable so as to be selectively moved between an outdoor support system and an indoor support system and wherein at least two of the scoreboard panels include two different player grid portions permanently displayed on the front and rear surfaces thereof for accommodating different types of tournaments having differing numbers of players and wherein the panels are reversible with respect to their support systems whereby, when the front surfaces are mounted in display relationship with respect to one another, a first grid pattern is established, and wherein, when the rear surfaces thereof are oriented in a display relationship, either a second or third grid pattern is created.

Abstract: A water level measurement system for use with a pressurized power plant boiler comprises a tubular pressure vessel for attachment to one end of the boiler such that the water level in the pressure vessel is the same as in the boiler. The pressure vessel has a central rod-like conductor which together with the vessel forms a coaxial RF waveguide. A pair of spaced reference discontinuities are provided in the conductor above the maximum level of the water, so that an RF pulse injected into the waveguide is reflected successively by both discontinuities and the surface of the water. The level of the water can then be determined independently of changes in the dielectric constant of the vapor above it, from the ratio between the time intervals between the first and second reflected pulses and between the first and third reflected pulses. The conductor is mounted at the top of the pressure vessel by way of a pressure seal and a ceramic insulator.

Abstract: An assembly for determining a coefficient of moisture expansion of a single, identified workpiece or coupon. The assembly includes means for positioning the workpiece in a chamber having known environmental parameters; means for determining a workpiece length change, .DELTA.L caused by a chamber induced change in the workpiece's moisture content .DELTA.M; and, means for measuring a chamber-induced change in the workpiece's moisture content .DELTA.M.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a water level of a dam by combining a pressure type water level gauge measuring the water level by detecting water pressure at a bottom of the dam, with a plurality of float type water level switches arranged along the depth of the dam and provided at an interval less than a tolerance allowed to the gauge. Obtaining a water level difference between the water level measured by the gauge and the water level at the switch respectively, the gauge water level is corrected to a water level obtained by subtracting the difference at one of the switches from the gauge water level, when a water surface of the dam is located between the one of the switches and the gauge or an adjacent switch. The abnormality of the gauge is found by detecting whether the difference exceeds a water level tolerance allowed to the gauge.

Abstract: A bathing device for use in a hospital or nursing home environment comprises a rectangular chamber surrounded on five sides by inflatable interconnected panels. An integral head and neck support are provided at one end of the rectangular chamber. A drain unit penetrates the chamber and is connected to a hose for drainage of the bathing device. Air is provided to the interconnected panels through a resealable inlet. Air is also provided to the head and neck support though a resealable inlet. The bathing device is designed to be utilized in a hospital bed. A sloped inflated bottom panel facilitates drainage.

Abstract: An automatic sensor system for detecting and adjusting a level of contents held within a reservoir is disclosed. The system has a sensor probe having a probe housing with opposing ends, an interior cavity that opens through one housing end, and a constantly open air vent aperture piercing the housing proximate the other housing end, included within the housing are lower and upper level detection contacts that communicate information about the detected level to a circuit that signals for a contents delivery source to send additional contents when needed.

Abstract: A mount plate has a disc-shaped body having a wafer-mounting surface on which semiconductor wafers are to be mounted for polishing. The mount plate is carried by a rotary support which is rotatably indexed to different angular positions which correspond to angularly spaced locations on the wafer-mounting surface where the wafers are to be mounted. An indicator is embedded in the mount plate, preferably at the peripheral side edge thereof, and coacts with a sensor for indicating when the mount plate is indexed to a predetermined initial start position, thereby enabling automatic mounting of the wafers at the same locations on the wafer-mounting surface during each use of the mount plate. The indicator is preferably inserted in a recessed portion of the mount plate body and is covered by a transparent material so that the indicator is visible through the transparent material.

Abstract: In a web winder for winding a web strip on a core, the web strip is brought into contact with the core at a predetermined position. The web strip is cut in such a position that the length of the portion of the web strip between the leading end and the predetermined position is slightly shorter than the length of the periphery of the core. The leading end portion of the web strip is applied to the circumferential surface of the core, and a wrapping roller is applied on the leading end portion of the web strip to press it against the core. Then the wrapping roller is rotated along the core toward said predetermined position by a predetermined angle with the web strip intervening between the core and the wrapping roller.

Abstract: This invention is a method for evaluating the type, extent, and threshold of fouling in a heat exchanger test tube by using a reference test block to measure a reference thermal relaxation time at a guaranteed clean reference section of a heat exchanger test tube and comparing the reference thermal relaxation time with thermal relaxation times measured at unclean sections of the heat exchanger test tube.

Abstract: A system and probe for indicating the level of material in a vessel as a function of material capacitance comprising a resonant circuit including a capacitance probe adapted to be disposed in a vessel so as to be responsive to variations in capacitance as a function of material level. An rf oscillator has an output coupled to the resonant circuit and to a phase detector for detecting variations in phase angle as a function of probe capacitance. Level detection circuitry is responsive to an output of the phase detector and to a reference signal indicative of a predetermined level of material for indicating material level as a function of a difference between capacitance at the probe and the reference signal. In the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed, an automatic calibration circuit adjusts the resonance characteristics of the parallel resonant circuit of the reference signal indicative of a predetermined reference material level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reference junction for thermocouple measuring, comprising two reference temperature blocks (5) connected with one another heat conductively but dielectrically, one block for each thermocouple conductor and each block provided with a contact surface (4) for receiving the thermocouple conductor, and means (1) for retaining the thermocouple conductors or their attached contacts in contact with the contact surfaces (4) of the respective reference temperature blocks (5). To enable rapid fixing and detachment of the thermocouple conductors or their attached contacts, the means for retaining the thermocouple conductors in contact with their contact surfaces (4) comprise a single unitary retention block (1) pressed by spring-biased action against the contact surfaces.

Abstract: An integrated temperature monitor (ITM) is placed in a protective carrier and the carrier is placed in a base. Thermally conductive adhesive is injected around the carrier. A cover is placed on the base, forming a container around the ITM. The adhesive holds the carrier in the container holding the base and cover together. Two screws also hold the base and cover together as the adhesive cures. The base has slots for seizing wire. The container is attached to a device with thermally conductive adhesive and the seizing wire. A bar code label is placed on the container. The end of the container is cut to expose the carrier and monitor and create an opening to remove the ITM from the container.

Abstract: A dispenser for frozen soft serve confections comprises a refrigerated dispensing cabinet. One or more rigid cartridges containing frozen soft serve confection are releasably mounted within the interior of the dispensing cabinet. A valve assembly comprises a valve plunger housing and a valve plunger. The housing is mounted within the interior of the dispenser cabinet and comprises an entrance port for receiving frozen soft serve confection from the cartridge and a bore which intersects with the entrance port. The valve plunger is slideably disposed within the bore. The plunger has an elongated body with a hollow interior chamber, a rearward entrance opening and a forward exit opening. The valve plunger extends through the wall of the dispensing cabinet and the exit opening is outside of the dispensing cabinet.