Abstract: A thermistor-type liquid level probe formed entirely of corrosive-resistant material and having characteristics which make it highly reliable in service. The probe is particularly adapted for use in measuring the liquid level of corrosive liquids such as acids.

Abstract: A radiation source directs light at a mirror which reflects to a first photosensor. As a dew point is reached, scattered light is reflected to a second photosensor to indicate dew point. Rather than periodically interrupting operation to test reflectivity of the mirror or to perform a heating cycle, operation is monitored continuously. The common mode output of both the first and second photosensors is monitored. When below a threshold level, the output indicates the need for cleaning the mirror. It may also be used in a closed loop to increase light source intensity as mirror reflectivity decreases.

Abstract: An indicating tube for detecting gas type and characteristics comprises a hollow transparent tube having a passage therethrough for the passage of a gas to be detected and with a first material in the passage giving a visual indication of the gas characteristic and a second material in the passage which gives a visual indication of the temperature characteristic of the gas.

Abstract: A diet management device which includes a housing; respective manually actuated detented slide members respectively associated with each of predetermined food groups; and a respective numerical display for each detented slide member for providing numerical indicia as a function of the position of the respective detented slide member. The diet management device further includes for predetermined daily calorie limits respective removable encoded card inserts for cooperating with the slide members to set the initial positions of the slide members. The initial positions provide for the predetermined food groups indications of the respective maximum amounts of food which can be consumed for a predetermined daily calorie intake. The respective slide members are moved to decrement the respective displayed numerical indicia pursuant to the intake of food.

Abstract: The invention provides a flat glass sight gauge which may have a length ranging up to 4 meters or more and in which a plurality of sight glasses (10) are aligned end to end to give the required length, the glasses being bolted to a frontal face of a structurally stiff metal backing plate (13), the fluid connections required between the aligned glasses (10) being formed at the rear of the backing plate (13), by rigid metal connector blocks (16) which serve also to give structural reinforcement to the backing plate (13) at the ends of the sight glasses (10). This proposal allows for efficient sealing of all the liquid passages of the gauge and for structural integrity of the gauge assembly, enabling it to withstand rough handling, vibration and severe changes of pressure and temperature.

Abstract: According to the invention, an inventory indicating device is provided having a slidable food type indicating member and associated date setting mechanism carried thereon. Indicia are provided along a guide track for selective alignment with a viewing aperture in the indicating member. With the indicia chosen according to a food type being stored, the date setting mechanism can be adjusted to reflect a storage date.

Abstract: A roll-up type portable roadside sign of the type normally used with a resilient stand member. A novel warning flag mounting system is disclosed for such sign wherein the warning flags are retained in association with the sign such that they are collapsible with the roll-up sign cross members and remain attached thereto. Such mounting is achieved by pivotably attaching the warning flag poles to the substantially vertical cross member of the sign. A rotatable support bracket is also attached to the cross member and includes a pair of spaced curled ends which receive the warning flag poles such that they extend substantially upward and are disengageable therefrom in order to permit collapsing of the sign assembly. The support bracket is rotatable such that it assumes a position substantially collinear with the remainder of the sign components, enabling the entire assembly to be quickly and conveniently stored.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the calorific value and other quantities of combustible substances. The apparatus includes a support structure to which a pressure vessel is mounted. The pressure vessel has a cap which provides access to a combustion chamber within the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel is preferably of a double walled construction and a fluid flowpath is formed between the two walls. During combustion tests the temperature of fluid in the flowpath is monitored. Surrounding the pressure vessel is a temperature loss control means which in the preferred embodiment comprises a water jacket through which water is circulated at constant temperature. The invention extends to a method of measuring thermal quantities of combustible substances as well as to a method of determining the sulphur content of combustible substances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly determining the moisture content of a substance. An area of one surface only of the substance is subjected to a predetermined intensity of radiant energy for a selected period of time and the temperature rise is measured. The rise in the surface temperature of the substance such as pieces of wood, is approximately inversely proportional to the moisture content of the wood and thus is easily determined. This is obtainable by transporting the substance on a fixed speed conveyor past a heat source, variations in the rise and fall in the surface temperature readings immediately following the application of heat are representative of its moisture content; low readings indicating high moisture content while high readings being indicative of low moisture content.

Abstract: A heat flux meter for measuring heat flux in a hot environment, such as, a coal-fired boiler, includes a cup-shaped body member of one-piece construction having an internal cavity in which is mounted an annular thermoelectrically-dissimilar member from that of the body member and in heat and electrically conducting contact with the body member. Electrically conducting wires of the same metal as the annular member enter the cavity and are connected to the center of the circular portion of the body member and to the annular member. An e.m.f. is induced by the difference in temperature between the center of the disc portion and the annular member. Since the body member is of one piece construction and the heat flux meter is sealed to the walls of the boiler, gases from the hot environment cannot enter the cavity and cause failure of the meter.

Abstract: A mechanical door chime powered by movement of a pivoting door in a frame includes means for mechanically storing energy, means for producing sound operatively coupled to the output of the energy storing means, a rigid inclined surface coupled to the door or its frame, a base mounted proximate the pivoting junction between the door and its frame opposite the surface with a rigid plunger having a rotating contact arbored at one end, where the plunger is restrained to slide rectilinearly in said base, the rotating contact at it's end abutting against the rigid surface coupled to the door as the door pivots open causing linear movem ent of the plunger relative to the base as the door is opened, and means coupling the plunger to the energy storing means for energizing the energy storing means responsive to the liner movement of the plunger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a procedure and a device for determination of the temperature of an object by measurement of electromagnetic radiation emitted by this object. A portion of the radiation emitted by the object of measurement is transmitted by a transmission device to a wavelength dividing device.The wavelength dividing device causes a portion of the spectrum of the radiation corresponding to the spectral sensitivity range of the detector or pair of detectors to be distributed across the radiation-sensitive surface of the detector or pair of detectors. The detector senses the position of the center of gravity of the illuminated spectrum which is converted by the signal processing unit to temperature information, and displayed by an output device.Using a sole position-sensitive detector, the relative magnitude of two currents I.sub.1 and I.sub.2 indicates the position of the center of gravity.

Abstract: A trolling speed indicator adapted to be mounted to the gunnel of a boat along either a vertical or horizontal surface. The indicator measures the speed of the boat during trolling so that a fisherman can utilize the optimum lure size and weight. The indicator generally comprises a L-shaped flange which is mounted to the boat gunnel, a pointer fixedly secured to the flange and indicating means rotatably secured to the flange. The indicating means comprises a velocity scale attached to an annular disk. A tubular rod is attached at its first end to the annular disk while the second end of the rod is submerged in the water and is influenced by the force of the water as the boat moves across the water. The mounting means permits simple removal of the device and a clip, which is also mounted to the gunnel, allows the tubular rod to be stored out of the water.

Abstract: A signal flag or pennant for use at sporting events consisting of an elongated flag staff on which is attached a hollow transparent flat envelope such as a plastic envelope into which is inserted a flag or pennant. A semi-circular spring-loaded clip having a diameter slightly smaller than the flag staff frictionally retains the plastic envelope to the staff. The flag or pennant can be removed at will from the plastic envelope and different flags or pennants can be inserted, depending upon the sporting event attended. The plastic envelope prevents rain or moisture from damaging the flag or pennant during its use.

Abstract: A tire pressure warning device is disclosed which produces an explosive report when the tire pressure falls below a predetermined value. The device includes a connector member which screws onto the valve stem of a tire and admits pressurized air from the tire to a pressure sensing valve. A cap member screws onto the connector member and includes an actuating plunger which is biased by a coil spring toward engagement with a valve actuator in the connector member. The cap member has an outlet passage which is closed by an elastomeric balloon. A closure valve which is normally open is adapted to close the outlet passage. When the tire pressure falls below a predetermined value, the pressure sensing valve is opened and pressurized air from the tire is admitted through the closure valve to the balloon and the balloon is inflated until it explodes. The outrush of air following explosion of the balloon causes the closure valve to close and prevent further loss of air from the tire.

Abstract: A mechanism for supporting a conventional portable fire extinguisher wherein the support mechanism is modified or adapted to include an audible warning device such as a siren, whistle or bell. When a person removes the extinguisher from the support mechanism an audible warning sound is generated to alerted nearby individuals of the existence of a fire or the fact that the extinguisher may be in the process of being stolen. The individuals are thus alerted to the requirement for some action on their part.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for continuously determining the moisture content of a spoilable foodstuff, in particular, of grain and processed products of the latter, which is moved along a production line as a product stream and passed, at least in part, through a measuring section of a housing in accordance with the process, a pourable average of the product stream is created continuously within the measuring section, and the product moisture content of this product average is measured electrically on a continuous basis. In accordance with the device, the measuring housing has a capacitor as a continuous-flow measuring section and a device for continuously controlling the creation of a pourable product average. One of the central concepts of the invention is found in the interaction of the following factors: --continuous creation of a product average, continuous trickling-type flow of the product, with simultaneous electrical measurement on a continuous basis.

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 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: This invention is a sporting events flag, that includes a fabric flag attached to a flagstaff shaped like numeral "1", and a structure for supporting it, in use, on an automobile.