Abstract: A liquid level monitor using a pressure actuated sensor to replace the open bubble tube. Air flows down the supply tube as in the bubbler, but rather than being released into the water, the air enters a chamber that has one movable wall, such as a diaphragm, that is acted on from the inside by pressurized air and from the outside by the hydrostatic head of the water. When the water pressure exceeds the chamber air pressure, the movable wall is pressed against an air outlet and does not allow air in the chamber to escape through the air outlet. One embodiment uses a diaphragm disposed over the air outlet; however, the concept may be extended to several other movable members, such as a piston with low actuation force. When the air chamber pressure exceeds the water pressure, the movable member moves away from the air outlet, releasing air and causing the chamber pressure to drop down to the water pressure.

Abstract: A foldable water tank remote level detector system is provided including a fire truck having a side extent with an analog gauge mounted thereon. The analog gauge has an indicator pivotally coupled thereto for pivoting between an empty indicia and a full indicia. As such, the gauge is adapted for indicating a level corresponding to a level signal upon the receipt thereof. Also included is a water level sensor situated within a body of water distant the fire truck. The water level sensor is adapted to continuously generate a level signal corresponding with a level of the water within the body of water. Finally, an extension cord is provided having a first end connected to the water level sensor and a second end connected to the gauge outlet of the fire truck thereby transmitting the level signals to the analog gauge.

Abstract: An improved sensor and sensor assembly is provided which permits the easy removal of the sensor from its mounting bore even in the presence of corrosive residue in the mounting bore. The sensor assembly includes an elongated sensor body having an annular tapered portion with a frusto-conical shape for positioning in a mounting bore having a complementary taper. As the sensor is removed from the mounting bore, the annular gap between the sensor and inner wall of the mounting bore will gradually increase at any point along the sensor body thereby increasingly separating any corrosive residue accumulated on the opposing surfaces. In addition, a seal assembly is provided which effectively vents gas pressure from the annular gap between the sensor and the mounting bore without damaging the seal and while ensuring the seal returns to its fully sealed position thereby preventing contaminants from entering the bore throughout engine operation.

Abstract: Display devices are disclosed using a display surface through which are seen a plurality of indicating elements. The indicating elements have an axis parallel to the display surface and are provided with at least two information display faces preferably of different colors. The indicating elements are provided with permanent magnets and are rotatable about axes which allow alternative faces of the indicating elements to be viewed through the display surface. Locking elements are provided so that the indicating elements are maintained with one of the information carrying faces aligned with the display surface. The arresting elements may include a permanent magnet. The arrangement is particularly applicable for manually-controlled signal display devices.

Abstract: A scoop with a counter for powder material includes a scooping cup with a handle and a pusher that can slide to and fro on the handle of the scoop. On the front end of the pusher is a cover ring and on the rear end of the pusher is a top plate. At the end of the handle of the scooping cup is fitted a housing that is composed of a left casing and a right casing. On each casing there is a window and inside the casings is fitted a counter ratchet. A digit frame in a ring arrangement is attached to both sides of the counter ratchet. On the lower part of the housing is an opening so a toothed side of the counter ratchet is exposed to facilitate resetting adjustment. Also in the housing and at the toothed side of the counter ratchet is a flexible fixing plate to fix the counter ratchet. In operation, the pusher may be slid across the scooping cup where the cover ring at the front end of the pusher will level the powder material in the scooping cup to obtain a constant quantity of powder material.

Abstract: An ice detection sensor for placement on a surface of a body subject to ig includes a Pyrex glass or silicon block for disposal on the body surface, the block having a cavity therein, a diaphragm bonded to the silicon block and covering the cavity, a drive electrode disposed in the cavity and operable to deflect the diaphragm upon application of voltage between the drive electrode and the diaphragm, and a second electrode operable to detect motion of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is movable by the drive electrode when there is water covering the diaphragm and when the diaphragm is not covered and the diaphragm is not movable by the drive electrode when there is ice covering the diaphragm. The second electrode is adapted to detect movement and non-movement of the diaphragm, whereby to detect whether ice covers the diaphragm.

Abstract: An antenna ball identification system comprising first and second outer shells, with each shell having a hollow interior and a substantially planar perimeter edge. Each shell has an interior protrusion disposed inwardly from the perimeter edge which is structured to have a substantially hour glass shaped cavity, with each cavity extending out into the outer perimeter edge. The first shell is hingedly attached to the second shell such that the respective perimeter edges abut each other to form a structure having a substantially solid outer surface. The interior protrusions are positioned such that the cavities are positioned next to each other when the first and second shells are closed, with the cavities forming a hollow receptacle having a neck and extending inwardly from an opening formed by the cavities in the exterior of the structure.

Abstract: The temperature of an infrared radiation scattering medium which contains water, for example, biological tissue and paper, cement and clay substrates, is determined by exposing the medium to infrared radiation, measuring the reflected radiation scattered by the medium, comparing the reflected radiation with calibrated values, and evaluating the temperature of the medium from the comparison; the technique provides a means of non-invasive determination of temperature in biological tissue which has utility in medical diagnosis.

Abstract: A modular heat sink adapter (10) is provided which is compact in design and comprises of a highly heat conductive metal (12) with a varying number of extruded fins (14) for the prompt and efficient removal of heat directly off the lamp bases (36) of various types of halogen lamps (32). The primary purpose for the heat sink adapter (10) is to keep lamp base seals (38) from reaching their critical pinch area temperature, thereby prolonging the life and usefulness of the lamps. The major improvement of this device over prior designs is its versatility and ease of use with various types of halogen lamps (32) available from different bulb manufacturers for use in a variety of light fixtures.

Abstract: An assembly for applying a torque from an output shaft to an input shaft of an apparatus, such as a multishaft extruder, and for measuring the applied torque. The assembly includes a connecting sleeve for torque-transmittingly coupling the output shaft with the input shaft; and a torque measuring device having expansion measuring strips, a signal amplifier, a transmitting ring antenna and a receiving antenna. The connecting sleeve has a first length portion carrying the expansion measuring strips and a second length portion carrying the signal amplifier and the transmitting ring antenna. A torque-transmitting arrangement torque-transmittingly couples solely the first length portion of the connecting sleeve with the output shaft and the input shaft, so that the second length portion of the connecting sleeve is free from a torque-transmitting connection with the input shaft.

Abstract: An improved force transducer which may, for example, be used as a joystick control for computer display control. Co-planar strain gauges are configured for response to forces applied in each of three orthogonal directions. A post and underlying ceramic substrate, the latter having the strain gauges mounted thereon, are mounted to a printed circuit board by means of a conductive epoxy or solder in a gap between the substrate and the circuit board. A retainer may be used to limit the extent of post displacement in X and Y directions to prevent damage to the assembly from forces which would otherwise exceed the physical limits thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the post and underlying substrate are implemented as a unitary ceramic body. In another embodiment, ballast or trim resistors for balancing the output of the transducer, are located under the post. In yet another embodiment the metal paths or traces which connect to the strain gauges, follow a unique arrangement to avoid crossing over each other.

Abstract: A first sample hold circuit or S/H, for holding an amplitude value at a predetermined phase of pipe vibration waveform, detected by both sensors and, a second S/H for re-holding the value at the predetermined phase, a comparator for comparing second S/H output with a set value, an differential amplifier for amplifying a difference value thus obtained, and an exciter circuit for increasing and decreasing the vibration amplitude of the pipe responsive to this amplified difference value are provided so as not to cause any change in exciting frequency characteristic, even when outside vibrations are added to the pipe. The present invention enables oscillation waveform to be less distorted and a more stable operation to be achieved even when responsibility, relative to outside vibrations, is increased.

Abstract: A device for measuring the mass of a flowing medium having a temperature-dependent sensor element, which is inserted flush in a recess of a sensor carrier and is retained therein by means of an adhesive. The sensor carrier is made by bending a thin metal strip and has two elements, a frame element and a retaining element, which together form a recess, into which the sensor element is inserted flush and glued by means of an adhesive to a plateau-like protuberance of a bottom face of the retaining element. The sensor carrier is intended for a device for measuring the mass of a flowing medium for measuring the flow rate or mass of the air aspirated by internal combustion engines.

Abstract: The invention measures the flow of a liquid by measuring the effect of that flow on a laser beam which travels from a laser source, through the flow, and landing upon a detector oriented to receive that laser source. Interfaces within the flow stream will refract the laser beam and cause variations in strength of the energy reaching the detector. These variations in the forward scatter occur at audio and super audio frequencies. The flow rate is proportional to audio frequency which can be measured and correlated by comparison to known flow rates.

Abstract: A gas turbine meter includes a measuring cartridge which has a measuring rotor that rotates in one direction at a speed approximately proportional to the velocity of gas flowing through the meter and a reference rotor mounted downstream of the measuring rotor which rotates in the opposite direction from the measuring rotor. An inlet flow straightener upstream of the measuring rotor causes gas to flow substantially axially within the meter, and a reference flow straightener mounted between the measuring rotor and the reference rotor also causes gas to flow substantially axially within the meter. The inlet flow straightener and the reference flow straightener are constructed so that a measurement of the accuracy of the meter can be conducted without measuring differences in pressure and temperature between the locations of the measuring rotor and the reference rotor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method apparatus for detecting marginal gradation changes of a controlled product on a conveyor. The apparatus comprises a transducer (4) for converting swinging motion to a number of pulses; a member (24) operably secured to the transducer, the member for being in contact with the controlled product to cause the member to swing back and forth, thereby causing the transducer to generate the number of pulses; and a programmable device (28) operably connected to the transducer, the device being adapted to count the number of pulses generated by the transducer over several blocks of time periods, compare the number in each block of time to a group of reference numbers for the product, sum the number of occurrences that the number is above or below the group of reference numbers and provide an indication when the sum exceeds a target value.

Abstract: An automatic squeeze-bottle utilization cycle counting device in the form of a squeeze bottle, a bottle cap having a nozzle attached to the squeeze bottle and a removable nozzle cap hinged to the bottle cap for isolating the nozzle from the outside environment. An indicating mechanism indicates the number of times the nozzle cap has been removed and replaced is provided in the form of a rotatable part rotatably attached to the bottle cap, a set of symbols on the rotatable part, a window in the nozzle cap for sequential indication of the symbols and cooperating ratchet elements on the rotatable part and the nozzle cap for indexing the rotatable part. The device provides positive positioning of the nozzle cap and allows tracking of compliance with a prescribed regimen which includes using the contents of the squeeze-bottle, while decreasing the risk of contamination of the nozzle and the contents of the bottle.

Abstract: A flow measurement having a substantially cylindrical housing with a valve element connected to an inner surface thereof. The valve is movable between an open position and a closed position in the bore. A secondary flow passageway is formed in the housing and extends along the longitudinal axis of the housing. A first end of the secondary flow passageway is in fluid communication with the bore below the valve element. A flow measuring device is located near a second end of the secondary flow passageway for measuring the rate of fluid flow therethrough. The housing is adapted to be connected at each end thereof to well tubing. The present invention provides a flow measurement mandrel that diverts the production flow the secondary flow passageway by closing a hydraulically operated flapper valve and routing the fluid or gas through the a venturi flume in the secondary flow passageway for flow measurement. After monitoring flow rate, the flapper valve is re-opened and full bore production is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as a sign or display, for example as a traffic barricade, includes a base that has a hollow cavity that can be filled with ballast, such as sand or water. A receiver is formed in the base to pivotably receive interchangeable vertical signs having display areas with instructions or attention grabbing indicia. The base and vertical sign also cooperate to hold the sign vertical until overcome by a certain amount and direction of force, at which time the sign pivots down to prevent breakage of the apparatus. It can be easily replaced to its original position. The base also cooperates with other removeable items such as a barrel type device which would matably fit around the perimeter of the base. The base is disassemblable from the sign or barrel for handling and storage.

Abstract: A portable wastewater flow meter particularly adapted for temporary use at a single location in measuring the rate of liquid flow in a circular entrance conduit of a sewer manhole both under free flow and submerged, open channel conditions and under fill pipe, surcharged conditions, comprising an apparatus having a cylindrical external surface and an inner surface that constricts the flow through the apparatus in such a manner that a relationship exists between (1) the difference between the static pressure head of liquid flowing through the entrance of the apparatus and the static pressure head of liquid flowing through the constriction, and (2) the rate of liquid flow through the apparatus.