Abstract: A pair of biased electrostatic probes (27a, 28a) disposed directly within respective dilution air inlets (32) of the combustor (20) in a gas turbine engine (10) provide an indication (62, 68) of surge/stall in response to the outflow of ionic combustion products from the burner can, and block (120, 122, 128) signals (129), indicative of charged engine debris, from reaching wear monitor signal processing apparatus (134).

Abstract: A pair of biased electrostatic probes (27, 28) disposed adjacent respective inlets (32) of the combustor (20) in a gas turbine engine (10) provide an indication of surge (82) if signals, resulting from the outflow of ionic combustion products from the burner can, appear thereon simultaneously, or indications of stall stagnation (97) if signals appear on the two probes out-of-phase with one another, or if either probe senses repetitive signals thereon.

Abstract: A swimming pool implement comprises an elongated stick having means on the end for lifting the removable lid of a swimming pool skimmer. A rectangular water-sampling vial may be inserted into a transverse recess formed in an intermediate portion of the stick. The stick may be inserted to a desired depth into the pool, and then the stick may be withdrawn to obtain a water sample in the vial. A dual function is thereby performed by the implement.

Abstract: A pyrometer which senses blade temperature in the engine as also used to detect the onset of an engine surge. The output of the pyrometer 2 (FIG. 1) passes to a level detector unit, comprising a differential amplifier and a constant reference voltage, and which produces an output when the pyrometer signal exceeds the reference voltage. A duration detector comprising a monostable 12, inverter 14, delay line 18 and AND gate 16 determines the duration of the excess level signal and if the duration exceeds a given time, set by the monostable, an output from the duration detector actuates a fuel chopper to minimize the effect of the surge.

Abstract: An alarm system applied to engine oil pressure dependent on engine speed includes first and second sensors. The first sensor detects the engine oil pressure and generates a signal indicative thereof. The second sensor detects the engine speed and generates a signal indicative thereof. A reference signal is produced in response to the engine speed signal for defining an oil pressure reference level dependent on the engine speed. A comparator, responsive to the oil pressure signal and the reference signal, compares the engine oil pressure to the reference level and generates an alarm signal when the engine oil pressure is lower than the reference level.

Abstract: A fuel injection rate deducing system for a diesel engine includes a fuel injection pump and a fuel feed pump. The injection pump has an inlet, an outlet, and an overflow outlet. The outlet is connected to the engine to conduct fuel from the injection pump to the engine to effect fuel injection. The overflow outlet is internally connected to the inlet. A fuel feed line is connected to the inlet to conduct fuel to the injection pump. The feed pump is disposed in the feed line to drive fuel into the injection pump via the feed line. A fuel return line connects the overflow outlet to the feed line at a position upstream of the feed pump. At least some of the fuel conducted to the injection pump via the inlet exits from the injection pump via the overflow outlet and then all enters the feed pump via the return line and the feed line. A flowmeter measures the rate of fuel flow through the feed line upstream of the connection of the return line to the feed line.

Abstract: Ions are emitted (14) into the gas stream (15) of a gas turbine engine at a point with respect to the gas stream (15), in comparison with the position of an ion-responsive electrostatic probe (24), so that there is a discernible, reliable difference in the ion impingement on the electrostatic probe (24) during normal gas flow (FIGS. 3 and 4) in contrast with that which occurs during the abnormal gas flow attendant a surge (FIG. 5) thereby to provide early and sustained detection of stall and/or surge conditions in the engine, even in the absence of flame from the combustor (17).

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring or otherwise checking phase angles between different lines of a multi-line fuel injection pump for an internal combustion engine, comprising an injector block defining a plurality of cavities. These cavities receive the nozzle ends of the fuel injectors of the different lines. Pressure sensors are arranged in communication with the cavity interiors to detect changes in pressure therein, and means are connected to the pressure sensors to provide a measurement of, or other check on, the phase angles of the different lines.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the recognition of irregular combustion processes in an internal combustion engine. In this method, a parameter characterizing the course of combustion--for example, pressure, light in the combustion chamber, sound and the like--is detected by means of a sensor, and the sensor signal is integrated within a predetermined crankshaft angle range or time interval of the combustion cycle and compared with a signal integral obtained in a previous cycle. The signal integrals of cycles directly following one another are compared, and monitoring is performed as to whether a signal increase above a predetermined threshold is occurring, in the case where combustion has heretofore been regular, or the signal is decreasing by more than a predetermined amount, in the case where irregular combustion has been taking place. In the first case, the result is the recognition of irregular combustion; in the second case, the result is the recognition of the end of the irregular combustion.

Abstract: An economical compact heat exchanger cleaning and testing device and a method of cleaning and testing heat exchangers using said device is disclosed. The device involves a T-shaped fitting, one end of the top portion of the "T" being adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressure and the other end being adapted to be connected to the hose leading to the heat exchanger. The other leg of the "T" is adapted to be connected to a source of air pressure and contains both an air pressure gauge and a modulating valve. By introducing water under pressure and alternately increasing and decreasing the air pressure, a shock wave is produced which tends to remove any accumulated scale in the heat exchanger. After the heat exchanger has been completely cleaned the heat exchanger can be filled with water under pressure and the air pressure can be increased up to a measured pressure to determine whether or not there are any leaks in the system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recording and subsequent playback of selected dynagraphs for wells employing sucker-rod pumping units to determine well faults which cause well shutdown. Calibration data from well monitoring equipment is stored in a first "endless tape" type of memory during calibration of the well and operation data from the monitoring equipment is stored in a second "endless tape" memory during well operation. After well shutdown the stored data can be retrieved and the operation data stored immediately prior to well shutdown compared with calibration data to determine what type of fault caused well shutdown.

Abstract: A system for testing the parameters of drilling mud has a flush pump for periodically flushing drilling mud from the components of the system. The flush pump includes a piston driven by a source of pressurized air selectively applied to one side to pressurize flush water and to the other side to retract the piston and to draw another volume of flush water from the source. A solenoid valve between the flush pump and viscosity measuring tubes in the system connects the volume of pressurized flush water in the pump to a tap of the measuring tubes by displacement of the piston.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed which enables quantities of fuel, successively injected from different injection nozzles into a measuring chamber which is bounded by a measuring piston, to be measured, even individually, without emptying this chamber between two successive injections by actuating a drain valve.For this purpose, a unidirectional and stepwise displacement of the measuring piston--starting, in each case, from its final position following its last yielding movement--is detected by a precision position transmitter and is evaluated by an electronic recording instrument.Measurements can be made quickly with respect to all the pump elements making up an injection pump, individually and successively, using only one measuring arrangement.

Abstract: An automated borehole gravity meter system for measuring gravity within a wellbore. The gravity meter includes leveling devices for leveling the borehole gravity meter, displacement devices for applying forces to a gravity sensing device within the gravity meter to bring the gravity sensing device to a predetermined or null position. Electronic sensing and control devices are provided for (i) activating the displacement devices, (ii) sensing the forces applied to the gravity sensing device, (iii) electronically converting the values of the forces into a representation of the gravity at the location in the wellbore, and (iv) outputting such representation. The system further includes electronic control devices with the capability of correcting the representation of gravity for tidal effects, as well as, calculating and outputting the formation bulk density and/or porosity.

Abstract: For testing the dynamic characteristics of a motor vehicle, an endless movable road surface for supporting and moving with respect to motor vehicles. The motor vehicle is restrained from movement but its wheels are permitted to move in contact with the simulated road surface. The simulated road surface may be the periphery of a wheel whose circumference is relatively large compared to the wheel base of the automobile, or it may be a relatively flat run of an endless belt supported on multiple rollers. In either case, all the wheels of the motor vehicle are supported by the simulated road surface. Preferably the effective inertial load of the simulated road surface is adjusted to be approximately equal to the mass of the motor vehicle. One or more of a plurality of selectably attachable inertial masses may be coupled to the system to permit the inertial mass of the system to vary according to the inertial mass of the vehicle being tested.

Abstract: Volumetric metering equipment comprising an injector mounting block by which injectors of a multi-line fuel injection system can be mounted on the equipment. A measuring device is in communication with the mounting block via a feed line to allow test fluid to pass from the injectors to the measuring device when the equipment is in use. The measuring device is constructed to provide signals which are indicative of the amount of test fluid received by the device. Point-of-injection detectors are arranged adjacent to the injectors for determining which of the signals relate to an individual injection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for cold testing of typical piston engines to determine their internal integrity and tolerance prior to further testing or use which could be destructive if a defect exists. A source of pressure oil is fed to the normal engine oil pressure system while the engine is slowly rotated. The amount of oil flow is measured and recorded by a unique orifice flow device which yields a differential pressure signal in proportion to the oil flow as the engine is rotated. The variation in oil flow in selected segments of rotation is analyzed to determine the engine condition. Such common assembly faults as missing rod or main bearings, loose bearing caps, or excessive bearing clearance may be detected and isolated for repair.

Abstract: An automatic driving system for operating a vehicle on traction rollers of a chassis dynamometer includes an accelerator pedal actuator for moving the accelerator pedal. A sensing means senses vehicle speed, accelerator pedal position and accelerator pedal actuator velocity. Accelerator pedal control means drives the accelerator pedal actuator and is coupled to the sensing means for generating a triple loop accelerator pedal control signal using vehicle speed, accelerator pedal position and actuator motor velocity feedback to reduce throttle fluctuations.