Abstract: Centrifuged material layer measurements are made in an evacuated glass or clear plastic tube which contains a float. When possibly contaminated materials, such as blood, are being tested the use of the evacuated tube allows the measurements to be made without the technician being exposed to the blood. The tubes are large enough to hold approximately one ml of blood, and are filled with an inert gas at low pressure. The floats are formed with a through passage into which the cell bands to be expanded will settle during centrifugation.

Abstract: A water cut meter includes a test cell through which a petroleum stream will flow. The test cell includes an outer shell, a sensor probe which cooperates with the outer shell to form a sensor capacitor with the flow of the petroleum stream as the dielectric and a reference probe surrounded with pure oil as the dielectric to form a reference capacitor. Processing apparatus includes a comparator network electrically connected to the sensor capacitor and to reference capacitor which compares the capacitance of the sensor capacitor with the capacitance of the reference capacitor. The comparator network provides a signal corresponding to the capacitance difference between the sensor and reference capacitors. An output circuit connected to the comparator network provides an output corresponding to the water cut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the signal from the comparator network.

Abstract: A graphite tube for electrothermal vaporization of a sample to be investigated is held between annular contacts through which a flow can be passed lengthwise through the graphite tube. The contacts surround the graphite tube in a shell-like manner; a protective gas flow can thus be passed into a cavity which is formed between the graphite tube and the contacts. The contacts are retained in cooling blocks. The sample is introduced into the graphite tube, vaporized, and carried into the plasma by means of a carrier gas flow which is passed through the longitudinal bore of the graphite tube. The graphite tube contains a radial sample infeed opening which can be closed by a controllable closure member applied to the graphite tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to reservoir evaluation and is more specifically directed to a method of characterizing the individual response of a layer of a multi-layer hydrocarbon reservoir traversed by a well, based on downhole flow rate and pressure measurements performed during transient tests initiated by changes in the surface flow rate of the well, the flow rate being measured above said layer during one transient test and below said layer during another transient test.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for determining a three factor envelope for the material of a preserved core sample. The three factors are ultrasonic velocity through the material, mean effective stress and an elastoplastic property of the material. Values are obtained, in one aspect of the invention, by applying a confining pressure to the material; measuring the material's pore pressure and the ultrasonic velocity therethrough; calculating the material's mean effective stress for that confining pressure; and then loading the sample to near shear failure to measure the value of the elastoplastic property. At different confining pressures the measurements are repeated on the same sample to obtain values for the mean effective stress and elastoplastic property at each level. The envelope is determined by graphically representing the data obtained.

Abstract: A dynamic tester (10) for testing vibration damping seals and bearings is constructed having a hollow shaft (12) extending through the seal or bearing, with the shaft internally supported at each end by fluid bearings (19, 21) on hollow bosses (18, 20) connected to an interior of an enclosure (11) , with no rolling members connected to the shaft. A high pressure working fluid is forced through the hollow bosses (18, 20) to operate the bearings. Additionally, the shaft (12) is provided with a reaction turbine (32) that angularly vents a portion of the high pressure working fluid in order to rotate the shaft at high speed, up top 40,000 rpm. The seal or bearing (44) is mounted in a bushing (70), in turn supported by rods (80, 82, 86 of FIG. 3, or rods 72, 74 of FIG. 2) coupled by flex hinges (90, 90a of FIG. 3, 76, 76a of FIG. 2) to a shaking device (92 of FIG. 3, or 78 of FIG. 2) that vibrates the seal or bearing as the shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A water measuring system for measuring different parameters of water having a compact configuration that can be easily calibrated is provided. A plurality of individual sensors, are mounted on the housing, including a dissolved oxygen measuring sensor that can be mounted at a position separate from the other sensors. A hood member can be mounted at the lower end of the housing member to protect the sensors. A container that is capable of holding a calibration liquid can be fitted onto the housing member to provide the liquid at a position that will only contact those sensors other than the oxygen measuring sensor during a single calibration procedure.

Abstract: A diffusion diluter is described and a method for using such apparatus with a condensation nucleus counter, wherein a particle containing reactive gas is diluted with an inert diluent gas to diminish the reactive character of the particle-containing gas without disturbing the particle concentration of the gas allowing it to be accurately and safely measured for its particle content.

Abstract: Method for analysing gaseous or liquid samples, utilising a one-way measuring element with a measuring channel containing at least one optical or electrochemical sensor and being provided with sealing elements on either end. In order to obtain accurate measurements in a simple manner the proposal is put forward that for measuring purposes a storage medium in the measuring channel be replaced by a separating medium which should then be replaced by the sample. Sample and storage medium will remain in the measuring element when it is discarded.

Abstract: The down-hole sampler comprises a reservoir, with screw-down type valves top and bottom. The valves are arranged with the axes of the screw threads vertical. The valve members are integral with the structure of the sampler, whereby even with the valves screwed open, the sampler and the valves remain structurally intact. The sampler has a very slim overall diameter (down to 6 mm) and yet the valves are easy to operate, and sturdy and reliable in operation. The sampler includes a surface-operated check-valve for admitting a water sample into the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention provides a tracer-gas leak detector including a secondary pumping set, a sole primary pumping set, a mass spectrometer connected to the inlet of the secondary pumping set, the outlet of the secondary pumping set being connected to the inlet of the primary pumping set by means of a duct equipped with an electromagnetic valve, and at least one pipe connecting a coupling for connection to an enclosure to be tested to the secondary pumping set, said pipe being equipped with a pneumatic valve which is opened by suction, wherein a buffer volume is connected both to a suction inlet of the primary pumping set by a link duct equipped with a first electrically actuated valve, and also to said pneumatic valve by a control duct equipped with a second electrically actuated valve.

Abstract: A device for receiving and transferring cylindrical filter rods one at a time from a mass flow of filters. The receiving and transferring device is used to remove filter rods from the mass flow of filter rods to conduct, for example, quality control checks on the filter rods without interrupting production of the filter rods.

Abstract: A control system with an abnormality detecting device for use in a motor vehicle. The control system comprises a microcomputer coupled through a switching circuit and an analog-to-digital converter to a sensor for sensing an operating state of the motor vehicle and also to a reference voltage generating circuit. The switching circuit performs a switching operation between an analog signal from the sensor and a predetermined reference voltage signal from the reference voltage generating circuit to supply the analog-to-digital converter with one of the analog signals which is analog-to-digital-converted in the analog-to-digital converter.

Abstract: The method involves introducing a pumping and measuring set into a production well fitted with a pipe or liner perforated in a part extending through a producing zone. This set is fastened to the end of a flow string and comprises an activation pump and at least one set for measuring the produced effluents. The improvement essentially consists in using secondary pumping means such as a positive-displacement type pump, for example, in order to suppress the pressure drop undergone by the effluents during passage through the measuring zone, which distorts the measured values and causes parasitic flows by bypassing between the liner and the wall of well. The extent of these leak rates can be measured through a variation of the flow rate of the positive-displacement pump.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for performing a plurality of diagnostic testing modes on an engine having a plurality of cylinders by controlling, independently, a mode of operation for each of the cylinders, each cylinder including intake and exhaust valves and a fuel injector for injecting fuel into a corresponding cylinder. A first method comprises the steps of cutting fuel to all but one cylinder, monitoring the output of the engine, repeating the fuel cutting and monitoring steps for the remaining cylinders, and calculating engine friction by averaging the power required to crank the engine by the cylinders during the monitoring steps.

Abstract: The invention relates to the determination of the torque T.sub.s acting at the surface in a drillstring while drilling a borehole, the drillstring being rotated by rotating driving elements which include an electrical motor with an output shaft. The method comprises the steps of: measuring the angular acceleration .gamma. of said shaft; measuring the torque T.sub.m of said motor; determining the gear ratio G; determining the moment of inertia Mt of said rotating driving elements; and determining the torque T.sub.s from the values of .gamma., T.sub.m, G and Mt.

Abstract: A borehole apparatus detects the presence of gas within a formation fluid sample. A light source transmits light rays to an interface between the fluid sample and the flow line. The interface reflects the light rays toward a detector array. The detector array detects light rays having angles of incidences extending from less than the Brewster angle to more than the critical angle for gas. A data base stores information concerning the Brewster angle and critical angle of gas for a plurality of gas volume categories. A processor determines the percentage of gas present in the formation fluid sample and categorizes the fluid sample as high as, medium gas, low gas, and no gas based on the signal from the detector array and the information from the data base.

Abstract: A sensor mount is disclosed for use in a fluid volume measurement structure forming part of a fluid measurement system for feeding fluid in controlled amounts. The sensor mount includes a tubular body having first and second sensor mounting sockets whereby functionally different fluid sensors may be mounted to the tubular body. As fluid enters or exits the tubular body, a fluid sensor mounted in one or the other of the sensor sockets produces a signal to be used by a control portion of a fluid measurement system. The first sensor socket is provided as a through hole whereby a sensor may be mounted in fluid contact with the interior of the tubular body. The second sensor socket is provided as a blind hole for receiving a capacitance sensor out of fluid contact with fluids within the tubular body.

Abstract: An improved process and related apparatus are provided for filling a pressure reservoir of an implantable medication infusion pump with a selected pressure fluid, wherein the pressure reservoir is separated by a movable wall from an adjacent medication chamber. The improved filling process includes vacuum-draw filling of the pressure reservoir with relatively purified pressure fluid in liquid state. The specific quantity of pressure fluid within the pressure reservoir is thereafter calibrated by filling the adjacent medication chamber with a calibration fluid at a predetermined positive pressure, thereby expelling excess pressure fluid from the pressure reservoir. The pressure reservoir is then sealed and the performance characteristics thereof are tested under simulated implantation conditions to confirm the capability of the pressure reservoir to maintain medication within the medication chamber under substantially constant pressure conditions.

Abstract: A cantilever for an atomic force microscope includes a diamond stylus for opposing a sample for detecting an atomic force, a stylus holding element, at least a portion of which is made of a magnetic material, holding the diamond stylus, and a lever having a secured end and a free end to which the stylus holding element is fastened for being deformed in response to an atomic force acting between the diamond stylus and the sample. A method of manufacturing a cantilever for an atomic force microscope comprises securing a rough diamond stylus to a stylus holding element, at least a portion of the element being magnetic, forming a stylus by grinding the rough diamond, magnetizing the magnetic stylus holding element, applying an adhesive to the surface of a lever, securing the stylus holding element to the lever with the adhesive therebetween with a magnetic field in the vicinity of the lever, removing the magnetic field from the lever after the adhesive has hardened, and demagnetizing the stylus holding element.