Abstract: A force transducer for producing an output signal proportional to the magnitude of an input force having a force receiving base cantilevered from a fixed base through a leaf spring flexure assembly which is provided with means for anchoring the opposite ends of a removable spring flexure in the fixed and force receiving bases respectively to thereby adjust the transducer to a predetermined force range.

Abstract: A scanner for periodically scanning an object to be examined with a beam of ultrasonic radiation. A transducer mounted within a housing emits a beam of ultrasonic radiation. The beam is guided and deflected respectively to a continuously rotating scanning reflector which is disposed opposite a stationary object reflector, from which the beam is directed to the object. The beam propagation path further includes a first focussing member adapted to focus the beam to a focal point within the housing, and a second focussing member adapted to focus the beam to a focal point within the object. In a preferred embodiment the first focussing member can be selectively adjusted. Thereby the focal area of the beam in the object can be conveniently shifted.

Abstract: In a device for electrically monitoring the level of a liquid present in a container, a plurality of temperature-dependent resistance probes (n-1, n, n+1) are arranged at different heights in the container, they being adapted to be connected one after the other to a source of constant current (5) under the control of a program control device. For the evaluation of the voltage at one resistance probe (for example n+1) connected at the time to the source of constant current (5), a differentiator (6) is provided as well as a comparator (7), which is arranged behind the former and is and acted on by a threshold voltage and is connected to circuitry for forming a display signal. The circuitry comprises counter (4, 19) which counts the number of resistance probes (n-1, n, n+1) whose voltage differential is above the threshold voltage after connection to the source of constant current (5).

Abstract: In an apparatus for testing lubricating or material properties, two clamping assemblies are pressed together. Each clamping assembly has a clamping surface facing the clamping surface on the other assembly. The first clamping surface has two annular roller paths with the axes of the paths spaced apart. The second clamping surface has one annular roller path intersecting the roller paths on the first clamping surface. Four balls roll in the roller path of the second clamping surface with two of the balls rolling in one of the roller paths of the first clamping surface and the other two balls rolling in the other roller path of the first clamping surface. The clamping assembly with the second clamping surface oscillates back and forth relative to the clamping assembly with the first clamping surface. The pulling force developed by the movement of the balls is measured as an indication of the properties of a lubricant filled into the roller paths or of the materials of the balls and the roller paths.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a pipette which comprises a frame portion (1) shaped as a handle, a cylinder being formed inside the frame portion (1), as well as a piston (5) fitted into the cylinder by means of a seal ring (7), a piston rod (4) connected to the piston (3), as well as a press knob (5) with shaft (6), fitted at the upper end of the frame portion (1). Around the shaft (6) of the press knob (5), a calibration sleeve (9) is fitted by means of a threaded joint (8), by means of which calibration sleeve (9) the lower limit of the movement of the piston (3) during pipetting can be determined. According to the invention, the calibration sleeve (9), as surrounded by the mantle (10) of the hollow press knob (5) and by the upper part of the pipette frame (1), is placed at a distance both from the mantle (10) of the press knob (5) and from the inner face of the cover of the upper part of the pipette frame (1).

Abstract: A flow cell for monitoring accumulations of microscopic material in heat exchange systems and the like, by measuring accretion on the surfaces of a pair of plates exposed to a primary flow, includes a split housing which supports the pair of plates in closely spaced relation with an inlet and an outlet positioned to apply a primary flow between the plates, and further includes a cavity formed in each housing half with the back or opposite sides of the plates exposed to the interior of the cavity and fluid inlets and outlets leading into such cavities providing for the flow of a secondary fluid through the cavities and across the back sides of the plates for the purpose of more accurately simulating the thermal gradient conditions on the plates in a heat exchanger, and for monitoring the rate of accumulation on the plate surfaces.

Abstract: An underwater instrument for the combined reading of immersion time and depth, and decompression time, wherein a depthometer, a clock device and decompression tables are mounted in mutually adjacent positions on a single support element.

Abstract: A high temperature and high pressure consistometer comprises a cylindrical pressure vessel having an integral bottom and a cover for said pressure vessel. A nonmagnetic canister extends downwardly from said bottom and is sealed therein. A driven magnet assembly is journaled in said canister. A drive shaft is connected to said driven magnet assembly extending into said vessel. A nonmagnetic canister extends upwardly from the cover and is sealed therein. A driving magnet assembly is journaled in said canister. A shaft connected to said driving magnet assembly extends downwardly into said vessel. A driven magnet assembly is mounted for rotation on the exterior of the downwardly extending canister and a driven magnet assembly is mounted for rotation on the exterior of the upwardly extending canister. A sample cup is connected to the upwardly extending drive shaft and a paddle is connected to the downwardly extending shaft.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for measuring the shear stress of a viscoelastic fluid wherein the force measured on a plate exerted by the fluid flowing coplanar therewith is measured.

Abstract: A tire cap pressure gauge for mounting upon a tire valve stem and measuring tire pressure has a housing, a manually operated plunger extending axially through the housing, a spring extending about the plunger, a piston biased by the spring and having indicia, and a transparent insert member containing said spring, piston and plunger within the housing and having an internally threaded bore for mounting about the periphery of a threaded valve stem. The housing has multiple windows with indicia proximate thereto for viewing the translational position of the piston through the transparent insert member. Two embodiments show a lightweight, compact and easily assembled pressure measuring cap having sealless construction which utilizes close clearances and sharp corners to minimize leakage airflow. A small but insignificant amount of air leaks past the piston, providing an audible signal that the plunger is sufficiently depressed to provide an adequate pressure reading.

Abstract: To simulate, for testing purposes, the subsystems of an aircraft that electrohydraulically position the movable control surfaces of an aircraft, circuitry is provided for receiving input control signals, generated, for example, by an autopilot, and for transforming such signals into electrical output signals that are the analogs of signals produced by linear variable differential transformers (LVDT) feedback devices that track the actual movements and positions of the aircraft control surfaces. The relatively slow acting hydraulic components of the aircraft control subsystems are simulated by integrating circuitry and the resulting integrated signals are used to modulate an AC reference signal, which is then applied to the primaries of isolation transformers, the secondaries of which produce the simulated, analog LVDT feedback signals and also present a load impedance to the autopilot that closely matches the output windings of the simulated LVTDs.

Abstract: A method and system for separating and sealing sections of a pipeline are disclosed. A spherical member is advanced by pressure along the interior of a pipeline to seat against a restraining member forming a pressure-tight seal. The advancing pressure may then be increased within the pipeline to monitor for leaks in the upstream section of the pipeline.

Abstract: A capillary bridge viscometer is disclosed for measuring the relative viscosity of a solute in a solvent. The bridge contains two (2) fluid flow circuits. One circuit contains two (2) capillaries in series. The second circuit contains two (2) capillaries in series with a valve and an associated liquid reservoir positioned intermediate of the capillaries. A common feed line feeds a first liquid to both fluid flow circuits. With the valve set in one operating position, the first liquid flows through all four (4) capillaries and no pressure differential is established across the bridge. With the valve set in a second operating position, the first liquid exiting the first capillary of the second fluid flow circuit flows into the liquid reservoir and displaces a second liquid stored therein which then flows through the second capillary of the second fluid flow circuit. A differential pressure is established across the bridge which is a function of the viscosity of the second liquid.

Abstract: An invention in a rock core testing unit vibrator for generating a vibration at a controlled frequency for coupling to a barrel of a rock core test unit wherein a rock core cutting is jammed. In practice, the generator output is controlled to produce a harmonic or natural resonant frequency of the barrel of sufficient intensity to produce a resonant elastic vibration therein to shake that barrel relative to the rock core cuttings, dislodging the rock core cuttings that then fall therefrom under the urgings of gravity.

Abstract: A circuit for processing the vortex shedding frequency signal of a vortex shedding flowmeter comprises a phase detector, switch and low pass filter connected in series. The phase detector receives the vortex shedding frequency and applies it over the normally closed switch to the low pass filter which produces an analog signal corresponding to the frequency of the vortex shedding frequency signal. A voltage controlled oscillator is connected between an output of the low pass filter and an input of the phase detector for tracking the vortex shedding frequency and producing a tracking frequency signal which is maintained when the vortex shedding frequency signal disappears. A range or gain code circuit portion is connected for establishing a set time period during which the frequency signal is accumulated in a counter. The accumulated signal from the counter is utilized as a digital signal corresponding to the vortex shedding frequency signal.

Abstract: A novel transducer able to detect ultrasonic surface waves over a wide frency band. The transducer is essentially a grid or series of bars connected in parallel or series. The sensitivity of the transducer increases proportionally with frequency for constant surface wave amplitude. The transducer detects surface waves by providing a resistance change across the transducer output terminal proportional to the surface wave strain. The output voltage can be calibrated to give a direct reading of the surface wave amplitude. The coupling problems which are inherent in most transducer configurations are drastically reduced for this strain sensitive detector. The modulation of the grid excitation voltage provides a means for mixing two signals by giving the direct product of the signals in time. Complicated filtering functions can be built into the grid detector by varying the bar spacing in a manner analogous to the piezoelectric interdigital grid transducer.

Abstract: A knock detecting apparatus for detecting the occurrence of knocking in an internal combustion engine by detecting variations in the pressure of engine cooling water. A sealed double diaphragm structure is formed by a first diaphragm which is directly responsive to variations in the cooling water pressure and not resonant at the knock frequencies and a second diaphragm which is resonant at the knock frequencies. A noncompressible fluid is contained in the sealed double diaphragm structure between the two diaphragms. Pulsations of the second diaphragm, resonant at the knock frequencies, are detected by a magnetic device or a piezoelectric device operative to output an ac signal.

Abstract: A device for the determination of the gas permeability of a material such as paper includes a holder 1 for holding a sample across a gas flow passage of predetermined cross section and a pump 2 for drawing air through the passageway via one or more constant flow device C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 arranged in parallel. Each constant flow device has a closable control valve V.sub.1 -V.sub.6 respectively. A first pressure transducer measures the pressure drop across the sample and a second pressure transducer, in cooperation with a lamina flow element measures the rate of air flow through the sample. A by-pass by-passes selectively three of the control valves of the constant flow devices. The by-pass has valves B.sub.1 -B.sub.3 arranged in parallel and operable to close the by-pass to gas flow therethrough to the respective constant flow devices C.sub.1 -C.sub.6.The by-pass also includes an atmospheric bleed 11 and a valve B.sub.4 closable to stop the flow of air into the by-pass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting perforations in an underground fuel storage tank, employs the creation of a partial vacuum in the tank and a pressure difference across the tank wall, to cause air to pass through the perforation, and a hydrophone to sense the acoustic waves produced by the formation of air bubbles in the fuel. The acoustic waves of the bubbles caused by the air passage are sensed by a hydrophone and processed to provide an electrical signal indicative of the presence of the perforation. A water level sensor is also used to detect the level of water beneath hydrocarbon fuel in the tank. The method and apparatus can also be used with above ground fuel storage tanks and other types of above and below ground storage tanks.

Abstract: An ambient aerosol sampling device according to the disclosure herein includes a cyclonic fractionator comprised of an inner tube positioned partially inside a larger diameter middle tube that is plugged at the bottom. A still larger sized outer tube is positioned over the middle tube to receive air flow out of the middle tube and direct it to a conventional filter substrate. A plurality of vanes are positioned at the inlet of the inner tube to impart a vertical motion to an air stream flowing therein. A protective cover is positioned over the vanes and cyclonic fractionator, and an aerodynamic deflector at the bottom of the cover and air ramp inside the cover provides an omni-directional inlet pathway to draw air into the sampling device and to guide the airstream into the vanes.