Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the continuous monitoring of ambient particulate mass in a gas sample encompassing the monitoring of PM.sub.10, (particulate matter greater than 10 .mu.m) and coarse particles (2.5 to 10 .mu.m), the determination of the size distribution of particles, the determination of particle density and the determination of particle-bound water, utilizing such laboratory equipment as an inertial impactor, a virtual impactor, diffusion dryer(s), HEPA filter(s), particulate matter collector(s), and pressure transducer(s).

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro-mechanical device for determining the oxygen content in a gas mixture or gas matrix including a dumbbell-shaped element having a base plate and two volumes of the gas to be measured arranged on opposing sides of a center portion of the base plate. The center portion of the base plate is held by a clamping band which is torsionally held such that the base plate rotates about the center portion. A mirror element on the base plate is used to determine a rotational position of the base plate and a compensation coil for conducting current and creating a rotational force to counter any rotation by the base plate is arranged on the dumbell-shaped element.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method and apparatus to determine the thermodynamic properties of a gas medium without making a determination of gas composition. In the instant invention, the pressure and speed of sound of a gas medium in a vessel are determined at multiple temperature points. According to the preferred embodiment, this information may be on a single isochore. Once the physical information is determined, an interpolation routine is executed by which initial estimated parameters such as the density and the compressibility of the gas medium will converge to accurate values. From these parameters, the thermophysical properties of the gas medium may be determined.

Abstract: A system, container, and methods are provided for containing and handling a toxic gas. The system preferably includes a first container having toxic gas stored therein and a second container including a base and a lid mounted to the base when in a closed position thereby forming an interstitial space therebetween, which base and lid are sealed against leaks out of the second container by a sealing material that may visibly indicates leaks by visibly changing color in response to contact with any toxic gas that has leaked into the interstitial space, or which container system may include a toxic gas sensor or pressure sensor for detecting presence of leakage gas within the interstitial space. The base has an inner chamber formed therein, and the first container is preferably mounted in the inner chamber so that an interstitial space is formed around at least portions of the first container.

Abstract: A sampling port is provided which has threaded ends for incorporating the port into a length of subsurface pipe. The port defines an internal receptacle which is in communication with subsurface fluids through a series of fine filtering slits. The receptacle is in further communication through a bore with a fitting carrying a length of tubing there which samples are transported to the surface. Each port further defines an additional bore through which tubing, cables, or similar components of adjacent ports may pass.

Abstract: A highly accurate relative humidity sensing device includes a sensory unit having a humidity sensitive capacitor which has a capacitance which changes as a function of relative humidity. The sensor unit is housed in a tubular unit which is inserted through an aperture into the environment to be measured which is typically a duct or the like. The unit is constructed for easy removability. A housing having a central aperture is bolted to the duct and the tube containing the sensor is inserted through the aperture into a hole drilled into the sidewall of the duct. The cylinder holding the sensor is grasped by a releasably detachable securing structure. By releasing the securing structure, the cylinder may be withdrawn from the duct for replacement of the sensor.

Abstract: A machine tool has a rotatably mounted part and a rotary leadthrough connected thereto, through which a fluid can be delivered to the rotatably mounted part. The rotary leadthrough further comprises an outlet from which leaking fluid emerges in the event of a leak in the rotary leadthrough. The outlet is connected to a fluid sensor which detects the emerging fluid and reports the leak.

Abstract: A combustible gas detector or sensors having a multi-level sensitivity circuitry. The gas detector has a bridge circuit for outputing voltages indicative of gas concentrations contacting the bridge circuit. There is a power supply node electrically coupled to one end of the bridge circuit. There is also a voltage control circuit, coupled between the bridge circuit and the power supply node, for controlling when at least a low and high input voltage level is supplied to the bridge circuit so that the bridge circuit has at least two levels of gas concentration discernability. The bridge circuit outputs distinguishable voltage levels for high gas concentrations in response to receiving the low voltage level. Additionally, the bridge circuit outputs distinguishable voltage levels for low gas concentrations in response to receiving the high voltage level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a gaseous environment for the presence of cellular material capable of providing a measure of presence and/or numbers of cellular microorganisms, such as bacterial cells, in a large volume of air such as in a warehouse or production facility or in an open air location where bacterial presence is suspected. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for determining the likelihood of pathogenic material being present in an environment by batch or on-line measurement of cell numbers. On-line measurement provides continuous monitoring of an environment for presence of pathogens. The device includes a continuous flow luminometer preferably fed by a cyclone or high velocity virtual impactor and luminescence reagents which detect the amount of ATP or adenylate kinase present in a sample of air.

Abstract: A flow measuring device for indicating the leak status of a pressurized fluid-carrying line pressurized by a pump includes an electronic leak sensing module connected in fluid communication with the pressurized line and configured for insertion within a detection port of a pump manifold. The module includes a thermal sensor effected by flow through the pressurized line, whereby leaks in the pressurized line are detected by monitoring the thermal sensor for changes in output signal that correspond to flow through the pressurized fluid-carrying line. The flow measuring device includes a system control unit for monitoring the electronic leak sensing module and indicating the leak status of the pressurized line. Wires which provide power to the leak sensing module, the system control unit and the pump for pressurizing the pressurized line are also used for communication.

Abstract: An apparatus that allows for the testing of pipes, either underground or in other inaccessible locations, for leaks and determines the exact locations and severity of said leaks. By the use of a ball, attached to a retaining string, traveling through a piping system on the flow of liquid that is exiting through the pipe leak, a user is capable of determining the location of the leak within inches, even on long line piping systems. The invention utilizes a reservoir of liquid that is forced through the pipe under test using a pump. A calibrated reel of retaining string then provides the exact location of the leak.

Abstract: A portal apparatus for screening objects or persons for the presence of trace amounts of chemical substances such as illicit drugs or explosives. The apparatus has a test space, in which a person may stand, defined by two generally upright sides spanned by a horizontal transom. One or more fans in the transom generate a downward air flow (uni-directional) within the test space. The air flows downwardly from a high pressure upper zone, past the object or person to be screened. Air moving past the object dislodges from the surface thereof both volatile and nonvolatile particles of the target substance. The particles are entrained into the air flow which continues flowing downward to a lower zone of reduced pressure, where the particle-bearing air stream is directed out of the test space and toward preconcentrator and detection components. The sides of the portal are specially configured to partially contain and maintain the air flow.

Abstract: In a gas chromatograph system having a column with a stationary phase and a carrier gas moving through the column to contact the stationary phase, the system being useful for detecting analytes in a sample, a method and apparatus for predicting the retention times for the analytes under various conditions, the method utilizing the steps of:a) detecting the analytes under a number of sets of given conditions;b) calculating values for various parameters characteristic of the system based on a mathematical model that includes a correction to compensate for the permeability of said column to said carrier gas;c) entering into the model the values for the characteristic parameters and at least one further set of conditions; andd) using the model to predict retention times for conditions other than those of step a;the apparatus composed of a data handling system including a model for predicting retention times at a variety of conditions of operation of the system, the model having a first set of inputs including ret

Abstract: A protection system for hydraulic systems, mainly for pipes, faucets, valves, boilers, furnaces, etc.

Abstract: A monitoring device for use with a coaxial pipe or double wall pipe device which provides access to the interstitial region between an inner pipe and an outer pipe which coaxially defines the interstitial region, each pipe having two terminal ends. The inner pipe has at least one terminal end extending from the outer pipe to leave a portion of the outer wall of the inner pipe exposed to thereby expose the interstitial region. A boot is provided for defining a chamber with a larger end snugly fitting the outer pipe, and a small end snugly fitting onto the exposed outer wall of the inner pipe.

Abstract: A viscometer has a rotatable member and a stationary wall engageable with material to be measured. A lens extends through at least a portion of the wall of the viscometer such that laminar flow of material to be measured is undisturbed while shearing across a face of the lens. An infra-red sensor is alignable through the lens for directly measuring infra-red energy created while the material shears across the face of the lens in response to the rotatable member moving with respect to the lens. A method is disclosed for measuring a torque of a material to be tested in a viscometer has a rotatable member and a wall engageable with material to be measured.

Abstract: A transducer for use in a viscoelastic analyzer of the type in which a mechanical probe member is immersed in a fluid or gel and driven to impart a desired oscillating motion to such fluid or gel whose viscoelastic properties are to be determined including means for restricting motion of the probe member of the transducer in all directions except the direction of desired oscillating motion.

Abstract: A pressure container that easily fixes a sample or installs various measurement sensors onto a material tester before initiating various tests under an ambient pressure using the material tester, the container including a cover member that is mounted on the bottom surface of an upper loading frame plate with the loading cylinder of the material tester penetrating the center thereof, a bottom member that is mounted on the top surface of a lower loading frame plate with the platen of the material tester penetrating the center thereof, and a cylindrical side wall member having the same outer diameter as the cover member and the same inner diameter as the bottom member. The side wall member is disposed so as to slide vertically around the bottom member and can be detachably fixed to the cover member in its uppermost position in which the side wall member touches the cover member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a misting property of fluids, the method and apparatus simulating mist generation of fluids in machining processes. Fluid is supplied to mist generating means in an enclosure and energy input to the fluid by the mist generating means is controlled. Mist laden gas flows from the vicinity of mist generation to a mist concentration measuring means. Droplets of relatively large mass are removed from the mist prior to the flow of gas reaching the mist concentration measuring means. To further simulate machining processes, the fluid of interest is recirculated from a reservoir through the mist generating means. Mist concentration measurements produced under the same conditions for fluids of different compositions are compared to characterize the misting properties of fluids.

Abstract: A measuring arrangement for determining the concentration of gases dissolved in a liquid is proposed, which has a simple design and makes possible the use of known gas-measuring apparatus based on color reaction tubes or color reaction capillaries. A preferably flexible tube-like body is provided which is formed of a material that is permeable to the gases to be measured but is impermeable to the liquid. A carrier gas flows on the inside of this body and the body is connected to the gas-measuring apparatus upstream in the direction of the gas flow. The semipermeable material is preferably microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).