Abstract: A container with a flexible membrane sealed to a container end may be tested for leaks as the container moves along a conveyor. The conveyor carries the container through a first region in which a negative pressure differential is established between the first region and the interior of the container. The pressure differential can be established, for example, by cooling the first region with cold air. The conveyor also carries the container from the first region to a second region, in which a positive pressure differential is established between the second region and the interior of the container. The pressure differential in the second region can be established, for example, by heating the second region with hot air. In the second region, a sensor detects a transition of the membrane of the container between convex and concave orientations and produces a signal corresponding to the occurrence of the transition.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a process of evaluating well bore flow of water and for sampling of water within a well. A hose is inserted into the well to a known depth. To evaluate the water, a tracer fluid is introduced into the hose until the pressure within the hose exceeds the hydrostatic pressure at the known depth by a preset amount. The tracer fluid is then rapidly released into the well. The tracer fluid is detected in water pumped from the well, and the elapsed time between release of the tracer fluid into the well and detection of the tracer fluid in the water pumped from the well is determined. The process is repeated at a second known depth, and the tracer fluid travel time between the two depths is determined. From this and the cross-sectional area of the well, the incremental volumetric well bore inflow to the well between the two depths is calculated. The process can be repeated at several depths within the well to permit construction of a velocity profile of water movement within the well.

Abstract: A photoacoustic flow measuring cell (1a, 1b) for measuring oil residues in water including a photoacoustic sensor principle based on converting optical energy into acoustic energy by absorption of light on oil molecules in water. A measuring cell (1a, 1b) having contamination-free infeed optics (9, 10, 11, 21) is produced by providing a free fall stage (3) for a contactless feed (12) of light into an analyte (4). A sound detector (16) is an externally mounted piezoelectric transducer (16) or an optical interferometer (23) which measures vibrations of a liquid surface (6) without contacting the same. The photoacoustic free fall measuring cell (1a, 1b) provides a high level of detection, well into the ppm concentration range, low susceptibility to faults and is suitable, in particular, for use in high pressure separating tanks (28) for conveyance of crude oil.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining at least one property of a multiphase fluid. The method includes the steps of directing the multiphase fluid through a first flow passage, monitoring the multiphase fluid as it passes through the first flow passage to obtain a first signal representing a first flow characteristic of the multiphase fluid as a function of time, directing the multiphase fluid through a second flow passage, monitoring the multiphase fluid as it passes through the second flow passage to obtain a second signal representing a second flow characteristic of the multiphase fluid as a function of time, and then determining the property of the multiphase fluid by comparing the first signal and the second signal with a set of calibration maps. The second flow passage has a geometry different from the first flow passage which relates either to the cross section of the two flow passages or to the direction in which the multiphase fluid passes through the flow passages relative to gravity.

Abstract: A gas sensor determines the presence of at least one designated gas in a gaseous environment. The gas sensor comprises a semiconductor substrate; a thin insulator layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a catalytic metallic gate layer disposed on the thin insulator layer; and a chemically modified protective layer disposed on the catalytic metal gate. The chemically modified layer comprises a material that protects the sensor from corrosive gases and interference from at least one foreign matter and water, alters at least one of surface chemical properties and surface physical properties of the sensor, and passes only the designated gas therethrough.

Abstract: A tool for initiating a downhole function in a subsurface well, such as a cased well. The tool has memory adapted to store a well-specific reference pattern of one or more downhole well characteristics as a function of position along the well, one or more sensors responsive to the downhole well characteristics, and a clocked processor. The processor is adapted to receive well characteristic signals from the sensors, determine, from the signals and the reference pattern in memory, the position of the tool along the well, and automatically initiate a downhole function at a preprogrammed position along the well while the tool is moved at a substantially constant rate along the well. The tool may be configured in a string of tools for performing multiple downhole functions. In some embodiments the reference pattern is the known spacing of discrete downhole features, such as casing collars. In some other embodiments the reference pattern is a log of a geophysical parameter, such as a natural gamma log.

Abstract: The effective flow area of a restriction in a gas flow passage, such as that of a gas turbine nozzle or vane, is determined by use of a large reservoir containing pressurized gas which is discharged through the passage in a blowdown operation in which the ratio of back pressure of the restriction to gas pressure in the reservoir is maintained below critical for sonic flow; a timer may be used to measure the time for a predetermined fall of pressure in the reservoir whilst there is sonic flow through the restriction.

Abstract: A drill stem has a testing tool and a drill bit. To drill, the drill stem is rotated and weight is applied to the bit from the surface. To test a formation, the drill stem is left in the borehole. Compressed gas purges mud from the drill stem. The testing tool has upper and lower collars. The lower collar has a valve seat therein. A valve member is dropped from the surface down inside of the drill stem to seat in the valve seat. When the valve member seats, the lower collar is unlatched from the upper collar, and a piston drives fluid into an inflatable packer to set the packer. With the well shut in, the drill stem test can be initiated. The valve member can be lowered on a wireline and can be selectively removed or placed in the valve seat, wherein alternating shut in and flow periods for the drill stem test can be conducted. In addition, the testing tool can be used in combination with a circulating sub, which circulating sub has a bypass valve that is actuated by a dead man.

Abstract: A method of separating and analyzing slightly volatile cations and/or anions contained in a sample immediately and simultaneously. The sample is injected into a chromatography device in liquid phase co-operating with at least one stationary phase likely to retain the cations and the anions contained in the sample by competing interactions with the stationary phase or phases. The cations and anions are eluted by feeding at least one mobile phase which can be evaporated through the stationary phase or phases. The cations and the anions present in the mobile phase or phases are analyzed with the aid of an evaporative light scattering detector.

Abstract: A method for applying a chromium surface treatment to nickel-based air data sensors to improve the corrosion resistance properties of the components while retaining thermal conductivity in order to efficiently transfer internally generated heat to the exterior of the component during anti-icing or deicing procedures is provided. The method for applying a chromium surface treatment to nickel-based air data sensors includes the steps of: (a) ion plating a nickel-based substrate with chromium atoms using a physical vapor deposition process; (b) interdiffusing the chromium and the nickel atoms at the surface region by means of a first thermal treatment carried out in an inert environment; and (c) oxidizing the chromium atoms at the surface region to create a chromium oxide layer during a second thermal treatment performed in an oxygen-containing environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying samples to be analyzed by gas chromatography using a sampling tube, which has a section which contains the adsorbing agent and narrows essentially conically towards a bore which is free of adsorbing agent and has a reduced diameter, in such a manner that the flow rate of a gas which is guided through towards the narrowed section on the outlet side is at least approximately equal to the inlet-side flow rate, liquid or gaseous starting sample material being guided through the sampling tube towards the narrowed section, so that substances to be analyzed are adsorbed on the adsorbing agent, the sampling tube being flushed with drying gas, which is guided through the sampling tube in the same direction as the starting sample material, until the liquid phase, which is contained in the sampling tube, or the starting sample material is essentially removed, and the adsorbed sample being desorbed by means of a carrier gas which is introduced through the sampling tube from

Abstract: A test plug assembly which tests the integrity of a segment of pipe having an internal diameter. The assembly comprises an annular body with opposite annular faces and defining on its outer perimeter, an annular recess, a pair of bosses, a pair of resilient annular members adapted to be respectively juxtaposed between an adjacent boss and annular face, means for urging the bosses respectively against the adjacent resilient annular member so as to urge the same frictionally engage and to seal against the internal diameter of the selected pipe segment and, means communicating through the assembly to that plenum now defined by said recess, the resilient annular members and the internal diameter of the pipe whereby the integrity of that pipe segment may be determined.

Abstract: A method of operating a calorimetric gas sensor by modulating its operating temperature includes the steps of heating a sensing element and a reference element of a calorimetric gas sensor to a first temperature between a predetermined minimum temperature and a light-off temperature of the sensing element, modulating the heating of the sensing element and reference element between a second temperature above the light-off temperature and the first temperature to produce an alternating current (AC) output, and measuring the AC sensor output of the frequency of modulation.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a process of evaluating well bore flow of water and for sampling of water within a well. A hose is inserted into the well to a known depth. To evaluate the water, a tracer fluid is introduced into the hose until the pressure within the hose exceeds the hydrostatic pressure at the known depth by a preset amount. The tracer fluid is then rapidly released into the well. The tracer fluid is detected in water pumped from the well, and the elapsed time between release of the tracer fluid into the well and detection of the tracer fluid in the water pumped from the well is determined. The process is repeated at a second known depth, and the tracer fluid travel time between the two depths is determined. From this and the cross-sectional area of the well, the incremental volumetric well bore inflow to the well between the two depths is calculated. The process can be repeated at several depths within the well to permit construction of a velocity profile of water movement within the well.

Abstract: An apron for indicating a leak from the joinder of a toilet with an underlying closet flange and soil pipe includes a compliant impervious thin sheet having flat upper and lower surfaces. A circular aperture is centered in the sheet. A colorant-emitting disc is attached to the upper surface of the sheet in surrounding annular relationship about the aperture. The dimensions of the disc are chosen so as to interact with the closet flange and intercept any leaks.

Abstract: A metal oxide semiconductor is subjected to a temperature change, and signals measured at two timings in the course of the temperature change are used to define a two-dimensional topological space. In the topological space, two axis, an axis indicating the concentration of the gas to be detected and an axis corresponding to drift are defined, and the topological space is represented by an oblique coordinate system. The gas concentration is determined from projection of measured data onto the gas concentration axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument and methods for determining stability of oils and fats. The instrument includes a sample reaction vessel for containing a sample of an oil or fat, a moisturized gas source operably connected to the vessel for contacting a moisturized gas with the sample, a compound trap containing water operably connected to the vessel to contact the moisturized gas from the vessel with the water, and an automatic data acquisition and control system for monitoring the electrical conductivity of the water. The method is carried out by heating an oil or a fat, contacting the oil or fat with a moisturized gas, contacting the moisturized gas with water to form a trap solution, measuring the electrical conductivity of the trap solution, and determining the stability of the oil or fat.

Abstract: A method for assessing the properties of dried milk products and hence suitability for use in various processes is described, including the steps of solubilizing a sample of a dried milk product, stirring the sample mixture and assessing the viscosity of the solution. The solvent can be water or a dilute acid buffered to approximately pH 6.5 and the sample mixture heated to at least 50.degree. C. to solubilize the proteins in the dried milk product while the viscosity is measured.

Abstract: A device is described which combines Acoustic and Electroacoustic spectrometers to characterize both particle size distribution and zeta potential for concentrated dispersed systems.The Acoustic Spectrometer measures both attenuation and sound speed for multiple frequencies using each measurement to help optimize and correct the other. The attenuation spectra is used to calculate particle size.The Electroacoustic Spectrometer measures Colloid Vibration Current (CVI), correcting the measured value using attenuation and sound speed data from the Acoustic Spectrometer. The Colloid Vibration Current is used to calculate zeta potential taking into account the particle size calculated from the acoustic measurement as well as particle interaction.Sound speed and multiple frequency CVI measurement provide additional experimental data to check the validity of the data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detection of leaks in boilers containing a temperature control liquid which is supplemented with feedwater and removed as blowdown, main steam and sootblower steam. In a preferred embodiment, the boiler has an automatic liquid level control mechanism. The methods include measuring rates associated with feedwater supplementation and removal, determining the relationship between water input rate and water output rate; determining the change of mass of the temperature control liquid, determining the unaccounted for water rate, and comparing the unaccounted for water rate with zero to determine if a leak condition is present.