Abstract: Devices and methods are provided to characterize local, small-scale variations in tack build-up, e.g., by measuring tack over areas smaller than 20 mm.sup.2, preferably over areas smaller than 1 mm.sup.2. These devices and methods measure the tack properties, e.g., tack build-up, of a coating over a very small area, allowing characterization of such small-scale variations. The invention also provides methods for using such characterization to predict back trap mottle (BTM).

Abstract: An air cargo container includes a relatively-rigid housing defining an air-tight interior space of nominal volume within which to receive cargo. The housing substantially maintains the nominal volume of the interior space upon pressurizing or evacuating the interior space relative to ambient pressure, whereby a differential interior pressure is achieved before loading the container aboard an aircraft. Where the differential interior pressure is achieved by pressurizing the interior space, air or another suitable gas is injected under pressure into the housing. Where the differential interior pressure is obtained by evacuating the housing's interior space, or where the process of pressurizing the interior space includes a prior evacuation step, the gases drawn from within the housing are preferably analyzed to detect the presence of contraband within the received cargo. Sensors on the housing confirm that an achieved interior pressure is substantially maintained over time.

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 disposed on the thin insulator layer; and a chemically modified 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 leak sensor system for use in liquid processing equipment is disclosed. Liquid is detected by a sensing resistor whose impedance decreases dramatically in the presence of liquid. The effect of this impedance drop on the output voltage of he sensor indicates a wet or moist state which may indicate leakage from the liquid processing. A terminal resistor is in the circuit beyond the sensing resistor ro provide a warning indicator when the sensing resistor is damage or disconnected. The leak sensor system is particularly useful in centrifuge equipment, e.g., for the processing of blood.

Abstract: A device for determining the level of nitric oxide in an exhaled airstream belonging to a living organism selected to have its lung function evaluated, where an initial device is arranged to determine the current portion of nitric oxide and/or the distribution of nitric oxide over time during an exhalation phase. During the commencing period of the exhalation phase, the exhaled air is arranged to pass with no or with only a very small resistance or back-pressure to a free space, and during the remaining period, the exhaled air is arranged to pass through the initial device against the action of a suitable resistance or back-pressure. The level of nitric oxide is measured during this remaining period.

Abstract: Device for connecting a first duct of a very small diameter, such as for instance a needle or a capillary column, to a second duct, wherein the device comprises a receiving part and a sealing element, wherein the receiving part is provided with a duct bore in which the first duct is slidably receivable, wherein the receiving part is also provided with a sealing-element bore which intersects the duct bore and in which the sealing element is slidably received, wherein the sealing element is provided with a recess, wherein the sealing element is adapted to assume a sealing position in which the duct bore is sealed, and is adapted to assume a connecting position in which the two duct bore parts on either side of the sealing-element bore are in fluid connection with each other via the recess, wherein the sealing element is biased in the sealing position by a spring under spring action.

Abstract: In a principal embodiment, the invention relates to a method in which a water sample containing dissolved hydrocarbon fuel to be identified is contacted with a fiber optic element adapted to adsorb a hydrocarbon fuel on at least a portion of the element, for a time sufficient to adsorb a characterizing amount of the fuel from the water sample. The fiber optic element containing adsorbed hydrocarbon fuel is then removed from the water sample, and then at least the portion of the fiber optic element containing adsorbed fuel is immersed in or surrounded with water. The adsorbed hydrocarbon fuel is allowed to desorb from the fiber optic element while the rate of desorption of the fuel from the fiber optic element is measured by a fiber optic chemical sensor system of which the fiber optic element is a part.

Abstract: A sensor element for an electrochemical sensor that determines the oxygen content of exhaust gases produced by internal combustion engines. The sensor element includes at least one measurement device and at least one heating device associated with the measurement device. The measurement device and the heating device both include individual functional layers laminated one above another. The heating device is covered with a surface layer that covers not only the surface of the outermost layer of the functional layers of the heating device, but also the side surfaces of all the functional layers of the heating device.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the quality of water at a ground water sampling site without human intervention. Water at the sampling site is purged until at least one preselected purge criterion is satisfied. At least one water quality attribute is automatically measured at the sampling site, and the quality of water at the site is determined based on the measured water quality attribute. The method is performed by a system including a control unit which, in accordance with a computer program, controls the taking of water quality attribute measurements at the sampling site. The control unit may be equipped with a port for downloading data to a technician on site and with a transceiver for communicating data to a base station via a communications network.

Abstract: A method for determining the rheological properties of a sample substance by the use of a rheometer, in which at least one element having magnetoelastic characteristics is received in said sample substance. The element is set into mechanical oscillation by the influence of a magnetic field and its oscillation characteristics are determined by the effect exerted by the oscillation of the element on an outer magnetic field which, in turn, provides information regarding the rheological properties of the sample substance. The device comprises a receptacle for the sample substance and the element. An exciting coil array is provided for exciting the element, thus causing it to oscillate mechanically; and a sensing coil array is provided to register the effect of the element on an existing magnetic field image during oscillation of the element.

Abstract: A device using the failure of a material decomposable by ozone to indicate a predetermined ozone exposure. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of contact rods stretch latex to varying thicknesses to indicate more than one level of ozone exposure upon failure. The device can be made compact and portable, usable as a personal monitor. In an alternative embodiment, material such as rubber in the shape of O-rings is employed as the material decomposable by ozone.

Abstract: A sensor system for detecting the presence of water in a sealed oil chamber of a marine engine, and for providing a warning signal in response thereto. A sensor assembly surrounds the propeller shaft and includes a pair of conductive rings separated by a central insulative ring, preferably with outer insulative rings completing the assembly. Electrical wires connected to the conductive rings are part of an alarm circuit. The conductive rings each have radially inwardly extending sensor probes located in the center of the rings and a radially outwardly extending sensor probe located on its lower periphery, the probes extending beyond the central insulative ring to provide gaps which normally break the alarm circuit. The distal ends of the outwardly extending probes are juxtaposed to the lowermost portion of the oil chamber casing to detect the presence of any water in the oil chamber that settles to the bottom of the chamber when the engine is not running and conductively bridge the gap between these probes.

Abstract: A test fixture to test for possible leakage past a seal between adjacent portions of two test panels. The test panels are supported on a housing in edge-to-edge relation across the open front of a chamber in a housing. The panels are moved toward the open front of the chamber so that the panels seal against the open front. The housing is supported in a cabinet. Liquid is discharged into the cabinet and directed against the seal. The housing has a rear wall which is visible through the cabinet and is constructed to enable viewing into the chamber to see whether the seal has leaked.

Abstract: A gas analyzer has a test chamber for a gas sample, an inlet for the gas sample and a gas sensor sensitive to gas movement, for determining the concentration of a constituent gas in the gas sample. The inlet is adapted to be connected to an inspiration line of a respirator. A shield is arranged so it covers the inlet of the test chamber, causing the gas sample to remain relatively still inside the test chamber during the analysis, regardless of the main flow of the gas to be analyzed. The gas analyzer can accordingly be devised for direct connection to the gas to be analyzed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring gas content in a fluid, such as papermaking pulp or coating paste, and to a gas content measuring device. Pressure variations generated by a pump, for instance, are to occur in the fluid. Travel time, phase and/or attenuation of the microwave signal (20) are measured with the gas content measuring device while the signal (20) penetrates through the fluid (13), and the gas content is determined on the basis of changes in travel time, phase and/or attenuation of the microwave signal (20) caused by pressure variations of the fluid (13).

Abstract: Oven, for example, embodied as a foam tester, can heat and cool circulating gas, and hence, contained sample containers, rapidly. A volume for containing coolant material is provided for cooling the oven volume is provided apart from the oven volume, and the cooling volume is adapted to contain cooling material, at least during operation of the cooling cycle. Optionally, the cooling volume can be closed off from the oven volume when the device is in heating mode and opened when in cooling mode, but preferably, it is not but has a drainable liquid, for example, water, cooling system installed in the cooling volume. The device may have an air plume; preferably however, it has such a plume eliminated with high circulation blowing and mixing of the bath gas, for example, air, provided. Accessories such as a removable drain tray, and so forth, may be added.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and comparing the permeant transmission rate through film material on a moving conveyor, including a first and second chamber through which the film material is moved, a permeant supply to the first chamber and a permeant detector connected to the second chamber. A computer processor is connected to the detector to quantify the detected amounts of permeant and to compare the detected permeant amounts with similar amounts detected for a different material sample, and for determining the permeant transmission rate characteristics of the film material by such comparison.

Abstract: A method of positively locating the source of leaks in the heat transfer surface area of the plate heat exchanger between separate product and service fluid paths arranged in an intimate heat exchange relationship is disclosed. The method comprises:circulating a solution through one fluid path of the exchanger, the solution consisting of solvent with appreciable vapor pressure under the chosen test conditions;providing a gas flow across the other fluid path of the exchange surface by means of forced or natural convection;applying a positive pressure differential between solution and gas stream; anddetecting visually the location of deposited solutes on or around the other fluid path.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor for the detection of hydrogen, e.g., in an environment susceptible to the incursion or generation of hydrogen. The sensor includes a rare earth metal thin film arranged for exposure to the environment and exhibiting a detectable change of physical property, e.g., optical transmissivity, electrical resistivity, magneto-resistance, and/or photoconductivity, when the rare earth metal thin film is contacted with hydrogen gas. The sensor may include an output assembly for converting the physical property change to a perceivable output. The rare earth metal thin film may correspondingly be used for signal processing applications, in which the rare earth metal thin film is contacted with hydrogen gas, and a predetermined voltage signal is selectively imposed across the rare earth metal thin film, to selectively electrically switch the film between mirror and window states, with a response being generated according to which of the mirror and window states is present.

Abstract: There is disclosed an odor concentration measuring device which can objectively and easily measure an odor concentration. The odor concentration measuring device 1 is provided with an injector having a cylinder 3 and a piston 5, and an odor sensor 11 is fixed to an inner wall 3a of the cylinder 3. The odor sensor 11 measures the odor of air inside the cylinder 3, and outputs a voltage V in accordance with the odor intensity. A control box 7 provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder 3 is provided with an electronic control circuit, which allows a blue LED 9b to light instead of a red LED 9r when the voltage V reaches a value corresponding to the odor intensity which cannot be perceived by people. By reciprocating the piston 5, the sample air is diluted. The odor concentration can be measured by the dilution magnification at which the lighting state of the LED 9r or 9b is changed.