Patents Examined by John S. Appleman
  • Patent number: 4132111
    Abstract: A body having a longitudinal opening therethrough is provided with longitudinally spaced, annular seal means. The body is provided with passage means for conducting fluid to move the seal means radially of the body opening to seal against tubular members in the body opening.The tubular members are connected together by suitable means such as a coupling, weld, or other arrangement prior to positioning the connection between the seal means and after the seal means has sealed off the connection therebetween, the body includes additional passage means for conducting fluid pressure to increase the fluid pressure externally of the connection to a pressure significantly greater than the internal pressure to externally test the connection by instrumentally or visually detecting any resultant inflow of the pressurized external fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Inventor: Malvern M. Hasha
  • Patent number: 4109513
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for detecting leaks in a member defining an internal confined space. The apparatus comprises a housing, and induction means operatively connected to the housing for selectively inducing a partial vacuum therein, and valve means operatively associating with the housing and selectively movable to positions permitting pneumatic communication between a source of compressed air and the housing and between the induction means and the confined space, with the valve means further being selectively movable to a closed position by forces generated within the housing such that the valve means seals off pneumatic communication between the confined space and the induction means to maintain the partial vacuum produced in the confined space so as to enable the measurement and monitoring of the confined space for fluidic leaks by observing the vacuum pressures therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1978
    Assignee: Thomas C. Wilson, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Schott
  • Patent number: 4107977
    Abstract: Apparatus for checking the valves of aerosol containers for tightness, in which a vacuum is produced under the valve being checked by pressing the valve by its shut-off member in the open position against a resilient member on a seat in order to deform the resilient member which, after removing the force of pressing and closing the valve, tends to return to the initial position, thereby increasing the volume of the cavity under the valve. This permits reducing the time of exposing the valve to the vacuum. The seats are made blind and are arranged on an endless conveyor which moves the seats with the valves to the mechanisms effecting the operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Inventors: Ijun Iosifovich Grinberg, Evgeny Kuzmich Zhukov, Lev Nikolaevich Koshkin
  • Patent number: 4102199
    Abstract: A method of measuring temperature utilizing resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) is disclosed. A number of RTDs are sequentially scanned and their resistance values are processed by zeroing and linearizing circuit techniques so that an output signal directly proportional to the temperature of each RTD is obtained. The scanning technique incorporates constant current excitation so that complete linearization of the resistance versus temperature function is made possible with very few high tolerance components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: Megasystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Panayiotis J. Tsipouras
  • Patent number: 4098128
    Abstract: An acoustic tube having several resonant frequencies is directed into the mouth of a rafining crucible and is heated to above 100.degree. C. A microphone at the remote end of this tube receives sound passing through the tube and generates an electrical output corresponding to the sound received. This electrical output is linearized over a band width including several of the resonant frequencies of the tube and the signal is then passed through a low pass filter to eliminate parasitic oscillations and through a mixer where it is combined with a signal from a local oscillator. The intermediate-frequency signal thus produced is passed through either of a pair of band-pass filters and is displayed. The signal strength at the output is inversely proportional to the depth of slag in the crucible, as the deeper the slag the more sound is absorbed in the crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Assignee: ARBED -- Acieries Reunies de Burbach-Eich-Dudelange S.A.
    Inventor: Jean Baumert
  • Patent number: 4098121
    Abstract: A humidity indicator with a housing having mounted therein a sensing element that changes dimensionally in response to humidity variations. A flexible diaphragm is captively held within the housing and is moved by dimensional changes of the sensing element. An intermediate plate with a cavity forms a reservoir on the flexible diaphragm for a transduction fluid. An adjustable member received within the sensing element contacts a portion of the flexible diaphragm bounding the reservoir for initial calibration of the humidity indicator. A dial and cover assemblage having an internal capillary groove is mounted on the intermediate plate, a port interconnecting the reservoir and capillary groove. The transduction fluid within the reservoir flows into the capillary groove and provides an indication of the percent of relative humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Assignee: Foster-Miller Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Khushroo M. Captain
  • Patent number: 4096748
    Abstract: Temperatures are automatically measured with a Wheatstone bridge including first and second branches and a diagonal connected between taps of the branches. The first branch includes first and second series connected resistors respectively having values of P and Q; the second branch includes third and fourth series connected resistors respectively having values of R and A. A voltage source, having a value E, is connected to energize the branches in parallel. The third resistor is temperature responsive and has a positive temperature coefficient so that the value of R is given by:R = R.sub.0 (1 + .alpha..sub.0 T)whereinR.sub.0 = the resistance value of the third resistor at 0.degree. C,.alpha..sub.0 = the temperature coefficient of the third resistor, andT = temperature in degrees Centigrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: Compagnie Internationale pour l'Informatique CII-Honeywell Bull (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Michel Pichon
  • Patent number: 4092865
    Abstract: An improved fluid-test apparatus having a plurality of hose connectors one of which is made to provide a flow capacity at least substantially equal to the cumulative flow capacity of a plurality of others of such connectors. The disclosed apparatus includes valves associated with each of the respective connectors, and in the illustrated embodiment, four such connectors and valves are provided. Gauges are further associated with the apparatus to have fluid communication with a manifold chamber within the apparatus body. At least one of the valves for controlling the hose connections to the manifold chamber may also be used for controlling theconnection of the gauge to the manifold chamber. At least one of the gauges may have continuous fluid communication with at least one of the hose connections at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Assignee: Gould Inc.
    Inventor: Richard V. Strybel
  • Patent number: 4090408
    Abstract: An improved fluid quantity indicator, such as for aviation fuel, of the type utilizing capacitive type sensing probes in which a capacitance change occurs proportional to the amount of fluid in a tank due to the dielectric constant of the fluid, such as aviation fuel, being different from that of air, in which the improvement comprises automatic compensation for the zero fluid capacitance variation in a tank and automatic adjustment of the fluid full scale reading for variation in fluid tank capacitance. Programmable digital to analog convertors are utilized to provide a universal apparatus full scale set compensation for containers for the fluid substantially independent of the container configuration for compensating for variation in full scale capacitance of a given container and to provide a universal apparatus zero set compensation for containers for the fluid substantially independent of the container configuration for compensating for variations in zero fluid capacitance of a given container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1978
    Inventor: Geoffrey S. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 4086813
    Abstract: A food temperature-sensing probe assembly for monitoring the internal temperature of food while it is being cooked in a microwave oven includes a disc-like reflector either slidably or fixedly mounted on the probe housing adjacent to, but spaced from, the food. The reflector serves to prevent overcooking of the food in a region immediately adjacent the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Flora L. Meek, Richard E. Hornung
  • Patent number: 4086805
    Abstract: Apparatus for evaluating a measurement signal having an initial transient issuing into a more stationary value include equipment for monitoring the rate of change of the measurement signal. This monitoring equipment issues a control signal when that rate of change falls below a predetermined value. An analysis of the measurement signal is initiated in response to the latter control signal.Apparatus for evaluating at least two measurement signals generated by two transducer probes and having mutually overlapping initial transients issuing into more stationary values at different times include equipment for determining the time sequence wherein the measurement signals issue into the more stationary values. The measurement signals are sequentially applied to evaluating equipment in accordance with that determined time sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: Keller Spezialtechnik-Pyro Werk GmbH
    Inventors: Eckart Kinderling, Herwig Erauw, Alfons Rudolf, Helmut Klintworth
  • Patent number: 4085617
    Abstract: This invention relates to a thermometer and more particularly to a fast response clinical thermometer. The active element is in the form of a thin sleeve which is in direct contact with the body tissue or other item to be measured. The large ratio of surface to volume of the active element permits it to reach temperature equilibrium rapidly. Temperature dependent changes in the sleeve material influence a coil which is inductively coupled to the sleeve. The coil in turn controls an oscillator frequency which can be converted to a digital display of the measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1978
    Inventor: Edwin Langberg
  • Patent number: 4084436
    Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the level of fuel in a fuel oil storage tank including a vertically positioned tube having a multiplicity of longitudinally spaced and movable floats therein and a multiplicity of associated reed switches and resistors positioned on the outside of the tube and spaced from each other. The switches are actuated by magnets on the associated floats, which rise and fall with the fuel level, and shunt varying amounts of current by the resistors so that a fuel level readout can be obtained on a meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Assignee: RTR Incorporated
    Inventor: Ray C. Smitherman
  • Patent number: 4083231
    Abstract: The self-calibrating leak detector circuit arrangement comprises a measuring probe for generating an electrical signal when exposed to the leaking gas. A measuring amplifier is connected to the probe for amplifying the electrical signal and a second integrating amplifier stage is connected to the measuring amplifier output for amplifying the signal. The second amplifier stage has a feedback connection to the input of the measuring amplifier for counteracting at least a part of the electrical signal from the probe. A push button switch is advantageously connected between the measuring amplifier and the second amplifier stage to momentarily impress the output of the measuring amplifier on the input of the second integrating amplifier stage. Indicators are connected to the outputs of the respective amplifiers for a reading of their respective outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1978
    Assignee: Balzers Patent-und Beteiligungs-Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hermann Mennenga
  • Patent number: 4083249
    Abstract: A supersaturation hygrometer formed by a thermo-optical servo system which esponds to water vapor changes in the range just above and below water saturation. The system includes a hydrophobic metal chip on which monodisperse submicron salt particles act as centers of water condensation. A change in scattered light from the solution droplets on the chip drives an infrared source which heats the chip to keep the size of the droplets constant. The infrared power is related to the chip ambient temperature difference which is proportional to the ambient water vapor pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Hermann E. Gerber
  • Patent number: 4083238
    Abstract: A system for testing the performance and vulnerability of proximity fuzes der simulated live hardware conditions. The performance of the system is evaluated by the application of a repeater jammer signal within the cutoff range of the proximity fuze which is mounted in a free space test site. Beyond the cutoff range, the vulnerability of the proximity fuze is tested by the application of an unlimited number of modulated interference jamming signals which simulate approach and intercept of interference jamming sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as repesented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: John O. Dick
  • Patent number: 4081999
    Abstract: A thermometer having temperature limit indication includes a support plate having a bimetal coil secured to the plate by a suitable hub. A pointer arm is extended from the bimetal coil and positioned across a temperature scale on the plate in accordance with the sensed temperature. A portion of the plate is bent outwardly to define an inclined plane member at a selected temperature limit and in the path of the pointer arm. The coil mounted pointer has sufficient resiliency to permit movement over the inclined plane while insuring latching behind such bent outwardly portion if at the temperature limit. A plurality of spaced bent outwardly members may be provided to indicate various limits.The inclined plane member may be a separate adjustable element to permit adjustment of the temperature limit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1978
    Assignee: Desco Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Lenken
  • Patent number: 4082000
    Abstract: An improved structure for a disposable meat and poultry thermometer has a unitary top barrel closure extending laterally outward from a barrel beneath an indicating stem latched in storage position by a prong on the stem engaging the top closure. Lifting the outer end of the stem releases the latch so that a compression spring within the barrel urges an inner axial stem extension into a front barrel bore containing a material having a predetermined softening temperature so that the stem moves inwardly of the barrel as the inner barrel end temperature increases. Upper stem markings indicate thermometer temperature preferably in terms of the degree to which meat or the like is cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1978
    Inventor: Anthony J. Volk
  • Patent number: 4081990
    Abstract: An apparatus for the hydrostatic testing of pipe and pipe connections is provided. The apparatus features an elongated tool body which can be inserted into the interior portion of a connected series of pipe joints or the like. The device is inserted into a pipe joint in proximity to a connection between two joints which has been "made up" by means of, for example, a threaded connection. The device utilizes a pair of expanding flexible packing seals which expand and sealably contact the pipe wall forming a pressure test area between the seals and at the pipe joint to be tested. Fluid pressure supplied through a central conduit in the tool body flows into the pipe between the packing seals through a nozzle injector in the tool body in proximity to the joint which is to be tested. The test fluid then first expands the pair of flexible seals and fills the pipe with water upon which a desired test pressure is exerted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1978
    Inventor: John C. Chatagnier
  • Patent number: 4080829
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for automatically measuring the resistance and ting up of resistive electrical components, such as the windings of transformers or the coils of motors. The apparatus comprises a bridge circuit fed by a source of D.C. voltage and includes a voltage detector and switching means, the latter enabling the voltage detector to be connected across various points of the bridge circuit so as to produce virtually simultaneous measurements of the heating up of the component under test and of the ambient temperature at the place where the tests and measurements are being preformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Assignee: Compagnie Internationale pour l'Informatique Cii-Honeywell Bull
    Inventor: Michel Pichon