Abstract: A composition is disclosed of a metal acetylacetonate, a resinous carrier, and a solvent. The composition is applied to a portion of an electrical apparatus which is exposed to a gas stream. The solvent in the composition is evaporated to produce a thermoparticulating coating. When the electrical apparatus overheats the metal acetylacetonate in the coating forms particles in the gas stream which are detected by a monitor.

Abstract: A measuring cylinder into which liquid is supplied is provided with pressure transmitters for sensing the liquid pressure corresponding to the amount thereof. The pressure transmitters are connected with a pressure transformer to transform the pressure into an electric signal for controlling valves to stop and start the supply of liquid into the cylinder. The pressure transmitters are located in the cylinder at different levels and switched to be selectively operated in combination with the pressure transformer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shape of the cylinder is designed so that the diameter thereof increases discretely from the lower part to the upper part thereof. One of the pressure transmitters is located at the bottom of the cylinder and the others are located at levels substantially the same as those at which the diameter of the cylinder increases.

Abstract: A liquid level indicator as applied to an internal combustion engine, having a crankcase forming an oil reservoir therein, has conduit means extending downwardly generally into the reservoir with a lower open end of said conduit means being positioned at an elevation corresponding to a preselected minimum level of such oil within the reservoir. A cylinder chamber, connected to the other end of the conduit means, contains a manually depressable plunger-like piston which is resiliently urged in a first direction. When the piston plunger is fully depressed in a second direction (opposite to the first direction) the air within the cylinder chamber is displaced through the conduit means. Upon subsequent release of piston plunger, an associated spring urges the piston plunger in the first direction creating a reduced atmospheric pressure within the cylinder chamber.

Abstract: A solids level indicator adapted for use in a vessel having solids flowing downwardly therein. A shaft is fixedly mounted at one end thereof while a generally flat plate is mounted at the free end thereof, the plate being perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. Strain gauges are mounted adjacent the fixed end of the shaft for indicating the twisting thereof in response to the weight of solids acting on the plate, the plate being in a generally horizontal plane. The fixed end of the shaft may be hollowed-out-having a thin-walled portion to which the strain gauges are affixed. Shear pins may be connected from a stationary member to the shaft to allow for rotation of the shaft relative to the stationary member should a force larger than a predetermined amount act upon the plate, whereby damage to the plate and shaft may be avoided. The shear pins and the strain gauges may be readily accessible from the exterior of the vessel allowing replacement thereof without interrupting the operation of the vessel.

Abstract: A thin membrane covering the open side of a meteoroid capture cell causes an impacting meteoroid to disintegrate as it penetrates the membrane. The capture cell then contains and holds the meteoroid particles for later analysis.

Abstract: A cylinder for supporting a fabric sample to be wear tested is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis and simultaneous reciprocation along its longitudinal axis. The sample to be wear tested is secured to the cylinder so that the inner surface of the sample is in congruity with the exterior of the major surface of the cylinder. Provided in proximity to the cylinder are a plurality of plates which are spaced from each other along the length of the cylinder, each plate affixed on one major surface to a separate rod with the free major surface of each plate positioned so that it may contact the outer surface of the sample. Each rod is attached at its other end to a crankshaft, by means of which a reciprocating motion is imparted to each rod, whereby each plate is moved back and forth from a position away from the sample to a position in contact with the sample.

Abstract: The coefficient of thermal conductivity of any sample can be measured without any pre-processing to the sample by putting an electric heater and a thermo-electric couple between a block made of reference material whose coefficient of thermal conductivity is known and the sample, flowing electric current in said heater, measuring the temperature of said heater with said thermo-couple, and calculating the coefficient of thermal conductivity of the sample according to the measured data. The present inventors introduce herein a novel equation for that calculation.

Abstract: A level-sensing head is suspended from a capstan above a vessel by means of a flexible link which is wound around the capstan to raise or lower that head upon rotation thereof in one direction or the other. Depending upon the position of the sensing head relative to the level of a liquid or other flowable mass in the vessel, the head causes emission of either of two control signals triggering a pulse generator to step a motor, coupled with the capstan, in a sense tending to maintain that relative level between two narrow limits. The output of the pulse generator is also fed to recording equipment and/or to a digital comparator designed to establish a preselected level which may be modified from time to time by a programmer. The flexible link may serve as an electrical or fluidic transmission channel for control signals originating at the sensing head; with a floating sensing head such control signals can also be generated by a torsion monitor inserted between the motor shaft and the capstan.

Abstract: A gauge for remotely indicating the pressure in a subterranean formation penetrated by a bore hole, including a tubular closed housing, the lower end of the closed housing forming an integral diaphragm which is subjected to the pressure of the subterranean formation, the housing having an internal reduced diameter portion adjacent the diaphragm forming an integral circumferential ledge, a cup shaped stator element having a closed bottom and opened top, the external diameter of the stator element being slightly less than the internal diameter of the housing and having an enlarged external diameter lip which engages the internal ledge of the tubular housing to precisely position the stator element relative to the diaphragm, the stator element having a conductive surface on the lower end thereof spaced adjacent to the diaphragm forming therebetween a capacitive relationship responsive to pressure deflection of the diaphragm, means of connecting the end of the housing opposite the diaphragm to a conductive cable

Abstract: A pneumatic sensor head for monitoring the thickness of a continuously moving sheet of material passing therethrough. The sensor head is comprised of first and second blocks having respective first and second aligned nozzles separated by a distance sufficient to receive the sheet of material passing therethrough. The sensor head is further comprised of means for admitting pressurized fluid to the first and second nozzles to sense an average variation in the back pressure therefrom proportional to a change in the thickness of the sheet material being monitored. A plurality of removable stacked laminated sheets is positioned between the first and second blocks for adjusting the distance between the first and second nozzle, whereby to enable operation of the sensor head over wide variations in nominal thickness of monitored sheets of material.

Abstract: A liquid level gauge having at least one transparent wall and a base wall on the exterior of a vessel. The gauge is secured to and communicates with the interior of the vessel by an eyelet connecting adjacent ports in the gauge and the vessel.

Abstract: A device for testing cigarette wrappers includes a stationary member past which cigarettes are carried by a conveyor, the stationary member defining a suction chamber for producing an air flow through the cigarette wrapper, the ends of the chamber being sealed by means of slidable members which move over the ends of the cigarette, preferably in a direction inclined to the axis of the cigarette.

Abstract: An apparatus to generate a wave-like pattern of forces on a surface effect ship utilizes a flexible membrane which undulates in a water wave-like manner, the crests of the waves transferring forces to the surface effect ship. The membrane is undulated in its sine wave configuration by means of a series of linkages, one link of which is pinned to the underside of the membrane. That link is reciprocally actuated and the combined movements of the various linkages cause the membrane to undulate as would water waves. The main drive motor drives a primary shaft to which are connected a series of gear boxes which in turn drive secondary drive shafts. By controlling or varying the speed of the primary drive motor, the frequency of the generated waves may be varied. At each linkage station there is a crank and the connecting rod is adjustably connected to the crank. The amplitude of the waves can be varied as desired by adjustably positioning the connecting rod along the crank.

Abstract: A tire wear measuring arrangement incorporates a measuring device adapted to be brought to the tire tread under test. The measuring device and an optical view-finder are so mounted on a swivel carrier that the measuring axis is arranged parallel to the optical axis and both axes are spaced equidistantly from the axis of rotation of the carrier.

Abstract: Cigarettes are tested with air streams which are caused to pass lengthwise through the fillers while the cigarettes move sideways past a testing station. One or two stationary chambers for air at subatmospheric or superatmospheric pressure are mounted at the testing station so that the ends of cigarettes which are being tested extend into the chamber or chambers. The air pressure in the chamber or chambers equals or approximates the pressure of air streams at the respective ends of the wrappers of cigarettes so that air in the chamber or chambers prevents the streams from communicating with the atmosphere during testing. The streams are monitored for changes in pressure. Such changes are indicative of defects of cigarettes and signals which are produced during monitoring are used to segregate defective cigarettes from satisfactory cigarettes.

Abstract: Bourdon tubes should be exercised prior to each calibration by causing the ube to move repeatedly through its normal coiling and uncoiling arcs amounts sufficient to produce full scale deflection of the gage pointer. The exercising movements conventionally have been accomplished by applying pressure inside the tube. It has been found that these exercising movements can be accomplished with equal reliability and considerably less expense by engaging the tube end with a pivoted lever and by using a control screw for pivoting the lever.

Abstract: A pressure testing apparatus for sealed containers including a container receiving enclosure defined by a base wall, a side wall and a top wall. A container supporting pedestal having a needle projecting upwardly therefrom is positioned within the container receiving enclosure. A pressurized fluid supply means is in communication with the needle. An adjustable container retaining member is disposed within the container receiving enclosure in spaced overlying relationship with respect to the container supporting pedestal. Pressure control means are interposed between the pressurized fluid supply means and the needle.A method of testing a sealed container which includes placing the sealed container within the container receiving enclosure, piercing the container by means of a generally upward projecting needle to establish sealed contact between the needle and the interior of the container.

Abstract: A grease of a telomer of polytetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroalkyl polyether is used to protect electrical apparatus from overheating. The grease is applied to a portion of an electrical apparatus which is exposed to a gas stream, particularly to portions subjected to operating temperatures of about 100.degree. to about 130.degree.C. When the coated portion of the electrical apparatus overheats the grease forms particles in the gas stream which are detected by a monitor. The apparatus can then be shut down or its load reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus for the non-destructive hardness testing of an article such as a cigarette. The article is placed in an elastic sleeve and surrounded by a liquid, the level of which may be determined through a gauge tube. The interior of the article is then subjected to two different reduced pressures and the resulting volumetric change of the article is determined from the gauge tube at each reduced pressure. The hardness of the article is then calculated by means of a suitable formula.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for simultaneously measuring the liquid absorbent capacity and the wetting rate of absorbent structures as a function of volume and time. These absorbency characteristics can be measured at a zero or a negative hydrostatic head, where the absorbency characteristics are due only to the liquid drawing power of the absorbent structure, or at a positive hydrostatic head. The device comprises: a liquid reservoir for holding a column of liquid where the reservoir has an opening at its bottom and is closed at the top; an orifice plate having a liquid delivery orifice which is in flow communication with the opening in the reservoir through a flow communication means; an air bleed orifice in the liquid reservoir between the top and bottom thereof and in fluid communication with the atmosphere; and a means for adjusting the relative heights of the air bleed orifice to the orifice plate.