Abstract: A pressure transducer (58) generates an instantaneous pressure of a pressurized liquid, such as an adhesive, sealant, or caulk, being dispensed from a dispenser (52). The signal is received by a filter for filtering out non-bubble pressure disturbances. The filter includes comparators (106, 108); detection circuitry (112, 120) and timers (116, 124) or counters. An alarm indicating the passing of a bubble is indicated in response to signals which pass both the filters.

Abstract: The quality of steam downhole is determined by injecting into the steam first and second tracers, each tracer having an affinity to a single of the two phases, and then sensing the passage of the tracers over a pair of sensors spaced apart or known measured distance. Thus the velocity of the phases, the slip ratio between the phases and the steam quality can be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for detecting a change of viscosity of a blood sample in time, comprising a drive element and a driven element having respective facing walls which define therebetween a chamber of calibrated volume adapted to receive a blood sample, the driven element being driven in relative rotation by the drive element with a relative slip which depends on the viscosity of the blood which provides coupling between the two elements and means for measuring the relative change of slip.

Abstract: An air-in-line sensor is provided comprising an adapter for insertion in the fluid line and a sensor housing. The adapter is semi-compliant and includes convex-shaped acoustic coupling surfaces for engaging the straight and rigid transducer sensing walls of the housing. The convex surfaces of the adapter have a larger diameter than the distance between the housing sensing walls and an interference fit results. Due to this interference fit, the shape of the coupling surfaces, the varying thicknesses of the adapter walls and the difference in compliance of the materials of the adapter and the housing, a more uniform contact pressure profile is provided. The upper part of each sensing channel wall in the housing includes a ledge which wipes contaminants from the coupling surfaces of the adapter as it is inserted into the sensor channel of the housing.

Abstract: An odor sensing system is comprised of a sensor cell including a plurality of quartz resonator sensors aligned therein to detect odor by variation of resonance frequencies derived from weight loading on surfaces thereof, a recognition line including a neural network which recognizes data obtained by subtraction between an output signal of the sensor as frequency variation and, a reference signal selected by one of the output signals of the sensor. The sensor cell is thermostatically regulated by circulating thermostatic water therein to maintain the temperature higher than an advance line of the system. A sample to be recognized is supplied to the sensor cell in a form of vapor generated by blowing a standard gas onto the surface of the sample.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for determining the dynamic mechanical properties, cifically, G*, G', G", and Tan .delta., of an electrorheological (ER) fluid as a function of frequency, voltage and temperature. This is accomplished by using the device in conjunction with a suitable driving and environmental control apparatus. An inner tubular electrode, coaxial with an outer tubular electrode, is oscillated along their common longitudinal axis at frequencies in a range of approximately 5 Hz to approximately 1,000 Hz while the spacing between the electrodes is maintained substantially constant at all opposed portions thereof. A power source provides an electrical field encompassing the inner and outer electrodes and the gap therebetween, and the assoicated driving and environmental control apparatus is operated for measuring the effort required to move the second electrode relative to said first electrode when the ER fluid is received between said inner and outer electrodes.

Abstract: A quantitative determination of the identity, origin and migration of a volatile substance or mixture of substances, arising from food or food packaging during heating using microwave energy, can be accomplished. A novel process and equipment are disclosed in which a volatile substance or mixtures of constituent compounds, volatilized into the vapor space within or around microwave cooked food or a microwave cooking container, can be gathered and quantitatively analyzed for the identity, origin, chemical changes, migration routes and final locus of the volatile substance.

Abstract: A pipeline system with a localized environment for preventing, detecting, and containing leakage from a subterranean pipeline transporting hydrocarbon liquids and gases is disclosed. A steel pipe is enclosed in a sleeve of high density polyethylene and overlaid with a layer of geotextile material. Positioned in the interstitial space between the pipe and sleeve is a layer of geotextile material impregnated with hydrated lime which dissolves in the presence of water to create a highly alkaline solution to protect the pipe. Also positioned adjacent the inner layer are leak sensors/monitors for detection of leaks of hydrocarbon fluids and aqueous solutions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and processes for the introduction of a liquid sample into an apparatus for gas chromatographic analysis. A sample is injected into a vaporization chamber positioned upstream of a gas chromatographic column. The vaporization chamber is equipped with a means to feed a carrier gas selectively into the chamber, the chamber being kept at a temperature at least equal to the boiling temperature of the solvent at the operating pressure. A separation is effectuated between the sample and its carrier solvent, the solvent vapor is exhausted through an exhaust duct. Thereafter, the flow of carrier gas is restored to the chamber and the separated solvent is exhausted from the chamber through a separate outline into a gas chromatographic column.

Abstract: Fluids entrapped in small confined within spaces of an object are analyzed by securing the object containing the confined space by epoxy to a small fitting over a notch applied on the object's surface adjacent to the confined space, the fitting being a slidable seal attached to a small tube which has a piercing device adapted to move with the small tube relative to the fitting and the object containing the confined space to puncture same through the notch, whereby the entrapped gaseous fluid in the confined space emerges into the fitting and small tube, the entire system being a sealed enclosure. Attached to the small tube is a capillary which leads to an analyzing device, such as a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A capillary rheometer for measuring the viscosity of a liquid contained in a vessel in either a continuous or discontinuous fashion provides timely and accurate measures of viscosity. Pressure sensing means are disposed at one or both ends of a capillary. The capillary is fed fluid by a metering pump, which in turn is fed fluid by a supply pump, the inlet of which is configured for attachment with a fluid sampling port of the vessel and the outlet of which is configured to return sample fluid which was not directed through the capillary back to the liquid or the vessel respectively. The output end of the capillary may be connected to a pump for withdrawing fluid from the capillary. The supply pump and the metering pump may be adjusted independently of each other.

Abstract: To detect escape or spillage of a cold liquid, for example liquefied natural gas, a narrow, robust, flexible, resilient, plastics tube, placed where the escaped or spilled cold liquid can contact it, is filled with carbon dioxide gas from a gas supply via a non-return valve and a pressure regulator which ensures that the maximum pressure in the tube is at a desired value which is preferably greater than the pressure of the ambient atmosphere surrounding the tube. A gas pressure drop detector is provided to observe a pressure drop in tube. Should escaped liquefied natural gas contact the tube the latter is so cooled that the carbon dioxide gas inside de-sublimates to a solid of greatly reduced volume causing a marked drop in pressure in the tube. This is observed by the pressure drop detector which initiates a warning or some safety action. A gas flow restrictor ensures the gas supply cannot rapidly re-charge the tube before the pressure drop detector has responded to the pressure drop.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding stored material and for containing and detecting leaks of the stored material from the apparatus having a tank, a containment baffle, and a leak detection system. The tank includes a tank bottom having a continuous surface for supporting the stored material. A shell surrounds such stored material. The shell is disposed above the continuous surface of the tank bottom in continuous sealing contact therewith. The containment baffle is a baffle plate having a continuous surface for supporting the stored material. The baffle plate is disposed above the tank bottom and within the shell. The baffle plate is in continuous sealing contact with the shell so as to form a containment space between the baffle plate and the tank bottom. The baffle plate is rigidly supported above the tank bottom. A fill of aggregate material is interposed between the baffle plate and the tank bottom for structural support of the baffle plate.

Abstract: A leak tester comprises a vacuum chamber in which a device under test is placed and a helium leakage detector connected to the vacuum chamber. The device under test is adapted to be filled with helium or with air-helium mixture through an exterior pipe entering the vacuum chamber and incorporating a coupling for connecting it to the device under test. The coupling is surrounded by a collector chamber connected by a pipe to a vacuum pump outside the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A closed container is placed in a test chamber for the purpose of testing the container's tightness. A pre-chamber is brought to a desired pressure, then connected with the test chamber. The pressure in the test chamber is stored at a certain point in time on the input side of a differential pressure sensor and then the plot of the test chamber pressure is compared with the reference pressure thus formed. Any pressure compensation which occurs if leaks are present in the hollow body is recorded as an indication of such leakage.

Abstract: A portion of the ambient air, including the selected vapor such as the ether vapor fraction, is first cryogenically liquefied for concentration in a collecting vessel (12). Thereafter, the concentrated liquefied fraction is boiled off and passed through gas chromatography column (34) to separate the fractions in the vapor stream. The selected vapor fraction is eluted at the temperature, and its concentration is detected by thermal conductivity detector (42) so that the concentration of the selected vapor in the environment is signaled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating leakage from a liquid storage tank to test the accuracy of leak measurement instruments. An elongated pipe string formed by pipes connected end to end is extended into the tank. An end cap on the bottom of the pipe carries an inner cylinder which is smaller than the pipe and concentric with it. The inner cylinder is open at the top and, if it be an underground tank, may be loaded with fill material of the type that surrounds the tank. An orifice mounted to the end cap simulates a tank leak and allows liquid from the tank to flow through the backfill material into the pipe. A multiple orifice assembly may be remotely operated to change the orifice characteristics. The liquid in the pipe is collected for measurement to determine the leakage quantity.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for assessing the aptitude that a body has in opposing the passage of a fluid product, the method includes the following steps: the body is placed between two reservoirs, one being a transmitter containing the product and the other being a reservoir receiving the part of the product passing through the body, the body separating the reservoirs and being adjacent each of them, a pressure gradient is formed between the reservoirs, this gradient causing the movement towards the receiving reservoir of at least a part of the product contained in the reservoir transmitting through the body, and the part of the product recovered in the reservoir is analyzed.

Abstract: A device for testing and withdrawing seals from manufacturing molds, which device consists of a pneumatic pickup member having a front impression connected to a pneumatic line in turn connected to a vacuum source, and defined by opposite edges designed to cooperate with respective peripheral sealing portions of each seal; the pneumatic line presenting a transducer for emitting a signal when the difference in the pressures detected on the line over a predetermined time interval exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring, particularly remotely, a first composition-dependent physical property, such as bubble rise velocity or dynamic viscosity, of a fluid comprising a container for holding the fluid at a certain level in order to form a surface on the fluid; a bubble delivery tube for introducing into the fluid at a first depth a first bubble having a first size; a vacuum pump for generating a carrier gas stream; a hood for capturing in the carrier gas stream the first bubble as it leaves the surface of the fluid; and detector in the path of travel of the carrier gas stream to detect the first bubble in order to determine the time of transit of the bubble from first depth to the surface of the fluid, so as to enable calculation of the average bubble rise velocity.