Abstract: A leak detecting method for vessels in which a gas of a given pressure is mixed with sulfur hexafluoride of a given partial pressure and the mixture is introduced into a vessel, and a gas in the vicinity of an outer peripheral surface of the vessel is sucked by a gas sucking mechanism.According to one form of the invention, the sucked air is introduced into an absorption cell and a P(16)-line laser light of a carbon dioxide gas laser is introduced into the absorption cell. Then, the presence or absence of absorption of the P(16)-line laser light within the absorption cell is detected in accordance with a change in the transmitted light intensity of the P(16)-line laser light and the presence or absence of a leak in the pressure vessel is discriminated in accordance with a result of the detection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the identification of a gas flow or its disturbances. A gas flowing in a gas pipe is allowed to pass through at least two flow-restricting elements in series, the pressure differences of a flowing gas being measured over said elements and effecting the identification by means of such measured pressure differences.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the rapid detection and location of a gas leak. A collimated beam of light is scanned across the component under test which has been pressurized with a tracer gas that strongly absorbs the light. When the light passes through the gas emerging from the source of the leak, the light energy absorbed by the gas produces an acoustic emission which is detected by a microphone. The resulting signal may be processed either as an alarm to notify the operator that a leak is present, or, it may be processed in coordination with the beam scanning mechanism to indicate exactly where the leak is located on the component.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the specific gravity, weight, level, and/or volume of a liquid in a container includes two load cells supported at the upper end of the container, a first body of known cross-sectional area extending through the interior of the container supported in suspension by one load cell, and a second body of known volume extending through the interior of the container and supported in suspension by the other load cell.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the relative amount of a liquid in a mixture of such liquid with another immiscible liquid and having radiation absorption characteristics differing therefrom includes a chamber for receiving the mixture, a high frequency antenna, an electrically-conductive shield, a cleaning device, and a drive for driving the cleaning device during the normal operation of the apparatus to prevent the accumulation of deposits which may affect the accuracy of the measurement or the need for frequently interrupting the use of the apparatus for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting leaks in fuel storage tanks. A float suspended in the tank liquid determines liquid levels and transmits the liquid level information via an infrared beam to a probe processor in the upper portion of the tank. The probe processor stores a plurality of level indications for subsequent uploading to an external computer which analyzes the level information to generate leakage rate information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the permeation behavior of foreign fluid molecules into solids whereby the results are typically obtained in less than one day. In a principal embodiment, information about the relationship between the saturation concentration and the diffusion constant of the solid is obtained by subjecting a first, thick, sample of the solid to the foreign fluid substance, which has been radioactively-tagged with a class C isotope, for a short diffusion time interval. The penetrated foreign substance is then washed out of the thick sample with an untagged solvent and the resulting solution is then analyzed to determine the quantity of the foreign substance that has diffused into the thick sample for the diffusion time. A second, thin, sample of the solid is prepared, and analyzed in a series of steps analogous to the thick, sample, whereby information concerning the saturation concentration, individually, is obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting the coagulation of a sample of blood includes a ferromagnetic member, which is immersed in the blood sample and which is magnetically coupled to a reed switch, and an adjustable source of magnetic flux lines, which is also magnetically coupled to the reed switch. As the blood sample coagulates, the ferromagnetic member is displaced from the reed switch and, as a result, the magnetic field coupled to reed switch is reduced. When the ferromagnetic member reaches a predetermined displacement, the reed switch is open, which indicates that blood has coagulated. A microprocessor calibrates the reed switch by adjusting the density of the magnetic flux lines from the adjustable source such that the reed switch is open when the ferromagnetic member reaches the predetermined distance displacement.

Abstract: Apparatus (10, 180, 260, 270) for incorporating blowing agents into a liquid material provides a high pressure liquid storage and mixing tank (20, 181, 261, 271) containing a mixture of liquid material (M) under pressure; means for delivering (59, 220, 232, 285) a pre-determined quantity of at least one blowing agent into the mixture in minute bubbles or droplets having an average diameter of from about less than 0.2 micron up to about 100 microns; and means for uniformly distributing (60, 110, 237, 276) the blowing agent throughout the liquid material.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining the dimensional accuracy of workpiece surfaces, for example, of essentially cylindrical workpiece surfaces, wherein a measuring sensor scans the workpiece surfaces in accordance with a predetermined relative movement pattern between sensor and workpiece. The sensor is a pneumatic measuring head, so that the measuring procedure can be incorporated in the production process. The pneumatic measuring head travels over the workpiece surface along a continuous path which covers the surface area of the workpiece. The pneumatic measuring head is maintained at a constant basic or measuring distance from the workpiece surface, so that the measuring range of the measuring head is not exceeded when the measuring head travels over the workpiece surface. The measuring head continuously produces measurement signals, so that the measure procedure can be directly integrated in the production sequence.

Abstract: A bubble measurement cell is provided for measuring size distribution of gas bubbles in a liquid. The bubble measurement cell is adapted for insertion in a flotation column having a transparent, vertically-oriented, bubble-viewing window. The bubble measurement cell includes an antechamber, for placement adjacent the window in the flotation column, the antechamber having a transparent rear face. The transparent bubble-viewing window and the transparent rear face allow light to enter in sufficient quantity to illuminate the bubbles enabling photographic imaging thereof. A forward, downwardly-pointing deflection wedge deflects upwardly-moving bubbles. A transparent viewing chamber is provided which is situated to the rear of the antechamber and which includes a rear face, a transparent front face spaced from the rear face, and a pair of inner, vertical lateral spacers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process, and an apparatus for accomplishing that process, for indicating when an inert gas purifier is about to loose its required level of purification efficiency. The inert gas purifier can therefore be replaced before the impurity levels of its purified output gas reach undesirably high values.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon vapor sensor which is simple and low cost and can easily detect the existence of hydrocarbon vapor. The device is temperature compensated so that a change in resistance due to a change in temperature is avoided and an accurate response is always provided. The sensor can be used in a system in which a number of sensors are provided at various depths to determine whether a leak or a ground spill has occurred.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative humidity of gaseous materials, preferably for determining the relative humidity of air in rooms, such as greenhouses, whereby, using psychrometric moisture measurement, the temperature of the stream of gas, the relative humidity of which is to be measured, is determined by means of temperature sensors. A gas stream acting upon a moistenable wet temperature sensor is cooled up to a cooling limit (wet-bulb point) and the wet bulb point temperature is determined. The relative humidity is ascertained using the measured temperature of the gas and the wet-bulb temperature.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring the qualities of a fluid including at least two liquids, the two liquids having at least one characteristic intrinsic factor relative to microwaves for a given frequency, such as the loss factor. The characteristic of the fluid is measured by a microwave flux for at least two different microwave frequencies, and, with the values of the factors of the intrinsic characteristics of each of the fluids at the two frequencies being known, the respective quantities of the two liquids are determined. The invention applies in particular to measuring the concentrations and flowrates of various phases in a multiphase fluid such as a petroleum effluent having an aqueous phase.

Abstract: Water testing apparatuses and methods for detecting contaminants in water supplies, such as from wells or other domestic water sources. The apparatuses are for use in reservoirs, such as a water closet of a sanitary toilet. They include an enclosure which defines an interior chamber which is intermittently charged with water. The water charged to the interior chamber is passed through one or more filters, preferably a packed column, which removes or otherwise indicates the presence of contaminants in the water. A counter measures the water passed through the system. Water is discharged from the interior chamber using a siphon. The siphon and restriction of flow caused by the filters help control the direction of flow and substantially prevent backflow. The summit of the siphon includes a relief valve for venting gas during filling of the siphon discharge.

Abstract: Apparatus for the detection of oil or water leakages having a housing with a plurality of openings. The housing is to be a sufficient volume to permit the expansion of an absorbent material when such is placed within it. Additionally, the housing is to have a hollow rod extending from it. Running through the rod is a wire. One end of the wire extends into the housing and holds a weighted member. The other end of the wire is connected to a signalling device for signalling persons of the presence of the liquid sought to be detected. When an expandable absorbent material is placed in the housing and the material detects the presence of a particular liquid, the absorbent material expands. This expansion forces the weighted member to push the wire through the hollow rod so that the signalling device is activated. In a preferred embodiment, underground leakages in oil and/or water tanks may also be detected and signalled to persons in the area.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus, and a process using the apparatus, for determining the flow characteristics of a synthetic rubbery polymer in which the vertical displacement is measured of a contact rod which is in contact with a disc contacting a sample of said polymer located between said disc and a base plate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of operating a measuring arrangement for detecting combustible gases in a gas mixture with the measuring arrangement including a display unit, a measuring unit, a detector element and a drivable compensator element. The method is improved in that the power input is minimized.

Abstract: A cable for detecting location of liquids comprises a core element sensitive to pulling or bending, a first sheathing of a material which swells in the liquid to be detected, and a sheathing affixed to the first sheathing and comprising a dense plaiting of high-stability yarn with low longitudinal expansion, and having a plaiting angle which is greater or smaller than the so-called neutral angle.