Abstract: A method of determining the fundamental viscoelastic properties of a viscoelastic material includes the steps of imparting a torsional stress in a viscoelastic material; measuring the relaxation of the torsional stress over time and converting the relaxation stress to a representative analog waveform; digitizing the representative analog waveform to produce a representative digital waveform; and, determining the frequency dependant fundamental viscoelastic properties of the material based on the shape of a portion of the representative digital waveform. To facilitate automating the method, the shape of the waveform may be analyzed to detect the start of a test, the end of the test, and whether the test is a valide test.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in tensiometers for measuring soil water tension comprising a rod shaped wick. the rod shaped wick is shoestring, rolled paper towel, rolled glass microfiber filter, or solid ceramic. The rod shaped wick is secured to the tensiometer by a cone washer and a threaded fitting.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the thermal stability of fluids, particularly for testing the deposition characteristics of fuels, comprising a conduit system which connects in series; a reservoir to contain fresh fluid having within it a movable piston capable of discharging the fluid, a heater tube housing in which is mounted a heated tubular member, a time reactor housing of a sufficient volume to decrease the flow of the fluid therethrough, a spent fluid reservoir, a filter located at an outlet of the heater tube housing designed to trap deposits which may be formed due to the heating and remain suspended in the fluid, a similar filter located at an outlet of the time reactor housing designed to trap further deposits that may form with additional time, a differential pressure measuring device connected across each of these filters to measure the pressure drop therethrough, and a valved bypass around each of these filters.

Abstract: Residual pressure and oxygen content of a pack are measured in an apparatus having a pressure measuring system and an oxygen measuring system in a branched arrangement. The oxygen content is measured by employing a vacuum pump to displace gas from the pack to an oxygen measuring system and a compression chamber which is then reset to atmosperic pressure and the oxygen content of the gas is measured. A two-way valve enables stopping displacement of the gas to the oxygen measuring system and enables the oxygen measuring system and compression chamber to be reset to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the concentration of one or more emission gases in the exhaust of a vehicle, including a conventional gas analyzer and a transducer for monitoring at least one parameter directly related to the operating condition of the vehicle. Samples of gas emissions are supplied to the gas analyzer and the transducer is monitored while the vehicle is operated in a convention manner. A running history of readings of exhaust gas concentration(s) of interest is maintained during vehicle operation with earlier readings being supplanted by recent ones. Upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, the running history is preserved in order to provide a correlation between the exhaust gas concentrations and known operating parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automated condom airburst testing apparatus is disclosed which utilizes a deformable elastomeric ring which operates, in conjunction with a collar, to form a temporary, yet secure, airtight seal around the flexible condom membrane. A multiple stage series regulated inflation gas supply system provides a substantially fluctuation-free flow of gas to inflate a condom. A differential pressure measuring system, which is separate from the inflation supply system, determines the difference between the pressure within the condom membrane and atmosphere. The apparatus also provides the maximum pressure and volume within the condom just before the condom is destroyed by bursting.

Abstract: A tank leak detector has a pressure transmitter suspended in a tank to detect liquid level changes of a fluid by sensing a pressure which changes when a liquid level changes. The transmitter preferably is a differential pressure transmitter. A pump is provided for drawing liquid through a tube up to a sealed passageway in a manifold which is connected to a pressure sensing inlet of the pressure transmitter. The pump eliminates air bubbles in the passageway and at the pressure sensing inlet. The sealed passageway provides a liquid column that changes in pressure at the pressure sensing inlet as the liquid level rises and falls where transmitter output indicates liquid level changes. The detector is temperature stable because the tank is underground where both inlets of a pressure sensor are at the same temperature. The unit is easily installed in existing tanks by suspending from a support in the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting leaks in an internal combustion engine head with head support brackets carried on parallel beams in a support frame, and cam type clamps for clamping an engine head and a head coolant port cover in place on the support frame so that the head can be quickly and easily installed and removed and can be rotated to various orientations while installed during the application of pressure and leak detection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for conducting sequential condensed and vapor phase spectroscopic studies. The apparatus includes a vacuum manifold including a series of interconnected conduits forming a sealed chamber for containing a sample undergoing analysis. The vacuum manifold includes a collection/deposition station and a spectroscopy/revaporization station connected together by a transfer conduit. Ports in the vacuum manifold at the collection/deposition station connect the chamber to a vacuum pumping system and a chromatograph separates a sample to be tested into individual chemical compounds. A collection tube with a mechanism providing transport between stations is contained within the vacuum manifold. At the collection/deposition station, a separated compound from the chromatograph is deposited on a deposition surface of a collection tube.

Abstract: A system for measuring steam flowing through a convergent-divergent nozzle at critical flow uses selected measurements along with Napier's Parameter, Dimensionless Critical Steam Flux and Critical Density Ratio to determine steam quality and flow rate.

Abstract: A particle-size distribution analyzer in a vent gas or flue gas which can be in a gas carrying line of a dust- and/or mist-producing process is provided. The analyzer comprises: a series of particle-size classifying units each consisting of a gas-ejection nozzle of an opening having a diameter different from the others and an impaction plate mounted on a revolvable turret in such a fashion that the series of the units can communicate with a suction nozzle in the gas flow line one by one successively in a decreasing order of the nozzle opening diameter; and a light-scattering particle-concentration detecting system which gives the concentration data after particle-size classification as a function of the cut-off size of the particles contained in the gas.

Abstract: A liquid leak detector for use with above-ground storage tanks. The liquid leak detector includes a vertically upright standpipe for filling with a liquid to a level that generates a hydrostatic head pressure substantially equivalent to that exerted by the liquid in the storage tank; a first pipe connected to the standpipe at about the bottom end thereof and adapted to be connected to the tank at about the bottom of the tank; a pressure transducer disposed within the first pipe for sensing hydrostatic head pressure differential between the liquid in the storage tank and the liquid in the standpipe to determine a change in pressure differential resulting from a change in the amount of liquid in the storage tank; and a hose connected above the level of the liquid in the standpipe and adapted to be connected to the tank above the level of the liquid in the tank.

Abstract: A method for providing a real time measurement of the purity of one gas in a binary mixture of two known gases, which mixture also contains water vapor, applies principles of the fan laws and ideal gas laws in a manner whereby the volume percent purity of the gas may be calculated directly from measured fan differential pressure. The calculted purity is preferably corrected for variations in temperature and pressure. The method requires the determination and use of an appropriate fan constant based on the gas whose purity is to be measured and specific to the fan being used to circulate the gas mixture and the speed at which it operates. An appropriate adjustment factor for differences between design and measured speed may also be applied in acordance with the fan laws.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the gas diffusion characteristics of material samples includes a sealed test chamber in which one or more test cells are placed. A material sample is mounted on one end of a substantially cylindrical test cell. The chamber is then charged to a predetermined pressure and concentration of a test gas, such as radon. Periodically, gas samples are drawn through the other end of the test cell for analysis of test gas concentration, which indicates the capability of the material sample to diffuse, or prevent diffusion of, the test gas. For each test, a desired pressure differential is maintained across the material sample, and also between the chamber interior and ambient.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring very small flows into and out of large tanks comprising a reference vessel substantially vertical and proximate the tank to be metered and connected in fluid communication with the tank and having transducers located between the connection point and the surface of the fluid in the reference vessel for converting the mass of fluid flow there through to an electrical signal readable into equivalent volume change in the main tank and a meter for reading the electrical signal.

Abstract: A system and method for determining multi-phase relative permeability characteristics of a porous media sample obtained from a subterranean reservoir. The porous media is placed in a confining flow cell assembly and the pressure drop across the porous media is measured during multi-phase fluid flooding. A computed tomography (CT) scanning system provides images of the density distribution within the core sample. Fluid saturation is determined from these CT images as well as from material balance and pressure drop data to determine the relative permeability of the subterranean reservoir.

Abstract: Described is a new gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC/MS) system and method for quantitative analysis of reactive chemical compounds. All components of such a GC/MS system external to the oven of the gas chromatograph are programmably temperature controlled to operate at a volatilization temperature specific to the compound(s) sought to be separated and measured.

Abstract: In a pressurized aircraft, the net air leakage occurring while the aircraft is pressurized at altitude, i.e., the difference between the mass flow rate of all air supplied to the pressurized compartments of the aircraft and the mass flow rate of all air intentionally discharged to the external ambient, is calculated by a system employing air mass flow gauges in the air supply and discharge ducts. Increases in the rate of leakage over time furnish an indication of deterioration of the aircraft structure such as that caused by fatigue and stress corrosion of the external skin.

Abstract: New methods and apparatus for the measurement of thermal conductivity of gases employ a single katharometer element comprising a thermistor. In one circuit the thermistor is part of a first potential divider whose output voltage is compared to that of a second reference potential divider by applying them to the inputs of a differential amplifier supplying heating current to the element. In another circuit, in which the katharometer element may be other than a thermistor, the element and a resistor are connected in series to a common reference point of the circuit and are supplied with current so that the voltages across them correspond to their respective resistances; the voltage cross the item not connected to the reference point is transferred to another circuit element that is connected to the reference point so that they can be compared directly.

Abstract: A method and device for testing the burst pressure of closure disks which provides high pressure to both sides of a disk and rapidly releases pressure from one side thereof causing a high rate of change of pressure. A hollow notched plug allows the rapid release of pressure upon rupturing. A tensile load is transmitted by a piston in combination with fluid pressure to the hollow notched plug.