Abstract: In a method of testing a sample of viscoelastic material held under pressure between two opposing, temperature-controlled dies, the sample is subjected to an oscillatory, rotary shearing force which has a predetermined amplitude and a frequency within the range 0.001 to 2 Hz, and a torque which is indicative of the response of the sample to the shearing force is measured, at least one measurement of the torque being made when the predetermined amplitude is at least .+-.10.degree. but not greater than .+-.360.degree..

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 arcurate 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: The present invention describes a method to detect leaks in a roof or leaks in basement walls or floors of a building. The detection is achieved by placing a two wire detector in the region to be monitored and measuring the current with a voltage applied across the two wires. The location of the leak is determined by placing several wire detector pairs in a mesh fashion and then scanning the leakage current through each wire pair. A complete detection and scanning system is also described.

Abstract: The bonding of a honeycomb structure to a support at one end of the cells of the structure is checked by applying a detector to the opposite end of the cells, the detector comprising first and second compartments which are separated by a partition, supplying compressed air to the first compartment, and measuring the flow of air out of the second compartment by means of a flowmeter connected to an outlet from the second compartment. The flow value measured by the flowmeter enables one to determine whether or not there are any non-bonded areas between the honeycomb structure and the support in the region of the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for quickly and accurately determining in-line the rheology of molten polymer streams, said apparatus comprising a cam member and a pressure wall member, one of which is a rotating member and the other one is a stationary member, the rotating member dragging molten polymer into a wedge-shaped clearance between the cam member and the pressure wall member, polymer pressure within the clearance being sensed by a pressure detection device capable of producing a signal responsive to said pressure in the form of a display, a graph, or an arbitrary numerical value, but preferably being transmitted to a computer programmed to calculate apparent melt viscosity of the polymer by the application of the Reynold's theory of lubrication.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressure testing a plumbing system having a fluid inlet assembly having an inlet connection, a pressure-actuated flow regulator valve, and a fluid inlet, all made from or lined with corrosion resistant materials. A paddle shaped member is coaxially coupled to a freely rotatable threaded cap member which removably engages the tee fitting in the plumbing system. O-rings along the outer edges of a paddle-shaped member serve to seat the paddle-shaped member into the inner diameter of the tee-fitting and seal the downstream portion of the Y or tee fitting from the upstream portion.

Abstract: Various methods have been proposed for measuring the viscosity of thermosetting polymers. It has been found that these method are generally inaccurate. A test which avoids the inaccuracies of previous techniques is proposed. In this test the heated thermosetting resin is forced at a known flow rate through a runner and through a capillary tube at the end of the runner. By measuring the pressure differential across the capillary a meaningful measure of viscosity is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of macromolecules and colloids in a liquid sample is disclosed. The apparatus preferably includes an electrospray apparatus 16 for forming droplets from the sample. Liquid is removed from the droplets by drying in the electrospray apparatus 16, thereby forming an aerosol. The aerosol of a size greater than a predetermined size is then counted by a condensation nucleus counter 52. In this manner, the target macromolecules and colloids are counted. This apparatus is capable of detecting very small macromolecules and colloids of a wide range of materials in a liquid, for example, individual molecules having molecular weight as small as 10,000.

Abstract: A storage tank system having primary and secondary containment capability is made from a rigid outer tank shell by forming in situ an inner tank of fibrous reinforcing material and resinous material. A separating material is initially positioned on the interior surface of the rigid outer tank. The closed space between the rigid outer tank shell and formed inner tank is monitored for leakage.

Abstract: A triple-walled fluid containment system which includes a rigid metallic outside tank, an outer flexible bladder positioned within the rigid outside tank and a plurality of suspension elements between the tank and the outer bladder for suspending the flexible outer bladder within, and adjacent, the tank. An inner flexible bladder of complementary configuration to the outer bladder is located within, and adjacent, the outer bladder. A vacuum monitoring system communicates with the interstice between the outside and the inside bladder for evacuating the space therebetween.

Abstract: This application discloses a pipe system comprising at least one lined pipe section. This lined pipe section comprises an outer pipe having an exterior wall, a thermoplastic liner having an exterior surface flush with and in tight engagement with the interior wall of the outer pipe, and at least one groove located in the exterior surface. The groove and the interior wall of the outer pipe define at least one passageway.

Abstract: A method and device for checking the tightness of a casing which is, filled with a gaseous medium, immersed in a container with liquid medium placed in a chamber of which the interior is insulated for sound and vibrations, the output signals of a sensor in contact with the container wall being amplified, filtered and evaluated.

Abstract: Oil well production is often measured by using a settling tank, pump, flowmeter and a water-cut meter. Fluid from a well being tested is allowed to accumulate in the settling tank and, after a predetermined settling time, is pumped through the flowmeter and water-cut meter for gauging. The present invention is an improved water-cut meter which first determines the impedance of the free water pumped from the tank and later determines the impedance of the oil/water emulsion emerging from the tank. The ratio of the emulsion impedance to the free water impedance is proportional to percent water-cut of the fluid during the water-continuous phase. When the emulsion switches to oil-continuous phase, the system utilizes probe impedance for the water-cut determination. Using standard techniques, the water-cut and flow rate signals are then combined to calculate the total oil and water content of the settling tank fluid.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor (1) with an inlet (2) connects with a small chamber (3). An inlet provided with a diffusion barrier (4) permits flammable gas and oxygen to enter the chamber. The oxygen concentration within the chamber is low, and a catalytic element (5) within the chamber causes combustion of flammable gas, thus consuming oxygen within the chamber. The signal from the oxygen sensor is processed to calculate a concentration for the flammable gas.

Abstract: A moisture-sensitive element comprising a moisture-sensitive film which consists of a polymer (such as a polymer in which polyethersulfon is a principal component) whose water sorption amount is between 10 and 40 mg/g at a temperature of 30.degree. C. and a relative humidity of 90% RH. The temperature-sensitive element has a low temperature dependency, a small hysteresis and a quick response and accordingly can be employed in a wide range of temperature as well as in a severe condition such as high humidity, high temperature, cyclically fluctuating humidity, low humidity, moisture condensation, water dipping and so on.

Abstract: An apparatus connectable to fluid containing operating systems which creates a vacuum effect upon the fluid in the operating system during repairs and maintenance. The apparatus also permits pressure testing of the repairs and maintenance to the operating system without removal of the apparatus therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for continuous measurement of water volume in oil or steam which overcomes many of the shortcomings. In the present invention may shortcomings encountered in the prior art devices are overcome by placing a dielectric capacity probe inside the main pipeline, to measure the average dielectric constant (E) of the flowing mixture. This `in situ` sampling, will account for the entire cross-sectional area of the pipe or duct and its contents. The `in-situ` probe will have a high intrinsic capacitance approaching that of air, which has a dielectric constant equal to "1". The probe placed within the pipeline shall offer a minimal impedance to flow of the crude oil or steam and the oil's normal impurities and sediments. The probe will automatically self-calibrate, `in-line`, at selected time intervals and shall be fully automated for the overall routine operation.

Abstract: A method for testing the water blocking qualities of moisture blocking compound which is applied to the interstitial spaces of a stranded conductor so as to produce a water impervious cable construction, with testing occurring prior to the application of any layers of plastic in the cable's manufacture.

Abstract: A test head for enclosing pipe ends to test any diameter pipe within a plurality of pipe diameters in a preselected range which test head has a seal ring assembly which has a resilient body with a counterbore of a larger volume than non-resilient segments in the counterbore and mounted on the body to provide a volumetric space or gap between the segments and resilient body to enable the resilient body to initially move in response to fluid pressure toward sealing relation with the pipe without engaging the non-resilient segments.

Abstract: A short path thermal desorption apparatus for use in a gas chromatoagraphy-detector unit (GC-DET) such as a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system has a housing defining an upper compartment, and a desorption compartment. An upper front panel on the housing has an elongated longitudinally disposed opening which provides communication between the upper compartment and the exterior of the housing. An injection assembly is disposed at the exterior of the housing adjacent the upper front panel and is actuated from a disengaged position to an engaged position with the gas chromatography unit by a suitable gas powered cylinder mounted in the upper compartment.