Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid mixture monitoring and controlling using an acoustic sensing technique by pulsing a fluid sample and a reference fluid in elongated chambers with sound waves generated at one end of the chambers and sensing the resonant frequencies in the chambers, or the time lapse for the sound waves to traverse the chambers, with transducers disposed proximate the other ends of the chambers and ratiometrically comparing the time-based measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the partial pressure of a gas dissolved in a fluid which includes a catheter consisting of a double bored coaxial catheter having an outer tube and a spaced coaxial inner tube, the outer tube being permeable to the gas being measured, together with a pump for delivering a continuous flow of a carrier fluid into the space between the inner tube and the outer tube. A measuring device is located downstream of the catheter for determining the partial pressure of the gas in the carrier fluid. A mass transfer unit receives the gas after the measuring device and is arranged to bring the partial pressure of the gas in the carrier fluid to a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the location of a pipe leak detects the pipe leak sound at a first remote location and at a second remote location, and generates first and second signals indicative of the sound. A time lay between the first and second signals is calculated at each of a plurality of frequencies. Integer multiplies of an associated period are added to each time lag to form a plurality of potential time delays at each of the plurality of frequencies. The plurality of potential time delays at all of the plurality of frequencies are stored in a memory. The time delay value which occurs most frequently is selected from the memory and is utilized to calculate the location of the sound source relative to the first and second locations. The invention can also be employed to determined the location of a sound source other than a pipe leak.

Abstract: A leak and liquid level detector includes a transistor as its main operating element with a pair of normally open base contacts connected to the transistor base. The transistor emitter is connected to ground and the transistor collector is connected to a suitable audio alarm, or alarm light or to a programmable logic controller. When a liquid leak bridges over the base contacts, a power circuit is closed across the contacts biasing the transistor and causing an electrical signal to flow from the collector to actuate the alarm, light or controller. The base contacts are linearly adjustable to sense various leak heights. The detector in one mode of use can be positioned horizontally to detect leaks and in a second mode of use is positioned vertically to detect a change in a liquid level in a tank, pipe column or the like.

Abstract: In order to measure the adsorption and desorption characteristics of water vapor by a porous or powdery sample, the sample is placed in an automated device which measures the difference between an equilibrium pressure and a sample pressure for various values of sample pressures, during both adsorption and desorption. A programmable computer calculates the amount of water vapor adsorption and desorption based upon the equilibrium pressure and can be used to control a printer for plotting the resulting data.

Abstract: A precision liquid leak detector 10 free of mechanical moving parts is disclosed herein. The liquid leak detector 10 of the present invention is disposed to measure the rate of change of the volume of a liquid within a container 14. The leak detector 10 includes a light guide 16, implemented as an optical fiber, which is disposed within the container 14 and at least partially immersed in the liquid. The optical fiber 16 includes a fiber core circumscribed by a fiber cladding selected such that evanescent wave loss occurs as a result of immersion of the cladding within the liquid. The optical fiber 16 is positioned in optical alignment with a laser source 26, which injects optical energy therein. The leak detector 10 of the present invention further includes an arrangement 24 for measuring the decrease in the intensity of the injected optical energy occurring over a length of the fiber 16 immersed in the liquid.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for determining the rheological properties of sedimenting suspensions. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus which permits the accurate determination of the rheological properties of particulate suspensions in which the particles are settling. An apparatus for evaluating the rheological properties of sedimenting suspensions comprising: (a) a sedimenting suspension retainer; (b) a device means suspended in the retainer, the retainer and suspended device being capable of being rotated relative to one another, the device being permeable to the passage of particles settling in the sedimenting suspension, the suspended device being suspended in the sedimenting suspension in the retainer in the region having constant density.

Abstract: A collision sensor specially adapted for a power driven x-ray imaging apparatus includes a face collision sensor and an edge collision sensor. The face collision sensor has two annular plates which are biased apart longitudinally by three flat springs which are equiangularly spaced apart around the perimeter of the plates. Three equiangularly spaced cables hold the plates in parallel planes with the springs prestressed and collapse to allow the plates to be compressed together. Two sets of three switches each reside at equal angular intervals between the plates, with at least one of the switches of the first set being actuated when any point across the face of the sensor has been moved a predetermined longitudinal distance. At least one of the switches of the second set is actuated when the point on the face of the sensor has been moved a further predetermined longitudinal distance. An edge collision sensor includes a closed air bladder which surrounds the face collision sensor and in which a vacuum is drawn.

Abstract: A dual monitor comprises a piezoelectric sensor in the form of a quartz crystal and an electrode system thereon. An exposure device in the form of a dust discriminator is provided to expose the piezoelectric sensor at least periodically to a stream of a gas which may contain dust or other organic or inorganic particulate material whose presence in or absence from the gas is to be monitored. The gas of said stream consists primarily of air. An electronic monitoring device is provided coupled to the electrode system of said piezoelectric sensor to monitor variations in the resonant frequency of said piezoelectric sensor induced by the aggregation of dust or other particulate material on said piezoelectric sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for determining, by a condensation method, the vapor pressure of a material with a known vapor pressure versus temperature characteristic, in a flow system particularly in a mercury isotope enrichment process.

Abstract: A storage tank system especially useful for storing liquid gasoline comprises a storage tank, a covered sleeve attached to the storage tank and encompassing a fill line, a drip sump compartment positioned on the cover of the sleeve and a fill line extending through the drip sump compartment and sleeve. The enclosed sleeve area is preferably monitored for leakage. The storage tank as well as structural accessories such as a dispensing line can have an outer containment wall. The system results in a storage facility which is not likely to lose its stored liquid to the environment due to slow leaks or a sudden large leak by providing total containment capability.

Abstract: A storage tank system especially useful for storing liquid gasoline comprises a rigid inner storage tank, access lines extending through the tank, a sleeve encompassing the access lines, a jacket encasing the tank and at least part of the sleeve, and a drip sump compartment positioned on a sleeve cover to the sleeve to catch drippings from a fill operation. A leak detector is associated with the closed space between the inner tank and jacket to detect leaks. The system results in a storage facility which is not likely to lose its stored liquid to the environment due to slow leak or a sudden large leak by providing total containment capability.

Abstract: A capacitive humidity sensor includes a capacitor with two metallic electrodes 12, 15, with electrode 15 formed of a moisture-permeable metallic layer. A moisture-sensitive polymer film 14 situated between the electrodes serves as a dielectric. The film 14 is advantageously chosen to be polyether imide.

Abstract: A moisture-sensitive device comprising a substrate such as silicon substrate, a pair of belt-like heating elements extending over recesses formed in the substrate, the heating elements being composed of a resistive film of platinum or nickel and a heat-resistant insulating film covering the resistive film in which one of the heating elements acts as a detector element and the other as a reference element, which device can exactly determine an absolute humidity irrespective of sudden changes of 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: The invention describes a large volume on-column gas chromatographic method for analyzing trace levels of high molecular weight and polar compounds in a sample and an apparatus for performing the method. A column inlet coupled to an analytical column is heated rapidly to concentrate difficult to chromatograph compounds onto the analytical column resulting in an increase in the detectability of the compounds.

Abstract: A pressurized storage tank for toxic chemicals includes a shut-down valve assembly. Upon detection of a leak, the shut-down valve assembly stops the flow of chemicals from the outlet valves of the tank. The shut-down valve assembly is located within the pressure vessel of the tank for maximum safety. The outlet valves of the tank are external to the pressure vessel and are connected to the valve assembly. The shut-down valve assembly operates in a fail-safe manner, such that removal of power or control signals to the valve assembly results in the valves being closed.

Abstract: A method and test chamber for leak testing a container with a substantially flexible wall portion wherein the container is introduced into a test cavity so that the wall portion of the container is spaced from an inner adjacent wall portion of the test cavity with a gap being defined between the wall portion of the cavity and the flexible wall portion of the container. A pressure difference is installed as an initial value between the interior of the container and at least the gap by applying a pressure at least to the gap which is smaller than a pressure inside the container. The flexible wall portion is supported from its exterior side within the test cavity so as to prevent the flexible wall portion from bending outwardly into contact with the wall portion of the test cavity as a result of the pressure difference. The time course of a pressure prevailing within the gap is measured as a leak indicative signal.

Abstract: A viscometer comprising a first member having an internal surface which is at least part-cylindrical, a second member which is cylindrical and is eccentrically mounted relative to the said internal surface, the first and second members defining therebetween a gap for receiving liquid to be tested, a drive means for causing relative rotation between the first and second members and pressure detecting means for detecting a pressure difference between liquid in a region of the said gap and liquid in a second region. The invention also provides a method of measuring viscosity.

Abstract: A technique for measuring concentration of ions in the parts per trillion range (10.sup.-5 to 10.sup.-6 milligram per liter) uses a new interconnection of ordinary components in a four step technique. In the first two steps, standard solutions of known, but widely different, concentrations are measured to determine a calibration factor (C) which is then applied in the second two steps to determine the very weak unknown concentration of the sample. The process can be automated and is useful in applications such as nuclear power plants where the presence of even very small concentrations of certain ions is undesirable because of the extreme conditions prevailing, and such as the semiconductor industry where extreme purity is required.