Abstract: A method and apparatus for the testing of vehicle fuel tank caps includes the mounting of a cap to be tested upon a mating socket. The socket/cap combination define a sealed chamber which can be pressurized and/or evacuated in a controlled manner. A pressure transducer monitors the pressure within the chamber. The monitored pressure is compared to reference values to determine cap integrity. The apparatus may be incorporated into a vehicle testing system using microprocessor control and having a database of vehicle, cap and performance data.

Abstract: A method for the measurement of rheological properties of high density slurry materials and in particular high density mill tailings. A sample of the tailings is placed within a mixing tub, with mixing paddle used to effect the mixing. A digitally controlled electric motor is used to directly drive the paddle at a constant predetermined speed or speeds. Feedback control elements, including a variable speed drive and a computer constantly monitor the mixing speed and compensate for deviations therefrom. The tub is laterally pivotable against a load cell for a direct determination of reaction torque with correlation to viscosity and other rheological properties of the mill tailings. The load cell emits signals which are conditioned and fed to the computer which correlates torque to speed and determines the rheological properties on a continuous real-time basis. The computer also compares determined torque/speed parameters to stored rheological properties of known materials.

Abstract: Method of confirming the presence or absence of leaks in a liquid storage container, particularly in partially filled underground storage tanks, subjected to partial vacuum for the purpose of testing the tank for the presence of a leak in the area above the liquid using a hydrophone or microphone either positioned in or attached to the container to detect the sound produced by the ingress of fluid into the container as a result of the vacuum. The ingress of fluid is confirmed by recording and observing the vacuum pump on/off cycles, the on/off cycles for a leaking container being distinguishable from the on/off cycles for a non-leaking container.

Abstract: An improved method for detecting small leaks in underground pressurized piping systems is disclosed. In particular, the method comprises the steps of taking pressure measurements over identical time intervals from a product line at a pressure above the pump discharge pressure while the product pump is running. Thereafter, the absolute value of the difference between successive pressure decays is calculated and compared to an acceptable value. Next, the value of the latest pressure decay value is compared to acceptable and unacceptable values reflecting acceptable and unacceptable tightness of the product line.

Abstract: A leak detector for sensing a test gas leaking into a vacuum chamber in accordance with this invention comprises a vacuum chamber having an opening, and a momentum transfer pump connected to such opening and serving to compress the gases emanating from the vacuum chamber. An entrainment pump is connected to receive the gases exhausted from the momentum transfer pump, with the entrainment pump having means for entrapping the active exhaust gases coming from the vacuum chamber, but not the noble gases, which remain in a gaseous state and continually increase in pressure. A mass spectrometer is connected to receive the output from the entrainment pump, with the entrapment of the active exhaust gas by the entrainment pump reducing the total pressure at the mass spectrometer gas detector, thus making possible the detection and measurement by the mass detector of extremely small noble gas leaks.

Abstract: A method of determining static gel strength of a fluid in a container comprises: commencing relative movement between the fluid in the container and a member disposed in the fluid in the container so that torque is created; stopping the relative movement; and sensing the torque during the time between commencing and stopping the relative movement and detecting the peak torque during such time, wherein the detected peak torque defines the static gel strength of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing lubricating oil is disclosed in the form of a test medium upon which an oil sample is placed, and comparative visual indicia which the user consults to provide a qualitative analysis of the oil sample. A method for the use of the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting bubbles in a liquid characterized by the steps of: a) flowing a liquid through a chamber; b) allowing bubbles in the liquid to escape within the chamber; and c) sensing the gaseous volume within the chamber to determine whether any gas bubbles were present in the liquid. An apparatus of the present invention includes a sealed chamber, a pump for pumping a liquid through the sealed chamber, and a mechanism for detecting gaseous accumulation within the chamber. The mechanism for detecting gaseous accumulation preferably includes a floating device having a float portion and a magnet portion, and a magnetic detector for detecting the magnetic field strength generated by the magnet portion. The magnetic field strength can be used to calculate the liquid level within the chamber which can, in turn, used to calculate the gaseous volume within the chamber.

Abstract: A leak detection cable for detecting aqueous based liquids that contain a surfactant is composed of an insulated wire conductor (1 and 2) wrapped with a water resistant yarn (3) and a braided second conductor (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument and method for measuring the viscoelastic properties of rubber and like materials comprising two opposed dies, each die having a die housing, the dies and housings being moveable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein: a) each die is separated from its housing by a substantially uniform circumferential gap such that the die is rotatable relative to its housing, and one die is rotatable relative to the other, b) in the closed position, the two dies define between them a cavity for holding under pressure a sample of material to be tested, c) the design of the dies and housings is such that during movement from the open position to the closed position, a sample of test material located between the dies is compressed so that excess material is extruded radially from between the dies, across the gap between each die and its housing and through a narrowing space separating the housings until the two housings reach their closed position, in which position t

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence of surfactants in a liquid, such as a jet fuel or diesel fuel, by using the capillary rise technique, wherein an enclosed evacuated space is provided which is partially filled with water. A capillary tube is provided in the enclosed evacuated space having one of its ends submerged in the water. The liquid whose interfacial tension is to be measured is introduced into the evacuated space and the amount of rise in the capillary tube is measured. From the amount of rise in the capillary tube, the interfacial tension can be calculated. A high interfacial tension generally indicates the absence of surfactants which can affect the operation of coalescing filters which are designed to remove water from jet or diesel fuel before use.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for detecting leaks in, cathodically protecting, determining the effectiveness of such cathodic protection, and/or remediating fluid leaked from an aboveground storage tank. At least one substantially horizontal bore is formed beneath an aboveground storage tank and a slotted pipe or casing is positioned within the bore. The pipe or casing can be simultaneously advanced within the substantially horizontal bore while the bore is being formed. Slotted tubing and at least one anode are positioned within the slotted casing. The bore is filled with coke breeze and current is supplied to the anode(s) to cathodically protect substantially the entire tank bottom. The anode and slotted tubing can be removed to provide a passageway for remediation of fluid leakage from the storage tank.

Abstract: An automated unsupervised apparatus for conducting a blood alcohol content level test on an individual user, and subsequently discerning and displaying a meaningful test result, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an alphanumeric display for instructing the individual user to blow into the apparatus so as to provide a breath sample. A pressure switch is used to monitor the gauge pressure of the individual user's breath sample in order to determine whether the gauge pressure is at or above a threshold value for a predetermined length of time, typically three seconds. The alphanumeric display instructs the individual user to wait and blow again in the event that the gauge pressure does not remain at or above the threshold value for the predetermined length of time. A testing sample of the individual user's breath sample is captured in a fuel cell type alcohol concentration sensor.

Abstract: A method of detecting a leak in a liquid storage tank utilizes a mass test in which a sample mass of liquid is removed from the storage tank and weighed. After a period of time, another sample mass of liquid, taken at exactly the same location as the first, is removed from the storage tank, and then weighed and compared to the first sample mass to determine whether there is a leak in the storage tank.

Abstract: A positive pressure test apparatus for fit testing a facepiece respirator having an exhalation valve, including a cover portion having a central bore with an inwardly directed shoulder at the base. A plunger is provided having a stem, a button portion on one end and a flange portion on the opposite end. The stem is situated within the central bore, the button portion extending above the surface of the cover portion in a rest position, and the flange portion extending below the inwardly directed shoulder. Bias means are located in engagement with the button portion and the shoulder for biasing the plunger from the rest position to a depressed position, wherein the button is flush with the surface of the cover portion and the flange portion seals the exhalation valve. A mounting means is provided to attach the positive pressure test apparatus to the respirator.

Abstract: A core sample of a porous rock from a subterranean reservoir is placed in a pressure cell holder. The sample is desaturated to first fluid irreducible desaturation with a second fluid through a porous plate preferentially wet to only the first fluid. The sample is then flooded with a plurality of first and second fluid ratios. Core pressure is measured along the core at various differential pressure plateau's during initial first fluid desaturation and again during fluid flooding with first and second fluids. A computed tomography (CT) scanning system provides images of the density distribution within the core sample during such flooding. Fluid saturation, determined from these CT images, and the pressure measurements are used to determine the relative permeability and capillary pressure responses of the fluids within the subterranean reservoir.

Abstract: A method for inventory maintenance and leak detection in liquid storage tanks and dispensing lines, that combines tank level measurements, tank product temperature measurements, output flow measurements, liquid product characteristics data, initial product delivery volume data, and redundantly calculates changes in the quantity of liquid product within the tank and compares these calculations to determine abnormalities in the changes in the quantities of product within the tank. Changes in the quantity of product within the tank are verified as either the delivery of additional product into the tank or the dispensing of product from the tank as with a customer sale. Changes that cannot be verified as either delivery into or dispensing from the tank are appropriately characterized as possible leak conditions in the tank or lines.

Abstract: A tracer-gas leak detector includes an analysis unit and a primary pump whose inlet is connected to an inlet orifice of the detector via a first pipe equipped with a first valve. A secondary pumping set has an inlet connected to the analysis unit and an outlet connected to the inlet of the primary pump. The primary pump is a dry pump. The secondary pumping set includes two secondary pumps of the mechanical type separated from each other by a second valve. The secondary pump that is proximate to the dry primary pump is the second secondary pump and includes a dynamic seal stage at its outlet. A second pipe connects the inlet of the second secondary pump to the first pipe downstream from the second valve. A third valve is disposed on the first pipe between the outlet of the second secondary pump and the junction where the second pipe meets the first pipe. The third valve is controlled by a pressure sensor placed at the inlet of the second secondary pump.

Abstract: A hydrostatic test system for subjecting a workpiece or test specimen to a predetermined test pressure until the workpiece fails by developing a leak detectable by the test system. The hydrostatic test system is a modular system readily adaptable to, and able to incorporate therein, a number of different physical devices for regulating, controlling, detecting, and registering functions and activities pertaining to leak detection. Among the devices adaptable in the hydrostatic test system for detecting a leak condition in the workpiece is a differential pressure switch and a static pressure switch, a combination differential and static pressure switch, or an accumulator associated with either a pressure transducer or a high accuracy transducer. The leak condition may be visually signaled by a lamp or indicator light or the sensing of a leak condition may be visually output to a CRT screen.

Abstract: A gas leak sensor system detects the presence of gas leaking into any one of a plurality of test spaces for example, refrigeration gas into a refrigeration case. A plurality of tubes extend from each of the test spaces to a sensor location whereat a selector valve is connected to each tube. A controller actuates the selector valves to select tubes in a particular order and a vacuum source draws air and any leaking gas through a selected tube and through a gas sensor to activate an alarm. The gas sensor is purged at least each time a leaking gas has been sensed.