Abstract: A detector and method for identifying a chemical vapor and determining its concentration in the ambient atmosphere. The chemical detector apparatus preferably includes a means of collecting vapors in one atmosphere and transferring the vapors by injection into a chromatographic separation column. The exit of the separation column is confined by a nozzle which causes the vapors to be focused into a specific area of an acoustic wave interferometer wherein standing waves are created by constructive interference of waves reflected from a plurality of reflecting elements. Identification of vapor species is by a combination of timed adsorption rate peaks and temperature programmed desorption rates of the individual vapor species.

Abstract: A rotary viscosimeter has a control mode for measuring the viscosity of a liquid by a spring relaxation method and a control mode for measuring the viscosity by rotating a rotor 6a at a constant speed. In this rotary viscosimeter, a driving power is transmitted from a driving power source to a rotor shaft 5b via a spring 4a for rotating the rotor 6a. The rotor shaft 5b is supported on a pivot 11 and a bearing 12. When the viscosity is measured by the spring relaxation method, locking of the rotor shaft 5b is released after the spring 4a is biased while the rotor shaft 5b has been locked. When measurement of the viscosity is performed by rotating the rotor 6a at a constant speed, the rotor 6a is rotated while the locking of the rotor shaft 5b is released. When measurement is not being performed, the rotor shaft 5b is locked and the pivot 11 is separated from the bearing 12.

Abstract: Surface Volatile Material Detector including a vacuum chamber that is adapted to hold a silicon wafer for testing. The surface of the wafer is exposed to a heat source which evaporates the volatile contaminants on the surface of the wafer. A gas composition analyzer samples the atmosphere within the chamber to detect the evaporated contaminants. The device is designed such that the wafer is thermally insulated from the chamber, whereby the wafer is heated while the chamber walls remain cool, and any contaminants which might exist on the walls of the chamber are not evaporated. In the preferred embodiment, the wafer is heated by infrared light illumination.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a network of plumbing pipes for leaks comprises a pair of housings and a slidable test plate. The test plate is interposed between the housings to block fluid flow through the housings when inspecting the pipe network for leaks. After testing is complete, the test plate is removed from the housings and the housings remain fixed as a permanent part of the pipe network.

Abstract: A fixture for pressure testing sight glasses includes a base having a reced pressure chamber therein, a peripheral seal ring in the pressure chamber and a supply passage for supplying a pressurized fluid to the pressure chamber. The test fixture is operable by securing a sight glass on the fixture so that the sight glass is received in sealing engagement with the seal ring above the pressure chamber in order to apply a predetermined fluid pressure to the sight glass.

Abstract: To test a closed container having at least one flexible wall area in order to determine a leakage by an increasing of the inner volume of the container and a measuring of a correspondingly caused changed measured value, at least one outer wall area of the container is exposed to a medium having a pressure which is greater than a pressure produced by the increase of the volume of the container if such has no leakage. The increase of the volume can be made by a pneumatic or mechanical application of a force at a flexible wall area. The arrangement is specifically suitable when the wall of the container or its contents strive to self-seal a leakage spot in a wall area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selective detection of gases and vapors uses paramagnetic and electric dipole moments. An inhomogeneous magnetic field (31, 32, 33, 33') or an inhomogeneous electric field (41, 42, 43, 43', 44, 44') through the gas sample causes molecule enrichment in the acoustically sensitive range (34) of an ultrasonic resonator (1). The ultrasonic resonator has mutually opposed ultrasonic transducers operating as a transmitter (2) and a receiver (3). Because of the change in acoustic velocity, the molecule enrichment causes detuning of the ultrasonic resonator (1) and hence a change in signal at the receiving transducer (3). The method is particularly sensitive to the detection of oxygen.

Abstract: Process and device for preparing for analysis a gas mixture consisting of at least two components. The gas mixture is passed through at least two adsorption beds (3', 4'). At least one adsorption bed loaded with at least one constituent is fitted in a desorption device located upstream of the inlet system of an analyzer unit in which the constituent(s) are desorbed by lowering the pressure and/or raising the temperature.

Abstract: A process is provided for rapidly and non-destructively evaluating the particle retention characteristics of porous membranes using a novel liquid-porosimetric technique. A ratio of two membrane permeabilities is measured at preselected operating conditions using a pair of mutually immiscible fluids, one of which is employed as a membrane wetting agent and the other used as an intrusion fluid. The first operating condition, a particular transmembrane pressure, is chosen so as to selectively intrude those pores accessible to a given sized particle, such as a virus. The second operating condition, either a second preselected transmembrane pressure or a water permeability measurement, is chosen such that nearly all of the membrane pores are intruded. The ratio of the two permeabilities obtained with each set of operating conditions is thus the percentage of total flow through the membrane pores accessible to a given sized particle.

Abstract: The invention provides instrumentation and control of the water plumbing system of a recreational vehicle, marine vessel or other such mobile self-contained environment. In addition to indicating externally supplied water pressure, typically from park or dock pressurized hook-ups, either a leak or an excessive pressure condition is detected, to which the device responds by energizing an appropriate alarm and performing safety functions. In the event of a leak, the onboard water pump is disabled and the external water supply is diverted from the vehicle plumbing and dumped to the onboard fresh water supply tank which is vented, thereby allowing overflow to the exterior of the vehicle instead of the interior. In the event of the external water pressure exceeding a safe allowable value the same dumping action is initiated to protect the plumbing system, or alternatively the device can provide for isolating the plumbing system from this external over-pressure.

Abstract: A method of determining leaks and loose couplings in a pipe system which transfers liquid medium, and an apparatus for implementing that method. The pipe system includes a conduit having a beginning, an end, an inner pipe which carries the liquid medium and an outer pipe which surrounds the inner pipe. The conduit has a filler material which fills in an annular space between the inner and outer pipes. The leaks and loose couplings are detected and isolated by measuring only resistances of the filler material between the beginning of the conduit and ground yielding a first resistance value, between the end of the conduit and ground obtaining a second resistance value, and finally between the beginning of the conduit and the end of the conduit obtaining a third resistance value. The defect is then detected and located in the conduit using the first, second and third resistance values.

Abstract: A gasoline detecting device is provided with a suction nozzle arranged adjacent to an element to be inspected, a sensor for detecting gasoline within the sucked air arranged adjacent to the suction nozzle, and a body arranged in relation spaced from the suction nozzle. The body has a sensor drive unit for driving the sensor and for displaying the detection and a suction unit communicating with the suction nozzle. The gasoline detecting device can detect gasoline leakage from the element to be inspected.

Abstract: A compact portable unit incorporating a noxious gas concentration alarm system and method adapted to setting off an alarm to warn of the presence of a dangerously high level concentration of carbon monoxide in an environment and when lower levels of concentration are present for time periods which are predetermined to be hazardous to an individual in the environment. A specific embodiment is disclosed in which two or more timed levels of carbon monoxide concentration are arranged to set off an alarm and/or automatic shutdown of the CO producing mechanism when the measured time of presence of each concentration level is hazardous to an individual in the environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring viscosities of liquids has a narrow tube for a test liquid to be flowed. A differential pressure is generated between upstream and downstream of the test liquid. A differential pressure is measured at each divided time period for a total pass-by period which is a time for the test liquid to pass from a first to a second positions in the narrow tube. An integrated quantity obtained by determining a product of each divided time period and the differential pressure over the total pass-by period. Viscosity of the test liquid is obtained by comparing the integrated quantity with a corresponding integrated quantity previously determined in a reference sample liquid of known viscosity.

Abstract: A cylinder head flow test apparatus and method for testing cylinder heads for blockages in water passages wherein blockages in the water passages contained in the cylinder head can be detected by blowing low pressure air at a high velocity into the water passages and measuring the resulting back pressure produced by restrictions within the water passages. The disclosed method and apparatus include means for selectively testing the water passages in a cylinder head and for comparing the back pressure readings obtained from the test to back pressure readings previously obtained from a cylinder head whose water passages are known to have no blockages. An apparatus and method also disclosed for simultaneously testing all water passages in a cylinder head for blockages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the identification of a gas, particularly an anaesthetic gas. The concentration measurement of a gas is carried out by two different methods, the application of at least one of the applied methods being infrared measuring, and said concentration measurements being followed by identification which is effected by utilizing both thus obtained measuring results and the corresponding values of prior known gases.

Abstract: Detecting the presence of particles in a vacuum chamber is effected by positioning an in-situ particle monitor downstream of a pump connected to the chamber. The downstream position of the particle monitor is contrary to the normal practice of locating the particle monitor upstream of the pump, i.e. between the pump and the chamber. The invention avoids problems associated with placing the monitor immediately adjacent to the vacuum chamber, where it is subject to errors and possible surface damage caused by the process taking place in the chamber, and where it may have a lower particle detection probability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-intrusively identifying a property of a fluid in a container or pipe. The method includes propagating, from a transmitter, sonic energy into the fluid in the container; receiving the sonic energy at a reception site after a defined time delay determined by the nature of the fluid in the container; determining the time for the sonic energy to propagate from the transmitter to the reception site; determining the sonic propagation velocity of the sonic energy in the fluid from the determined time and from knowledge of the distance from the transmitter to reception site; determining the temperature of the fluid in the container; and determining the fluid property from the relationship between the sonic propagation velocity in the fluid and temperature. The properties determined may include viscosity and density, and if the fluid is known, pressure. Additionally, if the fluid is unknown, but known to be one of a number of fluids, the identity of the fluid can also be determined.

Abstract: A propane gas leak detection method includes permanently installing a test adapter unit in a line between a propane gas service valve unit and a first regulator and an adapter fitting in a pressure gauge receptacle of the service valve unit, temporarily connecting a flowmeter to the adapters, closing the service valve unit to bypass gas through the flowmeter, observing the rate of gas flow on the flowmeter, and disconnecting the flowmeter from the adapters after the gas leak test. The invention provides variations in the test adapters for use with service valve units having differing types of fittings and receptacles available.

Abstract: A storage tank apparatus is described which comprises an above-ground storage tank having a first, lowermost bottom, a second bottom joined to the walls of the storage tank above the first, lowermost bottom and defining a space between the first and second bottoms, structural support means placed in the space between the first and second bottoms for supporting the second bottom above the first bottom, and a plurality of sampling ports spaced about the perimeter of the storage tank and permitting access to the space between the first and second bottoms and to the avenues for fluid communication provided therethrough by the structural support means. Processes for detecting leaks and avenues for leaks of materials placed in the storage tanks of such apparatus are also described.