Abstract: The dissolution testing apparatus has a plurality of stirring elements for stirring the test solutions within a plurality of test vessels with reflective surfaces. The temperatures of the test solutions are individually controlled by a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes a controller, a heating element for each test vessel to heat the corresponding test solution, and a temperature sensor for each test vessel to measure the temperature of the corresponding test solution. The heating elements are wrapped around the outside of the test vessels and held in place by spring-loaded heater jackets. Each stirring element has a hollow shaft, a detachable stirring attachment (e.g., blade or basket), a temperature sensor inside the hollow shaft, and a signal transfer device to transmit signals from the temperature sensor to the controller.

Abstract: An in-line detector system and method for real-time detection of impurity concentration in a flowing gas stream. In a specific aspect, the system may comprise an in-line monitoring system for determining the calibrated concentration of an impurity species in a flowing gas stream, in a low concentration range below a predetermined concentration value, and in a high concentration range above said predetermined concentration value. The system may utilize hygrometric sensors in the case of water as a critical impurity, or surface acoustical wave (SAW) devices coated with suitable impurity-affinity coatings. The method includes sensing the impurity species concentration in gas derived from the gas flow stream in a sequential and repetitive sensing operation. In a first sensing mode the gas is purified of impurity species prior to sensing thereof and in a second sensing mode the gas is unpurified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying cuttings from a wellbore is disclosed. The cuttings can be identified by measuring emissions such as alpha, beta, or gamma particles which emanate from the cuttings. A continuous wellbore profile of the alpha or beta emissions can be constructed by measuring the emissions from cuttings taken from different locations in the wellbore, and by documenting such emissions. The effects of cuttings dispersion caused by differing particle sizes can be reduced by collecting cuttings of an intermediate size for analysis. The profile of the intermediate size cuttings can be compared with a well log to identify the original elevation of the cuttings within the wellbore.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the amount of particulate matter in a gas having a gas supply, a first particulate matter collector downstream of the gas supply and in gaseous communication with the gas supply, and a second particulate matter collector downstream of the gas supply and in gaseous communication with the gas supply. Gas from the gas supply to the second particular matter collector is passed through a particle remover to remove particulate matter prior to contact of gas from the gas supply with the second particulate matter collector. A pressure sensor is provided to measure differential pressure between the first particulate matter collector and the second particulate matter collector, and at least one pump to cause gas to pass from the gas supply to the first particulate matter collector and the second particulate matter collector.

Abstract: A measurement system (45) includes a tank (46) having an inlet and outlet (47, 48) through which a sample (49) flows prior and subsequent to measurement. A stirrer (50) disposed near the base of tank (46) maintains a well mixed solution within the tank. Two immersion probes (52, 53) extend downwardly into the tank and include respective support tubes (54, 55) and sensor portions (56, 57). The sensor portions include respective gamma-ray transmission gauges and four pairs of ultrasonic transducers operating at different frequencies. Accordingly, probes (52, 53) allow the measurement of attenuation and velocity of high and low frequency ultrasound through the sample as well as measurement of attenuation of electromagnetic radiation through the sample. These measurements are utilized to derive an estimate of the solute concentration, particle size distribution, concentration of solids and suspension and the solute concentration of the sample.

Abstract: A new high flow rate sampling device and methods for measuring fugitive gas emissions are provided. The high flow rate sampler comprises an air mover connected to a flexible hose for drawing in air near a process component, such as a pump, compressor seal, flange, or pipe thread connection. A second sample hose draws air from the opposing side of the process component at a flow rate low enough not to affect capture of the leak by the first sample hose. Air measured from the first sample hose will contain fugitive emissions from the process component being measured, as well as from other process components. Air measured from the second sample hose will contain only fugitive emissions from surrounding process components and can then be subtracted from the measurement from the first sample hose to obtain the leak rate from the process component in question.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying a conduit at a second location remote from a known first location of the conduit, characterized by a vibration device and means for removably coupling the vibration device to a wall of the conduit for transmission of vibration to and/or generation of vibration in the conduit, thereby enabling identification of the conduit at the remote second location.

Abstract: To indicate stomatal aperture in plant leaves, this instrument measures the permeability to air flow across the leaf. Air entrance and exit chambers are temporarily and non-destructively sealed on opposite sides of the leaf. The entrance chamber is pressurized while the exit chamber remains sealed as an initial test for any leakage. The exit chamber is then opened to the atmosphere and the time required for a specific volume of air to move across the leaf is measured.

Abstract: Relative permeability of subsurface earthen materials is measured by advancing a probe into the earthen material at a constant rate while simultaneously injecting a fluid sealant/lubricant, or vapor, or liquid, from the probe to the earthen material. The relative permeability of the earthen material is determined by measuring either changes in flow rate or pressure of the injected vapors or fluids. The prescribed method of operation of the probe seals the probe hole allowing collection of discrete vapor samples and also greatly facilitates advancement of the probe.

Abstract: A portable sonic testing device for the testing of waxy and emulsified fluids, utilizing variations in sound wave propogation, light propogation, and changes in electrical resistance in the liquid, all over a range of temperatures and chemical treatment conditions. The patent also discloses equations used to derive additional information from the output of the device.

Abstract: There is provided a rheometer, comprising a cup for a fluid to be measured, a concentric rotor and stator arrangement, and a circuit for circulating the fluid which includes a pump for providing in pulsatile, non-laminar flow in the cup. By using the pump to provide both a turbulent and pulsating flow, particulate matter can be maintained in suspension and flow induced through the measuring system while any rheology effect the pumping system has on the fluid is introduced independently of rheology effects caused by the measuring system itself. Thus the pumping can be continued while the measurement is being made.

Abstract: A housing (5) gas sensors, preferably lambda probes for detecting the content of pollution or oxygen or both in exhaust from, preferably, internal-combustion engines. A protective outer housing has electric connections at one end for a sensor mounted on a metal. A perforated protective cap accommodates the sensor and is intended for exposure to the gas being analyzed at the other end. A ceramic shape accommodates the connections and/or the metal and is accommodated in turn in the outer housing. The ceramic shape consists of at least two halves with a slot that is open along one side at the first end and with contacts resting flat against the base and walls of the slot with one side elevated above the open side. Each half also accommodates a depression extending all the way to the other end with the metal fitting into the depressions. At least the projecting areas of the contacts are in the vicinity of the depression. The connections are on the back of the contacts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring differential oxygen concentration between two flowing gas streams is described. A reference gas and a sample gas in separate gas flow paths are passed, at selected temperature, pressure and flow rate over a respective one of a pair of electrically connected oxygen sensors which produce an output signal proportional to the differential oxygen concentration between the sensors. The output signal may be amplified and recorded by any conventional means. An internal calibration system is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for temperature compensation in gas analyzer equipment for transient error caused by temperature change. According to the method, a radiation source (1) is used for transmitting electromagnetic radiation through a gas mixture to be analyzed, the intensity of radiation transmitted through the gas mixture being analyzed is detected by means of a thermal detector (4) comprising a radiation detecting sensor element (16) and a reference sensor element (17) for generating an output signal proportional to the concentration of gas being analyzed, the temperature of said thermal detector (4) is measured either directly or indirectly, the measured detector temperature values are recorded as a function of time, and the output signal of the thermal detector (4) is temperature compensated by a correction term dependent on the temperature rate of change (DT) of the thermal detector. According to the invention, the uncorrected output signal V.sub.

Abstract: A portable gas pressure monitor includes a pressure sensor which may be coupled to a pipeline tap downstream of a work area, and first and second comparator circuits receiving the signal from the pressure sensor and comparing the pressure signal with a low pressure set point and a high pressure set point. The two set points define a safe range for the pressure of the gas being monitored. If the sensed gas pressure falls below the low set point one audible signal is generated, and if the sensed pressure exceeds the high set point, a distinctly different audible signal is generated, thus immediately and unequivocally alerting operating personnel of the nature of any alarm. The pressure is also displayed for the operator.

Abstract: A positioning detector detects whether a workpiece has been positioned on a reference surface even when the pressure of a fluid supplied from a fluid pressure source and applied to the workpiece varies. A fluid is jetted from a nozzle toward a surface of the workpiece, and a back pressure of the fluid developed behind the nozzle is detected. A fluid pressure bridge is composed of the nozzle, a variable restriction, and a pair of fixed restrictions, and is connected to a semiconductor pressure sensor for detecting the difference between the back pressure and the pressure of a fluid vented through the variable restriction. The semiconductor pressure sensor has output terminals connected to a plurality of comparators for comparing the pressure difference detected by the semiconductor pressure sensor with respective different thresholds.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to remove and collect ferrous particles from a fluid for ferrous particle analysis. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a holder chamber and a removable examination slide within the chamber. A magnet induces a magnetic field at the examination slide. A portion of the fluid is passed over the slide in order for the magnetic field to retain ferrous particles on the slide. Thereafter, the slide can be removed from the holder chamber for ferrographic analysis.

Abstract: An oil deterioration sensor includes a housing, a substrate with a first capacitive plate mounted within the housing, a second capacitive plate mounted to the housing close to the first capacitive plate, and a total reference capacitor which includes an external fixed reference capacitor. The second capacitive plate is mounted to the housing such that oil freely circulates within a gap between the first and second capacitive plates thereby defining an oil deterioration sensor capacitor. The respective capacitances of the oil deterioration capacitor and the total reference capacitor provide an engine oil deterioration indication for the oil within the gap. The first capacitive plate is divided into a major sensing area, and a minor sensing area covering a relatively small portion of the total area of the first capacitive plate. The major sensing area and the second capacitive plate form the oil deterioration sensor capacitor.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel analyzer having a flow through chamber equipped with sound producing means at one end and sound receiving means at the other for measuring an acoustic property of fuel flowing through the chamber and for numerically relating the acoustic property to the combustion character of the fuel.

Abstract: A gas sensor of the thermal conductivity type suitable for the quantitative analysis of the fuel vapor content of a fuel-air mixture. The gas sensor (10) comprises a sensing element (28) and a compensating element (30), each of which includes an electrically-heated hot member (38) incorporated into a Wheatstone bridge circuit powered by a constant current supply circuit (70). The constant current supply circuit (70) is adjusted and regulated such that the hot member (38) of the sensing element (28) is heated with an electric current of such an intensity that corresponds to a point of transition (Y) at which, at the interface of the hot member (38) and the mixture, the predominant mode of heat transfer changes from thermal conduction to natural convection.