Abstract: An apparatus for the collection of volatiles includes a housing that forms an environmental chamber. Dishs of test sample are placed in this chamber which is closed with a transparent cover. A gasket assures an airtight seal between the cover and the housing. The housing is supported on a stand that allows the angular orientation of the housing to be adjusted relative to the path of the sun. A jacket is also formed in the housing about the environmental chamber. A heat exchange fluid is circulated through this jacket to maintain the environmental chamber and, thus, the test sample within a desired temperature range. Volatiles emitted by the test sample are collected by circulating air through the environmental chamber. This air which passes across the test sample dishes serves to sweep up the volatiles which are then delivered to a collection trap for qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Abstract: In a transducer, e.g. a pressure transducer, the sensing element comprises a torsional oscillator provided with magnetic means for feedback of signals to maintain oscillation. Typically the sensing element is formed by selective etching from a body of single crystal silicon.

Abstract: A time control for disabling a telephone at preprogrammed times and its associated features is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a programmable timer which controls a switch to turn the telphone ringer on and off, a programmable countdown timer which also controls the on/off state of the telephone ringer, a means for automatically and independently providing outgoing telephone service when incoming service is disabled by timer control and automatically restoring timer control when the outgoing call is terminated, and a manual override to suspend device control of the telephone. The combination of specific features of the invention will depend on the specific application or intended use.

Abstract: A device for detecting the unbalance of a rotating machine from a predetermined threshold. This device includes a pendulum formed from a vertical rod made of an elastically deformable metal, the upper end of which is embedded in an insulating support fixed rigidly to the housing of the rotating machine and which at its lower end carries a metallic mass, the mass being received concentrically, with a predetermined peripheral play, within a metal rink likewise fixed to the housing and insulated electrically from the housing, the ring and the embedded end of the pendulum being connected electrically to an electrical alarm or safety circuit which closes as soon as the mass comes in contact with the ring, where the resonance frequency of the pendulum is below that of the parts of the rotating machine which is subjected to the unbalanced condition.

Abstract: Probe carrier drive assembly for moving a probe carrier without slip or creep in a steam generator tube so that a probe, which has an inspection device attached thereto and which is connected to the probe carrier, selectively rotates in place, follows a linear scanning path through the tube or follows a helical scanning path having a variable pitch. The probe carrier drive assembly comprises an elongated circular member and a drive mechanism engaging the elongated circular member for moving the elongated circular member axially and rotatably within the tube. The drive assembly further comprises motors coupled to the drive mechanism for operating the drive mechanism and includes a controller operatively coupled to the motors for operating the motors so that the elongated circular member selectively rotates in place, follows a linear path in the tube or follows a helical path having a variable pitch.

Abstract: The fluid sampler of the present invention comprises a single-acting pump assembly having a housing, an inlet port and an outlet port, a valve unit including a single inlet valve and a single outlet valve, a control diaphragm mounted in the housing to form a pumping chamber in communication with said inlet valve and said outlet valve, a reciprocative piston for reciprocating said control diaphragm, a motor for driving said piston with said piston being located in a substantially enclosed cavity separated from said pumping chamber by said control diaphragm and a damping assembly integrated in said pump housing for providing a highly damped fluid flow through said pump.

Abstract: An improvement in a Horizontal Pull Slipmeter (HPS) enables more accurate and more rapid coefficient of friction measurements to be made upon walking surfaces. The improvement involves a specialized interaction between a drag sled and a stationary pulling mechanism which in conventional HPS devices, are seperate entities. The specialized interaction utilizes paired tracks which extend from the pulling mechanism and serve to guide the drag sled. The pulling mechanism utilizes a motor which is automatically activated when the HPS is placed on the walking surface and pulls the drag sled at a constant speed.

Abstract: In measuring a distribution of crystal grains in metal sheet, an exciting frequency of ultrasonic wave is determined such that a wavelength of the ultrasonic wave propagated in a direction of the sheet thickness of the grains each having an aimed orientation is set at a value of twice the thickness of the sheet multiplied by about integers or about half integers, burst-like ultrasonic pulses having this frequency and including two or more waves are directed into the direction of the sheet thickness by use of an ultrasonic probe moving relatively with a body to be measured, multiple reflected waves generated from the bottom and top faces of the metal sheet upon the reflection from the sheet surface are caused to interfere with each other, the multiple reflected waves, which have interfered with each other, are detected, orientation of the grains in the metal sheet are estimated from the magnitudes in amplitude of the interferent multiple reflected waves thus detected, and the distribution of the grains in orie

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining characteristics of staple fiber yarn by measuring the change in the yarn diameter after twisting or untwisting of the yarn. The yarn thickness of a length of yarn is measured during a first measuring process and subsequently, by a second measuring process after the twist is released. The two series of values of yarn thickness or diameter can then be compared with one another to determine certain characteristics of the sampled yarn.

Abstract: A device for testing a ski sliding surface comprising a case (1) housing a spiral spring (3) having one end thereof attached to case (1) and the other end to an axle (4) rotatably disposed with respect to case (1), and a support bushing (7) attached to one end of axle (4). The end of the support bushing (7), which is exterior to case (1), holds a disk (8) whose end face (9) intended for interaction with snow or snow imitation surface is made of a material forming the test ski sliding surface. A measuring mechanism for measuring relative rotation of the disk (8) and the case (1) is designed as a ratchet-and-pawl mechanism (10) which has a gear (12) secured on the axle (4) and is provided with a switch (11) for step-by-step engagement of spring-loaded pawls (13, 14) with the gear (12), a scale (18) for sliding capacity measurement disposed on case (1), and a pointer (19) fixed on the other end of axle (4).

Abstract: A transient flow capillary viscometer is provided for establishing a measure of the viscosity of a highly viscous test fluid. More particularly, a capillary tube filled with the test fluid is provided. The viscometer relies upon inducing a step change in the differential pressure across the ends of the capillary tube, which causes the fluid to flow therein. The resultant decrease in pressure drop as a function of time, i.e. the half-life of pressure decay, is monitored and provides an approximate measure indicative of the viscosity of the fluid.

Abstract: To ascertain when individual foundry molds and cores, bonded by a chemical method, have reached the requisition hardness, or still have the requisite hardness, a probe is pushed into the mold or core with a predetermined force, then withdrawn, and after a time interval it is pushed into a fresh point on the mold or core. This is repeated a number of times, each time in a different place, until the penetration is less than a predetermined value, indicating that the requisite hardness has been reached. Apparatus for doing this automatically can be portable and may signal by lamp and/or sound when the hardness has reached the required value. It may be modified to check whether the hardness of a core or mold made some time earlier has fallen below a given minimum value.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a levelling device of a roughness measuring machine and includes a device for searching a tilt angle of the center locus of a measured value of the roughness to a base line, a device for setting a tolerable tilt angle of the center locus, a comparator for determining whether the tilt angle is included in the tolerable tilt angle or not, and a device for changing the position of an object to be measured in accordance with the result of comparison by this comparator. When the tilt angle is determined to be not included in the tolerable tilt angle, a position change device is operated to change the position of the object, so that scale-out can be avoided.

Abstract: Prior to pressurizing a garment at an opening therein, interior and exter elements are drawn together along the longitudinal axis of a tube through which the pressurizing gas is applied, to grip the garment around the full periphery of that opening. In one particular embodiment, a means for monitoring pressure within the garment is included in the apparatus to provide for leak testing the garment after it is pressurized.

Abstract: A tester for testing hardness of a tablet formed from a compact of pharmaceutical powders. The tester has a spherical indenter suspended from a wire to impact the tablet to evaluate the hardness thereof. The tablet is contained in a split die holder which can regulate the die wall pressure. The indenter is supported against an electromagnet and, when released, swings through a controlled arc and impacts the tablet. The indenter passes three photocells in its downward arc toward the tablet, and the last photocell activates both a timing device connected to the first two photocells and a shutter plate to prevent reimpact of the indenter with the tablet face. After impact with the tablet face, the indenter is timed as it rebounds past the first two photocells. Since the distance between the first two photocells is known, the time it takes the indenter to travel between the first two photocells is sent to a computer and the velocity is calculated.

Abstract: Hearing faculty test apparatus, for use in relation to the inner ear by way of the so-called cochlear echo, repeatedly applied a linearly balanced set of acoustic stimuli to the ear, individually sums each related set of responses to the stimuli set, interrogates each sum to detect components above a predetermined threshold, and averages sums on a selective basis depend on the interrogation. Preferably sums are passed for averaging only when whooly within the threshold. Also, averaging is preferably by use of two like averagers to which accepted sums are applied in alternating manner, with the two averages being fed to a correlator.

Abstract: A dissolution rate analyzer for determining the solubility of pharmaceutical products. It automatically loads, mixes, and samples the test product; then cleans and dries the test vessel before repeating the process. The analyzer has a plurality of vessels with agitator blades. Each blade has a series of channels and is attached to a hollow shaft which is rotatable and vertically displaceable. The channels in the blades are connected by the hollow shaft with sources of fluid and air. By pumping liquid and air out the channels in the blades, and simultaneously rotating the agitator and moving it up and down, the vessel thoroughly cleans itself. The cleaning liquid is drained off through a valve in the bottom of the test vessel. A magazine connected to a dispenser loads the next sample, fluid is added, and the mixture is agitated before analysis of the next sample begins.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously measuring the settling rate, compaction, and clarity of a liquid. A liquid sample containing suspended solids is pumped into the bottom of a reservoir, and clarified liquid is allowed to overflow the top of the reservoir. Settling rate is measured by adjusting the pumping speed to maintain the interface between the clarified and unclarified portions of the suspension at a constant level. The slowing of this measured settling rate as solids accumulate in the test chamber is used to determine the percent ultimate compaction. Clarity is measured by allowing a sample to settle completely in the test chambers, at intervals that are provided by the need to occasionally remove the accumulated solids from the test chamber.

Abstract: A densimeter is provided having a pump which impels a liquid at a constant volume through a fixed orifice. A pressure transducer measures the pressure drop of liquid across the orifice and sends a signal to a microprocessor. A microprocessor determines the density of the liquid which is equal to the pressure drop divided by a constant times the square of a volumetric flow impelled by the pump.

Abstract: A multiple axis vibration test platform including a plurality of actuator arms connected to respective drive shafts with eccentric ball joints at first ends thereof, and at the opposite ends thereof to the bottom surface and side walls of the test platform with concentric ball joints. The eccentricity of the eccentric ball joint couplings correspond to the amplitude of vibration of the test platform along a respective axis of vibration. The ball joint couplings at each end of the actuator arms eliminate cross coupling of motion between the axes of vibration as the test platform is vibrated simultaneously in more than one axis.