Abstract: Liquid sampling apparatus includes four components, including a cover, a small receptacle preferably in the form of a glass jar, and intermediate and large receptacles preferably in the form of stainless steel canisters which may be assembled in various combinations to form a variety of liquid sampler configurations or sampling devices.

Abstract: A monitoring system for representing vibration conditions of a multiplicity of blades on a rotating disc in a turbomachine includes at least one sensor which is associated with the disc and which is connected to a pulse generator that delivers sensor pulses which respectively mark an instant at which a blade passes the sensor, a mark pick-up which always delivers a mark pulse when the disc is in a certain zero position, and an analysis device. The latter has an allocation module which takes account of the mark pulses and associates each sensor pulse with the blade which has caused it when passing a sensor. The allocation module calculates vibration data from the associated sensor pulses, which characterize the vibration conditions of the blade. A memory module has access to a working memory to which the vibration data are supplied and the memory module stores the vibration data in the working memory.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved sampler which can be operated in any orientation. The design features a positive gripping of the operating rod in a manner to reduce point loads so as to reduce any possibility of jamming of the rod on a retraction stroke until such time as it is positively retained in the fully withdrawn position. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of mating cylindrical latch pieces, held together by a circumferential spring, are used for positive actuation. The inner rod has an angular cut-out which provides the base for the latch when aligned with the latch. A release fixture can be used to free the latch from the cone rod after actuation. The latches are formed in such a manner as they may support themselves within the housing of the sampler until they engage the operating rod.

Abstract: An instrument having a transducer and a sensor that are mounted on the exterior surface of a liquid container or tank. The transducer is tuned by electronic signals to the mechanical resonant frequency of the liquid container or tank. The sensor converts the mechanical vibrations into dynamic electrical signals using electronic components. A phase detector and feedback circuitry force the transducer to track the resonant frequency of the tank as liquid is removed from the tank. The signal output of the feedback control circuitry is converted to display the amount of liquid remaining in the tank. The resonant frequency of the liquid container is a measure of the total mass of the container. This includes the tare weight of the container plus the weight of the liquid in the tank. At resonance the amplitude response of the tank is much larger than the noise of the environment. As the intelligence of the instrument to interpret changes in liquid volume is a function of frequency, this adds to the noise immunity.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a sample of granular or powder materials from a vat in which such materials are mixed in bulk, including an elongated probe having a sample receiving cavity at one end which may be adjusted to a predetermined volume. The probe is inserted in the bulk mixture to a predetermined depth, the cavity loaded with material from the bulk and after closing the cavity, the probe is removed from the bulk removing therefrom a sample of a desired predetermined quantity representative of the bulk mixture at the insertion point. A backing plate is also provided in the probe to compact the sample in the cavity to facilitate handling of the sample.

Abstract: A tubular device is slid over a delivery nozzle hose. A hose connects the tubular device to a gas meter. As fluid is expelled from the nozzle into the atmosphere, atmospheric air is sucked into the gas meter so that its volume can be measured for comparison with the volume of the expelled fluid.

Abstract: An arrangement for measuring mechanical properties of foil material (10), preferably paper. The arrangement includes a material excitation unit (12) and a material sensing detection unit (14). The two units are connected electrically to a common arithmetical unit (18). This unit is intended to register and convert electrical signals deriving from the two first mentioned units (12, 14) in a manner to produce final signals which represent the material properties to be measured. The excitation unit (12) includes a laser which, through electromagnetic radiation, is intended to generate in the gaseous atmosphere surrounding the material local transient gas-pressure pulses within variable surface zones which are well-defined geometrically, without the excitation unit coming into contact with the material. These gas pressure pulses cause the material (10) to stretch locally in the boundary regions of the zones, such stretching of the material being necessary to the measuring process.

Abstract: An oil sampling apparatus for taking samples from either pressurized or non-pressurized oil sources is provided. The oil sampling apparatus includes a body configured to define a conduit therethrough, a vacuum passageway defined to extend through the body in fluid communication with the conduit, and a pressurized oil passageway defined to extend through the body in fluid communication with the conduit. The body further defines a rigid tube having a tube interior connectable between a source of pressurized oil and the pressurized oil passageway. A sample bottle is positionable adjacent to the body in fluid tight communication with the conduit and a manually operated vacuum pump is attached in fluid communication to the vacuum passageway to allow oil to be drawn from a non-pressurized oil source, through the conduit, and into the sample bottle.

Abstract: A driver measure system aids in determining the physical requirements of a disabled driver in order to modify a van or other vehicle to his or her specific needs. The driver measurement system comprises a frame including tracks for positioning a wheelchair and a control assembly which includes a steering wheel and hand controls. Force adjustment and measurement mechanisms for the steering wheel and hand controls enables a trained technician to evaluate the functional driving ability of the disabled driver. The simulator also provides a structural reference framework for taking anthropometric measurements. The measurements obtained are used to prepare a specification or "mobility prescription" for modifications and adaptive driving equipment needed to customize a vehicle.

Abstract: A method for locating leak from a tank containing a fluid using acoustic signals by adaptively correlating the phase of the acoustic signals to determine a first set of possible leak locations and subsequently correlating acoustic signals from a second set of locations on the tank to determine a second set of possible leak locations and converging the first and second set of possible leak locations to determine the location of the leak.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave is applied to an anisotropic sample material in an initial direction and the intensity of the ultrasonic wave is measured on an opposite surface of the sample material by two adjacent receiving points located in an array of receiving points. A ratio is determined between the measured intensities of two adjacent receiving points, the ratio being indicative of an angle of flux deviation from the initial direction caused by an unknown applied load. This determined ratio is then compared to a plurality of ratios of a similarly tested, similar anisotropic reference material under a plurality of respective, known load conditions, whereby the load applied to the particular anisotropic sample material is determined. A related method is disclosed for determining the fiber orientation from known loads and a determined flux shift.

Abstract: A nondestructive method for determining the thickness of a non-electrically conductive material is provided that comprises the steps of uniformly dispersing a quantity of a ferromagnetic particulate tagging substance in the material whose presence and distribution is detectable by a form of radiant energy, such as the high-frequency electromagnetic field emanated from an eddy current probe, and then calibrating the output of the eddy current probe with a sample material having a known thickness that has been tagged with the same tagging substance at the same density. The thickness of the material is then determined by comparing the amplitude of electromagnetic coupling with the material with that obtained with the sample. The method may advantageously be applied to determine the thickness of a granular material such as asphalt concrete over a roadbed, as well as the strain and wear patterns in gaskets formed from elastic materials.

Abstract: A method for testing a waterproof casing having a flexible watertight portion having a flexible waterproofing portion, which is compressed to establish a water tight seal, and a stationary watertight portion, in which the watertightness is established by an adhesive, using a test casing to serve as the adjoining element, wherein the flexible waterproofing portion and the test casing together define a closed chamber, and wherein an air pressure change can be effected in the chamber through the test casing. The method includes the steps of establishing a first air pressure in the closed chamber, less than atmospheric pressure, which causes elastic deformation of the flexible waterproofing portion, and subsequently detecting a change in internal air pressure of the closed chamber.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for measuring and displaying the output of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle while the vehicle is moving. An intake air flow quantity Q and a rotation speed N of the engine are calculated to determine an intake air quantity per revolution (Q/N), and provide a base output. At the same time, the method and apparatus detect a fuel flow quantity supplied to the engine, and depending on the fuel flow quantity and intake air flow quantity, calculate an air-fuel ratio by which the base output is corrected to provide an engine output to be displayed.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method for examining the interior of an object. The imaging system includes an apparatus for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves. A receiver amplifies echo signals from over a range of depths from within the object and generates electrical signals, each having a spatial spectrum. The imaging system also includes a compensation apparatus which compensates the spectral distribution of the signal by sweeping the spectrum of the signals in accordance with the depth from which the echo signals are reflected. In the currently preferred embodiment, the compensation apparatus sweeps from the low frequencies to the high frequencies of the spectrum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting in the detection of bubbles in a fluid stream such as an intravascular line. Tubing having ribbing or other texturing spaced along the longitudinal axis to enhance signal transmission characteristics and to increase the number of signals intercepted by a passing bubble, is placed between an ultrasonic or other transmitter and detector. In other embodiments, bubbles are concentrated into a detection zone by a centrifugator or are concentrated and recirculated in a detection zone by an eddy-producing protrusion in the fluid stream.

Abstract: A technique for in a thermo-dynamic material testing system for optically measuring changes in specimen size that occur during material testing. Specifically, a pair of jaws, one movable and one fixed, engage opposite ends of the test specimen and are controllably moved with respect to each other in order to impart a desired tensile or compressive force to the specimen. A fixed light source emits a planar light beam, typically collimated laser radiation, that is directed at the specimen by two mirrors mounted to the jaws and on one side of the specimen. One of these mirrors is secured to and moves with the moving jaw and directs the light beam toward the specimen along a transverse path; the other mirror is mounted to the fixed jaw. A fixed light receiver receives the light beam after it has passed over the specimen and has been reflected by a similar pair of mirrors mounted to the jaws but on the other side of the specimen.