Abstract: Mechanical work and power transmitted through transmission elements such as chain drives is determined by deflecting a transmission element and measuring the distance and/or speed of deflection and the deflection force while the transmission continues its operation.

Abstract: An array of transducers is provided for transmitting pulses of ultrasonic pressure waves into a body and translating reflections received into corresponding pulses of electrical waves. Phase changing means, which may preferably include heterodyning means, are connected between each transducer and selected taps on one delay line. The taps are just close enough together to provide reasonable overlap of the pulses of electrical waves at the summing point at one end of the delay line. Focussing is attained by adjusting the phases of the waves applied to each tap so that the cycles of carrier wave within the overlapped portion of the pulses at the summing point have reasonable phase coherence.

Abstract: An electrodynamic sound converter which comprises a magnet adapted to generate a magnetic field and direct same onto the surface of the workpiece to be checked by the electrodynamic sound converter, and which also includes an excitation coil located between the magnet and the workpiece to be checked for generating electromagnetic oscillations. That end of the magnet core of the magnet which faces the workpiece to be checked is so designed that the magnet core decreases in cross section toward its foremost point which is closest to the surface of the workpiece to be checked, the rate of increase increasing in the direction toward the foremost point of the magnet core.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the determination of the flow properties of thermoplastic materials in admixture with volatile liquids or other additives comprising an extruder which is employed to melt the polymer and admix therewith volatile blowing agents or additives. Subsequently the molten mixture is injected into an extrusion plastometer or rheometer for extruding the mixture, while still in molten form, through a capillary orifice in the extrusion plastometer. When volatile liquid blowing agents are admixed with the molten polymer in the extruder, an adjustable linkage is provided interconnecting the plastometer and the extruder whereby the pumping rate of the blowing agent can be variably adjusted and the blowing agent positively injected into the molten polymer within the extruder by the reciprocal motion of a piston means employed in the extrusion plastometer.

Abstract: A technique for generally determining the volume of a layer of a constituent material in a centrifugally separated mixture of material. A centrifuge tube is used to hold the material mixture and an appropriately shaped body is disposed in the tube in the zone occupied by the constituent material whose volume is to be measured. The body reduces the available volume within the tube which may be occupied by the constituent material, and thus expands the axial extent of the constituent material to make visual measurement of the constituent material more accurate.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic investigating apparatus a transducer can receive reflections from points in the body for which the position in one direction is relatively well known as a result of accurate range gating but for which the position in another direction is relatively less known in view of the relatively wide ultrasound beams used. Thus the reflections are only known as originating from lines in the body. These line integrals of reflection of ultrasonic energy are processed by methods appropriate to line integrals in general, as known for line integrals of X-ray absorption for example, to more accurately position the reflecting points in the body. A propagation velocity distribution can also be determined for the body to further improve the accuracy.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed electrochemical cells are checked for electrolyte leakage by immersing the completed cell in a liquid medium such as chemically pure deionized water and monitoring the medium for electrical and/or chemical changes that would be caused therein if the electrolyte were leaking from the cell. Such changes could be determined by measuring the electrical conductivity of the liquid medium, the ion concentration, or the pH.

Abstract: A fractionating apparatus under microprocessor control including a tumbler having a series of screens of progressively larger openings around its periphery. A sample of particulate material is passed successively through each of the screens by incremental rotation of the tumbler. To aid in classifying the fractions, a spray of fluid is projected against the screens and a rocking motion is imparted to the tumbler. The smallest fraction, not being retained, is entrained in a moving stream of fluid and passed directly to a porous weighing member. When this entire fraction is deposited and weighed, the next larger fraction is accumulated in the weighing member. These individual weights and their sum are recorded and from them size percentages are computed.

Abstract: A system and technique for determining the total radiated ultrasonic power output from a diagnostic ultrasound device having an output transducer includes a water chamber having a parabolic reflector. The transducer is mounted on the chamber at a location so that acoustic power from the transducer is focussed by the parabolic reflector to a first thermistor chip mounted in the chamber on a sound-absorbing rubber plate. The rise in temperature of the thermistor chip due to sound absorption changes its resistance. The thermistor chip is connected in one leg of a Wheatstone bridge. A reference thermistor chip is mounted on the rubber plate away from the ultrasonic beam and is connected in an opposite leg of the bridge. Starting from a null setting of the bridge, the output of the bridge after a suitable "response time" is in accordance with the acoustic energy delivered by the transducer.

Abstract: A body having a longitudinal opening therethrough is provided with longitudinally spaced, annular seal means. The body is provided with passage means for conducting fluid to move the seal means radially of the body opening to seal against tubular members in the body opening.The tubular members are connected together by suitable means such as a coupling, weld, or other arrangement prior to positioning the connection between the seal means and after the seal means has sealed off the connection therebetween, the body includes additional passage means for conducting fluid pressure to increase the fluid pressure externally of the connection to a pressure significantly greater than the internal pressure to externally test the connection by instrumentally or visually detecting any resultant inflow of the pressurized external fluid.

Abstract: A receiver probe for ultrasonic energy is described in which the surface deformation caused by compressive wave energy affects a thin gas-filled gap, its width being in the order of 10.sup.-7 meter. The gap is formed by opposing surfaces of an optical prism and an optical interference means. A beam of light is conducted to the boundary surface between the prism and gas. Changes in reflected and/or transmitted light beam portions resulting from compressive wave energy induced changes in gap width are sensed by opto-electric means.

Abstract: Manipulator assembly for testing the material of a pipe elbow from the inside thereof, the pipe elbow being secured to a pipe union extending from a pressure vessel openable for receiving therein a vertically extending manipulator mast having an arm carrying a manipulator, the manipulator being movable by the arm in vertical direction, rotatably about the axis of the mast and in direction of the longitudinal axis of the arm and transversely thereto, the manipulator includes a multimember vehicle drivable in direction of the pipe-union and pipe-elbow axis, the members of the vehicle being articulatingly connected to one another and having extensible and retractable support legs for supporting the respective vehicular members centered relative to the inner periphery of the pipe elbow, the support legs having roller members at the end thereof for transporting the vehicular members in axial direction of the pipe union and the pipe elbow, the vehicular member located at the head of the multimember vehicle being a

Abstract: A yarn-twisting apparatus comprises a spindle receiving the supply spool or bobbin, a rotating can or sleeve surrounding the spool and the bobbin, a yarn takeup arrangement for drawing the yarn from the upper end of the can, and a housing surrounding the can. According to the invention, the stationary housing and the upper and lower ends of the spindle are provided with closures which reach close to the spindle at the bottom and form an opening traversed by the yarn at the top. Means is provided for enabling the upper closure to be removed or displaced for ready access to the interior of the housing. The system reduces the power consumption required for twisting the yarn.

Abstract: Ultrasonic waves present on the surface of a workpiece are received contact-free by an optical sensing arrangement which includes a frequency stabilized single mode laser which illuminates the vibrating surface portion. Reflected light from the illuminated portion, which light is frequency modulated by the Doppler effect of the ultrasonic wave, is collected by a lens and applied to a narrow band absorption light filter. The frequency of the laser and the filter are selected to cause the center frequency of the light to fall at a point along the steepest slope of the filter absorption curve. The change in light frequency causes a corresponding change in light intensity passing through the light filter and the filtered light, now amplitude modulated, is provided to photoelectric means. A feedback circuit maintains the frequency of the laser constant.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the investigation of the soundness of structures of various kinds are disclosed. A method which involves the transmission of a vibration wave through the structure in question and the detection of the frequency spectrum of vibration response at selected locations is disclosed as finding wide application throughout civil and structural engineering investigations. Explanation is given of the adaptation of this method to the continuous monitoring of periodic investigation of structures, with particular reference to offshore oil and gas platforms, to deteriorating concrete structures and components, and to existing bridges, tunnels and railway track systems. A number of elongate gauges for extending longitudinally of selected critical members of an offshore structure below the waterline to monitor its structural integrity and performance are also described.

Abstract: A concentration valve for a gas detecting apparatus including a cylinder having diametrally opposed inlet and outlet ports for a sample gas and having diametrally opposed inlet and outlet ports for a carrier gas longitudinally spaced from and in the same longitudinal plane as the sample-gas inlet and outlet ports, a cylindrical plug having a diametral passage therethrough and movable longitudinally of the cylinder between a sampling position wherein the diametral passage communicates with the sample-gas inlet and outlet ports and an analyzing position wherein the diametral passage communicates with the carrier-gas inlet and outlet ports, a pneumatic actuator for longitudinally moving the cylindrical plug between the sampling and analyzing positions, gas adsorbing means in the diametral passage for adsorbing a gaseous material or materials from the sample gas, and means for heating the gas adsorbing means in the analyzing position of the cylindrical plug to desorb the previously adsorbed gaseous material or ma

Abstract: A magnet is used to create a static magnetic field adjacent to the surface of a conductive material. At least one conductor runs through the magnetic field. When a pulse of current flows through the conductor, an elastic wave is generated in the material. In a preferred embodiment, a row of individual permanent magnets is used to create a periodic magnetic field. One side of a coil is placed in the periodic magnetic field so that a sheet of current moves transverse to the magnetic field when a pulse of current flows through the coil. When the coil is oriented parallel to the row of magnets, a horizontal shear wave is generated in the material. When the coil is oriented transverse to the row of magnets, a Lamb wave is generated in the material.

Abstract: A projectile strain damage indicator utilizes a plurality of strain gages xedly disposed on the orthogonal axes of a structural beam member which is operatively located within the ogive of a projectile. The strain gages provide electrical pulses to an energy conserving micropowered circuit which records strains only above a predetermined level that the projectile is subjected to while in transport.

Abstract: A liquid level gauge for a tank, especially a pressurized railway tank car, has a housing with a bottom opening mounted at a top opening of the tank. A horizontal shaft is rotatably mounted in the housing between opposed walls having parallel flat vertical inner surfaces. A sprocket is fixedly mounted on the central part of the shaft, on each end of which is fixedly mounted a ring magnet spaced from one of these walls. Complementary ring magnets are rotatably mounted outside but adjacent these opposed walls. The four ring magnets constitute a pair of magnetic drives. A track and cable guide assembly, supported in the tank, extends from the bottom portion of the tank. A perforated tape is trained over the sprocket on the shaft and another sprocket rotatably mounted in the bottom portion of the tank so that the tape is under tension. A probe assembly connected to the tape moves vertically when the sprocket in the housing is rotated.

Abstract: A device for determining the rheological properties of a liquid comprises an inner bearing member having a horizontally disposed outer cylindrical surface and an outer bearing member having a horizontally disposed inner cylindrical surface, each cylindrical surface constituting a bearing surface of predetermined grit. A liquid sample is introduced between the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, which are disposed eccentrically relative to one another. Relative mechanical movement of the members, which is related to both shear and displacement of the liquid disposed between them, provides an indication of the rheological properties of the liquid.