Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring tension imposed on a cable by a pull line in a conduit includes a tension meter coupled between the cable and the pull line. The meter includes a load cell connected to an electronic circuit to operate an audio transmitter in one embodiment, or to generate an electromagnetic field parallel to the conduit according to a second embodiment. The electromagnetic field induces a tension signal in a metallic conductor extending parallel to the conduit. The audio or electrical signal is transmitted for detection and for operating a display. An operator uses the display to control tension in the pull line.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting leaks in blowout preventors provides a capsule which forms an envelope about a portion of the blowout preventor where leaks exterior to the blowout preventor might occur. The capsule preferably is formed by a plurality of curved capsule segments which abut and radially assemble about flanges of the BOP system. The capsule segments carrying mating flanges which bolt together upon assembly to secure the capsule segments about the BOP stack. The interior of the flanges provides an inner space which collects leaks which might occur. The interior space is pneumatically connected to a relay which is attached to the capsule means for responding to the occurrence of the accumulated leak within the capsule.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a photoplethysmograph system comprising a white card mounted in the cone of a speaker. The card is mounted a predetermined distance from a photoplethysmograph sensor for providing an output from the sensor corresponding to the DC or venous mode. An oscillation is provided for oscillating the white card at a frequency corresponding to the average heartbeat for producing on the output of the sensor a signal corresponding to an average heartbeat. By adjusting the gain of the photoplethysmograph apparatus to obtain a constant amplitude output from the system, a calibration signal is obtained.

Abstract: A capacitive fluid-gauging probe has a tubular electrode that is secured at its upper end to the wall of a reservoir by an integral mount moulded from a frangible plastics material. The mount has a collar that is fitted to the probe and from which extend radially three pairs of struts. The struts are joined at their outer ends with respective pillars that extend parallel to the probe. The pillars are joined with a plate that is secured to the wall of the reservoir above the probe. Domed plugs are inserted in both ends of the electrode to protect the wall of the reservoir which may be of flexible material. Preferably the ends of the probe are spaced from the reservoir walls. In operation, excessive force on the probe causes the struts to break, thereby allowing the probe to be displaced within the reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid pipetting method is to pipette and distribute a fluid into a plurality of vessels by means of a single probe. In pipetting operations, a cleaning liquid, an air layer and the total sum of the fluid including a part of surplus, the total of the fluid to be pipetted and a part of waste are picked up into the probe in the order listed and an amount of pipetting the fluid into respective vessels is controlled in accordance with the pipetting order in such a manner that the amount of the fluid pipetted and distributed into each of vessels is substantially a given value.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the location of pipeline damage and medium leak therefrom by acoustical monitoring of the soil about a pipe and recording emission noise by microphone and an amplifier which controls a peak noise indicator. Each measurement point detected by the amplifier is applied to a digital memory to display a histogram showing noise distribution along the pipe. The main frequency of the loudest measurement point is determined, and an octave filter is utilized to determine the frequency characterizing medium leakage to precisely locate the pipeline damage. Bar diagrams may be provided on a viewplate by bands of parallel arrays of light emitting diodes to display noise distribution along the pipeline. A frequency analyzer may transmit from the amplifier to the memory the peak frequency value of each observed frequency band to enable frequency analysis of the loudest measurement point. The apparatus may have a case with a lid defining openings sized for viewing the bar diagrams.

Abstract: An oil seal test unit tests for leakage of oil seals in a rack and pinion steering unit having (a) a pinion housing with a main supply pressure inlet and outlet, and left and right turn fluid pressure connections; (b) a rack housing with left turn and a right turn fluid pressure fittings; and (c) right and left tie rod ends. The test unit includes a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure through a main supply line connected to the inlet of the pinion housing. A return line connected to an outlet from the pinion housing returns fluid to the pump reservoir. Steering pressure is simulated by a reciprocating bar secured to the tie rod ends of the steering unit. A hydraulic cylinder has a piston with an actuating rod connected to the reciprocating bar. Right or left turning movement of the steering unit moves the tie rods which, in turn, applies pressure against hydraulic fluid in the cylinder.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a membrane osmometer for direct measurement of osmotic pressures comprising a pressure measuring chamber for receiving pure solvent, a sample chamber separated therefrom for receiving solution to be tested, and a semi-permeable membrane contacting a support plate coarsely pervious to liquids, the membrane being located on the side of the support plate adjacent to the sample chamber, wherein the sample chamber comprises, on its surface nearest the membrane, a conical annular surface which, when the sample chamber and pressure measuring chamber are assembled, presses an elastic sealing ring against both the surface of the membrane facing the sample chamber and against an inner surface of the pressure measuring chamber.

Abstract: A method for sampling a fluid, as a multi-phase chemical product as liquid chemical tracers from a well in a field of wells comprising basically (1) injecting a sample of the liquid from the well through a plurality of valves, as solenoid valves on a plurality of liquid containers, and (2) controlling the well liquids responsive to a timing switch, as a stepping switch, through the valves into the liquid sample containers to be filled one after another, periodically, and consecutively from the well in a prearranged order for providing an improved method that is more accurate and more precise.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the functioning of a float-activated liquid level control device comprises a float for activating a liquid level control device, a float cage enclosing said float, an entry port accessible from outside a separating tank through which fluid may be input directly into the float cage enclosure, and a flange connection for mounting the test apparatus inside a fluid separation tank. The method comprises connecting a fluid source to the input port of the apparatus of the instant invention, injecting fluid directly into the float cage enclosure to activate the float of the instant invention, monitoring the liquid level control device to insure that it is functioning correctly and then withdrawing the input fluid to return the float to its normal operating position.

Abstract: An automatic multi-phase well fluid sampler comprises an inlet solenoid valve means on each of a plurality of sample containers for receiving multi-phase well fluid such as a produced oil-water fluid from one of a plurality of wells, and each of the inlet valve means being responsive to a timing and stepping switch means for precisely filling its sample container periodically, in consecutive order, from the same well for providing an improved well sampler system that is more accurate, more precise, more readily adjustable, less complex, discharges less waste oil that damages the environment from the single well, and that indicates the arrival of the multi-phase well fluid at the production well from an injection well and/or the arrival of various chemical concentrations thereof thereafter.

Abstract: In a photometric coagulation instrument a synthetic clot signal is generated so that the operation of the instrument can be checked without the need to measure the actual clotting time of a control plasma sample.

Abstract: A portable elongated sampler assembly for molten metals incorporates a long, open-ended heat-insulated lance tube carrying, removably telescoped in its open distal end and protruding therefrom, a hollow cylindrical chill mold tube sampler, and a longitudinally reciprocable ejector hammer assembly extends inside the opposite proximal end of the lance tube. Upon actuation, the ejector hammer impacts the telescoped end of the sampler, ejecting it from the lance tube. The sampler preferably includes a ceramic chill mold tube embraced in a hinged, detachable hollow riser vent conducting air displaced by molten metal from the sampler through vent slots to the atmosphere, and the entrance portal of the chill mold tube is closed by a sheet metal cap having an exterior paper slag-cover thereon. Metal deoxidant in wire coil form is embraced between the cap and the entrance portal of the chill mold tube.

Abstract: A method for determining statistical characteristics of a measurable property includes the initial step of monitoring the property and generating an electrical signal, the magnitude of which is a representative measure of the property. The electrical signal is passed through a high pass filter to eliminate low frequency noise which would otherwise tend to affect artificially extreme values of the signal. The maxima of the filtered signal is then determined within defined time intervals and extreme value statistical analysis is applied to the maxima of the filtered electrical signal to determine statistical characteristics of the measurable property. This method and apparatus for performing the method may be favorably applied to monitoring weight basis of sheet material, such as paper, as the material is being produced.

Abstract: A sensor in an air conditioning duct produces a differential pressure signal which varies as a function of the volumetric flow rate of air through the duct. The sensor includes an array of angularly spaced and radially extending arms disposed around and across the duct and each having upstream and downstream sensing tubes formed with ports spaced along their upstream and downstream sides, respectively. Pressure signals are transmitted to the tubes by way of the ports and are averaged by high and low pressure averaging chambers located at the center of the sensor and communicating with the upstream and downstream sensing tubes, respectively. The output signals from the averaging chambers constitute a differential pressure signal which is highly representative of the volumetric flow rate of the air even though the air flows through the duct in an asymmetrical pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a measurable natural crack includes forming a primary notch in the surface of a solid material. A non-sustained single pressure pulse is then generated in the vicinity of the primary notch, resulting in the formation of a shock wave which travels through the material. The shock wave creates a measurable natural crack within the material which extends from the primary notch. The natural crack formed possesses predictable geometry, location and orientation.

Abstract: This flow-meter comprises an enclosure separated into two chambers by a flexible and sealed diaphragm fast at its center with a rigid dome. A compression spring presses the dome, which is pierced in its center with a hole, upon a cone fast with the enclosure, and exerts a constant force upon the dome. The fluid penetrates into the flow-meter through the orifice, passes between the cone and the dome which it raises, and emerges through the orifice. A contactless displacement detector measures the displacement of the dome which is proportional to the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for the evaluation of test strips conveys the strips on a disposable web (e.g., a paper tape) from a first position where the test strips are placed onto the web, past a second position where the test strips are evaluated by a reflex photometer or other probe, to a take up position where the strips are wound up with the web for disposal. At the second position a barrier strip is disposed between two reciprocating arms or connecting rods, and serves to align the test strips with the probe. The connecting rods also carry at least one gripper having a beveled edge to urge the aligned test strip into registry with the probe. After evaluation, the barrier and gripper or grippers are lifted so that the evaluated test strip can be carried to the take up position.

Abstract: A device for preventing a flag from wrapping around a flagpole, especially one which is inclined at an angle with the vertical. The flag is mounted along one edge to a support member which in turn is pivotally mounted for rotation about the flagpole. A semi-flexible rod is sewn into the hem along a lower edge of the flag. This semi-flexible rod is pivotally attached to the support member such that it can pivot from a position perpendicular to the support member to a position essentially parallel with the support member. Thus, the flag can be stored by folding the semi-flexible rod parallel with the support member and the material of the flag wrapped around the support member and/or the flagpole. When not in storage, the semi-flexible rod extends the lower portion of the flag outward from the flagpole effectively preventing the flag from wrapping back around the flagpole and becoming entangled.

Abstract: A purgable soil gas probe for removing small quantities of gases from the earth's soil to determine the presence of hydrocarbon deposits nearby. A removable evacuated container is attached to the upper end of the probe to withdraw soil gas through the probe into the container. A device such as a stop cock regulates the flow of external gases into the probe. The probe is purged by attaching a first evacuated container to withdraw any contaminating gases within the probe, and then replacing it with a second evacuated container to withdraw the soil gases to be analyzed.