Abstract: A multi-layer liquid sampler in which one side of the length of a non-sparking plate is fastened to a submersing rod. The other side is fastened to top and bottom of tube holders that contain a transparent glass or plastic tube. That tube is kept in a prepositioned attitude in relationship to the tube by means of a plastic positioner ring with circular openings for the tube and two legs of a non-sparking metal rod that is bent into a "U" shape. The bottom of the "U" is bent forward and flattened slightly to become the ledge of a closure. The other piece of the closure is a beryllium copper spring that is fastened at one end in close relationship with the bottom holder and non-sparking plate. A number of non-sparking metal screwheads and nuts are on the bottom and a plastic cone fastened to the spring and located under the transparent tube. This cone seals the bottom of the tube by contact between the tube and cone about two-thirds of the distance down the cone.

Abstract: Process for the determination of the interfacial area in a container containing a two-phase mixture incorporating a liquid phase and a gaseous phase flowing in the liquid phase in the form of bubbles. For a same path of a sequence of ultrasonic sound wave trains emitted at constant amplitudes in said container, the ratio of the mean values of the maximum amplitudes of the wave trains received after passing through the two-phase mixture and after passing through the liquid phase only is determined and the thus determined ratio is plotted on a calibration curve giving the interfacial area value as a function of this ratio.

Abstract: Apparatus for immersion in molten metal includes a disposable probe telescoped over an immersion end of a lance up to a shoulder on the lance. An elastic ring seal is provided between the shoulder and the adjacent end portion of the probe for protecting the joint between the probe and the shoulder.

Abstract: Method and a device for inspecting the operation of a valve. The valve (1, 11) is placed on a test bench (2, 3) capable of applying an opening and closing force to the valve, a representative graph of the movement of the valve as a function of the force applied is plotted, the coordinates of which are measured continuously, and the graph of the test is compared with a reference graph (C.sub.1) in order to detect operating defects according to the positions of the valve. The invention is applicable to the inspection of valves for passing fluids, more specifically in the nuclear industry.

Abstract: Apparatuses and processes are described for the automatic determinations of fat contents of foods, such as dairy products, e.g., milk, wherein automatic density and solids content determining apparatuses are employed, together with a computer, to determine the fat contents of food samples being tested. The density determining apparatus is preferably one which is electromagnetically excited to vibrate at its natural resonant frequency, so that from the change in such frequency, compared to a control, the mass of the sample may be determined. The means for measuring the solids content is preferably an automatic volatility computer in which electromagnetic radiation (microwave energy) is employed to drive off the volatile material (usually mostly water) in the sample, which is automatically weighed before and after such volatilization.

Abstract: A pipeline flow measurement proving system has a custody transfer insertion turbine meter mounted at a first location on a fluid pipeline. A proving insertion turbine flow meter is mounted at a second location on the pipeline upstream from the custody meter at a distance of approximately ten diameters of the pipeline. This offset spacing reduces the fluid turbulence which may be produced by the turbine head of the proving meter. The proving meter is calibrated against a standard at the National Bureau of Standards. Each of the flow meters produces a pulse signal which is proportional to the rotation of the corresponding turbine head. The calibration is carried out by counting the number of pulses produced by the two meters during a selected time period. The ratio of the counts of the pulses comprises a calibration constant which is utilized by a custody transfer flow computer for producing a flow measurement.

Abstract: A flow-rate proportional (isokinetic) sampling probe provided with two identical axial-flow thermal flow sensors whose outputs are used in a differential manner together with a sampling nozzle flow controller to extract a flow-rate proportioned sample of fluid passing thereby, wherein one flow sensor is used to sense the velocity of the fluid and the second flow sensor is used to sense the velocity of the fluid captured by the sampling nozzle, the area of which is the same as that for the flowing fluid such that the differences between the flow sensor outputs is directly used to control the sample flow rate and maintain an isokinetic condition under a wide range of fluid conditions. Two identical temperature sensors used respectively for the flow sensors to automatically adjust the operating temperature of the thermal sensors as the ambient temperature changes.

Abstract: Electrostatic triaxial accelerometer comprising a test weight movable with respect to an accelerometer body, electrically connected to said body by a highly flexible lead, electrodes fixed to said body and forming capacitors with respect to the test weight, means for detecting the test weight position by means of measurement voltages fed to said electrodes and means for positioning said test weight by electrostatic forces developed from cueing voltages applied to said electrodes, characterized in that the test weight comprises six planar plates regularly assembled such that the inside volume defined by these plates is a cube with a side smaller in length than the plates.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the measurement of the degree of charging of a liquid synthetic resin component with a gas in which the flushing of the measuring column and the detection of the hydrostatic pressure are effected solely by control of the intake valve to the measuring chamber, a discharge valve at the bottom of an overflow chamber connected to the measuring chamber, and a three position valve connected to the top of the overflow chamber. In one position of this latter valve, a pressurized gas is applied to the overflow chamber to drive overflow liquid component back to the tank: in another position of this valve the column can be equilibrated with atmospheric pressure: in a third position this valve is closed.

Abstract: A fluid pipeline sampler is disclosed which operates so as to trap a liquid sample and then eject it. To achieve this, a piston (18) and sleeve (14) within a casing (1) are displaced together downwardly to move a pair of portholes (10, 11) in the sleeve out of register with a pair of ports (2, 3) in the casing wall, so as to trap the liquid sample in an internal space between the two portholes (10, 11). In this position the sleeve (14) is restrained against further downward movement. On continuing downward advancement of the piston, the trapped liquid sample is ejected out of the internal space through a passageway (21) in the piston for analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the size of elongated objects, specifically logs. The logs (4) are floated in a water filled canal (5) and advanced past a measuring device 13 by cranes 8 or water jets. The size of the logs is determined by radiation sensitive devices (21) actuated by light sources 22 or mechanical transducers (54, 55, 56, 57). In another embodiment the log is held stationary while the measuring device is moved longitudinally past the log.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a force measuring instrument of the type that includes a force sensitive element submerged in a liquid. The apparatus comprises a magnetic object having a known weight when submerged in the liquid, and an electromagnet. The electromagnet includes a core having a first end that extends beneath the surface of the liquid to a position near the upper surface of the force sensitive element. The electromagnet further includes a coil surrounding a portion of the core, means for energizing and deenergizing the coil, and a thermal insulator surrounding the first end of the core to prevent the core from contacting the liquid and to limit heat flow from the core into the liquid. When the coil is energized, the magnetic object is picked up from the force sensitive element and adheres to the insulator. When the electromagnet is deenergized, the magnetic object falls back onto the force sensitive element for calibration of the instrument.

Abstract: A liquid sampling apparatus for use in sampling the liquid in a well pipe to determine surface contaminants contained therein includes a unitary tubular housing formed to provide a valve seat therein. A ball, freely movable within the tube, is inserted to cooperate with the valve seat to form a valve which remains closed once the sampling tube is filled with water. The opposite end includes a retaining device onto which is affixed a flexible line that has its opposite end affixed to the removable well cap. The flexible line is used to remove the liquid sampling apparatus from the well after a sample of the liquid contained therein has been obtained.

Abstract: A ring designed to support instrumentation modules on the rotor of a rotary machine and to withstand centrifugal accelerations significantly in excess of 500 g comprises two half-rings made of zicral (AZ5GU) alloy clamped to the rotor shaft. In order for the ring to remain attached to the shaft at speeds up to and in excess of the maximum speed thereof, there are formed in the cylindrical perimeter of the ring a central groove and two side grooves. A tape of glass fibers impregnated with a polymerizable resin is wound on under tension in superposed layers, initially into the central groove and then into the side grooves. The wound tape is then immobilized under tension by polymerizing the resin.

Abstract: Liquid differential pressure measurement apparatus using at each of two separate vertical locations a manifold with a pair of voids, each pair being covered with a thin, non-elastomer membrane pressing tightly against a horizontal fence line therebetween. A first void of each pair is gas pressurized from the external side of the manifold to move the membrane on the internal side of the manifold outwardly against the pressure head of liquid on the membrane at the location of the fence line, the gas escaping via the second void, which is vented. A meter connection to the first void of each pair is supplied to a differential pressure meter and/or a device that converts a differential pressure to an electrical signal for remote readout or the like.

Abstract: Improved perforated end plug circular plates for abutting core samples during porosity and permeability testing. The perforated end plug plates having at least one circular channel formed on the surface opposing the abutting surface of the plate, a plurality of radial channels formed also on the opposing surface and being in fluid communication with the circular channel. At least one circular array of holes formed in the surface abutting the core sample and in fluid communication with the circular and radial channels on the opposing surface.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, measuring the free volume of a confined space or container is described. The method comprises applying to the gas or vapor within the confined space or container repeated compressions of predetermined waveform by means of a barrier or diaphragm; generating electrical signals representative of the resultant variation of pressure within the confined space or container; repeatedly sampling said electrical signals at regular predetermined instants, or over regular predetermined time ranges, corresponding to predetermined points or regions of said waveform; combining or integrating the sampled signals to generate thereby a time-averaged output signal; and calculating the free volume of the confined space or container from the output signal thus obtained.

Abstract: A faeces collection and concentration receiver, especially for parasitological examination, comprises a disposable receiver (1), a first cap immediately fastenable to the mouth of the receiver, a collecting-filtering device coupled between the receiver and the first cap, and a spout closed by a second cap.

Abstract: An inflatable air bag for filling and sealing the gap between the flat, underside of a model of a gravity-based, exploratory drilling structure, or the like, to improve the accuracy and reliability of data obtained from hydrodynamic forces acting on the model when the latter is under test. The bag is of substantially the same shape in plan as the underside of the model and is inflated with gas to a pressure sufficient to seal the gap and prevent hydrodynamic forces from acting on the underside of the model during testing. The material of the bag is of minimal thickness so as to minimize load transfer thereto. Variations in the internal pressure of the bag during a hydrodynamic test of the model is utilized to improve the accuracy and reliability of the data obtained from load cells which support the model in the test facility.

Abstract: In a system for leak detection having many valves, it is desirable to have high vacuum valves operated by solenoids at opposite ends of a diffusion pump in order to isolate the diffusion pump during powr failure or during an intentional shutdown. A valve having a hard spherical ball fitting a vacuum seal and having a spring means to bias the ball in a closed position will close during a power failure. A bell-shaped actuator connected to a solenoid can be used to open the valve with built-in mechanical advantage. A circuit means can be used to supply high starting voltage to the solenoid and then lower voltage to hold the valve open.