Abstract: An apparatus applying the dynamic BET-type approach to the measurement of solid surface areas, allowing the pressure on the sample to be varied from a lower, subatmospheric value to a plurality of upper values either greater than or less than atmospheric pressure. Apparatus comprises, in the order of their appearance from upstream to downstream, the following parts: a source of a mixture of gaseous adsorbate and non-adsorbable gas, a pressure reducing valve, a reference circuit and a measurement circuit arranged in parallel, said measurement circuit incorporating a sample holding a cell and both said circuits going through a katharometer, then converging into a vacuum pump. A flow control valve is installed upstream from the sample holding cell and a throttling valve is inserted between said sample cell and the katharometer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a liquid level measurement system of the type having capacitive sensors, by simulating the electrical effects of sensors in an empty condition and their interconnecting cables, at a time when the sensors are full or partially filled. By a sequential balancing technique, using a conventional bridge circuit, a precision, highly stable variable impedance device is adjusted to individually simulate the effects of each sensor and cable combination with the sensor in an empty condition. The settings of the variable impedance device are recorded, and at a later time when the sensors are no longer empty, these settings are reproduced, so as to recreate the electrical effects of each sensor cable combination one at a time. The individual effects are separately transferred into a network having a plurality of variable impedance channels, until each channel simulates the effects of a corresponding sensor and cable.

Abstract: A manipulator for expendable immersion devices is provided with a spring loaded distal end to absorb mechanical shock when the immersion device is mounted on the manipulator and the manipulator is provided with a mechanical stop to eliminate the possibility of mechanical damage to the immersion device.

Abstract: A device for testing sharpness value of a cutting edge which includes an elongated body of a material into which a properly sharpened edge only will bite when lightly slid therealong at a predetermined angle. A sharply angled ridge is provided at at least one end of the body of the device and may be lightly drawn and/or pushed along the cutting edge to check for nicks or other imperfections in the edge. The edge tester is preferably of unitary construction, with a test ridge at both ends, and manufactured of a polymeric material. A method of testing the cutting edge is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: An automatic feed system for use with blood sampling apparatus of the type comprising a first conveyor for conveying a series of stoppered tubes to a sampling station and for imparting a motion to the tubes to mix the contents of the tubes as they are conveyed to the sampling station, and a needle for penetrating each tube when it arrives at the sampling station to withdraw a specimen sample therefrom. The feed system comprises a second conveyor for conveying a series of such tubes one after another to a pick-up station, and a tube-transfer device for transferring a tube at the pick-up station from the second conveyor to the first conveyor of the sampling apparatus for conveyance to the sampling station.

Abstract: The invention is a pipette controller for facilitating the handling of liquids by a pipette. The pipette attaches to the pipette controller. The pipette controller has a handle which is proximate to the attached pipette and substantially parallel to the pipette. The user operates the pipette controller by working a thumb wheel on the handle which is mechanically coupled to a bellows which controls the liquid level in the attached pipette. When operating the pipette controller, the user grasps the hand below the thumb wheel at a position which is approximately medial to the length of a typical pipette.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the fineness of solids in a first suspension of solids in a liquid medium is described. The apparatus comprises a cyclone for separating the first suspension under the influence of a force field into two second suspensions containing respectively solids generally coarser than and generally finer than a predetermined separation size. A constant head device is provided to cause the first and second suspensions to flow through the apparatus. Density measurement means comprising radiation sources, presentation columns, and detectors measure the density of the first suspension and the second suspensions respectively. A computer determines from the measured densities the fineness of solids in the first suspension.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the pressure within a pulsed column. The device comprises first and second dipping tubes respectively issuing into the column at the level of points P.sub.1 and P.sub.2, means for introducing a gas into each of the tubes and for bubbling it in the column liquid and means for determining the pressure difference between said tubes. The first and second dipping tubes respectively issue into the column via cavities C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 having dimensions such that during pressure variations due to pulsation, the gas-liquid interface is always located in each of said cavities and the variations in the gas-liquid interface level in each cavity are inversely proportional to the densities of the liquids present in each cavity. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the prejudicial influence of pressure variations within the liquid due to pulsation. The device can in particular be used for measuring the interface level in the decanter.

Abstract: A sampling system in which carriers (1) containing sample bottles (4) are transported by pneumatic conveyor means (3) between an examination station, for example a laboratory, and a selected sampling station at a plant. On arrival at a sampling station (2) a bottle (4) is moved through a predetermined sequence of movements by a transfer arm (5) to cause the bottle to be removed from its carrier and placed over a sample dispenser (7) to introduce sample into the bottle. The bottle containing sample is then returned to the carrier for return to the examination station.

Abstract: A continuous in line dry material sampler for sampling dry flowing material within a manufacturing or transported stream comprising a series of concentrically nested stages having no moving parts and having means for obtaining a representative proportional sample of the material as it flows through the sampler.

Abstract: A vibration dampening system comprises a beam 28 which has an unsupported length and is affixed to a supporting structure 12. The supporting structure 12 is subject to vibrations which may be transmitted to the beam 28. A sheath 42 is rigidly mounted to the supporting structure 12. The sheath 42 substantially encloses a portion of the beam 28 and is spaced from the beam 28. An elastomeric dampener 46 is disposed between the beam 28 and the sheath 42. The elastomeric dampener 46 and the sheath 42 dampen vibrations of the beam 28.

Abstract: A dilution pipetter comprising a diluent sucking probe, a sample probe for sucking and discharging a liquid sample, a diluent discharging probe disposed adjacent to the sample probe, a plunger pump of small plunger diameter selectively communicating with the diluent sucking probe or the sample probe by a first switching means, and a plunger pump of large plunger diameter selectively communicated with the diluent sucking probe, the sample probe or the diluent discharging probe by a second switching means. The dilution pipetter is useful as, e.g., an element of a clinical chemistry analyzer which is used to conduct numbers of reactions for small quantities of a liquid sample such as serum of the warm blooded animal including humans.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a proof or sample of an ink (as herein defined) as a preliminary to its being employed in a printing or coating process to enable its color and coating capability to be determined. A quantity of the ink is applied to a first roller the surface of which is engraved. The ink is evenly distributed over the roller using a doctor-blade set so as to wipe the roller surface clean and leave the ink only in the engravings. A second roller of resiliently deformable material is moved into contact with the inked roller so causing ink to be transferred to the surface of the second roller until equilibrium is reached and a sheet of the substrate to be inked or coated is introduced into the nip between the two rollers. Means is provided for cleaning the rollers after use.

Abstract: A sample collecting method comprises advancing a baffle member to a position beneath the delivery end of an upstream main belt conveyor continuously conveying a material, advancing a collecting belt conveyor to a position beneath the baffle member, retracting the baffle member to permit transfer of a portion of the material from the main belt conveyor onto the collecting belt conveyor, advancing the baffle member again to terminate the transfer of the material from the main belt conveyor onto the collecting belt conveyor, stopping the collecting belt conveyor at the same time, and running the collecting belt conveyor in the opposite direction at low speed to collect as a sample an intermediate adequate portion of the mass of the material transferred onto the collecting belt conveyor.

Abstract: A fluid test apparatus for high pressure valves consists of a massive rigid supporting frame having a supporting table portion with an opening for application of fluid pressure to a valve being tested and an end sealing arrangement for sealing one opening to such valve. A pair of fluid operated cylinders are positioned on opposite sides of the supporting table and have extended pistons operable to be retracted upon application of fluid pressure to the cylinders. A clamping bar extends between the ends of the pistons and supports an end closure and seal for closing another opening to the valve being tested. A control system is associated with the apparatus to control the application of fluid pressure to the cylinders to retract the pistons to clamp and seal a valve being tested, and to control the application of fluid pressure to such valve in either open or closed position to test both the valve and the valve body for leakage.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a raingauge which is fully automatic and free of any mechanical moving parts, comprising a receiver for collecting rain water, a water transfer device designed to transfer the water received by the collector to the discharge orifice in such a way as to isolate the discharge orifice from the effects of pressure fluctuations due to wind, the momentum of the rainfall, and the impurities that may be in the rain, and a discharge orifice which is designed to discharge an equal volume of water from the device by utilizing the surface tension characteristics of water, the restriction in the discharge orifice, and the force of gravity. The net effect then, of these three forces or characteristics acting upon the water accumulating in the funnel orifice combination, being that the water will discharge in the form of a droplet and be in equal and consistent volumes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for indicating mass flow of a solid particulate material through a rotary feeder. A radiation source and detector are positioned in a manner whereby radiation flux is directed through, and attenuated by, particulate material contained in rotating pockets. A Cesium-137 gamma source can be mounted within the shaft of the feeder, and one or more detectors can be mounted outside of the feeder housing. The detected signal is indicative of the mass of particulate material contained within a given pocket rotating within the feeder.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of particle chromatography, and more specifically to a method and apparatus employing the cascade principle for the purpose of characterizing particles according to subtle differences between the individual particle contours, by passing the particles through a repetitive series of sieves in a column, that have the same mesh size and are dimensioned to pass the entire sample, and wherein the particle characterization is based upon resident time of the similarly shaped particles within the column.

Abstract: A high pressure transducer, especially for ballistic pressure measurements, with a body member and a sensor part, the body member can be screwed into a threaded mounting bore provided in a structural component, whereby the body member comes into sealing contact with its sealing surface against a seating surface of the mounting aperture. The body member is provided with a recess, into which projects an extension on the sensor part to be secured along its end-face on the body member. An annular gap is provided between the extension of the sensor part and the recess in the body member, which causes the force flux lines produced by the sealing forces not to pass through the sensor part so that the latter remains unaffected by changing conditions of the force flux lines, i.e. by the prevailing tightening torques.

Abstract: A pipette is described comprising a piston for generating pressure to eject liquid and a motor for moving the piston. A drive-decoupling mechanism is interposed between the motor and piston to allow the motor to decouple and overtravel without causing the piston to overtravel.