Abstract: The presence of dangerous substances such as cocaine is detected by atmospheric samples that include the residues (such as ether) of the manufacture of the suspected substances into a gas chromatograph to remove substances other than the residues and thereafter drawing them into a proportional counter chamber having a high voltage and a signal wire. A laser passes light capable of exciting the suspected residues through the proportional counter to produce ionization and generate a photoelectron. The signal wire passes this to an analyzer which indicates the presence of the suspected residues.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring the shear viscosity of a fluid urges sample fluid through a gap between a sleeve having an axial passage and a pin extending axially into the passage in the sleeve to subject the sample fluid to shear while measuring the axial force tending to move the pin and the sleeve axially away from one another, the axial force being indicative of the shear viscosity of the sample fluid.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a material during processing comprising the steps of (a) shining a detection light on the surface of a material; (b) generating ultrasonic waves at the surface of the material to cause a change in frequency of the detection light; (c) detecting a change in the frequency of the detection light at the surface of the material; (d) detecting said ultrasonic waves at the surface point of detection of the material; (e) measuring a change in the time elapsed from generating the ultrasonic waves at the surface of the material and return to the surface point of detection of the material, to determine the transit time; and (f) comparing the transit time to predetermined values to determine properties such as, density and the elastic quality of the material.

Abstract: The oxygen concentration of a gas mixture primarily of oxygen, nitrogen, and argon is determined by measurement of the shell side flow through a hollow fiber permeable membrane module having a tube side and a shell side. A sample of the gas at a low pressure is applied via a gas regulator to the tube side. Compressed air for purge flow is supplied via a first flow controller to one end of the shell side. A small portion of the tube side flow permeates the membrane, enters the shell of the module and combines with the air purge flow. The measurement of the oxygen concentration is determined by the amount of flow exiting the shell side via a flowmeter to a vent. The amount of gas permeating the membrane is dependent on the partial pressure of oxygen on both sides of the membrane. Hence, as the tube side partial pressure increases, a greater quantity of permeated gas passes to the shell side of the membrane. The remaining tube side flow exits the module via a second floor controller to the vent.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for carrying a mobile inspection assembly in the interior of a tubular body, the assembly of inspection being adapted to emit and receive at least one sweeping radiation beam for inspection purposes. The apparatus includes a pair of carrier assemblies, coupled together by a bridge which has at least two linking pieces and a coupling piece therebetween. The apparatus also has a reflector with at least as many reflection planes as the bridge has linking pieces, each of which reflection planes defines a transmission path. The reflector is rotatable about a longitudinal axis through the carrier assemblies, the reflection planes being so arranged that at least one transmission path extends to the interior of the tubular body at any one time. Part of each transmission path is longitudinal and part is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The reflection planes are arranged so as to partially overlap.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring the percentages of oil and water present in an oil/water mixture. By measuring the energy absorption properties of the oil/water mixture, the percentages of oil and water present in the oil/water mixture can be determined regardless of whether the oil or the water is in the continuous phase and regardless of what the relative proportions of water and oil are. Measuring the energy absorption properties of the oil/water mixture yields a current output which can be plotted on one of two distinct, empirically or theoretically derived data curves. One of the data curves represents oil being in the continuous phase and the other data curve represents water being in the continuous phase. A comparator is used to determine whether the oil or the water is in the continuous phase to thereby select the proper data curve on which the energy adsorption is plotted.

Abstract: A novel method for detecting phase transitions depends on an observed sharp drop in the amplitude of vibration of a vibrating tube containing test material when phase transitions occur. Combining phase equilibria detection with conventional density measurement permits the exploration of pressure, volume, temperature and composition at phase boundaries. The method is especially useful at high temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A system for determining the level of particulate contaminants in a fluid utilizes a porous filtration element having filtration pores therethrough in fluid series with a volume indicator. Preferably, the filtration medium is provided with filtration pores which have a generally predetermined size such that oversized particles of the particulate contaminants are accumulated on one side of the filter medium. In one embodiment, filtration of the fluid continues until the filtration medium is blocked entirely, and then a reading of the volume of fluid which has flowed therethrough is taken. The fluid thus accumulated can be forced back through the filter medium in a backflush direction such that the accumulated particulate contaminants are washed away, thereby rendering the filtration medium ready for a subsequent measurement. In automatic embodiments of the invention, a bistable valve may be utilized, the flow states of the valve being switched to shift from the filtration phase to the backflush phase.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for measuring the shear stress of a fluid wherein the shear stress is determined by measuring the movement of one end of a substantially rigid lever with the other end having the active face forming the shear stress measurement surface.

Abstract: A method for determining the flow situation in a transport system where the flow medium occurs in multi-phase and is conducted through a structural detail such as a choke valve, which acts on the flow of the medium and produces turbulence causing acoustic energy signals which are generated in and immediately close to the structural detail. The acoustic energy signals are sensed by one or a plurality of acoustic sensors with an acoustic broad-band connection with the structural detail. The sensor converts the energy signal to transmittable signals to a signal processing unit utilizing known signal analysis principles to provide interpretable information on the actual flow situation and the flowing medium which is influenced by the structural detail. The structural detail to which the acoustic sensor is connected may be incorporated in a subsea production system.

Abstract: A method for detecting leaks in a fluid pipeline where the pressure supply pump remains ON during the test procedure and pressure on both sides of a closed shut-off valve in the pipeline is maintained equal. A novel flow meter is provided comprising a parallel combination of a solenoid value and a pressure differential switch connected across the shut-off valve.

Abstract: Electronic control circuitry for obtaining precise inline process control data as to viscosity of fluids over a wide viscosity range, with high tolerance of ambient noise and vibration. An electromechanical transducer with an oscillating sensor is immersed in a flowing liquid, with the power required to sustain predetermined oscillation parameters being a measure of viscosity-density product. The gain of a variable gain amplifier which provides positive feedback to sustain oscillation is controlled in response to the integrated error signal output of a comparator which compares a DC value corresponding to the RMS amplitude of mechanical oscillation with a DC reference value. The monitoring of RMS amplitude rather than peak amplitude (as is done by a phase-sensitive sample-and-hold arrangement in the prior art), coupled integration of the error signal, results in a great improvement in immunity to ambient noise and vibration.