Abstract: There is a controller having an identifier signal output and a status signal input, and a plurality of probes, each having an identifier signal input and output and a status signal input and output. The probes are connected in series with the inputs of one probe connected to the outputs of the next, with the identifier signal output of the controller connected to the identifier signal input of the first probe, and with the status signal input of the controller connected to the status signal output of the first probe. Each probe includes a decrementer which decrements the identifier signal received from the previous probe by one and retransmits it to the next probe. Each probe also includes a comparator and a switch configured so that when the comparator receives an identifier signal equal to zero, the switch switches the status signal output of the probe from its status signal input to a source of a local probe status signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method is provided for determining the equilibrium of the partial pressures of two gases having different thermal conductivities. The apparatus includes a single sensor adapter to be contacted by the two gases, and heated by a flow of electrical current through the sensor. A circuit is provided for maintaining the sensor at a constant level of electrical resistance and hence at a constant temperature. The sensor, in addition, is connected as one leg of a bridge circuit, the output of which represents changes occurring in the thermal conductivity of a mixture of the gases.

Abstract: A device for assessing stresses in mechanical processing of agricultural or manufactured products has a core 11 and, adjacent to the surface a layer of piezo-electric plastic material 13. The device has physical characteristics simulating those of the product. In use the device is included in a batch of products being processed and the piezo-electric signals caused by the stresses are analyzed by electronic equipment either external to or contained within the device to locate when and where damaging stresses occurred.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting defects in workpieces, particularly in foundry or metallurgical workpieces, including a plurality of means for exciting and picking up the vibrations emitted by a workpiece, whose sound resonance frequencies it is desired to measure so as to evaluate the quality thereof.

Abstract: A fluid testing apparatus comprises a container for holding a fluid to be tested and a member disposed within the container so that the member is rotatable within a fluid to be tested within the container. The container has a wall defining a cavity into which the member extends. A magnetically responsive rotor is mounted on this end of the member. Immediately adjacent the outside surface of this wall, a plurality of stator poles are secured so that a field generated in the stator poles directly interacts with the rotor across the wall to rotate the member. The rotor and stator poles are preferably of a stepper motor.

Abstract: An object stress analyzing system includes a scanning head with a detector, a variable gain amplifier and a control unit which controls the scanning head and which acquires stress-related data from the amplifiers. The control unit responds to detector overload conditions by automatically adjusting the gain of the amplifier, rescanning a portion of the object and rescaling data acquired prior to occurrence of the overload condition.

Abstract: A probe assemblage for vibration meters of the hand-held variety which exhibits a substantially flat frequency response through 1,000 Hz. The probe structure includes a flat contact surface at its tip for hand-held engagement with the vibratory surface being monitored. The tip is spaced from an articulated ball and socket-like joint which provides for vibration transfer to an associated transducer such as an accelerometer. A compliant material such as Teflon or the like may be positioned intermediate the curved vibration transfer and receiving surfaces of the articulated joint within the probe.

Abstract: A device for sensing fluid flow comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet and defining a fluid flow channel between the inlet and the outlet, a first member disposed in the fluid flow channel and including at least one rigid portion, and a second member disposed in the fluid flow channel upstream from the first member and including at least one flexible portion, the flexible portion being elastically flexible between an initial position spaced from the rigid portion and defining a first effective flow area and a final position adjacent the rigid portion and defining a second effective flow area which exceeds the first effective flow area. The device includes pressure passages including a linking arrangement for conveying pressures to a pressure transducer from upstream and downstream of the second member, the pressure measurements being correlated to a fluid flow rate. The link arrangement protects the transducer from pressure surges. The pressure transducer may be disposed in the housing.

Abstract: Sample holder apparatus for use in imaging (X-ray CT/NMR) apparatus is provided. The sample holder may be employed to conduct fluid flow studies on a sample and to measure petrophysical properties of a sample. The sample holder may consist of non-ferromagnetic, nonmetallic components; these components are: an outer tubular member containing end plugs that are restrained from outward movement by end member assemblies (which may be metallic) that releasably engage an engagement means, or raised shoulder, on the outer member, and an interior assembly, containing a sample, which is contained in the outer tubular member.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a motor driven magnetically clutch connected turbine on a sonde adapted to be lowered in a well borehole for measuring fluid flow velocity in the well. The turbine is sourounded by a perforated cage or housing which permits fluid flow to impinge on the turbine and thereby change the speed of rotation of the turbine. The turbine is driven at a first speed dependent on magnetic clutch connection from the turbine to a motor. The turbine speed is changed depending on fluid flow velocity in the well, and such changes are reflected in changes in operating conditions of the motor which powers the turbine at the first speed. Measurement of such changes yields fluid flow velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the mass of particulates is disclosed. A low-temperature filter which is held at a temperature lower than the boiling point of the particulate liquid component contained in gas, and a high-temperature filter, which is held at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the liquid component but lower than the ignition point of the solid component of the particulates, are oscillated while they are contacted by a sample gas at the same rate. The mass of all particulates deposited on the low-temperature filter and the mass of the particulate solid component deposited on the high-temperature filter are calculated from each inherent oscillation frequencies of the two filters, while the mass of the liquid component is obtained by subtracting the mass of the solid component from the mass of the total particulates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting a fiber sample from a sliver of material for fiber length measurement in which the sliver is successively advanced into and retained by needles in a sample extracting position with the fiber end of the sliver exposed for sampling. The end is then grasped by a clamping member which moves away from the retained sliver to extract the sample. The retention of the sliver is synchronized to follow the advancement of the sliver to its sample extracting position and the movement of the clamping member is synchronized to occur during the retention of the sliver by the needles in this sample extraction position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oscillating jet meter for fluids, with an assembly in which are formed substantially the chambers and passages of the flow system conveying the fluid, and wherein the inlet and outlet openings of the flow system are in communication with respective pipe connections for the installation of the meter. An oscillating fluid jet is generated in the flow system, the frequency of which within the designated measurement range is at least approximately proportional to the flow velocity of the fluid and which is measured with a measuring instrument so as to determine the throughflow of the fluid in a calculating unit. The aforementioned assembly is in the form of a housing which is closed, except for the inlet and outlet openings, whereas the housing is surrounded on all sides by a pressure-tight casing which carries the two pipe connections.

Abstract: An automatic pipetting apparatus is disclosed having a base on which is mounted a vertical frame supporting a row of positive displacement pipettes which are driven in the up or down direction by an electromechanical mechanism under microprocessor controls. The apparatus includes a base, a track and a carriage longitudinally movable beneath the row of pipettes. The carriage includes an independent translating and position signal generation mechanism. The carriage carries a tray which includes sample chambers, a space to receive a microporous electrophoresis support medium, such as a cellulose acetate strip, a wash well, rinse well and a space to receive blotting paper. The pipettes include a barrel and a plunger capable of aspirating and dispensing from 0.5 to 5 .mu.l of liquid. The barrels move up and down with respect to the base by means of another independent translating and signal generating mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of testing yarn comprising periodically feeding a length of yarn by means of a fluid stream along a pathway so that it extends between a pair of spaced clamps, clamping the length of yarn towards the ends thereof by means of the clamps and causing one or both clamps to move relative to the other progressively to tension the yarn until breakage. Tension and elongation of the yarn is measured.

Abstract: A probe unit for automatic determination of quality properties in meat comprises an insertion probe with a measuring device, such as a light reflection meter, at a free end of the probe. A double-acting drive cylinder unit reciprocatingly moves the insertion probe and consists of an interior pipe surrounded by an outer impact resistant pipe. A tubular piston rod is reciprocatingly slidably arranged in the interior pipe. The piston rod extends through both ends of the interior pipe and has an overall length at least twice the length of its stroke. The front end of the piston rod serves as the insertion probe while the rear end of the piston rod carries or forms part of a position meter producing electric pulses indicative of the position of the light reflection meter with respect to the interior pipe. The position meter includes a signal generator with a toothed wheel engaging a toothed rack and generates pulses applied to a pulse counter.

Abstract: A storage tank having primary and secondary containment means is made from a rigid outer tank shell by forming an inner tank shell of fibrous reinforcing material and resinous material. A gas pervious material is initially positioned on the inside surface of the rigid tank. Leak detection means is used to monitor the closed space between the rigid outer tank and formed inner tank.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for use in an aerated bath comprising a sensor to sense mass concentration within a liquid, a dedubbler for forcing bubbles from the portion of the liquid to be sensed by the sensor, away from the sensor, and a flow limiter to limit liquid flow past the sensor to no more than that rate at which the debubbler can force bubbles away from the portion to be sensed. The debubbler removes bubbles and the sensor senses mass concentration without removal of liquid from the confines of the bath and before the liquid portion is reaerated by the bath. A process of sensing in the absence of bubbles is also disclosed.

Abstract: The RF coil and transmission line of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system are remotely tuned for variation from matched impedance conditions (e.g., as caused by variable loading of the RF coil by objects to be imaged which vary from an assumed median object) via a pair of series-connected over-coupled parallel-resonant circuits, each of which includes an adjustable capacitance.

Abstract: A strain measurement device to determine the amount of clamping force or pressure developed in a machine from the small amount of linear movement which results from strain on a predetermined part of the machine, such as a tie bar. The strain measurement device features an elongated arm which will pivot in response to such strain movement and amplify or magnify the amount of this strain movement. The strain measurement device also includes a sensing unit which will measure the amplified strain movement, and a circuit for converting this measurement into a signal indicative of force.