Abstract: An air monitoring cassette for monitoring airborne particulate wherein the cassette includes a housing defining an airway therethrough. The housing includes an outlet end for connection to a pump. The housing further includes an inlet end opposite the outlet end and a filter to collect particulate thereon intermediate said outlet end and inlet end. The inlet end includes an outwardly flared inside surface so that particulate laden air can be drawn through the cassette and non-uniform deposition of particulate on the filter reduced.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for continuous and automatic taking of samples together with the correlating data and successive possible evaluation of the samples and data in a simple way. For this purpose the invention uses a storage body for samples and data and suitably developed apparatus for the storing of the samples and the recording of the data as well as specifically developed apparatus for the taking of samples and reading of the sample data. Thus the invention makes it possible to permanently control chemical processes in production processes as well as in other creations of undesired and/or noxious liquid or gaseous chemical substances and/or compounds.

Abstract: A transducer device for an ultrasonic flaw detection system comprises a right angle rectangular block with one longitudinal edge being shaped to accurately conform to the curvature of the surface to be inspected. An ultrasonic sound wave beam in the block is reflected 90.degree. by a rotating mirror to cut a 360.degree. arc path through the surface to be inspected.

Abstract: A pressure testing device for detecting leaks in shipping vessels such as tank cars, delivery pipes, and tanker trucks. A hand-operated pump provides a source of pressure, with the pump having a hand plunger reciprocating within a pump body with handles at each end. At the end opposite the plunger handle there is a bifurcated fitting with a one-way valve in each of its two branches, with a first branch permitting only pump intake, and the second branch permitting only pump discharge. Both branches are fitted with quick-disconnect couplings which mate with a detachable flexible hose terminating in a test closure or pressure fitting having a shutoff valve and a pressure gauge. In use, the operator attaches the test closure to the vessel or pipe to be tested, attaches the hose to the proper coupling for delivery of the positive or negative pressure differential as desired, and operates the reciprocating hand plunger until the desired pressure differential is indicated on the gauge.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sequential provision of a series of similarly configured objects to and from a proximal location such as a device for testing those objects. The objects are provided in a gravity-fed stack to a changer that includes a container, a holder slidably disposed in that container and configured to hold a limited number (such as one) of the objects, and a mover or driver for transporting the holder repeatedly between first and second positions within the container. In the first position, the holder is disposed under the stack of objects being fed to receive one of those objects. In the other position, the holder is positioned to gravity feed the object to the proximal location where the object is to be utilized. The holder can be configured with a single space, or with double parallel spaces, each of which can receive one object.

Abstract: A means and method of design and installation of a pre-rotator ahead of an elbow are disclosed in order to eliminate or reduce elbow-induced turbulence in pipe flows. Experimental verification was conducted, and noise and pressure loss for flow around the elbow can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: A headset-based hearing tester and hearing aid programming instrument featuring an electronic module shaped as a headband having a connected acoustic transducer module. The electronic module includes microcontroller, internal and plug-in external memory for storage of program code and patient data. The headset instrument in conjunction with a hand-held patient response device is capable of automatic hearing testing. The produced audio stimuli including test tones, speech and verbal instructions are retrieved from external memory cards. The instrument automatically computes fitting parameters and is capable of programming a programmable hearing aid via a port for direct wire programming or via wireless methods including inductive coil coupling to a hearing aid equipped with a receiving coil.

Abstract: The testing device, also known as a totally integrated payload attitude control tester (T.I.P.A.C.T.), is suspend on a single, high strength, low torsional moment line through the gravity vector axis. Attached directly to this line is a strong back assembly having a fixed lateral width with ends thereon. Attached to the ends of the strong back assembly are thin, high strength straps which are connected to a pair of tensile universal joints which are further connected to, by way of this high strength straps, to a pair of trunnions. The trunnions are connected to the payload support frame which may have a satellite payload therein. The three orthogonal axes of the test device allow rotation to .+-.45 degrees, .+-.60 degrees and >360 degrees, simultaneously in roll, yaw, and pitch respectively. The thin fabric strap allows movement with virtually no friction or suspension resistance.

Abstract: Internal pipe inspection apparatus and an in-line pipe head are disclosed. The inspection apparatus is insertable into either a four inch or six inch pipeline through a standard service size opening. The apparatus includes a compact pipe head having a viewing assembly for imaging the interior of the pipe. The head is sized to pass through the standard lateral service opening, the opening being substantially less in size than the diameter of the pipe. A flexible steel snake is connected to the head for manually moving and rotating the head within the pipe once the head is positioned therein. The apparatus is intrinsically safe for inspection of a live natural gas main. Various centralizing member embodiments are disclosed for positioning the pipe head viewing assembly substantially concentric with the axis of the pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to use an Atomic Force Microscope to take measurements of surface forces, indentation, adhesion and mechanical properties such as hardness and elasticity. The force between a probe mounted cantilever and a sample is measured as a function cantilever deflection measured by a electron tunneling microscope. The sample and the tip of the tunneling microscope are each mounted on piezoelectric manipulators which provide for position control. Position of the sample and probe are measured from the voltages applied to the piezoelectric manipulators. Penetration is determined by the relative motion between the probe and sample. Presently, this invention has a force resolution of 1 nN and a depth resolution of 0.02 nm.

Abstract: A method of and device for gauging a liquid meter, the device comprising an enclosure containing a piston and hydraulically connectable to the measuring member of the meter, the piston being a plunger piston with a cross-section smaller than that of the enclosure and being mounted for a sliding motion in fluid-tight relationship through a wall mounted transversely within the enclosure to there define two fluid-tight capacities between which the piston moves in plunging relationship.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for testing the cornering stability of a vehicle (12) to determine when the vehicle begins to slide or tip over when rounding a corner. A movable platform (32) is capable of supporting the weight of a vehicle, and the vehicle is positioned on one end of the platform. A counterweight (42) is positioned at the opposite end of the platform. The platform is rotatable through a range of speeds to simulate vehicle movement in a circular path such as when the vehicle is rounding a corner. Sensors are attached to wheels (T3, T4) of the vehicle to detect a sliding movement of the vehicle relative to the platform. A lifting movement which occurs when the vehicle begins to tip over, is also detectable. A method of determining a vehicle's center of gravity which will provide stability is also disclosed.

Abstract: A densitometer calibration apparatus includes an enclosure for a pressure vessel which may be submerged in a water bath within the enclosure and through which a control fluid is circulated by a pump and a closed loop conduit arrangement to provide continuous steady state circulation of a fluid whose density is used for calibration. A second flow loop including a pump and a pycnometer are in communication with the pressure vessel for filling the pycnometer with a quantity of fluid to be weighed for density comparison with the densitometer reading. Fluid is circulated through the pressure vessel while it is submerged in the temperature controlled water bath and the pycnometer is filled and removed for weight determination at selected operating pressures and temperatures to obtain densitometer calibration parameters.

Abstract: Two metallic half dishes are fitted together to form a sample container arranged in the hollow space of a carrying tube. The sample container serves to withdraw samples from molten metals. The hollow space surrounding the sample container is filled with granules made of a refractory material, such as corundum. The hollow space is preferably bordered on its sides by a cardboard tube, which is inserted into the carrying tube.

Abstract: A hand held self-contained automated pipette for portable operation having an electrically operated digital linear actuator. The actuator preferably includes a stepper motor driving a rotor. A threaded screw is coaxially positioned within the rotor and is connected to an actuator shaft having elongate grooves slidable in a guide for preventing shaft rotation so that precise linear motion is imparted to the shaft. A pipetting displacement assembly having one of various sizes is removably attached for actuation by a common actuator including programmed movement of a displacing piston in a displacement cylinder to optimize air interface volume, neutralize variations in vacuum pipette effects, and provide an accommodated stroke and readout for improved accuracy while pipetting and/or titrating different ranges of volumes. Upon calibration the piston undertakes immediate excursion to an end of travel limit and after motor slippage is retracted to a home position.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for measuring creep stiffness of a specimen, for example, asphalt cement, or other viscoelastic material, having a flexural modulus greater than approximately 1,000 psi. The specimen and the lower part of a loading mechanism are submerged in a constant temperature coolant thereby providing buoyant support to the specimen, preventing it from deflecting under its own weight, as well as providing means for controlling the test temperature. The coolant temperature is maintained to within approximately +/-0.1.degree. C. of a desired temperature. The specimen, having known dimensions, is supported within the coolant on two spaced apart support members. A loading head actuated by an air bearing/pneumatic piston mechanism engages the specimen midway between the two support members. The deflection of the specimen is measured with an LVDT and the load imparted to the specimen by a load cell provided under at least one of the specimen support members.

Abstract: The calibration cuvette apparatus for storing and calibrating a chemical sensor in a tonometered solution includes an upper cuvette section and a lower cylindrical valve section for alternately sealing the cuvette section and admitting a gas mixture to the cuvette section. The upper cuvette section has relatively narrow diameter upper and lower ends on either side of a wide diameter middle portion. The cuvette section is adapted to receive the sensor and retain the sensor in a fluid bath in the cuvette section so that the chemical sensor portion is disposed approximately in the center of the wide middle portion of the cuvette section. The chamber formed within the cuvette section is thus shaped so as to maintain the sensor in a position in the fluid bath so that any gas bubbles within the chamber will not dry the sensor. A lower end portion of the cuvette section includes a gas communication inlet for introducing gas into said chamber to equilibrate the tonometered buffer solution.

Abstract: A calibration cuvette apparatus for storing and calibrating a chemical sensor in a tonometered solution includes an upper cuvette section and a lower cylindrical valve section for alternately sealing the cuvette section and admitting a gas mixture to the cuvette section. The upper cuvette section has relatively narrow diameter upper and lower ends on either side of a wide diameter middle portion. The cuvette section is adapted to receive the sensor and retain the sensor in a fluid bath in the cuvette section so that the chemical sensor portion is disposed approximately in the center of the wide middle portion of the cuvette section. The chamber formed within the cuvette section is thus shaped so as to maintain the sensor in a position in the fluid bath so that any gas bubbles within the chamber will not dry the sensor. A lower end portion of the cuvette section includes a gas communication inlet for introducing gas into said chamber to equilibrate the tonometered buffer solution.

Abstract: The force exerted on a measuring section is broken down into two components each acting on one end of a measuring section. The components are each broken down into a vertical part and a horizontal part. The two vertical parts obtained are measured separately. The measured values are cyclically interrogated in an interrogation sequence in the direction of movement of the living being and stored, to permit the determination of force, location, duration and course in time. The measuring surface is subdivided lamellar-fashion at right angles to the direction of movement. One measuring section is narrower than the foot and longer than the track width. The force sensing device (3) comprises a rigid crossbeam which is borne on a sensing block (7) on both sides and acts in the vertical direction on a measured value delivering sensor (23) disposed therein. The crossbeam is mounted to move only vertically and borne on a measuring spring (43) which bears against the sensing block and is preferably a flat spring.

Abstract: A device for obtaining soil samples beneath the surface of the ground. A sample tube is provided with a removable piston tip blocking the forward opening of the sample tube. Rearward movement of the piston tip is blocked by a removable piston stop. The sample tube is driven into the soil with the piston tip blocking its forward end. Tubular probe extension may be successively added to the rear of the device to allow driving of the sample tube to the desired depth. At the desired depth, the piston stop is removed to unblock the piston tip. The piston stop may be removed by a series of threadedly connected extension rods threadedly connected via a drivehead to the piston stop. The piston stop is threadedly connected to the sample tube with left-handed threads to ensure all other connections remain tight during removal. The sample tube is then driven forward, causing the soil sample to enter the tube and the tip to slide within the tube. The tube is then withdrawn from the soil to recover the sample.