Abstract: A battery-powered gas detector comprises a gas sensor coupled to a current source and a power supply. The power supply generates a relatively high voltage when the gas sensor is warming up and a relatively low voltage after the sensor has warmed up. The gas sensor, which is responsive to the presence of a gas, is coupled to an amplifier having a variable sensitivity circuit. The amplifier is connected to a microprocessor that determines the concentration of the sensed gas and provides a visual indication of the concentration on a display. The gas detector can sense the presence of a variety of different gases. The gas concentration of the sensed gas is determined based upon the magnitudes of a gas sensing signal generated by the amplifier, a calibration signal generated during a calibration routine when the detector is in a controlled environment, and an error signal generated when the detector is in a no-gas environment.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for utilization of fuels with alcohol additives for an internal combustion engine in which during the heating of a sample quantity of a fuel mixture of a conventional fuel and alcohol there is a delay in the temperature increase in the region of the boiling point of the alcohol, due to its heat of vaporization. The apparatus (a) detects this temperature region, which characterizes the type of alcohol in the mixture, and (b) determines the extend of the delay in the temperature increase which characterizes the percent admixture of the alcohol in the fuel mixture. The measurement values obtained during the vaporization are utilized to produce a correction signal in a control device to effect a change in the air-fuel ratio in the fuel mixture former of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A non-dispersive infrared gas analyzer especially adapted for measuring the concentrations of HC, CO and CO.sub.2 in a vehicle exhaust includes a sample chamber for holding a sample gas, a radiation emitter for directing a beam through the chamber and a detector for indicating the amount of radiation absorbed. A plurality of filters each of which transmit radiation at an absorption band of a gas component to be detected are alternatingly positioned in the radiation path to produce a time-multiplexed signal having concentration information for all gases. The time-multiplexed detector output is corrected for gain and offset errors "on-the-fly", without requiring demultiplexing, through the use of an analog multiplier circuit. The correction factors are themselves determined without demultiplexing the detector output signal.

Abstract: A device for use on a well pumping unit. The device provides for real time measurement and recording of acceleration of a polished rod resulting from the oscillating linear motion induced by the rotating motion of the pumping unit crank. The device includes accelerometers with adequate sensitivity to allow response to both slow and fast changes in acceleration using earth's gravity as the reference point. Further, the device includes a load measuring apparatus for measuring the loads resulting at the polished rod from the weight of the subsurface coupled rod string and pumped fluids. The load measuring apparatus includes a cylindrical steel spool on which four two-element rosette strain gauges are cemented. Circuit intelligence identifies the load cell for proper calibration reference and records the real time load and acceleration data and transfers the data to a non-volatile data storage card for analysis on an external computer without the necessity of long transfer cables.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to determine the sharpness of a curved surgical needle point by a measurement of the perpendicular forces required to push the needle point through a supported membrane at a given rate of penetration. The apparatus includes a needle penetration fixture having a needle penetrable membrane, a load cell, and related control and recordation instrumentation. According to the method a needle is mounted on a rotatable fixture and first precisely aligned. Thereafter, the fixture is rotated so as to cause the needle to penetrate the membrane whereby the force necessary to penetrate the membrane force being recorded by recordation instrumentation and the process being controlled by control instrumentation.

Abstract: A device for testing soil samples is comprised of a closed container having an interior compartment with upper and lower portions. A valve is provided for introducing into the closed container a liquid having the general properties of butane, and a second valve is provided in the container for allowing gas in the closed container to exit therefrom. A soil sample filter container is suspended within the container above the bottom portion thereof. A condensation element is mounted in the closed container and positioned above the filter container to cause gas evaporating from the liquid in the container to liquefy as condensate on the condensation element, whereupon the condensate drips into the filter container and leaches through a soil sample therein, and then collects as a liquid in the bottom portion of the closed container. This permits a hydrocarbon residue to be left in the bottom portion of the container after the outlet valve has been opened to permit the liquid to evaporate.

Abstract: A thermally-releasable-sample collecting device is provided comprising a pistol-shaped casing, a blunt ended probe in the front end of the casing barrel, an adsorber tube locating collar in a rear end of the casing barrel, and an adsorber tube slidably located in the collar and having an open ended, sample adsorber end portion in a central portion of a gas passage extending through the probe. The adsorber tube has a closed rear end and gas ports which are located by a spring loaded plunger in a first position for drawing air through the probe into the adsorber tube, and a second position where carrier gas passes along the adsorber tube, to entrain thermally released sample, while the sample adsorber end portion is protruding from the probe into the heated entry of an analyzer.

Abstract: A heated liquid sampling probe for an automated sampling apparatus includes a sampling tube for drawing up a volume of liquid. The tube is connectable to an automated sampling apparatus including a chassis. A capacitance exists between the sampling tube and the chassis. An electrical heater is arranged for heating the tube and a volume of liquid contained therein. The electrical heater increases the capacitance between the tube and the chassis. A capacitance lowering mechanism is provided for lowering the increase in capacitance due to the heater.

Abstract: A flexible, hose-like delivery system for positioning and rotatably supporting a probe which may be a pancake-type eddy current probe at a desired position along the longitudinal axis of a small-diametered conduit such as the heat exchanger tube in a nuclear steam generator is disclosed. The system comprises a flexible inner shaft formed from a plurality of short segments of Bowden shafting which is connected to a drive train located remotely from the interior of the heat exchanger tube, a flexible outer housing preferably formed from a plastic conduit concentrically disposed around the inner shaft, and a plurality of ball bearing assemblies which interconnect the short shaft segments for minimizing the frictional engagement between the inner shaft and the interior walls of the flexible outer housing.

Abstract: A pipetter capable of mixing liquids and dispensing the mixed liquid has a pipetting tube, an actuating device connected to the tube for sucking liquid into and discharging liquid from the tube, and a flow disturbance device in the tube spaced from the discharge and suction end thereof and adapted to cause longitudinal mixing of liquid in the tube when liquid is moved along the tube in at least one direction. Mixing is effected in the tube by causing a liquid body to move repeatedly to and fro along the tube so that during each such movement at least a portion of the liquid body passes the flow disturbance device and the liquid body is not discharged from the first end of the tube. The pipetter is useful for example in mixing a suspension of blood cells with a reagent prior to analysis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method or apparatus by which comparatively low-voltage electric wires and cables laid at power stations and other locations can be diagnosed for deterioration of their polymer-insulation in a non-destructive way. The method or apparatus comprises applying a torsional force to the electric wire or cable, detecting the resulting repulsion as a torque, and estimating the degree of deterioration of the polymer-insulation in the electric wire or cable on the basis of the detected value of torque.

Abstract: A device for testing the loading of a test pile extending downwardly into the ground. The device includes a reaction pile axially disposed inside the test pile and a reference pile axially disposed inside the reaction pile. The reaction pile extends further into the ground than the test pile and the reference pile extends further into the ground than the reaction pile. A loading device simultaneously exerts a downward force on the test pile and an upward reaction force on the reaction pile such that the test pile moves downwardly, and a laser distance measurement system, attached to the test pile and extending axially therewith, also moves downwardly. The laser distance measurement system resides in a test chamber defined by a shroud circumscribing the test device and secured to the top of the test pile so as to move downwardly therewith.

Abstract: A hair nature measuring instrument comprises a hair catching portion, a rotational handle portion for rotating the hair catching portion, a rotation transmitting element having a restoring resilient force and interconnecting the hair catching portion and the rotational handle portion, and a grip portion for loosely circumscribing the rotation transmitting element. The nature of hair (hardness) is measured based on a correlation between the amount of rotation of the rotational handle portion and the amount of rotation of the hair catching portion when the hair catching portion already catching hair is rotated by the rotational handle portion.

Abstract: Positioning apparatus for presenting a sample for electromagnetic analysis comprises a flexible, resilient, generally cylindrical, open-ended inner sleeve member having a lengthwise through slit, such that the effective diameter thereof is adjustable over a predetermined range in response to radially inward compression thereof. An elongate constricting assembly surroundingly engages and selectively applies radially inward compression to the inner sleeve member. The constricting assembly comprises a pair of generally rigid, cylindrical axially spaced gripping members and a plurality of resilient, helical members coupled intermediate the gripping members. The helical members are responsive to relative rotation of the gripping members in a first direction for applying radially inward compression to the inner sleeve member, and responsive to relative rotation of the gripping members in an opposite direction for releasing radially inward compression on the inner sleeve member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic defect detection and correction system for a tape-mounted electronic components assembly which allows detection and correction of various types of defects in the production of a tape-mounted electronic components assembly without interrupting operation of a taping machine. A storing section allows storage of a length of tape coming out of the taping machine. A defect detecting section detects various types of defects of the tape coming out of the storing section. A defect correcting section enables correction of detected defects, and a take-up section winds the corrected tape on a reel. The tape coming out of the taping machine is continually wound between a fixed shaft and a movable shaft in the storing section and is thus temporarily stored in a specified length. When the tape leaves the storing section for the defect detecting section and the defect correction section, the movable shaft approaches the fixed shaft, forwarding the temporarily stored tape.

Abstract: A vehicle emissions test shed is able to accommodate internal pressure changes due to temperature changes or other causes during a test cycle, which would otherwise cause a measurement threatening air exchange. The pressure is kept constant, without changing the shed volume and without withdrawing air and fuel vapor from within the shed. Airtight compensation bladders within the shed are inflated or exhausted in response to a sensed incipient pressure drop or rise. The pressure is automatically kept substantially constant, preventing leaks in or out of the shed.

Abstract: A device for measuring at least one characteristic of a fluid is provided. The device comprises a measuring channel which is designed for conducting fluid flow therethrough and which is defined by a wall and a substrate. An inlet orifice and an outlet orifice are provided for conducting fluid into and out of the measuring channel and at least one sensor is located adjacent the measuring channel for measuring the characteristic of the fluid. The wall has outer portions, which are sealing adhered to the substrate, and upwardly bent portions, which partially define the measuring channel. The outer portions and the upwardly bent portions are of substantially the same thickness. The wall is preferably made of a synthetic resin, glass, ceramic, silicon nitride, silicon monoxide, silicon dioxide, or combination of these materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the gamma radiation levels of drilling mud expelled from an oil and gas bore hole to determine the composition of the earth at the bottom of the bore hole and, when used in conjunction with a Measurement While Drilling gamma radiation detector, to determine the time and location of bore hole cavings. A first gamma radiation detector measures the gamma radiation level of the drilling mud with the bore hole entrained material, and a second gamma radiation detector measures the gamma radiation of the drilling mud without the entrained material. The difference between the two measurements is lagged to the time between the detectors and the bore hole bottom.

Abstract: A method for non-destructive evaluation of a conduit, gallery or similar structure as shown which involves mechanical tests using an apparatus for applying forces to the walls of the structure in one or two opposite directions and measuring the displacement and or deformation resulting from the application of the forces. The applied forces and the displacements are measured, received, processed and stored in memory for further processing analysis and diagnosis to determine the condition of the structure over the length evaluated. A suitable expert computer system is utilized to establish the overall condition of the structure and classify the structure into zones of risk for maintenance and or repair.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning and holding an individual in a prescription posture followed by a determination of the surface contour of the posterior trunk. The positioning utilizes an array of adjustable pads arranged in rows. The shape sensing is accomplished by tracing a transverse cross-section of the posterior half of the trunk, at serial increments along the vertical axis of the trunk. The tracing is based on angular orientation, linear displacement and vertical elevation of a sensor mounted on a radial arm.