Abstract: There are disclosed pipette tips having a wettable exterior surface shaped to force liquid that wets it to not fall under the influence of gravity to the terminal surface at which the dispensing aperture is located. For this, the radius R.sub.o of that wettable surface at the terminal surface satisfies the equation (I) R.sub.o <(.sigma./.rho.g).sup.1/2 and the slope of the wettable surface satisfies the equation (II) dz/dr<(.sigma..sup.2 /(.rho.gr.sup.2).sup.2 -1).sup.1/2 where dz/dr is the rate of change in the height per the rate of change of distance from the axis of symmetry of the tip.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the quantity of fiber tufts during flight thereof, having an impact element provided with an impact face arranged in the flow path of the fiber tuft stream and being exposed for collision with the fiber tufts. The impact face is situated at an oblique angle to the flow direction of the fiber tufts. There is further provided a measuring element operatively connected to the impact element for generating signals representing stresses or excursions of the impact element derived from the collision of fiber tufts with the impact face. An electronic evaluating device is connected to the measuring element for receiving signals therefrom.

Abstract: An energy beam position detector including a shape memory alloy wire positioned at a boundary of acceptable beam trajectory. The wire is held under adjustable tension. A contraction detector monitors contraction of the wire. If the beam strays, is misaligned, or spreads and strikes the wire, the contraction detector can actuate a switch to alert personnel, shut off the beam, or can exert a force to enable other remedial action be taken.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing standard gas mixtures which entails purifying a raw gas using a gas purifier (3) such as a known two stage gas purifier system, thereby generating a high-purity diluent gas;mixing the high-purity diluent gas and at least one high-concentration standard gas, by generating a medium-concentration gas mixture;dividing the medium-concentration gas mixture into a first flow and a second flow;selectively mixing the first flow with a sample gas or a high-purity diluent gas or a mixture thereof, thereby obtaining a standard low-concentration gas mixture; andcontrolling the pressure of the sample gas, the second flow of the medium-concentration gas mixture and the standard low concentration gas mixture.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is a machine for feeding, indexing, testing, and storing tubular goods. The machine concentrates on the end segments of the tubular goods. The machine uses the eddy current test method to test the outer surface, the inner surface, and internal and external threads. The tests may be conducted simultaneously and at each end of the pipe. The pipe is spun during the examination so that the sensors of the inner and outer surfaces, when driven, trace a helical pattern on the pipe, and the thread sensor is driven along the thread by the rotational force applied to the pipe being tested.

Abstract: A double seamer; included a chuck and a lifter plate vertically aligned with each other. Seaming rolls are set near the chuck. When a can body wall with a lid is clamped between said chuck and lifter plate, the spring pressure of a resilient member supporting the lifter plate is measured and if the measured value is less than a predetermined value, the can body wall is judged to have been crushed. The seamer is included with a ring cam plate having a high spot and a low spot. The high spot is provided with a load bearing member and a load cell installed underneath the load bearing member such that the spring pressure is measured when a cam roll set at the lower end of a lifter plate support member is in contact with the load bearing member.

Abstract: A hydraulic chuck device for testing the integrity of a ferrule sealed to a tube proximate one end of the tube. The device includes a chuck body having an inlet end with an internal collet engaging surface and a second end. Collets are mounted inside the inlet end of the body. The collet has faces shaped to conform to a ferrule on a tube, and normally urges the collets against the engaging surface of the body. An actuator is connected to a source of fluid, and is mounted in the body. The actuator includes a ferrule seal which is normally in a ferrule engaging position for introducing the fluid to the tube. A handle is provided for inserting a ferrule and tube into the device to allow the collets to engage the ferrule on one side of its seal to the tube and the ferrule seal to engage the ferrule on the other side of its seal to the tube when fluid is introduced into the tube.

Abstract: A sampler apparatus includes a housing which is adapted for mounting on pressurized conveying lines and a remotely mounted control unit. The housing includes a sampling probe which is extended from the housing to enter the conveying line and collect a sample of material flowing in the conveying line and then is retracted into the housing. An auger is provided to clean out the sampling probe when in the retracted position and force the sampled materials into a discharge tube. The control unit controls the timing of the extension and the retraction portion of the operating cycle.

Abstract: A cast virgin TEFLON liner is provided for steel test cylinders used in thermal testing of a sample of drilling mud or additives. The liner has a hollow cylindrical body closed at one end and open at the other. A disc-shaped lid fits inside the open end of the liner and an elastomeric o-ring makes a tight seal between the liner and lid. A threaded hole in the center of the lid is closed with threaded plug. The apparatus includes a threaded metal tool or puller with T-shaped handle, for removing the liner from the test cylinder, and also for removing the lid from the liner. An internal air passageway in the puller from a first opening in the tip end of the puller to a second opening on one side of the shaft allows the lid to be removed from the liner without creating a vaccum in the space between the sample and the lid.

Abstract: A production line manufacturing system and method for building automotive vehicle bodies wherein a succession of workpieces is moved past stationary work stations includes programmable multi-position rotate unit that can be used in each of the work stations to accommodate both changes in workpieces to be processed and tools. The rotate unit comprises a four-position horizontally arranged fixture rotate table including four vertically arranged fixtures removably mounted thereon. A precision locator key on each of the fixtures positions each individual fixture on the rotate table and also serves as a positive fixture stop in the work position. A control for detecting the presence of a vehicle frame to be worked on controls the operation of the carrier and motor drive and cooperates to accurately position a desired fixture adjacent to the work position.

Abstract: An alignment measuring system is used in determining the location of the rotational center line of a long, cylindrical body having a number of support bearings spaced along its length, during the rotation of the body. The method particularly lends itself to the re-alignment of hot kilns, during their operation, without requiring shut down and the consequent disruption and loss of product. The system utilizes a base line or datum on each side of the kiln for locating the measuring instrument. The distance measuring instrument is a radiant beam instrument such as a diode laser providing an electronic readout, to enable accurate determination of the distance of the outer surface of the kiln shell from the instrument, and hence the location of the rotational center relative to the established baseline datum, for the longitudinal station being measured.

Abstract: An optical vibration sensor is automatically calibrated by extracting a beat frequency vibration signal from a vibration signal produced by the optical vibration sensor, computing a resonant frequency of the optical vibration sensor using the beat frequency which has been extracted, and calibrating the optical vibration sensor based on the resonant frequency computed. The calibration method continuously compensates for changes in the resonant frequency due to temperature and mechanical changes of the optical vibration sensor. The optical vibration sensor is physically attached to an end-winding of an electrical generator.

Abstract: The location of the rotational center line of a long, cylindrical body having a number of support bearings spaced along its length, is determined during the rotation of the body. The apparatus used particularly lends itself to the re-alignment of hot kilns, during their operation, without requiring shut down and the consequent disruption and loss of product. The system utilizes a base line or datum on each side of the kiln for locating the measuring instrument. The distance measuring instrument is a radiant beam instrument such as a diode laser providing an electronic readout, to enable accurate determination of the distance of the outer surface of the kiln shell from the instrument, and hence the location of the rotational center relative to the established baseline datum, for the longitudinal station being measured.

Abstract: An atomic force microscope includes a tip mounted on a micromachined cantilever. As the tip scans a surface to be investigated, interatomic forces between the tip and the surface induce displacement of the tip. A laser beam is transmitted to and reflected from the cantilever for measuring the cantilever orientation. In a preferred embodiment the laser beam has an elliptical shape. The reflected laser beam is detected with a position-sensitive detector, preferably a bicell. The output of the bicell is provided to a computer for processing of the data for providing a topographical image of the surface with atomic resolution.

Abstract: An intra-tube traveling apparatus includes a moving unit to which an endoscope is held and which is self-driven to travel in a pipe path, and a movement control section for controlling movement of the moving unit. The moving unit includes an elastic actuator which is extended/contracted in the radial direction and axial directions of the pipe path upon reception of the pressurized fluid, balloons attached to the front and rear ends of the elastic actuator. Each of the balloons is radially expanded/deformed upon reception of the pressurized fluid therein to be locked to the inner surface of the pipe path.

Abstract: A height sensor (20) of a height regulating device of an air spring suspension system of a vehicle is calibrated by using the air spring bellows (16) as jacks while the height regulation by the control device (44) is disabled. A dialog is set up between a test device (50) connected by an interface (52) with the control device (44), whereby the test device (50) takes over the control of the air supply to and from the air spring bellows (16) and the height of the vehicle body (10) is brought to a desired null height. The output (h.sub.n) of the sensor (20) is then stored in a non-volatile memory and is used as a reference height (h.sub.o) for the height regulation.

Abstract: A force balanced instrument, such as an accelerometer, employs a pendulous mass having combined electrostatic pickoff and forcing plates on opposite sides thereof. The plates provide a constant attractive force in successive periods acting alternatively on opposing sides of the sensitive element. Force balance is achieved by controlling the duty cycle so that the difference in duration between each of the parts of a full cycle is a linear measure of acceleration. Voltage on each of the forcing plates is sensed independently immediately after each is charged with a fixed charging pulse which provides a fixed force level over the duration of the part cycle. The two successive voltage samples are stored, and the difference between them integrated to control the duty cycle of a pulse width modulator, which itself controls the duration of application of the alternately directed forces applied by the respective plates to the pendulous mass.

Abstract: A monitoring tank for fish used as biological sensors wherein water being monitored for quality and toxins continuously flows. Extraneous noise is mostly eliminated by suitable grounding. Aluminum racks with slide guides support the multiple monitorin tanks for each access to the monitoring tanks. The water is discharged from the monitoring tanks into drain trays located under the aluminum racks.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for measuring the presence of a volatile constituent of a sample of ground water or soil mixed with water. In an embodiment of the apparatus, a valve system is provided, and has a plurality of branches. A recloseable and collapsible bag, preferably of the polyethylene freezer bag type, is provided for receiving the sample. The bag has a hole in a wall thereof, preferably near the top ofthe bag. A first of the branches of the valve system is air-tight coupled to the bag via the hole. A detector of the volatile constituent is coupleable to a second of the branches of the valve system. The valve system is operative, in one position thereof, to close off the first branch so as to isolate the bag, and in another position thereof, to couple the first and second branches so that the detector can communicate with the bag.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system which is useful on instruments requiring experimentally determined calibration curves by which calibration data can be transferred to a plurality of field gauges, thereby avoiding the necessity of individually calibrating each gauge each time calibration is necessary. The field gauges are initially cross related to a master gauge. At a later time when a new calibration is necessary, the master gauge is calibrated using carefully prepared samples of a test material. Using the experimentally derived calibration curves with the cross relation data provides calibration data for the field gauges.