Abstract: A process is disclosed for sampling textile fiber skeins. A fiber skein (2) continuously moved in the longitudinal direction (23) is intermittently brought to a stop within a defined section (4, 28). The profile of the immobilized section (4, 28) of the fiber skein (2) is flattened at least in partial region (24) and the textile analysis is carried out on this temporarily immobilized, flattened partial region (24) of the fiber skein.

Abstract: A displacement detector which supports either the main scale or the grid to move in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the relative movement direction of the spindle, and which has a spring for pushing one of the main scale and grid toward the other, protrusions for maintaining a predetermined clearance between the urged one of the main scale and grid and the other, and a clearance limiting device for limiting a displacement of the urged one of the main scale and grid from the other to a limited clearance distance to prevent a loss of measuring continuity.

Abstract: A sampling device comprising an outer tube and an inner tube that is eccentrically mounted for rotation within the outer tube, the inner and outer tubes being disposed in spaced, parallel relationship so that relative rotation therebetween cuts a sample of bulk material and retains that sample for subsequent removal.

Abstract: To test a closed container having at least one flexible wall area in order to determine a leakage by an increasing of the inner volume of the container and a measuring of a correspondingly caused changed measured value, at least one outer wall area of the container is exposed to a medium having a pressure which is greater than a pressure produced by the increase of the volume of the container if such has no leakage. The increase of the volume can be made by a pneumatic or mechanical application of a force at a flexible wall area. The arrangement is specifically suitable when the wall of the container or its contents strive to self-seal a leakage spot in a wall area.

Abstract: A stainless steel exposure chamber utilizes either a gas cylinder standard or a permeation tube standard to generate the required test atmosphere. The concentrations of the contaminants in the chamber can be varied from lower parts per billion (ppb) to high parts per million (ppm) levels. The system is capable of testing several types of industrial hygiene samplers at the same time, under the same chamber conditions and at different orientations of the samplers. The chamber is also useful for the development and verification of industrial hygiene air-monitoring methods.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for testing the hardness of paper rolls. The apparatus includes a tester that is selectively moveable across a roll of paper. The tester includes an impact anvil which strikes the paper at a selected frequency and which determines the hardness of the paper roll based on forces encountered by the impact anvil. The tester further includes an encoder wheel for identifying relative positions on the paper roll at which each test is performed. The impact anvil and the encoder wheel are operatively connected to a computer which receives signals and calculates hardness at each of the plurality of positions tested. The computer provides output of data on the most recent traversal of a paper roll and on plural sequentially tested rolls to assess trends in the hardness of paper rolls produced by a particular machine.

Abstract: A probe assembly for inspection and/or repair of heat exchanger tubing is provided by a sensor deployed by an elongate flexible sensor support cable and a plurality of bushings forming a flexible coaxial sheath about the sensor support cable. Bushing retainers are secured to the sensor support member to retain spacing between the bushings during forceful deployment and retraction of the assembly.

Abstract: A system for calibrating an internal balance used in the testing of scale models in wind tunnels including a base; apparatus for rigidly connecting a first portion of an internal balance to the base; force adaptor apparatus for rigidly engaging a second portion of the internal balance; apparatus for securing the force adaptor apparatus to the base, including apparatus for applying selected loads to the force adaptor apparatus so as to cause a corresponding loading on the internal balance; and low friction apparatus for coupling the force adaptor apparatus to the apparatus for securing, including apparatus for transmitting a direct force from the apparatus for applying selected loads to the force adaptor apparatus via a load point whose position relative to the force adaptor apparatus is substantially constant.

Abstract: Apparatus for volumetric sampling of a particle-laden gas includes a housing defining a sample chamber, a piston movable in the sample chamber so as to vary the volume of the sample chamber and a drive assembly for moving the piston in the sample chamber. The housing includes an inlet for admitting a particle laden gas into the sample chamber and an outlet for carrying the particle-laden gas from the sample chamber. The piston draws a predetermined volume of the particle-laden gas into the sample chamber through the inlet at a first flow rate during an intake phase, and exhausts the predetermined volume of the particle laden gas from the sample chamber through the outlet for analysis at a second flow rate during an exhaust phase. The outlet of the sample chamber is typically connected to a particle sizing instrument for measuring particles in the particle laden gas. The sample volume and the flow rate during the intake phase can be selected to match the parameters of the device or process being analyzed.

Abstract: An on-line gas chromatographic liquid inject valve which comprises (a) a sampling shaft having a channel defined therein which is reciprocal between a sampling position wherein a liquid stream flows across the shaft and through the channel and an inject position wherein the channel traverses a length of a seal and delivers a liquid sample carried from the liquid stream in the channel to a gas chromatograph for analysis, (b) a fluid-driven piston- or plunger-type arrangement at an outer end of the shaft for causing the sampling shaft to reciprocate between the sampling position and the inject position, (c) a seal around the sampling shaft and between the liquid stream and the gas chromatograph in use of the valve, and (d) a fluid-driven piston having a central opening defined therein in which the sampling shaft reciprocates, and which bears against the seal for placing and maintaining a constant pressure against the seal as the seal wears from frictional contact between the sampling shaft and the seal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for in-situ calibration of distance measuring equipment. The method comprises obtaining a first distance measurement in a first location, then obtaining at least one other distance measurement in at least one other location of a precisely known distance from the first location, and calculating a calibration constant. The method is applied specifically to calculating a calibration constant for obtaining fluid level and embodied in an apparatus using a pressure transducer and a spacer of precisely known length. The calibration constant is used to calculate the depth of a fluid from subsequent single pressure measurements at any submerged position.

Abstract: A gasoline detecting device is provided with a suction nozzle arranged adjacent to an element to be inspected, a sensor for detecting gasoline within the sucked air arranged adjacent to the suction nozzle, and a body arranged in relation spaced from the suction nozzle. The body has a sensor drive unit for driving the sensor and for displaying the detection and a suction unit communicating with the suction nozzle. The gasoline detecting device can detect gasoline leakage from the element to be inspected.

Abstract: A trip controller for a wafer processing system provides for adjustable hysteresis and autocalibration. Adjustable hysteresis implements different trip points for upward pressure changes and downward pressure changes in the wafer processing chamber. Autocalibration is implemented using a digital potentiometer with on-chip storage. The trip controller provides more reliable operation than conventional single trip-point indicators. Yet, the inventive trip controller is readily inserted as a replacement in systems formerly using conventional trip controllers. Further advantages include a single-rail power supply and flexibility to adapt to different systems requiring trip controllers.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the opening pressure of a relief valve has a clamp removably secured to the bonnet of a relief valve. The clamp has four upstanding bolts slidably held in T-shaped slots. The bolts mount the base plate of a frame which carries a lifting cylinder and transducer. The cylinder connects to the relief valve stem and applies a lifting force thereto. The transducer measures the amount of force needed to open the valve. The frame is removable from the clamp which provides access to the relief valve adjustment nut. Adjustments in the relief valve opening pressure can be made without requiring removal of the clamp. A calibration adaptor fits on the frame to allow testing of the transducer in situ.

Abstract: A method and device for testing artificial or natural venous valves. The device comprises (a) a fixture for mounting a sample valve on a liquid flow path, (b) a muscle pump component and/or (o) respiratory pump component and/or (d) capacitance reservoir component and/or (e) vertical hydrostatic column component, all of the components being fluidly connected to the flow path to mimic the muscle pump, respiratory pump, capacitance and hydrostatic impedance effects of actual in situ venous circulation in the mammalian body. The invention includes methods of testing venous valves by mimicking known hemodynamic flow conditions within a mammalian body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-intrusively identifying a property of a fluid in a container or pipe. The method includes propagating, from a transmitter, sonic energy into the fluid in the container; receiving the sonic energy at a reception site after a defined time delay determined by the nature of the fluid in the container; determining the time for the sonic energy to propagate from the transmitter to the reception site; determining the sonic propagation velocity of the sonic energy in the fluid from the determined time and from knowledge of the distance from the transmitter to reception site; determining the temperature of the fluid in the container; and determining the fluid property from the relationship between the sonic propagation velocity in the fluid and temperature. The properties determined may include viscosity and density, and if the fluid is known, pressure. Additionally, if the fluid is unknown, but known to be one of a number of fluids, the identity of the fluid can also be determined.

Abstract: A body ply splice width monitor is provided to sense the leading and trailing edges of a lateral splice in a web of tire body ply material and to produce an indication upon a monitor as to whether such splice satisfies certain dimensional criteria. A first pair of sensors is maintained along one edge of the web, while a second pair of sensors is maintained along the opposite edge. An encoder tracks the movement of the web through the array of sensors and provides output pulses corresponding to finite dimensional lengths of the web. The number of pulses between the sensed leading edge and sensed trailing edge of the splice is used to indicate and determine the total splice width.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing wire and, more specifically, testing the wire thickness and the wire roll of a trolley wire. The apparatus includes a jig assembly connected to a data acquisition system carried by a mobile unit. The jig assembly includes a transducer probe which transmits and receives an ultrasonic signal and an encoder which provides a pulse train corresponding to distance traveled. The ultrasonic signal is transmitted into the trolley wire and a reflected wave is received. The data acquisition system includes an ultrasonic scope, an analog to digital converter, a central processing unit, and a divider circuit. The ultrasonic scope provides a time analog signal based on the time of flight comparison between the transmitted ultrasonic signal and the reflected wave. The time analog signal is converted to a digital signal through an analog to digital converter. A trigger pulse is provided by a divider circuit based on a predetermined number of pulses from the encoder.

Abstract: A mercury leak containment device for removable attachment to an existing natural gas meter valve includes a container having a top opening for enclosing the fittings at which mercury may leak from the gas meter valve, a top cap for closing the top opening of the container when it is installed on an existing gas meter valve to deflect precipitation from entering the container, and a removable support for holding the mercury leak containment device in place with the fittings of the valve which are most likely to leak mercury fully enclosed.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring a physical parameter is described having a frame, at least one support which is resiliently flexible under the influence of a physical parameter and which is integral with the frame, and at least one resonator integral with the support for supplying a signal representative of the physical parameter in response to flection of the support, the sensor also having an abutment and counter abutment limiting the flextion of the support, in particular before it is fixed to the frame. This sensor has applications in the measurement of a physical parameter such as, for example, acceleration.