Abstract: A borehole tool has a source probe in fluid contact with the borehole wall, a fluid flow line for bringing fluids to and from the source probe, two injection fluid chambers containing clean oil and clean water and in fluid contact with the fluid flow line, at least one sample chamber for receiving fluid from the formation, valves for selectively routing the formation fluids and the clean oil and water through the fluid flow line, at least one pressure controller for controlling whether fluid is to be injected or withdrawn from the formation via the source probe, and a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure seen at the source probe. Permeability measurements are made by sequentially injecting one clean fluid into the formation, followed by a cleaning of the line with the other fluid which was not injected, followed by the injection of the other fluid into the formation. The order in which the oil and water are injected is based on the type of mud used for drilling.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for calibrating a suspension control module of a vehicle to within a preselected tolerance of a predetermined ride height, the vehicle having at least one adjustable suspension unit interposed between the sprung and unsprung vehicle mass. The apparatus includes a first device for measuring a first distance corresponding to an actual ride height of a vehicle and for generating a first signal representative thereof and a second device for measuring a second distance between the vehicle sprung and unsprung mass and for generating a second signal representative thereof. The apparatus also includes a processor operatively associated with the first and second measuring devices for comparing the first and second signals and calculating a deviation between the signals, the processor being operative to generate a third signal corresponding to the deviation and store this deviation in the suspension control module.

Abstract: A process for compensating systematic errors of an acceleration sensor. The result of a sliding average of the output of the accelerometer, determined when acceleration in the primary measurement direction is zero, is subtracted from the output of the accelerometer thus producing a signal representative of acceleration only in the primary direction. A functional check of the accelerometer is provided by aligning the accelerometer in a second direction and comparing the acceleration measured in this second direction to the acceleration measured in the primary direction by a second device for determining acceleration and indicating a malfunction when the two measured accelerations are different and it is determined that acceleration only in the primary direction is present.

Abstract: A leak detection system having a tank with a tank bottom and a containment baffle disposed above the tank bottom defining a containment space therebetween. The containment baffle supports a stored material within the tank. An inert gas supply is connected to the containment space for passing an inert gas into the containment space. An inert gas flow sensor is interactive with the inert gas supply so as to sense the flow of inert gas into the containment space. An alarm is connected to the inert gas flow sensor so as to produce a humanly perceivable signal in relation to gas flow above a predetermined limit. A leak detector is also provided interactive with the containment space for detecting and sending signals in relation to the presence of materials within the containment space. A pressure regulator is interactive with the inert gas supply so as to limit the pressure of inert gas within the containment space.

Abstract: An elongate bracket for temporarily fixing a sensor in a predetermined position is disclosed wherein the sensor includes a first member telescopically slidable within a second member. The bracket includes a projecting member at one end of the bracket which fits into an aperture in the first member and a tab at the opposite end of the bracket which contacts the second member of the sensor. The bracket includes a mechanism responsive to a beam stress imposed upon the bracket when the bracket is fixed to the sensor so that upon either an extension or retraction of the first member relative to the second member, the beam stress causes the bracket to be forced away from the sensor to permit relative movement between the first and second members of the sensor.

Abstract: A sample-taking device for a storage tank able to take samples from the stored liquid at any depth out of the tank through a sample inlet sustained on a float holder able to be moved up and down in the stored liquid by means of a holder moving device operated by a windable handle rotating a gear unit for pulling a rope in the holder moving device.

Abstract: A phase adjustment circuit for use in an ultrasonic apparatus which respectively time-adjusts a plurality of received signals from an ultrasonic transducer array and sets wave fronts of the reflected waves from particular positions into an in-phase state and adds the in-phase signals, thereby obtaining a received beam. The received signals are mixed with phase-controlled reference signals. The low frequency component of the mixed wave is sequentially sampled and stored in a memory which is controlled by a clock signal of a predetermined period, and thereafter, the stored sampled signals are read out. Most of the necessary time adjustment results from the difference between the writing time and the reading time. The remaining micro time adjustment is performed by phase control of the reference signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the residence time of food particles in a continuous flow process utilizing simulated food particles, each including a transponder having a predetermined identifying signal, to be subjected to the process along with the actual food particles. The method and apparatus relates to a continuous pasta cooking process in which a transponder in a simulated product emits an identifying signal received at various stations along the process to indicate the time of passage between the stations.

Abstract: A gas leak detection system comprises a flow sensor for detecting the amount of gas flowing through a gas flow passage, a flow signal generator for producing a flow signal representing the quantity of gas flow detected by the flow sensor, a pressure sensor installed in the gas flow passage at a point upstream of the flow sensor for detecting the gas pressure in the gas flow passage, a pressure signal generator for producing a pressure signal representing fluctuations in the pressure detected by the pressure sensor and a computing device electrically connected with the flow signal generator and the pressure signal generator. When it is found that no flow signal is being produced, the pressure fluctuation is compared with a prescribed pressure fluctuation range and a leak signal is produced when the pressure fluctuation value falls within the prescribed range.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a flow tester for thermoplastic which uses an extrusion type plastometer including a vertically supported cylinder, a piston on which a weight is mounted at an upper portion thereof and which is inserted in the cylinder, a die mounted on a lower end of the cylinder, and a heater provided to surround the cylinder, characterized in that a sample of a thermoplastic is filled in the cylinder and is heated by the heater to melt, the molten sample is extruded from the die by the piston, a strand as an extruded material is cut, and a mass thereof is obtained, thereby testing a flow characteristic of the thermoplastic, characterized by including a strand bottle which has a cutting edge for cutting the strand and which catches the strand cut by the cutting edge, a strand bottle stocker for storing the strand bottle before and after use, a weight measuring unit for measuring a weight of the cut strand together with the strand bottle, a strand cutting unit for moving

Abstract: A counterflow valve for switching between flowing gas streams without undesirable interaction of the gas with any dead volume area or non-metallic surfaces or both, which valve contains a four-way double ported ball valve having a first and second input and a first and second output, first and second inlet duct, a back pressure regulator, adjustable flow control orifice and a valve outlet duct.

Abstract: An efficient sample introduction system and method of use, for accepting liquid sample solutions, nebulizing them to form nebulized sample solution droplets, and introducing the nebulized sample solution droplets to sample analysis systems is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment desolvation of produced nebulized sample solution droplets, and solvent removal, to provide nebulized sample particles is performed prior to entering sample to a sample analysis system. Nebulization of sample solutions is accomplished by use of high efficiency ultrasonic nebulizers and solvent removal is accomplished by use of high efficiency enclosed filter and solvent vapor removal gas flow or low temperature condenser systems. The sample introduction system provides improved sample solution nebulization, desolvation and solvent removal, as well as reduced sample loss and carry-over of sample from one analysis procedure to a subsequent analysis procedure, as compared to other systems which perform a similar overall function.

Abstract: A system for measuring components of an ambient fluid such as air. A syringe includes an intake fitting which provides sealed fluid coupling to a chromatographic intake tube. The syringe includes exhaust ports near the intake end of the syringe. The ports exhaust fluid in the cylinder directly into the atmosphere without passing the exhaust fluid through the indicator tube. The exhaust ports are shaped and located to be sealed by the thumb and forefinger of an operator's hand. In operation, the operator covers the exhaust ports on the syringe with his fingers. He then pulls the plunger to draw fluid into the syringe. He then withdraws his fingers to open the vent holes and expells fluid through the vent holes by depressing the plunger. These steps are repeated until a preselected volume of fluid has been drawn syringe-ward through the analysis tube. The tube is then observed.

Abstract: An atomic probe microscope comprises a cantilever which includes a lever section provided with a probe, a lever attaching section for supporting the lever section, and a positioning striking section formed at the lever attaching section. A cantilever unit comprises a seat for supporting the cantilever and provided with a face against which the positioning striking section is received.

Abstract: A calibrating device for use with centrifugal, pendulum or other types of broadcast spreaders which distribute dry granular materials to be soil for agricultural purposes is described. The device provides containment of granular materials while the spreader operates without hindrance over a predetermined distance. The invention permits the rapid and efficient calibration of broadcast spreaders and thus ensures that optimal application rates of agricultural materials will be delivered with attendant cost savings and other operational advantages.

Abstract: A process variable transmitter which has a manual adjustment for span and zero or the like. The adjustment has a finer adjustment range where the output changes responsive to changes in the position of the adjustment. The adjustment has a coarse range where the transmitter output changes automatically as a function of time to provide coarser adjustment. An operator can move the back and forth between the adjustment ranges until a desired output value is observed. When adjustment is complete, the operator can manually select the desired transmitter output value and then a selection circuit stores the setting in non-volatile memory. After a setting is stored, the transmitter output is not sensitive to movement of the manual adjustment, but is instead controlled by the stored setting.

Abstract: A device and method for counting particles on a sample surface. The device includes a scanner having a surface for interfacing with the sample surface. The scanner is connected to one end of a tube which has two canals. The other end of the tube is connected to the particle counter. One of the tube canals supplies air from the particle counter through holes in the scanner surface for dislodging and fluidizing particles on the sample surface. The other tube canal returns air with the sample surface particles to the particle counter. After the particles are counted they are removed from the air stream by a filter. The air is then recycled back through the supply canal of the tube to facilitate additional particle counting. The method for using the device involves passing the scanner over the sample surface for predetermined periods, and collecting, counting and computing the average relative number of particles per unit area.

Abstract: An electrochemical analysis system includes a plurality of flow through analysis chambers and a valve connected in series between the outlet port of one analysis chamber and the inlet port of a second analysis chamber and has a first position connecting the two analysis chambers in series for flow of a sample to be analyzed therethrough and a second position in which the two analysis chambers are connected to separate sources of calibrating fluids. The valve includes a housing member with a recess in which a valve spool member is disposed. The spool member includes an array of ports in its cylindrical surface, two ports being interconnected by a through passage, and other ports being separately connected to individual sources of calibrating fluids.

Abstract: A calibration system includes a transducer 36 positioned proximate to a physical disturbance monitoring system sensor 20. A test signal generator 34 causes the transducer 36 to produce an acoustic signal simulating a physical disturbance proximate to the sensor 20. The output of the sensor 20 responsive to the acoustics simulation signal may be compared to a predetermined reference signal to verify the calibration of the sensor 20.

Abstract: Systems and methods for simulating electromagnetic environments to be encountered by a moving object such as a missile are disclosed. The systems include compact ranges in "hardware in the loop" ("HIL") simulations as projection systems to provide cost- and space-efficient apparatus and processes for testing the performance of missiles and other objects. The systems disclosed may include mobile or stationary compact ranges and may use lenses or reflectors in connection with an array of one or more feed horns to convert spherical or "near field" wavefronts to plane waves within designated "quiet zones." If mobile ranges are employed, such ranges may be mounted on the flight tables used for repositioning the missile seekers during the simulations. Also disclosed are apparatus and processes for varying the amplitude and phase characteristics of the energy provided to an array of two or more feed horns in order to vary the apparent angle of received electromagnetic energy at electronic speeds.