Abstract: A magnetic disk inspection apparatus for inspecting protuberance on a surface of the magnetic disk. The apparatus includes an inspection head detecting the protuberance by a piezosensor, and rotating speed control circuit controlling a rotating speed of the magnetic disk held by a rotary holder member. The rotating speed control circuit generates a different speed increasing rate for each of concentric zones formed by dividing into a plurality of sections in a radial direction of the magnetic disk to keep a floating height of the inspection head in a predetermined constant value.

Abstract: A rotor identification system uses the windage of a rotor to produce a signal representative of rotor identity. For a low windage rotor the actual velocity at a predetermined measurement time is used to generate the rotor identity signal. For a high windage rotor the time needed to reach a predetermined measurement velocity is used to generate the rotor identity signal. A selector determines initially whether the rotor is within the low windage or the high windage regime.

Abstract: A sample handling apparatus includes a furnace which atomizes elements to be tested in a sample. A matrix modifier is added to the furnace. A quantity of the sample is subsequently added to the furnace. An additional quantity of the matrix modifier is then added into the furnace. The furnace is heated to atomization temperature to permit analysis of the sample to be tested.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aiming an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed. A tubular member having an axial bore with the transducer extending therein has an upper section, and a lower section with a threaded outer surface and an inner receiving surface. A ferrule assembly includes a compression nut mating with the threaded surface, and a ferrule biased by the compression nut against the receiving surface to form a waterproof seal with the transducer. A collar having a first annular section is detachably mounted coaxially on the tubular member. The first annular section extending to a second annular section having cut-outs suitable for providing access to manipulate the compression nut. The second annular section extending to a third annular section having a positioning members facing a section of the transducer extending from the tubular member.

Abstract: A print verification method and apparatus verifies the integrity of information printed on a document. The information to be verified is printed on a document in a first color. Desired information is printed on the document in a second color which is different from the first color. The desired information is printed directly above the information printed in the first color. It is detected whether any of the information printed in the first color is exposed following printing of the desired information in the second color. If any of the information printed in the first color is detected to be exposed, an indication is made that improper printing has occurred. If, however, no information printed in the first color is exposed following printing of the desired information in the second color, it is verified that proper printing has occurred.

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 ramp to an open cylindrical container provided with a centrally pivoting rotatable drum. The drum is provided with an indentation configured to receive only one of the objects at a time. The drum is rotatably disposed in the open cylinder about a central pivot to rotatably move the indentation between a first position of the open cylinder at the foot of the walled ramp and a second position of the open cylinder. At the second position, the open cylinder is provided with a drop tube. At the second position, the received object drops into the drop tube and thence into a supply tube that communicates at one of its ends to gravity feed the object to the proximal location where the object is to be utilized.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for on-line analysis of multiple stream processes wherein each stream has an influent delivered to a treatment zone and an effluent discharged from such zone and wherein both the influent and effluent are analyzed and the analyses compared for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment.

Abstract: An improved fluid mixing device comprising a mixing chamber having end walls and a cylindrical side wall. A first fluid conduit joins the mixing chamber at a first port formed in the first end. A second fluid conduit joins the mixing chamber at a second port formed in the side wall. A second fluid conduit is angled with respect to the mixing chamber to direct fluid flow from the conduit through the second port generally along the wall of the mixing chamber to create a rapid vortexing action. A third conduit joins the mixing chamber at a third port in the second end. A fourth conduit intersects the third conduit, the center lines of the third and fourth conduits offset at the area of intersection.

Abstract: An ultrasonic position sensing apparatus for detecting open, closed and intermediate positions of a valve element movably mounted in a valve housing includes an ultrasonic target fixedly attached to the valve and having an echo surface which provides a travel time difference for a returning echo, depending on the position of the valve element. An ultrasonic transducer coupled to an outer surface of the valve housing transmits an ultrasonic pulse towards the target thereby generating the echo by striking the target; a monitor means connected to the ultrasonic transducer correlates valve position to the travel time of the returning echo.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring the particle number rate and the particle velocity distribution of a sprayed stream such as, a shot peening system. In particular, a double spinning disk apparatus modified with a stationary aperture and a scanning aperture is used to scan the spayed stream and observe the stream's local properties.

Abstract: This invention is an atomic force microscope having a digitally calculated feedback system which can perform force spectroscopy on a sample in order to map out the local stiffness of the sample in addition to providing the topography of the sample. It consists of a three-dimensional piezoelectric scanner, scanning either the sample or a force sensor. The force sensor is a contact type with a tip mounted on a cantilever and a sensor to detect the deflection of the lever at the tip. The signal from the sensor goes to an A-D convertor and is then processed by high-speed digital electronics to control the vertical motion of the sample or sensor. In operation, the digital electronics raise and lower the piezoelectric scanner during the scan to increase and decrease the force of the tip on the sample and to use the sensor signal to indicate the change in height of the tip to measure the which is the spring constant of the sample. This constant can be determined with nanometer spatial resolution.

Abstract: A testing apparatus is described that enables both single and double-ended tubular members to be tested under pressure and at elevated temperatures. For double-ended tubular members, the apparatus comprises first and second pressure seals at either end of the tubular member under test, both seals including annular compliant members that bear upon the internal surface of the tubular member. A heater is positioned within the tubular member and one of the pressure seals has an orifice through which the heater is connected to a power source. Pressurization occurs through an orifice in the other pressure seal and cooling apparatus surrounds the first and second ends of the tubular member to cool the pressure seals, thereby enabling the annular compliant members to retain their compliancy when the tubular member is heated to test temperature. For single-ended tubular members, a single pressure seal is used having pathways for both electrical and pressurization connections to the interior of the tubular member.

Abstract: The light output of a multi-lamp lightfastness testing chamber defining a sample testing area in the chamber may be performed by sequentially turning on and off each lamp by itself, while measuring from the sample testing area the irradiation provided by each lamp, while adjusting the intensity of irradiation for each lamp to a desired level. Thereafter, individual lamp sensors (56) sense the light intensity of each individual lamp. Typically by a feedback circuit, the power to each lamp is adjusted so that the sensed light intensity of each lamp is maintained within predetermined limits corresponding to the irradiation level measured from the sample testing area.

Abstract: A method for testing vapor recovery units having phase II capabilities for integrity, blockage, or both is disclosed. The vapor recovery unit is modified for vacuum testing. To test the integrity of the unit, a vacuum is drawn in the unit to a predetermined level whereupon it is monitored for decay over a predetermined period of time to ascertain whether the unit is leaking. To test for blockage, a vacuum is continuously drawn in the unit while the lines associated with the phase II capabilities are disconnected from the dispensing station at the point most proximal to the station. Flow of fluid induced by the vacuum is then measured and compared to the desired rate of flow to ascertain the extent of blockage, if any.

Abstract: Without disassembling a valve stem from a valve, the valve is decoupled from a valve actuator such that the valve stem and attached valve disc or body may shift to and from a seated position without interference by the actuator. Known loads are applied to the decoupled valve stem to cause a strain gauge output which corresponds to the known load. The strain gauge is mounted to the valve stem or other force reactive components of the valve which react by changing in dimension in response to the applied known load. The relationship of the applied load to the strain gauge output is determined to thereby calibrate the valve stem. The load is removed and the valve stem is recoupled to the valve actuator for operation. From the strain gauge output during either or both static and dynamic operation of the valve, the thrust on the valve stem is directly obtained and is used to evaluate the performance of the valve and actuator.

Abstract: A sampler device for supporting glass slides under water for the collection of plant and animal samples. The device comprises a frame having a top member, a bottom member, and left and right side members. The top and bottom members have a plurality of vertically aligned slots therein for receiving and holding the edges of a plurality of glass slides. A guard is pivotally mounted to the frame, and movable between a closed position, in which portions of the guard overlap the ends of the slots in the top and bottom members of the frame, thereby securing the slides in the frame, and an open position in which the guard does not overlap the ends of the slots so that slides can be inserted into and removed from the slots. A lock is provided to retain the guard in its closed position. A mounting bolt extends through the top and bottom of the frame. The bolt includes attaching means above and below the frame for attaching lines to the bolt for securing the sampler device.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of individual solutes in a body of liquid, e.g., measuring contaminants in waste water. A sparging IR process is used, in which gas in the form of minute bubbles moves upwardly in a non-flowing body of liquid. The gas remove vaporized samples of the subject solutes and flows to a gas cell, where it is subjected to infrared spectrometer analysis. The true concentration of each subject solute is measured by plotting its concentration values against elapsed time, and then extrapolating back to time zero to determine the initial concentration of the solute. In addition, the rate of depletion is used to determine the ratio of vapor pressure to solubility of the solute. Replotting the original data using logarithm values can simplify the extrapolation.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method and a suitable apparatus 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. A storage tape (1) for samples and data is contacted with a sample storing head (2) and a data recording head (3) when storing. During readout the tape is contacted with a sample taking head (4) of an analyzing instrument (14) and a sample data reading head (5). 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: An automatic sampling apparatus is constructed to use bang-bang fluid driven actuators whose control system is modified to permit accurate positioning over its range of motion. The actuators are positioned to aspirate liquid contents held within stoppered sample containers and equilibrate pressure in the sample containers to atmospheric prior to aspiration.

Abstract: A flexible automatic test facility for measuring physical parameters of smoking articles and components of smoking articles, e.g., filter portions. The test facility includes a microprocessor based controller device, apparatus for severing the filter portion from the article, a plurality of instruments for performing the desired measurements and a computer-controlled robot for gripping and maneuvering one cigarette at a time to one or more of the instruments or severing apparatus to measure one or more physical characteristics of each article or its components in accordance with software instructions. A hopper feeder device containing a plurality of sample sets in separate bins in an indexing mechanism may be provided for extended unattended operation. Each sample set is provided with a code and a database including the nominal physical characteristics of the samples in the set and the test sequence for the cigarettes in the sample set.