Abstract: A method of performing biorheological measurements on a suspension (4) of cells by causing some of the cells to pass through one or more microsize tunnels (3) in a solid medium (1, 2) under a pressure difference between the tunnel ends and monitoring (6) their passage through the tunnel or tunnels, characterized in that the pressure difference is monitored to produce a signal which is recorded or is utilized to provide feedback to regulate the biorheological measurements. Apparatus for performing this method may have such a pressure feedback control, or may have tunnels with at least partly transparent walls for transmitting optical information to a detector for the biorheological measurements.

Abstract: The detection of thickness variations in sheet material, more specifically the presence or absence of labels on a moving web, is accomplished by providing two spaced apart nozzles, an entry for pressurized fluid, first and second conduits to connect the entry and the nozzles, and a differential pressure sensing element connected between the conduits so as to detect a mismatch between the fluid pressures in the two conduits.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus as disclosed for measuring the permeability of multiple phases through a rock fracture. The improvement in the method comprises delivering the respective phases through manifolds to uniformly deliver and collect the respective phases to and from opposite edges of the rock fracture in a distributed manner across the edge of the fracture. The improved apparatus comprises first and second manifolds comprising bores extending within porous blocks parallel to the rock fracture for distributing and collecting the wetting phase to and from surfaces of the porous blocks, which respectively face the opposite edges of the rock fracture. The improved apparatus further comprises other manifolds in the form of plenums located adjacent the respective porous blocks for uniform delivery of the non-wetting phase to parallel grooves disposed on the respective surfaces of the porous blocks facing the opposite edges of the rock fracture and generally perpendicular to the rock fracture.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring a rate of leakage from a closed vessel enclosed in a container. Air is expelled from the container and a charge of helium-free gas is introduced. The preferred container is comprised of flexible sheets with mating edges sealed together. The flexible container is collapsed when air is expelled, and then limply charged with a known volume of helium-free gas. The vessel is pressurized with helium, the rate of accumulation of which is measured in the container gas to determine the leakage from the vessel.

Abstract: A process for quantitatively and qualitatively substantially continuously analyzing the aroma emitted and rates of emission of the components thereof:(I) from within; and(II) from the outer surface of a living fruit using simultaneously-operating aroma trapping devices connected to (a) the outer surface of the living fruit and (b) an internal portion of the living fruit. Also described is apparatus for carrying out such a process. The living fruit may, for example, be a living pineapple or a living nectarine growing on a nectarine tree.

Abstract: An O-ring test apparatus for a mass air flow sensor having a lift mechanism for lifting the mass air flow sensor and its production line carrier from the production line to a test location. In the test location, a clamping mechanism clamps the mass air flow sensor to the carrier compressing the O-ring. A seal mechanism blocks one end of an air flow passage provided in the production line carrier and connects an air inlet member to the other end. The air inlet member is connected by a manifold to a source of pressurized air through a solenoid valve. A pressure sensor connected to the manifold generates at least a first pressure signal in the manifold which rises to a pressure indicating that the O-ring is properly mounted on the mass air flow sensor. A control circuit activates the lift mechanism, the seal mechanism and the solenoid valve in a predetermined sequence and generates a fail signal in the absence of the first pressure signal when the solenoid value is open.