Abstract: A method of detecting coated fuel particles having a broken ceramic coated layer in coated fuel particles for high-temperature gas-cooled reactor which comprises permeating a liquid into the interior of the coated fuel particles having a broken ceramic coated layer through a broken portion of the ceramic coated layer, thereafter heating it to expand the liquid by evaporation pyrolysis thereby breaking the ceramic coating layer or the whole body of coated fuel particle by pressure generated.

Abstract: A long colored ribbon streamer is bundled preferably in zig-zag fashion in and transversely of the length of an envelope adapted to be releasibly fastened to an upper surface of a ski when skiing in deep powder snow. An end of the streamer is adapted to be fastened to the ski when skiing in the deep powder, while the envelope itself is adapted to be fastened to the skier usually through his or her ski boot. A fall in the snow that releases the ski boot and skier from the ski will cause the streamer to trail the ski at the surface of the snow that covers the ski, thereby revealing the ski's location to the skier.

Abstract: A method for detecting tampering with a dial of a utility meter is used with a meter of the type including at least one rotary dial having angularly spaced circumferentially arrayed indicia and an indicator, the indicator and said indicia being relatively rotatable by a gear train having at least one gear which rotates in unison with the dial in operation. The method includes emcoding the gear with a code which corresponds in a predetermined fashion with the indicia of the dial and anotating on the meter a predetermined key to the initial correspondence of the code with the relative position of the dial indicator. The invention extends to an apparatus for carrying out the foregoing method.

Abstract: A device for preventing inadvertent headlight illumination includes a first panel for securing the device to an interior surface of a vehicle. A second panel is attached to the first panel and is movable with respect thereto for exposing a warning legend. The warning legend is disposed on one or both of the panels and is exposed to the view of the operator when the second panel is moved. The warning device also includes a motor vehicle door from within the vehicle. A cavity is formed in the door and a panel is received in the cavity. The panel is movable from a repose position to a warning position in which it also interferes with access to the interior door handle.

Abstract: A utility locator which is positioned on the surface, but which is capable of providing extensive information concerning the character and location of utility facilities, or other similar types of subsurface structures. More particularly, the present invention is capable of providing information at the surface concerning the type of facility located below ground, the depth at which it is buried, its precise location, and its drift or direction of travel. In one embodiment, the utility locator comprises a multiple piece assembly. The manner in which the pieces are assembled and the types of pieces used provide the desired information. In particular, a round center piece may be used which has inscribed on its surface an indication concerning the type of structure marked. A second piece contains a mark on its surface. This mark is positioned with respect to a third piece such that the drift of the underground line is identified.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor comprises an elongated member with at least one fixed extremity under flexural vibration extending across free surface of a liquid and a slide member attached to the elongated member in a sliding relationship following the length thereof, wherein the slide member floats at the free surface of liquid by buoyancy force thereof or is attracted to a float with a magnet; whereby the liquid level is determined from a natural frequency of the flexural vibration of the elongated member, that varies as a function of the liquid level.

Abstract: A plurality of lead wires such as those from an IC (an integrated circuit) is irradiated by a fan beam at same time. Infrared rays radiated from the portion which is irradiated by the fan beam and the periphery of the portion are detected so as to catch a thermogram exhibiting the temperature distribution. The thermogram is processed by image processing so as to produce a temperature distribution image. This image is visually compared with a standard temperature distribution-pattern on a display apparatus to judge whether soldering on those lead wires is defective or not.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a billfold including first and second sections and a hinge joining the sections for pivotal movement. The first section has a pocket with an opening which provides access to the pocket and the pocket is adapted to receive a card, such as a credit card, through the opening. The hinge joins the first and second sections for pivotal movement between a closed position in which the sections are in confronting, engaging relationship over major portions thereof and an open position in which the sections are out of confronting relationship and the opening of the pocket is exposed to allow insertion of the card into, and withdrawal of the card from, the pocket. A card-missing indicator is coupled to the billfold. The indicator is responsive to removal of the card from the pocket when the sections are in the open position for inhibiting pivotal movement of the first and second sections to the closed position.

Abstract: A directional guidance device is provided for use on pleasure boats to indicate the direction of propeller thrust of an outboard motor or inboard/outboard steerable mechanism that are hidden from the view of the pilot by the transom during docking. The device includes an upright member with a rigged directional flag member pointing in the direction of thrust with an attachment device at the lower end of the upright member to attach and detach the device to the top of or to the top of the inboard/outboard steerable propeller.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an automotive meter which comprises an opaque base plate constructed of one of natural wood and natural stone; graduations provided on a front face of the base plate, the graduations containing a fluorescent material; and an ultraviolet lamp located in front of the base plate.

Abstract: A scoring device for use in racquet games. A track member is mounted to a base member by an attachment means which allows relative movement between the base and track members. Scoring indicators move along the track member. An adhesive label is attached to the base member to allow its attachment to a curved surface and, more particularly, to the curved surface such as that of a throat of a racquet.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining water content of powder/granule sample including a rectangular waveguide system substantially set up in the upright or vertical disposition, consisting of a microwave transmitting converter, a microwave waveguide, and a microwave receiving converter; the apparatus comprising: a sample container for containing powder or granular sample and being accommodated inside of the microwave waveguide; the waveguide being provided with an inlet hole communicated to the inner space of the cavity resonator at one of side walls, and having a door for opening and closing the hole and a supporting element for the sample container within the waveguide; a buffer weighing system for supporting the hollow waveguide on a supporting table in the upright or vertical disposition and generates electric signals designating the supporting weight; and signal processing means for receiving signal output from the microwave receiving converter and the other signal from said buffer weighing system, storing and a

Abstract: An indicator gauge is disclosed, which comprises a housing; a dial board installed in the housing; and a pointer arranged in such a manner that an elongate pointing portion moves over a front face of the dial board. A narrow band of fluorescent substance is centrally located longitudinally along the full length of the pointing portion. The narrow band is bordered on each side along the full length by remaining areas of the pointing portion free of any fluorescent substance to create a contrasting appearance for maintaining a distinction between the band and indicia on the dial board when subject to ultraviolet light. An ultraviolet lamp is arranged in front of the dial board and the pointer to excite and thus cause the fluorescent part of the pointer to emit visible light.

Abstract: A brake wear indicator having a hollow cartridge clampable to a push rod of a brake and having an indicator member within the cartridge spring biased at one end and contractible with the brake housing or other stationary member of a vehicle. The indicator member being exposed upon actuation of the brake and movement of the push rod. Warning indicia on the indicator member being exposed after the push rod has been moved a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A conduit marking device including one or more strips of flexible material coupled adjacent one end to a fastening member configured for coupling to a conduit member. The strips, when coupled to the conduit member, extend in a vertical direction, with the strength and flexibility thereof being sufficient to avoid severing during the screeding process. The length of the strips is sufficient to extend above the surface of the poured concrete floor to provide visual indication of the location of the conduit member after curing of the concrete. The strips may be color coded, or may be provided with indicia, either or both of which may be used to indicate the type of conduit member, as well as the direction, depth or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is an indicator which includes a scale plate having a ground color, a pointer rotatably mounted on the scale plate and indicia such as numerals and scales arranged on the scale plate for indicating a specific value in cooperation with the pointer. The pointer includes an upper surface on which a fluorescent part having fluorescent brightener therein is formed, and the area of the fluorescent part of the pointer is smaller than that of the upper surface of the pointer. Each of the indicia has a contour defined by a normal ink having a different color from the ground color of the scale plate and a fluorescent part having fluorescent brightener therein formed in the contour of each indicia. The area of the fluorescent part of the indicia is smaller than that of the indicia.

Abstract: A marker supported in the ground allows a reel-type grass mower to cut grass around the marker without requiring the removal of the marker. The marker has a flexible elastomeric element coupled between a substantially rigid shaft and a substantially rigid stake and for urging the shaft into axial alignment with the stake and for allowing a reel-type grass mower to bend the rigid shaft over at the elastomeric element to a position with a sign member substantially flat with the ground, and includes first and second raised side edges which serve to protect the signage surface of the marker from damage.

Abstract: A multiple color illuminated button to control a device or functions of a device. The button has a first color for the letters and a second color for the graphics when the button is not illuminated and a third color for the letters and a fourth color for the graphics when the button is illuminated. In one embodiment of this invention, the button includes a transparent light pipe and a cap. The upper surface of the light pipe is painted or decorated with a paint or other material. The upper exterior surface of the cap is painted or decorated with a paint or other material. The exterior of the cap is then painted with a second layer of paint. After the second layer has cured, the letters and graphics are laser etched onto the upper surface of the cap. The laser removes preselected portions of the paint layer to expose the surface below the second layer. In another embodiment, the button includes a chassis and a cap.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable, temporary railroad signaling device which may be tenaciously secured onto a railroad rail and its use. The device includes an adjustable and fixed clamping mechanism for clasping onto a railroad rail placed therewithin, which mechanism when tightly drawn together mechanically biases and wedges the rail therebetween. The device advantageously includes a collapsible arm to mount and support a signaling unit thereupon an internal housing for stowing a signaling unit therewithin and a lock for locking the clamped device onto the rail to protect the device against unauthorized tampering.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, to prevent accidental tripping on a stay, the warning stay-guard as an open-ended hollow tubular casing has its outer surface visibly exhibiting multiple bright colors randomly heterogeneously distributed in the nature of string and/or drippings of various paints, and the casing surface including outer ringed-construction around it longitudinal axis to the casing's construction sufficiently to diffuse light and having a linearly extending slit axially extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal length axis of the tubular casing enabling pressing upon a stay through the slit when held open.