Abstract: Apparatus and process for measuring mass flow of a slurry mixture of two components of materials, such as a flow of catalyst solid particles (the first component) or droplets in a fluid carrier (the second component). The slurry mixture is added to a process stream (10) or batch reactor. The flow velocity and the volume fraction of one component are measured and combined with the known specific gravity, of the component being measured, and the physical dimensions of the pipe, in which the slurry mixture is flowing, to determine the mass flow of the component. The flow velocity is measured by correlating signals at two separated locations along the flow path, and the volume fraction is measured by combining the known dielectric constants of each of the materials in the mixture and the measured capacitance of the mixture. The capacitance is measured from electrodes which may be isolated from the flowing materials in some applications, but not isolated from the flowing materials in other applications.

Abstract: An apparatus which is particularly useful in measuring dielectric changes in materials, even when subjected to abrasive and/or high-pressure environments. The apparatus includes a housing adapted to mounting within a vessel containing the material to-be-tested, the housing presenting at least one exposed surface to the interior of the vessel to contact the material and a set of first and second electrodes which are disposed on the exposed surface of the housing to make contact with the material, such that the dielectric properties of the material within the vessel can be monitored. The apparatus is particularly useful in the monitoring of curing of resins in both high and low pressure molding operations, including sheet molding compound (SMC) processes, reactive injection molding (RIM) techniques and similar operations.

Abstract: A dielectrometry apparatus for measuring the dielectric properties of a material, the apparatus including a casing adapted to be at least partially implanted into the material, the casing having a cavity defined by an opening which is capable of receiving a portion of the material upon implantation, a first electrode disposed within the cavity to make electrical contact with the material upon implantation, a second electrode disposed within the cavity in a spaced-apart relationship to the first electrode, the first and second electrode being adapted to make electrical contact with the material upon implantation, whereby dielectric measurements can be taken of the material in the cavity, a porous spacer for defining a fixed distance between the first and second electrodes and adapted for saturation with the material upon implantation, and a selectively permeable cover disposed across the opening of the cavity for permitting migration of the material upon implantation while excluding fillers that could interfer

Abstract: An apparatus for stripping fluids from the surface of a vehicle (26) including a plurality of dimensionally stable and substantially rigid bags (12) including an inlet (14) for introducing air under pressure into the bag (12) and an elongated opening at one end of the bag (12) defining a nozzle end (16,16') of smaller cross sectional area than the inlet (14) for emitting a stream of air. A support structure including an air distributor (18) supports the bag (12) to extend toward the object (26) wherein the nozzle end (16,16') of the bag (12) lies in the path of motion of the object (26) to cause physical engagement between the nozzle end (16,16') of the bag (12) and the object (26) to bring the stream of air emitted from the nozzle opening into close spacial relationship with the surface of the object (26) to strip fluid from the object.

Abstract: Conductive materials are formed by implanting high energy ions (30 keV to 300 keV) into rigid backboned polymers, such as poly (p-phenylene sulfide); conductivities on the order of 10.sup.-3 (ohm-cm).sup.-1 are demonstrated and the materials remain stable over periods as long as a year.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for stripping fluid from the surface of a vehicle including a plenum 14 and a flexible inflatable primary bag 20 having a primary bag inlet releasably mounted on the plenum 14 for allowing the flow of air from the plenum 14 to the primary bag 20 and a nozzle end 22 and a bag opening 24 disposed between the primary bag inlet and the nozzle end 22. The apparatus further includes a flexible inflatable secondary bag 26 having an elongated secondary bag inlet 28 secured about the bag opening 24 for hinging movement and a nozzle end 30 for allowing the flow of air therethrough. The apparatus is characterized by including a hinging control frame 34 for controlling the hinging action of the secondary bag 26 with respect to the primary bag 20.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for stripping fluids from the surface of a vehicle includes an air distributor (28) and inflatable bags (14-26), each of generally rectangular transverse cross section. The bags (14-26) are supported by the air distributor (28) and each of the bags (14-26) includes an inlet end (40) connected to the air distributor (28) for introducing air under pressure into the bags (14-26) and a nozzle end (42) of smaller area than the inlet end (40) spaced apart from the inlet end (40) for emitting a stream of air while maintaining the bags (14-26) in a nonflailing orientation and substantially rigidly inflated.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp (26) for selectively varying the hinging action of a flexible, inflatable fluid-stripping bag (12) including an elongated bag inlet (14) having a predetermined cross-sectional area and a nozzle (16) at one end thereof and wherein the bag inlet (14) is mounted about an opening (24) of a plenum (20) for supplying air to the bag (12). The clamp comprises an adjustable frame (26) adapted to be disposed about the bag inlet (14) and spaced therefrom to adjustably limit the extent to which the bag inlet (14) opens to determine the cross-sectional area and a band member and fastening device for securing the frame (26) about the bag inlet (14) whereby a change in the cross-sectional area produced by the frame (26) changes the resistance of the hinging action of the bag (12).

Abstract: An apparatus for stripping fluids from the surface of an object including a flexible, inflatable bag of generally rectangular transverse cross section including an inlet for introducing air under pressure into the bag and an elongated opening at one end of the bag defining a nozzle for emitting a stream of air and an air distributor for supplying air to the bag and for supporting the bag so that it extends toward the object wherein the nozzle end of said bag lies in the path of motion of the object to cause physical engagement between the nozzle end of the bag and the object to bring the stream of air emitted from the nozzle opening into close spacial relationship with the surface of the object.