Abstract: Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system include an anchor device that receives a medical instrument (such as a catheter or the like) and secures the instrument in place relative to a skin penetration point. In some circumstances, the anchor device may allow the anchor device to be used after medical instrument is already in place without the need for a second penetration point for the anchor device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting magnetic flux leakage in an object. The apparatus includes a frame assembly, a sensor bar and a U shaped magnetic circuit consisting of first and second magnet and steel pieces 44, 46 and 42 connecting the magnets. The sensor bar is connected to the frame assembly and includes a plurality of coils and at least one sensor operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of coils. The first magnet and the second magnets are connected steel pieces and to the frame assembly. They form a U shaped magnetic circuit which is completed by the steel plate being inspected. The sensor bar is placed between the tips of the U shaped magnetic circuit.

Abstract: The present invention allows for the fabrication of an EMAT system that eliminates static charge impulse noise. The EMAT system includes an EMAT, wear layer, and magnet. If the wear layer is made slightly conductive, the static charges slowly bleed off rather than build up to cause impulse discharges. This semiconductive wear layer does not attenuate the EMAT signals by introducing any additional distance between the EMAT coil and the conductive piping or by introducing any conductive material between the EMAT coil and the conductive piping. In the preferred embodiment, a wear layer of UHMW (ultra high molecular weight) polyethylene with a surface resistivity of about 10,000 ohms per square is utilized. The conductive UHMW polyethylene still acts as a wear layer, but now also acts as a semi-conductive static-dissipative interface between the EMAT coil and the piping.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-intrusively indicating the passage of a pipeline pig having a housing adapted to be supported adjacent the exterior surface of a pipeline through which a magnet carrying pig moves, the housing containing an armature formed of pole pieces of paramagnetic material having a narrow gap therein that receives a solid-state magnetic sensing member, the sensing member providing changing electrical characteristics in response to changes in ambient magnetic field intensities, and an indicator pivotally attached to the housing and normally held in a ready position by a latch, the latch being operated by a circuit controlled by the magnetic sensing member so that the flag is released to move to an operative position in response to a changed magnetic field intensity caused by the passage of a magnet carrying pig, the armature within the housing serving to increase the sensitivity of the magnetic sensing member.

Abstract: Two geophones located above an underground pipeline are spaced from each other and adjacent to both sides of a benchmark location. As a pig travels through the pipeline sound waves are generated. As a pig approaches a benchmark location, sound waves are received first by the geophone which is closest to the source of the sound waves, that is, the upstream geophone and then by the downstream geophone. The geophones generate electrical signals that are fed to a comparator circuit which is connected to upstream and downstream indicators, one of which is activated when a pig passes the benchmark depending on whether the sound was first received by the upstream or downstream geophone. An alternate embodiment adds a magnetometer at the benchmark location capable of sensing changes in the ambient magnetic field caused by the passage of a pig.

Abstract: A strain relief device for a cable terminating in a plug, an outlet mounted on a base and a connection mechanism to connect said plug to said outlet. The device includes at least one pin extending from the plug, the pin being spaced from the connection mechanism. A block having a receptacle for receipt of the pin is mounted on the base, so that force exerted from the cable is dissipated by the device.

Abstract: An improved pipeline caliper pig for providing a record of the deviations of the interior wall of a pipeline including a pig body assembly having a longitudinal axis and support members so that the pig body assembly is supported within a pipeline, the support members impeding the flow of fluid therepast so that the pig body is propelled by fluid flow along the interior of the pipeline, an integrator plate carried by the pig body assembly, arms extending from the pig body assembly for responding to deviations in the interior wall of the pipeline and coupling members to transfer the deviations to the integrator plate, a plurality of axially positionable shafts affixed at one end of the integrator plate, and electrical transducers at the other end of each shaft so that movement of the integrator plate relative to the pig body is transmitted into electrical signals, an orientation detection member and a signal receiver and recorder to record the electrical signals of the transducers and the orientation detection

Abstract: An improved pipeline caliper pig for providing a record of the deviations of the interior wall of a pipeline including a pig body assembly having a longitudinal axis and support members so that the pig body assembly is supported within a pipeline, the support members impeding the flow of fluid therepast so that the pig body is propelled by fluid flow along the pipeline interior, an integrator plate carried by the pig body assembly, arms extending from the pig body assembly for responding to deviations in the interior wall of the pipeline and coupling members to transfer the deviations to the integrator plate, a plurality of axially positionable shafts affixed at one end to the integrator plate, and electrical transducers at the other end of each shaft so that movement of the integrator plate relative to the pig body is transmitted into electrical signals, an orientation detection member and a signal receiver and recorder to record the electrical signals of the transducers and the orientation detection member

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the motion of a railroad train includes an on-board unit which computes the speed, acceleration/deceleration, and distance traveled events of the train and stores such computed data for retention by a non-volatile memory after a power interruption or outage occurs. The apparatus also includes a portable unit to which the on-board unit, or the data retaining memory thereof, can be connected for conducting data transfers from the on-board unit memory to the portable unit. Once stored in the portable unit, the information can be formated and displayed as a history of the train operation for management and maintenance personnel, for example.

Abstract: A multiple-mode, multiplex pumping apparatus includes circuit control elements for initializing the apparatus by placing each of the pistons and plungers in each pumping section of the multiplex pumping apparatus at a respective initial starting point. The pumping apparatus also includes electronic circuit elements for controlling the inlet valves, exhaust valves and precompression valves of the hydraulic circuit of the pumping apparatus. The apparatus includes phase control circuit elements for controlling the separation of the leading edges of the plungers of two of the pumping sections of the apparatus when the apparatus is operating as a quadruplex pump. The pumping apparatus also includes elecrtronic circuit elements for insuring that each plunger of each pumping section stops at a fixed stopping point. The apparatus also includes electronic circuit elements for controlling the volume of fluid in the rod end portions of each of the pumping sections.