Abstract: A temperature sensor has a heat-sensitive element contained within a chamber, the heat-sensitive element changing from a first configuration to a second configuration at a predetermined temperature, and a biased member biased towards the chamber. The biased member initially is prevented from entering the chamber when the heat-sensitive element is in the first configuration and enters the chamber when the heat-sensitive element is in the second configuration. In some aspects, the first configuration is solid and the second configuration is liquid and a selectively permeable element is provided to allow the heat-sensitive element to exit the chamber in the liquid configuration. An indicator can be provided that has a plurality of feet initially held in a retained configuration by the biased member until the biased member enters the chamber to release the feet for sliding motion of the indicator.

Abstract: A temperature sensor has a heat-sensitive element contained within a chamber, the heat-sensitive element changing from a first configuration to a second configuration at a predetermined temperature, and a biased member biased towards the chamber. The biased member initially is prevented from entering the chamber when the heat-sensitive element is in the first configuration and enters the chamber when the heat-sensitive element is in the second configuration. In some aspects, the first configuration is solid and the second configuration is liquid and a selectively permeable element is provided to allow the heat-sensitive element to exit the chamber in the liquid configuration. An indicator can be provided that has a plurality of feet initially held in a retained configuration by the biased member until the biased member enters the chamber to release the feet for sliding motion of the indicator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for non-invasively determining a temperature of a fluid inside a housing are provided. First and second temperature sensors are positioned so that there is a temperature differential between the first and second temperature sensors. A difference between the temperature of the first and second temperature sensors can be used to estimate the temperature of the fluid inside the housing and/or a zero heat flow methodology can be used to determine the temperature of the fluid inside the housing.

Abstract: A fault detector for detecting the occurrence of a rapid pressure rise within electrical equipment. The fault detector has a chamber having an interior, a diaphragm in sealing engagement with the chamber and an aperture providing fluid communication between the interior of the chamber and the external environment of the chamber.

Abstract: An integrated fault monitoring apparatus for electrical devices has an internal fault detector for detecting transient pressure surges within the electrical device, a pressure relief valve for allowing release of pressure during normal operating conditions of the electrical device, a temperature indicator for indicating that an operating temperature of the electrical device has gone above a predetermined threshold, and/or a sudden pressure relief device for allowing air to escape from the electrical device in the event of a sudden and significant increase in pressure within the electrical device. Methods of using the apparatus are provided.

Abstract: A temperature sensor has a heat-sensitive element contained within a chamber, the heat-sensitive element changing from a first configuration to a second configuration at a predetermined temperature, and a biased member biased towards the chamber. The biased member initially is prevented from entering the chamber when the heat-sensitive element is in the first configuration and enters the chamber when the heat-sensitive element is in the second configuration. In some aspects, the first configuration is solid and the second configuration is liquid and a selectively permeable element is provided to allow the heat-sensitive element to exit the chamber in the liquid configuration. An indicator can be provided that has a plurality of feet initially held in a retained configuration by the biased member until the biased member enters the chamber to release the feet for sliding motion of the indicator.

Abstract: An integrated fault monitoring apparatus for electrical devices has an internal fault detector for detecting transient pressure surges within the electrical device, a pressure relief valve for allowing release of pressure during normal operating conditions of the electrical device, a temperature indicator for indicating that an operating temperature of the electrical device has gone above a predetermined threshold, and/or a sudden pressure relief device for allowing air to escape from the electrical device in the event of a sudden and significant increase in pressure within the electrical device. Methods of using the apparatus are provided.

Abstract: An integrated fault monitoring apparatus for electrical devices has an internal fault detector for detecting transient pressure surges within the electrical device, a pressure relief valve for allowing release of pressure during normal operating conditions of the electrical device, a temperature indicator for indicating that an operating temperature of the electrical device has gone above a predetermined threshold, and/or a sudden pressure relief device for allowing air to escape from the electrical device in the event of a sudden and significant increase in pressure within the electrical device. Methods of using the apparatus are provided.

Abstract: An integrated fault monitoring apparatus for electrical devices has an internal fault detector for detecting transient pressure surges within the electrical device, a pressure relief valve for allowing release of pressure during normal operating conditions of the electrical device, a temperature indicator for indicating that an operating temperature of the electrical device has gone above a predetermined threshold, and/or a sudden pressure relief device for allowing air to escape from the electrical device in the event of a sudden and significant increase in pressure within the electrical device. Methods of using the apparatus are provided.

Abstract: A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a rapid pressure surge within a housing of an electrical device has: a barrel capable of being mounted in an aperture of the housing; an actuating mechanism having a chamber with at least one orifice communicating between interior and exterior surfaces of the chamber within the housing and an actuating member movable in response to a pressure differential between the interior and exterior surfaces of the chamber; a plunger within the bore of the barrel biased outwardly in the barrel and normally retained in an armed position by the actuating member; and a radial seal disposed between the plunger and the barrel. When the pressure differential exceeds a positive threshold value, the actuating member is moved and thereby permits the plunger to move outwardly into a triggered position. The radial seal may be a dual-lip seal.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for analyzing a chemical substance containing quadrupolar nuclei to determine a measurable characteristic of the substance. The systems and methods include irradiating the substance with RF energy to stimulate NQR of certain quadrupolar nuclei within the substance, receiving and processing a signal emitted from the substance to isolate an NQR signal therefrom, analyzing the NQR signal to obtain a measure of the characteristic of the substance, and providing an output indicative of the measure for analytical purposes.

Abstract: A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a rapid pressure surge within a housing of an electrical device has: a barrel capable of being mounted in an aperture of the housing; an actuating mechanism having a chamber with at least one orifice communicating between interior and exterior surfaces of the chamber within the housing and an actuating member movable in response to a pressure differential between the interior and exterior surfaces of the chamber; a plunger within the bore of the barrel biased outwardly in the barrel and normally retained in an armed position by the actuating member; and a radial seal disposed between the plunger and the barrel. When the pressure differential exceeds a positive threshold value, the actuating member is moved and thereby permits the plunger to move outwardly into a triggered position. The radial seal may be a dual-lip seal.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for analyzing a chemical substance containing quadrupolar nuclei to determine a measurable characteristic of the substance. The systems and methods include irradiating the substance with RF energy to stimulate NQR of certain quadrupolar nuclei within the substance, receiving and processing a signal emitted from the substance to isolate an NQR signal therefrom, analyzing the NQR signal to obtain a measure of the characteristic of the substance, and providing an output indicative of the measure for analytical purposes.

Abstract: A method for analysing a chemical substance containing quadrupolar nuclei to determine a measurable characteristic of the substance. The method includes irradiating the substance with RF energy in a prescribed manner to stimulate NQR of certain quadrupolar nuclei within the substance. Then receiving and processing a signal emitted from the substance to isolate an NQR signal therefrom. Thereafter analysing the NQR signal to obtain a measure of the characteristic of the substance; and providing an output indicative of the measure for analytical purposes. Specific methods for analysing a chemical substance during production thereof to determine a characteristic of the substance indicative of the quality thereof, and for searching for chemicals together with specific systems are also described.

Abstract: A method for analysing a chemical substance containing quadrupolar nuclei to determine a measurable characteristic of the substance. The method includes irradiating the substance with RF energy in a prescribed manner to stimulate NQR of certain quadrupolar nuclei within the substance. Then receiving and processing a signal emitted from the substance to isolate an NQR signal therefrom. Thereafter analysing the NQR signal to obtain a measure of the characteristic of the substance; and providing an output indicative of the measure for analytical purposes. Specific methods for analysing a chemical substance during production thereof to determine a characteristic of the substance indicative of the quality thereof, and for searching for chemicals together with specific systems are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing a multi-pulse sequence for irradiating a substance provided with quadrupole nuclei with either integer or half-integer spins to detect an NQR signal emitted therefrom. The apparatus has pulse sequence generating means adapted to produce a combination of two or more pulse sequences, arranged so that a definite regularity of the phase alteration of pulses in each of the pulse sequences occurs that is equivalent to a shift of spectral components of the pulse sequences in relation to each other. Furthermore, in at least one of the pulse sequences, there are not less than two phases alternating. A preparatory pulse may be included in one of the pulse sequences to reduce the effect of temperature, increase the intensity of the NQR signal and simultaneously eliminate intensity anomalies. Alternatively, the combination of pulse sequences may be different from a combination of PAPS and NPAPS, and none of the pulse sequences contain a preparatory pulse.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a multi-pulse sequence for irradiating a substance provided with quadrupole nuclei with either integer or half-integer spins to detect an NQR signal emitted therefrom. The apparatus has pulse sequence generating means adapted to produce multi-pulse sequences with pulse intervals exceeding T2* and containing a preparatory pulse or group of pulses for creating echo signals between the pulses. The pulse sequence is organised so that the resulting signal contains a prevailing echo component produced by the preparatory pulse or group of pulses.

Abstract: A coil assembly (11) comprising two coil sections (13a and 13b). Each of the sections (13) consists of a combinat of a spiral coil (15) having a variable coil pitch arranged in a saddle shape configuration. The saddle shape has a central port (17) and a pair of outer coextending portions (19). The coil sections (13) are located opposite each other with the central p(17) of the respective sections disposed in parallel spaced apart relationship and the corresponding coextending portions (19) of respective sections disposed in coplanar alignment with each other so that the sections combine to circumscribe a scanned volume within which the target substance is to be disposed.

Abstract: An apparatus for exciting and detecting NQR in a substance containing quadrupole nuclei responsive to the NQR phenomenon. The apparatus includes a coil 15 for irradiating an item that may contain a substance with RF waves to excite NQR in quadrupole nuclei within the substance and for receiving an NQR signal emitted in response thereto. A transmitter unit 10 is provided for producing and transmitting an RF pulse to the probe to create said RF waves. A receiver unit 11 is provided to receive and treat a received signal from said probe for subsequent processing and detection of a said NQR signal therein. A sensing means is included in the apparatus for sensing an extraneous parameter that may influence the detection of the NQR signal from the item to be scanned.

Abstract: A probe (80) for irradiating a sample with RF energy during transmitting periods and detecting an NQR or NMR signal from a substance contained within the sample during receiving periods. The probe (80) comprises a variable impedance unit (20) for changing the Q-factor of the probe and a probe coil. The probe (80) is responsive to powerful RF pulses applied thereto to excite an RF magnetic field in the probe coil during the transmitting periods. The variable impedance unit (20) is controllable to provide a Q-factor for the probe (80) at: (i) an optimal level during a prescribed transmitting period of an RF pulse for irradiating the sample with said RF energy; (ii) a minimal level during a prescribed recovery period immediately following said transmitting period to rapidly dampen transient signals from the probe; and (iii) a maximal level during a prescribed receiving period for detecting an NQR or NMR signal from the target substance if present, immediately following the recovery period.