Abstract: A disc changing system for a robotic defect repair system is presented. The system has a first abrasive disc and a second abrasive disc. The first and second abrasive discs are coupled to a liner. The system includes an abrasive disc placement device configured to automatically: remove the first abrasive disc from the liner, transport the first abrasive disc to a robotic tool of the robotic defect repair system, and place the first abrasive disc on a backup pad coupled to the robotic tool. The system also includes an abrasive disc remover configured to automatically remove the first abrasive disc after receiving a removal signal. The system also includes a controller configured to send an instruction to the disc placement device to remove, transport and place the first abrasive disc, instruct the robotic tool to conduct an abrasive operation. The controller is also configured to send the removal signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the freezing point of substances, particularly liquids, that are likely to be used in environments that subject them to temperatures at or near their freezing points. The apparatus and method achieve a determination of the freezing point of the substance without the necessity of rigidly controlling the warming and cooling of the substance and without mistaking errant fluctuations in the thermal behavior of the substance for the freezing point. The apparatus includes a test sample cell that is cooled by direct contact with a rapidly expanding gas and a means for recording and analyzing temperature and time data for a test sample within the test sample cell. Means for controlling the test and displaying the information/data are also provided. The method utilizes a numerical analysis means to arrive at a freezing point value without the necessity of complex differentiating electronics or calculations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the freezing point of substances, particularly liquids, that are likely to be used in environments that subject them to temperatures at or near their freezing points. The apparatus and method achieve a determination of the freezing point of the substance without the necessity of rigidly controlling the warming and cooling of the substance and without mistaking errant fluctuations in the thermal behavior of the substance for the freezing point. The apparatus includes a test sample cell that is cooled by direct contact with a rapidly expanding gas and a means for recording and analyzing temperature and time data for a test sample within the test sample cell. Means for controlling the test and displaying the information/data are also provided. The method utilizes a numerical analysis means to arrive at a freezing point value without the necessity of complex differentiating electronics or calculations.

Abstract: An oven for heating a distillable material in a preselected gas atmosphere. The oven comprises an inner heating chamber adapted to receive a spherical gravity lid, the heating chamber being connected to and in communication with a gas exhaust tube having a condensate trap at the termination thereof. The inner heating chamber is also in communication with and surrounded by an outer gas flow chamber, the outer gas flow chamber having a plurality of heater elements therein. The gas exhaust tube is surrounded by an ante chamber which is in communication with the outer chamber. The heater elements are continuously monitored by a programmable controller and a thermocouple in communication therewith. During oven operation, a purge gas is introduced to the ante chamber and flows therefrom into the outer gas flow chamber around the heater elements and into the top of the inner heating chamber.

Abstract: An oven for heating a distillable material in a preselected gas atmosphere. The oven comprises an inner heating chamber adapted to receive a spherical gravity lid, the heating chamber being connected to and in communication with a gas exhaust tube having a condensate trap at the termination thereof. The inner heating chamber is also in communication with and surrounded by an outer gas flow chamber, the outer gas flow chamber having a plurality of heater elements therein. The gas exhaust tube is surrounded by an ante chamber which is in communication with the outer chamber. The heater elements are continuously monitored by a programmable controller and a thermocouple in communication therewith. During oven operation, a purge gas is introduced to the ante chamber and flows therefrom into the outer gas flow chamber around the heater elements and into the top of the inner heating chamber.