Abstract: A mower conditioner which is attached to its mobile carrying frame by an upper link and two laterally spaced lower swing links, is provided with a lateral floatation lockout device in the form of a torque transmitting bar selectively rigidly attached at each end to the lower swing links coaxially with the pivotal connection of the latter to the laterally elongated crop harvesting header.

Abstract: A wheeled frame or chassis is laterally stationary but movable longitudinally in rolling contact with the ground along several of a plurality of laterally spaced rows of tobacco plants. Vertical support bars depend from the frame to support at laterally spaced intervals corresponding to the rows, horizontal cutting discs mounted for rotation about vertical axes to sever the plants just above the ground. Guide plates affixed to the vertical supports bearing the cutting discs and overlying the discs lift the leaves of the plants and deflect the plants laterally towards each other for adjacent rows during the cutting, with the discs being driven in opposite directions for adjacent rows to cause the severed plants to fall with their butt ends extending rearwardly and with plants of adjacent rows falling on top of each other to facilitate subsequent pick-up.

Abstract: An open end rotor for a spinning machine generally comprises a rotary chamber with an open end and an opposite closed end, a first annular wall extending from the open end radially outwardly from a rotational axis and toward the closed end, and a second annular wall extending from the closed end radially outwardly from the rotational axis and toward the first wall to define a fibre collecting space. The first wall comprises an inner portion forming an angle of 55.degree. to 75.degree. with a horizontal plane, and an outer portion. A straight line extending from the outer portion forms an angle of 10.degree. to 35.degree. with the inner portion. The second wall comprises an inner portion extending from the closed end, and an outer portion forming an angle of 20.degree. to 50.degree. with a straight line extending from the inner portion of the second wall. The outer portions of the first and second wall define therebetween the fibre collecting space.

Abstract: A device for delivering multiple yarns, each taken from a bobbin, comprises means for braking each yarn, other means for acting on less stretched yarns so that they advance at the same speed as the most stretched yarn, and finally a guide ensuring the displacement of these yarns parallel to one another. It may further comprise a conventional brake with elastic cheeks for each yarn, an idle drum with a non-skid peripheral coating with which the yarns cooperate before passing over a separator system.

Abstract: A rope comprising at least two strips of woven fabric, each said strip having wefts projecting from the woven edge thereof and said strips being twisted together so that the woven parts thereof form a core with the projecting wefts extending substantially radially outwardly from the core.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for producing a yarn comprising; supplying a web of staple fibers to a first region; forming said web into a bundle at a zone intermediate said first region and an after-defined second region; tensioning said fibers at a second region to draft said bundle into a yarn advancing at a predetermined rate; and collecting said yarn at a third region at a rate substantially equal to said predetermined rate of advancement.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a false twist apparatus (1) with friction discs (3) arranged at mutual distances on a shaft (2) and with thread guides (4) extending to between the discs (3), for imparting twist to a thread (11) guided friction-contactingly over the friction discs by the thread guides. The thread guides in this arrangement are provided with a concave curvature, as seen with respect to the direction of movement of the twist imparting surface (F).

Abstract: A head for laying optical fibres in a helically grooved cable core consists of a freely rotating mount assembly carrying fibre guides inclined on the axis of travel of the core with an angle smaller than 45.degree.. The fibre guides are elastic hollow tubes ended by a bevel maintained on the bottom of the associated groove. An optical control unit is provided for correct positioning of the mount when starting to lay.

Abstract: A hydraulic synchronous driving mechanism provided with at least two piston-cylinder assemblies, each having a bottom chamber and a ring chamber and the piston rods of which engage a counterdevice adapted to synchronously load piston rods mutually in opposite directions, a hydraulic fluid circuit provided with at least a pump and a reservoir, whereby there are pair-wise arranged volumetric pump-motors in fluid lines throughconnected to the bottom chamber of the one cylinder and the ring chamber of the other cylinder, which pump-motors are mutually coupled for a constant supply ratio, while the fluid line sections extending from the pump-motors to the cylinders are throughconnected to only one cylinder chamber.

Abstract: The air supplied to an internal combustion engine is cooled by a refrigeration process powered either by power generated by the engine or by heat from the exhaust gases. Multi-stage cooling may be used in conjunction with a separator for removing condensed ice particles from the cooled air. The engine may be a gas turbine or a reciprocating engine and the latter may be turbo-charged or super charged.

Abstract: A piston return stop device for seat belt tensioning equipment. Connected at one end to a seat belt through a cylinder is a piston having a tapered portion the diameter of which enlarges toward its other end. A cylindrical sliding member is slidably disposed between the cylinder and piston so as to slide together with the piston when the piston is thrust to tension the seat belt. A respective stopper member is slidably disposed within each guide groove radially perforated through the cylindrical sliding member and supported by the tapered portion of the piston.When the piston is thrust through the cylinder at an urgent time until the tension force of the seat belt reaches a predetermined value, the piston is stopped from moving within the cylinder furthermore and only the cylindrical sliding member slides within the cylinder due to its inertia force together with the stopper members. Then the stopper member is pushed up by the tapered portion of the piston to cut into the inner wall of the piston.

Abstract: A process of removing water-soluble impurities from the working medium of a steam power plant is disclosed. Steam is bled from a high-pressure turbine downstream of the Wilson Line region. The steam is partially condensed, so that impurities in the steam are carried by the condensate. Moisture separators are disposed in the feed lines connecting the bleed lines with various heaters and the like. The bleed steam is supplied to the various heaters to heat the boiler feedwater and the working fluid of the turbine. The drains of the moisture separator are connected to a purification tank to remove the impurities from the condensate.

Abstract: Energy is stored in slack demand periods by charging a plurality of underground reservoirs with air to the same peak storage pressure, during peak demand periods throttling the air from one storage reservoir into a gas turbine system at a constant inlet pressure until the air pressure in the reservoir falls to said constant inlet pressure, thereupon permitting air in a second reservoir to flow into said gas turbine system while drawing air from the first reservoir through a variable geometry air ejector and adjusting said variable geometry air ejector, said air flow being essentially at the constant inlet pressure of the gas turbine system.

Abstract: An energy recovery system for use in conjunction with a fermenter operating with an overpressure preferably of 5 to 10 bars gauge. Gas under pressure leaving the fermenter passes to a gas expander and the power produced by the expander is used to drive the compressor which supplies gas under pressure to the fermenter. The combination of the energy recovery system with a fermenter provides an efficient means for operating a process for the production of single cell protein.

Abstract: Combustion equipment designed to reduce smoke levels and the production of nitrogen oxides has a fuel burner mounted in the upstream wall of a combustion chamber, the fuel burner comprising a central duct partially surrounded by an annular duct, each of the ducts having an array of swirl vanes at their upstream ends and fuel inlet apertures downstream of the respective arrays of swirl vanes. The fuel supply to each of the ducts can be controlled to apportion the fuel flow between the two ducts in dependence of an engine parameter, such as speed, so that at low speeds a majority of the fuel is injected into the annular duct while at higher engine speeds, a majority of the fuel is injected into the central duct.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for the cooling of articles or materials in which the objects to be cooled are passed in succession through a precooling zone and a deep-cooling zone. A first cold-gas stream traverses the precooling zone in counterflow to the objects and is cooled by indirect heat exchange with a refrigerant while the objects in the deep cooling zone are cooled by direct heat exchange with a second gas stream produced by gasification of a liquefied gas. The second cooling-gas stream, after at least partial heat exchange with the objects or materials in the deep-cooling zone, is fed to the first gas stream prior to the cooling thereof by the indirect heat exchange.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for taking atmospheric air under any seasonal condition and delivering refrigerated, dry, high density air to a compressor which can then operate at full capacity delivering dry, full volume air to a reheater and air dryer which delivers dry plant air in a plant air system. The compressed air system has a water chiller for chilling water passing therethrough in a water line when the water is above a predetermined temperature and a pump for pumping the water from the chiller water line into an inlet air cooler and dryer which is coupled to the atmosphere to receive atmospheric air and remove moisture. The compressor receives the air from the inlet cooler and dryer, compresses the air, and delivers it to a reheat air dryer where additional moisture is removed and the air is reheated. The chiller water line from the inlet cooler dryer passes through the reheat air dryer to remove additional moisture and back into the water chiller to form a closed cycle recycling water system.

Abstract: Apparatus for icing, freezing or frosting containers such as drinking glasses comprising a tank containing liquefied gas under pressure which is supplied through a valve and a coiled capillary conduit to a nozzle which sprays the liquefied gas into the interior of the drinking glass. A displaceable receiver plate is adapted for placement of the glass thereon and, in response to pressure applied to the glass, the receiver plate is displaced to open the valve which releases the liquefied gas from the tank into the coiled capillary conduit and, then, from the nozzle into the interior of the glass. The coil configuration of the capillary conduit provides resilience thereof and allows the same to undergo deformation as the receiver plate is displaced.

Abstract: Motor cooling system for refrigeration machine wherein one condenser connected to a main stage of the compressor is used to satisfy the cooling requirements of the system and a second condenser connected to a subsequent higher pressure compressor stage is employed for heating a medium to satisfy heating requirements of the system. The motor cooling system contains a three-way selector valve which connects either condenser selectively to the motor housing in response to the pressure in one condenser exceeding the pressure in the other condenser to provide a sufficient liquid refrigerant to the motor for cooling motor components under all operating conditions. The selector valve comprises a horizontally extending tubular portion having an annular seat at each end of the portion and a vertically extending tubular portion attached thereon.

Abstract: A cryostat for producing an inventory of a liquefied working fluid by expansion of the working fluid through an orifice, the cryostat including means to rapidly cool the cryostat to operating temperature and to maintain fluid flow at low temperature and high working fluid pressure to maintain maximum heat transfer between the working fluid and an object being cooled by the cryostat.

Abstract: The refrigeration available in a liquefied gas is utilized to refrigerate a fluid having a boiling point above the boiling point of the liquefied gas which is sprayed into an endless conduit such that the liquefied gas is vaporized. The resulting thermal currents and momentum of the spray are effective to provide the motive power for circulating the gas throughout the conduit and into indirect heat exchange with the fluid to be refrigerated. The temperature of heat exchange means in the vicinity of the location at which the fluid is introduced into such indirect heat exchange may be regulated by controlling the magnitude of the gas flow throughout the conduit to thereby avoid freezing of components of such fluid. The use of shaft power (such as a fan or blower) for circulating the gas flow throughout the conduit is avoided and the utilization of refrigeration available in the liquefied gas is improved accordingly.

Abstract: A method of improving the energy consumption of absorption cooling plants, according to which the solution residue from the evaporator of an absorption cooling plant is employed for the rectification of the vapor of the cooling medium.

Abstract: A necklace comprises an elongated strand consisting of a series of interconnected links of a polygonal cross section with the depending free ends of the strand spaced apart. A series of spaced housings are non-rotatably mounted upon the strand for selective longitudinal adjustment. Opposed walls of each housing having an aperture therethrough of a corresponding polygonal shape to cooperatively engage the strand. Each housing has an end wall and an open end including an ornament facing outwardly of the strand. A resilient spacer is interposed in compression between the end wall and strand for yieldably retaining the housing against longitudinal movement relative to the strand. A pair of housings on the strand are laterally spaced apart and interconnected.

Abstract: A drive assembly for connecting a governor (10) to an engine (12) for absorbing torsional vibrations in the shaft while providing a direct drive between the engine and the governor during overtravel. The drive assembly includes a shaft (16) driven by the engine (12) and a rotor (24) mounted on the end of the shaft and received within a housing (18) mounted for rotation about the shaft. The housing contains magnets (35 and 37) which interact with magnetically permeable portions of the rotor (24) to establish a magnetic flux coupling therebetween. During operation, torsional vibrations in the drive shaft (16) will tend to rotate the rotor (24) relative to the housing (18), thereby reducing the torsional vibration imparted from the engine (12) to the governor (10). Pins (32 and 34) limit the amount of relative movement between the rotor and the housing so that the rotor engages the pins, providing the direct drive to the governor during overtravel.

Abstract: An Oldham type coupling including first and second end coupling members rotatable about relative parallel axes and an intermediate coupling member. The intermediate coupling member is connected to the first end coupling member for relative translatory movement along a first path radially of the first end coupling member by a first set of rollers that transmit torque and by a second set of rollers that transmit end thrust between the intermediate and first end coupling member. The intermediate coupling member is connected to the second end coupling member for relative translatory movement along a second path radially of the second end coupling member and crosswise of the first path by a third set of rollers that transmit torque and by a fourth set of rollers arranged to transmit end thrust between the intermediate and second end coupling members.

Abstract: A loop-forming instrument relates to knitting machines wherein cam assemblies are used for displacing the loop-forming instruments, and includes a stem having a working end, portions of variable cross-section, a butt, a tail and a portion widening towards the working end. Disposed in the stem, intermediate of the butt and the widening portion, is a portion of constant cross-section abruptly changing to a narrowed part of the widening portion, the width thereof being considerably less than the width of the portion of constant cross-section. This makes it possible to strengthen the butt, to minimize concentration of stress in the working end set up in the moving loop-forming instrument and, thereby, to prolong the useful life thereof.

Abstract: A knitting machine includes a knitting carriage, guide bars for thread guides having plunging yarn hook/feeders and a thread guide control device. A control device is integral with the knitting carriage. The control device cooperates with at least one thread guide formed of a cam having faces defining at least three different plunging levels and actuating the plunging yarn hook/feeders located on its pathway, independently of the direction of motion of the knitting carriage.

Abstract: One embodiment of this tube sock includes clearly defined and distinct tuck stitch type mock ribs completely arund the leg and in the instep. In another embodiment, the tuck stitch type mock ribs are formed around the front of the leg while the usual type of plain stitch mock ribs are formed around the rear of the leg. In both embodiments, the sock is of a medium or dess weight so that the sock may be comfortably worn with dress shoes and includes very long and fine terry loops in the heel and sole area to provide the sock with cushion and comfort characteristics of the type normally provided in heavy weight athletic type socks. Both embodiments of the sock are provided with partial additional or extra courses of elastic yarn in the heel area to provide the heel with additional stretch to provide a better fit on the heel of the wearer.

Abstract: A prisoner leg restrainer is attachable to one leg of a prisoner wearing a belt. The leg restrainer includes first and second brace elements which are pivotably coupled together by a hinge. Straps are provided to couple the first and second brace elements to the leg of the prisoner. A locking mechanism automatically engages when the upper and lower sections of the leg restrainer are in vertical alignment to prevent rearward pivotal movement of the prisoner's leg.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for lids, hoods, flaps and/or doors, especially in motor vehicles, which cooperates with a cylinder lock whose lock cylinder is provided with a lock part adapted to be pressed-in against the force of a spring. The lock part includes, at its cylindrical outer surface, a pressure pin which is swung by rotation from an operating position to a non-operating position. In addition to the pressure pin, a lug is arranged at the outer surface of the lock part adapted to be pressed-in. The lug is operatively connected with an additional locking mechanism in such a manner that the additional locking mechanism becomes operable only over a limited rotary range of the lock cylinder adjoining the inoperable position of the pressure pin--as viewed in the locking direction.

Abstract: There is described a locking device for closing panels, particularly doors or windows, comprising a dead lock and a spring lock biased by spring means to a projecting position relative to the panel, as well as a cylindrical safety block, which comprises a driving arm with on the one end thereof at least one groove into which is engaged the cylindrical safety block projection during the rotation thereof by means of the key, in such a way as to impart to said arm a translation movement, said driving arm being connected with the other end thereof to a plurality of locking members which are guided inside the panel, so as to cause the entering into or the release from corresponding keepers under the action of the translation movement thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lock mechanism that has been designed to take up a minimum amount of space and thus be accommodatable in a relatively shallow structure. Said lock mechanism includes a pivotally mounted latch bolt, a deadlock member associated with said latch bolt, with biasing means urging said deadlock member to a locking position. To control the operation of the deadlock member there is provided a deadlock trigger and a deadlock position lever providing an operational connection between said trigger and the deadlock member. A primary operating lever as provided comprised of a first pivotally mounted arm portion and a second arm portion integral therewith and connected with the latch bolt by a loss motion connection. The pivot axis for said latch bolt, said primary operating lever and said deadlock member are disposed parallel to and adjacent the front plate of the casing structure, thereby enabling the lock mechanism to be accommodated and to function within a shallow casing structure.

Abstract: A latch and cylinder guard which can be bolted through a door without interfering with the latch and providing a double layer of metal in the latch vicinity.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a tube with successive corrugations from a tubular blank of constant diameter comprises a central pin having a shaft portion fixed only at one end to a stationary support and having at the other end a radially enlarged head portion cooperating with radially inwardly moving clamping and forming jaws to clamp a portion of a tubular blank therebetween. The apparatus includes further a tubular member guided on the shaft portion of the central pin and movable in axial direction by hydraulically operated members connected thereto.

Abstract: A stand of a cold tube-rolling mill is formed by a housing and work rolls. Mounted in pairs on the housing are uprights arranged opposite to the axis of rolling. The work rolls are mounted one above the other in the bearing supports between pairs of lower and upper backup rolls mounted in corresponding bearing chocks. The upper bearing chocks are adapted for vertical setup motions. The stand has a device for ensuring positive contact of the work rolls. The device is a linkage mechanism for each bearing chock of the upper backup rolls that links kinematically the bearing chock with an independent power drive ensuring its vertical setup motion.

Abstract: A pass-line adjusting mechanism is disclosed in association with the chocks of the lower back-up roll of a four-high rolling mill. The adjusting mechanism includes an axially slidable adjusting member having vertically stepped surface portions corresponding to each lower back-up roll chock, and an inverted channel-shaped support member interposed between the chocks and adjusting member. The support member has hardened upper surfaces underlying the chocks and engaging rocker plates thereon, and cross members providing lower surfaces engaging corresponding ones of the steps on the adjusting member. The support member is adapted to be elevated to lift the lower surfaces thereof from the adjusting member, and the adjusting member is adapted to be displaced relative to the support member when the latter is elevated to selectively position any corresponding pair of the steps thereof beneath the lower surfaces of the support member.

Abstract: A brake for bending sheet metal includes upper and lower clamping members, with a pressure slideably mounted on the upper clamping member. A bell crank is advantageously provided with its longer arm being utilized as a handle. The bell crank is pivotally engaged with the upper clamping member and its shorter arm is coupled by a link to the pressure member. When the handle is rotated towards the clamping members, the toggle action of the linkage provides maximum force per unit rotation at the top of the stroke to securely lock the upper clamping member against the lower clamping member. A stop is utilized to prevent further movement of the handle once the link-shorter arm pivot point travels slightly past an imaginary line between the bell crank and the link-pressure member pivots. In one embodiment, the linkage is adjustable in length to regulate the amount of clamping force. The locking mechanism is coupled to the brake in such manner that it does not bridge the upper and lower clamping members.

Abstract: Rollers are manufactured by winding a metallic band piece so that ends of the band piece butt against and are flush with one another, and heating and hardening the wound band piece. A striking load is applied during the heating step so that a gap which tends to form after winding between the ends of the band piece is closed. The application of the striking load may be performed by raising and dropping the wound band pieces. The latter may be done in a rotary furnace, or in a retort furnace with an inclined conveyor. Advantageously, the heating and hardening are performed after calibrating of the wound band pieces.

Abstract: A bending tool for bending a bendable member. The bending tool includes first and second engaging members each having an engaging surface for engaging a portion of the bendable member. A first support member supports the first engaging member and a second support member is provided for supporting the second engaging member. Mounting means mount the second support member for relative movement with respect to the first support member between an open position in which the first and second engaging members are spaced from one another a first distance, and a closed position in which the first and second engaging members are spaced from one another a second distance less than the first distance. Pivotal mounting means are provided for pivotally mounting the second engaging member on the second support member so as to be pivotable with respect to the second support member independent of relative movement of the first and second support members.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing power transmission belts is disclosed, wherein a drive belt is mounted between at least one drive motor and at least one intermediate shaft, and a test belt is mounted between at least one driven motor and said intermediate shaft. A variable load is applied to the test belt by causing an r.p.m. differential between the motors and a slippage of the belts with respect to pulleys secured to the drive and driven motors and the intermediate shaft.

Abstract: A pulse echo device with a concave transmitter-receiver surface located to direct ultrasonic energy to a focal point spaced therefrom transversely of a conduit, the focal point being a distance transversely of the conduit less than twice the thickness of the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing liquids, vapors and gases, which includes a conventional detection device operated in its non-linear region so that it is sensitive not only to substances having a Van der Waals' constant of greater than 9, but it is also sensitive to substances having a Van der Waals' constant of 9 or less. The device is driven by a constant current source, and a change in the level of the voltage across the detection device occurs upon exposure of the device to the substance being sensed. This voltage change is then detected to indicate the presence of the sensed substance. The relatively small voltage change associated with the detection device may be easily sensed by placing the detection device in a balanced bridge circuit. Further, the bridge circuit enables easy, accurate normalization of the apparatus in a reference environment. The non-linear characteristics of the detector allow it to be employed as a regulator for supplying a constant current to a power consuming device.

Abstract: An improved exhaust gas sensor for use in sensing the partial pressure of oxygen in the exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The sensor has a titania ceramic element in which two electrodes are embedded. The electrodes in the past have been made from pure platinum, this precious metal being required to enable the sensor electrodes to survive at temperatures up to about 900.degree. C. in the hostile gaseous environment. Even with the use of this platinum electrode material, electrode failures have occurred. These now have been found to be caused by the formation of platinum carbide from the chemical reaction of the platinum electrode material with exhaust gas constituents. Also, Pt loss has occurred from oxidation thereof and vaporization of the oxide. It has been found that deterioriation of sensor electrodes may be prevented by forming these electrodes from an alloy consisting essentially of platinum and another material having a lower vapor pressure and lower surface tension than platinum.

Abstract: A transducer control arrangement in a hydrostatic pipe testing machine or pipe tester, for preventing a change in the positioning of the pipe relative to a testhead seal as testing fluid is introduced into the pipe. A transducer signal activates at least one pump to operate a piston cylinder assembly connected to the testhead to reduce or eliminate any relative movement between the testhead seal and the pipe.

Abstract: Interfaces are detected in pipeline batching by means of a capacitance cell for determining dielectric constants. The batch fluid may be purified by a centrifugal filter to allow identification of the batch fluid by dielectric constant.

Abstract: Testing of rheological properties of a fluid is performed between a pair of members having cooperating faces, each characterized by minute, randomly interspersed land portions and cavity portions. The land portions of each face are planar and are disposed geometrically in a common plane. The cavity portions are irregular and are disposed in a network subordinate to the common plane. Testing involves the steps of placing a sample of the fluid between the cooperating faces, pressing the cooperating faces into flush contact with each other, and pulling the cooperating faces from each other. The force required for rupture of the fluid within itself, without first breaking its contact with the cooperating faces, is a function of the shear stress, yield point and other rheological properties of the fluid.

Abstract: A process for predicting the useful life of a respirator cartridge when used in an environment in which a specified toxic or hazardous organic vapor is present by measuring the weight increase of a preselected sorptive agent in a preselected geometrical configuration when exposed to a constant flow rate of a mixture of known concentration, said mixture consisting of dry air having the toxic or hazardous organic vapor dispersed therein. The invention also includes a kit consisting of some or all of the apparatus or equipment essential for practicing the present invention.

Abstract: The moment sensitivity of shear beam transducers is mechanically compensated to make such transducers relatively insensitive to load applications which are off-center relative to an optimal point of load application. The compensation is made by gradually increasing the depth of a load application hole in the transducer. The load application hole extends in the direction of a load application axis and its depth is increased until said moment sensitivity becomes substantially zero. In other words, the load sensitivity becomes substantially independent of the location of the point of load application. A further linearization of the moment sensitivity is accomplished by placing inserts into the load application hole.

Abstract: An abnormal tire profile indicating system comprising a telemetry unit mounted on each wheel of a vehicle and a central receiver. Each telemetry unit comprises a piezoelectric transducer which is deflected with each wheel revolution when the tire profile is low. Deflecting the transducer produces an electric pulse. The transducer pulses are accumulated on a charge storage capacitor to provide a power supply. When the level of charge on the capacitor reaches a predetermined level, a counter commences counting the transducer pulses. When a predetermined number of pulses are counted, the counter renders a transistor conductive, which transistor connects the power supply capacitor to an encoder and a transmitter. The encoder produces encoded signals and resets the counter after a predetermined number of encoder signals are produced. The central receiver receives the modulated radio signals from each of the telemetry units.

Abstract: A catheter probe flow meter and method of determining the volume flow of a fluid through a conduit, at least one of the fluid and the conduit having energy-scattering interfaces. The method in one embodiment includes trasmitting at least two and receiving at least one or transmitting at least one and receiving at least two sound beams through the fluid, resolving the Doppler vectors into an average velocity vector for each transmitting/receiving combination, and resolving the resolved velocity vectors into their component parts.