Abstract: An axle driving apparatus which fixes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor constituting a hydrostatic transmission to one of laterally dividable transmission casings, and provides check valves capable of sacking operating oil used in the hydrostatic transmission and also used as lubricating oil in the transmission casing, so that both the check valves are open to allow the hydraulic motor to freely rotate when the apparatus hauls a tractor, the transmission casing and hydrostatic transmission being compact to be disposed.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for a motor vehicle has a closed hydraulic circuit disposed between a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor with the hydraulic motor being of the variable displacement type. The hydraulic pump is driven by the engine and the hydraulic motor is driven by the hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pump for driving the road wheels. A pair of bypass passages are connected between the two oil passages of the closed hydraulic circuit between the hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor and a clutch valve is disposed in each bypass passage for adjusting the opening of that bypass passage. The opening of the bypass passages corresponding to the amount of operation of the clutch valves when the transmission receives driving forces from the road wheels during deceleration is controlled so as to be greater than the opening of the bypass passages when the transmission is driven by the engine to drive the road wheels.

Abstract: A pre-tensioned shape memory actuator for providing remote actuation at relatively high loads. The actuator utilizes a two-way shape memory alloy which is pre-tensioned to a pre-tensioned position, then partially compressed to a position intermediate its original position and the pre-tensioned position so as to allow the actuator unit to then fore-shorten back to the original position when heated, and to expand back to the intermediate position when again allowed to cool. The alloy is a part of a clamping device which applies compressive force to a work object at the intermediate position under normal temperatures and releases the compressive force when heated. Upon cooling, the cycle is completed as the memory alloy reverts to the intermediate position and once again applies the compressive force to the work object.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a cogeneration facility combined with means for producing CO.sub.2 includes an internal combustion engine that drives an electrical generator, a waste heat recovery unit through which hot exhaust gases from the engine are passed to recover thermal energy in usable form, and means for conveying exhaust gases coming out of the waste heat recovery unit to a CO.sub.2 recovery unit where the CO.sub.2 is extracted and made available as a saleable byproduct.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a thermodynamic cycle, which includes the use of a composite stream, having a higher content of a high-boiling component than a working stream, to provide heat needed to partially evaporate the working stream. After being partially evaporated, the working stream is evaporated completely with heat provided by returning gaseous working streams and heat from an auxiliary steam cycle. After being superheated, the working stream is expanded in a turbine. Thereafter, the expanded stream is separated into a spent stream and a withdrawal stream. The withdrawal stream is combined with a lean stream to produce the composite stream. The composite stream partially evaporates the working stream and preheats the working stream and the lean stream. A first portion of the composite stream is fed into a distillation tower. A liquid stream flowing from the distillation tower forms the lean stream that is combined with the withdrawal stream.

Abstract: A container for storing liquefied gas and for delivering the liquefied gas in either gas or liquid form is provided, the container having an inner vessel which holds the liquefied gas and an outer shell spaced apart therefrom, creating an evacuable space between the inner vessel and outer shell. The inner vessel is suspended from the outer shell by a necktube. An upper necktube support structure which minimizes necktube damage or rupture from impact or other lateral forces includes a lateral support disc extending across a space between a cylindrical collar surrounding a portion of the necktube and the interior surface of the upper head of the outer vessel. The lateral support disc and the cylindrical collar are spaced apart by an insulative annular sleeve, while the disc is supported at its peripheral edge on insulative bosses and is spaced from an insulative ring extending around the circumference of the interior surface to provide a double heat break.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a strip of moving metal in a hot strip mill, or the like, is disclosed. The apparatus utilizes an infrared sensor for measuring a temperature profile across a transverse section of the strip. A coolant manifold is utilized to apply coolant to the metal strip after the temperature is measured from a plurality of independently controllable outlets in the manifold transversely spaced across the strip. A controller adjusts the flow of coolant of the outlets in response to the transverse temperature measurements to selectively cool the strip in order to establish an uniform temperature profile.

Abstract: Ice making apparatus includes a plate forming a plurality of through openings, the plate having an under surface facing downwardly, a plurality of evaporator tips projecting downwardly from said openings, said tips consisting of heat conductive metal; there being downwardly tapering thermal isolators surrounding the tips proximate the plate, first means for supplying refrigerant fluid to extract heat upwardly from at least some of the tips and thereby cool them to ice forming temperature, and second means to spray water onto the under surface of the plate to drain down said isolators onto the tips, whereby ice progressively forms on the tips, and the tips may be subsequently heated to effect release of the ice from the tips to drop downwardly, for harvesting.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system operable in cooling and heating cycles to maintain the temperature of a fresh load in a conditioned space extremely close to a predetermined set point temperature, with the cooling cycle primarily controlling the load temperature in ambients above freezing. The transport refrigeration system includes a compressor driven by a prime mover in one of two selectable speeds, an air delivery system which provides a substantially constant volume of conditioned air for a conditioned load space regardless of prime mover speed, a modulation valve in a suction line of the compressor, and a digital thermostat which senses the temperature of air returning to an evaporator. The digital thermostat controls the modulation valve via modulation control in a predetermined temperature range above and below set point, in both the heating and cooling cycles.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system is connected to a hydraulic system including a pump, control valves, a reservoir and a hydraulic device. When the refrigeration system is running, the hydraulic system is disabled and the diesel and compressor are run responsive to cargo refrigeration requirements. When the hydraulic system is activated, the diesel is caused to operate at a preselected speed for maximum hydraulic flow and the refrigeration electrical, if necessary, system unloads the compressor to divert more engine power to the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: The present application relates to a means and method for simultaneously and independently controlling a pressure of a medium including refrigerant pressure of one and a plurality of output devices and for controlling a current input to one and a plurality of output devices in a relationship in accordance with a point temperature setting, a point humidity setting, and a point air velocity setting; enabling the circuit connecting one and a plurality of output devices to be broken upon a predetermined current deviation beyond the current controlled in a relationship to the point temperature, humidity, and air velocity of their respective settings; enabling the automatic resetting of the circuit to the power supply when the predetermined current deviation had been alleviated; enabling one or more output devices including a compressor of a refrigeration circuit to be maintained running after the temperature of a space becomes equal to the point temperature of a temperature setting and after the humidity of a spac

Abstract: A refrigerating system for an ice making machine includes an external equalizer expansion valve having a pressure equalizing tube connected to an exit of an evaporator tube. A pressure adjusting pipe which becomes conductive only in deicing cycle is branched from the pressure equalizing tube and connected to the discharge side of a compressor. An on-off valve is installed in the pressure adjusting pipe and controllably communicated with a hot gas valve in a hot gas pipe so that both the valves are opened and closed simultaneously. Namely, when the hot gas valve is opened for carrying out the deicing cycle operation, the on-off valve of the pressure adjusting pipe is opened, while the expansion valve remains closed. In an ice making operation cycle during which the hot gas valve is closed, the on-off valve of the pressure adjusting pipe is also closed. Thus, the expansion valve is optimally opened and closed for adjusting the amount of the coolant supply.

Abstract: Cooling arrangements are provided for cooling beverage containers of a multi-container package. In one embodiment, a cooling device consists solely of a shaped, generally planar slab of ice including a surface for directly engaging and supporting the bottoms of the beverage containers of the package. This surface includes a plurality of recesses therein in which the bottoms of the beverage containers are received. The device is carried in a plastic bag, and an elevating member positioned therebeneath defines a space in which water from the melting ice can collect. In another embodiment, the upper surface of a shaped slab of ice defines a pair of inclined planes which slant down from a central region and which include semi-cylindrical recesses therein in which the sides of beverage containers are received.

Abstract: A refrigerator for use on vehicles and having a storage chamber horizontally divided into a plurality of spaces by shelves, each of which is preferably adjustable to provide for adjustment of the spaces. An air passage means is defined in the refrigerator to form a closed air circulation passage in each of the spaces with refrigerating means associated with each air circulation passage whereby the temperature in each of the spaces can be independently control.

Abstract: Gaseous refrigerant is supplied from a flash tank economizer to cool the motor of a hermetic or semi-hermetic compressor when there is a sufficient flow available. When the flow becomes too small, liquid refrigerant is supplied to the shell of the compressor for cooling the motor.

Abstract: A removable member, having a front surface for receiving a flexible sheet of ornamental material thereover, is attachably engageable with a backing member. A peripheral edge of the sheet is gripped and held between the engaged members. The backing member carries a post, clip, pin or other device for attachment to a selected substrate such as the human body or the clothing. The movable member is held in snap engagement with the backing member for convenient separation and changeability of the ornamental sheet material.

Abstract: A stable fingernail ring which is a ring designed to be worn immediately behind the first knuckle of any finger, and comprising a circular supporting section designed to be worn around the finger between the first and second knuckle and preferably immediately behind the first knuckle, a decorative section on the upper portion of the ring and supported by the circular supporting section and which extends over the fingernail of the finger on which the ring is worn, and a stabilizing section on the bottom of the ring which is designed to assure that the ring will be stabilized on the wearer's hand.

Abstract: A specimen carrier is located in a clearly defined flow path of a treatment liquid in a treatment chamber. This treatment chamber is integrated with a conveying unit to one structural unit. For a realistic representation of the treatment operation the conveying unit comprises a pump having a rotating conveyor part for generating a non-pulsating flow. This flow can thereby be reversed by a reversal of the sense of rotation of the conveying part.

Abstract: The hanging lock is opened and closed by adjusting numbers. It comprises a U-shaped locking rod (10), having a stop (11), a slide plate (40), an upper cover (30), and a lower plate (20). The slide plate is located between the upper cover and the lower cover. Two dials (53, 54) are provided and a reed (55). The lower cover (20) has two semicircular grooves (21, 22) for insertion of the locking rod when the device is assembled. A spring (50) is disposed at the end of the longer arm of the locking rod (10) and a pair of posts are located on the lower cover. A slide rail (27) disposed between the posts has a concave portion for fitting a spring. The slide rail protrudes at one end of the form a flange (24) and is capable of moving backward and forward to open and close the locking device. The dials (53, 54) are placed on top of circular holes on the slide plate. Number cases (60) are installed on the top of each of the circular holes of the slide plate to get up with the number dial by means of the convex block.

Abstract: A laminated padlock includes a casing which is formed of a plurality of metal plates and a barrel member mounted in the casing. The barrel member has a cylinder rotatably inserted thereinto and a groove formed on the outer surface of the barrel member. One of the plates of the casing is depressed inward to engage with the groove of the barrel member so that the barrel member can be fixed in the casing.

Abstract: A pop-out handle lock assembly wherein the handle engagement and connecting means is a two part construction including a rotatable shaft having a head end with a transverse slot and a generally T-shaped holder member made of flat sheet material is pivotally held in the slotted head end of the shaft so as to eliminate binding or interference with the freedom of the handle to pop out or to be pushed into the locked retracted position.

Abstract: An electronic door lock is provided with a single control knob used for entering a predetermined combination through manipulation of the knob in a first arc of rotation, the code being entered by pushing the dial inwardly to bring a push pad into contact with individual ones of an arcuate array of electrical switches provided on a printed circuit board within the lock housing, the release of the door locking bolt being accomplished after entry of the predetermined code by further manipulation of the control knob through remaining portions of knob rotation which are unavailable until after entry of the predetermined code.

Abstract: A re-keyable lock has a forwardly removable cylinder and plug assembly. The cylinder and plug assembly is removably secured to the lock by a setscrew. The setscrew can be removed with conventional and readily available tools.

Abstract: The present invention entails a doorknob security device for preventing access to the outer surface of the doorknob and particularly to a keyhole or other locking and unlocking mechanisms formed about the surface of the knob. In particular, the security device of the present invention comprises an outer main housing and a rotatable inner closure panel. The inner closure panel is rotatable from a closed to an open position. In the open position the security device easily accepts a doorknob. In the closed position the security device encompasses and closes the doorknob preventing access to the same.

Abstract: An improved axial split pin tumbler type lock is provided. The improvement consists in providing a cylinder having a lock head formed with a square-shaped keyhole defining a front face on the lock head, and a three-part plug assembly inserted in the cylinder. One of the three-part plug assemblies consists of a cylinder head having a forward end provided with a square-shaped cut-out section formed therein, the square cut-out section radially traversing the tumbler bores formed therein. A tubular key is provided having an inner circular core, and an outer square-shaped face adapted to matingly engage within the square-shaped keyhole in the lock head and the square-shaped cut-out section in the cylindrical head portion. The square-shaped front face of the lock head includes a series of thickened face sections alternating with a series of thinner face sections.

Abstract: A roll forming apparatus disclosed has a series of roll forming stations with a first group of stations having rollers that are adjustable to different width settings using the same rollers to form more than one width of ogee type gutter. A cutter uses interchangeable cutting blades and die plates for shearing different gutter sizes to selected lengths. The cutter uses a rotary drive member to move the blade in a path having a relatively short stroke that performs a scissor-like cutting action to successively cut the walls of the formed gutters for each revolution of the rotary drive member. A crank member for manually moving the cutter blade is collapsible and the crank handle is demountable for transport purposes.

Abstract: A bending die and a method of using the die to bend a pipe or the tube closely adjacent to an end of the tube having an end fitting is described. The bending die has a bending die member with a generally circumferentially extending groove around which the pipe or tube is bent. A clamping die member clamps an end portion of the tube against the bending die member. A clamping jaw member removably attached to the clamping jaw member, has a generally planar clamping face that contacts the end fitting on the pipe or tube. The bending die member defines a notch to accommodate a portion of the end fitting when the tube end is initially clamped to the bending die member. The method of bending the pipe or tube encompasses the steps of cutting the pipe to length, attaching the end fitting to the end of the pipe or tube (such as by welding), inspecting the end fitting-tube joint and subsequently bending the tube.

Abstract: A rolling mill machine is for longitudinal bending of plate to provide a cross-sectional profile. The machine includes elements for advancing the plate in a longitudinal direction through a plurality of longitudinally spaced shaping stations. Each of the shaping stations extends in a generally transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction and includes an upper row of forming rolls and a lower row of forming rolls which are disposed in spaced relationship along the transverse direction for respectively bending the plate advancing therebetween to form the profile. Some of the shaping stations include centrally located forming rolls being longitudinally displaced forwardly of the other of forming rolls in the upper and lower rows for initially bending the plate by these centrally located forming rolls. Additonally, the forming rolls respectively combine with corresponding other forming rolls to form generally converging longitudinal rows of the forming rolls.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rotor frame of an electromagnetic clutch is disclosed. A rotor frame is manufactured using press machines in a sequential process of: (1) forming a blank which has the shape of a regular polygon; (2) forming a bulge in one side of the blank; (3) making a hole in the center of the bulge; and (4) bending the walls of the bulge and the blank edges into projections that can be machined to provide appropriately shaped end surfaces for use as a rotor frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rotary forging a workpiece is disclosed which includes a manipulator for grasping and advancing the workpiece axially along a predetermined path of travel through a rotary forge mounted adjacent the manipulator. The rotary forge includes cooperating pairs of forging dies which work and reshape the workpiece. At least one induction heating coil located in-line with the path of travel of the workpiece through the forge is mounted adjacent the forge for selectively heating the workpiece as it is advanced into the rotary forge.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing-in a pipe end by plastic cold forming includes a clamping body. An annular body disposed on the clamping body has an inner surface and a center. An internal tool in the form of a stop ring is centrally supported on the clamping body for defining a desired inside pipe profile. A plurality of jaws is disposed on the clamping body for extending over the outside of a region of a pipe to be drawn-in. The annular body has blind bores serving as cylinders formed therein in radial directions with openings facing toward the inner surface of the annular body. Pistons connected to the jaws are inserted in the cylinders and movable radially toward the center of the annular body by a pressure medium. The stop ring has individual stops in the form of stop heads with threaded shafts being radially adjustably screwed into radial threaded bores formed in the stop ring. The threaded shafts may be rotated.

Abstract: A pneumatic-hydraulic booster type driving device for the cushion-knockout mechanism associated with the slide of a press-machine serves to stably hold down a work plate such as a printed board and the like while performing a cushion operation at the time of a pressing stroke and serves to knock out the work plate after the pressing stroke in the press-machine. In the driving device, a pneumatic-hydraulic booster is connected through a pressure oil supply and discharge means to a hydraulic actuation chamber of a cushion cylinder provided in the slide of the press-machine, and the pressure oil supply and discharge means comprises a valve chamber within a valve casing and a knockout actuator which is fixedly secured to the valve casing so as to perform the valve opening operation of the valve unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and an associated method for testing containers for volume and leaks by employing a pump which provides rapid pressurized pulses simultaneously to a container being tested and a standard volume which may be a container. Acoustic impedance materials are interposed between the pump and the two containers to isolate the containers from each other. A differential pressure monitor is interposed between the two containers to provide output to electronic processing apparatus which may serve to either determine (a) solely if a leak exists or (b) in the alternative if no leak exists to determine whether the desired volume is present within the container.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for testing the integrity of a container of the type which includes a thin walled cup and a flexible lid sealed to the rim of the cup. In accordance with the method a force is applied to an elongated portion of the lid which circumscribes an area which is coaxial with the center of the cup. Since the cup is sealed this application of force causes the circumscribed area to bow outwardly from the cup. The displacement of the bowed portion is then compared to the previously measured displacement for containers known to be of acceptable quality. An apparatus for performing the test has an upper test assembly with a rim which is adapted to be urged against the elongated portion of the lid. A displacement sensor is mounted within the upper test assembly.

Abstract: A capillary viscometer is provided which includes a fiber-optic probe and a phototransistor which produces an output signal as a liquid meniscus falls through the field of view of a detecting fiber bundle. An analog circuit is employed for receiving the signal and starting or stopping a digital counter in response thereto. The circuit includes first and second differentiators and a zero detection portion for detecting zero value outputs from the second differentiator. The counter is started or stopped upon the generation of a triggering pulse at the time such zero value is detected.

Abstract: A method for testing the repeatability of test runs of a rheologic instrument. Such instrument will, typically, include a power shaft and a test chamber. The disclosed method constitutes the step of using a torque transducer to reiteratively compare the reactive torques imparted to a power shaft through the use of sequences of rheologic references.

Abstract: A bar device has one end portion supporting a test body and is pivotable about a pivot center. The bar device comprises a measuring device together with a probe, which works on the basis of measuring the thickness of thin layers. An energizing means acts on the bar device and comprises a first part rigid with a housing and a second part rigid with the bar device. A geometric first longitudinal axis passes through the center of the probe and the center of the test body. The part rigid with the housing comprises a cylindrical electromagnetic coil having a geometric second longitudinal axis parallel with the first longitudinal axis. The coil has a clear space parallel with the second longitudinal axis. Substantially coaxial with the second longitudinal axis, a carrier rod is rigid in its longitudinal direction relative to the end portion of the bar device and is connected in entraining fashion to the bar device.

Abstract: A driving device for a hardness measuring instrument of the type including a fixed structure (2,3,4,5,6) having a base on which a piece to be controlled is firmly resting, and a movable assembly (7,8,9,10) that is driven from a motor (6) during a measuring cycle in such a manner as to be initially brought nearer the piece to be controlled and subsequently subjected to a measuring load, wherein the device utilizes, between the motor (6) and the movable assembly (7,8,9,10), two coaxial screws (11,13) having equally running threads, one of which screws is a large-pitch screw (11) and the other one is a small-pitch screw (13), the two screws being driven from the motor (6) and being arranged so that during a measuring operation, first the large-pitch screw (11) acts to cause the movable assembly (7,8,9,10) to be rapidly moved towards the piece to be controlled and then the small-pitch screw (13) acts to cause said movable assembly to be brought nearer said piece by a slow powerful motion, the reverse procedure ta

Abstract: A method of operating an onboard diagnostic system for a distributorless ignition system of an internal combustion engine includes detecting the time of occurrence of a spark plug firing and calculating the time of spark plug firing. The calculated time and the detected time are compared to see if they come within a predetermined time period, adjusted for averaged rotational velocity. A fault is indicated if the time of occurrence of the calculated and the detected spark do not come within the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A device for measuring the wake of a sailing model in a trail tank is equiped with a platform capable of pursuing the model in the same direction and at the same speed as the model. The device includes five optical point measurement heads, carried on the platform and capable of moving horizontally with respect to the platform and crosswise with respect to the direction of pursuit of the model, thereby scanning the wake transversely and measuring the water surface undulation due to the model wake, in five adjacent vertical parallel planes forming a strip.

Abstract: A device for quantitatively measuring adherence of thin films provides a first substrate having an upper surface and a second substrate having a surface coplanar therewith. The second substrate is spaced on all sides from the first substrate by a cavity. The thin film is suspended over the cavity and adhered to the surfaces of the two substrates. A characteristic length of the area of the surface of the second substrate to which the film is adhered is made small relative to the characteristic length of the cavity. A pressure differential is applied across the thickness of the film such that the film debonds from the surface of the second substrate. Mechanical characteristics of the debonding of the film are observed and measured. The characteristics are thereafter related to provide a quantitative measurement of adherence of the thin film to the second substrate. A measurement of relative adherence between different films is obtained by testing a multilayered film structure.

Abstract: An air system analyzer device comprising a flowmeter having a plurality of selectable output ports of respective diameters and a plurality of float members selectively mountable within the flowmeter, together with a method for calibrating the output of a low volume pump and the efficiency of air delivery by the pump through an air system supplied by the pump.

Abstract: An atmospheric sounding unit is provided which is capable of being launched from an aircraft. The unit includes atmospheric sounding instrument such as a rawinsonde for, in operation, providing desired atmospheric soundings; a balloon connected to the sounding instrument; a gas source, e.g., a gas tank, for a lighter-than-air gas; an arrangement for filling the balloon with the gas; and a sensor for sensing the approach of the unit to the Earth and for providing release of the balloon with the sounding instrument connected thereto from the remaining components of the unit when a predetermined approach condition, e.g., contact with water, is sensed. Upon release, the balloon is permitted to ascend and the sounding instrument produces soundings during the ascent of the balloon into the atmosphere. A system of parachutes controls the descent of the unit after the launching thereof from the aircraft.

Abstract: A fluidic amplifier for sensing the motion of fluid. The amplifier comprises a heater probe, a reference probe and an active probe which is subject to influence of the heater probe under certain circumstances. A reinforced deflection vane is provided to cause signal level changes when fluid flow reaches a predetermined velocity.

Abstract: An optical probe is sealingly mounted in an access port of a pressurized container. The probe comprises a glass rod of a predetermined thickness having a conical end tip. An optical transmitter and receiver is connected to the glass rod. The fiber optic transmitter and receiver sends visible red light down the glass rod. When the liquid level inside the container drops below the end tip of the glass rod, reflected light will be received from the glass rod and detected.

Abstract: An enclosure for a transducer includes a cylindrical housing and an end cap covering one end of the housing. A coupling ring engages an annular projection on the one end of the housing and a threaded portion of the end cap to hold the two elements in an abutting relationship. The housing has a threaded aperture therethrough. One of a series of different types of plumbing fittings, each having a common threaded projection, has the threaded projection received in the aperture of the housing. The end cap has a threaded aperture therethrough with one of a series of different types of electrical couplings received therein. Each of the couplings of the series has a common threaded projection which is adapted to mate with the end cap aperture. A set of stops is provided to prevent the end cap and the housing from rotating more than 360 degrees with respect to each other.

Abstract: A vibratory angular rate sensor system preferably consists of a Z-cut quartz plate forming a mounting frame with a rectangular opening. Within the opening are mounted two pairs of tines. Each pair of tines is parallel to each other, one pair forming the drive tines and the other pair the output tines. Each corresponding set of two tines is disposed along the same axis having a common stem or base. The tines are secured by four bridges integral with the frame and connected to the stem. The arrangement is such that the pair of input tines vibrates in opposition to each other, while the pair of output tines vibrates with one tine going up while the other moves downwardly. As a result, the angular rate sensors drive frequency and the structural torque frequency are unequal. Therefore large displacements of the stem are unnecessary.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining Young's Modulus of a specimen by measuring the speed at which stress waves, either P-waves or S-waves, propagate therein. An embodiment of the apparatus includes two fixtures which are removably affixed to opposite ends of the specimen. A hammer having an accelerometer affixed to its head is used to strike the first fixture to produce stress waves in the specimen. A timing means starts counting in response to an output generated by the accelerometer when the hammer strikes the first fixture. A second accelerometer affixed to the second fixture detects the stress waves and generates an output which causes the timing means to stop counting. Further circuitry extracts the measured time, calculates a dispersion time delay based on material and length, and subtracts the dispersion time delay and a predetermined constant, both dependent on the material in the specimen, from the measured time to form a corrected transit time.

Abstract: A method for measuring texture of metal plates or sheets using non-destructive ultrasonic investigation includes measuring the velocity of ultrasonic energy waves in lower order plate modes in one or more directions, and measuring phase velocity dispersion of higher order modes of the plate or sheet if needed. Texture or preferred grain orientation can be derived from these measurements with improved reliability and accuracy. The method can be utilized in production on moving metal plate or sheet.

Abstract: An inspection system for non-destructively detecting physical defects in solid shafts by launching and receiving longitudinal acoustic waves has been described incorporating a transducer head containing a transducer head containing a matrix of transducers, pulsers, pulse width modulators, preamplifiers and a summing amplifier. A fiber optic cable may couple the transducer head to a remote location containing a receiver and a oscilloscope. The invention overcomes the problem of launching longitudinal acoustic waves with insufficent energy. Further, the invention overcomes the problem of asymmetric load conversions affecting the output signal arising at times when only one transducer is used and is positioned off center with respect to the solid shaft.