Abstract: A grass-bagging apparatus for use with a lawn mower. The apparatus includes a chute with a disposable bag disposed therearound. An attaching frame is used to fasten the chute to the mower and retain the bag thereon. Grass and other cuttings discharged from the lawn mower are directed in the bag through the chute. After the bag is filled, the chute may be removed from the bag while leaving the cuttings in the bag. The filled bag may then be closed for disposal and a new bag positioned on the chute. A protective screen may be provided between the plastic bag and the operator in the event that objects discharged from the mower penetrate the material of the bag.

Abstract: A conveyor-storage system for moving bobbins in a spinning plant between a fly frame, a ring-spinning frame, and a bobbin cleaner has an annular track having a first section extending from the fly frame to the ring-spinning frame, a second section extending from the ring-spinning frame to the cleaner, and a third section extending from the cleaner to the fly frame. A single large-capacity storage area immediately adjacent the track has respective first, second, and third feed tracks extending to the respective track sections. Respective first, second, and third three-point intersections connect each feed track with the respective track section for two-way movement of bobbins between each feed track and the respective track section.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching natural staple fibers to reduce their diameter includes a plurality of rotatable arrays of driven pulleys which are mounted for rotation between two twist blocking nips. The rotatable arrays are rotatable on a longitudinal axis corresponding to the direction of travel of an assembly of fibers through the apparatus to impart false twist into the assembly. The assembly of fibers is stretched between two of the pulley arrays with the pulleys of the downstream array being driven at a higher speed than the pulleys of the upstream array. A steam chamber is provided for setting the stretch while the false twist is being maintained by further rotatable pulley arrays. Post treatment stages may be added to further stabilize the stretched fibers.

Abstract: A combined gas and steam turbine system includes a steam turbine having a water/steam loop and a high-pressure stage in the water/steam loop. The high-pressure stage has a preheater and a high-pressure heater connected downstream of the preheater. A gas turbine has an exhaust gas side. A steam generator is connected downstream of the exhaust gas side of the gas turbine. The steam generator includes a firing system producing flue gases flowing in a given direction, the preheater, the high-pressure heater, an intermediate superheater connected downstream of the high-pressure stage, and a medium-pressure heater connected parallel to the high-pressure stage. The medium-pressure heater is disposed in the steam generator between the high-pressure heater and the preheater, as seen in the given flow direction of the flue gases.

Abstract: An anti-icing system for a nacelle of a gas turbine powerplant is disclosed. Various construction details have been developed which provide means to exhaust fluid from an inlet shell cavity and into an external medium. In one embodiment, the exhaust means (62) includes a plurality of aerodynamically shaped vanes (66) disposed within the inlet shell cavity (52) and a plurality of exhaust slots (68) wherein each of the vanes is adjacent one of the exhaust slots. The vanes are adapted to turn a portion of the body of fluid flowing within the inlet shell cavity to a direction substantially normal to the direction of flow of the external medium.

Abstract: A trim system reduces NO.sub.x output from a cannular gas turbine by trimming fuel flow rates to equalize the fuel-air ratio in each combustor can. The system includes a main valve fluidly connected to the fuel inlet of each can and a trim valve fluidly connected to each fuel inlet in parallel with the main valve. Each trim valve has a flow resistance which is about 30-100 times greater than the flow resistance of each main valve. A controller is provided for controlling the opening of the trim valves in response to the level of NO.sub.x emitted from the gas turbine. The controller receives a signal corresponding to the NO.sub.x emissions from a NO.sub.x sensor and outputs suitable control signals to the trim valves. In one preferred control scheme, the controller sequentially perturbs the fuel flow rate to each can and monitors the resulting changes in NO.sub.x emissions. The controller establishes influence coefficients for each combustor can which are defined as the ratio of the change in NO.sub.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system for an internal combustion engine includes a dual passage portion having a first passage and a second passage which are connected in parallel to each other. In the first passage, a first catalyst constructed of lean NOx catalyst is located and further a second catalyst constructed of oxidizing catalyst or three-way catalyst is located downstream of the first catalyst. In the second passage, a third catalyst constructed of oxidizing or three-way catalyst is located. A flow switching valve is provided so as to switch the flow of exhaust gas between the first passage and the second passage. The flow switching valve is switched so that exhaust gas flows through the third catalyst when the engine is being warmed-up and flows through the first catalyst and the second catalyst after the engine has been warmed-up.

Abstract: A plurality of lean NOx catalysts are installed in passages of a dual passage portion of an exhaust conduit of an internal combustion engine. A space velocity changing means including a valve is provided at a connecting portion of the passages so that the amount of exhaust gas flowing through the lean NOx catalysts is altered periodically. When a space velocity of exhaust gas at the lean NOx catalyst changes from a low velocity to a high velocity, an NOx purification rate of the lean NOx catalyst increases momentarily. By repeatedly generating the NOx purification rate increased conditions, the NOx purification rate of the NOx purification apparatus including the plurality of lean NOx catalysts is greatly increased.

Abstract: A baffle is added to the inlet pipe and inlet volume of a catalytic converter to maintain separation between converging exhaust gas streams entering into the catalytic converter material. Combination of the exhaust gas streams entering the catalytic converter is thereby substantially avoided, allowing a single catalytic converter to handle the exhaust gas components of a plurality of exhaust gas streams from an engine without overloading the catalytic converter. Overloading of the catalytic converter due to the combination of exhaust gas components, and the related surging of unreacted gases to the atmosphere from overloading, is thereby substantially prevented, providing improved emissions control at a low cost, and without requiring addition of a second catalytic converter.

Abstract: An accumulator for use in a hydraulic control circuit comprises a check valve for allowing a suction of air into a working fluid pressure chamber from the atmosphere. The check valve includes a valve cylinder integrally formed with a member for defining the working fluid pressure chamber. The check valve includes a check ball movable within a bore of the cylinder, and a ball stopper having an outer peripheral surface formed with mesh-like grooves press fitted into the bore to retain the ball within the bore.

Abstract: Hydraulically-operated equipment such as travelling equipment or working equipment for use in construction machinery such as a power shovel, shoveldozer and bulldozer. The hydraulically-operated equipment comprises a hydraulic driving mechanism actuated by hydraulic pressure, a hydraulic pressure supplying device for supplying hydraulic pressure to a hydraulic pipeline system for the hydraulic driving mechanism and a controller for controlling the hydraulic pressure supplying device such that the supplying rate at which hydraulic pressure is supplied to the hydraulic pipeline system according to the supply of hydraulic pressure is decreased in a specified period after a dead zone period in which hydraulic pressure starts to rise. This arrangement prevents an operational lag in the hydraulic driving mechanism as well as a shock at the time of start-up and shut-down.

Abstract: Fuel injection nozzles used for reducing NOx in gas turbine engines has incorporated a variety of expensive and complicated techniques. For example, systems use schemes for introducing more air into the primary combustion zone, recirculating cooled exhaust products into the combustion zone and injecting water spray into the combustion zone. The present fuel injector (60,166) reduces the formation of carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides within the combustion zone by controlling the premix air/fuel ratio and more explicitly by controlling the air portion of the air/fuel ratio over the entire operating range of the engine (10).

Abstract: A compactable thermally insulated carrier includes a Peltier effect thermal control device mounted in a rectangular block of rigid polymeric foam, a first thermally insulative wall panel adapted to fold about the block, and a second insulative panel adapted to fold upon the first panel. When completely assembled, a rectangular enclosure is formed which is elongated between front and rear extremities. The block is positioned at the rear of the enclosure. A flap, integral with one of the panels, serves as a door for the front extremity. An electric fan causes air to move across vanes to the Peltier device, through a portal in the block, and into the enclosure.

Abstract: Provided is an improved refrigeration system for pre-cooling natural gas or cooling a mixed refrigerant for natural gas liquefaction in a propane refrigeration process widely used for the liquefaction of natural gas. The system comprises a plurality of plate-fin heat exchangers preferably arranged in a parallel relationship for passing a propane refrigerant as a vertical flow and pre-cooling natural gas or cooling a mixed refrigerant for liquefying natural gas, and a thermo siphon drum for the propane refrigerant consisting of a horizontally disposed, laterally elongated tank. Because the passages of the heat exchanger for the natural gas or the mixed refrigerant extend over their entire length in mutually separate relationship, even when the propane refrigerant, the natural gas or the mixed refrigerant is in both gas and liquid phases, a high efficiency of heat transfer can be attained, and the size of the heat exchanger can be reduced.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system wherein compressed feed is further compressed in a compressor coupled to a turboexpander and turboexpanded through the turboexpander to drive the compressor, and a portion of the feed which does not undergo turboexpansion is condensed against liquid oxygen in a product boiler.

Abstract: A device for the removal of hydrogen from a vacuum enclosure at cryogenic temperatures, especially high energy particle accelerators which comprises a metal support preferably in the form of a strip of aluminium and a composition able to sorb hydrogen adherent to the support in particular on at least one surface of the strip. The composition comprises a porous absorber of H.sub.2 O, preferably powdered aluminium oxide and in contact with palladium oxide which preferably covers, at least partially, the water absorber.

Abstract: In a multi-stage cold accumulation type refrigerator including a compressor disposed at an ordinary temperature, a helium gas as a common operating fluid to be compressed by the compressor, and one or more expansion chambers and cold accumulators of different temperature levels; a cold accumulating member of the cold accumulators is formed of an alloy or compound containing a rare earth metal, so that the efficiency of the refrigerator can be improved. Further, a heat generation quantity due to sliding resistance of a seal is set to be smaller than a theoretical generated refrigeration quantity to be obtained on the assumption of isothermal expansion in the expansion chambers, so that the refrigerating capacity can be improved. The refrigerator is applied to a cooling device for cooling a superconducting magnet, SQUID, superconducting computer, infrared telescope, etc.

Abstract: Air conditioning and refrigeration methods and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a conditioned space to a predetermined temperature band adjacent to a predetermined set point temperature via cooling and heating cycles utilizing a supply of pressurized cryogen. A fluid flow path for the cryogen includes a heat exchanger associated with the conditioned space. A cryogen heater is connected in the active cryogen flow path during a heating cycle, and cryogen is directed through the heater and heat exchanger via at least two successive serial passes, utilizing the elevated pressure energy of the cryogen as the motive force.

Abstract: The invention in its preferred embodiment is a portable life support system for use in warm water diving providing temperature regulation and breathable atmosphere through cryogenic technology while maintaining neutral buoyancy and trim throughout zero-gravity simulation. The portable life support system comprises: a liquid cooled garment; an externally charged, positive expulsion dewar for storing and delivering liquid cryogen; means for circulating liquid cryogen from said dewar in heat exchange relation with the cooling liquid so as to cool the wearer of the garment and vaporize the liquid cryogen; and means forming a semi-closed breathing loop for delivering breathable gas obtained from the vaporized cryogen from said circulating means to the wearer of said garment for breathing purposes.

Abstract: An airborne cryogenic cooling system in which a first cryogenic material located within an on-board container is cooled to the solid state prior to launch a remotely located second cryogen conduited to the container. Immediately prior to becoming airborne connection is broken to the second cryogen and on-board cooling is achieved by venting the container to space environment causing sublimation of the solid first cryogenic, or, alternatively, the container may be left sealed and cooling results from triple-point transition of the solid cryogen.

Abstract: A process for activating an air conditioning unit includes checking the unit's compressor for possibly being in a recovery status condition. A message is displayed on a control panel as long as the unit's compressor remains in this condition. The display includes an indication as to the time remaining before the compressor will be activated.

Abstract: A screw compressor ice making packaged unit comprises a horizontal low pressure refrigerant receiver, at least one screw compressor which is on top of the receiver and parallel thereto, two refrigerant liquid supply installations, two horizontal high pressure refrigerant vessels provided at the exterior of the supply installations, and refrigerant system pipe lines connecting all parts of the set. The central axes of the compressor, low pressure refrigerant receiver together with the supply installations and the high pressure refrigerant vessels are disposed in three levels of upper, middle and lower, and are basically lined up in the same vertical plane. All parts of the same group are arranged symmetrically with respect to the middle perpendicular plane of the ice making packaged unit.

Abstract: A cooling system for a computer system which includes at least one component which generates substantial thermal energy. The cooling system includes a heat exchanger formed of a thermally conductive material which is attached to the heat generating component, the heat exchanger including an internal expansion chamber. A first conduit provides a pressurized liquid refrigerant supplied from a refrigeration compressor unit to the expansion chamber, wherein the pressurized liquid refrigerant is evaporated absorbing heat from the heat exchanger and the attached heat generating component. A second conduit provides egress of the evaporated refrigerant from the expansion chamber, returning the evaporated refrigerant to the compressor. The first conduit has a smaller diameter than the second conduit and is placed coaxial with and within the second conduit. The coaxial arrangement of the first and second conduits serves two purposes.

Abstract: The refrigerative probe comprises in combination an insert member fit into, and cooperating with, a probe housing to provide an elongated flowpath in fluid communication with the inner surface of said probe housing. The elongated pathway, being partly defined by a channel formed in the outer surface of the insert member and partly formed by the probe housing, is easily formed in the assembled probe by inserting the insert member into the probe housing.

Abstract: A modular accumulator dehydrator assembly for a vehicle air conditioning system uses an array of common components to provide configurations adapted to fit several possible orientations and locations of lines in the system. A cylindrical canister is closed by an end cap, to which a block is attached by a single bolt. Either a bottom or top feed set of inlet pipes is inserted in the end cap, depending on the chosen orientation for the canister. Then, a pair of tubes is added to the outside of the block, which are turned and bent to the proper position for joining to the compressor and evaporator line before brazing in place in the block. A single bolt is tightened to join the block to the end cap, which tightens a pair of O-ring seals to seal the block to end cap connection.

Abstract: A freezing tunnel includes a longitudinally extending housing defining a cooling cavity containing a cooling atmosphere which progresses from one end of the tunnel to the other end. An endless mesh belt extends through the housing for carrying articles to be frozen. A shroud is located within the housing and extends transversely across the belt and terminating in edges which define an opening. The shroud defines an inner region and an outer region between the inner region and the housing and includes first and second longitudinally spaced shroud portions, each having respective apertures for allowing fluid communication between the inner and outer regions. Electrically driven fans direct the cooling atmosphere through the respective apertures and the opening and past the articles to be frozen.

Abstract: The bracelet (1) according to the invention includes an inner chain (2) made up of articulated links (4) including a central part (8) from which two lateral arms (14) project. The bracelet (1) further includes a plurality of decorative elements (6) strung onto the inner chain (2) and blocking means for each decorative element (6) on the chain (2). According to the invention each blocking means comprises a blocking element (38) which is positioned on the chain (2) and which comprises two projecting parts (42) extending laterally beyond arms (14) and, each decorative element (6) comprises a passage (58) provided with a shoulder (60) which bears against the projecting parts (42) when such element (38) is arranged on the chain (2) and the decorative element (38) is strung on said chain.

Abstract: A gem holder for magnifying and enhancing the appearance of gems set therein. The gem is set within the magnifying gem holder so that it is recessed away from the topmost edge of the holder. The gem holder is highly polished and is coated with a reflective coating near its top. The appearance of the gem set within the gem holder is magnified as the light reflected by the topmost portion of the gem holder appears to be the light from a gem the size of the gem holder, and not the smaller gem so held. The gem holder may be incorporated into earrings, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, and the like.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine for making patterned high-pile knitted fabrics has needles which move up and down in a needle cylinder and a pattern controlled fiber feeding means made up an opening cylinder wheel to which fibers are fed in accordance with a pattern and which transfers fibers to a doffer from which the needles take off fibers and in which the opening cylinder wheel and doffer are moved out of fiber-transferring relationship upon the interruption of fiber feed to the opening cylinder wheel in accordance with said pattern while leaving the needles in fiber take-off relationship with the doffer.

Abstract: A flat bed knitting machine has two beds supported on either side of a central knitting region. The upper bed is supported on the lower bed by a series of specifically shaped needle plates which extend upward from the a grooved plate bed. The shape of the plates allows the upper bed to slide in separate movement from the lower bed. The shape of the supports also allowing for mounting and removal of the upper needle bed from the lower bed.

Abstract: A safety lock defining one and another, substantially rigid, elongated legs, the one leg defining an outer first leg portion and an inner second leg portion, and the another leg defining an inner third leg portion and an outer fourth leg portion, and an arcuate web integrally joining the second and third leg portions; the web being made from a resilient material whereby the web forms a hinge for relative movement of the one and another legs; the fourth leg portion including a channel, being releasably engaged by the first leg portion whereby the second and third leg portions form with the web a large shackle-like structure for use in locking a utility control box, and ears, for use in receiving the small shackle of at least a few padlocks whereby the first leg portion thereafter becomes locked into the channel; and a notch arrangement, for automatically but releasably retaining a free end tip of the first leg portion against the channel distal end, even when no padlock shackle engages a corresponding ear.

Abstract: A lock for incapacitating a motorcycle disk brake has a lock body containing a locking bolt, a braking bolt, and a locking and unlocking device. The lock body is provided with a slot to receive a disk brake piece of a motorcycle. The locking and unlocking device has a rotatable core capable of turning between a locking position and an unlocking position. When the rotatable core is situated at the locking position, the braking bolt is at the third position so as to confine the locking bolt to the second position. When locking bolt is situated at the second position, the slot of the lock body is sealed off so as to cause the lock body to fasten securely to the motorcycle disk brake, which is then disabled. When the rotatable core is at an unlocking position, the braking bolt moves from the third position to the fourth position so as to cause the locking bolt to move from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A valve body with a retainer shoulder mounted on the side of the valve body. Inside the valve body is a valve obturator means which is rotatable inside the valve body and can open or block passages depending on the angle or position of the valve obturator means inside the valve body. A handle or lever is connected to the valve obturator means by a fastening means. A locking means is slidably mounted on the handle and has a stopping tooth which is positionable adjacent the retainer shoulder when the locking means is in a locked position. The stopping tooth and the retainer shoulder cooperate to block rotation of the handle when the locking means is in the locked position. The handle defines a bore which receives a bolt of a padlock. When the bolt of the padlock is in the bore, the locking means is prevented from moving out of the locked position.

Abstract: A key and clip combination useful for securing a spare key in a wallet or purse and for key identification. The clip is low profile and prevents the wallet or purse from becoming bulky. The clip may also include apertures for exposing the hole within the key used for placing the key on a key chain or key peg.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of low-residual-stress strip and is applicable in the field of metal forming. Pursuant to the invention, the gap between the finishing rolls is adjusted in n strip elements during the rolling process by adjusters in each case by amounts .DELTA.S.sub.i. However, it is not necessary that the number n of measurement zones be equal to the number of adjustment zones. The adjustment amounts .DELTA.S.sub.i for the individual strip elements are determined continuously, with the inclusion of the no-slip point (FIG. 1) by determining, either before or at the start of the roll pass, the average pass reduction .epsilon..sub.h,ges as well as the partial reduction .epsilon..sub.h,k, which characterizes the reduction from the no-slip point up to the exit side of the roll gap. The ratio .epsilon..sub.h,ges /.epsilon..sub.h,k formed from the two quantities, after multiplicative linkage with the final thickness h.sub.1, gives a fixed amount valid for the respective roll pass.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sensor for monitoring the operation of a suction-type shot peening machine. Such structures of this type, generally, measure the vacuum in the gun mixing chamber of the suction-type shot peening machine. Changes in this sensor will be indicative of either gun surging or changes in shot delivery rate or velocity. Its output will, therefore, provide diagnostic information on the performance of the process.

Abstract: A device for the formation by rolling of helical fins on heat exchange tubes to increase the heat transfer capacity of the tubes. The device comprises four forming rolls (6, 7, 8, 9) which are arranged on two carriages (4, 5) which are moved together in translation fashion by a hydraulic jack which enables the four forming rolls to bear simultaneously on the wall of a tube (2). The four forming rolls operate around the tube and are rotatably driven at equal speed by a single motor (50). The forming rolls are oriented about an axis (X2, X4, X5) which is perpendicular to the fin shaping zone. The tube (2) is driven by the forming rolls along an axis of translation.

Abstract: In a rolling mill comprising upper and lower work rolls crossed each other to perform strip crown control, a straight line connecting the center of an operation side screwdown screw and the center of a drive side screwdown screw is inclined relative to a line perpendicular to the rolling direction. A cross angle .theta. to be controlled is changed in opposite plus and minus directions about the straight line connecting both the screwdown centers. A large extent of strip crown control can be achieved with a smaller cross deviation than usual in the prior art, thereby permitting omission of an equalizer beam. Further, change in the extent by which strip crown is varied upon control with respect to the cross angle becomes substantially linear and hence control is more easily conducted. Since the cross angle 2.theta. between the two work rolls is larger than 2.degree., the transition temperature is not changed and uniformity in quality can be ensured.

Abstract: A punch press assembly (20) simultaneously upsets two ends (22) of a cylindrical blank (24) to produce a chain pin (34) having an extruded grain structure (134) which extends parallel to its longitudinal axis (B) into the upset regions of the chain pin (34). The punch press (20) clamps an upper die (30) to a lower die (26) via a mechanical crank (45), attached to the upper die (30) with lost motion (80,82). While maintaining the clamping relationship between the upper (30) and lower (26) dies, the downwardly directed force created by the mechanical crank (45) is transferred to the horizontal punches (36) by the two pairs of wedges (58,60). The two lower wedges (60) slide horizontally along two tie rods (84) and force the two punches (36) into the recess (28) to upset the ends of the cylindrical blank (24) to form a chain pin (34).

Abstract: A die assembly for use with a tool for bending flat metal stock, and including a pair of elongated plate members in the lower die member each having a surface to support a piece of flat metal stock, the plate members being pivotably connected and maintained approximately 180 degrees apart when a bending force is not applied to the metal stock. A surface of an expandable pressure container is positioned in contact with a plate support member, the pressure within the container being controlled in a manner such that the vertical position of the plate support member is fixed such that the plate members assume a selected angular orientation to enable the tool to form the desired bend in the metal stock.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for prealigning multiple brake dies to facilitate die changes in a brake press. The apparatus comprises a die holder including a floating adapter attachable to the movable ram of the brake press, and a pair of subplates adapted to receive the multiple brake dies in a semipermanent and prealigned arrangement to form a subassembly which can be installed into the die holder with minimum setup time. The floating adapter permits transfer of loads from the press ram to the multiple brake dies in the subassembly without also communicating undesirable bending stresses therethrough. Also, the die holder includes guides for directing the subplates along a true linear path toward and away from each other. Secondary equipment used with the brake dies can be attached directly to the subplates, thus further reducing die change setup time.

Abstract: A signal processor (5) is coupled to a detector (6) for detecting a physical quantity. The signal processor has a zero adjustment memory (14) and a sensitivity adjustment memory (16). The zero adjustment memory and the sensitivity adjustment memory have a number of switches (20, 20A, 20', 20"), respectively. These switches are changed over digitally using a zener zapping method or a polysilicon fuse method at each switch to adjust the characteristics of the detector.

Abstract: A method of verifying that a safety valve, normally biased to a closed position and opened by hydraulic pressure applied thereto by a fluid supplied at a constant flow rate, is operating correctly within an oil well involves comparing reference and operating curves associated with the valve. The reference curve represents the hydraulic pressure over time applied to the safety valve to open the valve when the valve is operating correctly. The operating curve is prepared with the safety valve installed within an oil well and also represents the hydraulic pressure over time applied to the safety valve to open the valve. Any deviation between the reference and operating curves indicates a potential malfunction and, possible, a precise type of malfunction associated with the safety valve.

Abstract: An acoustic or ultrasonic device includes two ultrasonic energy transmission paths having substantially identical transmission characteristics for a neutral condition of the device. One or both of the transmission paths include path altering structure(s) or coating(s) for changing the transmission characteristics of one or both of the paths in response to a physical phenomenon to be sensed or monitored. The paths have input transducers coupled thereto for transmitting ultrasonic energy into the paths. The input transducers are driven by a single oscillator such that the ultrasonic energy waves generated in the two paths are substantially identical to one another. A drive adjusting circuit compensates for any differences between the two paths and/or the ultrasonic waves in the two paths. An output transducer is coupled to the two paths for receiving ultrasonic waves from the paths and generating an output signal which is the result of combining the acoustic or ultrasonic waves from the two paths.

Abstract: For testing bottles in particular by mass spectrometric analysis, gas samples are removed simultaneously from several bottles by means of probes. The gas samples are fed in succession and in a predetermined sequence to a mass spectrometer by a distributor unit. In this way, a single mass spectrometer is sufficient for testing a number of bottles thus substantially reducing costs in terms of money, maintenance and calibration time.

Abstract: A reduced pressure processing apparatus includes a processing vessel for performing predetermined processing to an object to be processed in a reduced pressure atmosphere, an exhaust mechanism, including a main exhaust system having a relatively high exhaust pressure and a sub-exhaust system having a relatively low exhaust pressure, for evacuating the processing vessel, and an oxygen gas concentration sensor for detecting an oxygen gas concentration in the processing vessel during exhaust performed by the sub-exhaust system. The oxygen gas concentration in the processing vessel is detected while the processing vessel is evacuated with a relatively low exhaust pressure. It is determined whether leakage is present or absent by confirming a detection value is a predetermined value or less within a predetermined period of time. When leakage is absent, the processing vessel is evacuated with the relatively high exhaust pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring gaseous blowby a piston of an operating internal combustion engine. The apparatus have a heating and filtering system which function to increase the accuracy of the resultant measurements. The orientation of the conduit, flow meter, and the control of oil sump pressures also contribute to improved accuracy and ease of operation.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the testing of containers, preferably in a filling closing machine for comestible products in plastic cups or the like. The container is received in a vacuum bell or chamber which is equipped with a suction cup at the end of a suction pipe above the cover so that, when the chamber is evacuated, the cover can bulge to block the suction cup and a pressure differential developed between the suction pipe and the chamber signalling an effective seal. In the case of an ineffective seal, damage to the cover or the like, the pressure difference does not develop and the defective package can be sorted out.

Abstract: A method is provided to monitor specific filtration resistance, total drainage resistance and drainage flow rate in a continuous on-line manner in the paper making process. It can be combined with the simultaneous measurement of streaming potential or zeta potential so as to enable optimization of the chemistry of the papermaking process.

Abstract: A process and a device for determining the viscosities of liquids are described, which work quickly, reliably and accurately. The process according to the invention makes use of the fact that disturbing effects are eliminated when measuring the change in the rate of flow of the liquid from the viscometer, while utilizing the change in the hydrostatic pressure during viscosity measurement and that the viscosities can be reliably determined from the measured data by the Hagen-Poiseuille law. The viscometer according to the invention is designed so that the hydrostatic pressure change during measurement is maximal.