Abstract: A microminiature laminated heat exchanger for use in a cryogenic probe, and a method of manufacture. The heat exchanger has high and low pressure flow patterns etched into oxygen free copper sheets, with the flow patterns being tortuous paths promoting turbulent flow. The sheets containing the flow patterns are bonded into a laminated assembly in the shape of a cylinder, with a high pressure inlet and a low pressure outlet in a first end, and a high pressure outlet and a low pressure inlet in a second end. The high pressure flow path lies alongside the low pressure flow path, with flow in the two paths being in opposite directions, to accomplish counterflow heat exchange.

Abstract: An air conditioning system (10) for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprising a main tube (22) for fluidly connecting a compressor (12) to an outside heat exchanger (14), the outside heat exchanger to an expansion device (16), the expansion device to an inside heat exchanger (18), the inside heat exchanger to an accumulator (20), and the accumulator to the compressor; a bypass tube (28) fluidly connected to the main tube between the compressor and the outside heat exchanger and between the expansion device and the inside heat exchanger; and a valve (30) positioned in the bypass tube; wherein the valve has a closed position when refrigerant fluid flows through the main tube in a first direction (X) from the compressor through the outside heat exchanger, the expansion device, the inside heat exchanger and the accumulator back to the compressor, for cooling of the passenger compartment, and an open position when refrigerant fluid flows in the first direction and through the bypass tube and the valv

Abstract: A sanitary beverage cooler. This invention provides for a sanitary beverage cooler which is affixed to the open top of a beverage-holding container such as a can or bottle. The sanitary beverage cooler is filled with a cooling substance such as a plurality of ice cubes. As the beverage passes through the opening in the beverage-holding container, either by tilting or by use of a straw, and into the orifice defined by the cylindrical receptacle of the beverage cooler, the beverage becomes cooled by the cooling substance which is contained within the beverage cooler. The user is thereby able to affix the beverage cooler to a beverage-holding container containing a warm beverage, and drink the beverage contained therein after it has been cooled by cooling substance without the possibility of the beverage being diluted by continuous and prolonged contact with the cooling substance.

Abstract: A refrigerated beverage mug is provided which includes a self-contained mechanical refrigeration unit which is powered by a power unit mounted onboard the beverage mug. The mechanical refrigeration unit is a closed loop system which is mounted to the beverage mug and includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion flow passage and an evaporator. The condenser and the evaporator are integrally formed with the main body of the beverage mug. The compressor is mounted to the beverage mug for circulating a refrigerant through the condenser, the expansion flow passage and the evaporator. The power unit includes a chamber which contains a pressurized, expansible fluid such as liquid nitrogen, which is selectively released for passing through a pressure chamber of the compressor to power the compressor and the mechanical refrigeration unit. A manifold is integrally formed into the compressor housing for passing the expansible fluid from the compressor and across a portion of the condenser.

Abstract: A refrigerant compressor is configured such that a compressor unit is installed in a hermetically sealed container, an HFC type refrigerant or a mixture thereof and a refrigerator oil having compatibility with the refrigerant are charged into the hermetically sealed container, and the refrigerator oil essentially comprises a polyvinyl ether type compound having structural units represented by the following general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein n is an integral number in the range of 1 or more, R1 to R3 are each a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms and may be the same or different, R4 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and units in which R4 is an alkyl group having 1 to 2 carbon atoms are 40 to 100% and units in which R4 is an alkyl group having 3 to 4 carbon atoms are 0 to 60%.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for producing substantially pure carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide feed containing from about 80% to about 95% volume of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first orifice for receiving core glass from a first source. A second orifice is vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice, and is surrounded by a chamber that communicates with the second orifice through a gap between the first and second orifices. A spout delivers casing glass from a second source through a tube to the chamber in such a way that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream. Rate of glass flow through the second or casing glass source is measured and compared with one or more preset limits. Rate of casing glass flow from the second source to the chamber surrounding the orifices is adjusted when rate of flow through the second source departs from the preset limit. In this way, a desired ratio of casing glass to core glass is automatically maintained.

Abstract: The optical module has a semiconductor light emitting device, a lens, a holder for the device and the lens, and a receptacle core onto which a ferule of a counter optical plug is to be fitted. When the optical plug is connected, the semiconductor light emitting device is optically coupled with an optical fiber in the ferule by the lens. A step portion which forms a circular opening with setting the optical axis as the center axis and which eliminates coupling undesired light is disposed at a position which is on an emission side of the lens with respect to a contacting position of the holder and the lens. Preferably, the optical module satisfies the following expressions:0.9<.phi./(NA.times.L.sub.1)<1.3 and L.sub.2 <L.sub.1 /2where .phi. is a diameter of the circular opening, NA is a numerical aperture of the optical fiber, L.sub.1 is a distance between an opening end on the side of the lens and the optical fiber, and L.sub.

Abstract: The invention is a medium color gray soda-lime-silica glass composition having excellent ultra violet and infra red absorbing ability. The colorants of the glass composition consist essentially of: greater than 0.5 but less than 0.9 wt. % total iron oxide as Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; 0.1 to 1.0 wt. % manganese compound as MnO.sub.2 ; 0.0005 to 0.003 wt. % selenium as Se; 0.002 to 0.010 wt. % cobalt oxide as Co; up to 1.0 TiO.sup.2 ; the glass composition having, at 4.0 mm. thickness: 485-570 dominant wavelength, less than 5% purity of excitation, 35 to 60% light transmittance using Illuminant A, less than 40% ultra violet transmittance measured over 300-400 nm, and less than 45% infra red transmittance measured over 760-2120 nm.

Abstract: A forming station (26) for roll forming a heated glass sheet include a forming conveyor (62) including forming rolls (66) that are moved upwardly between horizontal rolls (46) of a horizontal conveyor (44) on opposite sides of a centerline (C/L) of the horizontal conveyor to rollingly engage the heated glass sheet above a plane of conveyance of the horizontal conveyor at its centerline to roll form the glass sheet in cooperation with a forming press (80) having rotatable forming members (82) that rollingly engage the heated glass sheet from above. A second set of forming rolls (68) cooperates with the first set of forming rolls (66) to provide the roll forming. First and second sets of roll cradles (76,90) are mounted by pivotal supports (128,142) on associated first and second carriages (154,156) and moved by first and second actuators (78,92). Lateral movement of the carriages (154,156) provides versatility in the glass sheet shapes that can be formed.

Abstract: When one strand, which is formed by gathering a multiplicity of glass filaments having a diameter of 9.mu. or less and formed by drawing molten glass flowed out through a multiplicity of orifices formed in the bottom portion of a bushing, is wound around a collet, the strand is wound to form a square-end cheese package by traversing the strand by a traversing device having a constant amplitude, while the strand is brought into contact with a rotative drum of a tension relaxing device to reduce the tension acting on the strand. Thus, the quality of a package of non-twisted glass yarn having a monofilament diameter of 3 to 9.mu. can be improved, a large quantity of the package can be formed, and the package can easily be transported.

Abstract: A shaped (multi-sided), circular warp-knit cord construction is provided with localized distributions of yarns on selected sides of the cord by selectively positioning and rotating yarns on a yarn guide. The yarns are positioned and rotated in such a manner that yarns of the same type of material are repeatedly located in the same knitting position or a closely spaced or adjacent position for each knitted course. Shaping of the cord is provided by selectively locating interlace yarns around the circumference of the cord construction. For example, four equally circumferentially spaced interlace yarns will form a square knit configuration having four distinct sides when viewed in cross-section. By selectively grouping and rotating yarns of the same type of material, yarns can be localized on a selected side or side of the cord construction.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting broken hooks of needles in a knitting machine having first and second cam faces defining a cam for slidably receiving needle butts. The cam includes a raising cam portion, a stitch cam portion, and a gate cam portion in which tension forces between yarn loops and hooks bias the butts of intact needles against the first cam face. The detector has a detector butt raising segment wherein the second cam face in the gate cam portion is inclined away from the second cam face at the stitch position for urging butts toward the first cam face. A detector butt lowering segment follows the detector butt raising segment, in which the first cam face urges the butts toward the second cam face. A recess segment follows the butt lowering segment.

Abstract: A compressed water generation apparatus of clothes washer comprises a hollow body, a piston housed in the hollow body, a valve for allowing the water through an inlet opening formed at an upper portion of the hollow body in response to a movement of the piston, and a flexible band connecting to the housing by one end thereof and to the piston by another end thereof, for expanding volume of space created between the inlet opening of the hollow body and the piston in respect to the movement of the water basket, thus drawing in the water of the water basket, compressing the water, and discharging the pressurized water toward the clothes basket.

Abstract: A drain system is presented for conveying a liquid (e.g., water) exiting an end of a drain line. The drain line may be, for example, mechanically coupled to a drum of a washing machine, and may undergo limited movement during operation of the washing machine. The drain system includes a conduit and a splash plate, and provides mechanical isolation between the moveable drain line and the fixed conduit. The splash plate allows limited relative movement between the drain line and the conduit while providing a substantially splash proof connection between the drain line and the conduit. The drain system is suitable for use within a semiconductor fabrication clean room. The conduit has an axis substantially aligned with an axis of the drain line, and has an end with an opening larger than an outer dimension of the drain line. A lip surrounds the opening in the end of the conduit.

Abstract: By providing an automatically displayed, easily seen, positive visual indicator on a combination lock each time the combination lock is placed in its combination set or re-set position, a unique, easily used, enhanced combination lock is realized. Preferably, the visual indicator is automatically displayed upon entry of the lock into its combination setting or resetting position, thereby providing the user with a positive, readily seen, visual display clearly informing the user that the combination sequence may be altered. Furthermore, the lock construction of the present invention is constructed with the interior chambers thereof virtually sealed from ambient surroundings, thereby preventing unwanted contamination from entering the interior of the lock and the rotating components thereof. In this way, degradation by contamination is virtually eliminated.

Abstract: A sliding door lock assembly having a lock housing and a removable core is disclosed. The removable core includes a key slot configured to receive an operating key and a control key. The control key is positionable within the key slot and actuable to facilitate removal of the removable core from the lock housing. The operating key positionable within the key slot and actuable to retain the removable core at a position fully inserted within the lock housing.

Abstract: A door locking device has several closing rods that cooperate with closing recesses or closing elements on the body of a cabinet and that may be moved by a lock from open positions into closed positions and vice-versa. The number of closing points can be increased by simple, commercially available locks and bolts, as pairs of closing rods form the push rods of at least two push rod locking devices and in that the push rod locks carry additional pinions that are mutually coupled by a coupling rod with teeth and can be moved in the same direction.

Abstract: The apparatus is an electromagnetically actuated lock which has a movable part, which is prevented from rotation or displacement by a barring bolt that extends into a recess of the movable part. Locking pins extend into the barring bolt and which locking pins positively lock the bolt in the withdrawn or retracted position when access is authorized and which locking pins also positively lock the bolt in the extended position when access is unauthorized.

Abstract: A system 10 for remote operation of a deadbolt lock locks or unlocks a deadbolt 22 associated with a door 14 with a remotely-operated actuator 28 that is operationally coupled to deadbolt 22. The system 10 can convert an existing manually operated deadbolt 22 into a remotely operated deadbolt by replacing an existing turnpiece associated with the manually operated deadbolt with a remotely operated actuator 28. Alternatively, the system 10 can lock door 14 of building 12 by mounting system 10 on or in either door 14 or building 12. System 10 can cooperate with other security systems in the building, including a siren 34 or a window sensor 46.

Abstract: A key assembly for mounting an electronic component in the head of the key. The electronic component is mounted in either an opening such as a bore or recess formed in the key head, or a carrier connected to the heel end of the key shank. In the former case, a closure member such as a plug or adhesively backed panel member is employed to close off the opening. In the latter case, the carrier is encapsulated within a plastic key head.

Abstract: A security device for obscuring an opening defined by a frame (100) is provided comprising a door panel portion (1) forming at least a part of a door which, in use, is supported relative to the frame. The door panel portion has a front face and a rear face and an aperture provided therein, a lock retaining member (2) having a first lock receiving aperture (6) provided therein and a second lock receiving aperture (7) provided therein. Each lock receiving aperture is adapted to receive a lock and the lock retaining member is adapted to be secured to the rear face of the door panel portion in at least a first and a second position and in which first position the first and second lock receiving apertures are visible through the aperture in the door panel portion, and in the second position only one of the lock receiving apertures is visible through the aperture.

Abstract: A hinged lock key has a bow and a shank from which extend two opposite transverse arms on which the bow is hinged and moves between the working position and folded positions; a snap-fastening connection acting between the bow and the arms keeps the working position stable and enables the folded positions to be reached by overcoming a given force. This key structure is inexpensive to produce.

Abstract: A combination key lock for a vehicle lock cylinder having a keyhole including two flanges, each having a throughbore, integrally disposed on either side of the keyhole. The throughbores receive the shackle of a conventional padlock. The invention also provides for aftermarket reconfiguration of manufacturer-installed lock cylinders.

Abstract: An etched, lubricated swage ball for use in swaging a head gimbal assembly to an actuator arm in a magnetic disk drive, and a method for making the same. The present invention discloses a lubricating system for swage balls used in a disk drive system which is free from transferrable aluminum oxide, other hard materials or excess solid lubricant which could be deposited on the clean disk surface during operation. The swage balls are first pretreated by cleaning and then etching to remove residual alumina from the surface of the swage balls. The cleaned, etched swage balls are then lubricated in a fluorocarbon lubricating system, thereby producing an etched, lubricated swage ball which is cleaner than that found in the prior art.

Abstract: Method and respective hot rolling plant for the continuous production of bars, iron rods or wire, of the type in which the rolled section is cut longitudinally in which: the result is a thin flat bloom (A) with large flat (B) with a thickness close to that of the maximum section of the bar, iron rod or wire to be obtained and with a width equal to at least one multiple of said maximum section; said large flat (B) is further rolled by opposite annularly grooved rolls (23), to shape in contra-opposition the opposite buckled surfaces and recesses in order to bring the section of large flat to the shape of ovals or lozenges one connected to the other for a very thin rolling thickness between the section of one and the section of the other in correspondence of the minimum of said opposite recesses (C); said sections are longitudinally separated in correspondence of the respective thickness minimum, creating a bed of rod sections (D) in continuous advancement, in which each rod section makes up the bar or iron rod

Abstract: A method of casting and rolling and a roll stand arrangement for rolling finished sections (sheet piling sections) from a preliminary section which arrives from a continuous casting machine and has approximate final dimensions. The method utilizes roll stand arrangements which operate in a rolling line in a reversing operation. A roughing rolling group has in a first rolling line a runout roller table and a transverse transport device following the runout roller table and in a second rolling line a parallel run-in roller table for a compact tandem stand group. A horizontal stand of the roughing rolling group and/or an intermediate edging stand of the compact tandem stand group each have two selectable grooves, wherein a universal stand on the exit side of the compact tandem group has one or more two-high horizontal stands with grooved rolls.

Abstract: A method of rolling strip, particularly metal strip, for example, steel strip, in a rolling train with several roll stands arranged one behind the other, wherein the strip enters each of the roll stands with a desired entry thickness and each of the roll stands is provided with a desired thickness value of the strip, and wherein the strip is to leave the respective roll stand with a thickness which corresponds to this desired thickness value; when rolling a transition portion of the strip, i.e., a portion of the strip where the thickness of the strip changes, the desired thickness value of one of the roll stands is changed from an initial desired value to a final desired value; when rolling the transition portion of the strip in any roll stand arranged subsequent to the one roll stand, the desired thickness values of these roll stands are also changed from initial desired values to final desired values.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rolling unit (10) consisting of two roll stands (12, 14). The roll stands (12, 14) each have pairs of openings (24a) defined through a housing (24) to locate on each side of the pass line (PL), and a pair of eccentric members (26) each having an eccentric opening (26a) are rotatably inserted in these openings (24a), respectively, with a predetermined space being secured axially therebetween. A pair of roll shafts (28), on which rolls (13, 15) are fitted to be rotatable integrally therewith, respectively, are rotatably inserted through these eccentric openings (26a). A pair of adjusting shafts (32) are rotatably disposed in the housing (24). A pair of worms (34), which engage with toothed portions (26b) are fitted on each adjusting shaft (32) to be rotatable integrally therewith. A gear, which is engaged commonly with the adjusting shaft (32). The positions of the rolls (13) can be varied by rotating the adjusting gear via the eccentric members (26).

Abstract: A method and an installation for producing biconical wire, i.e., wire with repeating cylindrical and conical wire sections from a cylindrical starting material, in particular for producing helical compression springs inexpensively by using hot forming to form the conical wire sections. The installation has a heating unit (1) and a forming unit (2). The embodiment also includes a cooling unit (3) downstream from the heating unit (1), a cooling unit (4) downstream from the forming unit (2), a roll control (5), a re-rolling unit (6) downstream from the forming unit (2), another heating unit (7) for annealing or tempering, a cooling unit (8) downstream from the additional heating unit (7), an uncoiler (9), a roller straightening apparatus (10) and a coiler (11).

Abstract: A rolling mill stand for rolling wire and including a frame, at least one chock mounted in the frame and having a roll-side bearing and a thrust bearing, a roll support shaft supported in the roll-side bearing and the thrust bearing and projecting outwardly past the roll-side bearing so that a roll can be mounted on a projecting portion of the support shaft, and a hydraulic cylinder unit for adjusting the roll support shaft relative to a further roll support shaft supported in the frame in an adjusting direction and having a cylinder connected with the frame and a piston connected with the chock.

Abstract: A forging die apparatus comprises a punch for applying a pressurizing force to a forging material arranged in a cavity, a cylindrical member installed to surround a part of outer circumference of the punch, for making displacement integrally with the punch, and a first ring member formed with a hole for forcibly inserting the cylindrical member therein when the punch applies the pressurizing force to the forging material.

Abstract: Processing steps and tooling (FIGS. 5-7, 10-13 and 14-16) of the invention enable replacement of prior practice rivet button processes [FIGS. 3(a)-(d)] which progressively decreased unitary rivet button sheet metal thickness gauge so as to preclude use of thinner-gauge sheet metal (about 50 to 70 #/bb) rigid flat-rolled steel due to surface cracking (FIG. 4). Flat-rolled steel and rigid aluminum alloy sheet metal can be selected in new thickness gauges and preferred characteristics for container manufacture through use of the disclosed process [FIGS. 8(a)-(c)], which helps to achieve a major portion of desired rivet button height with only a minor decrease in starting thickness gauge [FIGS. 9(a) and (b)] to enable achieving desired final rivet button height with substantially uniform rivet button sheet metal thickness of greater than seventy-five percent of starting thickness gauge.

Abstract: A hog ring clamping device which clamps a hog ring such as a C ring, comprising a magazine attached around a clamping portion of a clamping device main body, jaws to deform a C ring, provided in the clamping device main body, a moving rod to open and close the jaws by linear movement, a motor provided in the clamping device main body, and a linear movement converter to convert rotation of the motor into linear movement of the moving rod.

Abstract: An adjustable rod bending device includes a support table, a pivot base mounted on the support table, a pivot bracket pivotally mounted on the pivot base, and multiple juxtaposed rollers mounted in the pivot bracket to pivot therewith and each having an upper end adjustably mounted in the pivot bracket and a lower end formed with an arcuate pressing surface. The arcuate pressing surface of each of the rollers can be moved to press a corrective spinal rod supported by two support posts, thereby accurately bending the corrective spinal rod.

Abstract: The termination area of a wire rope is formed by a round or oval sleeve that is formed into a quasi-polygonal, preferably quasi-hexagonal, swage using a two pass die closing method using apparatus wherein opposing die cavity faces or sides include a reservoir space for swage material during the first pass of the die closing.

Abstract: Abnormality of a yaw rate sensor, including a state in which the neutral point is normal, but the sensitivity is abnormal, is detected with high accuracy, irrespective of the situation of a road surface traveled. A lower one of an output from a dividing device for dividing a vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting device by a minimum radius of turning of a vehicle and an output from a dividing device for dividing a gravitational acceleration by the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting device, is selected in a low-select device. It is determined in an abnormality determining device that the yaw rate sensor is abnormal when a yaw rate detected by the yaw rate sensor exceeds a value selected in the low-select device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring and compensating for stray capacitance of a micro-machined sensor of an accelerometer system is disclosed. Stray capacitance differences between a top plate and a sensing element and between a bottom plate and the sensing element degrade accelerometer performance if not compensated for. Measurement of stray capacitance difference is achieved by operating the accelerometer in two calibration phases and measuring the steady-state output voltage in each of the two phases. In calibration phase 1, no force is applied to the sensor during clock intervals 1-4. In calibration phase 2, a dummy force up is applied and then a dummy force down is applied during those intervals 1-4. The difference in the output voltage of the two calibration phases is representative of the difference in stray capacitance of the sensor. Capacitance is added to the top or bottom plates in an amount proportional to the measured stray capacitance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a calibration method for compensating an offset occurring when parts in an industrial robot are exchanged with new ones. A signal generation part is attached to a moving part of the robot. While the moving part is moving, a signal detection part detects the movement of the signal generation part with a sensor therein, and calibration data are generated on the basis of the detected signals. Preset calibration data are amended using a difference between the generated calibration data and the preset calibration data, so that the offset is compensated.

Abstract: An ultrasonic scan assembly is adapted to efficiently and accurately scan a surface and cross-section of a wall of an underground gas pipe with ultrasonic energy transmitted and received by an ultrasonic transducer provided therein. The input pulse applied to the ultrasonic transducer is calibrated so that its width matches the natural mechanical resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer. As a result, the energy efficiency of the transducer is maximized and the accuracy of the scan is improved.

Abstract: Device for connecting a first duct of a very small diameter, such as for instance a needle or a capillary column, to a second duct, wherein the device comprises a receiving part and a sealing element, wherein the receiving part is provided with a duct bore in which the first duct is slidably receivable, wherein the receiving part is also provided with a sealing-element bore which intersects the duct bore and in which the sealing element is slidably received, wherein the sealing element is provided with a recess, wherein the sealing element is adapted to assume a sealing position in which the duct bore is sealed, and is adapted to assume a connecting position in which the two duct bore parts on either side of the sealing-element bore are in fluid connection with each other via the recess, wherein the sealing element is biased in the sealing position by a spring under spring action.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the dew point humidity of air, e.g. from compressed air lines of any tupe (for example, brake lines of railroad trains), composed of a conduit with a connector at one end for connecting the conduit to a source of air to be measured, a T-branch in which a probe of a dew point humidity meter is receive with the tip of the probe extending into a stream of air or other gas flowing through the conduit, and an electrical power supply for the meter, all arranged in a convenient, portable assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a discharge of water such as a leak in a device containing a relatively large volume of water such as a hot water storage tank having a pressure relief valve and for shutting off the water supply to such device in response to such detection. The apparatus includes a relatively shallow pan located in proximity to the bottom of the device for collecting water discharged from the device either from a leak or from opening of the pressure relief valve, a float switch mounted in the pan for detecting the presence of water in the pan above a predetermined level and a shut off control valve for disabling the water supply to the device upon activation of the float switch.

Abstract: A method of positively indicating leaks in the heat transfer surface area of a heat exchanger between the normally separate fluid paths denoted by side (A) and side (B) arranged in a heat exchange relationship is disclosed. The method comprises:placing a detector gas or gas mixture on one side;placing a carrier or entraining liquid in the other side;applying a positive pressure differential between detector gas and carrier fluid; anddetecting entrained bubbles within the carrier fluid.

Abstract: The present invention integrates an inverse modeling technique and a field measurement system. The system uses inexpensive and non-hazardous gaseous tracers injected inside the contained volume of a barrier to quantify the location and size of any leaks in the barrier. The vapor sampling point installation, which allows the collection of soil gas samples from multiple points around the barrier installation, can be accomplished with conventional drilling or direct push techniques. The system uses a field-proven soil gas analyzer, incorporated in a sampling system capable of monitoring many sample points with relatively high time resolution. A rigorous inverse modeling technology is integrated with the data system for real time analysis.

Abstract: A drain plug sensor for determining whether a drain plug is inserted into a drain hole of a watercraft is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a reed switch for sensing a magnetic field is threadably mated with a receiver at one end thereof. The receiver and reed switch are emplaced into the drain hole. The drain plug, which is capable of being inserted into another end of the receiver, is formed together with a samarium cobalt magnet such that a magnetic field is created and emanated therefrom. In this manner, whenever the drain plug is inserted into the receiver, the reed switch detects the presence of the magnetic field. Conversely, whenever the drain plug is not inserted into the drain hole, no magnetic field is detected. Regardless of whether the drain plug is inserted into the drain hole, an indication is supplied to a user to alert the user as to whether the drain hole is operational.

Abstract: An adapter for an orbiting object viscometer that extends the practical measurement range of such viscometer type to lower viscosity fluids and improves the measurement accuracy. A baffle means disposed in the test fluid reduces whirlpooling, which occurs in low useful viscosity fluids, to extend the viscosity measurement range to lower viscosity fluids. A temperature sensor disposed in the test fluid increases the accuracy of the viscosity measurements by providing more accurate fluid temperature to the processor calculating the viscosity. The advantages of the orbiting object viscometer such as rapid viscosity measurements and the ability to measure the viscosity of hazardous or corrosive fluids are maintained through the design of the adapter providing support for a single vane baffle or compound vane baffle immersed into the fluid, which adaptor is designed and mounted to ensure that the baffle carefully avoids the path of the orbiting object within same fluid.

Abstract: A self-contained water quality enhancement apparatus is provided for purging a low flow area of a subterranean water distribution system. The apparatus include: a water carrier system for transporting water through the apparatus, a flow control valve for adjusting the flow rate of water through the system; a programmable solenoid controller for activating and deactivating the flow control valve; electronic and/or optical sensing devices for measuring water quality; a data access and programming port; and an electronic control system. The components cooperate to provide a means for automatically measuring water quality and then purging water from the low flow area as required.

Abstract: In a principal embodiment, the invention relates to a method in which a water sample containing dissolved hydrocarbon fuel to be identified is contacted with a fiber optic element adapted to adsorb a hydrocarbon fuel on at least a portion of the element, for a time sufficient to adsorb a characterizing amount of the fuel from the water sample. The fiber optic element containing adsorbed hydrocarbon fuel is then removed from the water sample, and then at least the portion of the fiber optic element containing adsorbed fuel is immersed in or surrounded with water. The adsorbed hydrocarbon fuel is allowed to desorb from the fiber optic element while the rate of desorption of the fuel from the fiber optic element is measured by a fiber optic chemical sensor system of which the fiber optic element is a part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the wax appearance temperature of paraffinic petroleum oils which comprises measuring and plotting the density of the paraffinic oil as a function of temperature at constant pressure, with the wax appearance temperature being indicated by the inflection point of the graph.