Abstract: A locking mechanism for a steering column shaft in a steering column housing of a vehicle, includes a smooth bore hollow cylindrical sleeve member overlying a smooth surface steering column shaft. A longitudinal locking slot in an outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve member is engagable with a locking pin member operated by an ignition switch on the steering column housing. Torque transmitted from the steering column shaft to the sleeve member is limited by a bushing member interposed between the steering column shaft and the sleeve member. The sleeve member is supported in the inner race of a steering column bearing mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A dead bolt lock automatically blocks the extended bolt to prevent externally-applied force from thrusting the bolt back into the lock case, and in the event of physical attack the lock responds by prolonging or perpetuating the dead bolt blocking condition. A push-pull lock has a bolt whose motion in both directions is stopped in response to detection of a rise in motor current above a certain level: a cushioning arrangement allows the current-limiting feature to be implemented without risk of damage to the motor, gear teeth or other drive components. A re-locker arrangement includes an angled flange that is part of a motor-supporting bracket; when forcibly pressed, the flange breaks plastic pins to release a spring-biased re-locker wire to block the bolt from being withdrawn, and when the wire is in the dead bolting position an extension of the re-locker wire engages a ridge in the lock's case to prevent the re-locker from being manipulated back to its original position.

Abstract: A slidebolt lock, with slidebolt displacement forces provided by a mechanism outside the lock assembly and acting on the slidebolt, is locked by a blocking member carried by the slidebolt and normally spring biased toward a blocking and locking position. The blocking member engages the lock case and denies the bolt freedom to move in an unlocking direction. The blocking member is forced to a disengaged position by an electromechanical drive, such as a stepper motor driving a cam wheel and cam follower, or a solenoid directly or indirectly acting to force the blocking member to a position within the bolt and disengaging the blocking member from engagement with the lock casing. To simplify the solenoid in one embodiment, upon slidebolt movement toward a withdrawn, unlocked position, the blocking member forms and provides a camming structure to break any residual magnetic seal of the solenoid armature to the solenoid body.

Abstract: A key and insert assembly is designed for the identification of keys or key blanks. The key is provided with a slot through the key head which is oriented in a plane parallel with the face of the key head. A window through the key head intersects the slot. The slot is designed to receive a thin insert made of synthetic resin and the window area allows a portion of the insert to be displayed. Information regarding the key or other codes may be printed on the insert region which is displayed. In a preferred embodiment, the insert is retained in the slot by a snap-fit arrangement.

Abstract: A rolling mill system associates an autonomous control unit with each piece of equipment in the rolling mill system. The autonomous control unit has a model of the particular piece of equipment, for example, of the rolling mill, a reheat furnace or a cooling bath, and data indicating constraints on the operation of the equipment. A metal shape to be produced is described as a set of machine independent steps, and the performance of these steps is bid upon by the autonomous control units according to the constraint models and internal goals. Bids having conflicting requirements may generate counterbids until a complete plan for the production of the product is generated.

Abstract: Deep rolling equipment for cold working fillet radii of annular undercuts on opposite sides of main bearing and crank pin journals of an engine crankshaft while being rotatably driven. The equipment has pairs of jaws movable between an open position for receiving the crankshaft journal and a closed position for rolling the fillets thereof. The upper jaw mounts fillet rolling tools for high load rolling engagement in the annular undercuts and a lower tool on the opposing lower jaw for support of the journal. The lower tool has a pair of support rollers with annular journal support portions which contact and support the journal while the fillet radii of the undercuts on either side of the journal are being rolled.

Abstract: A method is provided for bending a difficult-to-work metallic wire into a complicated profile. A predetermined length of the difficult-to-work metallic wire is prepared. Part of a portion thereof is held by a conductive clamping device. A first conductive pressure member is brought into contact with a first bending work position of the workpiece, while applying a predetermined pressing force thereto, electric power is supplied between the first member and the clamping device via the wire. Thereby, the wire is bent by a predetermined amount, which part of the wire thus bent by the predetermined amount is located on a conductive rod having a circular cross-section. A second conductive pressure member is brought into contact with a second bending work position of the wire, while applying a constant pressing force to the second member, electric power is supplied between the second member and the conductive rod via the wire.

Abstract: The housing of a metal-working machine is comprised of a pair of parallel, vertically oriented, laterally spaced, smooth-surfaced plates that define a work zone at the upper end of the housing. Components of the machine are conveniently mounted within the space between the housing plates, which plates provide square reference and guide surfaces therefor, and the machine may be of modular construction.

Abstract: Compression unit for oscillating roll, suitable to generate a compression thrust on a surface subject to translatory movements on a plane which does not contain the axis on which the compression thrust is made. The compression unit include an oscillating plunger body housed inside a stationary housing seating made in a piston element, the plunger body being conformed as a double element spherical cap, the first spherical cap element facing towards the piston element, being entirely contained inside the containing seating cradle and cooperating rotatably, with the inner spherical surface of the seating, the second spherical cap element being partly outside the containing cradle and facing towards the translatable surface and partly cooperating with the at least partly spherical surface of a movable element solid with the translatable surface. Between the first and second spherical cap elements there is placed an annular cylindrical connection and centering element including an elastic ring.

Abstract: A device for bending strips of metal includes a pair of cooperating holding strips adjustably mounted on a support platform. A plate orienting means selectively positions the holding plates with respect to each other, allowing the plates to hold a metal strip during the bending process. An tapered press wedge is rotatably mounted on the support platform and cooperates with the holding plates to allow operator-controlled bending of the strip secured by the holding plates. An articulation handle incorporated into the press wedge allows an operator to produce the leverage sufficient to bend the strip. The device allows an operator to make either a single bend or a series of bends with equal ease.

Abstract: A container necking tool, and corresponding method, for necking an aluminum beverage can is disclosed that includes a punch sleeve that is longitudinally fixed in relation to a necking die. The sleeve and die form a gap therebetween, into which a pusher assembly pushes the container to produce the neck on a necking contour surface. The necking tool also includes a punch body that has a longitudinal air passage therethrough. A plenum is formed between the punch body and sleeve to angularly distribute compressed air around the sleeve. Compressed air pressurizes the container during necking stage, and is diverted to the gap while the can is disengaged from the necking tool to keep the gap clean of debris.

Abstract: For the profile kneading of workpiece in strand from (semiproducts) which are transported along a central axis into a working station (profile kneading machine) at least two dies situated opposite one another in pairs for working on the surface of the workpiece are driven by rams at their extremity remote from the axis; the rams are driven radially toward the axis by rolls (cylinders, balls) moving on a circular path relative to outer guiding surfaces of the rams; at the same time at least two pairs of dies, whose radial driving directions are displaced from one another by a given angle (90.degree.), are driven successively by the rolls in a radial direction by means of the guiding surfaces of the rams; the edge length of the dies in each working step is greater than the targeted edge length of the workpiece (semiproduct) that is to be worked.

Abstract: The present invention is a simple way to repair tubes, especially metal tubes such as are used in agricultural implements including combines. The present invention comprises plates and a means of bringing said plates together, compressing the tube between the plates until a deformation is sufficiently removed so bearings mounted on the auger tube can be properly oriented for support of fingers contained within the auger tube.

Abstract: An automobile frame machine includes a platform, one or more pull towers pivotally connected about a vertical axis fixed to the platform, and a step assembly which provides simple access to the platform of the frame machine at a strategic location near one of the pull towers. The step assembly may be hingedly or rigidly secured to a side face of the pull tower arm portion, or alternatively, may be secured as an overlay atop the top and side faces of the pull tower arm portion.

Abstract: Semiconductor wafer coating system calibration structures and methods are described. In one embodiment, a calibration structure includes a perimetral edge bounding a calibration body. A calibration edge is spaced from the perimetral edge and is positioned over the calibration body. Together, the edges define a distance therebetween which is configured to calibrate a wafer coating system. In a preferred embodiment, the edges define respective termination distances configured to calibrate multiple different wafer coating systems. In another embodiment, a calibration pattern is formed over a semiconductor wafer. A layer of material is formed over the calibration pattern by a coating system, and selected portions thereof removed by the system. The positions of unremoved portions of the layer of material are inspected relative to the calibration pattern to ascertain whether the coating system removed the selected portions within desired tolerances.

Abstract: A low volume liquid handling system is described which includes a microdispenser employing a piezoelectric transducer attached to a glass capillary, a positive displacement pump for priming and aspirating liquid into the microdispenser, controlling the pressure of the liquid system, and washing the microdispenser between liquid transfers, and a pressure sensor to measure the liquid system pressure and produce a corresponding electrical signal. The pressure signal is used to verify and quantify the microvolume dispensed and is used to perform automated calibration and diagnostics on the microdispenser.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved tribometer used to measure and test the interactions of two sliding bodies. The tribometer includes a sliding unit for holding the test samples, a unit for reciprocating a test sample, a signal conditioning unit for receiving a plurality of signals from sensors and a data acquisition and control unit which receives the signal data and sends control instructions to the sliding unit and to the reciprocating unit.

Abstract: A continuous emissions monitoring system for continuously monitoring and evaluating air flow samples from a plurality of emission sites. The monitoring system includes a microprocessor controlled Fourier transform infrared scanning laser system for identifying and quantifying compounds in the air flow samples based on known spectral absorption bands. The monitoring system also includes an auxiliary gas chromatograph for separating and analyzing compounds belonging to a common family which exhibit interference patterns or overlapping spectral bands. The auxiliary gas chromatograph is employed in cases where the infrared scanning laser system detects high levels of compounds, above a predetermined threshold level, exhibiting such interference patterns, or when an unknown compound is detected by the infrared scanning laser system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for checking for tightness a closure or a connecting weld provided in a flexible fluid-filled hose, which device comprises two clamping members slidable relative to each other, forming in an inserted position a profile with at least one clamping space and an expansion space, as well as folding means, the arrangement being such that at least one hose portion can be folded and clamped in the at least one clamping space, so that the fluid present in the at least one hose portion is pressed to another hose portion including the closure or connecting weld to be checked, which other hose portion can expand in the expansion space.

Abstract: A leak detector for a pump having a plurality of stacked diaphragms includes a plurality of flat spacer rings each having discontinuous channels and being disposed in face-to-face abutting and stacked relationship with one another wherein the discontinuous channels of the spacer rings together form tortuous leak paths extending through the flat spacer rings from working areas of the pump to a point outside of sealing areas thereof. A port is disposed in fluid communication with the port and an apparatus is provided for developing a visual indication of fluid in the port. A circumferential fluid-tight seal is disposed radially outside of the port for sealing off fluid loss beyond the outer periphery of the plurality of diaphragms and flat spacer rings.

Abstract: An embodiment of the instant invention is a scanning-probe microscope for measuring the topography of a surface of a sample, the scanning-probe microscope comprising: an XYZ piezo drive (piezo drive 1); a quartz tuning-fork oscillator (fork 2) having a first electrode (electrode 3 or 4) and a second electrode (electrode 3 or 4), wherein the quartz tuning-fork oscillator is attached to the XYZ piezo drive, and wherein the quartz tuning-fork oscillator is oriented such that the tines of the quartz tuning-fork oscillator each lie in the XY plane and their fundamental mode of oscillation vibrates the ends of the tines in the Z direction; a probe tip (probe tip 6) affixed to one of the tines, the probe tip comes to a point in the Z direction and directed away from the XYZ piezo drive; a signal source (source 7) to provide a drive signal to drive the first electrode at a mechanical resonant frequency of the quartz tuning-fork oscillator; a current-to-voltage amplifier (preamp 8) to monitor the electrical current fl

Abstract: An xy scanning unit produces a scanning signal along an x-direction and a scanning signal along a y-direction, which are determined by a contour of a sample to be monitored, scanning time of the x-direction, and a pixel number of the x-direction, supplied from a CPU. Then, the xy scanning unit outputs these scanning signals along the x-direction and the y-direction to a piezoelectric scanning apparatus. On the other hand, a second oscillator outputs a sine wave signal having a frequency determined by the scanning time of the x-direction and the pixel number of the x-direction to a second piezoelectric plate. A sample/hold circuit holds observation data of a probe at such timing after preselected time has passed since the output of the second oscillator becomes maximum, and then outputs the held observation data to a differential amplifier and a P.I control system. An output signal Q of the P.

Abstract: The invention uses piezoelectric sensors to test disk drives. Both contact start-stop and load-unload type disk drives may be tested. A piezoelectric sensor is affixed to a disk drive to test for disk drive mechanical integrity. One method of affixing the sensor to the disk drive is using a mechanical clamp. The clamp is intended for repeated use on many disk drives, and therefore its easy removal is important. An alternative clamping apparatus is a magnetic clamp. In use, the clamp affixes the piezoelectric sensor to a disk drive in an optimal location with optimal force. Affixed piezoelectric sensors are used to detect aberrant behavior generated by non-optimal disk drive performance. The clamp/sensor combination detects acoustic signal in a disk drive which is used to determine whether or not a disk drive has adequate head-disk clearance. The apparatus is flexible, allowing testing after assembly of head-disk assembly and before or after servowriting and final disk drive assembly.

Abstract: In a variable valve timing structure for changing the opening/closing timing of the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve by changing the rotation phase of a cam shaft corresponding to a target value, wherein the deviation between the actual rotation phase at the point of time after a predetermined time has passed from a step-change of the target value and the target value after the step-change is equal to or above a predetermined value, an abnormality of response characteristic of the variable valve timing structure is judged.

Abstract: In a system using a gas concentration sensor such as an A/F sensor having a heater, a microcomputer detects an abnormality in a heater power supply control. After the detection of abnormality, the computer reduces the electric power to the heater to a minimum and determines whether the heater has restored its normal operation. The power supply to the heater is stopped and returned to the normal power supply control when it is determined that the detected abnormality continues and discontinues during the reduced power supply period, respectively.

Abstract: A method for automatic control of a friction clutch (1) in a vehicle, which clutch is designed to be disengaged and engaged by a clutch actuator (3) under automatic control. An initial partially engaged clutch stroke position (Q1) and an initial clutch stroke position (P1) at which fluid pressure in the clutch actuator reaches a prescribed value are detected to obtain a difference (R1) between said two clutch stroke positions prior to initiation of automatic clutch control. The friction clutch wears as it is used. Therefore, both of the partially engaged clutch stroke position and the clutch stroke position attaining the prescribed fluid pressure value change while the automatic clutch engagement/disengagement control is being performed. However, the difference between these two clutch stroke positions does not change.

Abstract: A test device and a method of testing leakage of a brake cylinder on a railroad car having a brake pipe and brake valve. The method includes charging the brake pipe, discharging the brake pipe at least at a service rate to actuate the brakes by charging the brake cylinder and simultaneously with charging the brake cylinder charging a reference volume to the brake cylinder pressure. Discharging of the brake pipe is terminated and the pressure in the reference volume is maintained. The difference of pressure between the brake cylinder and the reference volume, at a fixed period after the beginning of maintaining the pressure in the reference volume, is measured to determine the leakage.

Abstract: Process and devices for detection of the actuation of support of a tire on safety support, the process and these devices being characterized by the fact that, when support actuation occurs, they detect the appearance of a resonance mode characteristic of supported rolling travel in the components of the vehicle suspension.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of detecting the presence of a flat tire on a vehicle. A pair of spaced apart pressure sensing assemblies positioned on a roadway are operative to produce a signal corresponding to the pressure applied to one or more pressure sensing elements in each of the pressure sensing assemblies. Comparison of the pressure applied to each of the pressure sensing elements with a value corresponding to a normal non-flat tire indicates the condition of the tires.

Abstract: A torsion spring tester incorporates a microprocessor based data acquisition/control package and special tooling. The tooling makes calibration of the tester very easy. The combination of the tooling and control package permits acquisition, storage and transfer of test data that is accurate, absolute and repeatable.

Abstract: The basic windshield assembly 10 is well known and includes an outer layer 12 of glass and an inner layer 18 of glass with a sheet of transparent plastic 24 sandwiched between and bonded to the layers 12 and 18 of glass. A metal oxide coating 26 is disposed between the outer layer 12 of glass and the plastic sheet 24 as well known in the art and is transparent for filtering light, and is also electrically conductive. Accordingly, the assembly 10 is characterized by an isolated section, generally indicated at 28, of the coating 26 being electrically separated from the remainder of the coating 26 for capacitively sensing the presence of moisture on the outer surface 14 of the outer layer 12 of glass. The isolated section 28 of the coating 26 comprises a first plurality of electrodes 30 and a second plurality of electrodes 32, the first 30 and second 32 plurality of electrodes being parallel, interdigitized or interleaved and spaced from one another.

Abstract: A first heating resistor is placed in a fluid flow path. A second heating resistor is placed downstream of the first heating resistor. A power supply unit supplies power to each of the first and second heating resistors. A measuring unit measures directly or indirectly a heating factor value of each of the first and second heating resistors. A subtracting unit subtracts the heating factor value of the first heating resistor from the heating factor value of the second heating resistor. A calculating unit performs one of multiplication and division on the subtracting result and the heating factor value of one of the first and second heating resistors.

Abstract: Dial face insert properly indexed or keyed so as to tightly fit into a correspondingly indexed or keyed housing. In a preferred embodiment, the dial face includes one or more reference scales printed thereon, such as a temperature scale. The housing to which it is indexed may be the gauge body, the gauge face or the gauge cover.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor 1 comprises a circuit board 3 on which an acceleration detecting element 2 is carried. A plurality of connecting terminals 4 arranged along the periphery of the circuit board 3 are projected outward after penetrating through a metal base plate 5. The metal base plate 5 is fixed to the connecting terminals 4 spaced apart from the circuit board 3 by a predetermined distance in a state being insulated from the connecting terminals 4. The peripheral edge of the metal base plate 5 is connected to a case 7 covering the entire acceleration sensor 1. Circuit elements constituting a signal processing circuit for processing a detection signal of the acceleration detecting element 2 are arranged on the upper surface and the lower surface of the circuit board 3.

Abstract: Rotation rate sensor as a micromechanical component in silicon, in which a ring with a rigid strut along a diameter is so suspended at elastic braces and anchoring arrangements on a substrate as to be able to perform rotation oscillations about its center axis and to be able to be tilted about the strut under the influence of outer torques. There are electrodes present at the ring and at the substrate, at which electrodes electrical voltages can be applied such that rotary oscillations of the ring about its center axis can be excited and rotary oscillations about the strut can be detected. To stabilize the position of the ring in the neutral position, additional electrodes can be provided at the ring and at the substrate for the generation of electrostatic forces.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining thickness of a wall or coal seam includes a ice for measuring the time of sound travel through the thickness; a flexible isolation bellows that mechanically supports the device for measuring the time of sound travel; and a retractable isolation arm attached to the isolation bellows. The device for measuring the time of sound travel may be a single-beam pulse sonar system. The single-beam pulse sonar system includes a pulse generator, a power amplifier, a transmit/receive switch, a reciprocal acoustic transducer, a receiver for determining the thickness, and a display and/or an electronic feedback circuit for steering an autonomous miner.

Abstract: First and second ultrasonic sensors 1A and 2A are arranged facing each other, and these ultrasonic sensors 1A and 2A are provided with first and second reflectors 1 and 2 on their surface, respectively, and thereby, a propagation time t.sub.t of ultrasonic wave in a distance L within a medium subject to measurement is determined from the following equation t.sub.t =(t.sub.4 -t.sub.3 +t.sub.2 -t.sub.1)/2.

Abstract: An ultrasound detector comprises an array of electrically isolated electrodes (2) embedded in a non-conducting matrix (4) of acoustically engineered material to form a composite body (5). A piezoelectric film (8) is bonded to the body (5) by an insulating adhesive (12), providing an ohmic/capacitive coupling between the electrodes (2) and respective areas of the film (8). The signal generated between the individual electrodes (2) and an electrode layer (18) overlaying the film (8) is processed to provide information on the sound pressure distribution of an ultrasound wave. The use of a non-conductive connection between the film (8) and electrodes (2) greatly facilitates manufacture but provides good performance.

Abstract: Non-synchronous vibrations in blades on a rotating wheel, such as a turbine wheel, are measured using Fourier analysis adjusted to correct for uneven sampling produced by a pair of probes spaced from each other about the wheel by a probe angle (PA) other than 180.degree.. The Fourier transform matrix is phase shifted by an amount which is a function of the PA which is other than 180.degree., and the harmonic in which the mode of non-synchronous vibration is expected to be found. A scaling factor in the form of an inverse correction factor is applied to the frequency spectra produced by the phase shifted Fourier transform matrix to generate an output representative of the frequency and amplitude of the true excitation frequency which can be presented on a display.

Abstract: A spark plug is installed in an internal combustion engine to monitor engine performance. The spark plug includes a core having a central longitudinal axis and defining a first bore extending along the central longitudinal axis. A layer of insulation surrounds the bore. A sensor is located within the bore. A first electrode is embedded in the core remote from the bore. The electrode includes a firing portion at a firing end of the spark plug. A ground electrode is arranged adjacent to the firing portion of the first electrode.

Abstract: A self-orienting motion sensor in which an inner housing, preferably spherical, is free to rotate within a cavity, also preferably spherical, resting on a support in an outer housing. The inner housing has a preferred orientation due to the center of gravity being lower than the rotational center of the inner housing. Motion sensing elements are arranged within the inner housing to measure at least one and preferably three directions of motion. A signal transfer mechanism transfers signals to a recorder. The inner housing may include a magnet to orient it in a defined relation to the earth's magnetic field and the housing may be provided with ground engaging devices to fix the housing in the ground.

Abstract: This electromagnetic flow measuring method and the corresponding flowmeter serve to improve the measuring accuracy in the range of measuring errors below 1% in conjunction with acceptable costs. The meter includes a tube (1), in which the fluid to be measured flows during operation. A single pair (2) of magnetic field coils is arranged on the lateral surface of the tube (1) on a magnetic field diameter (3) for generating a magnetic field. A first electrode pair including a first and a second electrode (41, 42), a second electrode pair including a third and a fourth electrode (43, 44), and a third electrode pair including a fifth and a sixth electrode (45, 46) touch the fluid. The first pair is arranged on diameter (4.sub.1) and forms an angle of 90.degree. with the diameter (3); the second pair is arranged on diameter (4.sub.2) and forms an angle of approx. 45.degree. with diameter (4.sub.1); the third pair is arranged on diameter (4.sub.3) and forms an angle of approx. 90.degree. with diameter (4.sub.2).

Abstract: A method of measuring fluid flow through a conduit takes a plurality of pressure readings at a high sampling rate preferably of from 15 to 25 samples per second. The square root of each reading is found. An average of those square roots is multiplied by a predetermined constant to find the flow rate.

Abstract: An impact type flow meter for a particulate material such as cereal comprises a supply device for dropping the particulate material, an inclined load detection plate for receiving the dropped particulate material, and a load detector for detecting a load of the particulate material exerted to the load detection plate. A bottom surface of the supply device is inclined at substantially the same degree with the load detection plate, and has at its lower end with a supply opening for dropping the particulate material onto the load detection plate. The bottom surface serves to guide the particulate material to the load detection plate at substantially the same inclination therewith. Thus, the flow meter has a buffer device for softening a dropping impact of the particulate material integrally incorporated in the particulate material supply device, and accordingly, the height is low and the whole apparatus is compact.

Abstract: A torque sensor attached to a shaft for detecting torque applied on the shaft is disclosed. The torque sensor of the present invention includes a magnetic portion attached on the shaft and a retainer arranged to surround the magnetic portion and supported to rotate with respect to the magnetic portion. A first coil supported in the retainer to surround the magnetic portion forms a first magnetic circuit passing through the magnetic portion. A power source applies an alternating current to the first coil. A measuring circuit measures torque applied on the shaft based on an alternating current and an alternating current. The alternating current flows in the first coil when the alternating voltage is applied.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that electronically measures and displays the size of a fish in a net using an electrical transducer generating a signal responding to the weight of a fish, and electronics converting and displaying the signal to indicate fish weight, length, and/or girth to inform a person of fish size with minimum trauma to a fish.

Abstract: This apparatus has a sieve (4) with a wall (22) perforated with a multitude of holes, means (4, 5) for holding a removable receptacle (20) containing a layer of growth media (21) and means (7, 8) for sucking in air at the periphery of the receptacle (20) in order to cause to enter the apparatus (1), through holes in the wall (22), air which strikes the layer of growth media (21), the latter and the wall (22) being shaped so that their separation increases from their periphery towards their center.

Abstract: A portable sampling system (10) and method for use with a cargo tank's vapor control valve (12) or other entry device to enable an operator to extract and bottle a product sample in place without transfer of a collected sample to another container or through an open atmosphere. A built-in sampling valve (34) and sample bottle fill attachment (44) are coupled with a vapor return hose assembly (58) to a hand held gauging apparatus for collection of the product sample free of human contact and so as to eliminate vapor release to the atmosphere and to protect an end user from possible exposure to toxic vapors. A tape reel mechanism (14) is connected with a sampling barrel (32) through which a product sampling tube (33) attached to a tape reel (66) in tape reel housing (16) and is lowered into the tank (12a) to obtain the product sample. A vapor control valve (12) is coupled between the sampling barrel and the tank.

Abstract: A rotatable sampling device for obtaining at least one sample of a dry powder blended material from the powder blend matrix within a container. The sampling device includes a sample collection member, an insert rod member and a sampler extension member. The sample collection member includes a substantially tubular housing having a front section, a middle section and a rear section. The front section includes a tapered wedge-shaped cone tip for inserting into the blend matrix to be sampled. The middle section includes a center wedge-shaped section for use in the collection of at least one sample of the blend matrix; and the center wedge-shaped section further includes at least one interior insert chamber for receiving in each a sample collection cup for collecting a sample of the blend matrix. The rear section includes a tapered wedge-shaped cone section for preventing the sampling device from moving relative to the Z axis as the sampling device is inserted within the blend matrix.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for implementing successive treatments on samples, such as samples of fibers, in particular hair. The method is performed by applying at least one liquid followed by drying the samples. The apparatus includes a plurality of beakers each adapted to receive a sample and into which at least one treatment liquid is fed via a feeding device. The apparatus further includes a flow device for establishing a flow of drying gas in each beaker.