Abstract: This invention relates to an on-line process for removing copper deposits from the blades of the rotor of a steam turbine in systems, particularly condensing steam turbines. The process comprises adding an oxime to an appropriate injection point of an electric generating power plant powered by a steam turbine, where the power plant comprises a pre-boiler system, a steam generator, a steam turbine, a condenser and an electric generator.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a deflector assembly that enhances heat transfer from the combustor and minimizes low cycle fatigue stresses induced within the combustor. The deflector assembly includes a plurality of deflectors secured to a spectacle plate. Each deflector has tapered edges and includes a plurality of cylindrical projections extending outward from the deflector to facilitate heat transfer. The projections include rounded edges and are arranged in a high density pattern. The deflector is coated with a thermal barrier coating and a bondcoat to minimize exposure to hot combustion gases or flame radiation.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of igniter tubes that facilitate reducing temperature gradients within the combustor in a cost effective and reliable manner. The combustor includes an annular outer liner that includes a plurality of openings sized to receive igniter tubes. Each igniter tube maintains an alignment of each igniter received therein, and includes an air impingement device that extends radially outward from the igniter tube. During operation, airflow contacting the air impingement device is channeled radially inward for impingement cooling of the igniter tubes and the combustor outer liner.

Abstract: A support for an ice-beaker comprising a cup-shaped body with a side wall and a base for collecting the water resulting from the progressive melting of an ice beaker housed in the cup-shaped body. The side wall comprises regions, arranged spaced apart on the side wall, for support and restraining the outer wall of an ice beaker. The ice beaker can be produced by an ice-making machine comprising a condensation plate with housings for receiving atomized to form frozen elements. Each housing of the condensation plate comprises a conical side wall and a base wall, the taper of the side being sufficiently wide to bring about the formation of a frozen element which has a central cavity so as to be generally beaker-shaped. In the production method, an intermediate waiting step of predetermined duration is interposed between the interruption of the cooling and the start of the heating of the condensation plate.

Abstract: A fluid conduit includes a hollow inner tube which is made of a heat-conducting material and which confines a first chamber, and a hollow outer tube which is made of a heat-conducting material, which is disposed concentrically around the inner tube, and which cooperates with the inner tube to form a second chamber. One of the first and second chambers is adapted to permit passage of fluid therethrough. The other one of the first and second chambers has opposing closed ends, and is filled with a superconductor material so as to provide the fluid conduit with an enhanced thermal conducting ability.

Abstract: A thermoelectric apparatus includes a power source, a body having a first side and a second with a defined perimeter where the first side and the second side are separated by a gap. It further includes an insulation means for providing a thermal barrier, a cooling means placed between the first side and the second side for cooling an object and a connecting means for securing the body into a defined shape around an object. A method of operating a thermoelectric apparatus includes wrapping a body around an object, with the body having a first side and a second side, a defined perimeter and the first side and second side separated by a gap containing an insulation means that forms a thermal barrier. Another step is engaging a connecting means for securing said body into a defined shape around the object, engaging a power source and then operating a cooling means placed between the first side and second side of the body in the gap for cooling the object.

Abstract: A heat exchanger using thermoelectric structures is provided for cooling a heat generating component of an electronic device. The heat exchanger includes a row of spaced passages, for example, formed by two or more separate tubes or a single coiled tube, for carrying a first cooling fluid. The heat exchanger further includes a thermoelectric structure disposed between adjacent spaced passages and exposed to a second cooling fluid. In one embodiment, the heat exchange also includes fins disposed between the same adjacent spaced passages so that the thermoelectric structure is disposed between the adjacent passages and the fins.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating ice pellets having a rotationally mounted drum, a cryogenic component for cooling the outer surface of the drum, a fluid droplet applicator for transferring droplets to the outer surface of the drum, and a particle removal blade for removing solidified particles from the drum surface. Methods are also disclosed for creating ice pellets including transferring fluid droplets to a rotating drum having an outer surface sufficiently cold to cause solidification of the droplets during a period of drum rotation. Upon solidification, the particles are removed and made available for subsequent use. Such subsequent use includes disposing the apparatus in a pressurized vessel, collecting the pellets, and feeding the same, under pressure, to the ambient environment.

Abstract: A device for killing pathogens that grow on the surface of the evaporator coil within a conventional air conditioner and in the drip pan of its evaporator. Utilizing ultraviolet radiation which is well-known to kill a wide range of pathogens, the device comprises at least one elongated ultraviolet light source. This source is positioned in such a way that its light strikes both the evaporator and the drip pan. Also this source is mounted transversely to the flow path of air passing through the evaporator.

Abstract: An air conditioning cooling apparatus and method which includes the steps of supplying cooling air generated from a cooling apparatus into an air passageway formed below a floor; guiding the cooling air in a controlled manner within the air passageway into an equipment assembly disposed on the floor through an opening located in the floor; communicating the cooling air introduced into the equipment assembly in a controlled manner into a plenum and introducing the air released from within the equipment into the plenum and communicating the released air through the cooling apparatus for cooling the released air. The method can permit temperature differential between the air supplied to the air passageway and the air introduced into the plenum from the equipment assembly to be 45° F. to substantially 40° F. so as to reduce the power necessary for operating on the fan of the blowing apparatus, and can also permit a controlled, uniform flow of air to and from the equipment in the equipment assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-hydrocarbon design of ultra-low temperature refrigeration systems, which are particularly suited a non-hydrocarbon ultra-low temperature refrigeration system that can safely be transported and applied in the field as needed without the risks associated with hydrocarbon ultra-low temperature refrigeration system are disclosed. An application of the non-hydrocarbon design of ultra-low temperature refrigeration system method and apparatus to freezers and the like is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention discloses novel azeotrope-like mixtures of fluorinated compounds which are useful for heating and cooling as heat transfer agents and/or refrigerants. The azeotrope-like mixture comprises: (a) pentafluoropropane; and (b) a hydrofluorocarbon of the formula: CxFyHz, wherein x is 3, 4, 5, or 6 and y and z are each independently 1 or a positive whole number such that the result of y / (y+z) is greater than 0.67.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circulation circuit that has a compressor. A driving status of the compressor is detected by first detector. A first calculator calculates a theoretical torque and a driving efficiency of the compressor based on information from the first detector. A second calculator calculates a necessary torque required for driving the compressor. The second calculator calculates the necessary torque based on the theoretical torque.

Abstract: A cascade refrigeration system wherein the inlet and outlet pressures and the power consumption of the compressor of the higher temperature refrigeration circuit, and the inlet and outlet pressures and the power consumption of the compressor of the lower temperature refrigeration circuit are ascertained and used to calculate more efficient operating pressures, and the operation of the compressors is adjusted to adjust the pressures of the incoming refrigerants to the cascade heat exchanger toward the more efficient operating pressures.

Abstract: A method for controlling a damper having a closed position and an open position for providing flow communication between a first cooled compartment and a second cooled compartment is provided. The method includes toggling the damper from an initial position of the damper to a position different from the initial position and then back to the initial position on a periodic basis.

Abstract: A collar assembly including cooling coils is provided to increase the top surface cooling of food being served from food pans which are mounted to extend down into a food service cabinet or counter. The collar is preferably lower in the front toward the server or may be omitted for easy access, and is preferably higher at the back away from the server and on the sides for increased cooling. A principal cooling unit may be mounted in the cabinet to direct cold air onto the food pans; and the collar cooling coils and the principal cooling unit may be coupled to a single compressor and heat exchanger.

Abstract: In an air conditioner with a front panel projected forward, in order to increase stiffness of a body cabinet and to improve maintainability and appearance, the body cabinet is composed of: a base panel; a top panel; and a front panel, and the front panel is formed only with an air outlet port to be finished into a refined appearance having less seams, and it is adopted as basic configuration to support a front end side of the top panel by a drain pan, and further a front end side of the front panel and the front end side of the top panel are coupled to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning air for an enclosure is disclosed in which a supply air stream, preferably from the atmosphere is cooled by the cooling coil of a refrigerant cooling system to reduce the temperature and humidity thereof to first predetermined level. The thus cooled and dehumidified air is then passed through a segment of a rotating desiccant wheel under conditions which reduce moisture content and increase temperature to a second predetermined temperature range. The supply air is then delivered from the desiccant wheel to the enclosure. The desiccant wheel is regenerated by heating a separate regeneration air stream, also preferably from the atmosphere, using the condensing coil of the refrigerant system in order to increase the regeneration air stream temperature to a third predetermined temperature range. The thus heated regeneration air stream is then passed through another segment of the rotating desiccant wheel to regenerate the wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for cold-holding food product. The apparatus comprises a cabinet carrying a refrigeration unit including a plurality of refrigerated shelves. The plurality of refrigerated shelves are adapted to frost on both sides under the control of the refrigeration unit to thereby maintain the quality of food product held on the shelves. To allow for the drainage of any melting frost, the plurality of shelves may be angled and a drain pan system included to direct the water away from the shelves to a drain or condensate evaporator during defrost periods. To prevent the removal of frost with the unloading of food products from the shelves, wire racks or trivets may be used to elevate the food product on baking pans above the frosted shelve surfaces.

Abstract: An impingement cooler or freezer includes at least one impingement section, having a plurality of channeling means defining apertures enabling cooling fluid impingement flow toward and onto objects on a conveyor and defining a channel through which the cooling fluid from the objects flows into a duct which carries the fluid to a unit that chills the fluid, and includes passage means which receives cooling fluid from said apertures and lets it enter the duct after having flowed toward and onto said objects, the fluid being impinged and recirculated by a fan.

Abstract: A food dispensing modular assembly comprising a turn table which supports a plurality of containers for holding food accompaniments such as toppings, fixings and the like for easy dispensing and for food needing refrigeration, such as ice cream over a longer period of time during party celebrations and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for preserving and dispensing wine or champagne. The apparatus provides a housing having a container support for holding wine or champagne bottles, a plurality of removable stoppers for insertion in the bottles, a nitrogen generator for generating a nitrogen rich gas from air, a nitrogen storage tank for storing the generated nitrogen rich gas, a cooling system for cooling certain bottles and dispensers for providing wine or champagne from the bottles to a user. The nitrogen generator draws in ambient air, adsorbs the oxygen from the air and stores nitrogen rich gas in the nitrogen storage tank. The nitrogen storage tank supplies the nitrogen rich gas to the bottles for preserving the wine or champagne. The stoppers include a nitrogen line and a supply line. The nitrogen line communicates nitrogen rich gas into the bottles and the supply line communicates wine or champagne from the bottles to the dispensers.

Abstract: Methods are provided for storing items. One such method includes: providing a container sized and shaped to receive an item, the container having: a storage chamber, an insulating material and a re-freezable material, the insulating material defining an interior and having at least one opening for providing access to the interior, the re-freezable material being disposed within the interior, the insulating material comprising soyoyl polyol, the re-freezable material comprising an acrylate-based superabsorbent. Systems and other methods also are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for discharging a fluid and a liquid separated from the fluid from an outlet chamber of a heat exchanger. The outlet chamber is configured to collect the separated liquid. The outlet chamber is in fluid communication with an outlet opening disposed on an exit surface of the outlet chamber. The apparatus includes a plate that is positionable in the outlet chamber adjacent to the exit surface to form a channel between the plate and the exit surface. The plate is configured to protrude over the outlet tube opening so that the fluid flowing through the outlet chamber and into the outlet opening pulls the liquid collected in the outlet chamber through the channel and out through the outlet opening with the fluid. Because of the plate protruding over the outlet opening, the fluid exiting directly from the outlet chamber through the outlet opening must flow through a decreased area. This decreased area produces the vena contracta effect and creates a low pressure region.

Abstract: Two differently sized condensers are positioned at respective opposite ends of a refrigerating unit. Other elements, such as a compressor and evaporator, are accommodated between the condensers. Each condenser includes a fan and a serpentine pipe defining a passageway in thermal contact with a plurality of heat transfer fins. The first larger condenser receives the gaseous phase of the refrigerant. As it changes to a liquid phase, the refrigerant passes into the second smaller condenser. The passageway of the second condenser is also smaller in diameter than in the first condenser. The smaller diameter passageway in the second condenser compensates for decrease in volume of the condensing refrigerant, permitting higher velocity flow of liquid refrigerant through the pipe for maintaining a good heat transfer coefficient. The condensers and fans also make efficient use of space inside the unit housing, enabling the size of the unit to be decreased.

Abstract: An automobile climate control system having a liquid dispersing device to allow coolant to flow. The system also utilizes a heat exchanger to cool the liquid. A manifold block handles the transfer of coolant between the coolant dispersing device and the heat exchanger. The manifold block is in communication with the heat exchanger and the coolant dispersing device; and at least one clasp connects the manifold block to the heat exchanger. A fitting clasp made from the clad material couples the heat exchanger to the at least one clasp.

Abstract: A total flood fire suppression system is provided for transportation tunnels and other human-occupied environments, which employs a selective gas delivery method for supplying a breathable fire-extinguishing agent to a location closest to a fire site. The agent is produced from ambient air at site and stored in high-pressure containers communicating with an addressed gas delivery hose installed throughout a tunnel. When fire is detected, the agent is released from storage containers into the gas delivery hose that simultaneously becomes penetrated or broken in a location next to the fire site, allowing releasing the agent there and extinguishing the fire by totally flooding the affected portion of a tunnel. Additionally, the direction of the agent flow can be controlled by air blocks or inflatable tunnel plugs that, via a signal from a central control station, can inflate and block a tunnel tube in order to redirect the agent flow into the opposite to a block direction.

Abstract: A jewelry system for emitting a fragrance. The jewelry system includes a pendant for attaching to a portion of a user. The pendant includes a first half and a second half that may be pivotally coupled together such that an interior of the pendant is defined. The pendant includes a hole extending through the first half. A fragrance assembly is provided for emitting a fragrance from the interior of the pendant. The fragrance assembly includes a fragrant liquid for emitting a fragrance through the hole and an absorbent disk removably positioned in the interior of the pendant for absorbing the fragrant liquid.

Abstract: A jewelry article includes an elongated support and a multiplicity of ornaments strung along the support, at least one of which constitutes an adjustable self-stopping bead. Each self-stopping bead has a rigid shell with a pair of holes sized to slidably receive the support. A flexible resilient tube is positioned inside the shell in alignment with the holes that tube having a length that is as great as or slightly greater than the spacing of the holes, an outside diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the holes and in inside diameter that is slightly smaller than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the support so that the tube resiliently engages the support to adjustably fix the position of the self-stopping bead along the support. A method of making the self-stopping bead is also disclosed.

Abstract: A small frame apparatus which is suitable for use with a necklace or other item of jewelry in which a small display, such as a miniature work of art or photograph, may be secured. The display is adhered to a small metallic plate which may be inserted into the frame and then held in place by a magnet, which is mounted proximate to and rearward of the metallic plate.

Abstract: A method of producing a disk having a radius of r and a thickness of 2h from an oxynitride glass by pressing, said method being characterized in that the pressing load (F), the pressing temperature (T), and the pressing time (t) are defined by the expression below. 1900 ≥ T ≥ 100 × log 10 ⁡ ( 0.

Abstract: A pair of chucks, which grip end portions of a cylindrical glass tube blank, are moved by a chuck moving mechanism toward each other, so that softened glass in an intermediate portion of the cylindrical glass tube blank is gathered, thereby forming a shape that is suitable for blow molding a light emitting tube portion. In the approaching movement, the position of one chuck is detected by using a laser position detector, and a result of the detection is fed back to the chuck moving mechanism, so as to control the approach distances of the chucks. The laser position detector detects the position of the chuck itself. Therefore, even when the positional relationship between the chuck and the chuck moving mechanism is varied, or backlash or deformation occurs in the chuck moving mechanism, the correct position of the chuck still is detected irrespective of such variation, backlash or deformation.

Abstract: A glass container forming machine section (10) in which the mold carrying arms (12, 14) that are pivoted on shafts (20, 22), respectively, about a common axis (A) are caused to counteroscillate between open positions in which the mold halves (16, 18) that are respectively carried by the arms (12, 14) are separated, and closed positions in which the mold halves are joined to define molding cavities therebetween. The opening and closing motions of the mold carrying arms are powered by a single reversible electrical servo motor (24), which drives a drive gear (26). The drive gear (26) directly drives a first driven gear (28) and an intermediate driven gear (30) which, in turn, directly drives a second driven gear (34). Turning motion of the driven gears (28, 34) is imparted to stub shafts (38, 40), respectively, which carry coaxial drive gears (42, 44), respectively. The drive gears (42, 44) drive sector gears (46, 48), respectively, that are disengagably secured to the shafts (22, 20), respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving the web output of knitted material from a rotating circular knitting machine includes a web-retaining member which is supported for movement along a first axis that a perpendicular to a web transport path. The web is collected in a rolled form on a support using a drive mechanism which is synched to the rotation of the knitting machine. The web-retaining member is attached to a reciprocating traverse assembly which is driven by the synched drive mechanism, the traverse assembly permitting the web retaining member to move reciprocally in a linear path along the first axis, thereby permitting increased volume of web fabric to be wound onto the support.

Abstract: An ion removes provided between a feed water valve for supplying water to an outer tub and a detergent supply case and an upper portion from the outer tub includes a cylindrical vessel in which sodium type strong acid positive ion exchange resin is filled up, a salt water vessel provided above the cylindrical vessel, and a salt vessel provided in the salt water vessel for receiving salt to enable plural regeneration of an ion exchange resin. Salt from the salt vessel is dissolved in water supplied to the salt water vessel and salt water having a concentration of about 10% is generated. After completion of every washing feed water cycle and every rinsing feed water cycle with an interval, the salt water is caused to flow into the ion exchange resin and the ion exchange resin is automatically regeneration-processed.

Abstract: The present invention is a drum type washing machine including an outer cabinet (1), a water tub (3) elastically supported on suspension (4A, 4B) in the outer cabinet (1), and a rotating tub (10) mounted for rotation in the water tub (3). A loading element (33) loads the suspension (4A, 4B) and has a center of gravity located between substantially the middle of a dimension from the front to the rear of the rotating tub (10) and the rear of the rotating tub (10). The loading element (33) at least includes the water tub (3), rotating tub (10), bearing assembly (14, 15, 16) and motor (17) driving the rotating tub (10).

Abstract: A multifunction padlock for providing a single unit lock that has the functions of an ordinary lock in conjunction with a lockout system with multiple staples that can be used as a group or individual access lock. To attain this, the multifunction padlock generally comprises of a housing, a staple unit within the housing, a lockout unit within the housing working in conjunction with the staple unit, a group lockout lever attached to the lockout unit parallel to the main shackle, a shackle unit attached from the holding rod to the keying mechanism parallel to the main shackle, a group lockout lever attached in conjunction with the lockout unit and parallel to the unlocking control rod, a shackle unit attached to the top inner chamber of the housing, and a keying mechanism attached in the inner chamber to the bottom surface of the housing.

Abstract: A safety and anti-theft door guard for a server provides an improved door guard opening and closing structure for servers of 1U, 2U and 2U up specifications. The door guard of the invention offers a two-stage turning mechanism to allow hard disk drives retrievable from the server freely with interference, and also has a lock means installable on any type of models to provide theft protection function, thereby to resolve the problem of conventional single shaft door opening that might otherwise impede the retrieval of hard disk drives from the server.

Abstract: A device for blocking the turnability of the steering spindle 3 of a motor vehicle contains a movable interlocking element 14 that is situated in a lock chamber 12 and engages into the steering spindle 3 in its locked position, as well as an actuating device 9 for actuating the interlocking element 14. This device is characterized by the fact that the lock chamber 12 is passively secured against manipulative access by electric/electronic operating components K required for driving the motor vehicle. This is realized by arranging these operating components K in such a position relative to the lock chamber 12 that the function of at least one operating component K is terminated if manipulative access is attempted.

Abstract: An electric motor actuator for a motor vehicle lock, with a reversible drive motor, an actuator drive which can be rotary driven by the drive motor. The actuator further includes an operating lever which is dynamically coupled to the actuator drive for switching the lock into an “unlocked” and “locked” operating state, an antitheft lever which is spring-loaded with a pretensioning spring and which is dynamically coupled to the actuator drive for holding the operating lever in the “locked” operating state. An emergency actuating element is used for manually engaging an antitheft lever into an “antitheft off” operating state to overcome a catch element on the actuator drive.

Abstract: A method of determining at least one dimension of an extrusion die includes determining a plurality of reference points on a contour of an opening of the extrusion die. Sizes of a plurality of figures with same shapes corresponding to the plurality of reference points are determined. Each of the plurality of figures is inscribed in the contour of the opening and has at least one axis of symmetry. Each of the plurality of figures contacts each of the plurality of reference points and at least one another point on the contour. The at least one dimension of the extrusion die is determined based on the sizes of the plurality of figures.

Abstract: A machine for corrugating a metal foil strip includes a form gear having identical cavities along its perimeter that is driven intermittently by an electronically controlled rotary servomotor to index successive cavities to a forming station. During each dwell of the form gear, a form tooth of a punch unit at the forming station is driven by an electronically-controlled linear servomotor into the cavity to at least partly form a corrugation in the strip. During each operating stroke of the punch unit, a hold finger clamps the immediately outgoing node of the corrugation that just left the forming station against the immediately outgoing tooth of the form gear, thus preventing any part of the outgoing corrugation from being pulled back into the cavity and ensuring that the next corrugation is formed solely from a segment drawn in from the incoming foil.

Abstract: A tool holder apparatus for a press brake is provided. The apparatus comprises a support plate having a first receiving surface. A pivotable clamp has an engagement portion that is moveable toward the first receiving surface of the support plate by pivoting the clamp. The engagement portion has therein formed a bore in which a lifting shaft is rotatably received. The engagement portion defines an opening communicating with the bore. The shaft has therein formed a notch that is adapted to be engaged through the opening by an exterior corner of a forming tool.

Abstract: A balance (1) has a weighing compartment (3) and a balance housing (4). The balance housing (4) contains a weighing cell (15) and forms a rear wall (13) and a floor (8) for the weighing compartment (3). A weighing-load carrier (2) is arranged on a cantilever arm (30) of the weighing cell (15). The cantilever arm (30) also holds a weight-receiving element (6) for calibration weights (7) of a calibration device (5). The weighing-load carrier (2) is releasably attached to a coupling arrangement (11) protruding from the cantilever arm (30) through passage openings (12) in the rear wall (13). The floor (8) extends without openings between the weight-receiving element (6) for the calibration weights (7) and the weighing-load carrier (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for checking and calibrating high precision inclinometric sensors. It comprises a substantially quadrangular planar base body made of highly rigid material, set to float on mercury placed inside a tank; a pair of micrometric positioning means of known weights, situated in proximity to concurrent edges of the base body, on the respective axes of symmetry of the base body, able to allow to change the baricentre and the inclination on the mercury of the base body by a value determined by the variation in the applied moment; a pair of screws for adjusting the zero point, situated on said base body and a seat located centrally to the base body for positioning an inclinometric sensor to be calibrated.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor has a sensor body formed of a crystalline material, such as zirconia, with first and second electrodes disposed on a single surface thereof. The electrodes are arranged to induce superionic oxygen transport in the body along current paths extending at a shallow depth in the crystalline material at the electrode surface. The electrodes may be interdigitated or juxtaposed porous electrodes that define an exposed surface pattern of ionic conduction for sensing, and the electrodes are preferably poisoned to inhibit cross sensitivity to reactive components, such as hydrogen, that may be present in the environment. The electrodes may effect electrode-limited superionic conduction in a thin slice of single crystal material, or a polycrystalline yttria-stabilized zirconia film sensing body, and operate at a relatively low temperature in the range of 250-400° C., preferably about 300-350° C.

Abstract: The test includes a test panel placed between and rotatably secured to a cover and a rear panel. The cover has two windows located adjacent each other. Located adjacent the periphery of the test panel are twelve labels. Below each label is a set of choices. When the cover is placed over the test panel and secured thereto the first set of choices and label should be aligned with their respective windows. To use the test, the person scratches the label located above the first set of choices and then immediately sniffs the label. The person then chooses the item which most closely corresponds with what he/she smells and marks it by darkening the circle located adjacent his/her choice. Once all of the labels have been smelled and the choices marked, the test panel is rotated once more. The correctly marked choices will appear in openings formed on the cover.

Abstract: Leak testing a closed container with at least one flexible wall area is performed with the method and apparatus wherein a biasing arrangement compresses or expands the container under test. A biasing force is monitored with a force detector applicable to the wall of the container. The force detector generates an electric output first biasing force signal at a first point in time which is stored for comparison with the monitored biasing force signal at a second subsequent point in time to generate a different signal as a leak indicative signal. A difference signal is generated at the first point in time from the first force measuring signal stored and the first force measuring signal. This latter difference signal is stored as a zero offset signal which is used to compensate zero offset of the generated difference signal.

Abstract: A flexible circuit film oil sensor includes a flexible circuit film surrounded by a flexible border. A core support flap and a weld flap are attached to opposite ends of the flexible border. The flexible circuit film includes an oil level sensing electrode surface, an oil condition sensing electrode surface, a resistive temperature device, and a common electrode surface. The flexible circuit film engine oil sensor is wrapped around a core structure so that a spiral oil chamber is formed. Accordingly, the spiral oil chamber is at least partially filled with oil and electrical signals are provided across the electrode surfaces in order to monitor the level and condition of oil within the sensor. Additionally, the resistive temperature device provides a signal representative of the temperature of the oil within the sensor.

Abstract: A process for evaluating the quality of a printing ink is provided, wherein a defined quantity of the printing ink is stirred; a force or torque to be applied during the stirring is measured, and a defined quantity of moistening agent is added to the ink at a defined point in time. A device for evaluating the quality of the printing ink is also provided with a container for the printing ink; a stirring device, with which an ink filled into the container can be stirred; a measuring device for measuring the force to be applied by the stirring device or the torque to be applied; a moistening agent supply and a control, which actuates the feed of moistening agent such that a predetermined quantity of moistening agent is introduced into the container at a defined point in time.