Abstract: A swimming pool leak detector for locating water leaks in a filled swimming pool from a standing position (when the depth of the pool allows) within the swimming pool. The leak detector is machined to resemble a billiard cue and consists of two main parts: a receiver and a plunger. The receiver is machined from a solid plastic rod with a reservoir at its broadest end to accommodate the plunger. A channel is drilled from the tip of the leak detector to the reservoir. The reservoir is filled by submerging the tip of the leak detector into a dye solution (food coloring) and pulling outwardly on the plunger which draws the dye solution into the reservoir. The user then enters the filled swimming pool with the filled leak detector and tests for leaks by placing the tip of the leak detector closely to the point of investigation.

Abstract: A weather vane and display includes a stop-member in two half sections for mounting at any desired position on a vertical post by clamping the two half sections together upon the post, a rotatable element in two half sections for mounting together about the post immediately above the stop-member, with the rotatable element being free to rotate about the post and upon the top edge of the stop member, with protruding studs from the rotatable elements providing brackets for mounting mannequins or display signs on either side of the rotatable element, whereby the displays or mannequins are rotated to a position in accordance with the prevailing direction of wind at a given time.

Abstract: A method of flow visualization comprises the steps of coating the surface of a component in a pigmented oil-based paint of non-gelling characteristics, applying dry dye particles, which are soluble in the oil based paint to the surface of the coating and passing a fluid flow over the component.The fluid flow causes the dye particles to translate across the coating so that regions of the particles that are in contact with the coating dissolve to leave trails on the surface of the coating which are indicative of the relative strengths of the fluid flows acting on the surfaces of the component.

Abstract: In a computer controlled automatic plotting device, an ink level detector is provided in a plotter pen cartridge. An ink-following object is provided in the plotter pin cartridge and is supported by the writing fluid. The ink-following object carries a magnet. As the ink-following object traverses down the inside of the plotter pen cartridge, the position of the magnet triggers a sensor at a predetermined level. The sensor then effects a visual or audible signal to alert an operator that the cartridge is running out of writing fluid. Alternatively, the sensor activates a control system to shut down the plotting device to permit replacement of the plotter pen cartridge with one having a new ink supply.

Abstract: An inexpensive fluid flow indicator capable of use in low flow conditions in a variety of environments, including but not limited to laboratory, industry, and medical applications. Flows are visually indicated by the rotation of balls loosely retained in a longitudinal passageway of the indicator's transparent housing by a flow guide and an outlet port. The flow guide imparts a circumferential or transverse direction to the axial flow of the fluid which causes the balls to revolve about the center line of the indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus for accomplishing irrigation of the colon and or other intestinal portions through a stoma including establishing a path of fluid flow of irrigating liquid from a supply container through a feeding conduit into a stoma cone or like structure and further including a peristaltic action monitoring device disposed within the path of fluid flow of irrigating fluid. The monitory device is structured to indicate, through the provision of two separate parallel paths of fluid flow, the establishment of peristaltic action in the intestine which tends to reverse the direction of flow of the irrigating liquid from the stoma toward the monitory device and provides proper indication when the flow of irrigating liquid to the intestine or colon should be stopped.

Abstract: A fluid flow rate detector for controlling an electric switch in a circuit for regulating fluid flow, the detector including inner and outer portions where fluid is received in the inner portion and flows out into the outer portion through perforations in the inner portion. A magnetic slug is disposed in the inner portion and moves away from a home position in the direction of fluid flow when the flow exceeds a predetermined rate. The slug then is deposited in a zone between the perforations and an end cap of the inner portion so as to permit the flow of fluid to occur at a substantially unimpeded rate. A magnetically activated electric switch responds to the movement of the slug and opens and closes an electric switch in response to the fluid flow rate. The detector can be used in a system dually providing a source of hot water to a hot water sink and to a source of heat.

Abstract: A wind velocity measuring apparatus tips over when a predetermined wind velocity is reached or exceeded. The apparatus includes a base adapted to rest on a horizontal supporting surface such as a roof. An upright member extends upwardly from said base and carries at its upper end a wind impeding device in the form of a cylindrical vane or a plurality of radially extending, arcuately spaced vanes. A "telltale" device is sealed within the base to indicate when the apparatus has been tipped over by wind equalling or exceeding the predetermined velocity.

Abstract: A rotary aerial toy comprising a tubular sleeve of flexible material and of circular cross section. In one form of the invention the tubular sleeve tapers from one end toward the other with air entering the larger head end and moving toward the tail end. The head end is adapted for a bridle connection for supporting the sleeve for wind passage therethrough. The sleeve comprises plural strips extending at least generally longitudinally of the sleeve with each strip being of substantially right triangular form, at least at the head end portion thereof. The strips are connected to one another with the hypotenuse leg of one strip being connected to the altitude leg of an adjacent strip and with the base leg being transverse. The strips are arranged at assembly with a step between the head ends of adjacent strips and the seams connecting any selected pair of strips stop short of the head end of the altitude leg of the strip.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensor, comprising a tubular element having a greater diameter than and vertically mounted on a pipe for serially interconnecting two portions of this pipe. One portion is connected to the upper end of the tubular element while the other portion is connected to its lower end. A magnetic piston is slidably mounted within the tubular element and is therefore free to move along it. A by-pass conduit interconnects the lower portion of the pipe with the upper portion of the pipe. The piston moves upwardly in the tubular element when the fluid flows. Fluid flows from the portion of the pipe connected at the lower end of the tubular element to the one connected at its upper end through the by-pass. The piston moves downwardly by gravity to the lower end of the tubular element when the fluid stops flowing. A coil wound around a portion of the tubular element produces in electrical signal when the piston moves in the tubular element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for visualizing liquid flow. Pulses of gas bubbles are introduced into a liquid flow stream and a strobe light is operated at a frequency related to the frequency of the gas pulses to shine on the bubbles as they pass through the liquid stream. The gas pulses pass through a probe body having a valve element, and a reciprocating valve stem passes through the probe body to operate the valve element. A stem actuating device comprises a slidable reciprocating member, operated by a crank arm. The actuated member is adjustable to adjust the amount of the valve opening during each pulse.

Abstract: A helicopter rotor blade to hub arm attachment configured to react centrifugal loads from the blade through a blade cuff, spindle, and elastomeric bearings utilizes a pre-loaded bolt through the spindle for load sharing therewith and a spindle integrity monitoring indicator to provide a visual showing of a deviation from the normal load sharing proportion.

Abstract: An air flow sensing arrangement is disclosed for use in a vacuum cleaner. A plenum chamber or cavity established by a first wall and a second wall is provided adjacent to a fan inlet with all air from a bag chamber being directed radially inward therethrough toward an aperture in the first wall communicating with the fan inlet. The second wall is provided with openings adjacent to its outer periphery so that air is proportionally directed into the cavity along a plurality of paths. An air distribution chamber is established by the second wall and a secondary filter is supported on the second wall. Air is distributed by the distribution chamber about an entire outer surface of a wall portion of the second wall so as to maintan a consistent proportion of air flow through the openings into the cavity in the event irregular filter clogging occurs. A flow sensing device including a pivoting vane having a magnet thereon is disposed within the cavity so as to be within a path of air flowing through the openings.

Abstract: A liquid flow detecting device incorporates a static member arranged to be fixed within a passage through which flow of an operating liquid is to take place and an active member held captive by the static member but free to move relatively to the static member to a limited extent in one particular direction at least. The active member has an overall specific gravity substantially the same as that of the chosen operating liquid. Proximity sensing apparatus is included to detect movement of the active member relative to the static member in the particular direction and to issue a corresponding signal.

Abstract: A high voltage transmission line suspension insulator (18 or 22) which monitors its own dielectric integrity. A dielectric rod (10) has one larger diameter end fitting attachable to a transmission line and another larger diameter end fitting attachable to a support tower. The rod is enclosed in a dielectric tube (14) which is hermetically sealed to the rod's end fittings such that a liquidtight space (20) is formed between the rod and the tube. A pressurized dielectric liquid is placed within that space. A discoloring dye placed within this space is used to detect the loss of the pressurized liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sampling fluids is disclosed where the apparatus includes a body having a chamber therein, a control valve disposed in a control passageway in the body and a sample valve disposed in the sampling passageway in the body. The sample valve includes a freely movable valve member having a specific gravity less than the steps of pressurizing the chamber to force the valve member into sealing engagement with the sampling passageway and lowering the device into the fluid to be sampled to a predetermined depth were in the hydrostatic pressure on the valve enables the valve to move into the chamber permitting sampling fluid to fill the chamber. The sample valve floats on the fluid and seals the chamber when it is filled.

Abstract: A restriction indicator having a contactless switch device for indicating a restriction in filter elements of fluid filters having an intake side and a negative pressure side. The restriction indicator includes a photointerrupter having a light emitting device and a light receiving device. The light receiving device provides an electrical signal indicative of increased negative pressure in the negative pressure side.

Abstract: A signal device for detecting a faulty steam trap and the like by being responsive to the temperature of steam flow in a pipe. The signal device is a spring wire looped on one end around the pipe and normally connected, at the other end, to the pipe by a metal pellet of low melting point. Upon attainment of a predetermined pipe temperature from steam flow, the pellet will melt and release said wire which spring to a vertical position. The wire carries a signal that can be seen at a distance to denote abnormally high temperature caused by steam flow.