Abstract: An assembly for separating, metering and delivering fluids includes a central rotating member rotatable about a fixed spin axis. A processing chamber holding member is connected to the central rotating member by a centrifugally actuated frame. At rotational speeds below a first predetermined speed, the centrifugally actuated frame is in a first position. At rotational speeds greater than the first speed, centrifugal force moves the frame to a second position angularly spaced from and at greater distance from the spin axis than the first position. A processing chamber is mounted on the holding member and its orientation relative to the spin axis is the same in the first and second positions. Fluid is provided in the processing chamber. By accelerating the processing chamber to the first predetermined speed and decelerating below the first predetermined speed in a selected sequence, specific centrifugal force vectors are generated in the processing chamber that move the fluid and retain it in selected chambers.

Abstract: A sample processor card for use with a centrifuge in which the direction of centrifugal force can be altered at will, wherein the card includes a supply of chemical reagent and inlet means for supplying a chemical sample to the card. The sample is advanced under centrifugal force through capillary means to sample measuring means, and the measured sample is then mixed with reagent to permit a chemical test to be carried out on the reagent, all under centrifugal force.

Abstract: A method of checking eggs for flaws and blemishes, such as blood, dirt, cracks, a leak or aberrant form, in which the eggs, while located on a conveyor roller track, pass an inspection station, where the unwanted eggs are determined as such, with the information of the respective eggs being stored in a tracking memory (shift register), after which the unwanted eggs are discharged separately, whereby more in particular for a fast detection of flaws and blemishes, the eggs for for a short period be lifted off either of two bearing rollers of the conveyor roller track, and brought into contact with other rollers being driven at high peripheral speed, during which period the egg is sensed by a detector, which transmits the result of the sensing to the memory.

Abstract: A device for analyzing a liquid sample such as blood includes a cartridge portion and a casing portion. The cartridge includes an inlet for directly receiving a sample. The cartridge is then irreversibly clipped to the casing so that an inlet of the casing is in communication with an outlet of the cartridge. The sample is then mixed in the casing with a diluent and/or reagent by using a centrifuge, and measurements are taken. The device allows a sample to be taken directly into the cartridge, and restricts employment of the device to a single use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of measuring and displaying double refraction. In this method measuring light which has been subjected to double refraction passes through the material to be measured at a point of measurement thereof. A surface of the material to be measured is disposed in a manner that the same is located at right angles, or is inclined with respect to an optical axis of the measuring light. The material is rotated about the point of measurement thereof on a plane which is perpendicular to the optical axis of the measuring light. The data on the double refraction is displayed together with a plus or minus sign thereof as a function of the angle of rotation, in the form of polar coordinates corresponding to the angle of rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus for assessing the weld in a belt layer for a radial pneumatic tire in which the belt layer has been disposed onto a rotary drum, comprising an apparatus for directing at least one laser beam towards the drum and the belt layer, said laser beam being directed obliquely with respect to the perpendicular on the belt layer and the drum, and a camera for viewing the position of the projection of the laser beam on the drum and the belt layer.

Abstract: A device for illuminating components of transparent material by dot-scanning so that the components may be tested for surface irregularities and occlusions which comprises a component rotatably mounted so that the component may be rotated on its axis at a predetermined speed, a light source for generating a parallel light beam for illuminating the component, and a mechanism for periodically linearly deflecting the light beam at a frequency greater than the predetermined rotational speed of the component. The periodically linearly deflecting mechanism is disposed in the path of the light beam between the parallel light beam generating source and the component. The device also includes a focusing lens for focusing the light beam in a testing plane, where the focusing lens is disposed between the periodically linearly deflecting mechanism and the component at a location whereby the focal point of the focusing lens is at the edge of the periodically linearly deflecting mechanism.

Abstract: A device for testing components of transparent material for surface irregularities and occlusions which comprises a mechanism for rotatably mounting the component so that the component may be rotated on its axis; a mechanism for generating a light ray which moves linearly so that the light ray can dot-scan the component along a diameter of the component; at least one signal generating device disposed at a predetermined angle to the direction of impingement of the light ray for detecting surface irregularities and occlusions of the component and then generating a signal representative of the irregularity or occlusion; and a signal evaluation device for evaluating the signals produced in the signal generating device.

Abstract: In a data base of inventoried fabric pieces (e.g. rolls) having associated predetermined color parameter value data, a target fabric piece is initially selected having color parameter values which substantially deviate from a nominal center point within the color parameter space. Thereafter, a subset of the inventoried fabric pieces is identified having associated color parameters sufficiently near to those of the identified target piece as to be commonly usable therewith (e.g. in the construction of a garment). The color parameters may include red/green difference (da*), yellow/blue difference (db*) and lightness difference (dL*) values.

Abstract: The invention concerns a centrifuge intended for use in mainpulating liquid batches on an analytical scale. The centrifuge consists of a body (2) rotatable about its axis (1) provided with input and output conduits (8,9,11) and presenting the essential feature that therein are contained two parallel, circular arc-shaped volumes (3,4) located at different distances from the axis (1) of the body (2) constituting the center of curvature, and communicating with each other through a narrow gap (7) so that when the body is rotating, the heavier components of the liquid accumulate in the volume (4) further away from the axis, and the lighter components accumulate in the volume (3) closer to the axis, whereafter one of these two volumes can be emptied through a conduit (12), while the surface tension acting in the gap between the volumes keeps the liquid in the other volume in its place. The centrifuge of this invention is particularly appropriate for separating blood plasma from the red and white cells in the blood.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determination of run-out of a rotating body, especially an automobile tire, without the need for mechanically contacting the rotating body. The apparatus includes a device for rotating the body, a scanning system with a transmitter for transmitting parallel rays directed toward the rotating body, a receiver to receive the residual rays not blocked by the rotating body, and an analyzer circuit for determination of variations in blockage on the basis of which run-out of the rotating body is determined.

Abstract: Gas turbine engine compressor blades tend to untwist and decamber when subjected to working loads. Previous methods of observing the phenomenum and recording the magnitude of distortion have been restricted to the blade outer extremity, and to delayed display of the results. The invention provides a laser beam which is movable lengthwise of the blades and which effectively traverses each blade in a chordal direction. Photo devices pick up the light spot on each blade in turn and the signals produced are combined with signals representative of the speed of revolution of the blades and passed to an oscilloscope e.g. which immediately displays the shape of the blades.

Abstract: Apparatus for sample transfer and analysis by centrifugation, comprising a rotor having rotary joints at its periphery, to which cuvette carriers are connected so as to be able to perform a tipping movement through an angle of 90.degree., a locking device for locking the cuvette carriers in an inclined position, and cuvette assemblies for use in the cuvette carriers, the rotor preferably being in the form of a rotary beam at the two ends of which two cuvette carriers are disposed, and the cuvette carrier is in the form of a comb so that the teeth engage between the cuvette rows of the cuvette assembly. This apparatus enables samples to be transferred without mixing the cuvette contents.

Abstract: Precise thickness control for high performance optical coatings is provided in an optical coating system utilizing an optical monitor. The optical monitor utilizes a light source and detecting arrangement that measures a sample optical element through the expedient of a light path altering structure that is not coincident with the axis of rotation of a deposition carrousel structure that supports optical elements being coated. The light source and detector arrangements can be mounted conveniently outside of the vacuum chamber of the optical coating system.

Abstract: When a plural number of subjects to be tested are continuously and sequentially measured, and the values obtained by measurement are compared with a standard value for judgement, a prescribed number of newly inputted measured values are sequentially stored, a mean value is computed basing upon stored values for determining the standard value for judgement, and the measured values are compared with the standard value for judgement for judging whether these measured values are to be employed or not. Whenever new measured values are inputted, a new standard value is determined. If there is a value for an inferior subject among newly inputted measured values, the value is omitted from computation of the standard value for judgement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting workpieces for rapid and accurate determination of dimensions and the like. The equipment is electro-optical in nature and there is no contact between the inspecting elements and the workpiece under inspection. An electro-optical sensor is utilized which includes a light source for illuminating at least one edge of a workpiece, a lens for forming an image of the illuminated edge, and an array of photosensitive elements, such as photodiodes, capable of producing an electrical signal in response to light incident thereon. The light, including the edge image, is impinged upon the array and the electrical signals produced correspond to the portion of the edge, its shape, etc. The signals can be rapidly analyzed to provide a determination of a dimension such as length, squareness, curvature, and the like.

Abstract: Control for the operation of a mechanical handling and gauging system for nuclear fuel pellets. The pellets are inspected for diameters, lengths, surface flaws and weights in successive stations. The control includes, a computer for commanding the operation of the system and its electronics and for storing and processing the complex data derived at the required high rate. In measuring the diameter, the computer enables the measurement of a calibration pellet, stores that calibration data and computes and stores diameter-correction factors and their addresses along a pellet. To each diameter measurement a correction factor is applied at the appropriate address.The computer commands verification that all critical parts of the system and control are set for inspection and that each pellet is positioned for inspection. During each cycle of inspection, the measurement operation proceeds normally irrespective of whether or not a pellet is present in each station.

Abstract: A dye laser (FIG. 1, 5 or 6) includes a pumping laser source (e.g. 11), an optical resonator (e.g. 13-15), and a dye solution or dye cell (e.g. 12) disposed in the path of the pumping laser light in the resonator. The dye cell disclosed herein comprises a pair of closely spaced transparent discs (21). A motor (26) serves to spin the discs at a high rate of speed. The pumping laser light in the resonator is focused on the discs at a predetermined angle (i.e. the Brewster angle). New, unbleached dye is injected axially with respect to the discs so that the spin force causes a radial flow of the dye solution between the spinning discs and, of course, past the pumping laser light spot.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches a device for measuring the dynamic properties of microparticles including at least two flat measuring bodies or discs spaced from each other, with the distance therebetween being adjustable and the space therebetween being filled with a suspension of microparticles to be measured. At least one of said bodies or discs is movable so that a defined magnitude of fluid shear stress is generated in the suspension. The device also includes means for passing a light beam through both bodies and said suspension so that, during rotation and when rotation is stopped, different diffraction patterns are generated. Means for measuring the diffraction patterns is also included thereby obtaining useful data concerning the dynamic properties of the microparticles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically monitoring the amount of batch material floating on an irradiant pool of melt in a glass melting furnace is disclosed. A video camera is positioned so as to view the surface of the batch and melt mixture through a window formed in a wall of the furnace tank. The video signal is digitized by a computer into a plurality of pixel signals. The pixel signals can be utilized to generate a histogram relating the number of digitized pixel signals to a relative light intensity scale. The generated histogram will be bimodal, with one peak centering around a lower scale value corresponding to the darker batch pixels and the other peak centering around a higher scale value corresponding to the lighter melt pixels. A suitable threshold, such as the minimum point between the two peaks, can be selected to separate the two peaks.

Abstract: A surface inspection system utilizes a laser light source, and a vacuum chuck to support the material whose surface is to be inspected. The vacuum chuck is rotatable. The laser beam may be translated across the work surface while the chuck is rotated, all the while maintaining mutual perpendicularity of the vacuum chuck work surface and the laser beam. An airtrack transports the material whose surface is to be inspected. Sensors are utilized to detect the position of such material along the track and to guide the system in its operation.

Abstract: To inspect a ball while it is spinning, a semicircular array of balanced light sources illuminate the ball, each source being directional to illuminate a restricted zone. An array of light detectors adjacent the sources are arranged for each to detect specularly reflected light from the ball originating from a limited number of light sources and a detector channel for each detector analyzes changes in received light to detect ball surface defects. No lenses are required and the sources and detectors are formed to allow compact packaging near the ball surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of and apparatus for optically inspecting nuclear fuel pellets for surface flaws. The inspection system includes a prism and lens arrangement for scanning the surface of each pellet as the same is rotated. The resulting scan produces data indicative of the extent and shape of each flaw which is employed to generate a flaw quality index for each detected flaw. The flaw quality indexes from all flaws are summed and compared with an acceptable surface quality index. The result of the comparison is utilized to control the acceptance or rejection of the pellet.

Abstract: In a mark detecting system using an image pickup device such as a TV camera in which a mark in the form of a regressive reflector is provided on an object, the field of view of the image pickup device is illuminated with light of a specified wavelength from an illuminating device placed in the vicinity of the image pickup device. The reflected light is introduced on the image pickup device through a filter capable of cutting off light having wavelengths other than the specified wavelength. Since the mark forms a bright pattern on an image produced within the field of view of the image pickup device, the position of the mark can be easily detected by means of a data processor which processes image signals.

Abstract: A photo-integrated densitometer is arranged to evaluate the relative oiliness and stringiness of hair tresses under dynamic conditions.

Abstract: An analysis instrument for measuring the quantity of a constituent present in a sample of a material comprises a housing having a sample receptacle mounted therein to receive a sample of the material. A filter assembly is mounted in the housing including a plurality of filter elements for passing a corresponding plurality of predetermined frequencies of radiant energy. A motor is provided for selectively providing relative movement between the sample receptacle and filter assembly so as to place individual ones of the filter elements into registry with the sample receptacle. A radiant energy source is mounted within the housing to direct radiant energy onto the surface of the sample through selected ones of the filter elements as each moves into registry therewith, to provide reflected radiant energy at the predetermined frequency of each of the selected filter elements. A sensor is mounted to receive the reflected radiant energy and provide electrical signals corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A surface flaw detector includes a light source capable of generating a laser beam, a material conveyance means provided for conveying a material to be examined in the direction transverse to the axis of the material and designed to let the material rotate on its axis at a fixed position or along the direction of conveyance, means for scanning the laser beam on the surface and in the axial direction of the material which is rotating on its own axis, optical means adapted to transmit the light reflected from the surface of the material to form a stationary optic image of the scanning means, light receiving means provided at the image forming position, and processing means adapted to discriminate the flaw signal upon receiving the output from the light receiving means.