Abstract: A sight glass system that simplifies the way a sight glass is cleaned and accessed during servicing a boiler or tank. This system allows someone to treat the boiler or tank with a cleaning liquid solution without taking off the pressure release valve of the vessel to pour in the solution. The cleaning process is now achieved easily with the sight glass system by taking off the service valve head cap to pour the treatment through the sight glass and into the boiler or tank with the shut off valves open. The system consist of a sight glass that is connected to a top and bottom valve having a removable threaded cap, a female threaded aperture on one side, and a threaded protrusion that secures the sight glass via a fastening system of a rubber washer, O-ring, and wing nut respectively. Furthermore, the top valve is designed in such a way that will allow the sight glass when not secured to slide up and out when the fastening system is unfastened.

Abstract: A portable display board comprises a generally rectangular sheet defining a display area bordered by rod mountable edges. Each rod mountable edge comprises a duct configured for passage of a mounting rod therethrough. The generally rectangular sheet has one or more slanted corners each horizontally and vertically displacing a horizontal duct from an open top or bottom end of a vertical duct to allow passage of the rod along a longitudinal axis of the horizontal duct without interference from the vertical duct and vice versa. The sheet may be formed from magnetic material and the portable display board can be suspended by a duct from a C-stand for display of magnet-backed scenes for storyboarding or other purposes.

Abstract: A level gauge for determining the level of a liquid in a vessel includes lenticular lens assembly allowing a plurality of level indicator flags enclosed therein to be viewed from a wide angle. The indicator flags have an elongated body manufactured from a sheet of material, and form a central pocket for retaining a magnet, and pins on either end for mounting within a frame. A mounting frame positions the lens assembly whereby an open channel is formed between the lens assembly and a back plate. The mounting frame is mounted to the vessel using spacers forming an open gap between the mounting frame and vessel. The open channel and gap minimize the transfer of heat from the vessel to the level gauge. The passage of a float with a magnet on the liquid in the vessel rotates the flags.

Abstract: A cast iron brake caliper with improved fatigue life, and a process and process equipment for pre-stressing a cast iron brake caliper to provide improved fatigue life, is provided. In the process, a load is applied to a cast iron caliper, where the load is high enough to locally yield and plastically deform the cast iron material, but not high enough to cause material failure, such as cracking. Upon load removal, residual compressive stresses in the cast iron caliper lower the mid-point of the stress range the plastically-deformed region of the caliper sees during in-service use, and thereby lowers the peak stress seen in this region, increasing fatigue life. The process permits a cast iron brake caliper to be designed to use less material and thus fit within constrained wheel rim envelopes, without the need to resort to high cost materials or other alternative design strategies.

Abstract: A top reading liquid sight level indicator mounts above a liquid contained in a liquid vessel comprises a measuring surface mounted to the liquid vessel that penetrates an upper surface of the contained liquid at a cant from normal to the liquid surface so that the points along the measuring surface that penetrate the liquid surface are visible from above the liquid vessel and represent the level of the liquid in the liquid vessel.

Abstract: A sight glass apparatus providing visual information concerning the presence of absence of liquid in a refrigeration system has a sight glass with a pair of clear glass bodies secure to a housing having a chamber for the liquid. The bodies have angled prismatic surfaces. One body includes a convex lenses that directs light to a colored member that reflects a colored toroid image when the chamber is full of liquid. A moisture sensing element is mounted on the sight glass to identify the presence of water in refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Abstract: An armored sight gauge assembly of the type having a sight tube that is placed between first and second spaced apart fittings to show a liquid level comprising an elongated main body positioned between and permanently connected to the first and second fittings. The main body incorporates a flanged U-shaped frame member to which there is removably affixed a transparent sight tube shield. A sight tube assembly substantially surrounded by the flanged U-shaped frame member on three sides and is insertably captured by the first and second fittings. A valve assembly and ball check shutoff is incorporated within the internal portion of each of the first and second fittings as is a misalignment union which is removably attached to each fitting.

Abstract: A gauge includes a translucent tube assembly having metallic tubular end segments. The end segments are endwise embedded within the ends of the translucent tube and permit dispensing with packing when joined to shut off valves at the ends of the tube assembly. The shut off valves are in communication with vertically spaced apart ports in a liquid storage tank. Liquid level in the tube assembly corresponds to the level liquid in the storage tank.

Abstract: A redundant level measuring system comprises a chamber for fluidic coupling to a process vessel whereby material level in the vessel equalizes with material level in the chamber. A float including a magnet in the chamber rises and falls with material level in the chamber. A magnet actuated visual indicator is mounted to the chamber for indicating level of the magnet in the chamber. A measurement instrument includes a probe and a measurement circuit. The instrument is mounted atop the chamber with the probe extending downwardly into the chamber. The measurement circuit measures a characteristic of the probe representing level of the material in the chamber. A shield in the chamber isolate the float from the probe.

Abstract: An inner combustion chamber access door member for a fuel-fired water heater has main and pilot burner structures respectively supported thereon by gas supply tubes sealingly extending through and anchored to the door member, and is further provided with a wire pass-through tube and a sight glass opening. After the door member has been externally secured to a side wall portion of the water heater over an access opening therein, with the main and pilot burner structures disposed in the combustion chamber of the water heater, a lighting wand is extended through the sight glass opening to light and test the burners. Subsequently, a sight glass structure is snapped into the sight glass opening to complete the installation of the door/burner assembly. Thermocouple and igniter wires extend through the pass-through tube, and are sealed therein by a laterally split resilient cylindrical sealing plug member.

Abstract: An inner combustion chamber access door member for a fuel-fired water heater has main and pilot burner structures respectively supported thereon by gas supply tubes sealingly extending through and anchored to the door member, and is further provided with a wire pass-through tube and a sight glass opening. After the door member has been externally secured to a side wall portion of the water heater over an access opening therein, with the main and pilot burner structures disposed in the combustion chamber of the water heater, a lighting wand is extended through the sight glass opening to light and test the burners. Subsequently, a sight glass structure is snapped into the sight glass opening to complete the installation of the door/burner assembly. Thermocouple and igniter wires extend through the pass-through tube, and are sealed therein by a laterally split resilient cylindrical sealing plug member.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of securing a stainless steel housing (12) for a kettle (10), a polypropylene or polycarbonate water gauge (14), and a polypropylele or polycarbonate backing element (16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E), including the steps of (a) welding the water gauge (14) with the backing element (16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E); (b) contacting and fixedly securing the housing (12) with the water gauge (14); and (c) positioning a silicon rubber sealing ring (18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F) between and in contact with the housing (12) and the backing element (16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E) to thereby form a water-tight seal therebetween.

Abstract: A sight gauge assembly for an urn sight gauge includes an elongated extruded sight gauge shield. The shield has a longitudinal axis and a generally U-shaped cross section defining the shield to have a sight gauge receiving recess extending along its entire length. The recess is defined by an arcuate inner surface terminated on opposite ends by first and second edges, respectively, so that an open sight gauge viewing region is provided between the edges. A tubular sight gauge is placed in the recess of the extruded sight gauge shield, and the arcuate inner surface of the recess conforms to a portion of a curved outer surface of the tubular sight gauge. An end cap is fixedly secured to a first end of the sight gauge shield and the assembly includes means for operatively connecting it to an associated faucet.

Abstract: A sight glass assembly (1) is provided which is securable to a pressure vessel (V). The sight glass assembly includes a body (3) having top, bottom, front, back, and side walls defining a chamber (25) which is in fluid communication with the interior of the vessel. A glass (7) is secured in the sight glass body by a cover (11) to permit viewing of the vessel contents and sensors in the sight glass chamber. A baffle (29) in the sight glass body divides the chamber into a front chamber (33) and a back chamber (31). The baffle causes steam foam or bubbles from the vessel to condense in the back chamber so that only liquid enters the front chamber. The sensors are placed in the front chamber where they cannot be contacted by the foam or bubbles. By preventing foam or bubbles from entering the front chamber, and thus from contacting the sensing devices and the glass, the possibility of false readings by the devices and etching of the glass during operational use of the assembly is reduced.

Abstract: A sight gauge is placed between two spaced apart compression type fittings connected to a vessel to show the liquid level in the vessel. The sight gauge has an elongated tubular transparent tube shield and a slightly longer elongated transparent sight tube that is received within the sight tube shield. An upper and a lower connection plate are each telescopically received by the sight tube, the sight tube shield being captured between the connection plates. An upper and a lower nozzle member each has an opening to respectively capture the upper and lower ends of the sight tube. An upper and lower elastomeric O-ring is received on the sight tube positioned between the connection plates and the nozzle members. Bolts secure the nozzle member to the compression plates to squeeze the O-rings against the sight tube so that the sight tube retains and supports the tube shield. Each nozzle member has an elongated tubular portion that can be received in a compression fitting.

Abstract: A column-type level indicator, to be applied on the wall of tanks or containers for liquids in order to measure their level and/or temperature, of the type in which the fixing screws (4, 5), suitably provided with axial and transversal holes, also act as ducts to let said liquids into the indicator column (1). With each of said screws (4, 5) there is associated a bushings (8) of yielding material, partially housed into a seat (7) surrounding the screw (4, 5), formed in the rear wall (2) of the indicator column (1), as well as a nut (9) having an outside diameter equal to that of said bushing (8).

Abstract: A fluid level detection apparatus including a support member; first and second end blocks which are slidably engageable with the support member and which each have a passageway; a seal borne by each of the end blocks and disposed in each of the passageways, and a transparent tube telescopingly received in the respective passageways, and defining a fluid passageway or chamber; the present invention disposed in fluid flowing relation relative to an object of interest.

Abstract: A sight glass placed between two spaced apart confronting fittings and connected to a vessel to show the level of liquid in the vessel is shielded by a novel transparent plastic enclosure. The enclosure is in the form of a polygon and is made from a sheet of impact resistant plastic. The enclosure includes an elongated main body member having a U-shaped front member that is removably attached to a rear closure member. Upper and lower end members are removably secured to each opposed end of the main body member. Each of the end members have an outwardly opening slot formed therein for slidably receiving and capturing the spaced apart fittings therewithin. The transparent plastic material preferably is polycarbomate which exhibits high impact resistance and thereby offers great protection to the sight glass.

Abstract: A sight glass apparatus and method limiting external pressures on the sight glass. The sight glass apparatus has a pair of flanges wherein each of the flanges includes a tubular top portion which abuts the respective pipes. The tubular top portion includes a circular cut-out for providing a victaulic type connection for a clamping means to clamp to the respective pipes and a conical section which tapers into an annular rim section having a plurality of apertures wherein a bottom portion of the annular rim includes a center aperture being co-axially aligned when mounted to the pipes. An O-ring is mounted in a recess with a cylindrical glass tubing for observing the fluid or the like. The sight glass apparatus further includes machine precisioned shoulder studs with threaded ends. The ends protruding through the apertures of each of flange when connecting the sight glass apparatus together.

Abstract: A liquid sight monitor includes a translucent thermoplastic viewing tubular element having ends that are flared, after the tube is inserted through the central holes of flanges located at either end, to secure the viewing element in place. A float may be included in the viewing element of the same material and cup shaped to entrap air so that the float rises to the level of the fluid surface, even though it is otherwise heavier than the fluid. A flow-through restrictor disk prevents the float from falling out the bottom of the viewing element when there is an absence of fluid therein. The monitor may have a protective see-through shield connected between its top and bottom flanges, if desired.

Abstract: A shielded tubular gauge for placement between two spaced apart fittings connected to a vessel to show the level of liquid in the vessel, including an elongated frame having a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, a connection housing secured to each end of the frame and each having an opening therethrough, the opening being internally threaded in the outer portions thereof, a transparent tubular member received in the frame and in the housings openings, a packing nut received in the threaded opening in each of the housings, each of the packing nuts having a portion extending beyond the housing providing a cylindrical surface receivable in the fittings attached to the vessel, an elastomeric packing ring within each housing engaged by the packing nut and compressed against the exterior of the tubular member and a protective shield, such as of transparent material like polycarbonate or expanded metal, received in the frame providing protection for the tubular member.

Abstract: A liquid sight monitor including an internal sight tube surrounded by an external sight tube, the ends therebetween being spaced apart by inserts including "O" rings sealing against both tubes. The internal annulus between the tubes can be environmentally purged. A protective shield can be provided, which also provides mounting flanges for supporting the overall apparatus in position for metering the system.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a desired level of fluid in a sump, such as maintaining a desired level of oil in the crankcase of an internal combustion engine, is provided with an oil reservoir having a cap which assures sealing of the fluid inlet of the reservoir, an outlet valve with a tiltable operator rod which provides assurance oil will not flow from the reservoir when the inlet cap is removed and which facilitates the addition of oil to the reservoir through the inlet and a sight gauge having guard members which assure the structural integrity of the sight gauge.

Abstract: A protective shield and bracket assembly adapted to cooperate with a flowmeter in which a variable-area flow tube subject to breakage in the course of operation is supported in an upright position within a meter body having a rear wall in a manner exposing all but the rear portion of the tube, whereby the vertical position assumed by a float within the tube may be observed to provide a reading of flow rate. The bracket is formed by a strip which lies against the rear wall of the meter body and is secured thereto, the strip being provided with resilient arms which project forwardly from opposite sides thereof and terminate in fingers to which opposing margins of a channel-shaped transparent plastic shield are attached, whereby the exposed sides of the meter tube are enveloped by the shield to define a safety chamber which confines explosion products resulting from breakage of the tube.