Abstract: In a tank system tightness tester of the general type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,555, a vertically elongated, flexible and resilient, annular diaphragm is provided for sealing against the fill pipe going down into the underground storage tank. The diaphragm is clamped to the outside of an adapter sleeve. The diaphragm is radially expandable by air pressure supplied to the space between this adapter sleeve and a concentric inner sleeve. A plate assembly at ground level suspends these sleeves and a suction tube inside the fill pipe. This plate assembly also supports an air supply valve, an air vent valve and an air pressure gauge for the sealing diaphragm, quick-disconnect coupling members for tank fluid recirculating and hydraulic pressure control parts of the apparatus, and an electrical connector for the temperature measuring part of the apparatus.

Abstract: An acceleration indicator including an anti-tampering arrangement adapted to be secured to a railway freight car for detecting pre-selected destructive impacts on the the car. The indicator includes a generally hat-shaped casing having a normally obscured movable plate or flag carried therewithin by a spring biased pendulum supported on a vertical plate secured within the casing. The vertical plate also supports the anti-tampering arrangement such that when the indicator is subjected to a preselected impact, the pendulum swings clear of the flag and drops by gravity into a position where it can be observed whereat it is entrapped by the anti-tampering arrangement.

Abstract: Containers having top head openings are inserted axially without prealignment into a test chamber which houses a sealing member having a sealing surface radially continuous about the container insertion axis. The container interior and the extent of the test chamber encircling the container are commonly pressurized and the sealing device is displaced to seal the container openings. The encircling test chamber extent is then vented to atmospheric pressure and pressure change in the test chamber is monitored.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing leakage of composite packages is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hollow arbor for supporting a composite package to be tested for leakage, the open end of the composite package being sealed to a support for the hollow arbor, the interior of the latter being connected to means for placing pressure on the interior of the composite package at a value less than ambient, and being subsequently connected to means for measuring leakage in the container while being supported on the arbor.

Abstract: A laminated vessel or pipe having an outer wall of fibreglass reinforced polyester, an inner wall of corrosion resistant thermoplastic and an electrical conductive layer between the inner and outer walls. A probe of inert material is inserted into the tank or pipe and is connected to a source of electrical power and with an alarm system and the electrical circuit is completed with a connection to the electrical conductive layer in the vessel or pipe.

Abstract: Container pressure testing apparatus includes a housing having an open portion for sealably engaging the container surface circumscribing a pour opening of the container. Pressurized air is issued from the housing through the pour opening into the container and, on preselected container pressurization, a closure member for the pour opening is displaced within the housing in the direction of the pour opening. On the occurrence of predetermined pressure-induced force on the enclosure member, the closure member is rotated into securement with the pour opening.

Abstract: A gravity impact indicator for shipping containers carrying valuable delicate cargo. The indicator comprises a sealed case, within the hollow interior of which a weight is suspended from an elongated coil spring. When the container is subjected to gravity impact, such as being dropped, the force moves the weight downwardly within the case. A flat spring extends transversely to the weight and engages ratchet teeth carried by the case to hold the weight in the lowermost position to which it is moved. Indicia may be carried by the case to designate the amount of impact. Track means and the inner surfaces of the case guide the weight against tipping during its downward movement.

Abstract: A low-cost accelerometer having auxiliary pointers which hold its peak readings. It is suitable as a portable instrument for vehicle testing, or may be installed in a structure to hold or retain the maximum readings that occurred during an earthquake or other shock. The accelerometer comprises a cantilever-reed-type mass-spring system with an indicating pointer disposed so as to push a pair of light-weight balanced "tell-tale" or holding pointers which are mounted on light frictional pivots and record or hold the peak deflection of the main pointer. The working parts are mounted in a flat case filled with a damping fluid. Reset knobs for the holding pointers are located on the outside of the case. The frictional torque of their pivots is adjustable from outside. A typical range for the instrument is .+-. 2 g.

Abstract: Containers, such as batteries, battery cases and the like, are moved along a first conveyor to a leak testing station, above which is located an assembly having means matable over the openings in the top of the container. The container is supplied with air at a given pressure, and metering means notes pressure change. If the container does not leak, the container advances from the testing station along the conveyor. If a leak is detected, a reject means ejects the container transversely from the testing station along a second conveyor, thereby isolating leaky containers for further processing.

Abstract: A seismonastic control apparatus has a ball mounted in a concavity for unobstructed movement into contact with a displaceable disc which actuates a two-mode control device on predetermined tilting or shock loading of the apparatus.To increase the kinetic energy of the ball and thus facilitate displacement of the disc, the seat is formed with a circular region at which the inclination of the seat to the central axis of the apparatus increases. As the ball crosses this region it is accelerated more rapidly because its path becomes more closely aligned with the resultant force acting on the ball.

Abstract: A device for detecting electrical faults internal of a liquid and gas containing power transformer. Portions of two electrically nonconducting chambers are immersed in, and each chamber has an opening into, said liquid. One of said openings permits the relatively free passage of liquid through same and the other opening contains a liquid-immersed flow-restricting orifice. A sudden change in internal transformer pressure, indicative of an internal transformer fault, creates a pressure differential between chambers because of the liquid-immersed flow-restricting orifice associated with one of said chambers and the viscous properties of said liquid. This internal failure indicating pressure differential is sensed by a suitable differential pressure sensor which, in turn, actuates power transformer fault, indicating means.

Abstract: A method for testing tight cavities for leaks by a pressurization or depressurization technique (as herein defined), wherein a comparison is effected by means of a differential signal transmitter responsive to the difference between the pressure existing within the cavity and memorized supply pressure to the cavity, said comparison being effected by zero-setting the differential indication provided by the transmitter, independently of stabilization of the test cavity pressure, and taking the differential value of the two pressures as the initial datum or zero for verification of its increase with respect to time.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing tobacco smoke filter rods and similar articles of varying lengths for pressure drop across the opposed ends of a rod encapsulated in an air-impervious sleeve comprising a housing having a longitudinal bore, a rod receptacle having an air-impervious encapsulating sleeve mount therein, slideably mounted in the bore, a hollow rod stop stationarily mounted in the bore and extending into the sleeve of the rod receptacle, means for expanding the air-impervious sleeve, vacuum means communicating with the hollow interior of the rod stop and means for measuring the pressure drop interposed between the vacuum means and the hollow rod stop.

Abstract: In the pressure testing of catalyst-loaded reactors with nitrogen gas at elevated temperatures, it is found that certain types of zeolite catalysts are substantially degraded in activity. The catalysts concerned comprises a Group VIII noble metal in an oxidized state, dispersed on a crystalline hydrogen zeolite, e.g., Y zeolite. It has now been discovered however that if such catalysts are first prereduced with a dilute, non-combustible mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen, damage on subsequent pressure testing with nitrogen is prevented or drastically reduced. Following pressure testing, the catalyst is activated by dehydration in a stream of hydrogen at elevated temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the surface quality of a vessel mouth including a test head adapted to be placed over the vessel mouth, a line connecting the test head to a supply of test gas, a passageway through the test head for introducing gas into the vessel, and a pressure measuring instrument connected to the gas line for generating an electrical signal when a pressure change of a predetermined tolerance value occurs. A sealing washer of spring stiffness is mounted on the test head for bearing against the vessel mouth and a valve is provided in the test head to open the passageway when the washer is pressed against the vessel and to close the passageway when the test head is removed from the vessel. In addition, the sealing washer and valve may be pivotable and means for generating a fault signal may be provided for generating a signal when the washer has been pivoted a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A device adapted to detecting leaks in an article having readily deformable walls has conventional arrangements for performing a leak detection by overpressure or by vacuum and has a deformable backup wall for engagement with the walls of the article. The backup wall is, on its face oriented towards the article, so configured that between the backup wall and the article there is obtained a coherent fluidtight space which may be evacuated.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring gas leakage including a hollow container having a gas inlet port which is connected to a reference pressure gas supply via a valve and another gas outlet port that is connected to a test container; a liquid container located in the hollow container, a balance mechanism mounted within the hollow container which is maintained in equilibrium by an inverted floating cup that is attached to the underside of the balance beam and which is immersed in a liquid contained in the liquid container, a supply pipe that introduces gas at a reference pressure into the floating cup, a detector which detects the inclination of the balance mechanism and generates a signal corresponding thereto, a measuring device that measures the displacement of the floating cup as a function of the signal from the detector, and a restoring means that will restore the equilibrium of the tilted balance beam.

Abstract: An improved, long lasting sealing ring for closing the open end of a can while vacuum is applied thereto to test for porosity. The ring comprises an outer pad of soft elastomer material made preferably of polyeurathane of relatively low durometer and having an internal cavity with a peripheral groove into which is fitted a mounting assembly comprising an annular steel or metal adapter plate encased within a relatively hard durometer elastomer, preferably polyeurathane, disk which has a novel sharp-edged peripheral configuration which functions to embed into an inturned flange on the pad and thus effectively seals the disk with the pad.

Abstract: Plastic bottles from a molding machine are transported on a conveyor through a leak testing device where a predetermined number are temporarily stopped in register with overhead reciprocable test heads and with lateral ejectors on one side of the conveyor path. The bottles are supported on the opposite side by a movable side gate which, when a defective bottle is to be ejected, is moved to a clearance position. The test heads are lowered into air tight communication with the mouths of the bottles and a constant volume of pressurized air is discharged into each bottle from a reservoir. The resultant pressure of the bottle-reservoir system is an index of bottle integrity.

Abstract: A device for testing containers for leakage comprises a diaphragm box, in which a chamber is adapted to be connected to a test container or to a casing enclosing the container. At a change of the pressure the diaphragm closes a switch in an electric circuit also including a signal indicator and a timing relay which latter opens the circuit after a predetermined period of time, the signal indicator giving a signal only when the switch is closed before the relay is reversed.

Abstract: A device for measuring impact pulses wherein an acceleration pickup converts the mechanical vibrations of an object into electric signals passing through an amplifier unit to a meter for measuring the parameters of the impact pulse. This meter comprises two null-indicators, one of which is connected electrically and directly with the amplifier unit while the other one is connected across a voltage divider connected to a source of a reference voltage, two pulse shapers connected to the null-indicators, two AND-NOT logical elements connected with the pulse shapers and a H.F. pulse generator. The meter comprises one more AND-NOT logical element connected with one of said AND-NOT logical elements and with the most significant and least significant decades, the least significant decade being connected with the other one of said AND-NOT logical elements.

Abstract: An inspection head to test objects such as plastic bottles for absence of leaks and crushing resistance includes a column having a seal for an aperture in the object which may be applied to the object to exert a crushing force and a fluid supply source to apply a pressure inside the object, which pressure is compared with a reference pressure by means of a movable diaphragm. When the object has an adequate resistance to crushing so that the column does not move beyond a certain point, and the object is free from leaks so that the difference in pressure does not exceed a given value, apertures in sliding members movable according to the positions of the diaphragm and column are in alignment, which fact may be checked by passing a light beam through the apertures. When the apertures are not in alignment the object may be rejected. The head may be used for continuous in-line inspection of objects which are produced successively.

Abstract: A system to detect leaks, monitor levels, activate alarms, etc. in which a specific material in the system dissolves or disintegrates on contact with a liquid, gas or vapor which is to be monitored.

Abstract: A leak detection system capable of efficiently dry-testing containers such as steel drums of large capacity. The system includes a test station constituted by a hermetically-sealed chamber adapted to receive a container to be tested and provided with a retractable head coupled to an external fill assembly. The head functions to sealably engage the bung hole or other container opening and to fill the container with pressurized air, the pressure within the container being maintained during the test period at a constant level, whereby physical distortion of the container is controlled. The pressure within the test chamber is sensed and the output of the sensor is applied to a data processor wherein the influence of temperature on the test chamber pressure is discounted by means of a waveform scanning technique, making it possible to determine the extent to which the container under test is heated and to predict the error pressure in the chamber due to thermal effects.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting impairment of the integrity of barriers used for the containment of fluid materials, particularly fluid materials at cryogenic temperatures, e.g., liquefied natural gas. The detection system employs electrical conductors which are in physical relationship to the barrier and undergo a change in current conducting function in the event of barrier failure. In the containment of fluid at low temperatures the detection system preferably comprises conductors which have temperature dependent resistances and are embedded within the thickness of the barrier. By distribution of conductors over different notional zones of the barrier area and provision of associated warning devices the location of leakage points within the barrier area can be automatically indicated.

Abstract: A pressure testing apparatus for sealed containers including a container receiving enclosure defined by a base wall, a side wall and a top wall. A container supporting pedestal having a needle projecting upwardly therefrom is positioned within the container receiving enclosure. A pressurized fluid supply means is in communication with the needle. An adjustable container retaining member is disposed within the container receiving enclosure in spaced overlying relationship with respect to the container supporting pedestal. Pressure control means are interposed between the pressurized fluid supply means and the needle.A method of testing a sealed container which includes placing the sealed container within the container receiving enclosure, piercing the container by means of a generally upward projecting needle to establish sealed contact between the needle and the interior of the container.

Abstract: The specification discloses a closed system for cleaning, pressure testing, and drying fire extinguisher containers. The system comprises two tanks for holding trichloroethane and flow lines and a valve control system for flowing the liquid from one tank into the container to be cleaned, pressure tested, and dried and then from the container to the other tank. After a number of containers are cleaned and pressure tested and the second tank becomes full, the valve control system can be controlled to reverse the flow of liquid from the second tank to the containers to be cleaned, pressure tested, and dried and then back to the first tank.In a further embodiment, there is provided a universal head adapted to fit many different sizes of fire extinguisher container openings and in addition an adjustable holding device for holding the container to be tested between a support plate and the head and for inverting the container to allow the container to be emptied after the test is completed.

Abstract: Leakage through a fraction of the wall of a vessel is indicated by delimiting, at one side of the wall fraction, a narrow closed space connected to pressure measuring means, whereupon both sides of the wall of the vessel, except the area enclosed in the narrow space, are subjected to a similar gas pressure higher than the pressure within the space.

Abstract: A liquid level monitoring device operable either to detect leakage from a body of liquid or to detect deviations from a controlled rate of withdrawal from a body of liquid. The device employs a pressure responsive diaphragm which, in the face of unequalized pressures applied to its opposite sides, is operable to actuate a control switch. One side of the diaphragm is exposed to a constant pressure, which may be atmospheric, while the other side of the diaphragm is connected to an open ended probe submerged in the body of liquid. When employed as a leak detector, the device is set by opening a solenoid controlled valve connected across a diaphragm to equalize pressure at opposite sides of the diaphragm while the probe is submerged in the body of liquid.

Abstract: A comparison-type flux meter for works such as nozzles or the like has an output elimination circuit in co-operation with a DC amplifier receiving output of a differential pressure transducer inserted in the main pipe line. Measurement error is minimized and reading of deviation of works to standards is accurate and rapid.

Abstract: A system for testing opening-equipped containers for leakage during the entire period, which is usually relatively long, between the time that such containers are fabricated by the manufacturer thereof and the time that they are filled by the user with the product intended therefor. The system includes a testing method, a particular test closure or cap and structural relationship thereof with a container opening, and apparatus for establishing a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of any container under test.