Abstract: The invention is directed to indicator inserts for industrial diagnostic gauges and to industrial diagnostic gauges having at least one indicator insert that are utilized in industrial applications such as pressure and temperature gauges utilized in petrochemical plants. The indicator insert preferably includes at least one indicator insert marking having luminescent materials and reflective materials to facilitate accurate reading of the industrial diagnostic gauges in low and no light conditions from distances greater than 4 feet. Broadly, the industrial diagnostic gauges include a housing, a diagnostic member, a face, at least one hand operatively associated with the diagnostic member, a clear window, an indicator insert, and a retaining ring. The indicator insert includes a top surface that includes at least one indicator insert marking.

Abstract: An impression forming mechanism comprises; an arm with an indentor for forming an impression on a surface of a sample, and an arm operating part for operating the arm in order to apply a force to the sample, wherein the arm operating part is disposed below the arm.

Abstract: A portable and manually operated lightweight tennis ball tester with a housing for receiving at least one tennis ball to be tested; a pair of bars disposed in the housing in a substantially parallel relationship, each of the pair of bars being disposed in opposite sides of the at least one tennis ball; force applying system coupled to one of the pair of bars and extending out of one end of the housing to enable applying a force to the at least one tennis ball; and gauge device coupled to the other of the pair of bars to provide an indication of whether the at least one tennis ball meets standard of play established by the United States Tennis Association.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for screening combinatorial libraries of materials by measuring the response of individual library members to mechanical perturbations is described. The apparatus generally includes a sample holder for containing the library members, an array of probes for mechanically perturbing individual library members, and an array of sensors for measuring the response of each of the library members to the mechanical perturbations. Library members undergoing screening make up a sample array, and individual library members constitute elements of the sample array that are confined to specific locations on the sample holder. During screening, the apparatus mechanically perturbs individual library members by displacing the sample array (sample holder) and the array of probes. Typically, all of the elements of the sample array are perturbed simultaneously, but the apparatus also can also perturb individual or groups of sample array elements sequentially.

Abstract: A soil probing device comprises a probing rod which is assembled from a plurality of linkable rod sections and, while being pushed into the soil, is extended each time by one or more rod sections. The device further comprises a measuring probe which is fitted to the probing rod to obtain regarding the soil. The device also comprises a data transmitter that is designed for transmission of data between the measuring probe and a location at or near the soil surface. Each rod section is provided with an optical guide section extending between its ends in such a way that linking such rod sections results in the formation of a continuous optical guide within the probing rod.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for screening combinatorial libraries of materials by measuring the response of individual library members to mechanical perturbations is described. The apparatus generally includes a sample holder for containing the library members, an array of probes for mechanically perturbing individual library members, and an array of sensors for measuring the response of each of the library members to the mechanical perturbations. Library members undergoing screening make up a sample array, and individual library members constitute elements of the sample array that are confined to specific locations on the sample holder. During screening, the apparatus mechanically perturbs individual library members by displacing the sample array (sample holder) and the array of probes. Typically, all of the elements of the sample array are perturbed simultaneously, but the apparatus also can also perturb individual or groups of sample array elements sequentially.

Abstract: A method for selecting a drilling parameter is disclosed. The method includes determining a loading displacement relationship for samples of earth formations. The loading displacement measurements are made by an indenter. The drilling parameter is selected from the loading displacement relationship. In one embodiment of the invention, the loading displacement relationship is determined from cuttings made during drilling of a wellbore. The loading displacement relationship determined during drilling is used to select at least one drilling parameter during drilling to improve drilling performance. Drilling parameters which can be selected include mill tooth and/or insert bit type; type of gauge protection to be used on the bit; type, size and orientation of jet nozzles on the bit; and blade structure, cutter type and density as well as the cutter impact resistance for fixed cutter bits. Other drilling parameters include weight on bit, drill bit rotation rate, and drilling fluid flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining dynamic indentation hardness values of a material using a propagating stress wave to make an indentation in the material. The invention provides such values without any prior knowledge of the material properties and enables the dynamic indentation hardness values to be directly compared to static indentation hardness values for the material.

Abstract: An impression forming mechanism includes; an arm with an indentor for forming an impression on a surface of a sample, and an arm operating part for operating the arm in order to apply a force to the sample, wherein the arm operating part is disposed below the arm.

Abstract: A universal material testing device which includes a frame; an actuator mounted on the frame for controlling a displacement of a sample to be tested; a load cell movably mounted on the frame and adapted to abut against the sample for detecting a force applied thereon by the actuator, the load cell producing a signal corresponding to the force detected; a signal conditioning unit for reducing input noise and for processing of the signal and executing specific tests by coordination of displacement control and load signals received for processing from the load cell; and a detachable chamber with humidifying media for humidification of the sample environment confined within the chamber and separated frm the sample so as to avoid potential damaging effects of humidity on the sample or on the device. The device is useful for determining certain material properties of a sample.

Abstract: Cutting tools and wear-resistant materials formed of a silicon-nitride-based sintered body having excellent characteristics, such as high wear resistance. Cutting tool 1 is in the form of a negative chip having a shape prescribed by ISO standard: SNGN 120408. Specifically, the cutting tool 1 is a chip of a rectangular parallelepiped shape which has a thickness of 4.76 mm and in which each of four sides (cutting edges) 5 on a rake face 3 side has a length of 12.7 mm. In the region having a width of 0.2 mm or less and extending from the cutting edges 5 of the cutting tool 1, the cutting tool 1 has a microhardness H. Plast of 21.2 GPa or greater and a microhardness HU of 11.2 GPa or greater. The Vickers hardness of the cutting tool 1 as measured at a substantial center of the rake face 3 is 14.5 GPa or greater. Further, the amount of oxygen within the cutting tool 1 is 1.0 to 2.0 wt. %.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for determining from indentation testing the preexisting stress and/or effective strain in a section of a material. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for determining the variation of the stress with depth in the material (e.g. the gradient). According to the invention, first data are provided from an indentation test of the stressed (or strained) section. The stress (or effective strain) can then be determined from the first data and from second data characteristic of the material, such as a stress-strain curve. Second data can also be obtained from an additional indentation test of a section having a known stress. The methods provided herein are suitable for programming on a general purpose computer or calculator.

Abstract: A hardness tester for a large test material is downsized by shortening a stroke length of the x-y stage. A hardness tester in accordance with the invention transfers the laser irradiating unit 70 two-dimensionally along the X or Y axis and irradiate a laser beam on the material W under test placed on the stage 10. The tester also monitors the laser beam visually and determine a target position to be measured and transfers the monitoring unit 45 to the determined target position along the X or Y axis and monitor the position by means of the monitoring unit 45. If the position does not fall on a boundary between crystals, the loading unit 55 is two-dimensionally transferred and forms a dent on the position by means of the penetrator 55a. An image of the dent is captured by the monitoring unit 45 and the hardness is determined by calculating a diagonal length of the dent by image processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable test system for in-situ, non-destructive identification of visco-elastic material. The system includes a probe-like member coupled to a controller, wherein the controller is responsive to an output signal from the probe-like member for determining properties of the visco-elastic material. The probe-like member includes a longitudinally extending housing. A transducer mechanism is operably positioned within the housing. The transducer mechanism includes an indentation tip member, wherein the indentation tip member is extendable through the housing. A load mechanism is provided for loading the transducer mechanism with a desired constant load, causing the indentation tip member to extend through the housing to perform an indentation. A force calibration mechanism is provided for calibrating the application of a fixed force between the indentation tip member and the visco-elastic material.

Abstract: In a drill resistance measuring apparatus including a drive unit and an attachment for determining the internal state of trees or wooden structures by determining the torque required to drive a drill into the wood, means for plotting and storing the torque depending on the penetration depth of the drill are included in the drive unit attachment, which includes a coupling portion for coupling to the drive unit and a transmission mechanism exchangeably supported in the attachment to permit an exchange of the transmission mechanism for a change of the transmission ratio for operating the drill at various speeds.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the compaction, by means of a vibrator compaction device having mass Mvib and a bearing area F, of a preselected soil layer, for which a predetermined degree of compaction is desired, at a preselected depth l in a soil base having at least one layer disposed between an exterior upper surface and a hard bottom layer, thereby defining a vibrator-soil-base system, which includes the steps of: evaluating a desired volumetric mass &ggr;st of the preselected soil layer corresponding to the desired degree of compaction, which may be performed by measurement or by calculation using standard soil data; calculating a mass per unit area msoil of the preselected soil layer as a function of the desired volumetric mass; calculating the effective vibrating mass M of the vibrator-soil-base system as a function of the mass per unit area of the preselected soil layer and the mass of the vibrator; determining the natural oscillation frequency &ohgr;o of the vibrator-soil-base system when the preselected

Abstract: An apparatus and method of proof testing a planar, brittle materials such as those used for valve leaflets in the manufacture of mechanical heart valve prostheses, in which the material to be tested is placed between two interfitting, spherically-shaped shoes, one convex and one concave, and the shoes are compressed together, causing a biaxial stress force to be applied across the surface of the material. The use of a biaxial force created by the spherical shoe surfaces simplifies the testing procedure over the prior art, allowing a single application of force to test the material for flexure in any direction. The magnitude of the stress which is applied to the material is determined by the radii of the interfitting test shoes relative to the thickness of the material sample being tested. Sufficient force is applied to conform the material to the shoes such that any flaws of a predetermined minimum critical size will be revealed by acoustical monitoring during the test or visual inspection thereafter.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for determining from indentation testing the preexisting stress and/or effective strain in a section of a material. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for determining the variation of the stress with depth in the material (e.g. the gradient). According to the invention, first data are provided from an indentation test of the stressed (or strained) section. The stress (or effective strain) can then be determined from the first data and from second data characteristic of the material, such as a stress-strain curve. Second data can also be obtained from an additional indentation test of a section having a known stress. The methods provided herein are suitable for programming on a general purpose computer or calculator.

Abstract: A hardness tester is disclosed which conducts its hardness test through a penetrator impinging upon the surface of a test specimen. Enhanced accuracy and repeatability is achieved through the use of a closed loop system and directly mounting a load cell to the indentor, connecting a linear displacement transducer directly to the load cell and eliminating an elevating screw in initially positioning and applying load to the specimen to be tested.

Abstract: An indentation measurement apparatus is retrofittable onto any of a variety of load-applying frames and includes a mount for mounting an indenter of any geometry (for example blunt or sharp). The arrangement is very stiff and mechanical values including Young's modulus, strain hardening exponent, yield strength, and hardness can be obtained from a single load/unload versus displacement test. A wide variety of materials can be tested using the apparatus. An optical probe can measure displacement of the indenter head relative to a sample. A new method of calculating strain hardening directly from load/displacement measurement is presented as is a new method of calculating strain hardening exponent.

Abstract: An instrument and technique for measuring the compressive properties of a body (e.g., articular cartilage) are disclosed. The instrument includes an elongated probe, a biasing assembly for applying a pre-determined pre-load to the body to establish a measurement reference at the predetermined pre-load, an actuator to move the elongated probe to apply a compressive force to the body, and a measurement device which measures displacement of the elongated probe relative to the measurement reference.

Abstract: A nanoindentation apparatus is used to measure the in-plane fracture toughness of a thin film formed on a substrate. One or more notches are formed in the thin film. An indenter is applied to the thin film near the notch or notches and a load is applied to the indenter to force it into the thin film. Because the substrate is softer than the thin film, the indenter does not penetrate the thin film, but "sinks in" to the soft substrate. The sink in effect enhances the tensile strain and stress at the notch. In one embodiment, both the penetration of the indenter into the thin film and substrate and the load on the indenter are measured. When the thin film fractures at the notch or notches, the indenter sharply sinks into the substrate. The thin film fracture toughness is then calculated based on the value of the load and penetration at the point of fracture using either finite element analysis or an analytical model.

Abstract: Techniques for the determination of mechanical properties of homogenous or functionally-graded materials from indentation testing are presented. The technique is applicable to indentation on the nano-scale through the macro-scale including the geological scale. The technique involves creating a predictive load/depth relationship for a sample, providing an experimental load/depth relationship, comparing the experimental data to the predictive data, and determining a physical characteristic from the comparison.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining the deformability of the surface of a test specimen. Firstly, by scanning along a line on the surface with a lightly loaded stylus, the surface texture of the specimen is measured. Secondly, the same line is traversed with a loaded indenter such that the surface of the specimen is penetrated. Finally, the same line is traversed again with a lightly loaded stylus to record the new surface texture.

Abstract: A thermal print head has thermal print elements located along an edge of a substrate between two faces thereof. An impression roller resiliently urges a print receiving medium, for example a mail item in a postage meter, into ink transfer engagement with an ink layer of a thermal transfer ink ribbon and urges the ink ribbon into heat transfer engagement with the thermal print elements. The print head is mounted to be adjustable as to location of the line of print elements relative to the impression roller and the angular disposition of the print head. The resiliently pressure exerted by the impression is adjustable. Adjustment of the print head and of the pressure may be effected automatically in response to sensing of compressibility of the print receiving medium.

Abstract: A method for measuring the strength of a cavity surface (2a) of a mold (2) and for simultaneously pressing one or more marks (21a, 21b) in the cavity surface (2a) is disclosed. Such marks (21a, 21b) formed in a cavity surface of a mold are transferred to a cast when it is produced from the mold, and the transferred marks appearing on the surface of the cast display some information. The method includes the steps of pressing one or more marks (21a, 21b) in a cavity surface of a mold by using a press member (14) that has a pressure sensor (15), and measuring the strength of the mold (2) by detecting a reaction force by the pressure sensor (15) that acts on the press member (14) when the press member presses the mark in the cavity surface of the mold.

Abstract: In a hardness tester according to the present invention, an indentor is urged by an indentor spring and moves against the indentor spring when pressed against an object part of a living body. The indentor is inserted in a sleeve which is urged by a sub spring weaker than the indentor spring and moves against the sub spring when pressed against the part of the living body. A converter converts an amount of movement of the indentor into an electrical signal. A trigger generates a trigger signal when the sleeve has moved by a predetermined amount. A control unit carries out a process when receiving the trigger signal, the process including steps of: receiving the digital signal from the converter; displaying the amount of movement of the indentor on a display; storing the amount in a memory unit; calculating a difference in hardness of the part of the living body between a relaxed condition and a strained condition; and displaying the difference on the display.

Abstract: The mechanical properties of a surface are measured by using a pointed tip on the end of a bendable cantilever such that with force on the other end of the cantilever the tip can be pushed into the surface using the bending of the cantilever as the measure of the constant force. The indentation, scratch, or wear created by the application of forces between the tip and sample is then measured with the same tip and cantilever by raising the cantilever off the surface and putting it into oscillation. The tip is then scanned over the area where the indentation was made with the tip tapping on the surface in order to image the surface.

Abstract: A pressure gauge for tennis balls and the like, comprising a rigid clamp arm pivotally connected to a flexible clamp arm for squeezing a ball between them. The rigid clamp arm has a socket for holding the ball. The flexible clamp arm preferably has a probe which extends into the socket and depresses the ball when said two clamp arms are rotated toward each other in a clamping action. A pointer arm is journalled to the fulcrum of the clamp arms and is attached to the flexible clamp arm near the fulcrum with a screw, which can be loosened for calibration. A scale adjacent the free end of the pointer indicates the pointer displacement when the two clamp arms are pivoted together. The pointer provides high sensitivity to distinguish small differences in ball pressure.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the mar resistance of a material test specimen includes a frame, a platform positioned on the frame, and a bar slidably mounted on the frame for vertical movement above the platform. The bar defines a lower end configured for holding a contact block at a predetermined angle relative to the platform, and an upper end configured for receiving and holding a mass of material. The test specimen is positioned on the platform, and the bar is moved downwardly toward the surface of the test specimen until the contact block comes to rest on the surface of the specimen. The specimen is then moved across the platform, the surface of the specimen is examined for mars, and the mar resistance is determined for the predetermined angle as the maximum amount of force, or pressure, which may be applied through the contact block to the surface of the specimen without marring the surface thereof.

Abstract: A tool for measuring the extent of decay in a wooden object, comprising an elongated probe adapted to be inserted in an inspection hole drilled in the wooden object. The tool has at least one barb protruding therefrom adjacent to one end of the probe. The barb is designed to engage a side wall of the inspection hole so as to shear wood fibers in the side wall as the probe is withdrawn. There is indicator mechanically coupled to the probe for measuring the amount of pull-force required to shear the wood fibers in the inspection hole. The indicator includes a deflector mechanically connected to the other end of the probe and adapted to provide a measurable deflection as the pull-force required to shear the wood fibers increases. In use, when the pull-force exceeds a predetermined value, the indicator provides an indication of a transition within the wooden object from decaying wood to sound wood.

Abstract: A pressurized ball testing device for determining the relative pressure of tennis balls or other inflated balls whose internal pressure cannot be directly measured comprises a housing having two half shells, attached along a common axis so that the two half shells are movable along the central axis relative to each other. The interior of each half shell has a ball support centered on the central axis. The ball to be measured is placed between the two ball supports so that when the two half shells are pressed together, the ball is simultaneously compressed and held in place. The pressures are relative to a new ball or reference ball, allowing the balls to be sorted for suitability of play. Two methods of measurement are described, one using constant force and the other using constant displacement. In either case the ball to be tested is squeezed from opposite sides by finger-like protrusions to enhance the displacement of the side of the ball for a given force.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining compressive stress in an in-situ roof support pillar may comprise a convergence meter positioned in one of the two entries for measuring the total entry convergence, i.e., roof sag and floor heave, and for generating an output signal related thereto. A computer system connected to the convergence meter is responsive to the output signal and calculates the compressive stress in the pillar based on the total entry convergence and based on whether the pillar is being subjected to at least one of a number of load types including a first front abutment load, a second front abutment load, and a side abutment load.

Abstract: A portable ball testing device for testing inflated sport balls such as tennis balls, racquet balls and the like that includes a tubular element with an entrance port and an exit port that are sized to enable the a ball to be placed within and removed from the respective ports of the tubular element. A restricted region is disposed within the tubular element between the entrance port and the exit port. A ramrod element is provided that extends into the tubular element. A ram head is provided at the end of the ramrod element within the tubular element. As the ramrod element is advanced into the tubular element, the ram head abuts against the ball and pushes the ball through the restricted region. A handle is coupled to the ramrod element via a spring. When a manual force is applied to the handle, the spring compresses and the force is transferred to the ramrod element by the spring.

Abstract: The termite detecting device is placed in an expected invading passage for detecting damage or destruction caused by termites. One configuration of the device includes: a detecting wood sample for attracting termites; a detecting terminal being pressed against the detecting wood sample while the detecting wood sample is supplied with water as required; and a magnetic circuit capable of being opened and closed by the movement of the detecting terminal. When the detecting wood sample is eaten and damaged by termites and becomes fragile, the detecting terminal sinks into the detecting wood sample by virtue of a pressing force and the magnetic circuit is made open. As a result, the device detects the existence of termites. Alternatively, another configuration of the termite detecting device detects vibrations caused by termites so as to detect the invasion of termites.

Abstract: A conducting tip of a hardness tester for metals, alloys and similar conducting materials is set forth. The tester comprises a resistance measuring circuit for measuring the resistance between the indenting tip and the test specimen when a certain load is applied to the indenter, made of a substantially insulating material with a superficial conducting film, the conductivity of which decreases toward the tip vertex. This contains the error induced by differences in temperature affecting the resistivity of the conducting superficial film. A tip of conical form with an angle which does not exceed 110 degrees increases precision, as compared with indenters constructed to the Vickers pyramid standard or to the Rockwell 120 degree cone.

Abstract: The strength of an upright wooden structure is diagnosed by drawing a pair of spaced apart electrodes into the structure to a predetermined depth. The force of penetration and the moisture content of the structure at the depth of penetration are measured and the measurement data processed to provide an instantaneous readout indicative of the strength of the structure.

Abstract: A pair of arms are pivotally connected with each arm including a hand grip portion and a ball clamping portion. The clamping portions carry ball support members which support and center a ball within the tester. A gauge is mounted on one of the clamping portions and has a plunger which extends through one of the ball support members for engaging the outer surface of a ball. Movement of the clamping portions is limited by engagement of the end surfaces of the clamping portions. A torsion spring normally urges the hand grip portions away from one another. In one embodiment, the spring urges the clamping portions toward one another, and in another embodiment, the spring urges the clamping portions away from one another.

Abstract: A Constant-Depth Scratch Test (CDST) technique to quantitatively determine he shear strength of interfaces between thin metallic or non-metallic films and metal or ceramic substrates is revealed. The test overcomes two problems associated with other types of scratch tests, namely the instrumental complexity required for real-time detection of interfacial failure, and the inability to quantify interfacial strength. These problems are circumvented by maintaining a constant depth during scratching through the coating and the substrate, monitoring the horizontal and vertical forces to sustain the constant depth scratch, and finally by using a model to analyze the test results to quantify the interfacial shear strength. Unlike other scratch tests, this test is capable of measuring interfacial shear strength as a function of position on the film-substrate sample.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided for measurement of the toughness of edible products such as breads and cheeses. The apparatus (10) preferably includes a texture analyzer (12) equipped with a load cell crossarm (18); a special sample holding device (14) is mounted on the analyzer (12) and includes a base (30) adapted to hold a sample (88) and equipped with a flexible elongated pull wire (34). A cover assembly (32) is positioned atop the sample (88) and includes retention pins (64-70) to hold the sample in a substantially stationary condition. In use, the pull wire (34) is coupled to crossarm (18) and the analyzer (12) is actuated to elevate the arm (18), thus pulling the wire (34) at least partially through the sample (88). The force required to pull the wire (34) through the sample (88) is taken as a measure of sample toughness.

Abstract: A sports ball resiliency testing device is disclosed. The device includes a housing that defines a receiving area into which a ball is placed. The receiving area is configured and dimensioned to act upon the contours of the ball. A movable member extends into the receiving area and makes contact with the surface of the ball. The movable member is urged by a spring so as to exert a compressing force on the ball. The urging force of the spring is adjustable so as to provide for various testing ranges. The ball thus exerts a resisting force against the movable member. A value of the resisting force is determined when an equilibrium is reached between the compressing force and the resisting force. This value indicates the playability of the ball.

Abstract: Light is focused on an interface between a transparent probe and a surface to be analyzed. The probe is lowered onto the surface using a computer-controlled actuator. Light reflected from the surface of the probe which is closest to the surface and the surface itself recombines, producing interference effects from the spacing between the probe and the surface over a 2-dimensional area. Since the shape of the probe in known beforehand, the profile of the surface can be readily calculated from the 2-dimensional measurement of the spacing between the probe and the surface. This surface profile indicates the roughness of the surface. The surface hardness and other surface properties can be measured by pressing the probe onto the surface. The contact load between the probe and the surface is detected by a load cell. The force with which the probe is being pressed onto the surface is measured using the load cell.

Abstract: A gauge for measuring the relative resiliency of golf greens including a barrel shaped device with a base having foot pads to hold the instrument on the green and a calibrated spring to drive a measuring tip into the turf and a scale indicator attached to the barrel for providing the information indicative of the condition of the green.

Abstract: A device is presented for measuring residual stresses in a solid component. he device includes a hardness measuring component which has an indenter for determining hardness at various locations. Stress (.sigma.) data is obtained by converting the hardness measurements according to the formulaa.multidot.[.sqroot.4P.sub.o.sup.2 -3P.sup.2 -P],where a is a constant in Kbar.sup.-1 mm.sup.2 /kg, which depends on the type of material under test and also on the type of indentor used, where the pressure p is measured in kg/mm.sup.2, and where the average pressure p.sub.o is the average value of mean pressure p along a radial cut line of the solid component specimen.

Abstract: An arthroscopic indenter for measuring creep deformation behavior, stress relaxation behavior and thickness of cartilage in vivo and in situ. A computer-based system measures deformation or force information upon cartilage and processes that information for closed-loop control of an indenter tip while also calculating intrinsic properties associated with the cartilage such as stiffness, compressibility and/or permeability.

Abstract: A dual function probe for measuring blade path temperature and for extracting exhaust flow gases from a combustion turbine comprises an elongate tubular member having an open end and a sealed end. An elongate thermocouple element is centrally disposed within the tubular member to provide a thermocouple function. At least a portion of the tubular member is adapted for insertion through the exhaust cylinder and diffuser of the combustion turbine and into the flow path of the turbine exhaust gases. An on-off valve is coupled to the tubular member proximate the sealed end thereof to allow exhaust flow gases that enter the open end of the tubular member to be extracted from the tubular member for analysis.

Abstract: A test apparatus includes an optical displacement transducer for sensing deformation of the cigarette filter responsive to a predetermined load applied transverse to the filter during simulated smoking of the cigarette, and a barcode laser scanner for sensing relative movement of a charline along a tobacco rod of the burning cigarette during simulated smoking. The optical displacement transducer thus produces a filter hot collapse signal, while the barcode laser scanner produces a tobacco consumption signal. A processor, such as a microprocessor operating under stored program control, samples the hot collapse signal and the tobacco consumption signal to generate a series of respective data points. A display is operatively connected to the processor for generating a graphical representation of at least one of the hot collapse signal and the tobacco consumption signal as a function of time, based upon the respective sampled data points.

Abstract: A skin compliance measurement device for measuring the compliance of human skin. The skin compliance measurement device comprises a housing containing two flexible strips attached to the housing at one end and attached to a probe at an opposite end. The probe extends from the flexible strips, through an opening in the bottom of the housing, and contacts an area of skin. A measurement device measures the flexure of the strips when the probe comes into contact with the skin.

Abstract: A firmness measuring device for non-destructive testing of objects with rough surfaces (such as fruit) is disclosed. The device comprises the following components: a means to generate an impulsive jet of a fluid (such as air) aimed at the surface of the object under test; a laser to generate a beam of coherent light aimed at the area on the surface of the object under test impacted by the fluid jet; a detector to sense the light reflected off of the surface of the object from the laser beam; an analyzer to determine the amount of deformation of the surface caused by the fluid jet based on the input to the detector; and a controller to coordinate the release of the impulsive jet with the analyzer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing the hardness properties of metallic st materials, wherein electromagnets are employed to replace clamping means. Said apparatus comprises two electromagnets, and a test head which comprises a ball indenter means, a conventional hydraulic hand pump, a pop-off release valve and numerous gauges. A method of testing metallic sheet materials, and specifically armors, is set forth.