Abstract: A system for improving the Baroball valve and a method for retrofitting an existing Baroball valve. This invention improves upon the Baroball valve by reshaping the interior chamber of the valve to form a flow meter measuring chamber. The Baroball valve sealing mechanism acts as a rotameter bob for determining mass flow rate through the Baroball valve. A method for retrofitting a Baroball valve includes providing static pressure ports and connecting a measuring device, to these ports, for measuring the pressure differential between the Baroball chamber and the well. A standard curve of nominal device measurements allows the mass flow rate to be determined through the retrofitted Baroball valve.

Abstract: A method for taking a sample from a closed test tube without removing the stopper of the test tube. According to the method, the stopper of the test tube is pierced with a disposable piercing needle through which the sample is taken to the sample receptacle of the sampling device. From there the sample is dispensed with a dispenser needle. The sampling device comprises an adapting element for fitting the test tube, with the piercing needle first, to the sampling device, a cup-like sample receptacle and a suction device for drawing the sample that is in the test tube into the sample receptacle.

Abstract: A sample collector for aggregate material is provided. The collector includes a support frame having a first end and a second end. A pair of guide plates are attached to the first end of the support frame. These guide plates are spaced apart so as to define a collection space therebetween. At least one of the guide plates is provided with a track that extends generally along the periphery of the collection space. A flexible closing plate is disposed between the guide plates and is adapted for sliding engagement with the track, so that the closing plate may be moved between an open position which exposes the collection space and a closed position which encloses the collection space. A mechanism is also provided for sliding the closing plate between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A hand-held syringe-like device has needle containing a trap with a barrel and plunger to draw air into and out of the needle through the trap. In a method of operating the device, particulate matter in air is retained in the trap and subsequently analytes from the trap are desorbed in an analytical instrument.

Abstract: The invention includes a rotatable tool for collecting fluid through the wall of a container. The tool includes a fluid collection section with a cylindrical shank having an end portion for drilling a hole in the container wall when the tool is rotated, and a threaded portion for tapping the hole in the container wall. A passageway in the shank in communication with at least one radial inlet hole in the drilling end and an opening at the end of the shank is adapted to receive fluid from the container. The tool also includes a cylindrical chamber affixed to the end of the shank opposite to the drilling portion thereof for receiving and storing fluid passing through the passageway. The tool also includes a flexible, deformable gasket that provides a fluid-tight chamber to confine kerf generated during the drilling and tapping of the hole. The invention also includes a fluid extractor section for extracting fluid samples from the fluid collecting section.

Abstract: The method is used for locally testing underground soil contamination by determining the generation rate of a first contaminant fluid in porous soil. The method includes the steps of making a hole of known dimensions in the soil, with the hole defining a first and a second spaced-apart portions; covering the hole, so as to define a closed volume in the hole; constantly injecting a second fluid in the hole at a constant given flow rate at said first portion of the hole, while simultaneously collecting fluid samples at the above-mentioned constant given flow rate at the second portion of the hole; measuring the concentrations of the first contaminant fluid from the fluid samples collected at known time intervals; and computing the generation rate of the first contaminant fluid, from the known volume of the hole and from the concentrations previously measured and originating from samples collected at the known time intervals.

Abstract: A liquid sampling device (10) comprising a housing (12) defining a confined volume (90) and fitted with an inlet port (22) and an outlet port (18) and a drawing member (30) formed with a conduit (38) and being displaceable between a flow position in which the conduit communicates between the inlet port and the outlet port, and a drawing position in which communication between the inlet port and the outlet port is interfered and wherein upon displacing the drawing member (3) into the drawing position, liquid is drawn into the confined volume (10) via the outlet port (18).

Abstract: A system for collecting outgassed compounds from a disc drive includes the following structure into which the disc drive fits during such an outgassing test a base portion and a top plate connected to the base portion to move between a first and second positions to clamp a pair of valves to an outer cover of the disc drive. The two valves each include a needle plunger that may be extended from the valve to penetrate the outer cover of the disc drive and create a flow path for on inert gas sweeping between the two valves through the interior of the disc drive. An inflow line connects a source of inert gas to one valve to mix the inert gas with the outgassed compounds within the interior of the disc drive. An outflow line connects the second valve to a trap containing absorbents to separate substantially all of the outgassed compounds from the inert gas. A power supply and a disc controller operate the disc drive in a realistic manner during the course of the test.