Southwest Research Institute

Harvey S Benson

Charles D Wood, Iii

A compact heat exchanger and method for making the same using the interior of randomly arranged interconnecting hollow spheres as a conduit for a first fluid and the exterior of same as a conduit for a second fluid of different temperature. The apparatus is constructed by fusing the points of contact between the objects of a packed cluster of objects, forming an impermeable layer on the fused objects and removing the fused objects to leave hollow shells interconnected at their points of contact. The interconnecting interiors of the hollow shells form an inner space to which fluid entry and exit ports may be provided to entry and exit manifolds. An outer interstitial space is realized by channeling the second fluid through the porosity in the cluster of shells comprised of the spaces outside the interconnected hollow shells.

Compact heat exchanger

The present invention relates to the use of a solid material flow meter which utilizes a friction pad thermally connected through a thermal path of known thermal characteristics to a heat sink. Temperature sensors are positioned along the thermal path to sense the flow of heat from the friction pad to the heat sink when solid material, such as soil, is flowing in contact with the pad. An electrical signal output proportional to relative soil volume flow rate is derived from heat sensor output multiplied by depth and width of cut. The output (1) indicates when and if soil is flowing along the friction path into a bowl, and (2) indicates the optimum and unique peak rate at which it is possible for the pan scraper bowl to be loaded.

Apparatus for indicating flow of solid material into an earth moving

A method and apparatus for determining the average clearance between closely fitting cylindrical parts by determining electrical capacity between the bore and cylinder across a dielectric of known characteristics. The method and apparatus is useful to obtain an accurate measurement of diametral clearance between a piston and bore of a fuel injection pump. In the present invention, an electronic circuit is used to rapidly measure the capacitance magnitude during intermittent and unpredictable periods of nonshort between the piston and bore as the piston is moved inside the bore. The areas of the piston and bore are known and therefore the average clearance therebetween can be calculated.

Electric capacity measurement of erratically shorted capacitors

A draft power sensor is shown which is capable of determining the amount of power being applied to the soil in earthmoving equipment. The effective draft force and the true ground speed of the earthmoving equipment are measured. This information is processed electronically to provide the product of the two values, which is the draft power. Production from earthmoving equipment can be maximized if the highest value of the draft power is maintained.

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San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Harvey S Benson