Other

Industrial Sensors and Instruments, Inc.

Wilbur Leslie Dublin, Jr

Dan M Arnold

Lois G Dublin

Randall E Nieman

Richard E Nieman

Boyd B Moore

Jack Schrenkel

A tensiometer for measuring tension in a tubular, such as a cable, using segmented sheave assemblies is provided. The precision of a tension measurement, and the bending stress to which the tubular is exposed during the tension measurement, are functions of the effective radii of sheaves comprising the tensiometer. A segmented sheave assembly is much smaller dimensionally than a sheave wheel with the same effective radius. For given operating specifications, the tensiometer comprising segmented sheave assemblies is, therefore, much more compact than a tensiometer comprising conventional sheave wheels.

Compact geometry tensiometer using a segmented sheave assembly

The present invention describes apparatus and methods for long-term, repeatable measurement of pressure in vessels by measuring distortion signatures of the external surfaces of a vessel through calibration against a known and verifiable reference standard. It is particularly useful for measuring intraocular pressure, pressure in blood vessels and other physiological pressures. It is also adaptable for measuring pressure changes in virtually any vessel whose external surface is deformable such that pressure changes are transduced to the external surface of the confining vessel, as exemplified by process piping.

Apparatus and method for monitoring intraocular and blood pressure by

An apparatus and method is provided for monitoring internal pressure of a physiological vessel using non-contact contour measurement techniques. A pressure measuring system includes a light or acoustic source for impinging a beam on the vessel surface and a detector for detecting a reflected beam from the vessel surface, the system being mounted proximate to the vessel (e.g., an eye). The apparatus compares changes in vessel surface contour measurements with stored data relating changes in vessel surface contour with calibrated measurements corresponding to internal pressure of the vessel.

This invention is directed toward a bearing system for a rotating element, and more particularly directed toward an bearing system which provides an auxiliary bearing system if the primary bearing fails. Transfer of load from the failing primary bearing to one or more auxiliary bearings is initiated by conditions generated by the failing primary bearing such as abnormal heat generation or abnormal torque impulses. Alternately, the invention can be used to prevent primary bearing failure by transferring load to the secondary bearing system if the primary bearing is overloaded. The transfer of load is completely automatic requiring no human intervention. A signal or warning is, however, emitted by the bearing system to notify that loading has been transferred to one or more auxiliary bearings. The invention is directed toward an auxiliary bearing system for tapered roller bearings used in rail cars. In railroad applications, the auxiliary bearing system allows time for the train to be safely stopped in the event of roller bearing failure, thereby significantly reducing the number of catastrophic bearing failures which often lead to hazardous and costly train derailments.

Auxiliary bearing system

A housing with a fluid flow bore is provided with an integral diaphragm forming a cavity within the housing to position the diaphragm adjacent the bore, for receiving sensors thereon to receive intelligence from the housing indicative of any one or all of a plurality of physical functions related to strain in the housing such as by way of example, pressure of fluid in the bore of the housing, axial load, torsion, shear or bending and communicate or transmit the intelligence of such functions to a predetermined location. Where desired, the cavity may be precharged with an inert gas to inhibit damage to the sensors and to serve as a reference pressure. The cavity and transducer therein are isolated from ambient conditions externally of the housing. A flow conduit may be connected at each end of the housing to conduct fluid to the housing bore. Where necessary the intelligence relating to the function or functions may be compensated for temperature or second order effects related to any or all of the functions.

Integral transducer housing and method

A gas well monitoring device (10) for installation at a well head (26) for determining bottom hole pressure of a well bore is provided. The monitoring device (10) includes a sensing unit (24) disposed at the well head. The sensing unit (24) includes a pressure transducer (60) and a temperature transducer (42) for measuring pressure and temperature of the gas at the well head. Automatic control circuitry (76, 78, 82) periodically sample the output of the transducers (42, 60). A processor (82) is interconnected to the automatic control circuitry (76, 78) for calculating the value of bottom hole pressure based upon the output of the transducers (42, 60). Storage circuitry (86, 88) is interconnected to the processor (82) for receiving and storing at predetermined time intervals related values of the sampled well head pressure and well head temperature, and the calculated value of bottom hole pressure at the predetermined time intervals. A display (14, 15, 96) is provided for displaying well data stored in the storage circuitry (86 ).

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Georgetown, TX, United States of America

Wilbur Leslie Dublin, Jr