solid body, the broader end of which is attached to the structure that is to be damped, and the narrower end of which is provided with an absorptive termination. The broad end may be designed to match the impedance of the item to be damped, so as to optimize energy transfer to the horn. The horn amplifies the vibratory mo- tions by virtue of its shape, facilitating energy dissipation. Unlike tuned dampers, which are effective over limited frequency regions near their resonances this damper is effective over a wide frequency range that in essence is limited only by the horn's cutoff frequency. Many physical realizations of the basic idea are possible; a consider- able number are indicated in the patent document.-EEU

4,226,120

43.40.Vn ANALOG ACCELEROMETER

Norbert Nissl, Atesing, assignor to Messerchmitt- Boelkow-Blohm, GmbH

7 October 1980 (Class 73/517 R); filed in W. Germany 27 October 1977

This accelerometer consists of a resiliently mounted mass in a casing and of an optical device for measuring the thickness of a gap between the mass and the casing. The optical device compares the intensity of light injected into the gap via an optical fiber light source with the light intensity sensed by a receiving opticai fiber. The accelerometer is claimed to be resistant to temperature and ag- ing influences, and to be suitable, for example, for triggering fuses or automobile safety air bags.-EEU

4,235,317

43.40.Tm APPARATUS FOR ABSORBING

MECHANICAL ENERGY IN PARTICULAR ENERGY OF

VERY STRONG SHOCKS

Jeremi Maciejewski, Warsaw, Poland 25 November 1980 (Class 188/268); filed in Poland 10

May 1977

This shock absorber consists of an assembly of telescoping cylin- ders, the spaces between which are f'flied with media that have dif-

t.4 5 KXl [XI l•Lmm m mmad•l ) / ,•7

kXl .•. Ix] .•,_ Rq -•-

KXl •1

4,193,290

43.50.Ed STEAM QUALITY ACOUSTIC MONITORING

SYSTEM AND METHOD

Alvin J. Sustek, Jr. and Thomas G. Scott, assignors to Texaco Incorporated

18 March 1980 (Class 73/29); filed 17 July 1978

An accelerometer, attached to a small steam exhaust nozzle hav- ing a 15 mil diameter orifice, creates an electrical signal that, when passed through an amplifier and a 1/10-octave bandpass filter cen- tered near 5000 Hz, and observed on a meter, indicates the "qual- ity" or dryness of steam being injected, for example, into wells for stimulating the production of petroleum. An increase of approxi- mately 5 dB in meter reading accompanies a change in steam quality from 0.20 to approximately 0.75 mass fraction of dry saturated steam, relative to the steam-water mixture at the nozzle.-CHA

ferent theological properties. Static cylinder 4 is filled with an elas- tic polymer 1; intermediate cylinder 5 is filled with a polymer 2 that is viscous under static conditions, but elastic under dynamic condi- tions; cylinder 6 is filled with a viscous polymer 3. Springs 8 and 10 provide preloading and return capability by pushing against gaskets 9 and 11. It is claimed that this absorber design can handle a wide range of shocks and vibrations.-EEU

4,225,859

43.40.Vn METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR

MONITORING SOUND-CONDUCTING MEDIA

Alois Zetting and Markus KiSpfli, assignors to Cerberus AG 30 September 1980 (Class 340/566); filed in

Switzerland 8 December 1975

This invention relates to means for monitoring the integrity or security of objects. It employs an ultrasonic transmitter that re- peatedly injects a stable signal which sweeps through a selected fre- quency range at a predetermined amplitude. It uses a receiving sen- sor and associated circuitry to evaluate the spectrum that results at the sensing point and to compare spectra obtained from successive frequency sweeps. Changes in successive spectra trigger an alarm. -EEU

4,180,240

43.50.Gf LOW NOISE LEVEL CONTROL VALVE

Robert S. Sheldon and Jan W. Rabeck, assignors to Air- Dry Corporation of America

25 December 1979 (Class 251/127); fried 16 December 1977

A staged-trim type valve with a plurality of successive stages, comprises a series of parallel circular grooves along the surface of a flared housing, confining a closely fitting center body that can be moved axially to control the flow. The mating contour resembles an exponential or catenoidal horn, being nearly parallel to the axis as it joins the small inlet pipe, and nearly perpendicular at the out- let which opens into a circular manifold. Fluid leaves the manifold through a large pipe at right angles to the inlet. The primary object of the invention is to create a series of progressive orifices with area increasing progressively to a greater degree than a "Christmas tree configuration." It is designed for use in applications such as a com- pressor discharging into a high pressure tank. Means are provided for a positive shut off, and for pressure regulation during operation, by a system of force feed back that augments preset mechanical springs., In principle the valve would appear to be quiet over a wide range of flow and pressure.-CHA

1861 J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 69(6), June 1981; 0001-4966/81/061861-01 $00.80; ¸ 1981 Acoust. Soc. Am.; Patent Reviews 1861

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