Abstract: A gear train comprises a central wheel for rotation about a central axis and a plurality of pinions engaged with either inner or out circumferential teeth of the central wheel. The pinions are mounted on shafts and have teeth which are meshed with the teeth of the central wheel. A relative position of the pinion and central wheel teeth is influenced through external adjusting forces applied to the wheel and pinions. To this end, the pinions are mounted in active magnetic bearings whose magnetic force is controlled through sensors which sense the radial position of the central wheel. In this way, the radial position of the pinion shafts can be controlled using the magnetic bearings and as a function of the radial position of the circumference of the central wheel to maintain a desired spacing between the wheel and pinion teeth. This control can be used to compensate for centrifugal and thermal expansion or contraction forces.

Abstract: A process for producing a synthesis gas containing methane and using a reactor having a fuel containing carbon comprises directing gasification gases in a circulation system through a bed of fuel containing carbon to form a synthesis gas containing methane and carbon dioxide. Thereafter, the synthesis gas is cooled in a regenerator and subjected to the gas separation wherein the syngas is subjected to a gas cleansing by means of a pressure change absorption in a gas scrubber to remove most of the methane and carbon dioxide and its water content is increased. The separated gas is then heated and subsequently the portion is returned into the system together with the waste gases and fuel containing carbon. The process includes a 4-pole heater which includes the first heat exchange passage for the syngas which is cooled and a second heat exchange passage for the recirculation of the syngas and is further cooled and passed through a scrubber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid tight pipe connection having an intermediate ring between the two pipe ends. By making the two surfaces of the ring complementary to the pipe end faces the ring may be displaced in relation to one pipe end and may be moved pivotally in relation to the other pipe end to enable the connection to allow for angular misalignment and parallel offset of the pipe axes while still maintaining a sealing joint.

Abstract: A cavity receiver having an aperture through which concentrated solar radiation enters the cavity. Holes are provided in the bottom wall of the receiver through which cold air, which enters the cavity through the aperture, can be withdrawn by an aspirator. The outlet of the aspirator can exhaust the cold air to the atmosphere, or reintroduce the air into the cavity through holes adjacent to the aperture. Holes can also be provided in the top wall of the receiver, and an aspirator used to withdraw air from the cavity through the top wall holes and reintroduce it into the cavity through the bottom wall holes.

Abstract: Workpieces which are formed by the build-up of weld metal are treated and cooled by directing a fluid such as water in a large stream so that rapid and intensive cooling of the surfaces of the workpiece is achieved by creating a laminar water flow. A water quantity is directed to reach the workpiece surface in a laminar flow and it is permitted to flow over the workpiece as the water is sucked off before it reaches its boiling point at the rate of flow to the workpiece and away from the workpiece being sufficient to prevent the formation of steam. The water which is employed is advantageously recooled to its initial temperature by the withdrawing effect created by an air fan.

Abstract: A hydrostatic or hydrodynamic shaft seal comprises a ring revolving with the shaft and an axially movable static ring which is sealed against the housing by two O-rings and forms, with the revolving ring, radial seal gaps. An incompressible fluid flows and stabilizes the seal gaps and the static seal ring has a cavity for receiving the stopping or cooling liquid. A number of tensioning spring elements are arranged on the circumference or end of the static ring which take support against a ring which serves as a pressure limiting valve.

Abstract: A method and device for automatically steering a trackless vehicle along a routing or guide line. A scanner senses the position of the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle with respect to the guide line and produces a position signal. A datum transmitter produces a datum signal. A comparator compares the two signals and produces a difference signal which is used by a control unit to produce a steering signal. In producing the steering signal, the device distinguishes between influences on the vehicle position caused by interference, e.g., wind gusts and rough roads, and influences caused by curvature of the guide line. The steering signal causes adjustment of the steering angle of the vehicle to minimize the distance between a reference point on the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and the guide line.

Abstract: Apparatus for guiding a trackless vehicle along an A.C. conductor marking a roadway, having at least two sensors to detect a magnetic field emanating from the current conductor the output signals of which are routed to interpretive electronics. The interpretive electronics include a phase-locked loop (PPL) the input signal to which is the output signal of one of the sensors, and the output signal of which is used for demodulation, by mixers, of the sensor signals.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the transmission of images to a screen, wherein luminescence centers of the screen are excited by way of electron beams controlled to suit the image to be transmitted. The electrons are emitted by cathode tips of a thin-film field-effect cathode. The cathode tips are driven individually, the flow of electrons emitted from each cathode tip corresponding to the grey tone for each image point. The cathode tips may be driven by mutually intersecting conducting strips to which are fed successive trigger pulses. In another version, the cathode tips are driven by the use of charge transfer systems, which enable a still picture to be produced by concurrently driving the cathode tips in their entirety.

Abstract: A driving, or outside rear-view, mirror for a motor vehicle including a housing containing a mirror pane. A compressed air circuit provides high pressure air flow to clean the mirror pane and cooperates with a pressure chamber to vary the camber of and hence the field of view offered by the mirror.

Abstract: A hydraulic-mechanically operating mine working machine includes a multi-part sword engaging a mine longwall conveyor from below. The machine is pulled by a traction rig disposed on the stowing side of the longwall conveyor, which is supplied from the drift with the liquid media needed for cutting and for control purposes via drag lines accommodated in a special duct on the stowing side. The connection between the drag lines arriving on the stowing side and the working machine at the adit end is established by way of a hose hookup block connected with the tractor hookup block, the tractor hookup block and the sword of the working machine engaging the longwall conveyor from below.

Abstract: A liquid packing for shafts comprises a seal ring rotating at the machine speed, and a non-rotating seal ring which is tightly fitted to the housing and axially yielding. The rotating ring is made of a material of high thermal conductivity, high strength and surface hardness in the sealing area. The rotating ring carries one or more floating rings, with a sealing gap concentric with the shaft being formed therebetween. The rotating ring is made of a hardened copper beryllium alloy, the non-rotating ring of slide carbon.

Abstract: A tappet for cam operation as in an engine valve train has a cavity between a cam-contacting surface and the body of the tappet for allowing the cam-contacting surface to deflect theretoward when contacted by the cam, whereby stresses therein are reduced and the cam-contacting surface can be made from a hard, brittle material.

Abstract: A method of sensing the curvature of a routing or guide line used in automatic steering of a vehicle. The actual position of the vehicle with respect to the guide line is determined, and an estimated position of the vehicle with respect to the guide line is determined by means of a vehicle model. The actual and estimated positions are compared to obtain the difference between them, the difference being an indication of the curvature of the guide line.

Abstract: A method for producing oxide surface layers on titanium-based objects. The object is pretreated mechanically and, following pretreatment, an oxidation process takes place using a low oxidation potential and a temperature between 480.degree. C. and 800.degree. C. As an oxidizing agent, use is preferably made of water vapor at a partial pressure of about 20 mbar. The water vapor may be mixed with an inert carrier gas, such as argon or helium.

Abstract: A bus having at least three pivotally-connected vehicle members, one of which has two axles spaced from each other, one of these axles being a steering axle. Each of the other vehicle members has a single axle. An engine in the tail vehicle member drives all the live axles through a train of articulated shafts.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing solar absorption layers by electrodeposition of heavy metals, such as Ni and Co, from aqueous citrate solutions. The heavy metal citrates are produced by direct reaction of metal oxides or carbonates with citric acid. The electrolyte concentration is a maximum 5% and has a pH of between 8 and 11. The deposition process takes place at room temperature, bath voltages of 8 to 30 V, and current densities of 3 to 10 A/dm.sup.2. The layers produced by this method are well bonded black layers resistant to temperatures up to 700.degree. C.

Abstract: Articulated bus having a two-axle leading car and a single-axle trailing car. The leading car has a driving axle which is driven alternatively by an internal-combustion engine arranged in the trailing car and an electric motor arranged in the leading car.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising two rasping halves conforming generally to the shape of the bone cavity to be produced, and a drive mechanism for reciprocating both rasping halves counter to each other in an axial direction. A rotary cutting tool in front of the rasping halves prepares the bone cavity to receive the rasping halves. A flexible drive shaft for the cutting tool extends between the rasping halves and rotatably within a drive shaft for the rasping halves. The latter drive shaft has a slot oriented at an angle to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft, and a pin projects from each rasping half into the slot, the pins being located 180.degree. apart. A bushing guides the movement of the rasping halves, and the pin from each rasping half extending through a slot in a housing for their drive shaft prevents twisting of the rasping halves.

Abstract: A noise-reducing casing member for oil-containing elements of interval combustion engines. The walls of the casing member are converging stepped plates containing inward depressions and/or grooves for frequency detuning.