Abstract: The invention relates to, inter alia, a thick matter conveying system (10) comprising a thick matter pump (16) for conveying a thick matter, comprising a double-piston-type core pump (15) which has a pump frequency; an S tube (24) which can be switched by the pump frequency; and a thick matter distributing mast (18) for distributing the thick matter to be conveyed, wherein the thick matter distributing mast (18) has at least two mast arms (41); a substructure (30) on which the thick matter distributing mast (18) and the thick matter pump (16) are arranged, said substructure (30) comprising a support structure (31) for supporting the substructure (30) by means of at least one horizontally and/or vertically movable support leg (32); a sensor unit (11) for sequentially detecting at least one piece of operating information at at least one first and second point in time; and a processing unit (12) which is designed to determine a stability parameter of the thick matter conveying system (10) on the basis of the at

Abstract: A key-operated switch includes a first excitation device which generates a first alternating magnetic field and has a first inductance. The key-operated switch is constructed in such a manner that the first alternating magnetic field can be used to scan a first coding of a key, with the first coding changing the first inductance of the first excitation device. The first coding is read by the key-operated switch in this manner. The key associated with the key-operated switch has a carrier element which is not electrically conductive and is not magnetizable. Arranged on the carrier element is the first coding which is made of an electrically conductive and/or magnetizable material. As a result, the key can be scanned without wear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for synchronizing a communications cycle and a communications node in a network. The node is formed with devices for receiving a desired value for a time base of a communications cycle of the communications node in a communications link to an additional communications node of the network. The node also includes devices for determining a system deviation between the desired value and an actual value of the time base, and a device for generating a manipulated variable for correcting the time base in accordance with the system deviation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for synchronizing a communications cycle and a communications node in a network. Said node comprises: devices for receiving a desired value for a time base of a communications cycle of the communications node in a communications link to an additional communications node of the network; devices for determining a system deviation between the desired value and an actual value of the time base; and a device for generating a manipulated variable for correcting the time base in accordance with the system deviation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a flow which is substantially purified with respect to at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO, according to which:a) a flow to be purified, comprising at least 90 mol % of a compound chosen from nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon or a mixture of these compounds and at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO, is cooled to a temperature of less than -40.degree. C.;b) the cooled flow is passed through an adsorbent for the adsorption of at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO, the adsorbent comprising at least one porous metal oxide;c) a flow which is substantially purified with respect to at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO is recovered.

Abstract: Heat exchanger with streaming liquid to vaporize a liquid by heat exchange with a second fluid, of the type comprising a parallelepipedal body formed form an assembly of parallel vertical plates (4) defining between them a multitude of flat passages (18, 19) distributed in an assembly of vaporization passages (18), and in an assembly of heating passages (19). Each passage contains an undulant-spacer (20) with vertical generatrices. Structure for distribution of the liquid is provided at the upper end of the exchanger (2) to distribute the liquid over all the length of the vaporization passages (18). Structure (9) is provided to direct the second fluid into the heating passages (19). The distribution structure is disposed in compartments (23) closed at their upper end and situated each above a heating passage (19), from which the compartment is separated by a horizontal strip (22).

Abstract: In this process for vaporizing a liquid in first ducts, or vaporization ducts, which are opened at top and bottom, of a plate type heat exchanger, by heat exchange with a main calorigenic fluid which circulates in second ducts of the exchanger, additional gas is generated permanently in the lower end part of the first ducts, for example by means of a compartment in which there is a circulation of an auxiliary fluid which is warmer than the main calorigenic fluid. Application to the main vaporizer-condensers of apparatuses for the distillation of air with double column.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a heat exchange line, a fractionating column which is cooled by means of a rich liquid and a section for adiabatic enrichment with nitrogen derived from entering air, the whole being integrated into a parallelepipedal heat exchanger of the plates and blades type. Use for the production of nitrogen of average purity.