Abstract: This invention provides phosphor-doped fluoroperovskite compounds that are capable of storing at least part of the energy of incident ionizing radiation and releasing at least part of the stored energy upon optical stimulation or heating. Also provided are dosimeters and radiation storage devices comprising the compounds, methods of preparing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds to determine a dose of ionizing radiation or to record and reproduce an ionizing radiation image.

Abstract: This invention provides phosphor-doped fluoroperovskite compounds that are capable of storing at least part of the energy of incident ionizing radiation and releasing at least part of the stored energy upon optical stimulation or heating. Also provided are dosimeters and radiation storage devices comprising the compounds, methods of preparing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds to determine a dose of ionizing radiation or to record and reproduce an ionizing radiation image.

Abstract: A vehicle seat which is adjustable in height and which affords automatic adjustment to the seat occupant weight comprises a gas spring between a seat frame and a base frame, a valve arrangement actuable by an actuating element to adjust the pressure in the gas spring in dependence on the weight of the seat occupant, and a means for setting the desired seat height. Disposed between the seat and base frames is a belt reel device with a coupling means, which like the gas spring, can be subjected to the action of pressure gas from a pressure source. The pressure source comprises a compressor driven by a drive motor, which are disposed on the vehicle seat. The valve arrangement includes a 2/2-way valve which serves only for the release of pressure gas from the gas spring, and a 3/2-way valve between the pressure source and the coupling means of the belt reel device. The valve arrangement may be mechanical/pneumatic in operation or may be controlled by an electronic control arrangement.

Abstract: A springing arrangement comprises a coil spring and a spring-engaging member acting thereon between the two ends of the spring and in a direction which differs from the longitudinal direction of the spring, thereby to provide non-linear dependency of the spring force on the distance covered by the spring-engaging member. The spring-engaging member is made up of two elements on respective sides of the spring, each element bearing against the spring by way of a curved surface and extending over a plurality of turns of the coil spring.