Abstract: A method of providing domestic animals with liquid food which passes from a storage tank, in particular a mixing tank of an automatic drinker via a suction line to a suckling point, the quantity of liquid food removed is to be determined ahead of the suckling point.

Abstract: Workpieces such as chips are removed from a receiving plane by a transfer unit, which carries them to a delivery plane. The workpieces are transported in two segments during two phases, each workpiece being deposited between the phases on an intermediate station arranged in the region of the feed path. The transfer unit has two working heads, which simultaneously transport one workpiece from the receiving plane to the intermediate station, and another workpiece from the intermediate station to the delivery plane. The workpiece can be pivoted or rotated at the intermediate station so that its lower surface can be grasped by the depositing head.

Abstract: A method of providing domestic animals with liquid food which passes from a storage tank, in particular a mixing tank of an automatic drinker via a suction line to a suckling point, the quantity of liquid food removed is to be determined ahead of the suckling point.

Abstract: In an optoacoustic gas sensor having a sensor body (1, 2), a light source (10), a measurement cell (6) with a gas-permeable membrane (15), a measurement microphone (13), and an optical measurement filter (11) between the light source (10) and the measurement cell (6), a reference cell (7) is included that is separate from the measurement cell (6). The reference cell (7) has a reference microphone (14) that is shielded against optoacoustic signals from the gas to be detected via the reference cell being substantially free from intensity-modulated optical radiation having an absorption wavelength of the gas to be detected. The measurement signal, which indicates gas concentration, is obtained by subtraction of the signals from the two microphones (13, 14).

Abstract: A probe carrying vehicle is described which has at least one probe carrier which preferably carries at least one eddy current probe and at least one magnetic field probe for ground and foreign matter detection in a search area. Spacing means which may be in the form of a bogie assembly with wheels or chains or the like are provided to maintain a spacing between the ground and the probes. The probe carrier is movable over the search area by means of a craft, to which the probe carrier is flexibly coupled by means of coupling means. The coupling means are disposed on one end of a preferably long pole, the other end of the pole being fixed rigidly to the probe carrier. The pole ensures a proper orientation of the probe relative to the ground particularly on uneven ground.

Abstract: In a photo-acoustic gas sensor having a measuring cell, a lamp, a photo-diode, a gas-permeable diaphragm and a microphone, a device is included for monitoring the gas-permeable diaphragm and the microphone. The device is operated in an explosion-proof manner. Intentionally, for diagnostic purposes, an artificial pressure modulation is generated in the measuring cell. The pressure modulation is converted by the microphone into electrical monitoring signals which are amplified by an amplifier circuit and assigned to preset ranges by a microprocessor, for determining the functional condition of the diaphragm and the microphone, and of microphone sensitivity. Depending on the range assigned to the monitoring signal, an output signal is generated indicating a fault in the microphone and/or the diaphragm. In the event of long-term drift in microphone sensitivity, a calibration is performed in which gas concentration values are re-calculated and stored in an EEPROM.

Abstract: A photo-acoustic gas sensor for measuring a gas concentration, e.g., of an explosive gas, consists of a cylindrical sensor body (1) which includes a cylindrical measurement chamber (13) whose longitudinal axis extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical sensor body. Without changing the outer dimensions of the sensor body, the length of the measurement chamber can be changed in accordance with a desired measurement sensitivity and a desired measurement range. A light source (5) is disposed such that it irradiates the measurement chamber without irradiating a gas-permeable membrane (2), so that the membrane will not produce an interference signal. The gas sensor is rendered explosion-proof as the light source and a photo-diode (6) which monitors the light source are tightly sealed from the environment. Proper functioning of a microphone (4), the light source and the photo-diode are monitored by analyzing a background signal.

Abstract: A device for the controlled supply of animal feed includes a supply container, a feed trough with a side wall having an inlet, a conveying device with a drive unit connected between the supply container and the inlet of the feed trough, whereby the conveying device has an outlet opening that is coaxially arranged relative to the axis of the conveying device and the outlet opening is directly connected to the inlet of the feed trough. A control unit is connected to the drive unit for switching on and off the drive unit. A control flap is pivotably connected above the inlet and includes a control element that is connected to the control unit. The control flap activates the control unit for switching on and off the drive unit depending on the amount of animal feed present in the feed trough behind the control flap or due to activation by an animal to be fed.

Abstract: Pressed parts based on pyrogenically produced silicon dioxide with the following physicochemical characteristic data:______________________________________ Outer diameter 2 to 15 mm BET surface 50 to 400 m.sup.2 /g Pore volume 0.6 to 1.3 ml/g Breaking strength 50-150 N Pore distribution no pores <5 mn diameter only meso and macropores Composition >99% by weight SiO.sub.2 Abrasion <1.0% Bulk weight: 400-500 g/l ______________________________________are produced by homogenizing pyrogenically produced silicon dioxide with urea, methyl cellulose and/or magnesium stearate, graphite and aluminum stearate with the addition of water, dried at a temperature of 80.degree. to 120.degree. C., comminuted to a powder, pressing the powder to pressed parts and tempering the pressed parts for a period of 0.5 to 8 hours at a temperature of 400.degree. to 1200.degree. C.

Abstract: A pyroelectric detector comprising a substrate, pyroelectric material distributed in a binder and applied to said substrate, and at least two electrically conductive electrodes, wherein the pyroelectric material comprises lithium tantalate consisting of single crystal particles, said lithium tantalate containing an amount of tantalum ranging from 25 to 75 mole % as tantalum pentoxide.

Abstract: A mechanism for feeding animals with liquid feed that can be withdrawn from a supply unit, such as an automatic soaking unit, and can be supplied to a suction unit via a conduit. A feed pump is placed in the conduit, with the conveying capacity of the feed pump being regulatable as a function of vacuum in the conduit.

Abstract: Reactive gases like, for example reducing gases, specifically carbon monoxide, are detected in a gas mixture, particularly in air, with extremely high sensitivity and with high precision using a gas detector in which the attenuation of the intensity of an infrared radiation beam by a catalyst layer is utilized. Such catalyst layer contains at least one transition metal selected from at least one of the groups I, VII, and VIII of the Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements. Preferably, chemical elements are used having an atomic weight in the range of about 100 to about 205. The detection of carbon monoxide is particularly sensitive using a catalyst layer which substantially contains a metal capable of forming a carboncarbonyl compound with carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Reducing gases can be detected in a gas mixture to be investigated, particularly in air, with high sensitivity and precision by means of a gas detector. The gas detector comprises a gas sensor which is arranged within a measuring chamber. The temperature of the gas sensor can be continuously increased according to a predetermined pattern from a starting value to an upper threshold value and can be subsequently decreased again to the starting value according to the same or according to a different pattern. There are provided at least two such heating cycles. Simultaneously therewith the gas mixture to be investigated, which is present in the measuring chamber, is periodically exchanged against a pure reference gas which is contained in a reference chamber. A selected property, such as the electrical conductivity of the gas sensor is thereby periodically changed.

Abstract: The device comprises a gas sensor containing a predetermined number of sensor elements which change their electric conductivity under the action of gases. Such a gas sensor is used for selectively determining the components of gas mixtures. For this purpose the individual sensor elements are arranged on a heat-resistant, thermally insulating substrate and the individual sensor elements are sensitized for the determination of different components of the gas mixture by selecting different materials and/or operating temperatures for the individual sensor elements. The sensor elements and its components are arranged such that the gas mixture to be investigated is guided past the sensor elments in a directed flow. The temperatures of the sensor elements increase in a stepwise manner in the direction of the gas flow and thereby a further increase in the selectivity of the gas sensor is achieved.

Abstract: Novel constituent materials for gas sensors detecting gaseous impurities in air contain metal oxides and catalyst additives. The materials are prepared by mixing a colloidal solution A of an oxide or a hydroxide of at least one metal selected from the groups Ib, IIa, IIb, IIIa, IIIb, IVa, IVb, Va, Vb, VIa, VIb, VIIb, VIII and the lanthanides and actinides of the periodic system with a solution B containing a salt or a complex compound of at least one metal selected from the group: lanthanum, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, ruthenium, iridium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, osmium, silver, gold, antimony, bismuth, thorium, and irradiating the mixture thus obtained with light of the visible and ultraviolet spectral region in order to photochemically deposit the metal in finely distributed form on the metal oxide or metal hydroxide, respectively.

Abstract: A device for supplying farm animals with a liquid feed from an automatic feeding device comprises a flexible feed discharge line connected to the feed device and terminating in an animal operated discharge member or sucker. The sucker is supported by a member which is moved back and forth on a conveyor in the form of an overhead trolley. The liquid feed connecting line which connects the feeder is flexible and it is moved over a support which is advantageously on a level substantially equal to that of the feeder so that the connecting line is supported as the end thereof carrying the sucker is moved by the overlying conveyor. Because the sucker may be displaced into a plurality of different feeding stations in a controlled manner, feed can be supplied in a controlled manner and accurately metered in accordance with the feed to be given out at each station.