Abstract: The invention relates to at microwave-operated level meter with a small blind zone, comprising an antenna (15, 35) for transmitting or for transmitting and receiving microwaves, a microwave generator (23, 45, 59, 61, 91) directly located on said antenna (15, 35), and a transmitter or transmitter and receiver element (25, 47, 60, 85, 93) pointing into the antenna (15, 35) and directly linked with the microwave generator (23, 45, 91), said transmitter or said transmitter and receiver element (25, 47, 60, 85, 93) being an extension of the connection.

Abstract: A filling level gage operating with microwaves, for measuring a filling level of a filling material (5) in a container (1), is provided which functions with a single antenna (7) constructed as simply as possible, and in which a minimum distance required for measurement between the filling material (5) and the antenna (7) is as small as possible, having a microwave generator (9), and an antenna (7) with planar antenna structure, which is used to transmit the microwaves in the direction of the filling material (5) and to receive microwaves reflected from a filling material surface, in which the planar antenna structure has at least two transmission and/or reception elements (11, 13, 33, 35, 37, S, E).

Abstract: An optical sensor is provided for determining a physical and/or chemical parameter of a sample, having at least one optical transmitter and at least one optical receiver, and having a sensitive element which is arranged in a beam path between the transmitter and the receiver and is exposable to the sample, and which changes its absorption and/or its refractive index for electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength in response to a change in parameters of the sample, in particular, a gas-sensitive element, and possibly having an evaluation unit arranged downstream of the receiver. The transmitter and the receiver can be coupled to the sensitive element via at least one optical waveguide. Provision is made for the transmitter (12) and for the receiver (14) to be coupled to the sensitive element via at least one optical waveguide (26, 28).

Abstract: The invention relates to a retractable leash for animals, having a housing containing a spring-biased reel in which the remaining length of leash can be taken up and which is stoppable by means of an actuating mechanism. A retractable leash of this kind is improved according to the invention by means of a device for adjusting the maximum extension length of the leash as required, and by providing for the slack section of the leash to be taken up automatically by the reel when this maximum extension length is not being used. This ensures that the leash is always taut without restricting the animal's freedom of movement unnecessarily.

Abstract: The steam generating device (1) is used to heat and/or froth liquids, especially milk. It includes an electrically driven pump (3) supplied with water from a water source (2), which pump delivers water in a controlled fashion to a continuous flow heater (6) heated by an electrically operated heating (22) by way of a conduit (13). The continuous flow heater (6) heats the water it receives in its steam pipe (18) to steam that is subsequently supplied to a steam tapping point, preferably a steam nozzle (7), where the steam exits under pressure. An intermediate tank (5) with an overflow chamber (53) which stores a defined quantity of water is provided in the conduit (13) between the pump (3) and the steam pipe (18).

Abstract: A line guiding arrangement for supporting at least one energy line, which is composed of a generally rectangular line receiving channel 1 that includes a base wall portion 2, a cover portion 3, and side wall portions 4, 5. The line receiving channel 1 is subdivided by transverse separations 6 into a plurality of segments 9, 10 that are tiltable relative to one another. The transverse separations 6 extend through the cover portion 3, and they continue in the side wall portions 4, 5 to at least the vicinity of the base wall portion 2. Also, the transverse separations are configured to define at least one recess 11 in one of the adjacent segments and a projection 12 in the other segment which engages within the recess 11. The flexural and torsional rigidity of the channel is thereby improved.

Abstract: In a method for machining an electrically conductive workpiece with a cutting tool, an electric circuit is applied between the cutting tool and the workpiece which is positioned electrically insulated from the cutting tool, when the workpiece is subjected to a machining operation. At least one electric variable is determined and evaluated in the electric circuit during the machining operation. The advance of the workpiece is adjusted after each machining step of an entire surface of the workpiece, and the machining operation is terminated, when the at least one variable remains substantially constant during a machining step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the highly accurate determination of the filling level (q) of a product (4) in a container (2), measuring signals being transmitted in the direction of the surface (5) of the filled product (4) and reflected at the surface (5) as echo signals and the filling level (q) in the container (2) being determined by evaluation of the amplitude values (A) and phase values (&psgr;) of the reflected echo signals by means of a pulse delay-time method. Furthermore, an apparatus suitable for carrying out the method is proposed. The invention is based on the object of proposing a method and an apparatus which permit highly accurate filling level measurements in containers (2), even if multipath propagation or multimode propagation occurs.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for determining the filling level of a filling material (2) in a container (4) having a signal production unit which produces measurement signals, having at least one antenna (7) which transmits the measurement signals in the direction of the surface (3) of the filling material (2) and which receives the measurement signals reflected on the surface (3) of the filling material (2), and having a control/evaluation unit which uses the delay time of the measurement signals to determine the filling level of the filling material (2) in the container (4).

Abstract: A filling level gage operating with microwaves, for measuring a filling level of a filling material (5) in a container (1), is provided which functions with a single antenna (7) constructed as simply as possible, and in which a minimum distance required for measurement between the filling material (5) and the antenna (7) is as small as possible, having a microwave generator (39), and an antenna (7) with planar antenna structure, which is used to transmit the microwaves in the direction of the filling material (5) and to receive microwaves reflected from a filling material surface, in which the planar antenna structure has at least two transmission and/or reception elements (11, 13, 33, 35, 37, S, E).

Abstract: In known devices for testing vehicle shock absorbers, the tires, which have a dampening effect, are not taken into account, so that the measurement results may be falsified by up to about 30%, depending on the tire pressure. In addition, when the wheels are mounted on the vehicle, no shock absorber characteristic curve may be measured, only individual values. In the disclosed device, the actuating variable “tire” is eliminated by a regulation process that consists in normalizing the resonance amplitude, a considerably more accurate measurement being thus obtained. In addition, the spring constant of the wheel suspension is determined before actually testing the shock absorbers, allowing defective springs to be detected. Finally, car body oscillations may also be determined, causing an additional precision gain. For the first time it becomes possible to determine a shock absorber characteristic curve without having to dismount the shock absorbers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle testing device for carrying out various tests on a vehicle, with the tires of the vehicle being respectively placed on two driveable rotatable rollers. Known vehicle testing devices have a need for substantial space and incur high production costs. Object of the invention is to enable a less expensive and more compact inspection of the vehicle. According to the invention, this is attained by placing a shock absorber testing device in the area of both rollers. The additional axial displacement of the rollers and provision of a third roller disposed in parallel relationship thereto and also shiftable in axial direction enables a testing of brakes, tracking, steering play, joint play as well as shock absorbers in a smallest space.

Abstract: A line guiding arrangement for supporting at least one energy line, which comprises a generally rectangular line receiving channel 1 that includes a base wall portion 2, a cover portion 3, and side wall portions 4, 5. The line receiving channel 1 is subdivided by transverse separations 6 into a plurality of segments 9, 10 that are tiltable relative to one another. The transverse separations 6 extend through the cover portion 3, and they continue in the side wall portions 4, 5 to at least the vicinity of the base wall portion 2. Also, the transverse separations are configured to define at least one recess 11 in one of the adjacent segments and a projection 12 in the other segment which engages within the recess 11. The flexural and torsional rigidity of the channel is thereby improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to the new bacterial strain Corynebacterium sp. K2-17 and to a process for the microbial decontamination of materials polluted with compounds from the production of phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides, such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxybutyric acid (DCPB), 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxybutyric acid (MCPB), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), and 4-chloro-2-methylphenol (MCP) in a pH range of from slightly acidic to strongly alkaline.

Abstract: In order for it to be possible to manufacture a transition with a cost-effective stamping or diecasting or cold-molding process or with a plastic injection-molding process with subsequent metal plating, at least one ridge situated in the waveguide, which reduces the waveguide cross section in the direction of the stripline, has a cross section which tapers conically in the direction of the stripline.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for determining the filling level in a container (4). Moreover, the invention also relates to a method for fastening an input coupling unit (9) on the antenna (7), the antenna (7) being used in the device (1) according to the invention. It is the object of the invention to provide overvoltage protection for an antenna (7), and a method for producing such an antenna (7). The object is achieved by virtue of the fact that the antenna (7) comprises at least two dielectric layers (12, 13). The first dielectric layer (12) has at least one cutout (15) for holding the input coupling unit (9). The second dielectric layer (13) bears an antenna structure (16) on the side facing the first dielectric layer (12) and has a conductive coating (17) with openings (18) on the side averted from the first dielectric layer (12). Contacts (19) are provided in the second dielectric layer (13) and the conductive layer (17) which connect the input coupling unit (9) to the conductive coating (17).

Abstract: A device for a clutch which is subject to wear brought about by friction, especially for motor vehicles, for signaling that a wear limit has been reached. The clutch has a pressure plate which is connected, via tangential leaf springs, with a clutch housing so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, but so as to be axially displaceable, and by way of which a clutch disk provided with friction linings can be pressed against a flywheel of an internal combustion engine. The device has two structural component parts which can be clamped against one another, one of which structural component parts is arranged so as to be movable in the radial direction. A clamping of the structural component parts can be canceled when the wear limit is reached, wherein a movable structural component part springs into another radial position and remains there.

Abstract: Sensing the level of a liquid in a vessel by the pulse transit time technique is done by means of an ultrasonic transducer mounted above the highest-permissible level in the vessel which emits ultrasonic transmission pulses to the surface of the liquid and receives the ultrasonic echo pulses reflected from the liquid surface. The level in the vessel is established from the transit time of the ultrasonic pulses. To detect an overfill when the ultrasonic transducer is immersed in the liquid the decaying output signal of the ultrasonic transducer generated by the ringing of the ultrasonic transducer following the end of the each ultrasonic transmission pulse is analyzed. In this arrangement the fact is exploited that due to the better coupling of the ultrasonic transducer to the liquid than to air the ringing duration is shorter when the ultrasonic transducer is covered by the liquid.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement having a chain link (1). The chain link (1) has two link plates (2, 3), located spaced apart opposite one another, with edge and side faces (4, 5, 6) and at least one crossmember (7) which connects the link plates (2, 3). A fastening unit (8) is provided which has webs or tines (9, 10) which are spaced apart and extend in the longitudinal direction of the link plates (2, 3). The fastening unit (8), the crossmember (7) and/or at least one link plate (2, 3) have interacting connecting means (13, 20), by means of which the fastening unit (8) can be connected to the crossmember (7) and/or at least one link plate (2, 3) with the webs (9, 10) directed inwards into or inwards into and outwards out of the chain link (1).

Abstract: An assembly for a motor-vehicle friction clutch, in which a pressure plate and a pressure spring are preassembled in a clutch casing. The pressure plate can move in the axial direction with respect to the clutch casing and is connected to the clutch casing in a rotationally fixed manner by means of leaf springs. A releasable transport securing device prevents the pressure plate from moving in the axial direction toward the open side of the clutch casing. The securing device acts between a stop area, which limits the axial displacement of the pressure plate or is formed by said pressure plate, and a corresponding opposing stop area on the clutch casing. The transport securing device is a locking element which is held between the stop area and the opposing stop area by frictional force or a form fit, and can be disengaged by spring force when the clutch is fitted or when the clutch is first actuated.