Abstract: A pressure sensor has a multiplicity of piezoelectric converter elements which are arranged such that they are essentially parallel to a force-applying or pressure-applying direction. The converter elements can be arranged at a distance from one another by an insulating material and/or are at least partially embedded in the material. A support material having greater mechanical rigidity than the converter elements, in particular in the force-applying or pressure-applying direction, is assigned to at least a number of piezoelectric converter elements, or the piezoelectric converter element is applied, in the form of a layer, to a supporting body made from this support material and is electrically contact-connected, for example, by a bottom electrode, which is arranged between the converter element layer and the supporting body, and a cover electrode which is applied to an outer side of the converter element layer.

Abstract: A pressure sensor has a multiplicity of piezoelectric converter elements which are arranged such that they are essentially parallel to a force-applying or pressure-applying direction. These can be in the form of fibres, small rods, plates or the like, and may also be in the form of a thick or thin layer. When the converter elements are in the form of fibres, small rods or plates, they are arranged at a distance from one another by means of an insulating material and/or are at least partially embedded in said material.

Abstract: A drive device for a pair of welding tongs having a pair of limbs, is arranged between the adjusting ends of the limbs, located opposite to the welding electrodes, for adjusting between a welding position and a standby position. In order to reduce its length, provide continuous control and monitoring, simplify the device and reduce noise, the drive device is provided with an electric motor-driven screw-thread drive with a rotating nut and a rotating spindle which is axially displaceable between an extended and a return position, the spindle being connected to an adjusting end of the limb. The drive device can be used as a main drive for a pair of welding tongs for the positioning of the limbs, or can be used as a secondary drive, for setting of a stopping position of the pair of welding tongs.

Abstract: A method for open or closed-loop control of welding tong movement utilizes a welding tong drive having a primary and a secondary drive device. The primary drive device moves two welding tong limbs with welding electrodes toward a welding object from opposite sides. The welding tong limbs press onto the welding object with a predetermined compressive force. During actuation, the secondary drive device varies a spatial orientation of the welding tongs. In order to contact the welding object in a controlled manner, and to reliably acquire any deviations from specified spatial points during contacting, the welding tongs first approach a spatial point relative to the welding object. The welding tong limbs are held in a fixed spatial orientation during the approach. The secondary drive device is actuated until a welding tong limb contacts the welding object. The primary drive device then closes the welding tong limbs.

Abstract: Welding tongs have two limbs which can be moved relative to one another. At least one first limb is supported such that it can be moved relative to a drive housing between an insertion position and a welding position. A work piece to be welded is clamped in the welding position to welding contacts on ends of the welding tong limbs, the contacts being essentially inclined towards each other. The welding tongs include a self-supporting moveable housing that can move along the drive housing and which includes a retaining device that supports the first welding tong limb outside the drive housing.

Abstract: In a method of open and/or closed-loop control of a welding tong movement by means of a welding tong drive, which comprises at least one primary and one secondary drive device, the primary drive device moves at least two welding tong limbs with welding electrodes towards a welding object from essentially opposite sides. Then the welding tong limbs are pressed onto the welding object with a specified compressive force. During its actuation the secondary drive device varies a spatial orientation of the welding tongs and in particular of the welding tong limbs.

Abstract: A drive device, especially for a pair of welding tongs comprising a pair of limbs, essentially arranged between the adjusting ends of the limbs, which are located opposite to the welding ends embodied with welding electrodes, for adjusting at least one limb between a welding position and a standby position. In order to improve said type of drive device in such a way that the construction length thereof is small, the drive device can be continuously controlled and monitored for the actuation of the welding tongs, the structure thereof is simple, economical and easy to maintain, and the noise of said drive device is significantly reduced, the inventive drive device is provided with an electric motor-driven screw-thread drive with a rotating nut and a rotating spindle which is axially displaceable between an extended and a return position, said spindle being movingly connected with the free extending end thereof to an adjusting end of the limb.

Abstract: An illuminated push-button switch having a touch element is disclosed, the touch element comprising a lever which is adapted to be moved relative to a support plate in which it is supported on the support plate. A light source is arranged below the touch element, the touch element further being provided with a light exit opening. A simple association of the touch element and the light source associated therewith is thereby provided, the combination having not only improved operability, but also improved ease of maintenance.

Abstract: An illuminated push-button switch comprising a support element for receiving therein a switching key, at least two contacts which are adapted to be connected to connecting leads, a deformable contact connection element as well as an interior light source, and a light exit window provided on the switch side equipped with the switching key. The switching key is displaced from an original position to an end position, whereby an electric connection between the contacts is established or/and eliminated by the deformation of the contact connection element, against a restoring force produced by the contact connection element when the contact connection element is being deformed. The support element and the contact connection element are each provided with an opening in such a way that the interior light source can be readily replaced from the side of the switch opposite the switching key.