Abstract: A method for shutting down an electricity supply system comprising a fuel cell, the cell being supplied with pure oxygen as the combustive gas and delivering an electric voltage to an electric power line, the system comprising a fuel gas feed circuit on the anode side and an oxygen feed circuit on the cathode side, the oxygen feed circuit comprising means that enable the said oxygen feed circuit to be opened to the atmosphere and means for delivering a stop signal to a control unit of the fuel cell. The shutting down procedure is activated on reception of a stop signal and comprises an initial stage during which the supply of oxygen is interrupted, a consumption stage during which a sustained current is drawn from the fuel cell, a neutralisation phase during which the oxygen feed circuit is opened to the atmosphere, and a final stage during which the supply of hydrogen is interrupted.

Abstract: A filter device for filtering flowing liquids comprises a compressible filter medium in a vessel and a device by which the filter medium can be compressed by means of an actuation handle, so that impurities can be pressed out of the filter medium. In addition, the filter device contains a multipath regulator which can be adjusted for filtering, back-rinsing and clear-rinsing by means of three flow paths. It is also possible for the filter device to be outfitted exclusively with a multipath regulator or a compressing device.

Abstract: A length-adjustable column for chairs or the like comprises an upright tube with a longitudinal axis and a piston-and-cylinder unit radially supported and displaceably guided in the direction of the longitudinal axis. A lengthwise end of the piston-and-cylinder unit is locked by an axial bearing on a base plate of the upright tube in the axial direction. For this purpose, the axial bearing is axially fixed to the lengthwise end of the piston-and-cylinder unit. The axial bearing has at least two locking arms which lock it to the base plate of the upright tube, and a securing bolt which is pushed by the piston-and-cylinder unit between the locking arms to secure the locking.

Abstract: A fluid friction coupling for driving a fan of an internal combustion engine includes a solenoid configured such that it surrounds a drive shaft and is operatively arranged for moving a control part. The control part moves a valve body which controls the flow of a viscous fluid into a working chamber. The fluid friction coupling is of particularly compact configuration and magnetic losses are kept particularly low.

Abstract: An adjusting device for a seat, couch or a bed utilizes a rotatably mounted eccentric in a round disc connected to the motor via a gearing. The round disc has an external tooth system that meshes with an internal tooth system a ring. A rod is connected to the ring is adapted to transmit adjusting force to one of the base sections of the seat, couch or bed. The adjusting device provides a more compact adjustable drive with the feature of single-base drive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure medium cylinder, especially a hydraulic input cylinder, located on the chassis of a motor vehicle and operated by means of a pedal, whereby the tappet for operating the piston in the cylinder housing can be attached to different lever lengths, so that different requirements for the power/displacement ratio can be met with one and the same input cylinder. It is advantageous that the same components are used, in particular, a changeably-mounted joint head that produces different lever lengths for the attachment of the articulated part in the pedal arm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing thin hot-rolled steel strip with a final thickness of <1 mm from strip-cast feedstock in sequential steps, including surface descaling a cast feedstock, rolling the feedstock in six passes in a tandem Steckel roll line, coiling and uncoiling the feedstock after its first and second passage through the tandem Steckel roll line in furnaces arranged on the entry and exit sides of the tandem Steckel roll line. After a third passage through the Steckel roll line, the feedstock is coiled up in an exit-side coiling device having two furnaces one atop the other, which serves as a storage device for the roughed strip. Simultaneously with the coiling of the first strip, a second strip is uncoiled from the storage device. The cropped front end of the second strip is welded to the cropped rear end of the already uncoiled roughed strip.

Abstract: A fluorescence imaging system for epi-illumination wherein the usual dichroic beamsplitter is replaced by a polarizing beamsplitter (PBS). The sample is excited with light that is linearly polarized to a significant degree, and fluorescent emission light is collected in the orthogonal linear polarization state. Excitation light that is scattered or reflected by the sample is rejected by the PBS, while the desired emission light is captured for imaging by a detector. By eliminating the usual dichroic beamsplitter member, the imaging system removes the barriers to multi-spectral imaging that such members conventionally impose.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for making semi-finished products in the form of ti metal bars having a width-gauge ratio of over 60 and a maximum sheet metal gauge tolerance of 2%. A metal profile is fed continuously and upwardly through a pool of melt material having the same composition as the metal profile so as to form a coated metal profile. The metal profile is fed at a rate which would result in a coated metal profile having a thickness of at least three times that of the uncoated metal profile. The coated metal profile is subjected to a smoothing pass between a pair of smoothing rolls when the mean temperature in the crystallized layer of the coated metal profile meets a given condition. The smoothing rolls are adjustably disposed inside a housing at a distance of 0.5 to 5 m from the melt pool surface.

Abstract: A self-adjustable roll-on liquid applicator having enhanced sealing features for containing and dispensing high volatility, low viscosity liquids. The applicator housing defines a discharge opening at its distal end for dispensing of contained liquid therefrom and a liquid-applying ball partially disposed in the housing distal end. An annular valve arrangement is disposed between the distal and proximal ends of the housing, thereby partitioning the housing into a ball retaining chamber and a valve-plug retaining chamber. A valve plug is movable into and out of abutment with an annular projection for regulating liquid flow between the ball retaining and valve-plug retaining chambers. The applicator also includes a spring in axial compressive engagement with the valve plug and ball for normally urging the ball into sealing abutment with a lip portion of the housing.

Abstract: A flavored toothpaste composition is bonded to the bristles of a disposable toothbrush by a process which involves the chemical grafting and polymerizing of selected monomers and prepolymers to the bristles via a free radical mechanism. This process locks in the flavor until the product can be utilized. When the toothpaste is brought into contact with an aqueous medium, such as saliva in the oral cavity, the toothpaste dissolves thereby releasing the desired flavor to the teeth and oral cavity.

Abstract: An article of wheeled luggage having improved mobility characteristics employs a wheeled pivotable leg operatively coupled to a retractable and extendable handle. The article becomes self-supported in a forwardly-tilted configuration when the user tilts the article and causes the wheeled pivotable leg to swing outwardly from the forward surface of the article. Stable support in the tilted position is provided by at least one rolling member on the bottom surface of the article proximate a forward surface thereof and by at least one rolling member on the base of the pivotable leg. In the tilted configuration, the article has a lower center of gravity and a larger wheelbase or footprint than when the article is standing upright, and is better able to counteract overturning forces.