Abstract: Band filter devices for continuously dewatering a suspension, such as sewage sludge comprising an upper filter band stretched between deflection rolls, the upper strand of which forms a filter zone, and a further filter band which together with the lower part or strand of the first band forms a compressing zone. The filter band is stepped at least once in a Z-shaped manner in the filter zone by providing a further deflection roll which is positioned lower than and downstream of the first deflection roll but in a position counter to the direction of transport, and such that between two filter zones there is a zone where the sludge cake is transferred to another part of the band and rearranged. Above the upper strand or part is at least one ram or beam which lies transverse to the direction of transport and the ram can be pressed into the sludge cake to produce transverse grooves or channels in the sludge cake.

Abstract: Apparatus for growing crystals comprising a vessel having a heater therein connected to electrical feed lines which extend from the vessel through a feed housing to an electrical supply source. The electrical feed line comprises inner and outer conductors which are electrically insulated through the provision of an intermediate electrically insulative conductor, the entire assembly being sealed separately for passage through the feed housing to the vessel.

Abstract: A heat insulating pillar for use in constructing a heat insulating vehicle body comprises inner and outer metallic frame members joined by a plurality of relatively short load bearing plastic inserts. The inserts are encapsulated in a rigid polyurethane foam which is cured in situ and forms a bond with the frame members. The spacer members ensure sufficient mechanical strength for the pillar and in particular resist tension forces tending to separate the frame elements.

Abstract: A communications network is composed of a central mode and a plurality of remote nodes with each of the nodes including receiving means for receiving signals and transmitting means for transmitting signals. At the remote nodes each including two receiving means and a signalling means for transferring to the associated transmitting means for transferring to the associated transmitting means one kind of signal when signals are received by both associated receiving means and another kind of signal when only one of the receiving means receives a signal. In general, means connect the transmitting means of each node to one of the receiving means of two different successive nodes in such a manner that a unidirectional communication loop is obtained. In one embodiment of the invention all nodes are alike and one node is assigned to be the central node and the others to be remote nodes. In another embodiment the central node is unique and the remote nodes alike.

Abstract: An array processor is described consisting of a plurality of modules connected together in rows and columns. Each module has at least one special terminal which, as well as providing a connection for transfer of data between adjacent modules, also provides an output which is combined with similar signals from the other modules in the same row, to form a row response signal. Alternate modules in each row are rotated by 180.degree. with respect to each other, so that the special terminals on adjacent modules are connected in pairs. This reduces the complexity of the circuits for forming the row response signals.

Abstract: An array processor consisting of integrated circuit chips connected in a rectangular array. The number of terminals on each chip necessary for these interconnections is reduced by arranging for certain terminals to be connected to branched paths, so that those terminals are shared between different connections. Special gating is provided to ensure that signals are routed correctly over these shared connections.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving containers such as bottles to and from a position in which each container is fixed, at least during a predetermined interval of time. The apparatus comprises a feed screw and a discharge screw separated from one another to define a station therebetween at which each container is periodically halted. A wall extends along each screw and cooperates therewith to guide each container respectively into and from the station. A rotatable sprocket is mounted at the station and has adjacent teeth between which the containers are successively received from the feed screw and fed to the discharge screw. The sprocket is freely rotatable and undergoes stepwise movement under the action of contact of the successive containers with the teeth of the sprocket.

Abstract: Improvements for a low energy fuse inserted into a blasting cap wherein the fuse is in the form of a hose and the blasting cap comprises a tubular cover containing an explosive and optionally, a delay detonator. The tubular cover receives the hose so that the end of the hose is in facing relation with the detonator or explosive. A moisture-proof barrier is disposed between the fuse and the explosive or detonator and comprises a diffusion-tight rigid tube inserted into the hose and having a flange extending outside the hose in abutment therewith. A diffusion-tight film or foil covers the flange to seal the interior of the tube and thereby the hose from the interior of the cover. The film or foil is ruptured by the blast wave upon detonation of the hose.

Abstract: Oil floating on a body of water is collected by moving a shallow-draft water craft, such as a barge, having a sternwardly slanted bow section and below the water line an ingress opening in or near the bow section through an oil slick. One or more preferably rearwardly slanted vanes extend crosswise on the flat bottom section between the water level and the ingress opening. The slant of the bow section increased by the action of the vanes forces oil in its path downwardly thereby causing the oil, possibly intermingled with water, to flow as a flat layer along the bottom of the barge. As the oil reaches the ingress opening it is propelled into a hold of the barge due to the pressure differential between the outside and the inside of the barge. Oil thus accumulating in a hold of the barge may be removed therefrom from time to time and clear water as may also enter the hold is returned to the body of water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding a tubular length of hose material to form a package with superposed layers comprising feeding an axial length of material past a pulling device onto a retaining guide, clamping the material against the guide and axially displacing the pulling device to pull a further length of material and fold the same onto the first length of material clamped to the guide. The clamping action on the material is then released and the retainer guide is withdrawn and positioned adjacent the now folded material. The pulling device is withdrawn from the fold by axially displacing the same in reverse direction to its original position and the steps are repeated to form successive folds of material to constitute the superposed layers of the package.

Abstract: A method of producing a form retaining container made of synthetic plastic material comprising feeding a plastic material in liquid state onto a male member to provide a layer on the male member constituting a blank for the container. The layer is cooled to prevent crystallization of the material. The thus cooled blank is placed into a mold cavity having an interior configuration corresponding to the desired outer shape of the container to be produced. The layer is inflated into conformity with the mold cavity. The configuration of the mold cavity is such that the blank undergoes biaxial stretching in a middle region of the container by at least 1.5 times while the mouth and part of the bottom of the container will be formed by biaxially stretching the blank less than 1.5 times. The inflated blank is then heated until curing is completed and then the blank is removed from the mold.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system is proposed in which a computer carried aboard the vehicle has inputs from transducers indicating, as well as engine speed, extent of operation of the accelerator pedal and road speed of the vehicle, the extent of operation of the brake control, and has outputs connected to transducers to control throttle, gear selection and also to the braking system of the vehicle. This arrangement allows, during normal driving, the relief of drag when the vehicle is moving faster than the accelerator setting appears to demand by the modification of gear selection either to a very high ratio or to put the gearbox into neutral. It also, by the provision of the transducer associated with the braking system, permits the modification of braking effort resulting from pressure on the brake pedal to take into account a braking effort derived from the engine.

Abstract: A drive system comprising a housing containing a two-element shaft for rotation, one element being a driving member and the other element being a driven member carrying a driver. The system is applicable for automobile window lifters, sliding roofs and the like. A coupling system rotatably connects the driving member and the driven member for transmitting rotational drive therebetween and a brake mechanism is associated with the drive shaft for applying braking force to prevent reverse drive from the driven member to the driving member. The brake mechanism comprises two circumferential jaw elements positioned in facing relation with one pair of opposite ends in abutment with one another and with the other pair of opposite ends serving as free ends in spaced relation. The free ends have radial actuation surfaces between which is positioned a freely movable release element.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/SE78/00033 Sec. 371 Date May 1, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date May 1, 1979 PCT Filed Aug. 16, 1978 PCT Pub. No. WO 79/00138 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 22, 1979An integrated switching and transmission network includes a digital switching system for transferring communication information without congestion. The switching system consists of one-way switch modules (SM) which are connected through two-way time division multiplex transmission links (La-Lb) to link modules (LM) each including a control unit (CU) for establishing communication paths within an associated line group (LG) as well as for controlling the switching system in cooperation with the control units of other line groups. Each of the switch modules (SM x/y) is allotted to two of the two-way links and comprises a time stage (TS) and a signalling logic circuit (SL).

Abstract: A telephone set which is provided with extra space normally intended to accommodate additional communication equipment such as, for example, loud-speaking equipment. A storage box, preferably rectangular and made of plastic, is inserted into said extra space, the components, circuit cards, etc. then being sealed off from the telephone user. The box can, for example, accommodate a roll of paper and is provided with a cover and longitudinal grooves, the paper running in the grooves and forming a writing surface for the user.

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing solid fuels into a pressure gasification reactor comprising at least one conveyor worm turnable in a housing for conveying finely divided fuel, optionally mixed with a binder, and compacting the fuel into a gas-tight plug which is discharged through a discharge opening leading to the pressure gasification reactor. The discharge opening is provided with a closure member and the housing has an outlet opening also provided with a closure member near the discharge opening. The outlet opening is open to the ambient atmosphere. The closure members of the discharge opening and the outlet opening are alternatively actuatable such that when one is open the other is closed.