Abstract: An electric motor which can drive the objective of a slide projector or which can adjust the blade or blades of a diaphragm receives signals from the output of an operational amplifier which receives first and second signals from a photosensitive transducer and a differentiating capacitor. The (second) signals from the capacitor are modified (first) signals from the transducer, and the combined intensity of first and second signals is such that the signals at the output of the amplifier reach a value which they would normally reach only when the component has already assumed a predetermined position before the motor can complete the movement of the component to such position.

Abstract: A rinsing tank in a developing machine for X-ray films or the like is equipped with a circulating system which draws liquid from the bottom zone of the tank and returns the withdrawn liquid to the upper zone of the tank. The contents of the tank can be evacuated without resorting to any values by using a siphon whose intake end is connected with the suction side of a jet pump in the pipeline for circulation of liquid, the uppermost section of which is located at a level below the normal level of the upper surface of the body of liquid in the tank, and the discharge end of which is connected with a liquid removing pipe. When the pump which causes the liquid to circulate by flowing through the pipeline is arrested, the jet pump is deactivated and allows the liquid in the siphon to rise and to flow into the uppermost section. The liquid thereupon continues to leave the tank in the form of a continuous stream which flows along a second path defined by a portion of the pipeline, the jet pump and the siphon.

Abstract: A still camera or motion picture camera wherein the means for monitoring the brightness of a portion of or entire scene transmits signals to an automatic focusing mechanism as well as to the exposure controls. The connection between the output or outputs of the monitoring means and the exposure controls includes elements which can transmit signals denoting the peak value, the integral value or the average value of signals denoting the scene brightness.

Abstract: A light-reflecting arrangement includes a stack of clean light-reflecting plates which are mounted on a support for gradual advancement, one after the other, into an operative position in which the respective light-reflecting plate replaces the previous one which may have become soiled while dwelling in its operating position, so that a relatively clean plate will be exposed in the operative position at all times to act as a reflector for oncoming traffic. The light-reflecting plates which have been replaced descend by gravity either to form another stack of used light-reflecting plates, or to be collected in a receptacle. The stack of the light-reflecting plates may be advanced by a pusher or by a threaded shaft cooperating with a threaded bore of the respective light-reflecting plate. The pusher may be advanced or the threaded shaft may be rotated by a spring-energized or a battery-energized motor, or by a drive which is energized by ambient pressure or temperature fluctuations.

Abstract: Apparatus for making holes in a running web of wrapping material in a filter tipping machine has a housing which defines an elongated passage for the running web and contains rows of first and second electrodes which are disposed at the opposite sides of the passage and define spark gaps forming part of the passage. When the web is drawn through the passage and the electrodes receive high voltage impulses from the secondary winding of a transformer, sparks which are caused to jump across the gaps burn holes in the running web with attendant heating of the electrodes as well as development of dust and ozone. The intake end of a conduit is connected to the housing to draw through the passage a stream of cool atmospheric air when a blower which is connected to the discharge end of the conduit is in operation. The air stream cools the electrodes to thereby prolong their useful life and to reduce the likelihood of charring of the web.

Abstract: An electric power generating arrangement includes a container which is situated below the upper level of a body of water and has an inlet and an outlet. Water from the body of water is admitted into the receiving space bounded by the container through the inlet and drives a turbine, while water is being pumped out of the receiving space through the outlet, preferably by energy derived from the force of wind or by excess electric energy derived from an electric distribution network during off-peak periods. The container can be constituted by walls which completely delimit the receiving space, or may be constituted by a wall which separates a bay or the like from the remainder of a natural body of water. When the receiving space is enclosed from all sides, a venting conduit is provided which admits replenishment air into the receiving space and lets air escape from the receiving space in dependency on the level reached by the quantity of water contained in the container.

Abstract: Filter plugs of double unit length are fed sideways into successive flutes of a rotating drum which moves successive plugs past a rotary knife so that each plug yields two coaxial sections of unit length. Each flute contains two spaced apart mechanical stops at the opposite sides of the cutting plane and each flute has two suction ports which are overlapped by the corresponding stops. The ports draw streams of air which attract the respective sections immediately upon completion of the cutting step so that the sections move away from each other and against the respective stops. Plugs of a different second type are thereupon inserted into the gaps between successive coaxial sections. The cutting station is overlapped by a stationary shroud having an opening through which the knife extends with sufficient clearance to allow streams of atmospheric air to flow into that flute which is located at the cutting station and into the respective suction ports.

Abstract: A running web of wrapping material which is about to be converted into adhesive-coated uniting bands for joining plain cigarettes with filter plugs in filter tipping machines is transported through the passage of a housing wherein the web travels through a series of spark gaps between pairs of spaced-apart electrodes. The sparks which are caused to jump across the gaps perforate the web with attendant development of ozone and particles of dust. The passage of the housing forms part of an endless path for the circulation of Argon which reduces the rate of development of ozone, which is cooled to cool the electrodes, and which is caused to pass through a filter serving to intercept the particles of dust which are removed from the spark gaps. The making of holes in a noble-gas atmosphere prolongs the useful life of the electrodes.

Abstract: The movement of the tape is monitored. When the operator recognises during playback of the tape the start position of a tape sequence to be repeated he actuates a start switch upon actuation of which a value corresponding to the monitored tape movement is loaded into a storage or the monitored tape position is assigned to a fixed value. The value is then in any case a read-only value statically stored or assigned. When the operator recognises the end position of the tape sequence he actuates an end switch upon actuation of which a value corresponding to the monitored tape position is loaded into a storage. This value too is then a read-only value statically stored. The two values stored are now compared with the monitored tape movement. Control signals are generated when the stored values match the tape position.

Abstract: A filter rod making machine wherein a continuous tow of fibrous filter material is flattened to form a foraminous layer prior to advancement through an impregnating station where a rotating brush sprays particles of atomized plasticizer against the underside of the layer. The brush is installed in the trough-shaped lower portion of a receptacle which flares upwardly and outwardly toward the underside of the layer and the bristles of the brush sweep along the internal surface of the lower portion of the receptacle. The lower portion receives a continuous stream of liquid plasticizer from the outlet of a variable-delivery pump whose intake receives plasticizer at a constant pressure. The brush is driven by an electric motor independently of the system which transports the layer of filter material.