Abstract: A floor covering such as a nap mat or carpet of washable type comprises a rubber or plastic back, wherein the nap or tufts is/are fastened in the back material. The floor covering has means for increasing the drain of liquid from the nap when the floor covering is subjected to the influence of a force, such as a pressing force, a centrifugal force, and/or a pressure difference between the front and rear side of the floor covering. This means may be a normally closed perforation of the back material and/or an intermediate tissue via which the nap is secured to the back material. Preferably the intermediate tissue is a non-woven material, mainly consisting of synthetic fibres having a weight of 100-300, preferably 250 g per m.sup.2, a fibre thickness of 5-30, preferably 8 decitex, and a tissue thickness of 1-5, preferably 2 mm. Thereby a nap mat or carpet is achieved having a short drying time and/or provides a small drying energy consumption after washing.

Abstract: A method for feeding fish raised in a pisciculture environment wherein fish feed is conducted to the fish pen or enclosure carried by a stream of water. To give the feed increased buoyancy after it is introduced into the enclosure, the stream of water is oversaturated with gas, such that gas bubbles penetrate into and/or adhere to the fish feed.

Abstract: Fermented alcoholic products such as wine and beer are produced having a low diacetyl content by decomposing acetolactate with an enzyme. The enzyme is preferably acetolactate decarboxylase contained by Aerobacter aerogenes. The enzyme, in free or immobilized state, may be added during main fermentation or after main fermentation during maturation such as when carrying out malo-lactic fermentation.

Abstract: For the purpose of giving the user of an electric control of a venetian blind in a window the possibility of adjusting the angular position of the slats independently of raising or lowering the venetian blind by utilizing an electric motor, spring clutches, and corresponding lift cords, the electric control includes a control circuit with a three position switch controlled by the user. The control circuit is arranged so as to drive the motor at a low speed during a first predetermined time interval for adjusting the angle of the slats and thereafter to drive the motor at an increased speed for raising or lowering the venetian blind.

Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigeration unit of the type having a vessel for cooling water and a heat exchanger for the liquid to be cooled mounted in the vessel. Evaporator tubing is mounted on the inner wall of the vessel and a sensor mounted a predetermined distance from the tubing monitors the formation of an ice layer on the tubing. Control regulation which prevents both freezing and undesired heating of the cooling water is based on controlling the compressor providing first and second temperature ranges associated respectively with first and second sequentially generated time periods.

Abstract: Apparatus for the magnetic treatment of a flowing liquid, comprising a housing (1) and an annular permanent magnet (4) having radially oriented pole shoes (5, 6). Within the cylindrical space of the magnet and coaxially thereto a ferromagnetic cup member (7) is provided, which is in magnetic communication with one of the pole shoes and has slots or apertures (8) in the walls to permit the passage of liquid. The cup member (7) is provided with a radially extending collar (10) which together with the other pole shoe (6) form a magnetic field gap (11) through which the liquid shall flow. The collar (10) is part of a cap (9) adapted to be moved axially with respect to the cup member (7) to adjust the width of the magnetic field gap and thus the magnetic influence on the liquid.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for use in angioplasty and the like includes a shaft made of an elastomeric tube reinforced with longitudinally inelastic filaments. In the distal balloon portion of the unpressurized shaft, the filaments lie at an angle which is less than a predetermined critical angle. In the adjacent movable portion of the shaft, the filaments lie at an angle which is greater than the critical angle. When the shaft is pressurized, the balloon portion expands in diameter and the balloon portion contracts in diameter until the filaments in each portion lie at the critical angle. At the same time, the length of the movable portion increases so as to offset the reduction in length of the balloon portion.

Abstract: A rapping mechanism for an electrostatic precipitator comprises hammers (1) which are swingable on a shaft (2) carrying a driver pin (6). As the shaft rotates, the driver pin (6) engages a surface (7) of a pawl (4), which is pivoted on the hammer (1), thus picking up and raising the hammer until the pawl (4) is disengaged from the driver pin (6) by an adjustable release tap (9). The hammer then swings back down under gravity and raps a bar (13) connected to electrodes.

Abstract: A gas generator having a double entry low pressure centrifugal compressor, a single entry high pressure centrifugal compressor and a radial inflow turbine positioned coaxially and coupled for interdependent rotation by a single shaft assembly for the double entry compressor mounted to the generator frame using a plurality of rigid hollow cross-over ducts which also carry diffused compressed air to the high pressure compressor, where the single shaft assembly uses two shaft portions connected by an expansible coupling having a helical spline torque transmitting device to allow the double entry compressor rotor to "follow" compressor housing axial position changer and to maintain a close running clearance despite thermal expansion in the structure between the low pressure (LP) and high pressure (HP) compressor portions of the gas generator.

Abstract: A changeover valve for a bath and shower is disclosed which has alternative flow channels formed by three disks. In a first position fluid flow is shut off. In a second position fluid flows through axially aligned ports in the three disks and in a third position fluid flows through a generally U-shaped passage formed by two of the three disks. The second position provides greater flow than the third position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously measuring and indicating the variations of the intensity of an electric signal, such as a signal to be recorded on a tape recorder, which provides measuring to take place at successive measuring periods in such a manner that a measured result is yielded representing the maximum value of the signal intensity. The signal intensity is measured during consecutive measuring periods and registered. The indicator has the ability to maintain the read-out of a maximum value, read during a measuring period, during a following hold period, whereby the measuring periods provided have a duration being an order of size less than the time of reaction of the human eye. The system stores the maximum intensity values being detected during each of a series of consecutive measuring periods, and provides hold periods having substantially longer durations by being an order of size longer than the time of reaction of the human eye.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein X represents a halogen atom or a trifluoromethyl group;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group;Z is --O--, --S--, --SO--, --SO.sub.2 -- or the group --NR.sup.4 -- wherein R.sup.4 is as defined for R hereinafter or represents the group COR.sup.5 in which R.sup.5 represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted aryl, heterocyclic, aralkyl, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy group;R represents a C.sub.6-10 carbocyclic aromatic group or a heterocyclic group containing a 5-9 membered unsaturated or aromatic heterocyclic ring which ring contains one or more heteroatoms selected from O, N and S and optionally carries a fused ring which carbocyclic or heterocyclic group may carry one or more C.sub.1-4 alkyl or phenyl groups, said groups being optionally substituted; or, where Z represents the group >NR.sup.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable axial piston engine having spaced apart end walls with a shaft extending between the end walls. A rotary carrier is attached to the shaft adjacent one of the end walls and an oblique adjusting plate is mounted adjacent the other end wall. A piston-cylinder unit extends between the carrier and the oblique plate. A pivot axis for the oblique plate includes a bearing arrangement between the plate and the adjacent end wall. A servo unit for adjustably rotating the plate about the pivot axis is provided between the plate and the adjacent end wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diaphragm type valve assembly for a nozzle burner of a heating oil pump. This type of equipment two or more diaphragm type regulating valves or valve sections are utilized with each such valve or valve section having an individual diaphragm therefor. The improvement herein is for a valve assembly having a plurality of diaphragm type valve sections but only a single diaphragm unit is used for all of the valve sections instead of a separate diaphragm for each valve section.

Abstract: A machine and method to operate the machine to provide a plurality of valve-like perforations in the rubber-like backing of a nap mat or carpet by delivering the nap mat or carpet to and under a spiked roll. The machine includes a sensing device to ensure the leading and trailing edges of the nap mat are not perforated by the spiked roll.

Abstract: The method according to the present invention relates to supply of heat energy to a metal melt or a similar electroconductive fluid (1,11). According to said method rod-like elements are partly immersed in the metal melt or a similar electroconductive fluid, the end portions (6,15) of said elements projecting from the melt are connected to electric power, and said end portions (6,15) and the other end portions (5,16) of said element consist of an electroconductive material, whereas the relatively long center portion (3, 13) of said element being immersed in the melt consists of electric resistance material, and at least said resistance material is coated with an electric insulating heat conductive and melt bath resistant coat (4, 14) which, thus, transfers the heat energy created in the resistance material of the elements to the melt.The invention, furthermore, relates to a heating element for use with said method.