Abstract: A method for initializing a network having a plurality of network subscribers being capable of acting as masters, includes assigning the master function to the network subscriber being capable of acting as a master that is turned on first. In the event of a collision when the master function is assigned substantially simultaneously to a plurality of substantially simultaneously turned-on network subscribers, a random value that differs in magnitude is generated in all of these network subscribers. Finally, the network subscriber that has generated the highest or the lowest value is assigned the master function.

Abstract: A lateral channel compressor having an annular flywheel housing (1) with air inlet stub (3) and air outlet stub (4). Attachments such as mufflers, filters, or safety valves are connected to stubs. A compact design and a lower manufacturing cost is achieved when the attachments are made in the form of a kit preferably having equal-length elements (I,II,III,IV) connectable directly to one another in the axial direction. The elements preferably have tubular main housings (11, 12) flush with one another. The filter and safety valve attachments (II, III, IV) each have a housing stub (13) projecting laterally from main housing (12) for mounting of filter elements and valve components.

Abstract: The invention concerns an I.F. filter arrangement in a receiver for receiving FM signals. An I.F. filter arrangement is to be provided which no longer contains the disadvantageous effects of a control loop from which a control value is extracted from the MPX signal to be used for tracking the I.F. filter. The solution according to the invention is an I.F. filter arrangement having a filter device which comprises a defined, in particular, a fixed adjusted bandpass region and at least two outputs having center frequencies staggered with respect to one another or I.F. frequencies staggered with respect to one another at the same center frequency. The signals from the outputs are fed to a weighting device which is regulated by a control value extracted from the demodulated FM signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for the detection of information expected to be present in a defined data block of a RDS data flow transmitted as a predetermined number of groups which periodically follow one another, with a radio receiver tuned-in one after the other to a number of senders to be tested and whose RDS decoder is synchronized with the RDS data flow of the respective tuned-in sender. A running counter is provided having the frequency of the RDS data cycle and which is respectively reset upon reaching a count status corresponding to the period of a number of groups.

Abstract: A hydrojet for ships, intended for use in shallow waters, has a semiaxially bladed impeller with a vertical axis of rotation rotatably arranged in a well-shaped housing. The drive for the impeller is introduced into the housing from the top through a cover plate, and the housing is closed at the bottom by a bottom plate which has a water inlet arranged in the center for axial admission to the impeller and at least one flatly sloped water outlet. A control device in which the water delivered by the impeller is fed to at least one outlet nozzle without conversion of kinetic energy into pressure energy, is arranged between the discharge end of the delivery channels of the impeller and at least one water outlet. The control device forms a ring channel without blading. The water inlet is designed asymmetrically.

Abstract: For the tuning of a broadcast radio receiver to a transmitter of a certain type of program using RDS information firstly the broadcast radio receiver is tuned to any convenient transmitter, which is transmitting a program, which is in accordance with the wishes of the listener. The PTY information retrieved from the RDS data of such transmitter is stored by operation of an associated control element in order to set a filter, whose filter condition is the agreement with such PTY information. For the following tuning of the broadcast radio receiver to another transmitter, as for example by means of a search sweep, such transmitter is only considered to be suitable for reception if it fulfills the filter condition.

Abstract: Propulsion unit for watercraft, with a drive shafting (3) between a drive motor (2) and a propulsive device (1), wherein this propulsion unit with vertical drive shafting is arranged in the shaft-like housing (12) of the hull (14) such that the distance between the motor and the propulsive device is adjustable. The motor (2) acts on the drive shafting (3) via a disengaging coupling (19), and is adjustable in the horizontal plane between two end positions when the coupling (19) is disengaged, wherein the motor (2) and the drive shafting (3) can be coupled with one another in one end position, and the drive shafting (3) with the propulsive device (1) associated with it can be moved past the motor in the other end position of the motor (2).

Abstract: A boat propulsion unit has a propeller which can be withdrawn into a sleeve to a position above the plane of the boat's bottom and enclosed by a cover plate. The water in the closed sleeve can be pumped out, so that the emptied sleeve is accessible for inspection and maintenance operations.

Abstract: For tuning a microcomputer-controlled radio receiver to the one of several transmitters broadcasting the same program best satisfying the requirements for quality of reception the information obtained from the RDS data stream is memorized in a table of the alternative transmitters and sorted in the priority of the corresponding quality of reception. In establishing the priority in the table of alternative transmitters not only quality evaluation information but also a current status information depending on the time and/or distance covered is determined and evaluated. Particularly for mobile radio receivers having only a single receiver section this method alleviates the circumstances that obtaining the information determining the priority for all alternative frequencies contained in the RDS data stream is considerably time-consuming and that the information held in the table may reflect the conditions at any one time incompletely or incorrectly.

Abstract: A turbine including a radial compressor having radial blades, with the compressor supplying side channel compressors arranged at its circumference and having chamber blades. To increase the efficiency, the chamber blades and the radial blades are curved in opposite directions, with the chamber blades and radial blades having a curvature transition point at their transition area, and the blades, in the transition area, are inclined by an identical angle of less than 30.degree. and, for example, 15.degree. relative to a circumferential tangent in the transition area.

Abstract: A drive unit for a relatively small watercraft has a cylindrical underwater partial housing which carries, at one end, an electric motor to be operated photovoltaically, with which a propeller is arranged, at the other end, in such a way that it is seated on a shaft which is rotatably mounted in parallel relationship to the motor output shaft. The propeller shaft is supported in non-lubricated bearings in a partial housing connected to the cylindrical underwater partial housing. A toothed belt drive, having a toothed belt extending from the motor-side open end of the cylindrical underwater partial housing into the cylindrical underwater partial housing, to the motor shaft, is inserted between the motor output shaft and the propeller shaft.

Abstract: A compact flowing gas laser, particularly a CO.sub.2 gas laser, wherein the path or paths between the outlet or outlets and the inlet or inlets of one or more optical resonators contain a turbine whose impeller or impellers are driven by heated gas and which drives the impeller or impellers of a rotor forming part of a compressor serving to compress the thus cooled and expanded gaseous lasing medium prior to reentry into the resonator or resonators. A first heat exchanger is installed between the turbine and the compressor, and a second heat exchanger is provided downstream of the compressor.

Abstract: An apparatus for utilizing solar energy with solar cells, which are arranged on a supporting structure and are connected electrically to one another and have an external connection for discharging the electrical energy. Several solar cells are parts of a frameless solar cell element, in which the solar cells are enclosed next to one another between film strips or panels. At least one side of the laminate, which faces the sunlight, is flat and transparent. The solar cell laminate lies on a supporting structure, which comprises two covering layers and a supporting foam layer therebetween, the support being formed with a recessed circumferential edge. The laminate lies on the edge, flush with the upper side of the supporting structure. The support body is constructed in undulating fashion between two parallel sections of edge, in order to support the solar cell laminate on the higher sections and to provide, with the lower sections, ducts for conducting coolant as well as for accommodating electrical conductors.

Abstract: An actuator includes a housing and a stationary, annular magnet coil to which a reversible direct current can be supplied. A displacement member which partially surrounds the magnet coil is mounted within the housing so as to be linearly moveable. A first pair of permanent magnets is mounted in the displacement member so as to cover a portion of the coil, wherein the north pole is located above the coil and the south pole is located below the coil. A second pair of permanent magnets is also mounted in the displacement member so as to cover a portion of the magnet coil. The second pair of permanent magnets is arranged diametrically opposite the first pair relative to the magnet coil and the south pole of the second pair is arranged above the magnet coil and the north pole below the magnet coil. Thus, when the magnet coil is excited, the displacement member linearly moves within the housing relative to the stationary coil.

Abstract: An energy-generating plant including a solar generator, having solar cells, for producing electrical energy. The electrical energy is supplied to a direct current converter, the output power of which may be used to charge an energy storage system, such as batteries. The input resistance of the direct current converter is adapted, such as by a microcomputer, to the maximum power point (MPP) of the solar generator, the MPP being dependent upon the solar insolation and the temperature of the solar cells. At start up of the plant, or when there is a change of power at the output of the direct current converter, a search process is carried out to attain the MPP of the solar generator. The energy storage system may be used to energize an electric motor for driving the propeller of a ship.

Abstract: A speed and direction indicator for ships having at least one rudder propeller, or pump jet, and preferably several such devices for determining the direction of the ship and its speed in the selected direction. An optical display is provided in the area occupied by the ship operator, on which display are shown the angle which is formed between the direction of force and a reference direction, and the strength of the thrust, independently of the operating state of the rudder propeller(s) or the pump jet(s).

Abstract: A water-jet propulsion system for ships, which are intended to be used in shallow waters. A semi-axial, bladed turbine wheel with a vertical axis of rotation is disposed so that it can rotate in a well-shaped pressure housing. Into the pressure housing, the driving mechanism for the turbine wheel is introduced from above through a cover plate. At the lower end, the pressure housing is closed off by a bottom plate, which has a concentric, centrally disposed water inlet for axial flow against the turbine wheel and at least one water outlet with a shallow inclination. A guiding apparatus in which the flow energy of the water conveyed by the turbine wheel is largely converted into pressure energy is disposed between the outlet end of the conveying channels of the turbine wheel and the at least one water outlet.

Abstract: A vacuum vane pump wherein one or more stages are installed in an annular extension of the casing for the pump motor. Each stage has a rotor which is driven by the motor shaft by way of an elastic key, and an annular housing which surrounds and is eccentric relative to the rotor. The housing is pivotable about a pintle which is installed in the end walls of the casing and is parallel to the motor shaft. The width of an annular clearance between the external surface of the housing and the internal surface of the extension can be varied by a radially disposed screw which is mounted in the extension diametrically opposite a spring-loaded abutment for the housing. The components of each stage are biased to predetermined axial positions by springs which react against the extension and bias one end wall of the casing against the adjacent housing and rotor, either directly or by way of a partition.

Abstract: A bucket loader wherein the bucket is pivotally mounted at one end of an arm. The other end of the arm is pivotably connected to the locomotive of a multiple-trolley train which is mounted for travel along an overhead monorail in a surface mine or in an underground excavation. The bucket can be tilted by two chains each of which is connected to a winch on a discrete trolley of the train.