Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method for detection of oil spills and icebergs at sea and for aiding the navigation of ship traffic to avoid collisions between ships and icebergs. A constellation of polar orbiting satellites is used to determine the position of icebergs and oil spills within an observation area, and this information is transmitted to a data processing center which also receives information concerning the position of ships within the observation area. The data processing center uses this information to evaluate the likelihood of collisions between ship and icebergs and sends warning signals to the ships, alerting them to the danger. The data processing center also correlates the position of ships and oil spills to determine the likely cause of the latter.

Abstract: A range imaging sensor for classifying and determining the position and orientation of remote objects combines a high resolution three-dimensional range imaging camera with a conventionally configured data processor. Three-dimensional object geometry sensed by the camera is compared with a plurality of three-dimensional models stored in a memory of the data processor. The spacial relationship between iteratively selected models and the sensed object is evaluated for varying positions and orientations of the model, and an optimum object classification and object position/orientation are detected and transmitted as an output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the fatigue strength of a structure comprises a longitudinal rib which is attached or integrated to the surface of the structure. The rib has a plurality of transverse notches of differing depths, each of the notches having a rounded end adjacent the surface of the structure and a pointed end extending toward an exterior edge of the rib.

Abstract: The invention provides a transportable reaction chamber for continuous biological and chemical decontamination of articles by means of a mixture of hot air and steam. The reaction chamber has a tunnel shaped reaction section through which the contaminated articles are transported on a conveyor and through which a mixture of decontaminant gases is circulated. An exhaust blower situated at an end of the reaction section, and transverse flow units along its length, provide both transverse and longitudinal gas flow in the reaction section.

Abstract: A transparent glass/plastic material composite pane, comprising at least one transparent plastic pane, at least one glass pane and according to demand an adhesion-promoting intermediate layer between the glass pane and the plastic pane, the glass pane being a glass film of a layer thickness of from 30 to 1,000 .mu.m.

Abstract: Electrically insulating ceramic gas supply plenums for solid electrolyte fuel cells in which the plenums are formed from a mixture of ceramic components and the proportions of the components in the mixture are adjusted to match the coefficient of thermal expansion of the plenum to that of the solid electrolyte. A preferred ceramic is formed from a mixture of MgO and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 having a MgO/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 molar ratio of from 1:1 and 7:1.

Abstract: A signal distribution arrangement having a central signal source and a plurality of signal receivers located along a common path. Each of the signal receivers is coupled in communication with the signal source by a line arranged within the common path. To eliminate distortion of the signal due to outside interference sources, each of the lines is arranged within the common path so that it traverses the common path an odd number of times between the signal source and the receiver to which it is coupled, and traverses the common path an even number of times between the receiver to which it is coupled and the end of the common path. Within each segment of the common path, the relative propagation sensitivity of each line is controlled such that the product of the number of times the line traverses that segment multiplied the relative propagation sensitivity of the line is the same for all lines.

Abstract: A double-layer capacitor unit includes two electrodes as well as one electrolyte arranged between the electrodes. The electrodes each comprise an active layer made of metal oxide powder on a chemically stable metal carrier. The electrolyte is a diluted aqueous mineral acid or alkaline lye.

Abstract: A serially arranged construction of individual fuel cells implements large-scale systems for generating power. The fuel cells are packed with high density but in an exchangeable manner. Only the fuel gas is fed to the block of fuel cells by special conduits and connecting elements whereas the oxidation gas (e.g. air) is fed by an outside pressure difference between the front and rear sides of the fuel cell blocks. A large number of blocks can be mounted on a carrier plate in which fuel gas ducts are integrated to form a reinforcement and to directly feed the fuel gas into the blocks via pipe pieces mounted from the outside.

Abstract: A trough bridge is provided with a plane roadway and upward extending side walls. Top chords are arranged on the upper ends of the side walls. The bridge can be divided along the roadway into an arbitrary number of modules, the length of which may be adapted to the available transport length. The individual bridge modules may be nested in each other for transport such that a stack with a very small transport height results.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the fatigue strength of a structure comprises a longitudinal rib which is attached or integrated to the surface of the structure. The rib has a plurality of transverse notches of differing depths, each of the notches having a rounded end adjacent the surface of the structure and a pointed end extending toward an exterior edge of the rib.

Abstract: At least five planar gradiometers on at least three non-parallel surfaces are used to determine five, linearly independent components of a gradient tensor of a magnetic field.

Abstract: An arrangement for accommodating telescoping masts on mobile carriers comprises devices for selectively swivelling the mast into a transport position or an operating position for support with respect to the ground surface for the raising of the mast into its operating position. The mast swivel bearing is provided on the carrier so that it can be adjusted or adapted for the respective adaptation of the center of gravity of the mast with respect to the mobile carrier, with respect to the transport position with vehicle wheels resting on the ground, and relative to the starting operating position of the mast with carrier supports resting on the ground surface.

Abstract: A clip for fastening an insulation having several layers, such as used on spacecraft. A counterhold which snaps onto the end of an elongated pin is made from an elongated strip of foil backed elastically deformable material. Holes in the elongated strip having a diameter such that they can lock in engagement with an annularly grooved portion of the pin.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte with a multi-layer electrode applied to it. This multi-layer construction prevents electrochemical decomposition reactions which limit the durability and length of service life of conventional electrodes.

Abstract: When a faulty weft thread must be removed after it has been bound into the fabric and beat-up, it is necessary to perform a so-called reverse weaving operation following the stopping of the normal weaving operation in response to a stop signal signifying that a faulty weft thread has been detected. For this purpose the loom main shaft and the heald drive shaft are rotated for a number of rotational degrees in the same direction in which these shafts are rotated just prior to the stopping of a weaving operation in response to the above mentioned signal. Next, the drive between the main shaft and the heald shaft is interrupted. Next, the main shaft and thus also the reed shaft and with it the reed, are rotated back within a predetermined angular range between two successive reed beat-up motions. During this time the heald shaft is rotated back, preferably to the so-called detection point with a higher r.p.m., or rather with a higher angular speed than the main shaft.

Abstract: A tentering frame is equipped with a tentering chain for the simultaneous treatment of a film web in two directions or in a so-called biaxial manner. The film web is carried by endless tentering chains which hold the film web edges by grippers carried by tentering clamps secured to the tentering chain. The chains have tiltable chain link plates and chain links, whereby the on-center spacing between neighboring clamps is continuously adjustable or variable for changing the chain pitch. In order to reduce the normal pitch when the chain is stretched out as much as possible, and in order to achieve a more efficient pitch adjustment in a larger adjustment range, each tentering clamp is carried by a single shaft which simultaneously functions as one of the two chain pins or chain axles that link two neighboring chain links to each other.

Abstract: A process for the continuous removal of carbon particles in exhaust gas flows uses a plasma process. A stationary oxidative plasma process achieves a particle burn-up of the excess oxygen in technical combustion processes.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film web is subjected to a defined shrinking in a treatment apparatus with two mirror-symmetrically arranged tentering chains. For this purpose, each chain is equipped with tentering clamps that have a variable on-center spacing or pitch in the travel direction of the tentering chains, and which additionally are position adjustable in a direction other than the travel direction. The entire clamp body or clamp elements may be position variable in a direction other than the travel direction. In operation, the pitch is first reduced in the inlet and/or heating zone of the treatment apparatus. Simultaneously, the clamping position of the individual clamps or clamping element is changed, e.g. by tilting or lifting. The clamp position change takes up extra film web length resulting from the pitch change, whereby the film web assumes throughout its width a corrugated configuration. Then, the film web is cross-stretched.

Abstract: A power connection element for planar fuel cells, comprising a cell-side ceramic plate, a joining layer made of electrically conductive glass which is viscous under operating conditions, and a metallic current collector plate. All three joined elements exhibit a mutually compatible thermal expansion behavior.