Abstract: The bending transducer has a layer construction containing a piezoelectrically active element, which is formed of a piezoactive material, in particular a piezoceramic, and electrode layers fitted thereon. In order to enable a high bending loading of the bending transducer and to reduce the risk of fracture, it is provided that a protective layer is applied to the layer construction on the outer side, preferably on both sides, which protective layer is applied to the layer construction in particular under prestress.

Abstract: In order to achieve effective cleaning of an inlet side of a catalytic converter in a combustion system, in particular a large-scale internal combustion engine system, a cleaning device having a cleaning brush for mechanically removing deposits is provided on the inlet side. The cleaning brush effectively and reliably removes and swirls up the deposits which have been formed, which are carried away with the exhaust gas in the flow direction through the catalytic converter.

Abstract: An SCR-active zeolite catalyst and a method for producing same. To produce the catalyst, an Fe ion-exchanged zeolite is initially subjected to a first temperature treatment within a range of 300 to 600° C. in a reducing hydrocarbon atmosphere such that the oxidation state of the Fe ions decreases and/or the dispersity of the Fe ions on the zeolite increases, whereupon the reduced zeolite is subjected to a second temperature treatment within a range of 300 to 600° C. in an oxidizing atmosphere such that hydrocarbon residues or carbon residues are oxidatively removed, the zeolite being calcined to obtain a catalyst material during the two temperature treatments. Iron contained in the zeolite is stabilized in an oxidation state of less than +3 and/or the dispersity of the Fe ions on the zeolite is permanently increased such that a high SCR activity is achieved within a temperature range of less than 300° C.

Abstract: An instrument adapted for the determination of fluid levels within a vessel by the comparison of the density of the fluid along the length of the instrument, said instrument comprising: (i) at least one generally linear source array comprising a plurality of sources of penetrating radiation, shielding and collimation means and a source supporting structure for supporting the sources and shielding and collimation means in a linear array (ii) at least one generally linear detector array comprising a plurality of radiation detectors, supported on a detector support structure, capable of detecting radiation emitted by the sources, and (iii) means to position the source and a respective detector array such that (a) radiation emitted from each of the sources is capable of following a linear path from the source, through the vessel and material to at least a respective one of the detectors forming a part of the respective detector array, and (b) the linear axis of the source array and the linear axis of its respecti