Abstract: A linkage element for releasing a mechanism under influence of temperature, such as a fire extinguishing sprinkler or ventilation shutter. The element must be capable of retaining a maximum bias force, but has also to show a short response time to excessive temperature conditions. The linkage element comprises a pair of coplanar flat jaws, opposite to each other and having a common base. The resistance to flexion in the plane of each jaw is high, whereas the resistance in a plane perpendicular thereto is low. The element further comprises a shape memory alloy, treated for moving the jaws apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the jaws when the critical temperature is reached. The element is preferably made in the form of a small thin plate of shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A device for causing a first object to perform a given, desired displacement determined by a second, fixedly arranged object that is to say, a translation and/or a rotation, particularly intended for assembling objects in industrial production processes, said device comprising a positioning means for moving the first object into a desired position with respect to the second object, comprising an auxiliary body designed for carrying the first object and journalled in a manner such that it has a plurality of degrees of freedom in displacement, driving means for each degree of freedom, a force measuring member for each degree of freedom for measuring the counter-force exerted on the first object during the displacement according to the degree of freedom concerned, feedback means between each force measuring member and the corresponding driving means, wherein the functional relationship between the displacement of the auxiliary body in accordance with a degree of freedom and the relevant counter-force is adjustab

Abstract: Solid bodies of copper-zinc-aluminium alloys having beta-crystal structure are manufactured by a powder-metallurgic process. Starting with a powder comprising 10-40% by weight of Zn, 1-12% by weight of Al and the balance Cu, the solid bodies are formed by means of a cold compacting step, an optional hot compacting step and a hot extrusion step.