Abstract: When using a multi-barrel firing weapon, such as a Gatling-type gun or canon, it is desired during a firing burst, to first fire the initial or lead cartridge or ammunition round when the rotating array of weapon barrels, during running up to speed, has attained its full rotational speed, that is, when the firing weapon is capable of firing at the full or maximum firing rate. In this way there is realized the desired high precision and low round scattering of the weapon system. The cartridge infeed apparatus requires a certain amount of time until it has reached its full cartridge infeed velocity. The initial or lead cartridge therefore should only then be delivered to the multi-barrel firing weapon after completion of the running up to speed of the array of weapon barrels and after the cartridge infeed apparatus has reached its full or maximum cartridge infeed velocity.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and mixing blood samples comprises separate storage and mixing discs for storing and mixing blood samples in containers. The discs are driven independently and are provided with complementary grooves. A loading device loads the containers into the storage disc where they are transported to a transfer device. The transfer device successively transfers the containers into an oppositely situated groove of the mixing disc. The mixing disc mixes the blood samples via rotation thereof, after which the containers are transferred to a blood removal device which rotates each container with its blood sample about the lengthwise axis thereof so that a bar code reading device can read a bar code applied to the container. Blood is then withdrawn from the container and delivered to a blood analyzer, after which the container is ejected from the mixing disc by rotation of the mixing disc.

Abstract: The filtering apparatus is used in combination with at least one analytical instrument, especially a particle analyzer and substantially comprises a controlled pump unit having an inlet side and an outlet side. The inlet side of the controlled pump unit is connected to a reservoir for a liquid medium to be filtered. The outlet side is connected to a filtering unit. An intermediate storage unit for intermediately storing the filtered liquid medium is connected to the filtering unit. The filtered liquid medium is fed to the analytical instrument from the intermediate storage unit which contains level detectors for detecting the liquid level in the intermediate storage unit. The level detectors are connected to a control unit for controlling the controlled pump unit.

Abstract: The process for wiring substrates with a universal pattern of conductors and a large number of predetermined bonding/cutting localities is characterized in that from the quantity of all the possibilities for bonding and cutting is removed the quantity necessary for the realization of a given application, after realization of one given circuit this quantity is tested for further possibilities for realizing the circuit, and the found quantity of possibilities is made available as a correction quantity. The advantage of such a correction potential is that layout or contacting errors can be corrected in a second passage, so that wastage is reduced.

Abstract: The marine fire-control system preferably comprises several subsystems, each having a target detection module and at least one effector module. The subsystems and/or the modules are extensively interlinked and contain means for compensating static, quasi-static and dynamic alignment errors. By means of at least one computer unit, the data determined by respective sensors are evaluated and the compensation parameters representing the alignment errors between the individual subsystems and/or between the modules are determined. The processing of these movement data permits taking into account, during operation, the dynamic position changes between the subsystems or between the modules, respectively. Preferably, a permanent monitoring takes place by a safety or control system, which monitoring automatically or indirectly leads to an optimized coupling of effector modules and target detection modules.

Abstract: The application of technically sensitive devices in outer space requires adequate protective shields or protective chambers which protect the payload against atmospheric radiation, thermal effects etc.The foldable structure according to the invention consists of a topological arrangement of flexible tubes which are joined to each other and form the skeleton of the shield or of the chamber. To these tubes there are attached membranes which serve as protective walls.The method of manufacturing a finished protective device uses such a foldable structure, whereby the structure is unfolded by inflation of the tubes and assumes the desired two-dimensional or three-dimensional form. The membranes are also stretched by the extension of the tubes and the interaction of the membranes and the tubes, such tubes acting as struts in the inflated condition, produces a stable structure.

Abstract: A video camera is used for controlling the adjustment of a manipulator unit. An object is imaged by the video camera which is optimumly focused with respect to the object as a function of the mean brightness of a predetermined image from containing the image of the object. The focusing operation is carried out on the basis of obtaining an optimum value for the mean brightness of the image elements within the predetermined image frame enclosing the object image. The manipulator unit may contain an industrial robot for selectively adjusting either one of a workpiece or a tool acting upon a workpiece. Furthermore, the manipulator unit may contain a target tracking platform for tracking a target constituting the object imaged by the video camera.