Abstract: An apparatus and a method allows a determination of the degree of hardness of semisolid materials with a higher accuracy and a simultaneously lower sensitivity with respect to electronic and mechanical disruptions. An adjusted force value (FBer) is determined prior or during a downward movement of a force/path sensor (20) and the force difference (?F32??F51) is determined between the adjusted force value (FBer) and respective measured force value (?F32??F51) and a zero time (t41) is determined, wherein the position (21, s41) of the measuring body (5, 8) at the zero time (t41) is used as the exact starting position (21, s41) of the surface of the material to be measured (22).

Abstract: A device and a method for an accelerated oxidation test of fuels or petroleum products, as well as a computer program for controlling such a device, and a corresponding computer readable storage medium, which are applicable, in particular, for the simulation of the aging of fuels or petroleum products. A device for an accelerated oxidation test of fuels or petroleum products is proposed, whereby the device comprises of a pressure vessel (1) to hold specimen (2) of fuels or petroleum products, and the pressure vessel (1) contains at least one device to change the temperature. A corresponding method provides that a specimen (2) of fuel or petroleum product is placed in a pressure vessel (1), the specimen is brought to a predefined temperature above 100° C. by at least one device to change the temperature, which is placed in the pressure vessel (1) and/or in the specimen (2), and the absolute pressure value is monitored so as to determine the oxidation.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing objects with a laser light source and a light receiver has an at least partly reflective wall and an interspace between the laser light source and the wall, through which an object can be moved or in which an object can be placed. A movable mirror device is arranged between the laser light source and the wall in such a way that light emitted by the laser light source can be directed onto the wall. In a method for recognizing objects a mirror device directs the light onto an at least partly reflective wall and is controlled in such a way that the wall is irradiated by the light. The light receiver detects the light reflected from the wall and, in the process, registers an object moving or placed between the laser light source and the wall by way of a change in the reflected light detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing objects with a laser light source and a light receiver has an at least partly reflective wall and an interspace between the laser light source and the wall, through which an object can be moved or in which an object can be placed. A movable mirror device is arranged between the laser light source and the wall in such a way that light emitted by the laser light source can be directed onto the wall. In a method for recognizing objects a mirror device directs the light onto an at least partly reflective wall and is controlled in such a way that the wall is irradiated by the light. The light receiver detects the light reflected from the wall and, in the process, registers an object moving or placed between the laser light source and the wall by way of a change in the reflected light detected.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and a device for determining the filling level and can be applied, in particular, for the ascertainment of thesimmering process of mineral oil products.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and an apparatus for the automated testing of the flash point and can be used for determining the flash point of flammable liquids. In particular, the inventive method makes is possible to automate the phase of preparing and changing the samples. The apparatus described is characterized in that the whole of the test equipment (1) consists of a stationary simultaneous function head (2) and a mobile test insert (3), which can be separated completely from the simultaneous function head (2), the test insert (3), pre-installed, having the temperature sensor (4) and the flash point indicator (5) and contacting elements (6) for producing the electrical connection to the temperature sensor (4) and to the flash point indicator (5) and at least one coupling element (10) for producing the mechanical connection between a stirrer driving mechanism (7) and the stirrer (8) being disposed at the simultaneous function head (2).