Abstract: A harvesting device for zooplankton (1) or other micro organisms in a body of water (2). The new and inventive in the harvesting method is amongst others a bubble diffuser (3) arranged for being submerged in the body of water (2) and arranged for releasing gas bubbles (4) preferably air, in the body of water so as for said bubbles (4) may attach to zooplankton (1) and bring them closer to the surface (21) of said body of water (2) for collection by means of a skimmer or trawl (5). Said trawl is further arranged as a skimmer with a transportation tube from the aft of said skimmer to a vessel which both tows the trawl and processes the harvested zooplankton at the same time.

Abstract: A sealed infrared radiation source includes an emitter membrane stimulated by an electrical current conducted through the membrane, which acts like an electrical conductor, wherein the membrane is mounted between first and second housing parts, at least one being transparent in the IR range, each housing part defining a cavity between the membrane and the respective housing part of each side of the membrane. The housing parts are at least partially electrical conductive, and a first of the housing parts is electrically coupled to a first end of the electrical conductor and insulated from the second end of the electrical conductor, the second housing part being electrically coupled to a second end of the electrical conductor and being insulated from the first end of the electrical conductor, thus allowing a current applied from the first housing part to the second housing part to pass through and heat the membrane.

Abstract: A fluid phase distribution adjuster (10) comprises two or more tubes (14) arranged to provide a plurality of separate flow paths for fluid. Means are provided for generating a radial acceleration of fluid flowing through each tube so as to promote movement of at least one fluid phase towards or away from a wall of the tube. The adjuster can be used as a coalescer for increasing the size of droplets in a distributed fluid phase carried by a continuous fluid phase, or as a mixer for mixing fluid phases.

Abstract: A harvesting device for zooplankton (1) or other micro organisms in a body of water (2). The new and inventive in the harvesting method is amongst others a bubble diffuser (3) arranged for being submerged in the body of water (2) and arranged for releasing gas bubbles (4) preferably air, in the body of water so as for said bubbles (4) may attach to zooplankton (1) and bring them closer to the surface (21) of said body of water (2) for collection by means of a skimmer or trawl (5). Said trawl is further arranged as a skimmer with a transportation tube from the aft of said skimmer to a vessel which both tows the trawl and processes the harvested zooplankton at the same time.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for induction heating of pieces or blanks (10) of electrically conducting and non-magnetic material, wherein a device creates a static magnetic field (3) and a second device is arranged to cause a relative movement (4) between the piece or blank (10) and the static magnetic field (3), so that current is induced (12) in the piece or blank (10) which thereby is being heated up.

Abstract: A plurality of images of portions of a fingerprint surface is generated by measuring structural features the portions of the surface with a sensor array as the surface is moved relative to the array. A two-dimensional image of the fingerprint surface is constructed from a portion of the plurality of images. In one embodiment, a varying voltage is applied to a finger positioned over an exciting electrode and a capacitive sensor array, and the capacitance or impedance through the finger is measured between the electrode and the array to detect variations in capacitance or impedance caused by variations in the structural features of the fingerprint surface.

Abstract: A trawling vessel is provided with a trawl net (5) for catching marine bio-resources, with a trawl sack (3) attached aft on a trawl net (5) for keeping the catch. The vessel comprises lines (51, 61) for towing and hauling the trawl net (5), and trawl drums (6) for hauling the trawl net (5). A lock chamber (1) is provided in a stern (21) of the vessel and has a main portion of its volume arranged below the design water line of the vessel. The lock chamber (1) is arranged for hauling the trawl sack (3) with the catch from the sea through a sluiceway (2) in the stern (21), for discharging the trawl sack (3), and for temporarily keeping the catch. A trunk channel (16, 12) leading up from the lock chamber (1) enables the trawl sack (3), in a generally discharged state, to be hauled up through the trunk channel (16, 12) to a deck (24), thereby leaving the catch in the lock chamber (1).

Abstract: A plurality of images of portions of a fingerprint surface is generated by measuring structural features the portions of the surface with a sensor array as the surface is moved relative to the array. A two-dimensional image of the fingerprint surface is constructed from a portion of the plurality of images. In one embodiment, a varying voltage is applied to a finger positioned over an exciting electrode and a capacitive sensor array, and the capacitance or impedance through the finger is measured between the electrode and the array to detect variations in capacitance or impedance caused by variations in the structural features of the fingerprint surface.

Abstract: Method for joining components of metals and alloys, particularly components of light metals, including alloys of light metals and possibly hybrids/composites containing light metals. Oxide on the surfaces to be joined is removed immediately prior to joining, and the groove is filled with a metallic filler material by means of extrusion while the supply of oxygen to the groove is restricted. The invention is also directed to a device for conducting the method, which may optionally include means for heating, means for measurement of temperature and pressure during extrusion as well as controlling means for automation of the joining process.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the measuring of structures in a fingerprint or the like, comprising the measuring of chosen characteristics of the surface of the fingerprint, e.g. by measuring capacitance or resistivity, using a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors, being positioned in contact with, or close to, a portion of the surface. The characteristics are measured in at least one line of measuring points along an elongated portion of the surface at given intervals of time, the sensor array being an essentially one-dimensional array, moving the surface in relation to the sensor array in a direction perpendicular to the sensor array, so that the measurements are performed at different, or partially overlapping, portions of the surface, combining the measurements of the measured portions of the surface to provide a segmented, two-dimensional representation of said characteristics of the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for induction heating of pieces or blanks (10) of electrically conducting and non-magnetic material, wherein a device creates a static magnetic field (3) and a second device is arranged to cause a relative movement (4) between the piece or blank (10) and the static magnetic field (3), so that current is induced (12) in the piece or blank (10) which thereby is being heated up.

Abstract: A spring scale, in particular for weighing loads in the ?g-mg range, comprises a load platform suspended by at least three flexural springs in a surrounding frame, and has bridge-connected strain gauges arranged for measuring strain on one side of the flexural springs. The flexural springs extend in succession along substantially the whole periphery of the load platform in a gap between the load platform and the inner edge of the frame, and an attachment spot on the load platform for every flexural spring is arranged substantially directly opposite or past an attachment spot on the inner edge of the frame for a next flexural spring in the succession of springs. Preferably, the spring scale is made in one piece, and manufactured by means of semiconductor process technology.

Abstract: A plurality of images of portions of a fingerprint surface is generated by measuring structural features the portions of the surface with a sensor array as the surface is moved relative to the array. A two-dimensional image of the fingerprint surface is constructed from a portion of the plurality of images. In one embodiment, a varying voltage is applied to a finger positioned over an exciting electrode and a capacitive sensor array, and the capacitance or impedance through the finger is measured between the electrode and the array to detect variations in capacitance or impedance caused by variations in the structural features of the fingerprint surface.

Abstract: A method of constructing a basis of functions intended for the building of approximations of one-way or two-way seismic traveltime versus offset functions. The method is characterized by the combination of the following steps of (a) creating a distribution of reference one-way or two-way traveltime versus offset functions by traveltime modelling in a set of velocity models representing possible velocity distributions, (b) obtaining new reference functions by modifying these reference traveltime functions by applying an operator to them, (c) selecting a set of discrete offsets to make these new reference functions discrete, (d) arranging these discrete functions in columns to form a matrix, (e) applying a singular value decomposition to this matrix, with singular values sorted in decreasing order, to express its columns as linear combinations of the columns of an orthogonal matrix, and (f) building the basis functions by interpolating the columns of the orthogonal matrix.

Abstract: A plurality of images of portions of a fingerprint surface is generated by measuring structural features the portions of the surface with a sensor array as the surface is moved relative to the array. A two-dimensional image of the fingerprint surface is constructed from a portion of the plurality of images. In one embodiment, a varying voltage is applied to a finger positioned over an exciting electrode and a capacitive sensor array, and the capacitance or impedance through the finger is measured between the electrode and the array to detect variations in capacitance or impedance caused by variations in the structural features of the fingerprint surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for induction heating of billet-shaped blanks (10) of electrically well conductive and non-magnetic metal, in particular aluminum or copper, comprising a winding (21) adapted to surround the blank completely or partially, to be supplied with electric alternating current (8) and to be cooled (22) at least during the heating of the blank (10). The winding has turns comprising superconducting material and is enclosed by a thermally insulating chamber (33). The cooling (22) is adapted to maintain the winding at a temperature in the range 30-90° K, and the frequency of the alternating current (8) is adapted to be in the range of common mains frequencies.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of voice detection and discrimination apparatus for controlling a voice operated system. A protective ear terminal element (1,2) in the apparatus protects the ear by providing acoustic attenuation. An inner electroacoustic transducer element (M2) on an inner side of the ear terminal element (1,2) detects a first acoustic field and provides a first electronic signal representing the first acoustic field. An outer electroacoustic transducer element (M1) on an outer side of the ear terminal element (1,2) detects a second acoustic field and provides a second electronic signal representing said second acoustic field. An electronics unit (11,E3) is connected with said electroacoustic transducer elements (M1,M2) and comprises first comparison means (27) for comparison of said first and second electronic signals to obtain the difference between said two electronic signals.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for bulge testing films (e.g. thin films, coatings, layers, etc.) is provided, as well as membrane structures for use in bulge testing and improved methods of manufacturing same so that resulting membrane structures have substantially identical known geometric and responsive characteristics. Arrayed membrane structures, and corresponding methods, are provided in certain embodiments which enable bulge testing of a film(s) over a relatively large surface area via a plurality of different free-standing membrane portions. Improved measurements of film bulging or deflection are obtained by measuring deflection of a center point of a film, relative to non-deflected peripheral points on the film being tested. Furthermore, membrane structures are adhered to mounting structure in an improved manner, and opaque coatings may be applied over top of film(s) to be bulge tested so that a corresponding optical transducer can more easily detect film deflection/bulging.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a composite membrane structure comprising a thin metal membrane, for example of silver, palladium or palladium alloys, for use in selective diffusion of gasses. The metal material for the membrane is applied by sputtering as a coating on a base member having a low surface roughness, to a desired thickness of the resulting coating. The coating is pulled off from the base member so as to form the metal membrane, and the metal membrane is placed on a supporting substrate.

Abstract: A system of payment by the transfer of electronic money and especially of electronic cheques with blind signatures comprises an interbank compensation unit, an interbank network, and a verification unit. The interbank compensation unit permits the transfer of electronic money between multiple bank units in payment of amounts owed therebetween arising from the electronic cheques. The interbank network links the interbank compensation unit to the multiple bank units, and enables the transfer of electronic cheques from a payment terminal to the interbank compensation unit. The verification unit is linked to the interbank compensation unit, and is capable of verifying the authenticity and the non-reutilization of electronic cheques which have already travelled through the interbank network after a first payment.