Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively removing target sections from a continuous coil of sheet metal and connecting those sections to one or more sheet metal take-up winders. Depending upon the thicknesses or amount of defects in each detected target section, the corresponding target can be connected to an appropriate continuous sheet metal winder which therein contains a specific classification of sheet metal. Defects, such as errant sheet metal thicknesses, can be removed from a continuous coil and placed on a raw sheet metal coil separate from a finished sheet metal coil containing substantially no defects.

Abstract: A surface testing device comprising a vibratory system for the reciprocating movement of a sensor carrier (3) arranged above the surface to be tested and comprising an exciter arrangement for operating the system at or in the vicinity of its resonance frequency wherein the vibratory system contains spring elements in the form of pneumatic springs (5, 6) acting on the sensor carrier (3) in opposite directions, which pneumatic springs (5, 6) are pretensioned in the rest state of the system by a magnitude corresponding to at least half of the displacement path of the sensor carrier (3) FIG. 1.

Abstract: A track support which comprises steel structures (3) which are connected to reinforced concrete (1) or prestressed concrete (1) by connecting means (4) in a shear-free manner to form a composite support. The functional components, i.e., the lateral guide rails (3), are welded durably to the steel structures (3) at the upper chord (10) of the track support. In addition, it is possible to make continuous supports of great length from a plurality of individual supports at low cost by connecting the steel structures (3).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for the automatic control of a guided vehicle (2) and proposes a new safety concept which, if breakdowns and/or emergencies arise, prevents the vehicle from being stopped in tunnels, on bridges or on pathless terrain. The invention lies in that between preselected stopping regions (11, 12, 13) provided with system for evaluation of passengers and for intervention by rescue services, the vehicle is always operated at such a high speed that even if the driving force fails, travel can still continue from every point of the line on account of its instantaneous momentum at least as far as a preselected subsequent stopping region in the direction of travel, and if a breakdown and/or emergency situation arises the vehicle (2) is brought to a standstill by initiation of automatic train stop or target automatic train stop in this preselected stopping region (FIG. 1).