Abstract: A sampling means for sampling a falling stream of a particulate material includes a trough-like sampling receptacle for culling a sample of the particulate material, the receptacle having an inlet defined in an operatively top portion thereof and at least one outlet; a shaftless spiral conveyor rotatably received within the receptacle for discharging the sample through the, or each, outlet; drive means operatively connected to the shaftless spiral conveyor for driving the said conveyor; and displacement means for displacing the sampling receptacle between first and second positions on opposed sides of the falling stream of material, to permit the inlet of the sampling receptacle to cut the falling steam of material at pre-determined intervals.

Abstract: A capacitive filling level sensor has a first capacitive sensor element arranged close to a fluid whose filling level is to be detected, a second capacitive sensor element arranged close to a fluid whose filling level is to be detected, and a switched-capacitor measuring circuit, which is connected to the first and second capacitive sensor elements and which detects the capacitance values thereof. The switched-capacitor measuring circuit produces in response to the detected capacitance values a signal indicative of the filling level. The first capacitive sensor element and the second capacitive sensor element are each defined by two wires of a ribbon cable having at least five wires, the fifth wire extending between the wires which define the capacitive sensor elements, and being connected to ground.

Abstract: A method for determining the residual moisture content during secondary drying in the dry product of a freeze-drying process is disclosed. In order to determine the residual moisture content without interruption of the drying process is suggested that the desorption rate is measured at certain intervals (for example 10 minutes) during the secondary drying phase. A computer calculates from two or several of these measured values the time at which a desorption rate would be reached (desorption rate zero point) which would alter the desired residual moisture by only a tolerably small amount. The respective residual moisture is determined by the computer by chronological integration of desorption rates from zero point until the moment of measurement taking.

Abstract: The invention concerns a measuring idler-roller for measuring stress distution of flexible bands that are moved in the direction of their length, in which roller force-measuring transducers arranged in recesses or their covers are surrounded by a plastic layer that fills in a gap and prevents the penetration of fine abraded metal particles, and makes easier the installation of the cover and/or the measuring transducer.