Abstract: A rotary switch configuration for a household appliance includes a rotary knob seated in a cutout in an appliance panel and firmly connected to an actuating shaft so as to rotate with it but move axially, the actuating shaft transmitting the rotary movement of the rotary knob to a switching shaft of a switching unit mounted behind the appliance panel. Exact and wobble-free guidance of the rotary knob is achieved by the actuating shaft being rotatably mounted on the appliance panel by a bearing device.

Abstract: A rotary switch configuration for a household appliance includes a rotary knob seated in a cutout in an appliance panel and firmly connected to an actuating shaft so as to rotate with it but move axially, the actuating shaft transmitting the rotary movement of the rotary knob to a switching shaft of a switching unit mounted behind the appliance panel. Exact and wobble-free guidance of the rotary knob is achieved by the actuating shaft being rotatably mounted on the appliance panel by a bearing device.

Abstract: A seedling holding and dispensing mechanism used on planters having a planting arm which is intermittently extended downwardly into the soil. The seedling holder and dispenser is preferably mounted along the trailing edge of the planting arm. The seedling holder includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw is preferably mounted to the trailing edge of the planting arm in a fixed position. The second jaw is mounted for movement relative to the first jaw to allow clamping of the seedlings. The second jaw can be pivotally mounted, such as by using a connecting rod which is pivoted torsionally about a longitudinal axis. A proximate end of the connecting rod is adapted to have a lever arm. The mechanism preferably uses retraction and extension position actuators which automatically open the jaws in both the retracted loading position and the extended discharging position.

Abstract: In a scanning densitometer the mobile head is connected by means of an optical fiber cable with stationary parts of the apparatus. The optical fiber cable is looped around a cable drum and guided by it. The cable drum is suspended by means of two supporting cord layouts looped around it in opposing directions in a rotating manner parallel to the linear path of motion of the measuring head. The supporting cord layouts are mounted stationarily on the apparatus and one of them contains an equalizing spring. This type of a cable conduit is highly protective and therefore particularly suitable for mechanically sensitive parts, such as for example, optical fiber cables.

Abstract: In the resonator of a laser generator, variable mode selective structure is provided to permit electrically actuated adaptation of beam parameters to required operating conditions. Such structure can be implemented with one or more pivotal plates, each having a different aperture, that are selectively pivoted into the beam path to effectively provide a variable mode diaphragm. In another embodiment, a spatial light modulator comprising a reversing prism with a variable position concave plate positioned adjacent its reflection surface and operating according to the optical tunnel effect can be used to selectively vary the effective diameter of the laser beam.

Abstract: A nozzle which can be used repeatedly for the supply of liquid metal is made up of individual, hollow, refractory sections fitted together side by side in a metal frame. The hollow elements of the nozzle may feature, in addition to at least one longitudinal channel for the supply of liquid metal, channels to accommodate heating elements also running in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A nozzle which can be used repeatedly for the supply of liquid metal is made up of individual, hollow, refractory sections fitted together side by side in a metal frame. The hollow elements of the nozzle may feature, in addition to at least one longitudinal channel for the supply of liquid metal, channels to accommodate heating elements also running in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A nozzle which can be used repeatedly for the supply of liquid metal is made up of individual, hollow, refractory sections fitted together side by side in a metal frame. The hollow elements of the nozzle may feature, in addition to at least one longitudinal channel for the supply of liquid metal, channels to accommodate heating elements also running in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A device for guiding a strip so that it is kept in a predetermined lateral position as the strip moves from a supply to a take up reel. The device includes mechanical sensors sensing the lateral edges of the strip, the sensors being coupled by a differential linkage system to a frame in which is mounted a pair of rollers, one each side of the strip and in contact therewith. The frame is pivoted about an axis perpendicular to the strip so that if the strip shifts laterally the sensors move the differential linkage to pivot the frame and thereby cause the rollers, one of which is driven or braked, to impart a component of motion to the strip to move it back to its initial position.

Abstract: Impregnating equipment includes a centrifuge, a tank which can be exhausted and into which an impregnating compound can be introduced, and means for attaching at an upper part of the tank a mounting for a centrifugal basket, said mounting comprising a single self-aligning or swing bearing which is supported by a support which can be locked by means of an expanding device to the upper rim of the tank. The expanding device preferably consists of three radial arms which can be retracted and extended and the ends of which are in the form of jaws, the rim of the tank consisting of a ring the radially inwardly-directed cross-section of which has a shape mating with the shape of the jaws.

Abstract: In a fire detection system, detectors of different sensitivities are arranged in pairs and the pairs of fire detectors are positioned at regular intervals along an elongated protection area, whereby detectors of one sensitivity alternating with detectors of the other sensitivity are connected via two line systems to a signal center which emits an alarm signal when an alarm signal is simultaneously received via both line systems. In use, for example in a vehicle tunnel, a more uniform response sensitivity is obtained along the protection area, accompanied by a decrease in the necessary number of fire detectors and a reduced tendency to false alarms.

Abstract: A gripper drum having in the peripheral surface thereof a number of apertures aligned in rows running parallel to the rotational axis of the drum, the rows defining an active suction zone. Each row of apertures is connected to a duct located below the surface of the drum and each duct is connected by a conduit to a bore in a stationary part of the drum, the bore being connected to a source of suction so that as the drum rotates about the inner stationary part suction is applied to the apertures. Pistons, one for each duct, are mounted on a plate which can be moved to insert the pistons into one end of each duct respectively, the opposite ends of the ducts being closed thereby sealing off the apertures from the suction source and altering the width of the active suction zone on the periphery of the drum. The conduits are connected to positions on the ducts progressively remote from the ends into which the pistons are inserted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting printing faults or errors in a sample of printed material, such as a bank note, by determining the relative positions of corresponding text on the sample and each of a number of original bank notes, each having been printed by a different printing process used in printing the sample combining the text of the originals optically or electronically taking into account the positions of the text in the originals relative to the text on the sample resulting from superimposition of the text produced by each of the printing process used to produce each original, and comparing the text of the sample with the total combined text. The relative positions of corresponding text on the sample and originals is determined by scanning the sample and originals and obtaining reflectances values at each of a number of corresponding raster points and correlating the corresponding reflectance values to obtaining the relative position values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for introduction of gases into reaction vessels containing liquids, especially vessels undergoing thermal stress, in particular filter housings for metal melts, using a gas-permeable body of heat-resistant material, fitting into a metal sleeve anchored in the wall of the reaction vessel. The wall of the reaction vessel consists of three different layers, namely a rigid inner layer of heat-resistant material, a loose intermediate layer of bulk material, and a casing of metal. The metal sleeve extends from the outside into the loose intermediate layer, the rigid inner layer and the gas-permeable inlet body are directly adjacent to one another, and the boundary surface of the gas-permeable inlet body has a permanently applied, thoroughly gas-tight cover of ceramic material.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the composition of the spectrum of a light beam. At least one filter is adjustable at right angles to the axis of the light beam. The filter consists of two separate parts and means are provided for the joint stepwise moving of both filter parts to said axis and away from it. Thereby both filter parts are equidistant from the axis. The filter parts are moved stepwise so that the change of intensity of the light beam effected in each step remains substantially constant. The filter parts are connected to a stepping drive motor by means of traction cables the ends of which are guided over a respective cam plate which is torsionally connected to the axle of the drive motor. The cam plates have substantially the shape of a logarithmic spiral. Two spaced apart mounting plates are provided between which at least two, preferably three or four two-part filters, each with the traction cable belonging thereto, are arranged in different planes.