Abstract: The fuel cell system in accordance with the invention is used for the generation of current and heat from liquid and gaseous fuels. Said system comprises a reformer and a fuel cell stack having an operating temperature above 120° C. and providing exhaust heat that is utilized for the generation of steam in the evaporation channels (2). The evaporation channels (2) are arranged so as to be in direct thermal contact with the stack (1) that is to be cooled. A pressure-maintaining device at the outlet of the evaporation channels (2) is disposed to adjust the pressure in said channels to a value that results in the desired stack temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting solids (23; 123) from a suspension (22; 122) containing the solids (23; 123) and suspension liquid (32; 132) in a continuously or virtually continuously operating filter device (10; 110) using a filtering material (26; 126), on the one side of which, the high-pressure side (30; 130), a higher pressure prevails than on its other side, the low-pressure side (42; 142), and which passes successively through a plurality of working zones (I-V; I-IV) of the filter device (10; 110) in a working direction (U), the suspension (22; 122) being supplied to the filtering material (26; 126) on its high-pressure side (30; 130) in a first working zone (I) and being filtered, the suspension liquid (22; 122) flowing through the filtering material (26; 126) on account of the difference in pressure between the high-pressure side (30; 130) and the low-pressure side (42; 142) while at least some of the solids (23; 123) are deposited on the filtering material (26; 126).

Abstract: The fuel cell system and method in accordance with the invention is used for the generation of electrical current and heat from liquid and gaseous fuels. The system comprises a reformer and a fuel cell stack (1) having an operating temperature of about 120° C. or greater and providing exhaust heat that is utilized for the generation of steam in evaporation channels (2). The evaporation channels (2) are arranged so as to be in direct thermal contact with the stack (1) that is to be cooled. A pressure-maintaining device in fluid communication with the outlet of the evaporation channels (2) is disposed to adjust the pressure in the channels to a value that results in the desired stack (1) temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting solids (23; 123) from a suspension (22; 122) containing the solids (23; 123) and suspension liquid (32; 132) in a continuously or virtually continuously operating filter device (10; 110) using a filtering material (26; 126), on the one side of which, the high-pressure side (30; 130), a higher pressure prevails than on its other side, the low-pressure side (42; 142), and which passes successively through a plurality of working zones (I-V; I-IV) of the filter device (10; 110) in a working direction (U), the suspension (22; 122) being supplied to the filtering material (26; 126) on its high-pressure side (30; 130) in a first working zone (I) and being filtered, the suspension liquid (22; 122) flowing through the filtering material (26; 126) on account of the difference in pressure between the high-pressure side (30; 130) and the low-pressure side (42; 142) while at least some of the solids (23; 123) are deposited on the filtering material (26; 126).

Abstract: In a process for deacidifying a fluid hydrocarbon stream which comprises carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or other acid gases as impurities, the fluid stream is brought into intimate contact with an absorption liquid in an absorption or extraction zone (12), the substantially purified fluid stream and the absorption liquid which is loaded with CO2 and/or other acid gases are separated from one another, and the absorption liquid is subsequently regenerated and then again fed to the absorption extraction zone (12). To regenerate the absorption liquid, the loaded absorption liquid is first expanded in a first low-pressure expansion stage (22) to a pressure of from 1 to 2 bar (absolute). The partially regenerated absorption liquid is then heated in a heat exchanger (20) and then, in a second low-pressure expansion stage (29), again expanded to a pressure of from 1 to 2 bar (absolute).

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotating filter system, comprising a filter housing (110, 210, 310) and a filter rotor (112, 212, 312) which can rotate therein, having filter cells (136?, 136?) with inserted filter means (138) provided in the rotor casing unit (128) thereof in order to filter out the proportion of solids as a filter cake (FK), for instance, from a suspension supplied thereto and in order to evacuate the filtrate via discharge lines (142, 242). The filter rotor (112, 212, 312) can be driven by a drive motor (154b, 254b) via a gear unit (154, 254, 354) with at least one output member (154d, 254d) which is connected to the filter rotor (112, 212, 312).

Abstract: A mixing device is provided for an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine with an intake air line and an exhaust gas recirculation line. The outlet opening of the recirculation line or admission opening of the intake air line opens into the intake air line and a swirl generating element and/or a turbulence generating element is provided in the area of the admission opening of the mixing device.

Abstract: A mixing device is provided for an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine with an intake air line and an exhaust gas recirculation line. The outlet opening of the recirculation line or admission opening of the intake air line opens into the intake air line and a swirl generating element and/or a turbulence generating element is provided in the area of the admission opening of the mixing device.

Abstract: A sealing cord (10) for sealing shafts (14) or other movable machine and equipment parts includes a core (24) having an elastically deformable hollow section (26), the hollow section (26) comprising at least one chamber (26), and a braiding (28) surrounding the core (24). The at least one chamber (26) is equipped with at least one connection (30) for the supply and/or discharge of pressurized fluid (32).

Abstract: In a process for deacidifying a fluid hydrocarbon stream which comprises carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or other acid gases as impurities, the fluid stream is brought into intimate contact with an absorption liquid in an absorption or extraction zone (12), the substantially purified fluid stream and the absorption liquid which is loaded with CO2 and/or other acid gases are separated from one another, and the absorption liquid is subsequently regenerated and then again fed to the absorption extraction zone (12). To regenerate the absorption liquid, the loaded absorption liquid is first expanded in a first low-pressure expansion stage (22) to a pressure of from 1 to 2 bar (absolute). The partially regenerated absorption liquid is then heated in a heat exchanger (20) and then, in a second low-pressure expansion stage (29), again expanded to a pressure of from 1 to 2 bar (absolute).

Abstract: A clamping jaw for a jaw chuck comprises a base body of metal, wherein a hard metal clamping surface is fixed onto the base body. The clamping surface is formed of a plurality of hard metal particles of angular configuration.

Abstract: A clamping jaw for a jaw chuck comprises a base body of metal, wherein a hard metal clamping surface is fixed onto the base body. The clamping surface is formed of a plurality of hard metal particles of angular configuration.

Abstract: A mixing device is provided for an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine with an intake air line and an exhaust gas recirculation line. The outlet opening of the recirculation line or admission opening of the intake air line opens into the intake air line and a swirl generating element and/or a turbulence generating element is provided in the area of the admission opening of the mixing device.

Abstract: An apparatus provides matched filter output characteristics for known signals embedded in noise signals that have varying noise power distributions. The system correlates applied signals with a manipulated version of the applied signals in an analog-to-analog correlator. The manipulated signals are derived by Fourier transforming the applied signals and estimating the noise power spectral density. A filter transfer function is then calculated using the noise power estimates and stored information related to the characteristics of the known signal. The transfer function is then inverse Fourier transformed to provide a filter impulse response characteristic which is correlated with the applied signals. A method of processing applied signals to provide for an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio for varying noise power distributions is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical computing system is provided for performing a linear multiplication operation involving a matrix with bipolar values. A plurality of beams representing the values of a N.times.1 column matrix Q illuminate an optical mask having elements disposed in a two-dimensional (M+1).times.N array. Each element of the first M rows of the mask represents the offset of the value of a corresponding element in a known M.times.N matrix by a scalar constant c. Each element of row M+1 of the mask represents the value c. An array of photodetectors collects the light passing through the mask, with the light from each row of elements detected by a respective photodetector. The outputs of the first M photodetectors represent the product of Q and M after M has been offset by c. The output of photodetector M+1 represents the scalar value produced by the multiplication of Q and a row matrix represented by row M+1 of the mask matrix.

Abstract: A technique for correlating two images, differing in size, but of identical spatial content. The technique is based on the Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality and is derived in such a way as to eliminate the requirement for division, thereby realizing practical real time implementation with presently available electronic hardware. In the embodiment disclosed, reference and data image signals require no pre-processing for the removal of mean and gain factors prior to being individually supplied to the correlator. The correlator is built around modules which can be configured serially with delay lines to adapt to virtually any image configuration. Simulation tests have shown the embodiment to be superior to prior art correlators utilizing other algorithms under conditions of noise, offset and gain differences.

Abstract: An articulated radome for the front end of a missile or the like comprises a generally dome or spherical shaped articulated housing mounted for rotation about two separate transverse axes, with an infra-red window surrounded by a dielectric window so that both infra-red and radar sending and sensing units may be mounted within the dome for target scanning and the like.

Abstract: A pulse width discriminator comprises a tapped analog delay line which preferably is a charge coupled device (CCD). The taps are spaced one sample time apart along the delay line. A correlator output is obtained by summing the outputs of all taps. A pulse amplifier output is obtained by weighting and adding the signals from selected taps. The correlator output corresponds to a low-pass filter. The sample rate is at the Nyquist rate. The pulse amplifier output is a maximum for a pulse width determined by the length of the delay line (in terms of number of sample points) divided by the sample frequency. The correlator output has a maximum corresponding to the maximum of the pulse and can be used to determine the presence of a pulse. This pulse processor is also capable of handling a plurality of inputs by multiplexing them.