Abstract: A device for extinguishing a fire in an electrostatic coating facility has at least one coating nozzle associated with high voltage, the nozzle being connectable with an extinguishing agent reservoir via a conduit. With previously known extinguishing agents, the problem emerges in connection with the aforementioned coating facilities, that a longer lasting cleaning process follows even after only a short extinguishing process. In order to avoid this problem, desalinated water is used as the extinguishing agent in the extinguishing agent reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical wave guide having at least one optical fiber, a protective sheath and connection fittings at the ends. In order for charges entering by diffusion to be dissipated from the surface of the optical fibers, the fibers have an electrically conductive coating which in turn is connected to the connecting fitting and/or to ground.

Abstract: To relieve explosive pressures due to unintended explosion of explosive fluid, for example dust or combustible particle-laden air, such as sawdust, coal dust and the like, or of combustible gases, passing through a conveying duct (2, 5), a chamber is formed with a releasable closure, the inlet duct end (2a) from the inlet conveying duct terminating in the chamber. The chamber is formed by a cylindrical wall structure (3a) surrounding the inlet duct end (2a) with clearance. An explosion and/or flame detector (D) is located to sense an incipient explosion or flame and providing an electrical output signal. The chamber is subdivided into chamber portions, one in communication with the inlet duct end and the other communicating with the outlet from the chamber by a rapid-acting separating arrangement.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and an apparatus for explosion protection of plants, pipelines and the like by monitoring chronologically successive values of the system pressure in the potentially explosive area and by comparing these values with a predetermined pressure threshold, where the exceeding of this pressure threshold is used as a triggering criterion for initiating explosion protection provisions. According to the invention, instead of predetermining a constant value as the pressure threshold, the pressure threshold is updated continuously in accordance with the system pressure prevailing at that time. As a result, the pressure threshold can be set with a smaller safety margin above the system pressure than before. Brightness and temperature thresholds may also be used singly, or together with pressure in any combination in continuous value monitoring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slide valve for flow lines that carry fluid. The slide valve includes a stationary valve plate and two separately movable sealing plates, which like the valve plate have a plurality of flow openings formed by ribs. Oppositely disposed pressure plates, moving toward one another, each close off one-half the area of the flow openings. The division of the closing motion considerably shortens the closing time of the slide valve and also allows flow openings that can be approximately twice as large in area as the ribs.

Abstract: A pulse generator operating at a frequency preferably somewhat higher than 100 Hz charges a capacitor through a diode and the trailing edge of the pulse switches-in a discharge circuit to discharge the capacitor through the low-voltage winding of a pulse transformer, the high-voltage winding of which charges, through another diode, the high-voltage insulated conductor of an ionizer that cooperates with a point-bearing electrode that is grounded. The high-voltage electrode discharges through a resistor between pulses and the diode assures that ions of the same polarity will be produced. The ionizer is suited for being located inside a spray gun of an electrostatic coating apparatus for charging the coating material particles with the ions without producing an electric field between the spray gun and the workpiece that would interfere with the coating of hollow places of the workpiece because of the so-called cage effect.

Abstract: A device to discharge substrates loaded with static electricity by means of an electric glow discharge generated between isolated high voltage electrodes and exposed needle electrodes connected to a grounded collector bar is characterized by the fact that the high voltage electrodes are formed as concentric closed rings conductively connected to each other and disposed in spaced coaxial relationship with the needle electrodes. The grounded collector bar is formed as a hollow chamber into which compressed air may be introduced and directed into the space between the ring electrodes and the needle electrodes associated therewith to perform a cleaning operation and aid in directing ions toward the substrate to be discharged.

Abstract: In an electrostatic coating system in which material is sprayed onto a workpiece under the influence of an electrostatic field, any electrostatic charge supplied to the workpiece is removed by a discharging device maintained out of contact with the workpiece and disposed so that its effective range is outside the material spray region.