Abstract: In a method for installing an offshore tension leg platform, a freely floating platform structure (7) is coupled to previously mounted tension legs (1) without the use of temporary motion compensating coupling mechanisms between the upper ends of the tension legs and the platform structure. Instead, permanently installed coupling elements (5) at the ends of the tension legs (1) are used and during the transition of the platform structure (7) from freely floating condition to moored condition by means of the tension legs (1), the coupling elements (5) are allowed to impact quite heavily against the corresponding connecting means (9) on the platform structure during its wave induced movements until it is held continuously by the tension legs.

Abstract: A bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) sensor comprising (1) a gold recording surface, (2) a first lipid layer which is an imperfect layer of a thiolipid which comprises the residue of two phospholipid molecules linked to each end of a disulphide (--S--S--) group, each through an oxyethylene (--O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2) chain which is short enough to allow the thiolipid to become anchored to the gold surface by self-assembly, but long enough to trap an aqueous layer between the gold surface and the bottom of the thiolipid layer, said thiolipid being attached to the gold surface and said imperfect layer being completed by a phospholipid which provides an unattached fluid phase at room temperature, and (3) a second lipid layer of phospholipid. The sensor is especially useful for measuring changes in electrical resistance and/or capacity when it is prepared to contain a receptor protein and an analyte containing an agonist to the receptor is contacted with the bilayer.

Abstract: A system for correcting the time of occurrence of a triggering point along the rise time of a pulse, particularly in a DME system comprising interrogator and transponder stations. Actual received pulses which may be distorted by multipath signals or other effects are compared with stored rise time reference values to generate corrections to time correct the triggering point. The correction may be transmitted between interrogator and transponder in coded form.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling cartons having three upstanding side walls and a horizontal side wall with stacks of paper sheets has a horizontal conveyor reciprocable into and from a carton while the carton is held at a filling station, a system for delivering stacks to that portion of the conveyor which enters a carton at the filling station, and a locating device installed at a level above the path of movement of stacks with the conveyor portion and having an indexible horizontal shaft for two fingers which are disposed opposite each other, and an indexing mechanism for the shaft. The shaft is indexed to a first position in which one finger extends into the path of movement of an oncoming stack during delivery of the stack onto the conveyor, thereupon throuh 90.degree. to ensure that the fingers cannot interfere with introduction of the stack into the carton, and again through 90.degree.

Abstract: A monitor located about 100 m from the ILS localizer determines whether the DDM alarm threshold was exceeded due to an equipment error or to an error caused by an overflying aircraft. To accomplish this, either the maximum of the frequency spectrum of the variation with time of the differentiated DDM signal is located, or the frequency spectrum of the variation with time of the DDM signal or of the differentiated DDM signal is compared with one or a plurality of spectra typical of equipment errors or of errors caused by overflying aircraft.

Abstract: A spool-shaped metallic heat barrier is inserted between the motor housing and the pump housing of a motor-pump assembly which conveys fluids at elevated temperatures. The flanges of the heat barrier abut against and are connected to the respective housings by means of bolts, and are rigidly secured to each other by several annuli of discrete heat dissipating ribs which are adjacent to the peripheries of the flanges. That flange which is adjacent to the motor housing can be formed with a peripheral groove the radially outermost portion of which receives a ring-shaped closure so that the inner portion of the groove forms an annular channel for reception of a stagnant or circulating liquid coolant.

Abstract: A novel DME transponder having a plurality of directional antennas arranged equidistantly on a circle each having a radial, highly directional pattern and as a group covering 360.degree. in the azimuth plane. The antennas are divided into at least two groups of nonadjacent antennas. Each group is connected to a receiver. The DME reply signal is radiated from the group containing the antenna which has received the DME interrogation signal with the greatest amplitude. The signal radiated in the direction of the interrogator is the DME reply signal, and the signals radiated in the other directions are used as filler pulses.