Abstract: The invention concerns a method of detecting a reflex of the human stapedius muscle, in particular for a hearing test. According to the method, the reflex is triggered by means of an acoustic signal, and the impedance or the variation in impedance brought about by means of the reflex at the eardrum is measured by means of a further acoustic signal. The object of the invention is to further improve the stapedius reflex audiometry method so that it can be applied in practice. To that end, at least two chronologically successive or mutually overlapping substantially identical acoustic signals are used. The information concerning a possible impedance variation at the eardrums obtained by forming the difference between the acoustic characteristics produced and registered by the signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for hydraulic power units, in particular hydraulic cylinder-piston-assemblies comprising a valve to be controlled by an electronic controller, the valve controlling the fluid path between the power unit, a pressure source and a reservoir. A pressure sensor and a circuit for differentiating the sensed pressure quantity in response to time is provided for sensing a respective output variable of the power unit. The pressure variation signal is utilized to assist operating the valve to improve the control operation, i.e. to dampen fluid vibrations or to decrease the hammering noise produced in the operation of stamping, nibbling or shearing machines.

Abstract: A motor vehicle engine is restrained by a coupling arrangement attached near the free ends of longitudinal chassis frame members from collision-produced relative motion of the engine toward the passenger compartment and kinetic energy deformation conversion takes place in the longitudinal frame members.

Abstract: A valve control arrangement for first and second inlet valves of an internal combustion engine includes two cams, one of which is optimized for operation at low speed and/or load, while the other cam is optimized for operation at high speed and/or load. The first valve is permanently driven and, when the second valve is deactivated, it is driven from the first cam by a first actuation lever. The second valve is driven by a second actuating lever after engagement actuation of a first coupling between the second actuation lever and a third actuating lever which is driven by the second cam. Another coupling between the first and second actuating levers couples the first valve with the second cam when required for optimum operation.

Abstract: Deactivatable cams on a camshaft are axially displaceable thereon by changes in pressure of a hydraulic medium in an adjacent pressure space. The deactivatable cams are axially displaced for engagement of cam-specific couplings which establish a rotationally fixed connection between the cams and the camshaft. To make certain that disengagement of the couplings will not occur until the corresponding valves are in the closed position, the couplings include claws with flanks which are inclined from base to apex so that, during the closing motion of the valves, the torque exerted by the valve-closing spring on the cam is partially transformed into an axial force which causes disengagement of the corresponding coupling when the pressure in the adjacent pressure space is reduced. To store increased pressure when engagement of the couplings is to be maintained, one wall of each pressure space is acted on by a compression spring.

Abstract: A steam power plant for producing energy from tarry residual oils from a refinery includes a steam generator as well as a combustion system heating the steam generator and having a fuel side. A fired tubular furnace for heating high-viscosity refinery residues to 400.degree. to 600.degree. C., for instance, produces gaseous and vaporous products and other components of the residue. A separating column connected downstream of the fired tubular furnace separates the gaseous and vaporous products from the other components of the residue. The separating column has a lower end and an outlet line at the lower end connected upstream of the fuel side of the combustion system for the other components of the residue.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to improve the position and feed or advance regulation of a hydraulic drive which is controlled by a proportional valve. In a first compensation circuit the flow characteristic of the proportional valve is linearized to obtain very small feed rates and a high control amplification. In a second compensation circuit the positioning error of the drive arising from the necessary overlapping of the proportional valve is compensated.

Abstract: A calibration-test member in the form of a ball plate fixedly mounts a plurality of precision balls arrayed in spaced relation in a single plane. The ball plate is of symmetrical construction with respect to this plane, the balls being so mounted within one or more cutouts of the plate or on the edge of the plate, with ball centers in the plane of symmetry of the plate, that contacting of the balls is possible from both sides.

Abstract: For path control of a plurality of drives, i.e. for driving a plurality of drives in different axes in geometrical path dependence, to obtain high accuracy it is necessary for the lag error of the drives to remain constant. According to the invention for this purpose a circuit arrangement is proposed in a cascade structure in which from the speed of each individual path drive and the control deviation determined from the actual value and desired value of the position a difference signal is formed which is integrated and added to the output signal of a P controller.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to improve the position and feed or advance regulation of a hydraulic drive which is controlled by a proportional valve. In a first compensation circuit the flow characteristic of the proportional valve is linearized to obtain very small feed rates and a high control amplification. In a second compensation circuit the positioning error of the drive arising from the necessary overlapping of the proportional valve is compensated.

Abstract: A device for uniform distribution of a two-phase flow containing a liquid and a gaseous component, in particular a fuel-air mixture in a mixture delivery arrangement of an automobile, the device being provided with a flow-in line bore arranged centrally in a housing as well as with a plurality of flow-out line bores extending essentially in a plane perpendicular to the flow-in line and communicating with the flow-in line bore. The flow-in line bore is bounded by the end face of an obturating body which is pressed into a retaining bore arranged coaxially with the flow-in line bore but beyond the plane of the flow-out line bores.

Abstract: In the particular distribution system described in the specification a first housing part has a fuel injection nozzle and an air inlet and the fuel-air mixture passes through a fluid supply line in the first housing part to a disc-shaped distribution chamber formed by a smooth surface on the first housing part and a closely spaced smooth surface on a second housing part which contains symmetrically disposed fluid discharge lines, the smooth surfaces being held in spaced relation by washers. Each discharge line has a bore which receives a hose and a hose-retaining device which urges the hose against the bottom of the bore.

Abstract: A pipe connection, particularly useful for a motor vehicle exhaust line, is provided with a spherical sealing surface on one pipe which projects into an axial accommodating space on a mating pipe. The pipes are held together by spring clamps which have ends facing each other for engaging oppositely facing recesses on clamping structures associated with each pipe.

Abstract: A method for recovering mineral oil from oil deposits utilizing conventional flooding techniques wherein the deposit is flooded with water forcing the oil to the surface of the water or absorbing the oil in the water by use of certain additives and then recovering the oil from the flooded water wherein the aqueous flooding solution contains a surface active betaine containing as a hydrophilic residue at least one quaternary ammonium group capable of intramolecular formation of an internal salt with an acid group, and an oleophilic residue composed of at least one residue of naphthenic acids. The surface active betaines provide improved recovery of oils from such mineral deposits.

Abstract: A catalytic unit for treating gases, particularly exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, containing a monolithic carrier coated with an active catalytic agent, is mounted within a housing by a flexible or elastic, heat-resistant jacket and axially extending slide members interposed between the coated carrier and the housing. The heat-resistant jacket is advantageously prestressed when placed within the housing.