Abstract: Apparatus for ultrasonically removing biological tissue using an axially vibrating probe, and method of making same, including a housing having an outer portion forming a handle, wherein the housing has a sleeve therein supporting a piezoelectrical transducer with planar piezoelectrical elements arranged in parallel relation with an axis of the probe. An armature is provided which operatively connects the probe with the piezoelectrical elements, wherein the piezoelectrical elements are arranged between outwardly facing sides of the armature and inwardly facing sides of filling bodies inserted in the sleeve, respectively. An intermediate layer of electrically conductive foil is located between the piezoelectrical elements and the outwardly facing sides of the armature and the inwardly facing sides of the filling bodies, respectively.

Abstract: A method for treating polluted material such as industrial waste water or polluted water from other sources, sewage or sewage sludge, or other forms of sludge, to degrade oxidizable substances therein. The polluted material is subjected to a wet oxidation process in a tubular reactor so as to decompose and/or modify oxidizable substances therein and improve the filterability of any solids present in the material. The material may also be pretreated to facilitate the wet oxidation process. Solid polluted material is preferably in the form of an aqueous suspension when subjected to wet oxidation. The wet oxidation process is performed to such an extent that the decomposed and/or modified substances remaining after the oxidation step are substantially biodegradable. Heavy metals may also be removed subsequent to the wet oxidation process.

Abstract: A method for treating polluted material such as industrial waste water or polluted water from other sources, sewage or sewage sludge or other forms of sludge, or polluted soil, to degrade oxidizable substances therein, comprising subjecting the polluted material to a wet oxidation process in a reactor so as to decompose and/or modify oxidizable substances therein and optionally improve the filterability of solids when present in the material; the material may optionally be pretreated so as to facilitate the wet oxidation process. Solid polluted material is preferably in the form of a liquid suspension, such as an aqueous suspension, when subjected to wet oxidation. The wet oxidation process is performed to such an extent, optionally with subsequent substantial removal of heavy metals, that the decomposed and/or modified substances remaining after the wet oxidation and the optional removal of heavy metals are substantially biodegradable.

Abstract: An improved vibration-responsive device is provided for monitoring the condition of a selected apparatus. The improved device is adapted to be mounted to the selected apparatus and comprises a vibration-responsive transducer capable of generating an electrical output signal when the transducer is subjected to vibrations or shock, an auxiliary transducer capable of producing mechanical vibrations in response to an input electrical signal, and means mounting said auxiliary transducer in force-transmitting relation to the vibration-responsive transducer. The device is adapted to be connected to (1) a monitoring system for monitoring the electrical output of the vibration-responsive transducer (the "primary transducer") and (2) means for selectively energizing the auxiliary transducer with an externally generated test signal. When the auxiliary transducer is energized by the test signal, it will cause the associated primary transducer to vibrate.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a force transducer consisting of a base carrying a stud which carries a set of shear sensitive elements, each having a seismic or force transmitting mass attached to it, the masses being fixed to shear sensitive elements fixed to the stud by means of a cylindrical spring clip surrounding the force transmitting masses and supplying elastic force through the elements to be fixed to the stud, the method involving cutting of slots which are parallel to the axis of the rod with a depth greater than the height of the shear sensitive elements, insertion of shear sensitive elements into the slots, pressing of a cylindrical spring clip around the slotted part of the rod, and cutting radially into the rod so as to remove the material making up the bottom of said slots.