Abstract: A water power plant for the generation of electric current from includes a housing around which a flowing medium passes on an outer side, a stator of an electric generator and a rotor of the generator, which is rotatably mounted relative to the stator. The rotor includes a rotor ring with an annular surface and an arrangement of inwardly extending turbine blades, thereby defining a free-standing axis of rotation. The housing defines an inlet portion with a first front-side cutting edge which delimits a circular inlet opening, from which extends an inlet-side guide surface to the rotor, and an outlet portion with an outlet opening, between which a flow path passing the rotor ring can be formed. It is provided that the inlet opening has a free inlet cross-section which is maximally as large as a cross-sectional area delimited by the rotor ring.

Abstract: A water power plant for the generation of electric current from a flowing medium by means of a turbine, which includes a housing around which the flow passes on an outer side, a stator of an electric generator which operates in a low-speed mode, and a rotor of the generator, which is rotatably mounted relative to the stator. The rotor includes a rotor ring with an annular surface and, starting from the rotor ring, an arrangement of inwardly extending turbine blades, thereby defining a free-standing axis of rotation. The housing defines an inlet portion with a first front-side cutting edge which delimits a circular inlet opening, from which extends an inlet-side guide surface to the rotor, and an outlet portion with an outlet opening, between which a flow path passing the rotor ring can be formed. It is provided that the inlet opening has a free inlet cross-section which is maximally as large as a cross-sectional area delimited by the rotor ring.

Abstract: A steering wheel actuation device for retrofit mounting to a steering wheel of a motor vehicle and for applying a motor-driven torque to same includes a stator suitable for bracing against rotational movement and a rotor having attachment devices for the torque-proof attachment to the steering wheel, wherein said rotor is rotatable against the stator and wherein the stator features a U-shaped design, which extends over a curved section and forms an open section.

Abstract: An actuator apparatus (10) for operation of at least one foot pedal (8) of a motor vehicle (4) has at least one operating element (12) that is drivable for pressure application to the foot pedal (8) by means of an actuator (14), and a force sensor (16), by means of which a pressure-application force that can be generated at a contact surface (20) of the operating element (12) can be detected. Provision is made in this arrangement that the contact surface (20) is formed by a pressure-application plate (18) and that the force sensor (16) is disposed on a side (22) of the pressure-application plate (18) facing away from the contact surface (20).

Abstract: The steering wheel adapter for a motor vehicle has, for connection to a steering wheel, a rotatable retaining plate (10) with at least three retaining elements (11, 12, 13) that are displaceable within a circular segment formed by the upper region of the steering wheel (50) and whereby the steering wheel (50) is frictionally connectable to said retaining plate (10). This upper circular segment is used as a free space for coupling the steering adapter to the steering wheel, with all retaining elements that serve to clamp the steering wheel to said retaining plate being disposed within this free space so that their retaining force is generated against the steering wheel from the inside. In the steering wheel plane outside the steering wheel rim, no components are therefore required that could come into conflict with other components of the motor vehicle in the vicinity of the steering wheel.

Abstract: The steering wheel adapter for a motor vehicle has, for connection to a steering wheel, a rotatable retaining plate (10) with at least three retaining elements (11, 12, 13) that are displaceable within a circular segment formed by the upper region of the steering wheel (50) and whereby the steering wheel (50) is frictionally connectable to said retaining plate (10). This upper circular segment is used as a free space for coupling the steering adapter to the steering wheel, with all retaining elements that serve to clamp the steering wheel to said retaining plate being disposed within this free space so that their retaining force is generated against the steering wheel from the inside. In the steering wheel plane outside the steering wheel rim, no components are therefore required that could come into conflict with other components of the motor vehicle in the vicinity of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A key case for holding a key, the key having a head portion via which the key may be gripped by a user and a blade portion which is insertable into a lock, the key case comprising: a body portion having a wall which surrounds an interior space, a longitudinal axis and an open end traversed by the longitudinal axis; a holder plate having a recess for retaining the key in a manner to prevent relative rotation between the key and the holder plate; and a pivot assembly supporting the holder plate on the body for movement between a first position in which the holder plate covers the open end and the key blade extends parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a second position in which the open end is uncovered.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the inlet and outflow of fluid into a housing chamber is provided. In order to minimize the forces necessary to move the sealing body, while also assuring a reliable sealing of inlet and outlet openings on a sealing surface of the valve housing, the sealing bodies are constructed of elastic flexible loops that are unrollable over the sealing surface. In particularly preferred embodiments, magnetic means are provided for selectively moving the sealing body to open and close the respective openings.

Abstract: A flow-control valve is provided, especially for controlling the flow of water heated to near its boiling point. In order to limit cavitation at the position immediately downstream of the throttling point formed by the sealing body, preferably in the form of a rubber diaphragm, and the valve seat, a ventilating slit is provided for communicating ambient air into the flow of liquid at a position downstream of the throttling point. In particularly preferred embodiments, the ventilating slit is formed between a thin inner tube and an outer tube, which outer tube has an upper end forming the valve seat. In particularly preferred embodiments, the cross section for the flow at the position where the ventilating air is introduced, is smaller than the throttling point cross section.

Abstract: A solenoid valve is provided which includes an axially movable solenoid plunger for moving an elastic diaphragm away from a position engaging an outlet stub of the valve housing. According to one aspect of the invention, the plunger and the diaphragm are connected by way of a wire ring which engages the diaphragm at a position peripherally outside of the engagement of the diaphragm of the outlet stub, whereby the movement of the diaphragm from the closed position is accompanied by a shearing action at the sealing edges, resulting in self-cleaning of the sealing edges. According to another aspect of preferred embodiments of the invention, the sealing element which is movable along with the plunger controlled by the solenoid valve, is connected so as to initially move away from the sealing surfaces at only one side of the sealing element.

Abstract: A flow control valve is provided, especially for controlling the flow of water heated to near its boiling point. In order to limit cavitation and improve sealing characteristics of the valve, the valve seat is formed as an integral part of a plastic valve housing, on a thin inwardly protruding plate. The closure element or sealing body is formed of an elastomeric material stretched over a support plate, in turn attached to a movable plunger of, for example, an electromagnetic operated valve plunger. The closure element is formed as a tapered conical member which engages, with its tapered peripheral surface against the seating plate. Preferred embodiments of the invention relate to valve arrangements having an annular ventilating slit formed to open immediately downstream of the throttling point of the valve.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the relative position of synchronously moved valve cases in safety valves controlling pneumatic or hydraulic drives. Fixedly attached to each valve case and symmetrically disposed one to the other is a member of a metallic material, arranged proximate to the free ends of a pivotally mounted magnetic bar. The axis of rotation of the magnetic bar, which is aligned with the synchronous position of the valve cases in its basic position, is parallel to the direction of movement of the valve cases, and a swing of the magnetic bar, which only occurs in the event of a defect, i.e. if the valve cases do not operate in synchronism, provides a signal for making the monitored drive inoperative.