Abstract: The rails (10) or switch components are scanned with one or more eddy-current inspection probe(s) (20) and the measured signal of the probe(s) is plotted as a function of position. The probe(s) (20) is/are seated on a measuring head, which is guided along the rail (10). A GPS unit (26) equipped with a gyro module (32) is used as the position-signal generator.

Abstract: The liquid atomizer consists essentially of an ultrasonic excitation system coupled with a narrow bending strip of so small thickness that it does not have sufficient inherent stability for linear alignment. In the case of excitation of bending waves with several essentially parallel, closely spaced nodal lines can be generated on the bending strip. Dimensional stability of the bending strip is achieved by at least one mechanical fixing devices and one prestressing device.

Abstract: A cylindrical inset forming a mixing chamber in a binary atomizing nozzle is mounted in a housing ahead of the nozzle discharge and is provided with radial boreholes. The liquid to be atomized, for instance water, and the atomizing gas, for instance air, are fed to the cylindrical inset, with the liquid arriving axially and the gas passing radially from an annular spacing surrounding the inset within the nozzle housing through the radial boreholes into the inset. The radial boreholes are located in several consecutive transverse plans when viewed in the direction of flow and are arrayed in mutually offset manner in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical inset.

Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid atomizer includes a piezoelectric transducer element mechanically coupled to an amplitude transformer and further comprises an atomizing disk mounted at the free end of the amplitude transformer. The atomizing disk and the amplitude transformer are so mutually matched that the vibration system of atomizing disk and amplitude transformer evinces the same resonant frequency as the transducer element, preferably about 60 kHz. Furthermore, the cross-sectional transitions between the transducer element and the amplitude transformer on one hand and between the amplitude transformer and the atomizing disk on the other are designed to be low in notch-stresses. An ultrasonic liquid atomizer so designed evinces both good properties of vibrations and furthermore advantageous long service lives. It makes possible a high specific flow rate and avoids cavitation and therefore spatters.

Abstract: A dual-material atomizing nozzle comprises a housing (10) with a gas intake (13), a liquid intake (14) and with a mixing chamber (11) for the gaseous and liquid components; a rod-like insert (16) flaring into a saucer-shape opposite the nozzle exit extends through the mixing chamber (11) along its longitudinal axis (15); the end of the housing (10) which is at the nozzle exit side is thus covered while forming an approximately radial, annular-gap shaped nozzle exit slot (23).At least one convergent/divergent tube-path (28, 29; 25, 24) based on the Laval principle is provided within the mixing chamber (11) no farther than the nozzle exit (12). Thereby, and especially when a second convergent/divergent tube path (25, 24) is present behind the liquid intake (14), first the gas and also the mixture of gas and liquid will be accelerated within the nozzle housing (10) to supersonic speed.