Abstract: A method for determining the degree of heat treatment of a liquid product in a liquid product processing system involves measuring at least a first value representing the temperature of the liquid product within a first time period; measuring at least a second value representing the flow of the liquid product within the first time period; and calculating at least a first heat treatment index value based on the first and second values, wherein the heat treatment index value is associated with a current degree of heat treatment of the liquid product.

Abstract: A method for determining the degree of heat treatment of a liquid product in a liquid product processing system involves measuring at least a first value representing the temperature of the liquid product within a first time period; measuring at least a second value representing the flow of the liquid product within the first time period; and calculating at least a first heat treatment index value based on the first and second values, wherein the heat treatment index value is associated with a current degree of heat treatment of the liquid product.

Abstract: In a steering wheel arrangement for motor vehicles, in which a steering column (5) provided with a steering wheel (4) is pivotally supported in a holder (6) in the vehicle, the steering wheel (4) together with a first section (7) of the steering column can be moved closer to the driver of the vehicle in the event of a collision. This is achieved by means of a drive device comprising a working chamber (13) intended to act upon the first section (7) of the steering column, to which chamber a gas generator (21) is connected, which is designed to be activated in the event of a collision in order to deliver propellant gas to the working chamber (13), thereby moving the steering wheel and steering column. During the movement the steering wheel may also be lowered. The gas generator (21) may also deliver gas to an airbag (20) fitted in the steering wheel (4).

Abstract: In a steering wheel arrangement for motor vehicles, in which a steering column (5) provided with a steering wheel (4) is pivotally supported in a holder (6) in the vehicle, the steering wheel (4) together with a first section (7) of the steering column can be moved closer to the driver of the vehicle in the event of a collision. This is achieved by means of a drive device comprising a working chamber (13) intended to act upon the first section (7) of the steering column, to which chamber a gas generator (21) is connected, which is designed to be activated in the event of a collision in order to deliver propellant gas to the working chamber (13), thereby moving the steering wheel and steering column. During the movement the steering wheel may also be lowered. The gas generator (21) may also deliver gas to an airbag (20) fitted in the steering wheel (4).

Abstract: Fluid dispensing apparatus (10) for selectively dispensing desired quantities of a fluid under pressure. The apparatus includes a base plate (14) having a dispensing passage (16) extending about a first axis (18); a valve arrangement (20) associated with the dispensing passage (16), and a piezoelectric transducer (22) acting on the valve arrangement (20) to effect displacement of the valve arrangement between a first position in which the dispensing passage (16) is closed and a second position in which the dispensing passage is connected to a source of the fluid under pressure. The valve arrangement (20) includes a slide valve (24), with the slide valve and the piezoelectric transducer (22) being arranged such that during at least initial displacement of the valve arrangement from the second position towards the first position, the slide valve (24) is displaced in a direction transverse to the first axis (18).

Abstract: Fluid dispensing apparatus (10) for selectively dispensing desired quantities of a fluid under pressure. The apparatus includes a base plate (14) having a dispensing passage (16) extending about a first axis (18); a valve arrangement (20) associated with the dispensing passage (16), and a piezoelectric transducer (22) acting on the valve arrangement (20) to effect displacement of the valve arrangement between a first position in which the dispensing passage (16) is closed and a second position in which the dispensing passage is connected to a source of the fluid under pressure. The valve arrangement (20) includes a slide valve (24), with the slide valve and the piezoelectric transducer (22) being arranged such that during at least initial displacement of the valve arrangement from the second position towards the first position, the slide valve (24) is displaced in a direction transverse to the first axis (18).

Abstract: A shoe press unit comprises a support beam, a shoe element movably supported on the beam, a pressing unit arranged between the beam and the shoe element for urging the shoe element away from the beam and toward a counter element, and a flexible belt that is arranged to slide over the pressing surface of the shoe element. An oil evacuation arrangement is affixed to the shoe element proximate an upstream edge region thereof. The oil evacuation arrangement has an inlet opening located such that excess oil expelled from between the belt and the shoe element passes through the inlet opening. An evacuation duct is connected with the container for evacuating oil therefrom, and the duct is movably connected to an outlet pipe within the shoe press unit. In one embodiment, the duct is connected via a flexible bellows to a pipe fixed to the outlet pipe.

Abstract: A shoe press unit comprises a support beam, a shoe element movably supported on the beam, a pressing unit arranged between the beam and the shoe element for urging the shoe element away from the beam and toward a counter element, and a flexible belt that is arranged to slide over the pressing surface of the shoe element. An oil evacuation arrangement is affixed to the shoe element proximate an upstream edge region thereof. The oil evacuation arrangement has an inlet opening located such that excess oil expelled from between the belt and the shoe element passes through the inlet opening. An evacuation duct is connected with the container for evacuating oil therefrom, and the duct is movably connected to an outlet pipe within the shoe press unit. In one embodiment, the duct is connected via a flexible bellows to a pipe fixed to the outlet pipe.

Abstract: There is described a method of recovering energy and/or combustible gas by thermally gasifying fuel during its partial combustion, wherein the fuel and an oxygen-containing gas are delivered to a reactor (1) and caused to circulate in a closed circuit of reactants and reaction products during partial combustion of the fuel. Circulation is effected by virtue of the fact that the reactor (1) is configured as an ejector (9) at the location of the oxygen-containing gas inlet (8), so that the gas delivered to the reactor will function to drive reactants and reaction products around the closed circuit. The invention also relates to a reactor for carrying out the inventive method.

Abstract: Methods of coating piezoelectric substrates with substantially uniform layers of a semi-conducting material are disclosed including placing the substrate in a heated deposition chamber at reduced pressure and depositing a layer of semiconducting material on the substrate by thermally activated chemical vapor deposition, including admitting a gas bearing the semi-conducting material into the chamber at a pressure of between about 13 and 200 Pa and a temperature of between about 300.degree. and 700.degree.C. so that a layer of semi-conducting material having a desired smoothness is obtained.

Abstract: An electrical contact for connecting a trailer to the electrical system of a towing vehicle is disclosed. The contact includes two contact parts designed to be detachably connected together. One contact part is preferably adapted for fixed mounting and the other for mounting on a cable. One of the contact parts is provided with flat, protruding pins as contact elements and the other contact part is provided with spring-loaded, depressed, flat pins, the ends of which do not protrude beyond the outer limiting wall of the contact part. The pins of the two contact parts are arranged to be pushed toward each other to produce electrical contact between opposing surfaces. The cable-mounted contact part is provided with an upper, protruding front section, designed to be inserted behind a shoulder on the upper rear section of the preferably fixed contact, in order to connect the contact parts by means of a downward lever movement.