Abstract: The invention relates to a system for body-condition-dependent stimulation by means of function modules, e.g. an action module (2, D/A module) for stimulating tissue and a capture module (3, A/D module) for deriving/measuring bio data or bio signals, characterized in that the two modules communicate via a communication link (5) that meets hard or at least firm real-time requirements. The communication link (5) preferably comprises a real-time-capable bus to which the two modules are connected, above all an EtherCAT bus.

Abstract: An autonomously moving transport system comprising a control apparatus, an obstacle recognition device and a drive unit, wherein the drive unit is configured to move the autonomously moving transport system along a travel route with a specific travel parameter. The obstacle recognition device is configured to detect an object in a monitored zone and to transmit corresponding object information to the control apparatus. The control apparatus is configured to divide the monitored zone into a travel corridor and at least one first secondary corridor. The control apparatus is configured to determine, based on the object information, whether the detected object is located in the travel corridor or in the at least one first secondary corridor. The control apparatus is configured to adapt a travel parameter differently when the object is in the first secondary corridor than when the object is located in the travel corridor.

Abstract: An optical scanning sensor comprises a transmission unit, a reception unit and an evaluation unit. The transmission unit is configured to emit a transmission signal into a predetermined scanning zone of the sensor. The reception unit is configured to detect a reflected or remitted portion of the transmission signal and to output a corresponding reception signal. Furthermore, the evaluation unit is configured to detect at least one object in the scanning zone of the sensor based on the reception signal. The scanning zone comprises a partial zone that differs from the remaining scanning zone by at least one characteristic with respect to the transmission signal, the reception signal and/or the evaluation of the reception signal. The evaluation unit is configured to detect interference influences, which hinder the detection of the object, based on a portion of the reception signal that is associated with the partial zone.

Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor for the detection and distance determination of objects in a monitored zone has a light transmitter for transmitting a transmitted pulse, a deflection unit for transmitting the transmitted pulses in different angular positions, a light receiver for generating a received signal, and a control and evaluation unit configured to recognize a received pulse that the transmitted pulse remitted or reflected in the monitored zone generates in the received signal, and to measure a distance between the transmission of the transmitted pulse and the reception of the received pulse with reference to a time of flight, as well as to recognize the presence of fog by evaluating the received signal. The control and evaluation unit is furthermore configured to recognize the presence of fog by checking a time portion of the received signal with a fog signature corresponding to the received pulse.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for body-condition-dependent stimulation by means of function modules, e. g. an action module (2, D/A module) for stimulating tissue and a capture module (3, A/D module) for deriving/measuring bio data or bio signals, characterized in that the two modules communicate via a communication link (5) that meets hard or at least firm real-time requirements. The communication link (5) preferably comprises a real-time-capable bus to which the two modules are connected, above all an EtherCAT bus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thick material pump having a first delivery cylinder, a second delivery cylinder and an additional cylinder. The additional cylinder serves for bridging a transition between the first delivery cylinder and the second delivery cylinder. The thick material pump comprises a movable tube portion which forms a connection between the first delivery cylinder and an outlet of the thick material pump in a first state and which forms a connection between the second delivery cylinder and the outlet of the thick material pump in a second state. The movable tube portion comprises a switchable closure which is arranged between an inlet end of the movable tube portion and the additional cylinder. The thick material pump according to the invention makes it possible for a uniform material flow to be delivered in the direction of the pump outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thick material pump having a first delivery cylinder, a second delivery cylinder and an additional cylinder. The additional cylinder serves for bridging a transition between the first delivery cylinder and the second delivery cylinder. The thick material pump comprises a movable tube portion which forms a connection between the first delivery cylinder and an outlet of the thick material pump in a first state and which forms a connection between the second delivery cylinder and the outlet of the thick material pump in a second state. The movable tube portion comprises a switchable closure which is arranged between an inlet end of the movable tube portion and the additional cylinder. The thick material pump according to the invention makes it possible for a uniform material flow to be delivered in the direction of the pump outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting contaminants from a contaminated material, such as contaminated soil and animal manure, includes an extraction tank having an interior, a heating element that is adapted heat the contaminated material to a temperature where contaminants in the contaminated material are released therefrom to the interior of the extraction tank, and an agitator that is adapted to agitate the contaminated material as it is being heated by the heating element. The apparatus also includes an air pump that generates a series of positive pressure air pulses at an outlet thereof and a series of negative pressure air pulses at the inlet thereof. The apparatus further includes one or more contaminant retaining mechanisms, such as a sediment holding tank, a fluid holding tank, and a gas filter.