Abstract: A process for increasing alcohol yield from grain that includes adding cellulase enzymes or a mixture of cellulase enzymes to break down cellulostic feedstock, which is typically discarded. The cellulase enzymes or a mixture of cellulase enzymes may be added to a conventional alcohol production process either through a joint or separate fermentation process.

Abstract: Described herein are processes for increasing biogas yield and reducing volatile solids in biosolids sludge. The biosolids sludge is passed through a controlled flow, hydrodynamic cavitation apparatus and further subjected to anaerobic digestion. The biosolids sludge can be treated with hydrodynamic cavitation prior to or after the sludge is exposed to a thermal hydrolysis step to hydrolyze the sludge.

Abstract: A braking system includes a moveable structure connected to a rear brake. The rear brake may be a hub brake or a disc brake. A cable to the front brake is connected to the moveable structure. When the rear brake is actuated, the moveable structure moves. The movement of the structure pulls the cable to actuate the front brake. The movement may include a translation, rotation, or both.

Abstract: An illuminating system (21) is provided for an optical viewing apparatus (1) which can be operated in a fluorescence mode. The illuminating system includes at least one broadband light source (31) for illuminating a viewed object (3) and at least one narrowband light source (37) for exciting fluorescence in the viewed object (3) and/or for background illumination in the fluorescence mode. The illuminating system further includes a light conductor (23) having a light source end inlet end (49) and an outlet end (25) facing toward the viewed object. Furthermore, the illuminating system (21, 210) includes a superposer (43) for superposing the light of the narrowband light source (37) with the light of the broadband light source (31). The superposer (43) is mounted at the inlet end (49) or at the light source side ahead of the inlet end (49) of the light conductor (23).

Abstract: A locking device for a fold-over backrest of a seat, has a locking housing in which a handle is pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position, by which handle a pawl of a locking mechanism can be carried between a locked position and an unlocked position. A blocking bolt is movable manually by a closable lock between a blocked position blocking the handle and a released position releasing the handle. A transmission element is driveable displaceably in a guide from a first end position into a second end position. The transmission element has a retaining element and, upon movement of the handle out of the locked position, is movable into a retaining recess of the blocking bolt and prevents the blocking bolt from being able to move from the released position into the blocked position.

Abstract: A light trap, a device for coupling a first beam path to a second beam path, and an illumination device for an optical observation device, as well as an optical observation device. The light trap is for eliminating or preventing stray light, e.g., in the form of scattered light. In order to be able to further improve the elimination of disruptive stray light in the form of scattered light, the light trap is configured in a special way. It has a filter element, particularly a neutral filter element, which is characterized in that an incident light face of the filter element has a concave radius, whereby the incident light face has a specific curvature.

Abstract: A multi-stage reactor system for preparing biodiesel is used to increase efficiency and yield and reduce impurities. A three-stage transesterification reaction for preparing biodiesel can include one high-shear cavitation reactor and two low-shear cavitation reactors, preferably in series, and optionally one or more separation vessels for removing waste and recycling triglyceride feedstock, catalyst and alcohol to the high-shear cavitation reactor.

Abstract: A process for increasing oil yield from grain that includes passing a grain-based liquid stream of an alcohol production process through a cavitation apparatus to apply cavitational energy to the grain-based liquid stream, wherein the cavitational energy is applied to the grain-based liquid stream prior to a distillation phase of the alcohol production process.

Abstract: A vehicle seat fitting includes a relatively rotatable first fitting part, with toothed ring, and second fitting parts, with guide segments. Catches are guided between locked and unlocked states by the guide segments and interact with the toothed ring to lock the fitting. A spring-loaded rotatable eccentric acts such that the catches interact with the toothed ring. A rotatably supported driver rotates the eccentric. An indicator is connected to the driver or to a fastening ring fastened to the driver. An adapter is connected to an operating lever and is supported on the driver or on the fastening ring. A sensor, fastened to the adapter, is connected to the fitting, detects a position change of the indicator and provides an electrical output signal. The adapter is returned to an initial position by a restoring spring regardless of the locking state of the fitting if the operating lever is not actuated.

Abstract: Among other things, an illumination device (10) is described for one, two or more observation beam paths, each with an observation device having an observation beam bundle, in particular for an operating microscope, having at least one light source (12) for producing at least one illumination beam bundle for illuminating an object to be observed (13), in particular, an eye to be observed, wherein the at least one illumination beam bundle runs coaxially to an observation beam bundle. It is provided according to the invention, in order to be able to suppress disruptive reflections, that illumination device (10) has an illumination optics (11) that is constructed according to the Köhler principle of illumination, and in which at least one reflection diaphragm (18) is provided in order to avoid light reflected from the surface of an objective element (19). In addition, a correspondingly improved observation device is described.

Abstract: A light source arrangement (101) for an illumination device of a medical-optical observation apparatus has an illumination light source (7) and an illumination optical unit (15) for illuminating an observation object (23) with illumination light from the illumination light source (7). The light source arrangement (101) has at least one luminescence emitter (3) as light source and an imaging optical unit (105) that generates an image (7) of the at least one luminescence emitter (3) with a defined magnification scale, which image forms the illumination light source for the illumination device.

Abstract: A braking system includes a brake pad that is coupled to a slider assembly that moves linearly within a guide. The slider assembly and guide are coupled to a first brake. A second brake actuator is coupled to the slider assembly, the guide and a second brake. When the first brake is actuated, the slider assembly is pressed against a rotating braking surface and the friction of the brake pad against the rotating braking surface can cause the slider assembly to move within the guide which actuates the second brake actuator. The second brake actuator then actuates the second brake. When the first brake is released, the slider assembly is removed from the rotating braking surface and the second brake actuator is released which releases the second brake.

Abstract: Disclosed are an illumination device for an observation device comprising one, two or more observation beam paths with one respective beam of observation rays, especially for an ophthalmologic surgical microscope, and a corresponding observation device. Said illumination device is provided with at least one light source for generating at least one beam of observation rays in order to illuminate an object that is to be observed. According to one embodiment of the invention, at least two partial bundles of illumination rays are provided, each of which extends coaxial to a corresponding beam of observation rays, while the partial beams of illumination rays are embodied so as to form two or several illumination spots on the fundus of an object that is to be observed, e.g.

Abstract: A process for preparing biodiesel having improved filterability characteristics including inducing transesterification of a triglyceride feedstock with cavitation to form an intermediate reaction product. Glycerol by product is separated from the intermediate reaction product before finishing the transesterification reaction in a pressurized reaction tank to yield a biodiesel reaction product. The biodiesel reaction product can be further purified by removing glycerol.

Abstract: A process for increasing alcohol yield from grain that includes adding cellulase enzymes or a mixture of cellulase enzymes to break down cellulostic feedstock, which is typically discarded. The cellulase enzymes or a mixture of cellulase enzymes may be added to a conventional alcohol production process either through a joint or separate fermentation process.

Abstract: A locking device for a fold-over backrest of a seat, has a locking housing in which a handle is pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position, by which handle a pawl of a locking mechanism can be carried between a locked position and an unlocked position. A blocking bolt is movable manually by a closable lock between a blocked position blocking the handle and a released position releasing the handle. A transmission element is driveable displaceably in a guide from a first end position into a second end position. The transmission element has a retaining element and, upon movement of the handle out of the locked position, is movable into a retaining recess of the blocking bolt and prevents the blocking bolt from being able to move from the released position into the blocked position.

Abstract: An illumination device (10) is described for an observation device (100) having one, two or more observation beam paths (16, 17), each with at least one observation beam bundle, particularly for an operating microscope, the illumination device having at least one light source (11, 12) for producing at least one illumination beam path (14, 15) with at least one illumination beam bundle for illuminating an object to be observed, in particular, an eye to be observed, the illumination device (10) having at least one illumination optics unit, which has a collector (18, 22), and the at least one illumination beam path (14, 15) or the at least one illumination beam bundle running coaxially to an observation beam path (16, 17) or observation beam bundle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical measuring system comprising a wave front sensor for characterizing a shape of a wave front of measuring light and an imaging lens, wherein the imaging lens comprises a first optical assembly and a second optical assembly for imaging an object region in an entrance region of the wave front sensor. A distance between the object region and the first optical assembly is larger than a focal length of the first optical assembly. Furthermore, the optical measuring system can comprise an optical microscopy system and optionally an OCT system for carrying out different optical examination methods at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention, among other things, relates to a front-lens attachment (20) for an optical observation device (10), in particular for a microscope. The front-lens attachment (20) has a retaining element (38) that has a retaining element (32), on which at least one lens element (33, 34) is disposed. Further, it provides a positioning device (21) for positioning the retaining element (32) and the at least one lens element (33, 34) disposed thereon, relative to the optical observation device (10), whereby retaining device (32) is disposed on positioning device (21). Finally, a fastening means (35) for fastening the retaining device (38) to the front-lens attachment (20) is provided. In order to be able to provide such a front-lens attachment (20) in a structurally simple and cost-effective manner, it is provided, for example, that positioning device (21) has at least two positioning components (22, 28), which are joined together via a joint (31).

Abstract: A process for treating hydrocarbon oil including passing heated oil through a cavitation apparatus to statically induce cavitation treatment of the oil. The oil is passed through the cavitation apparatus in the absence on non-hydrocarbon oil substances such as hydrogen, water or other organic materials and solvents. The cavitation treatment process can increase the API gravity of the hydrocarbon oil and reduce the viscosity of the hydrocarbon oil.