Abstract: A process for upgrading hydrocarbon oil including mixing hydrocarbon oil with hydrogen gas and heating the hydrogen-enriched hydrocarbon oil before passing the oil through a cavitation apparatus to induce hydrotreating. Hydrotreating is achieved by hydrodynamically generating hydrogen-filled cavitation bubbles and collapsing the bubbles in the hydrocarbon oil under static pressure. The hydrotreating process can increase the API gravity of the hydrocarbon oil and reduce the viscosity of the hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: A reactor is used for degumming vegetable oil to increase yield and reduce phosphatides. The reactor includes an annular obstruction with multiple circumferential spacers that form ring gaps around a center body having a tapered surface. The circumferential spacers and ring gaps form decompression stages for explosively mixing the oil with degumming agents. Impurities are transferred to the degumming agents and further separation of the components can be carried out to produce a refined oil product.

Abstract: A coupling-in apparatus is provided for coupling light from a light-emitting diode (1) into a fiber entry end (5) of at least one optical fiber (3). The coupling-in apparatus has a changing device (7) and a first light-guide element (13-19) arranged on the changing device (7). The first light-guide element (13-19) has specific transmission properties, an entry end (27) and an exit end (29). The changing device (7, 107) can be arranged and moved into a position with respect to the light-emitting diode (1) and the fiber entry end (5) such that the entry end (27) of the light-guide element (13-19) lies opposite the light-emitting diode (1) and the exit end (29) of the light-guide element (13-19) lies opposite the fiber entry end (5).

Abstract: A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster includes a lower rail (5) and an upper rail (3) which is guided therein such that it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction, and at least one bearing element (30) which is arranged between the upper rail (3) and the lower rail (5) and is in contact with the upper rail (3) and the lower rail (5). At least one additional supporting element (20) is provided which is in contact with the upper rail (3) and the lower rail (5) and has a rotatable supporting roller (22). The supporting roller (22) can be rotated about a rotational axis (A) which runs in the vertical direction. The at least one supporting element (20) includes a supporting spring (26) which loads the supporting roller (22) in the vertical direction. A vehicle seat (1) with the longitudinal adjuster is also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining an illumination beam dose in surgical field illumination. Said method comprises the following steps: at least one actual illumination-relevant value is sensed; and an illumination beam dose is calculated from said sensed actual value. Sensing of the actual illumination-relevant value includes sensing of a value of at least one adjustable parameter of an illumination device. Furthermore, simulated dose characteristics associated with the adjustable parameter are selected, at least one simulated dose value is calculated taking into account the value of the adjustable parameter and the associated simulated dose characteristics, and the illumination beam dose is calculated taking into account the at least one simulated dose value. Also disclosed are an apparatus, a computer program product, and a surgical microscope for carrying out said method.

Abstract: An illumination arrangement includes illumination optics defining an optical axis and a light source for generating at least one illumination beam path for illuminating an object field at a specific illumination angle with a viewing beam path. At least one mirror is provided in the illumination beam path for deflecting light from the light source and the mirror has a longitudinal extent along the optical axis. A light-emitting surface region of the light source is variable (x) perpendicular to the optical axis without movable components. The illumination optics are embodied in such a way for obtaining a desired illumination that an illumination pupil is imaged within the longitudinal extent of the mirror.

Abstract: An illumination device for an optical viewing apparatus has a light source including a first individual light source and a second individual light source arranged in a plane. The first individual light source has a first midpoint and the second individual light source has a second midpoint. An axial direction is defined by a vector from the second midpoint to the first midpoint. An illumination optical unit defines an optical axis which is arranged perpendicularly to the plane and intersects the plane at an intersection point. The light source is imaged toward infinity by the illumination optical unit. The first individual light source has an extent along the axial direction. The midpoint is offset by an amount (?) in a positive direction along the axial direction relative to the intersection. The relationship 0.1*L1???1*L1 is satisfied for the offset.

Abstract: An illumination device for an optical viewing apparatus defines an illumination beam path and includes an illumination light source having mutually independently controllable individual light sources arranged in a first plane in a two-dimensional array. The illumination device defines an illumination beam path and includes illumination optics defining an optical axis. The illumination optics form a second plane conjugated with respect to the first plane. A diaphragm unit is arranged in the second plane. The diaphragm unit has a plurality of apertures and the apertures are assigned to corresponding ones of the individual light sources.

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: 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 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 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 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 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.