Abstract: In one embodiment, a filter assembly for use in an insufflation system is described. The filter assembly comprises: a filter medium operative to filter medical gases; a housing comprising an inlet, an outlet and the filter medium, the housing defining a gases flow path through the filter medium between the inlet and the outlet; and at least one heating element being positioned in the housing and being configured to heat the filter medium; and wherein, the at least one heating element is spaced apart from the filter medium and from an inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: A fuel cell device of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The fuel cell device includes a fuel cell, a supply air path leading to the fuel cell for a cathode supply air flow, and an exhaust air path leading away from the fuel cell for a cathode exhaust air flow. The supply air path and the exhaust air path are routed through a humidifier that humidifies the supply air and dehumidifies the exhaust air. The exhaust air path is further routed through a water separator that removes water from the exhaust air to provide evaporation water. A heat exchanger for cooling the fuel cell is provided that has an evaporative cooler for cooling the heat exchanger. The evaporative cooler is assigned to the water separator in fluidic communication and is supplied with evaporation water by the water separator.

Abstract: A manufacturing facility includes a storage facility and a production facility. Workpieces are located in the storage facility in temporary storage accommodations, and are moved between the storage facility and stations in the production facility by mobile carrier units. The temporary storage accommodations may be units having a generally circular lading envelope, and an hexagonal optimal packing density. The mobile carrier units may be automated guided vehicles and may include self-navigating software, and interactive communication with other guided vehicles to permit suitable routes to be chosen, or to permit obstacles to be avoided. The facility may include a workpiece retrieval apparatus used for transferring workpieces between the storage accommodations and the automated guided vehicles, or to other locations. The workpiece retrieval apparatus may be mounted on a bridge, and may include a multi-element raising and lowering array that is biased to oppose torsional deflection of the lifting member.

Abstract: A manufacturing facility includes a storage facility and a production facility. Workpieces are located in the storage facility in temporary storage accommodations, and are moved between the storage facility and stations in the production facility by mobile carrier units. The temporary storage accommodations may be units having a generally circular lading envelope, and an hexagonal optimal packing density. The optimal packing density is such that supports for the accommodation units lies outside the lading envelope circle, but within the corner regions of the hexagons of the packing density pattern. The accommodation units have lifting fittings that are accessible from the corners of the hexagons, whether the same as those of the supports, or different ones. The mobile carrier units may be automated guided vehicles.

Abstract: A manufacturing facility includes a storage facility and a production facility. Workpieces are located in the storage facility in temporary storage accommodations, and are moved between the storage facility and stations in the production facility by mobile carrier units. The temporary storage accommodations may be units having a generally circular lading envelope, and an hexagonal optimal packing density. The optimal packing density is such that supports for the accommodation units lies outside the lading envelope circle, but within the corner regions of the hexagons of the packing density pattern. The accommodation units have lifting fittings that are accessible from the corners of the hexagons, whether the same as those of the supports, or different ones.

Abstract: A manufacturing facility includes a storage facility and a production facility. Workpieces are located in the storage facility in temporary storage accommodations, and are moved between the storage facility and stations in the production facility by mobile carrier units. The temporary storage accommodations may be units having a generally circular lading envelope, and an hexagonal optimal packing density. The optimal packing density is such that supports for the accommodation units lies outside the lading envelope circle, but within the corner regions of the hexagons of the packing density pattern. The accommodation units have lifting fittings that are accessible from the corners of the hexagons, whether the same as those of the supports, or different ones. The mobile carrier units may be automated guided vehicles.

Abstract: A system for enabling a vehicle operator to control the speed or rate of raising and lowering of a powered lift window. The actuator or switch includes a pressure responsive variable impedance device comprising a variable resistance in one embodiment and a variable capacitance in another embodiment. Increasing force directly on the variable impedance device by the user's finger or an actuator decreases the impedance which is sensed by a voltage divider which outputs a voltage which increases with increasing force. This latter voltage is compared with the output of a triangle wave oscillator and the output of the comparator is a pulse width modulated signal with pulse-width proportional to applied force. The pulses are applied to a power device (Mosfet) which modulates the duty cycle (%) of the current to the window lift mechanism drive motor to give variable motor speed.

Abstract: A slate, such as a writing/drawing slate, includes a base supporting a laminate which has an LC-layer (liquid crystal layer) formed of polymeric material holding micro-volumes of liquid crystal material, a conductive layer on one surface of the LC-layer, and a substantially transparent protective overlayer on the other surface of the LC-layer, apparatus for transitory application of potential through the LC-layer to the conductive layer to produce an image on the image-displaying surface area, and apparatus secured to the base to facilitate erasing of the image. In preferred embodiments the other surface of the LC-layer is substantially conductor-free.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a base supporting a laminate which has an LC-layer (liquid crystal layer) formed of polymeric material holding micro-volumes of liquid crystal material, and a conductive layer on one surface of the LC-layer, the other surface of the LC-layer being substantially conductor-free, and apparatus for transitory application of potential through the LC-layer to the conductive layer to produce an image.

Abstract: An arrangement for gasification of fuels within the range from fine grain fuel to dust shaped fuels, in a dust cloud with gas comprises a gasification reactor provided with at least two burners, a supply container for accommodating a fuel, a distributor connected to the supply container for receiving the fuel from the supply container, and a plurality of conduits connected with the distributor and supplying the fuel from the latter to the burners, the conduits having a different geometrical parameter including at least one of a length and a direction.

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring pressure pulses in gas/particulate material media flowing through pipelines and/or containers includes an annular metallic housing which surrounds a flow passage and has in its interior an annular chamber which extends around the flow passage and is separated therefrom by a barrier layer of a wear resistant and porous material. Connecting ports for connecting the annular chamber respectively to a pulse conduit leading to a pressure measuring device and to a source of a rinsing gas open into the annular chamber.

Abstract: A Venturi tube which is especially suited for the differential pressure measurement of flowing gas/particulate material media with high dust loading at temperatures exceeding 100.degree. C. and at elevated pressures includes a pressure-resistant metallic jacket and an inner lining of wear-resistant porous material which is accommodated in the jacket and bounds a flow-through passage with the Venturi configuration. Respective annular chambers are situated at the inlet region and at the smallest-diameter region of the flow-through passage, there annular chambers being separated from the flow-through passage by respective layers of wear-resistant porous material and being connected by respective pulse conduit with a differential pressure measuring device.