Abstract: A vehicle is provided for the independent inspection of hard-to-reach inner spaces which are bounded by ferromagnetic inner walls, especially in large cast parts, such as steam chests of a steam turbine. The vehicle includes at least two wheels which are rotatable around a common axis, are at a distance from each other in the axial direction, and can be driven independently of each other. With such a vehicle, the entire inner space can be inspected if the vehicle has adherence elements which hold the vehicle against the gravity force with the wheels on the respective inner wall.

Abstract: A process for producing a reference body (10) provided with a slot (17) as a test crack for the nondestructive testing of materials can be used flexibly and includes the following steps: a) a reference body (10) and a mask (11) provided with a slot pattern (12) are provided; b) the mask (11) is applied to the reference body (10); c) material is removed from the reference body (10) through the mask (11) with an abrasive water jet (16); and d) the mask (11) is taken off the reference body (10).

Abstract: A block polyphase filter is constructed of a set of filter blocks having different filter functions, and being arranged for parallel processing of portions of an input sequence of signals. Signals of the input sequence are divided among the blocks by a demultiplexer for processing at a clock frequency lower than a clock frequency of the input signal sequence. The filter blocks are arranged in groups, wherein output signals of the blocks in any one group are summed to produce an output signal of the filtered group. Output signals of all of the filter groups are multiplexed to provide an output signal sequence wherein the repetition frequency of the signals may be higher, lower, or equal to the repetition frequency of the input signal sequence depending upon the ratio of the number of filter groups to the number of filter blocks in the set of filter blocks.

Abstract: A demodulator, suitable for use in a communication system and in a modem, has a block polyphase circuit with circuit blocks for different signal processing functions, particularly filtering, delay, and frequency conversion. The circuit blocks are arranged for parallel processing of different portions of an input sequence of signals. Signals of the input sequence to be filtered are divided among the blocks by a demultiplexer for processing at a clock frequency lower than a clock frequency of the input signal sequence. Signals outputted by groups of the circuit blocks are summed to produce an output signal of the group. Output signals of all of the groups are multiplexed to provide an output signal sequence such that the repetition frequency of the outputted signals may be higher, lower, or equal to that of the input signal sequence. This enables use of programmable circuitry operative at reduced clock rates.

Abstract: In a method for determining geometrical characteristics (d) of an anomaly (12) which changes the electrical conductivity in the region near the surface of an electrically conducting, in particular a metallic test object (10), a considerable simplification is achieved in that, in the region of the anomaly (12) in the test object (10), eddy currents (13, 14) of different frequencies are excited, and the magnetic field (By,0), which is produced by the excited eddy currents, is scanned in the vicinity of the anomaly (12) and the geometric characteristics of the anomaly are exclusively deduced from the distribution of the magnetic field (By,0).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for filling a tubing string as it is lowered into a subterranean hydrocarbon well. In one embodiment, an apparatus to fill a tubular with fluid in a wellbore comprises a housing defining a central bore. An aperture formed in the housing provides fluid communication between the central bore and the ambient environment of the tubing string. A piston valve slidingly disposed in the housing is selectively pressure actuatable relative to the housing to control fluid communication between the central bore and the ambient environment.

Abstract: A comb-line filter and method of manufacturing the comb-line filter. The comb-line filter comprising a housing and at least one resonator. The housing comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is made of a dielectric material and the second portion is made of a conductive material. The first portion and the second portion are adapted for being attached together so as to define an interior chamber for conducting signals. The at least one resonator is attached to the second portion, and is adapted for extending within the interior chamber when the first portion and the second portion are attached. Comb-line filters in accordance with the present invention provide relatively low-cost and light-weight composite material comb-line filters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for filling a tubing string as it is lowered into a subterranean hydrocarbon well. In one embodiment, an apparatus to fill a tubular with fluid in a wellbore comprises a housing defining a central bore. An aperture formed in the housing provides fluid communication between the central bore and the ambient environment of the tubing string. A piston valve slidingly disposed in the housing is selectively pressure actuatable relative to the housing to control fluid communication between the central bore and the ambient environment.

Abstract: A bi-directional plug blocks the flow of fluid through a flow bore of a tubing string and can be opened by simple mechanical means requiring no external tools. A piston is slidably mounted in a piston housing and fixed in a first position with a plurality of shear screws. An atmospheric chamber formed within the piston housing creates a pressure differential causing the shear screws to fail when a certain pressure is applied to the surface area of the piston. When the shear screws break, the piston accelerates and strikes a scored, dome-shaped plug. The piston penetrates the plug, permanently pressing and housing pieces of the plug against the wall of a plug housing and opening the flow bore of the plug to fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant gene sequences for synthesizing a protein having the biological activity of the PilC protein. Furthermore, the invention relates to DNA recombinant methods for the production of proteins having the biological activity of the PilC protein as well as the tools of molecular biology needed therein. Besides, the invention relates to proteins having the biological activity of the PilC protein and its antibodies. Further embodiments of the invention are pharmaceutical compositions with a content of the mentioned proteins or antibodies. Preferably, these pharmaceutical compositions serve as vaccines for the immunization against pathogenic bacteria bearing type 4 pili. The invention also relates to kits for the detection of bacteria bearing type 4 pili or antibodies directed against them containing the mentioned proteins or antibodies. Finally, the invention relates to cellular receptors for bacteria bearing type 4 pili and analogues thereof.

Abstract: Oil and other contaminants are removed from a surface of liquid e.g. in a settling tank of an internal combustion engine by a system incorporating a pump for circulating liquid through an annular nozzle disposed above the surface by floats. The nozzle directs a stream of liquid on to the surface and this stream carries contaminant below the surface where it is received by a nozzle communicating with a source of suction.