Abstract: A measuring assembly for detecting particles of a particle flow in a gas flow path, including an ionization stage which has an ionization device by which the particles to be detected can be ionized or are ionized. The measuring assembly further has measuring stage with a detector which detects the ionized particles of the particle flow, the detector has at least one electrode to which particles release the charge received at the ionization device. The released charge can be measured via an electric resistor connected to the at least one electrode. This provides an inexpensive and reliable measuring assembly which has a low susceptibility to errors in that the at least one electrode of the detector is designed as a microsystem. In order to improve the measurement of the charge carried by the ionized gas, the pores of a filter substrate are metallized and electrically connected to the resistor.

Abstract: A method for producing an arc detection signal on the basis of a plurality of observation signals comprises producing an arc detection part-signal for each of at least two observation signals. Producing each of the part-signals includes correlating the respective observation signal with a correlation signal by influencing the correlation signal with the respective observation, thereby producing a correlation result; producing or modifying a coefficient on the basis of the correlation result; and weighting the respective observation signal with the coefficient. The arc detection part-signals are added to form the arc detection signal.

Abstract: A measuring assembly (1) for detecting particles of a particle flow (2) in a gas flow path (3), including an ionization stage (10) which has an ionization device (11) by which the particles to be detected can be ionized or are ionized. The measuring assembly (1) further has a measuring stage (20) with a detector (21) which detects the ionized particles of the particle flow (2), said detector (21) has at least one electrode (22) to which particles release the charge received at the ionization device (11). The released charge can be measured via an electric resistor (23, 30) connected to the at least one electrode (22). This provides an inexpensive and reliable measuring assembly (1) which has a low susceptibility to errors in that the at least one electrode of the detector is designed as a microsystem. In order to improve the measurement of the charge carried by the ionized gas, the pores of a filter substrate are metallized and electrically connected to the resistor.

Abstract: A method for matching the impedance of the output impedance of a high-frequency power supply arrangement to the impedance of a plasma load includes, in a first impedance matching mode, matching the impedance of the output impedance of the high-frequency power supply arrangement by changing the frequency of the high-frequency signal produced. If the frequency is outside a specified frequency range, in a second impedance matching mode the impedance of the output impedance of the high-frequency power supply arrangement is matched by mechanically or electrically modifying a circuit which is arranged downstream of the high-frequency signal producer.

Abstract: The invention describes a heating apparatus comprising at least one heater (9) in which one or more electric heating elements (11) are arranged, and at least one heat transmitter (1), which is connected with the at least one heater (9), comprises heat transmitter surfaces and is formed from an extruded profile (1a, 28, 28a) in which the at least one heater (9) is fitted, in which at least part of the walls (6, 22, 22a) of the extruded profile (1a), which are not in contact with a heating element (11), is provided with openings through which a gaseous or liquid medium can flow through the extruded profile (1a, 28, 28a) in transverse direction to the direction of extrusion (17).

Abstract: A method for producing an arc detection signal on the basis of a plurality of observation signals comprises producing an arc detection part-signal for each of at least two observation signals. Producing each of the part-signals includes correlating the respective observation signal with a correlation signal by influencing the correlation signal with the respective observation, thereby producing a correlation result; producing or modifying a coefficient on the basis of the correlation result; and weighting the respective observation signal with the coefficient. The arc detection part-signals are added to form the arc detection signal.

Abstract: A method for matching the impedance of the output impedance of a high-frequency power supply arrangement to the impedance of a plasma load includes, in a first impedance matching mode, matching the impedance of the output impedance of the high-frequency power supply arrangement by changing the frequency of the high-frequency signal produced. If the frequency is outside a specified frequency range, in a second impedance matching mode the impedance of the output impedance of the high-frequency power supply arrangement is matched by mechanically or electrically modifying a circuit which is arranged downstream of the high-frequency signal producer.

Abstract: An electric heating system, in particular an auxiliary heating system in automobiles, in which the heating system has several heating rods (1), arranged side-by-side; the heating rods (1) are connected to each other by means of alike metal plates (4) that are slid onto the heating rods (1); the heating rods (1) have for this purpose a series of slotted holes (3) that extend in the longitudinal direction (10) of the metal plates (4); the slotted holes (3) have longitudinal edges, facing each other, that clamp the heating rods (1) between them; and at least one part of the slotted holes (3) in each metal plate (4) is longer by more than the manufacturing tolerance, than the width of the heating rods (1) measured in the longitudinal direction (10) of the metal plates (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an electric add-heater in a motor vehicle having at least one rechargeable electrochemical cell as a power source and an electric generator which is connected with the cell and is driven by a drive engine of the motor vehicle and by which an electric add-heater can be supplied with current when the drive engine is running. It is provided according to the invention that in case of need the add-heater can be supplied with current even when no current is supplied by the generator, by switching over the add-heater to at least one electrochemical cell as a power source, monitoring the charging condition of at least one electrochemical cell, and interrupting the power supply of the electric add-heater realized by the at least one monitored electrochemical cell again when the charging condition of the at least one monitored electrochemical cell has dropped below a lower limit value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heater comprising at least one electric heating element and at least one heat-dissipating panel that has holes through which a fluid to be heated can flow, The heat-dissipating panel is heat conductively connected at the at least one heating element and is provided with a front side facing the heating element and a rear side. In an area lying across from the heating element, the heat-dissipating panel has a cross-section that is open towards the heating element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process control system having measuring devices and actuators. All of the measuring devices and actuators process information and exchange data amongst themselves. All measuring devices and actuators are interconnected to enable a bi-directional data exchange. Several, or all of the measuring devices and actuators can exchange data with a service unit that can be connected to the devices and actuators. The invention also relates to a method for operating a process control system of this type.

Abstract: A electric circuit includes a connection to a current source, an electric load, and a thermal-mechanical fuse which, in the case of failure at an excessive heat emission, interrupts the current supply to the load, which is effectuated by a feeder in which is arranged a spring having two ends, at least one end is soldered to a solder point provided in the feed line. The one solder point is under a mechanical pretension caused by the restoring force of a spring, that separates the solder joint between the spring and the solder point in the feed line, when the solder melts at the solder point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an electric add-heater in a motor vehicle having at least one rechargeable electrochemical cell as a power source and an electric generator which is connected with the cell and is driven by a drive engine of the motor vehicle and by which an electric add-heater can be supplied with current when the drive engine is running. It is provided according to the invention that in case of need the add-heater can be supplied with current even when no current is supplied by the generator, by switching over the add-heater to at least one electrochemical cell as a power source, monitoring the charging condition of at least one electrochemical cell, and interrupting the power supply of the electric add-heater realized by the at least one monitored electrochemical cell again when the charging condition of the at least one monitored electrochemical cell has dropped below a lower limit value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing technical devices, especially pumps and valves, which are arranged within an installation used in the processing industry. According to said method, disturbance variables that affect the devices and influence the service life thereof are detected by means of sensory technology while the data of said disturbance variables is processed in a simulative manner in order to determine the expected service life of each device. Various maintenance instructions which are output along with the expected remaining trouble-free operating time of the industrial installation when a lower service life threshold value of one or several devices has been reached are stored in an expert unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for protection of a machine-controlled handling appliance having moving parts, having a safety sensor system for detection of objects in the working area of the handling appliance, having a safety controller which interacts with the handling appliance controller and in the process controls safety-relevant handling appliance functions as a function of signals from the safety sensor system. The safety sensor system has non-contacting proximity sensors so that a safety-relevant part of the working area of the handling appliance is covered by the detection areas of the proximity sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a measuring device, especially a flowmeter. The aim of the invention is to simplify inspection if the sensors have been correctly installed. For this purpose, the installation state is detected by the sensors themselves, i.e. by sensing a corresponding sensor value and comparing it with characteristic data. The result of comparison is electronically evaluated and automatically estimated whether the characteristic data obtained match the comparative data within at least a defined tolerance.

Abstract: A electric circuit includes a connection to a current source, an electric load, and a thermal-mechanical fuse which, in the case of failure at an excessive heat emission, interrupts the current supply to the load, which is effectuated by a feeder in which is arranged a spring having two ends, at least one end is soldered to a solder point provided in the feed line. The one solder point is under a mechanical pretension caused by the restoring force of a spring, that separates the solder joint between the spring and the solder point in the feed line, when the solder melts at the solder point.

Abstract: A method for operating a device in which typically a very high current is generated when the device is turned on compared to the rated current, e.g. an analogue operated PTC heating device for a mobile device, such as a vehicle, is disclosed. In this method, the power on the device is increased in a defined limited manner or in a ramp-like manner in the connection phase to avoid a high current when the device is switched on.

Abstract: A vortex flowmeter is disclosed, which includes, among other features, a closed measuring tube, through which a flowable medium that is to be quantitatively measured flows, the medium flowing against a disturbing element that is arranged in the measuring tube. A vibration sensor is arranged downstream in the direction of flow detecting the vortex frequency generated by the disturbing element. An electronic evaluation unit is disposed downstream of the vibration sensor converting it into an electric signal corresponding to the quantitative flow rate or volumetric flow rate. The relative position can be changed between the measuring tube and the disturbing element and/or the measuring tube and the vibration sensor in a signal-optimizing manner.

Abstract: The invention describes a heating apparatus comprising at least one heater (9) in which one or more electric heating elements (11) are arranged, and at least one heat transmitter (1), which is connected with the at least one heater (9), comprises heat transmitter surfaces and is formed from an extruded profile (1a, 28, 28a) in which the at least one heater (9) is fitted, in which at least part of the walls (6, 22, 22a) of the extruded profile (1a), which are not in contact with a heating element (11), is provided with openings through which a gaseous or liquid medium can flow through the extruded profile (1a, 28, 28a) in transverse direction to the direction of extrusion (17).