Abstract: An optical measuring device includes a measuring head with an imaging optical unit and an evaluation unit, wherein the measuring head is connected to the evaluation unit by way of two light-guiding fibers, wherein the evaluation unit includes a light source whose light is guided through the first light-guiding fiber into the measuring head and wherein light reflected by the measurement object is guided back through the measuring head and into a second light-guiding fiber by means of a beam splitter, in such a way that outgoing and returning light are separated, wherein the fiber ends are in mutually conjugate positions, wherein the beam splitter and the fiber ends are arranged together in a connector that is separably connected to the measuring head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for generating a synchronizing signal for a firing-circuit subassembly to trigger a power converter valve of a controlled series compensator. According to the invention, a sinusoidal substitute variable is provided, which can be either a measured line current or the sum of a capacitor current and a valve current, such that the zero crossings of said substitute variable do not vary. This substitute variable is modified in terms of its phase position so that a synchronizing signal that corresponds to the phase position of the capacitor voltage of the series capacitor of the controlled series compensator is made available to the firing-circuit subassembly. The result, even in the bypassed state, is a sinusoidal synchronizing signal whose zero crossings do not vary, so that operating stability problems no longer occur in the transient state during operation close to resonance.

Abstract: Disclosed are dispensers for dispensing a liquid from a vessel having a pump nozzle and methods for dispensing a liquid by moving the bottle towards a pump nozzle. The dispenser is provided with a housing for the bottle, a pump nozzle which is set in a substantially stationary position in the housing and a mechanism to move the bottle towards the pump nozzle so as to cause liquid to dispense from the nozzle. The dispensers of the invention are suitable for dispensing liquid, such as spraying fragrances. The dispensers of the invention are especially suited for portable, purse-or pocket-sized fragrance dispensers.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for relieving a capacitor of a controlled series compensator as a function of the load on its arrester when high-current line faults occur. The current flowing through the arrester is used to determine its absorbed energy, from which a temperature gradient is then determined as an indicator of a sudden load on the arrester and compared with a limit value. This comparison value is processed, as a function of the determined actual arrester temperature and the measured line current, to yield a control signal. The power converter valve of the controlled series compensator is triggered in response to this control signal in such a way that its equivalent impedance is switched from capacitative to inductive. The number of disconnections required as a result of high-current line faults is thereby considerably reduced, thus greatly increasing availability of the system.

Abstract: A method and a device for recognizing defects in a triggering system of a controlled series compensator. An intervention is made in the closed-loop control of the controlled series compensator on the basis of an impedance differential (.DELTA.Z) determined from a setpoint impedance (Z.sub.S1, Z.sub.S2) and from an effective impedance (Z.sub.i) calculated from system variables (i.sub.L,u.sub.C), and in dependence upon the voltage level of a measured conduction current (i.sub.L). When the conduction currents (i.sub.L) are smaller than a limiting value (i.sub.LG), the firing is blocked in the branches, and when the conduction currents (i.sub.L) are greater than a limiting value (i.sub.LG), a firing-angle signal (S.sub..alpha.S) is generated, through which means the valve (Th1, Th2) can be protectively fired. Thus, one is able to recognize defects in the triggering system of the controlled series compensator by applying system variables (i.sub.L,u.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed are dispensers for dispensing a liquid from a vessel having a pump nozzle and methods for dispensing a liquid by moving the bottle towards a pump nozzle. The dispenser is provided with a housing for the bottle, a pump nozzle which is set in a substantially stationary position in the housing and a mechanism to move the bottle towards the pump nozzle so as to cause liquid to dispense from the nozzle. The dispensers of the invention are suitable for dispensing liquid, such as spraying fragrances. The dispensers of the invention are especially suited for portable, purse-or pocket-sized fragrance dispensers.