Abstract: Commutation device to connect and disconnect a current or voltage generator and a coil adapted to create a gradient of magnetic field in a measurement chamber of an NMR apparatus. The device comprises a switch (1) mounted in the supply circuit (2) of the coil (3), actuated by a control signal and adapted, in open position, to isolate totally the coil (3) from the generator (4). The switch is a double switch (1) adapted to separate, upon opening, the supply circuit (2) into a portion (5) connected to the generator (4) and a portion (6) connected to the coil (3), independently of each other. Alternatively the switch can be a high speed switch comprising at least one field effect transistor.

Abstract: A multiple piston pump with a constant discharge capacity for liquid chromatographs comprises at least three piston-cylinder units (1,2,3), whereof the pistons (7) are driven through a non-linear drive by a motor (23) with a mutual phase displacement of 360.degree./n, when n represents the number of piston-cylinder units. A regulating system varies the speed of the motor (23) during each period or cycle of the piston movement in such a manner as to compensate for the non-linear drive so that the pressure of the liquid conveyed during each period or cycle remains at least approximately constant. The motor (23) can be constructed as a stepping motor, which is supplied with current pulses whereof the frequency determines the speed of the motor.