Abstract: A testing body (1) that is provided for verifying the penetration properties of a sterilization agent has, with a compact design, a particularly high detection sensitivity and is thus particularly well-suited or use in the sterilization of minimally invasive surgical instruments that are known to be difficult to remove air therefrom thereby rendering the sterilization thereof problematic. For this purpose, the testing body (1) has a detector volume (24), which is provided for accommodating an indicator (26) and which can be connected to a sterilization chamber via a gas collecting space (4). According to the invention, the gas collecting space (4) has a multistage design, and the cross-section and the volume of each stage (14, 16) decrease between adjacent stages (14, 16) in the direction of the detector volume (24).

Abstract: A transponder device having an LC oscillator circuit, an energy storage capacitor and an integrated transponder circuit powered by energy from the storage capacitor. The device operates either in a charge mode in which RF energy is received through the LC oscillator circuit and stored in the energy storage capacitor, or in a transmit mode in which data from the transponder circuit are transmitted from the transponder device through the LC oscillator circuit by sustaining oscillation of the LC oscillation circuit and selectively modulating the oscillator frequency. The device further includes a stimulating circuit to feed energy from the storage capacitor into the LC oscillator circuit during the transmit mode and to sustain oscillation thereof, a peak detector for detecting a peak voltage level of an RF oscillator signal in the LC oscillator circuit and a pulse generator for providing trigger pulses to the stimulating circuit in response to an output from the peak detector.

Abstract: A circuit assembly for doubling the voltage of a battery includes a charge pump (12) fed by the battery voltage and controlled by a clock generator (10). The supply voltage of the clock generator is the voltage output by the charge pump (12). The source/drain circuit of a field-effect transistor (P4) is inserted in the connection between the output of the charge pump (12) and the battery (26), the field-effect transistor (P4) being ON when its gate voltage is smaller than its source voltage. Connected to the gate of the field-effect transistor (P4) is the output circuit branch (N2) of a current mirror circuit (32) through which a limited small current is derivable from the gate to ground. An auxiliary charge pump (22) is provided which receives its supply voltage from the output of the charge pump (12) and which is likewise controlled by the clock generator (10). The voltage generated by the auxiliary charge pump (22) is placed on the gate of the field-effect transistor (P4) to switch it OFF.

Abstract: A circuit assembly for doubling the voltage of a battery includes a charge pump (12) fed by the battery voltage and controlled by a clock generator (10). The supply voltage of the clock generator is the voltage output by the charge pump (12). The source/drain circuit of a field-effect transistor (P4) is inserted in the connection between the output of the charge pump (12) and the battery (26), the field-effect transistor (P4) being ON when its gate voltage is smaller than its source voltage. Connected to the gate of the field-effect transistor (P4) is the output circuit branch (N2) of a current mirror circuit (32) through which a limited small current is derivable from the gate to ground. An auxiliary charge pump (22) is provided which receives its supply voltage from the output of the charge pump (12) and which is likewise controlled by the clock generator (10). The voltage generated by the auxiliary charge pump (22) is placed on the gate of the field-effect transistor (P4) to switch it OFF.

Abstract: An improved damping modulation circuit (140) for a transponder (14) receives energy transmitted from a transmitter/receiver antenna (16) to produce a unique recognition signal in the transponder. The improved damping modulation circuit (140) includes a high fieldstrength circuit (152, 160, 174) that protects full-duplex transponder (14) from over-voltage through the use of voltage limiters (132), while still providing power to transponder (14). Low fieldstrength circuit (152) activates only minimal circuitry to provide the highest possible amount of power to full-duplex transponder (14). Medium fieldstrength circuit (152, 160) increases the fieldstrength in full-duplex transponder (14) for establishing a sufficient amount of current flow for proper modulation using only a medium amount of transponder (14) circuit elements.

Abstract: A full-wave rectifier circuit (70) includes a first transistor (N1) and a second transistor (N2) in combination to form a first transistor pair (N1 and N2) for minimizing the voltage drop between ground (88) and the transponder substrates. A third transistor (P1) and a fourth transistor (P2) operate in combination to form a second transistor pair (P1 and P2) for minimizing the voltage drop between the alternating current peak voltage (118 and 120) and the output voltage (V.sub.DD) of the full-wave rectifier (70). The first transistor pair (N1 and N2) and second transistor pair (P1 and P2) are controlled by alternating current voltage input signals (118 and 120). A series regulator circuit (70) decouples the first transistor pair (N1 and N2) and the second transistor pair (P1 and P2) from capacitive loads (C1 and C2) of the full-duplex transponder circuitry (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wireless sensing of chemical parameters is provided in which an interrogation unit (14) transmits interrogation signals. A chemical sensor (12) generates an output based on predetermined chemical parameters. The chemical sensor output is measured by a measurement circuit (10). A responder unit (16), which is powered by the interrogation signals, transmits responses to interrogation signals based on the measured data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wireless supplying of chemicals is provided in which an interrogation unit (14) transmits interrogation signals. A responder unit (16), powered from the interrogation signals, is operable to receive the interrogation signals and transmit responses. The responder unit (16) controls operation of an actuator (10). The actuator is coupled to a supply tank (12), which supplies chemicals under control of the actuator (10).

Abstract: A self-tuning receiver/decoder for reception of FSK data transmission. An RF stage with resonant circuit (10) is tuned to a first of four possible transmitted frequencies for reception of such frequencies according to interrogation at such frequencies in sequence. Threshold (18) and counter circuits (12, 16) detect each frequency shift change of transmitted frequency and accordingly retune the resonant circuit to a subsequent unknown frequency by counting through a predetermined sequence for possible reception of each of such frequencies. Provision (24) is made for latching frequency shift data bit signals accordingly as output in a format identical to the frequency shift-keying RF format received. The receiver/decoder is especially useful for miniaturized transponder operation in which it alternates between receiving and transmitting modes, and is powered by capacitively stored charge in response to continuous transmission of the first frequency over a period.

Abstract: Semiconductor circuit provides an EEPROM programming charge pump (18), and includes a leakage current measuring device (12), a plurality of interconnected current mirrors, and a current controlled oscillator (16) for providing programming power to such EEPROM. The leakage current sensor (12) generates current nonlinearly related to device ambient temperature of the semiconductor circuit, the current mirrors combining and scaling the leakage current (14) with a constant current to provide a composite current altering frequency of the oscillator (16).

Abstract: In refuse incineration, it has been determined that the legal requirements governing refuse incineration can be more easily met by maintaining a uniform depth of charge on the grate. The charging of the refuse and the transport speed of the charge produced by movable refuse feeders can be regulated as a function of the quantity of refuse in the incinerator or in its individual zones. The load of the drive mechanism can be used for measurement and control purposes for maintaing a uniform refuse depth.

Abstract: An electronic component includes on a lead frame (10) a semiconductor chip (22) and at least one capacitor (14) electrically connected to the semiconductor chip (22). The capacitor is a flat capacitor which has an overall height small in comparison with its length and its width and which is provided on its upper and lower faces with a respective connecting contact area (16, 18). The capacitor (14) is mounted with its lower face in electrically conductive connection on the lead frame (10) and the semiconductor chip (22) is mounted in electrically conductive connection on the upper face of the capacitor (14).

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is described with the aid of which a control signal can be generated in dependence upon the occurrence of an extreme value of a sinusoidal oscillation. The circuit arrangement (10) includes a storage member (22) which is adapted to be charged via a diode (20) to one of the extreme values of the sinusoidal oscillation. A discharge path (26) for the storage member (22) is present, the time constant of which is so dimensioned that within the period duration of the sinusoidal oscillation an appreciable discharge of the storage member (22) takes place. A switch element (24) controllable by the charge voltage of the storage member (22) furnishes the control signal at its output (14) for the period of time during which the charge voltage at the storage member (22) is smaller than the extreme value of the sinusoidal oscillation. The circuit arrangement can be used in maintaining the oscillations of a resonance circuit stimulated to oscillate by means of a momentary HF carrier wave pulse.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is described with the aid of which a control signal can be generated in dependence upon the occurrence of an extreme value of a sinusoidal oscillation. The circuit arrangement (10) includes a storage member (22) which is adapted to be charged via a diode (20) to one of the extreme values of the sinusoidal oscillation. A discharge path (26) for the storage member (22) is present, the time constant of which is so dimensioned that within the period duration of the sinusoidal oscillation an appreciable discharge of the storage member (22) takes place. A switch element (24) controllable by the charge voltage of the storage member (22) furnishes the control signal at its output (14) for the period of time during which the charge voltage at the storage member (22) is smaller than the extreme value of the sinusoidal oscillation. The circuit arrangement can be used in maintaining the oscillations of a resonance circuit stimulated to oscillate by means of a momentary HF carrier wave pulse.

Abstract: A process for the purification of acid-containing crude caprolactam obtained by the rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime, wherein the crude caprolactam is mixed with from 0.8 to 2.0 equivalents of a base, from 3 to 6 parts by weight of toluene, based on caprolactam and from 2 to 10 parts by weight of water, based on inorganic constituents, separating the mixture into a toluene phase and two aqueous phases the upper of which containing all contaminants and discarding this phase.

Abstract: A process for the purification of a solution of .epsilon.-caprolactam in benzene, toluene or xylene by washing with a liquid, wherein the washing liquid is a solution of .epsilon.-caprolactam in water in a weight ratio of from 15 : 1 to 1 : 3, which is used in a quantity of from 5 to 20% by weight, based on the solution of caprolactam in benzene, toluene or xylene, and wherein there are several washing stages so that the equilibrium between the two solutions can be readjusted.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of catalyst granulates from carbon black, boric acid, water and optionally nitrogenous additives, characterized in that from 3 to 50% by weight of a finely divided catalyst, which has already been used for the preparation of caprolactam and which has optionally been regenerated, are added.

Abstract: A process for the regeneration of a granular, supported catalyst of boric acid on carbon, wherein a part of the catalyst is removed from a fluidized bed reactor, in which cyclohexanone oxime is rearranged into caprolactam on this catalyst, when the "differential content in the catalyst of organic nitrogen" is between 0.3 and 2.0% by weight and is replaced by an equal amount of regenerated catalyst so that the differential organic nitrogen content remains in the above-mentioned range, the quantity of catalyst removed is regenerated with air in a fluidized bed at a temperature of from 400.degree. to 700.degree. C. and is returned to the fluidized bed reactor used for rearrangement when a further part of the catalyst is removed therefrom for regeneration.

Abstract: A process for the purification of .epsilon.-caprolactam, wherein .epsilon.-caprolactam is treated with potassium permanganate in the presence of from 0.01 to 5% by weight of water, based on caprolactam, and subsequently crystallized from toluene, benzene, ethylbenzene or xylene.

Abstract: Process for the removal of residues of solvent from crystallized .epsilon.-caprolactam, wherein the major quantity of solvent is removed in a first stage by distillation in the presence of water in an amount so that the water content of the residue of the first stage is from 0.5 to 6% by weight, and in a second stage by distilling water and any residues of solvent still present.