Abstract: The invention concerns a method for heating a paver screed (10) of a road paver equipped with a heating device, wherein the heating device comprises electrical heating elements (2), which for generating heat are charged with electric current by a current generator (1). For changing the heating power of the heating device, the voltage (U), the heating elements (2) are charged with, is changed. Thus, for controlling or regulating, respectively, the heating power the voltage charged to the individual heating element (2) is increased or reduced. By this, an energy-efficient operation is made possible and the service life of the heating elements (2) as well as of the generator (1) can significantly be increased. Likewise, the motor driving the generator (1) is spared and in case of a combustion engine, e.g. a diesel engine, also fuel is saved.

Abstract: In a device for loading a feeder rack (5) in further-processing machines such as gather-stitcher machines or gathering machines (6) for folded sheets (1), sheets, booklets or similar printed products, which has a first conveyor arrangement (15) extending in planar manner for the purpose of feeding printed products (1) standing on their edges in the form of a horizontal stack (2), a second, initially upwardly sloping conveyor arrangement (16) for drawing the printed products (1) off the stack (2) in an overlapping formation and for transferring the overlapping stream (3) to the feeder rack (5), infinitely variable drives (20, 24) associated with the two conveyor arrangements (15, 16), and a light barrier (31) arranged in the feeder rack (5), a control means (23) is provided by means of which the drives (20, 24) can be controlled in dependence on the degree of coverage (BG) of the light barrier (31), as a result of which the fill level of the feeder rack (5) remains at an at least substantially constant height

Abstract: In a device for loading a feeder rack (5) in further-processing machines such as gather-stitcher machines or gathering machines (6) for folded sheets (1), sheets, booklets or similar printed products, which has a first conveyor arrangement (15) extending in planar manner for the purpose of feeding printed products (1) standing on their edges in the form of a horizontal stack (2), a second, initially upwardly sloping conveyor arrangement (16) for drawing the printed products (1) off the stack (2) in an overlapping formation and for transferring the overlapping stream (3) to the feeder rack (5), infinitely variable drives (20, 24) associated with the two conveyor arrangements (15, 16), and a light barrier (31) arranged in the feeder rack (5), a control means (23) is provided by means of which the drives (20, 24) can be controlled in dependence on the degree of coverage (BG) of the light barrier (31), as a result of which the fill level of the feeder rack (5) remains at an at least substantially constant height

Abstract: The set-up procedure for a bookbinding machine is accomplished through the use of a portable computer with an integral data transceiver. Adjustable machine element position information is entered into the portable computer and transmitted to the machine control via a wireless data link and an operator/machine interface. Actual machine element position is sensed and transmitted to the portable computer where it is displayed. Using the portable computer and data link, the operator may serially proceed from one functional machine station to the next to perform the set-up.

Abstract: An improved computer-automated control system for a book-binding machine which provides for emergency manual control of the binding machine in the event of failure of the computer-controlled portion of the control system. The improvement includes a manually operated control instrument and a plurality of switchable coupling components associated with the adjusting devices of a book-binding machine. Each of the switchable coupling components is electrically coupled to an associated adjusting device and the computer-automated portion of the control system and is capable of being electrically coupled to the control instrument. Upon coupling of the control instrument to the switchable coupling component, control of the associated adjusting device is switched from the computer-controlled portion of the control system to the control instrument.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control system for a mineral mining installation has a series of valve blocks, each contain a number of valves which are operated in dependence on electrical signals to cause hydraulic appliances of roof supports to operate. To allow emergency operation, when there is a power failure or when the control system fails or is otherwise inoperative, further manually operable valves are connected by a flexible, multi-core connecting cable to the valve block of the associated support. The emergency control valves can operate hydraulically controllable direction control valves of the control system and by-pass the electrical controls. The support can then be controlled purely hydraulically, at least in its main functions, using the emergency device.

Abstract: The operation of an electromagnetic valve is monitored by connecting the coil of the valve to a d.c. source for a period of time sufficient to permit the current in the coil to reach its maximum steady state value then disconnecting the coil to permit the current to fall and re-connecting the coil to the source again and measuring the current which is established in the coil.

Abstract: As is known mineral, e.g. coal, is won from a mineral face with the aid of a winning machine guided for movement along a conveyor composed of individual pans joined end-to-end. The conveyor is advanced towards the face behind the machine by shifting rams linked to the pans. In accordance with the invention, the rams are connected to and disconnected from a supply of pressure fluid in a controlled manner to form a group composed of a predetermined number of rams which are simultaneously charged with pressure fluid and this group progresses along the working behind the machine step-by-step in a sliding fashion within and over larger bank-push groups of rams.