Abstract: An optical observation instrument according to the invention, in particular a surgical microscope or exoscope, comprises an optics unit with an objective arrangement and at least one electronic image recorder, wherein the optics unit has a first stereo channel with a first beam path and a second stereo channel with a second beam path for recording a stereo image of an object field with the at least one electronic image recorder and wherein the first and the second beam path extend through the objective arrangement.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension or damping system includes a coupling component, a torsion bar, a plurality of lever arms, a fluid based damping device, a coil spring, and an electronically controlled valve-based damping device. The torsion bar converts an external load that is transferred to the torsion bar via the coupling component into a rotational displacement of the torsion bar. Each of the lever arms is adapted to physically move with the torsion bar when said torsion bar experiences a rotational displacement, and each of the fluid based damping device, coil spring and electronically controlled valve-based damping device damps physical movement of its respective lever arm. One or more damping devices can be coupled to each such lever arm. Alternative applications for the disclosed suspension and shock damping systems can include load transferring manufacturing machinery and earthquake damping for buildings and other structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antistatic agent of the formula (I) R—SO3NR?R?R??R?? ??(I) wherein R represents a perfluorinated cyclic or linear, branched or unbranched carbon chain having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, R? represents a cyclic or linear, branched or unbranched carbon chain having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxy, cycloalkyl or alkyl, and R?, R??, R?? independently represent a cyclic or linear, branched or unbranched carbon chain having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxy, cycloalkyl or alkyl, with the proviso that at least one of the radicals R?, R?, R?? and R?? must not represent ethyl. The antistatic agent of the present invention may be incorporated in plastic molding materials to provide antistatic properties thereto.

Abstract: An agent suitable for imparting antistatic properties to plastics is disclosed. The incorporation of small amounts of perfluoroalkylsulfonic acid salt in plastic resins, notably thermoplastic resins was found to be effective for this purpose.

Abstract: A flame retardant thermoplastic molding composition is disclosed. The composition contains an amorphous thermoplastic polymer, at least one flame retardant in the form of a fully or partially halogenated sulfonic acid salt and at least on alkaline earth metal sulfate and/or one oxide having an average particle size of up to 400 nm.

Abstract: The use of zwitterionic compounds as mold release agents in thermoplastics is disclosed. Molding compositions having good release properties, preferably compositions containing polycarbonate resins are thus disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to moulding materials made from particular, quaternary ammonium salts of perfluoroalkylsulphonic acids and thermoplastics, with antistatic properties and which show no yellowing on working.

Abstract: A flame-retardant composition having anti-electrostatic properties is disclosed. The composition contains (co)polycarbonate, a flame retardant selected from a specifically defined group and a polyalkylene ether compound.

Abstract: The use of zwitterionic compounds as mold release agents in thermoplastics is disclosed. Molding compositions having good release properties, preferably compositions containing polycarbonate resins are thus disclosed.

Abstract: A method of using oligocarbonates having terminal groups containing iodine to prepare molded articles (e.g., toys and medical equipment) having high X-ray contrast is described. The oligocarbonates contain more thaan one diol unit, and have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of less than 3000.

Abstract: A process for the production of polysiloxane/polycarbonate block cocondensation products is disclosed. The process comprises reacting in the melt at temperatures of 250 to 320.degree. C. and pressures of 0.01 to 100 mbar (a) a hydroxyaryloxy-terminated dimethylsiloxane with (b) an oligocarbonate. The oligocarbonate is characterized in that its weight average molecular weight is 3000 to 24000 and the molar ratio of its OH end groups to aryl end groups is 10:90 to 70:30. The weight ratio of said (a) to said (b) in the inventive process is between 1:99 and 40:60. Also disclosed are the products prepared by the process.

Abstract: An electric heater for central buffer couplings, with a heating element introduced into a groove of the coupling head. The heating element is covered to the outside. To reduce damage to the heating elements and to prolong the service life of the heater, the heating element in the groove is filled with silicone material, which forms the outer cover and is a flowable single-component material, which undergoes crosslinking at room temperature under the action of atmospheric humidity.

Abstract: Complete feeds or supplementary feeds for fattening pigs, piglets and poultry, which consist of or contain magnesium dipropionate, are proposed. The feeds have an antistress effect in the animals.

Abstract: A growth-promoting additive for feeds consists of a commercial growth promoter as well as an aminoreductone of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each hydrogen, methyl or ethyl and R.sup.4 is an unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl or alkenyl radical or a radical of an aminoacid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calcining lime, dolomite or similar materials in which the raw material to be calcined is preheated in a preheating zone by exhaust gases from a calcining zone, cooled by means of combustion air in a cooling zone, the combustion air passing from said cooling zone into said calcining zone and then into the preheating zone. A specific improvement of the invention resides in adding fuel in the calcining zone at a plurality of spaced locations along the calcining zone in the direction of flow of the combustion air therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calcining minerals, particularly limestone, in a shaft kiln having at least two vertically spaced levels including cooled hollow supports through which a solid fuel is introduced into the kiln. One feature of the present invention resides in employing a granular coal as the fuel while other features are involved with the distribution of fuel between various inlet points, suspension of the fuel in an airstream, and the mechanical construction of the fuel conduits and their support located within the shaft kiln.

Abstract: A machine tool is provided with a measuring device having two outer steel rods each fixed at one end to the machine casing and each connected at its free end with an aluminium rod of about the same length, the aluminium rods being joined together at their opposite ends which carry an inner steel rod having a free end fixed to which is a measuring detector in the region of the ends of the outer rods.