Abstract: A commutator-type d-c motor has its line current connected through a sensing resistor (18) or transformer (18'), the pulses of which, upon energization, are counted in a counter (C) and also passed to a speed sensing circuit (S) in a control circuit (30), energization of the motor being disconnected if the frequency of undulations or waviness of the motor current drops, thus indicating that the positioned element, for example an antenna, window, or sliding roof of an automobile has reached a limiting position. The counter can be used to establish intermediate positions, upon suitable control by a selector switch (27) or a reference count number stage (C-Ref) controlled, for example, by a potentiometer (P) or from the selector switch (27). A timing circuit (T) prevents short-circuit through the motor upon manual sudden reversal of command of direction of rotation.

Abstract: The packing is constructed for an exchange column and is provided with corrugated lamellae which have steep portions disposed between the various corrugations in order to accelerate the descending liquid phase between the corrugations. The steep portions are vertically arranged between adjacent corrugations or between pairs of adjacent corrugations.

Abstract: A tray device has a plurality of chimneys which extend above the level of liquid in the tray and have vapor outlets for the passage of the rising vapor. Tubes are also provided in the tray device with liquid inlets for the passage of liquid from the tray downwardly onto the lower exchange section. The tray device intercepts the liquid trickling down from an upper exchange section and distributes the liquid uniformly through the tubes over the top cross section of the exchange section immediately below. The vapor rising from the bottom section passes through the chimneys separately from the liquid.

Abstract: In order to mount the control circuit for the ignition system at a location remote from the spark plug and ignition coil, i.e. at a location not subject to electromagnetic or electrical interference, photoconductors are used to interconnect the control circuit with the final output stage. Photoconductors are also used to interconnect the basic synchronization unit, that is the unit which furnishes a pulse for each rotation of a shaft of the engine, to the input of the control circuit. A theft prevention device is also incorporated. Specifically, the control circuit compares a sequence stored in a microprocessor to the on/off pattern of a received light pulse sequence. The latter is applied from a light emitter through a convex lens and a photoconductor to a second input of the control unit. Only if the stored pattern corresponds to the received light pattern can control signals initiating a spark be generated.

Abstract: In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, a digital system for computing the timing advance is provided. Constants approximating the curve of timing advance v. engine speed are stored in a microprocessor. The positive half waves of primary current in the magneto generate the ignition energy and also generate a reference signal for controlling the actual ignition time. The sequence of reference signals is also used to generate a digital value indicative of engine speed. The latter is used to address the read only memory in which the constants for approximating the timing advance curve are stored. After each reference signal, the value read out from the read only memory is counted down by a counter. When the counter reaches the value of zero, ignition is started.

Abstract: Clock pulses are counted to provide a count indicative of speed in a counter that is reset with every revolution of a reference mark. The difference between successive counts is multiplied by a fractional factor, which is not necessarily the same for acceleration and deceleration, then added algebraically to the current count value. The acceleration-corrected speed value is then multiplied by a parameter-dependent digital value obtained from a summing circuit to which various engine condition parameters are supplied and the output of the last-mentioned multiplier is supplied to a comparator to which the current count of clock pulses beginning with the reference mark passage is compared. When the comparator finds the match, spark ignition takes place. Another counter counts the clock pulses following each reference mark for sequencing multiplexers that enable some components to serve in more than one operation, in effect controlling the flow of digital values around various loops in the circuit.

Abstract: A disk mounted on a rotating shaft of an internal combustion engine has a signal generating segment which causes generation of a pickup signal having a leading and a trailing edge. The two different edges control different processes, as for example ignition processes of different ignition coils, fuel injection processes, or ignition processes during normal and starting operation. A basic counting value is counted down between two sequential edge signals in a counter. This is a speed-dependent value from which different countdown values for the next cycle are computed. To allow adjustment of the angle at which one process takes place without simultaneous adjustment of the angle at which the other process takes place, one or both of the edges of the segment from which the control signals are derived have slanted portions, so that movement of the pickup relative to the slanted portions will effectively cause a change in the angle at which a process is initiated.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a process for the preparation of cholesterol derivatives from corresponding 21-hydroxymethyl steroidal compounds.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of 1.alpha.,3.beta.-dihydroxy-.DELTA..sup.5 -steroids from steroids such as 1.alpha.,2.alpha.-epoxy-cholesta-4,6-dien-3-one, which is reacted with lithium in liquid ammonia in the absence of a proton donator and subsequently reduced by repeated alternative additions of a proton donator, said additions being followed in each case by an equivalent amount of lithium. The final product, a 1.alpha.,3.beta.-dihydorxy-.DELTA..sup.5 -steroid, is useful in the synthesis of derivatives of cholecalciferol.

Abstract: The packing element is made up of a plurality of corrugated plates which are provided with a plurality of apertures as well as with a fine fluting on the walls of the corrugations. The flutings are disposed on both sides of the plates. The flutings are in the form of grooves which extend at an angle to the axis of the column which is of opposite sign to the angle of the corrugations relative to the axis of the column.

Abstract: To supervise a program controlled device which is subject to stray noise or disturbance pulses, particularly microprocessor controlled automotive vehicle electronic systems, a timing circuit is provided responsive to check pulses added to the program and defining a timing interval, the monitoring system distinguishing between disturbance pulses and static defects by supervising the control pulses and, upon failure of the control pulses, generating a program restart or interrupt signal, respectively, which both initiate a new start of the program cycle or, respectively, define a timing interval which, upon failure to sense further control pulses, initiates energization of an emergency switching system. Continuous failure to receive control pulses also can initiate the emergency switching system.

Abstract: In order to permit a simplification of the crankshaft rotation sensor device which provides the computer of the control system with angular speed and position information for ignition and/or fuel injection timing, a signal generated by one pickup for every two engine cylinders from a single reference mark on the crankshaft is formed into a signal pulse which is used to trigger the counting of clock pulses from a clock into a counter. These are then periodically transferred to a computer as a numerical signal which represents the required information. In a first mode the counts are transferred every other period between pulses and the counter counts in the cycle periods between the pulses in which the counter is not transferring to the computer. In a second mode, the counter counts every cycle between pulses and the counts are transferred during every pulse itself.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pregnane derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are hydroxyl groups or readily cleavable etherified or esterified hydroxyl groups and R.sup.20 is hydroxymethyl or readily cleavable etherified or esterified hydroxy methyl, formyl, carboxyl or carbalkoxy useful as intermediates for the preparation of 1.alpha.-hydroxycholecalciferols. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of the pregnane derivatives and the intermediates thereof.

Abstract: To permit use of a simple transducer cooperating with a star-wheel, for example the starter gear or other gear on an internal combustion engine and having alternate magnetically responsive projections uniformly distributed around the circumference thereof, a counter is provided to count off a predetermined number of pulses derived from the transducer, the number of pulses being analyzed for their time duration to provide a single output pulse having a time duration corresponding to a predetermined number of teeth passing the transducer. A marker pulse derived from a separate marker element provides a reference. Signals representative of operating parameters of the engine are combined with the pulse having the length corresponding to the predetermined number of pulses, the resulting output being used to provide, upon comparison with a speed-responsive signal, an output, the time occurrence of which will cause triggering of the event, for example generation of a spark for an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A plurality of receivers which can be respectively addressed by addressing pulses provide reply pulses on a separate reply signal bus indicative of a single digit, or multi-digit binary response condition. To permit extended indication, the central station includes a holding stage which holds the output received from the reply receivers for the duration of a selection cycle during which the plurality of loads can be addressed, for example during a predetermined counted number of such cycles or during a predetermined counted number of pulses to permit averaging-type instruments to respond to said number of pulses --if present--or to permit extended indication of single digit binary output--if present.

Abstract: The layers for the packing are each woven of thin multi-filament yarns and thicker plastic monofilament yarns with the thicker plastic yarns being heat treated into a deformed state to impart a corrugated shape to each layer. The monofilament yarns impart rigidity to the layers while the multi-filament yarns provide wetting characteristics. The layers may also be of knitted construction.

Abstract: Treatment of de-A steroids with a methylation agent at extremely low temperatures, i.e., below -50.degree. C. produces corresponding 10.beta.-methyl-.DELTA..sup.9(11) -deA steroids with a high 10.beta. to 10.alpha. isomer ratio. A number of the product 10.beta.-methyl-.DELTA..sup.9(11) -deA steroids are novel compounds. They are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of known medicinally valuable steroids.

Abstract: A central station generates grouped clock pulses in recurring selection cycles, separated from each other by an extended control pulse (or pulse gap); particular loads are associated with particular counts of a central counter in the central station. The separate counts of the counters are connectable to a control bus of a combined power bus, clock bus and control bus cable system which passes by all the loads associated with the power supply. At the loads, receiving counter step in synchronism with the pulses occurring during the selection cycle. Specific loads are assigned specific count numbers and when coincidence between the count, as stepped by the counter and a pulse on the control bus, (as controlled by a switch setting at the central station) occurs, switching function, such as connection, or disconnection is effected at the load.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 9,10-seco-steroids of the formula ##STR1## WHEREIN R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently are hydrogen, amino, OR.sup.5, OCOR.sup.6 or NHCOR.sup.5 wherein R.sup.5 is hydrogen or lower alkyl and R.sup.6 is lower alkyl or phenyl; R.sup.3 is lower alkyl; R.sup.4 is oxo, ##STR2## wherein R.sup.13 is lower alkyl, lower alkoxy -- lower alkylene, tetrahydropyranyl or tetrahydrofuryl, R.sup.14 is lower alkyl or aryl and R.sup.15 and R.sup.16 are lower alkyl or taken together form lower alkylene or arylene, and n is 1 or 2 is disclosed. The 9,10-seco-steroids of this invention are useful intermediates for the preparation of steroids.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 9,10-seco-steroids of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently are hydrogen, amino, OR.sup.5, OCOR.sup.6 or NHCOR.sup.5 wherein R.sup.5 is hydrogen or lower alkyl and R.sup.6 is lower alkyl or phenyl; R.sup.3 is lower alkyl; R.sup.4 is oxo, ##STR2## wherein R.sup.13 is lower alkyl, lower alkoxy - lower alkylene, tetrahydropyranyl or tetrahydrofuryl, R.sup.14 is lower alkyl or aryl and R.sup.15 and R.sup.16 are lower alkyl or taken together form lower alkylene or arylene, and n is 1 or 2 is disclosed. The 9,10-seco-steroids of this invention are useful intermediates for the preparation of steroids.