Abstract: Various embodiments may include a measuring device for three-dimensionally sensing elongate cut-outs comprising: an assembly for positioning and fixing on an elongate cut-out of a body; and a 3-D measuring head connectable to the assembly to be aligned with the elongate cut-out for the respective 3-D surface measurement of the elongate cut-out.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a structure for positioning a tool on an elongated recess of a workpiece, wherein the elongated recess extends along a first longitudinal axis and has end surfaces on two end faces. The structure may include a plate having a cutout extending along an axis; a centering device; and a clamping device fixedly connected to the plate and the centering device. The cutout, when the second longitudinal axis is aligned parallel to the first longitudinal axis, enframes the elongated recess. The centering device includes a centering jaw movable within the cutout along the second longitudinal axis and also movable into and out of the elongated recess. The clamping device, on the side of the plate facing the elongated recess, includes clamping jaws movable along the second longitudinal axis to come into mechanical contact with one of the end surfaces of the end faces of the elongated recess.

Abstract: A medical handle for pneumatically or hydraulically driven medical instruments or motor units includes a clutch member for mechanical and pneumatic/hydraulic coupling of a corresponding clutch member and a manually operable valve mechanism for selective pressurization of a medical instrument coupled thereto or the motor unit thereof, the valve mechanism being provided with a safety device for preventing pressurization in the case of an uncoupled medical instrument or the motor unit thereof. The clutch member present on the side of the handle is provided to interact with the valve mechanism such that during or by the mechanical coupling operation the latter is automatically opened and/or enabled for manual opening, whereas in the uncoupled state the valve mechanism is closed and/or enabling is cancelled.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a structure for positioning a tool on an elongated recess of a workpiece, wherein the elongated recess extends along a first longitudinal axis and has end surfaces on two end faces. The structure may include a plate having a cutout extending along an axis; a centering device; and a clamping device fixedly connected to the plate and the centering device. The cutout, when the second longitudinal axis is aligned parallel to the first longitudinal axis, enframes the elongated recess. The centering device includes a centering jaw movable within the cutout along the second longitudinal axis and also movable into and out of the elongated recess. The clamping device, on the side of the plate facing the elongated recess, includes clamping jaws movable along the second longitudinal axis to come into mechanical contact with one of the end surfaces of the end faces of the elongated recess.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include a measuring device for three-dimensionally sensing elongate cut-outs comprising: an assembly for positioning and fixing on an elongate cut-out of a body; and a 3-D measuring head connectable to the assembly to be aligned with the elongate cut-out for the respective 3-D surface measurement of the elongate cut-out.

Abstract: A medical handle for pneumatically or hydraulically driven medical instruments or motor units includes a clutch member for mechanical and pneumatic/hydraulic coupling of a corresponding clutch member and a manually operable valve mechanism for selective pressurization of a medical instrument coupled thereto or the motor unit thereof, the valve mechanism being provided with a safety device for preventing pressurization in the case of an uncoupled medical instrument or the motor unit thereof. The clutch member present on the side of the handle is provided to interact with the valve mechanism such that during or by the mechanical coupling operation the latter is automatically opened and/or enabled for manual opening, whereas in the uncoupled state the valve mechanism is closed and/or enabling is cancelled.

Abstract: Integration of an apparatus for recording a three-dimensional image of a measurement object in mobile computer apparatuses provides additional functions. The integration can be very cost-effective and simple. Smartphones, tablet computers and personal digital assistants can be used for such image capture.

Abstract: Automated inspection system and method are provided for nondestructive inspection and evaluation of an electrically-conductive workpiece based on induction thermography. A movable carriage (15) may be arranged to translate the workpiece in an inspection location (18). An induction coil 20 is disposed at the inspection location. The induction coil is responsive to an excitation current to induce a flow of electrical current in a region of interest of the workpiece. A thermographic camera (22) is disposed at the inspection location. The thermographic camera is arranged to capture data indicative of a thermal response resulting from the flow of electrical current. A computer system (30) is configured to process the data from the thermographic camera to generate an indication of a presence of a discontinuity (e.g., a subsurface crack) in the workpiece.

Abstract: Automated inspection system and method are provided for nondestructive inspection and evaluation of an electrically-conductive workpiece based on induction thermography. A movable carriage (15) may be arranged to translate the workpiece in an inspection location (18). An induction coil 20 is disposed at the inspection location. The induction coil is responsive to an excitation current to induce a flow of electrical current in a region of interest of the workpiece. A thermographic camera (22) is disposed at the inspection location. The thermographic camera is arranged to capture data indicative of a thermal response resulting from the flow of electrical current. A computer system (30) is configured to process the data from the thermographic camera to generate an indication of a presence of a discontinuity (e.g., a subsurface crack) in the workpiece.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optical sensor is used to detect defects, which can appear on smooth surfaces, is provided. The sensor includes a telecentric laser scanner and a detection unit. The scanner includes a laser for the approximately perpendicular illumination of a smooth surface, a scanning mirror, and a telecentric optical system for guiding illumination and detection beams the detection unit includes an optical detector system, a central diaphragm, which is concentrically positioned in the vicinity of the optical detector system in the direction toward the telecentric laser scanner, a highly sensitive photomultiplier for detecting scattered light, which emanates from defects on smooth surfaces, and a slit diaphragm arranged upstream of the photomultiplier.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optical sensor is used to detect defects, which can appear on smooth surfaces, is provided. The sensor includes a telecentric laser scanner and a detection unit. The scanner includes a laser for the approximately perpendicular illumination of a smooth surface, a scanning mirror, and a telecentric optical system for guiding illumination and detection beams the detection unit includes an optical detector system, a central diaphragm, which is concentrically positioned in the vicinity of the optical detector system in the direction toward the telecentric laser scanner, a highly sensitive photomultiplier for detecting scattered light, which emanates from defects on smooth surfaces, and a slit diaphragm arranged upstream of the photomultiplier.

Abstract: A turbine installation comprising a turbine in combination with an electrical closed-loop control system. The turbine is disposed in a flow of water for producing electrical energy. The turbine includes a hollow hub and a plurality of runner blades pivotally connected to a hollow hub. Each blade comprises a hydrofoil being bounded by an inner surface and a distal outer surface, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. The blades are adjustable in pitch from a maximum pitch position in which an inner portion of the water directing surface extends substantially in a direction of the water flow, to a minimum pitch position in which an outer portion of the water directing surface is substantially perpendicular to the water flow. The hollow hub has spaced apart inner and outer surfaces and a hub longitudinal axis. Each blade is pivotally connected to the hub about a rotational axis.

Abstract: A turbine disposed in a water passageway includes a hub and associated runner blades. Each blade comprises an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is rotatable relative to the hub about a blade rotational axis. The water passageway includes a spherically-shaped discharge ring that conforms to the outer edges of the blades to improve certain turbine parameters such as cavitation, efficiency, flow disturbance, and fish survivability. The turbine hub may also include a spherically-shaped outer surface in a region swept by the inner edges of the blades when the blades are rotated from maximum to minimum pitch, as well as seals attached to the inner edges of the blades. The hub may also be associated with blades in which the chord is reduced in the root region of the blade.

Abstract: A turbine, disposed in water flowing therethrough, includes a hub and associated runner blades. Each blade comprises an inner surface and a distal outer surface, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is rotatable relative to the hub about a blade rotational axis. The hub includes a spherically-shaped outer surface in a region of the hub swept by the inner surface of the blades when the blades are rotated from maximum to minimum pitch. The hub may also be associated with blades in which the chord is reduced in the root region of the blade. The turbine may also include seals attached to the blade inner surface and an essentially spherically-shaped discharge ring to improve certain turbine parameters such as cavitation, efficiency, flow disturbance, and fish survivability.

Abstract: Durable molded construction parts are disclosed, which are prepared from hydration products of a settable construction material comprising a hydraulically hardening mixture and at least one reinforcing material subject to degradation under alkaline conditions. The construction material has an alkali buffer capacity which does not exceed 0.005 acid equivalents per 100 grams of construction material, as measured in an aqueous suspension of the construction material 24 hours after suspension formation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a building panel constructed in layers, including main layer with a mixture of binder and reinforcing additive, and at least one further layer which can be a facing and/or intermediate layer, the further layer including a reinforcement and a binder. The formation of a homogeneous transitional layer betwee the main layer and the further layer insures that the composition of the components of the individual layers changes gradually so as to provide a stable multilayer panel which was improved elastomechanical properties.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a multilayer building panel in which one layer s a main layer comprising a binder and a reinforcing additive, and another layer contains a binder and a reinforcement such as a mat includes depositing the various layers such that one layer is deposited with an excess of water for hardening, and another with a deficiency, so that the water is caused to migrate between layers and creates a transition layer providing a gradual and continuous transition in composition between the layers.

Abstract: For the identification of defects in a non-structured surface, the surface to be investigated scanned with a scanning light ray wherein the light scattered and defracted by a defect is collected on a light sensitive surface of an opto-electronic receiver. In order to also be able to detect defects in a submicrometer range, a diaphragm for reducing the scattered light components in the scanning light ray prior to reaching the surface being tested is provided in the path of the scanning ray and has at least two diaphragm edges which are successively arranged in the diaphragm so that they respectively block out or cover only the shadow region of the preceding diaphragm edge. The test installation is particularly useful in testing a mask which has not yet been structured.