Abstract: A method for the operation of a panel placement system for punching presses wherein a feed slide is moved between the punching die of the punching press and a transfer position located in front of the punching press. A first connection mechanism of the feed slide, in the transfer position, seizes a panel in the rear area to advance it stepwise through the punching press in response to the cycle of said punching press, wherein the panel is gripped exclusively from above in a rear edge area which is located between the rear edge and the surfaces to be punched out.

Abstract: A filter unit for liquids undergoing freezing for a metering unit of an exhaust gas treatment unit has a housing having an outer member and a lid member. At least one filter insert is arranged in the housing. An elastically deformable casing part is provided that surrounds at least partially the filter insert. The elastically deformable casing part is a part of the lid member or of the outer member of the housing and is made of a thermoplastic synthetic material. When the liquid undergoes freezing and thawing in the filter unit, the elastically deformable casing part can compensate the volume changes caused by freezing and thawing.

Abstract: An in-ground receptacle for a fluid meter and/or a valve, comprising a continuous wall defining a chamber for the meter and/or valve. The wall is co-molded in three layers comprising inner and outer layers of plastic with an intermediate plastic layer having high insulative characteristics. The receptacle is provided at its upper end with an appropriate openable closure, substantially at ground level, and permitting inspection of and access to the meter and/or valve. The receptacle may have an annular interior rim near its upper end. The rim supports an insulative pad at the top of the receptacle beneath the openable closure therefor. The pad has a removable center portion enabling inspection and access to the fluid meter and/or valve. The construction of the receptacle is such as to prevent freezing of the fluid meter and/or valve.

Abstract: A flowmeter utilizing velocity at the surface of a fluid and lookdown level sensors is mounted within a manhole without requiring entry into the manhole by the installer. The velocity and level sensors generate first and second energy signal beams which are directed toward the same vicinity of the fluid surface which reflects the beams back to the sensors surface velocity signal representative of the velocity of scatters on the fluid surface is produced from the Doppler frequency shift between the directed and reflected first beam. This signal is modified to produce a mean velocity signal. A level signal is produced by determining the air space between the sensor and the fluid surface from the directed and reflected second beam and relating changes in the air space to changes in fluid level in accordance with the configuration of the pipe. Fluid flow can be calculated from the mean velocity and fluid level signals.

Abstract: An in-ground receptacle for a fluid meter and/or a valve, comprising a continuous wall defining a chamber for the meter and/or valve. The wall is molded in three layers comprising smooth inner and outer layers of plastic with an intermediate plastic layer having high insulative characteristics. The receptacle is provided at its upper end with an appropriate openable closure, substantially at ground level, and permitting inspection of and access to the meter and/or valve. The receptacle has an annular interior rim near its upper end. The rim supports an insulative pad at the top of the receptacle beneath the openable closure therefor. The pad has a removable center portion enabling inspection and access to the fluid meter and/or valve. The construction of the receptacle is such as to prevent freezing of the fluid meter and/or valve.

Abstract: An improved drive shaft for a positive displacement type water meter includes a flexible spring arm formed on one end of the shaft for engaging the drive spindle of a nutating disk measuring element disposed within a water meter. The other end of the drive shaft is connected to a magnetic drive which, in turn, is magnetically coupled to a conventional mechanical register. Under normal conditions, the nutating disk measuring element and drive spindle oscillate in the water meter at a rate proportional to water meter flow. The drive spindle engages the spring arm of the drive shaft causing the drive shaft and magnet to rotate. The magnet is coupled through the water meter casing to a second magnet in the register. Rotation of the second magnet is used to drive the mechanical register to register water consumption. In the event the first magnet within the meter casing becomes frozen to the casing because of external freezing conditions, the drive spindle will snap past the flexible spring arm.