Abstract: Device (10) for manufacturing a component compound by resistance welding, comprises a welding electrode (12) for transmitting an electric current to a joining element (17) and for exerting a joining force onto the joining element (17) along a joining direction (22) in order to establish a connection of the joining element (17) with a structural element by resistance welding; as well as a positioning device (20) for positioning at least one joining element (17) on the axis of the joining direction (22) in order to contact and particularly apply a force to the joining element (17) by means of the welding electrode (12). The positioning device (20) comprises a retention device (30) for exerting a retention force onto the joining element (17), wherein the retention device (30) is movably arranged.

Abstract: Device (10) for manufacturing a component compound by resistance welding, comprises a welding electrode (12) for transmitting an electric current to a joining element (17) and for exerting a joining force onto the joining element (17) along a joining direction (22) in order to establish a connection of the joining element (17) with a structural element by resistance welding; as well as a positioning device (20) for positioning at least one joining element (17) on the axis of the joining direction (22) in order to contact and particularly apply a force to the joining element (17) by means of the welding electrode (12). The positioning device (20) comprises a retention device (30) for exerting a retention force onto the joining element (17), wherein the retention device (30) is movably arranged.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic system comprising a plurality of circuit lines and an error detection component for detecting errors on and between the plurality of circuit lines, wherein each circuit line having a voltage different to ground level, the error detection component being adapted to perform a test routine comprising the steps of: —selecting one circuit line out of the plurality of circuit lines; —determining the voltage of the selected circuit line and storing the voltage value; —discharging the selected circuit line to ground level; —iteratively repeating the aforementioned steps of selecting a circuit line, determining and storing its voltage and discharging for further circuit lines; —comparing the stored voltage values associated with the respective circuit lines with a threshold value; and —generating an error indicator if at least one stored voltage value is below the threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic system comprising a plurality of circuit lines and an error detection component for detecting errors on and between the plurality of circuit lines, wherein each circuit line having a voltage different to ground level, the error detection component being adapted to perform a test routine comprising the steps of: —selecting one circuit line out of the plurality of circuit lines; —determining the voltage of the selected circuit line and storing the voltage value; —discharging the selected circuit line to ground level; —iteratively repeating the aforementioned steps of selecting a circuit line, determining and storing its voltage and discharging for further circuit lines; —comparing the stored voltage values associated with the respective circuit lines with a threshold value; and —generating an error indicator if at least one stored voltage value is below the threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel form of cross-linked high amylose starch and processes for its manufacture. Such cross-linked high amylose starch is useful as an excipient in a controlled-release pharmaceutical formulation when compressed with pharmaceutical agent(s) in a tablet. Such cross-linked high amylose starch is prepared by (a) cross-linking and chemical modification of high amylose starch, (b) gelatinization, and (c) drying to obtain a powder of said controlled release excipient. In a preferred embodiment, such cross-linked high amylose starch is prepared in the following steps: (1) granular cross-linking and additional chemical modification (e.g., hydroxypropylation) of high-amylose starch; (2) thermal gelatinization of the starch from step (1); and (3) drying the starch from step (2) to yield a powder capable of being used as a controlled release excipient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel form of cross-linked high amylose starch and processes for its manufacture. Such cross-linked high amylose starch is useful as an excipient in a controlled-release pharmaceutical formulation when compressed with pharmaceutical agent(s) in a tablet. Such cross-linked high amylose starch is prepared by (a) cross-linking and chemical modification of high amylose starch, (b) gelatinization, and (c) drying to obtain a powder of said controlled release excipient. In a preferred embodiment, such cross-linked high amylose starch is prepared in the following steps: (1) granular cross-linking and additional chemical modification (e.g., hydroxypropylation) of high-amylose starch; (2) thermal gelatinization of the starch from step (1); and (3) drying the starch from step (2) to yield a powder capable of being used as a controlled release excipient.

Abstract: The present process concerns the production of glutamic acid or glutamate. The process of the present invention includes the following steps. Glutamine or glutamic acid rich proteins are hydrolysed. Optionally, the glutamic acid is converted to glutamate and the glutamate is isolated. The protein hydrolysate or the glutamate depleted protein hydrolysate is added to the feedstock of a glutamic acid fermentation in such an amount that the protein hydrolysate forms the major carbon and nitrogen source. After fermentation the glutamic acid is converted to glutamate and the glutamate is isolated.

Abstract: The present invention a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid composition derived from maltodextrins by oxidation with an oxygen containing oxidant. The invention also relates to a process for the production of oxyacids from carbohydrates by oxidation with an oxygen containing oxidant. More particularly the present invention relates to the oxidation of starch hydrolysates or maltodextrins having a DE of less than 20. The invention further relates to oxidation products and the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing alkylpolyglycoside compositions. Specifically the process is a direct synthesis producing compositions of highly polymerized alkylpolyglycosides in high yield. The invention further relates to alkylpolyglycoside compositions having enhanced surfactant properties. The invention also relates to mixtures of alkylpolyglycosides of preselected average alkyl chain length and controlled average degree of polymerization (DP).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a chemical method for producing meso-erythritol. The method comprises catalytic hydrogenation of tartaric acid. The tetritol mixture resulting from the hydrogenation can be separated into its components. Alternatively selected components can be isomerized prior to such a separation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for direct decarbonylation of sugars. The method is based on the conversion of the sugars in the presence of a phosphine metal complex. These complexes are added in catalytic amounts if at the same time urea or an azide such as DPPA (diphenylphosphorylazide) or sodium azide is added. Through the use of other ligands the decarbonylation reaction can also be performed in water.

Abstract: An insulator element (10), especially destined for noise insulation in vehicles, comprises an adhesive layer which is covered by a removable protective element (12). To facilitate removal of the protective element by peeling, the outer contour of the protective element (12) projects beyond the outer contour (11) of the insulator element (10). In forming a peeling tongue (13), first a protective element layer is removed from an adhesive layer of the starting material and swung into an upright position or bent back. During the subsequent cutting or punching process to produce the insulator element (10), the area of the protective element layer which was folded back is affected in part only, thus providing the peeling tongue (13). Thereafter the hinged peeling tongue (13) is bent so as to project beyond the outer contour (11) of the insulator element (10) thus offering a big enough gripping area to peel off the protective element (12).

Abstract: A brake pad assembly comprises a backplate, a friction lining secured to one side of the backplate and a planar dampening sheet secured to the other side of the backplate. The dampening sheet has at least one embossed projection extending from the one side thereof and the backplate has at least one recess in the side thereof secured to the dampening sheet and which is of generally the same configuration as the projection in the dampening sheet to receive the projection. The projection is partially outlined by at least one cut in the dampening sheet forming a cut edge on the projection which extends outside the plane of the dampening sheet to abut against the wall of the recess and compensate for excessive shearing forces caused between the dampening sheet and the backplate during a braking operation utilizing the brake pad assembly.