Abstract: The invention provides a heat resistant aerogel insulation composite comprising an insulation base layer comprising hydrophobic aerogel particles and an aqueous binder, and a thermally reflective top layer comprising a protective binder and an infrared reflecting agent. The invention also provides a method of preparing a heat resistant aerogel insulation composite, as well as methods of preparing an aerogel binder composition and aerogel binder compositions so prepared.

Abstract: Nuclear-halogenated benzotrichlorides are prepared in a particularly advantageous manner from the corresponding nuclear-halogenated benzotrifluorides by reacting nuclear-halogenated benzotrifluorides with silicon tetrachloride in the presence of catalytic amounts of aluminium trichloride.

Abstract: A hydraulic strut for a motor vehicle for providing a movement guiding and dampening function can generally have a cylinder, with a piston disposed in the cylinder to divide the cylinder into at least first and second chamber portions, with a piston rod extending from the piston out of the cylinder. The cylinder can be sealed at both ends, and can preferably be filled with hydraulic fluid. The piston can preferably define a flow connection between the two fluid chambers, and this flow connection can typically have some sort of valve arrangement therein for controlling flow of fluid between the first and second chamber portions.

Abstract: A compartment confining construction comprises an opening and a closure unit movably mounted on the compartment confining construction for movement between a closing position and a fully opened position with respect to the opening. A fluid-based positioning unit is connected to both the compartment confining construction and the closure unit, the fluid-based positioning unit having two working chambers interconnected by at least one flow path, a movement of the closure unit corresponding to a flow of fluid from one chamber to another through the at least one flow path. A fluid flow control device is provided for controlling the flow of fluid through the at least one flow path and thereby controlling the movement of the closure unit. The fluid flow control device is actuatable by an electric actuating device. The flow of liquid occurs in response to movement of the closure unit when the closure unit is moved by an external force.

Abstract: According to an illustrative example, a steering column is capable of telescopic length adjustment. A positioning device is provided for securing the steering column in a selected length position. The positioning device is selectively locked and unlocked by an electric mover fastened to the positioning device. The mover is controlled through a flexible line from a push button. The push button is easily accessible to the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A novel process for the preparation of benzodioxoles of the formula (I) ##STR1## in which Hal represents a chlorine atom or a fluorine atom, from dichlorobenzodioxole using stoichiometric quantities of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid.

Abstract: A steering column of a motor vehicle is composed of two telescopically and torque transmittingly interengaging steering column tubes. These tubes are mounted in bearings. A steering wheel is allocated to a first steering column tube. The other steering column tube is connected with a steering gear box. A cylinder piston device is provided within at least one of the two steering column tubes. This cylinder piston device can be locked in a plurality of positions, such as to define a plurality of variable lengths of the steering column.

Abstract: In the case of an item of seating furniture, particularly an office chair, comprising at least one seat adjusting device, for example for adjusting the height of the seat, with a spring element engaging the two parts of the seat which are to be adjusted in respect of each other, particularly a pressurized fluid filled spring, and with a locking device for the separable fixing of the two seat parts in whatever is the desired and selected adjusted position, the use of an electrical actuating element for the locking device is proposed, which is connected to a manually operable control means for the at least one seat adjustment, this allowing simplified operation with minimal structural expenditure.

Abstract: According to an illustrative example of the invention, a gas spring comprises a cylinder and a piston rod. The piston rod is axially movable with respect to the cylinder and has a fastening eye mounted on the outer end of the piston rod. A tubular protection member surrounds an end portion of the cylinder adjacent to the end of the cylinder which is passed by the piston rod. The other end of the protection tube surrounds a holding disk fixed to the piston rod adjacent to the fastening eye. The protection tube and the piston rod define an air space therebetween. The air space is substantially tight against a liquid treating agent, such as a lacquer. On the other hand, the air space is in air flow connection with the surrounding atmosphere so that in response to axial movement of the piston rod with respect to the cylinder, excesssive pressure within the air space is prevented.

Abstract: A steering column of a motor vehicle is composed of two telescopically and torque transmittingly interengaging steering column tubes. These tubes are mounted in bearings. A steering wheel is allocated to a first steering column tube. The other steering column tube is connected with a steering gear box. A cylinder piston device is provided within at least one of the two steering column tubes. This cylinder piston device can be locked in a plurality of positions, such as to define a plurality of variable lengths of the steering column.

Abstract: In a gas spring the piston rod is guided through one end of a container. Adjacent to this one end two sealings are provided in axial direction one behind the other, namely an axially outer sealing and an axially inner sealing. A liquid chamber is defined between the axially outer sealing and the axially inner sealing. The axially inner sealing comprises a sealing ring of elastomeric material. This sealing ring comprises a radially outer root portion and a radially inner lip portion. The root portion engages an internal circumferential surface of the container tube. The lip portion engages an external circumferential surface of the piston rod. The axial dimension of the root portion is substantially larger than the axial dimension of the lip portion. The sealing ring may be deflected by pressure differences on both sides of the sealing ring such that a fluid exchange is possible between both axial sides of the sealing ring when the pressure difference exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a 2-alkylsulphonylalkylenepyrimidine optionally substituted in 5- and/or 6-positions of the formula ##STR1## comprising (1) reacting an ammonium halide, alkylmercaptan and chloroalkylenenitrile in the presence of an acid acceptor; (2) mixing an ester with an alkyl acetate in the presence of an alcoholic alcoholate solution and an inert diluent; mixing (1) and (2); after completion of reaction removing the alcohol; adding water and an acid to the residue; optionally concentrating the mixture; and, without further purification and/or isolation, reacting the mixture with hydrogen peroxide at a temperature between approximately -20.degree. C. and +100.degree. C. in the presence of a catalytic amount of a vanadium, tungsten or molybdenum salt, in the presence of water as a diluent.

Abstract: 2,3-Dichlorobutadiene-(1,3) is obtained from 2,3,4-trichlorobutene-1 by dehydrohalogenation in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, an inhibitor and oxygen according to an improved process in which the aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide is added to the mixture of trichlorobutene, catalyst, inhibitor and optionally water, and the reaction is carried out at a temperature of from -10.degree. to +60.degree. C. under an inert gas which contains from 0.1 to 8% by weight of oxygen.

Abstract: A new catalyst which can be prepared from certain aluminosilicates and certain clay minerals, a process for its preparation and a process for the skeletal isomerization of n-alkenes to iso-alkenes which is carried out in the presence of this catalyst.

Abstract: An interrupter for internal combustion engines includes fixed reed-switch type contact means which are caused to be opened and closed at the proper points of time by means of magnetic fields generated by a rotatable formed by magnetic particles and an insulating binder and armature having alternating magnetic field zones and zones which do not produce significant magnetic fields. The reed-switch contact means are enclosed in a multifunction housing.