Abstract: A magnesium alloy material includes magnesium; more than 1 wt. % manganese; and at least one sp-metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, cadmium, mercury, gallium, indium, thallium, germanium, tin, lead, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth, wherein the manganese and the at least one sp-metal together are a maximum of 5 wt. % of the alloy material. The magnesium materials are resistant to corrosion and are especially useful in articles exposed to aqueous electrolytes during use or production.

Abstract: An object detection device for detecting objects in a rear lateral area of a vehicle includes zero-contact radiation-based scanners for scanning such area, and an evaluation unit connected to the scanners. According to the invention, the evaluation unit evaluates the time sequence of the scanning information from two or more strip-shaped portions of the area under observation, with horizontal components that are differently inclined to the lengthwise direction of the vehicle or are offset from one another in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle. The evaluation unit distinguishes objects moving in the travel direction of the vehicle from standing and oncoming objects, based on the response sequence for the portion under observation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining engine oil servicing dates for a motor vehicle engine as a function of recorded engine operating parameters. According to the invention, the number of engine revolutions and at least one engine other operating parameter relevant to engine oil ageing are continuously recorded and, on the basis of this, a fictitious distance is determined by associating the recorded engine revolutions with the evaluation factors dependent on recorded engine operating parameter(s) relevant to engine oil ageing in accordance with a predeterminable association relationship. From this, a remaining operating distance until the next engine oil servicing date is then calculated by subtracting the determined fictitious distance from a specified total distance potential.

Abstract: A reforming reactor, particularly for the water vapor reforming of methanol, with three serially arranged reactor steps, each of which is charged with a catalyst pellet fill. According to the invention, the center reactor step is maintained at a temperature which is suitable for the reforming reaction, while the two other reactor steps remain unheated. The present invention may be used as a reforming reactor for the water vapor reforming of methanol for the purpose of producing hydrogen in a fuel-cell operated motor vehicle.

Abstract: A transmission for automobiles comprising a casing, an input shaft and an output shaft, a power transmission member on the driving side, a power transmission member on the driven side, and a bearing comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of balls between the outer and inner rings, and seal rings provided on the opposite ends of the bearing and having an inner peripheral edge fixed to the inner ring and an outer peripheral edge to form a small gap for a labyrinth seal between the outer peripheral edge and the outer ring whereby particle matter can go out of the bearing through the small gap during rotation of the bearing.

Abstract: An open motor vehicle, such as a convertible or a roadster, has at least one vehicle seat accommodated in a vehicle interior. A wind partition is assigned to the at least one vehicle seat and is arranged behind the backrest covering at least the headrest area. A heating system which has at least one heat exchanger through which at least a portion of the air flows which reaches the wind partition. For supplying the headrest area with warm air during a drive with an open top without an intervention in the wind partition and an impairment of the design, the at least one heat exchanger is integrated in a shaft constructed in the vehicle interior behind the backrest. The shaft is provided with an air inflow device which is situated upstream of the heat exchanger and with an air outflow device situated downstream of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Transgenic animals containing recombinant DNA with modified nucleotide sequence from the vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) gene, cells and methods for producing such animals, and methods of using them to assay substances for VEGF-B-like activity.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a helical tube (18), including a first stamping station for producing a flange on a metal strip (11), a forming tool (17) in which the flanged metal strip is formed to a helical configuration and adjacent side edges are crimped together to produce a tube, a cutting arrangement (19) which cuts the tube into predetermined lengths, and a mechanical-optoelectronic measuring arrangement (20) for determining the length of the helical tube (18) to be cut.

Abstract: A process for detecting and reporting traffic situation data of a road system via a respective sample vehicle is provided, in which case an automatic position determination is carried out in the respective sample vehicle at definable points in time and, as a function thereof, pertaining traffic situation data are detected and reported. The road system, together with drive duration data concerning the drive duration to be expected for partial routes of the road system, is stored in the sample vehicles. After a respective position determination, the partial route travelled since the preceding position determination and the pertaining actual drive duration are detected, and via the stored drive duration data, the position to be expected for the actual drive duration and/or the drive duration to be expected for the determined position is determined.

Abstract: An arrangement for contacting of electronic components (for example, seat occupation detection sensors, buckle switches) in a removable vehicle seat which can be mechanically detached from its vehicle-body-side anchoring by means of a seat unlocking device. In order to unlock the seat, a plug-type connection must first be separated manually by the operator. Only then will the unlocking of the seat be released. In another embodiment, an electric plug-type connection is provided which, during the installation and removal of the seat, automatically makes or breaks contact because of the relative movement of the seat.

Abstract: A ventilation device for an interior of a vehicle provided with a windshield and instrument panel has a plurality of air outlet openings provided side by side in the instrument panel close to the windshield in two rows, one behind the other as viewed in the travel direction. To ensure freedom from precipitation on a large windshield without adversely affecting climate comfort in the interior, each row of air outlet openings is connected to one of two separate supply channels and the air supply channel that leads to the front row receives warm air conditioned to a higher temperature than the air supply channel that leads to the back row.

Abstract: A laminated glass pane assembly with electrically controllable reflectivity, especially for controlling the entry of sunlight and solar heat into vehicles or buildings. The laminated glass pane comprises a first glass pane, an electroreflective functional layer made of an alloy of the hydride of a rare earth metal and magnesium, an antioxidation layer made of a proton-conducting transparent oxide or fluoride, an anhydrous proton-conducting solid electrolyte, a proton storage layer, a transparent conducting coating, and a second glass pane.

Abstract: A method for making a stable dessert type food product using cream, artificial cream, thickened cream or cream cheese which involves adding to the first aerated mixture as a hot liquid solution gelatine directly into the much cooler mixture while this is being substantially beaten and then allowing the resultant product to set while maintaining the aerated structure.

Abstract: A removable seat cover is provided for a rear passenger accommodating part of a motorcycle seat.

Abstract: A damping device is provided for damping the oscillations of a winding bobbin in spinning, twisting or winding machines. A bobbin holder, which can be swivelled around a swivel axle affixed to the machine, supports the rotatably supported winding bobbin, which is pressed against a drive roller. Damping elements act in swivel directions of the bobbin holder, the effect of the damping elements being greater in the swivel direction of the winding bobbin when it is raised from the drive roller than in the swivel direction when the winding bobbin is pressed against the drive roller. A friction jaw is provided for damping, which, with its pressing surface is pressed by resilient forces against a friction surface in the form of a cylinder surface. The axis of the cylinder surface is the swivel axle of the bobbin holder. The resilient force which loads the pressing surface exerts a moment on the bobbin holder, which tends to lift the winding bobbin from the drive roller.

Abstract: There is described a detector which is suitable for use as a fire detector. The detector has two channels which allow for discrimination between energy received from a fire and a “false fire”. False fires are sometimes detected as a result of radiation from a so called “cold”, black body radiation source which flickers at a frequency of between 1 and 20 Hz. In the past, these gave rise to false alarms being triggered. The invention overcomes the problem by having a notch filter which when used in combination with another filter, ensures that detected radiation at, or around, 4.3 &mgr;m is transmitted to a sensor. A processor then compares the received value with a value computed by interpolating between signals received from two other channels. If a threshold value is exceeded an alarm is triggered. The invention thus overcomes disadvantages with prior art systems as signals from cold black body sources are rejected as false.

Abstract: Locking arrangement for a movable vehicle body part. For adjusting an engine hood relative to the stationary vehicle body parts, it is known from prior art to fasten a lock top part by means of washers to the engine hood in such a manner that, when the engine hood is closed and therefore in the case of a connection of the lock top part with the lock bottom part, a precise fit of the engine hood is achieved. According to the invention, the catch bow is held on the assigned vehicle body part by means of a continuous linear adjusting device.

Abstract: A rolling bearing unit with a rotational speed sensor comprising a stationary outer ring having a first raceway, a rotatable inner ring having a second raceway, a plurality of rolling elements rotatably provided between the first and second raceways, a sensor support case having a step portion for axial positioning, a detecting portion and a sensor mounted therein, an encoder having circumferentially changing magnetic characteristics and connected to the rotatable ring, a cover made of a synthetic resin, connected to the stationary ring, and having a fitting portion with respect to the outer ring, the fitting portion formed with a groove for mounting a seal ring therein, a mount hole for inserting part of the sensor support case therein, and a portion abutted to the step portion of the sensor support case for axial positioning, and an elastic member having a first portion engaged with the cover and a second portion engaged with the sensor support case to fix the sensor support case to the cover.