Abstract: A solid-state, two-dimensional image sensing device having a matrix of pixels each of which employs a photosensor that generates a photocurrent and a MOS circuit which outputs a signal proportional to the logarithm of the integral over time of the photocurrent. The sensor includes an integration control switching device so that all pixels in the array have equal integration time. The sensor integrates the signal for each pixel for a period of time and stores the integrated signal in a pixel signal storage location. The sensor further accumulates signal in a MOS transistor pn-junction during a time that the integrated pixel signal is being read out so image information can be collected continuously even while the integrated pixel signal for each pixel is being read.

Abstract: The description relates to a flexible fire protection plate having a plastic matrix and an inorganic filler made of a pliable organic binder in which a coarse-grained inorganic filler is embedded, as well as the use of this fire protection plate for the fire protection of openings in walls, floors and ceilings, especially of conduits for pipes and cables

Abstract: A dowel bolt is formed of a bolt (1) and has at the trailing end an outer thread (2) and on the leading end an expansion head (3) expanding in the setting direction (S) and an expansion sleeve (4) that can be expanded by the expansion head (3). At the trailing end face (15) directed away from the setting direction of the bolt, the bolt has at least one peripheral recess (16) with a depth (t1) providing a setting control and that can be economically manufactured.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a recording method for recording an image on a thermosensible image bearing medium that contains liquid crystal material. The liquid crystal exhibits a cholesteric phase at a temperature range higher than a room temperature so as to reflect selected wavelength of light based on heated temperature within the temperature range. Since the cholesteric liquid crystal material has a different response time for each selective reflection wavelength, an optimum energy application time is required for obtaining a desired recording color. Accordingly, in the recording method, it is getting higher the heating temperature, shorter the application time. The application time can be adjusted by the pulse width and/or pulse number of the applied energy.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel mediators of the activity of picornavirus 3C protease and the modulation of the activity of other similar proteins. The modulators may be used in pharmaceutical compositions either for inhibition of 3C protease (for example in viral infections) or for the enhancement of the activity of proteins similar to the 3C protease such as Apopain (for induction of apoptosis).

Abstract: This invention relates to a joining system (1) for fixedly joining at least two elements (2, 3), in particular girders, comprising at least one first element (2) which is adjacent at one of its ends to the other element (3) on a contact surface (14) and is attached to this element with a joining means (11) and at least one connecting part (7), in particular a shear connector made of a high-strength material, preferably metal, which is connected to one of the elements (2), in particular by being integrated into it. To permit an improved possibility for fastening the two elements, it is provided according to this invention that the connecting part (7), in particular the shear connector, is provided with a continuous recess (9), in particular with a borehole, and the joining means (11) extends through the recess (9), whereby the element (2) receiving the connecting part (7) is designed as a wooden component.

Abstract: A diffraction grating coupled infrared photodetector for providing high performance detection of infrared radiation is described. The photodetector includes a three-dimensional diffractive resonant optical cavity formed by a diffraction grating that resonates over a range of infrared radiation wavelengths. By placing a limited number of p/n junctions throughout the photodetector, the photodetector thermal noise is reduced due to the reduction in junction area. By retaining signal response and reducing the noise, the sensitivity increases at a given operating temperature when compared to traditional photovoltaic and photoconductive infrared photodetectors up to the background limit. The photodetector device design can be used with a number of semiconductor material systems, can form one- and two-dimensional focal plane arrays, and can readily be tuned for operation in the long wavelength infrared and the very long wavelength infrared where sensitivity and noise improvements are most significant.

Abstract: A light source device has a semiconductor laser for emitting an elliptical divergent beam having a light intensity distribution in an elliptical form; and a beam shaping element for converting an elliptical divergent beam from said semiconductor laser into an approximately circular divergent beam having a light intensity distribution in an approximately circular form; wherein the beam shaping element has a first surface formed of a cylindrical surface and a second surface formed of an anamorphic surface, in order from said semiconductor laser side, and satisfies the predetermined conditional expressions.

Abstract: A turbomolecular pump including a housing having a suction opening and a gas outlet opening, and a plurality of alternatingly arranged one behind another, stator and stator rings provided, respectively with support rings for supporting each a blade, with a support ring of a stator disc located adjacent to a high pressure region of the turbomolecular pump being connected with an adjacent housing part over a large surface or being formed with the adjacent housing part as one-piece part.

Abstract: A setting tool includes a piston guide (13) displaceably arranged in the housing (11), a bolt guide (12) connection element (16) for fixedly connecting the bolt guide (12) with the piston guide (13) for joint displacement therewith, and a locking member (23) provided on the setting tool (10) and having a locking position (27) in which displacement of the bolt guide (12) and the piston guide (13), relative to the housing (11), from their initial position, is prevented when the bolt guide (12) and the piston guide (13) are not completely connected by the connection element (16), and a release position (26) in which displacement of the bolt guide (12) and the piston guide (13) relative to the housing (11) from their initial position to their operational position, can take place when the bolt guide (12) and the piston guide (13) are completely connected by the connection element (16).

Abstract: A method for controlling a piezoelectric drive wherein a required voltage to be applied to a piezoactuator for a desired deflection of the piezoactuator is determined by means of the deflection characteristic curve of the piezoactuator, the piezoactuator is supplied with a current by means of a current source, the voltage is measured on the piezoactuator while the piezoactuator is being supplied with the current from the current source, the voltage measured is compared to the voltage required, and the supply of the piezoactuator with the current from the current source is turned off once the required voltage is reached.

Abstract: A fastening element which is designed for driving-in a constructional component, includes a stem (11) adjoined, at it's opposite sides, by a load application section (13) and a tip (12) facing in the setting direction of the fastening element, and a prestress member (20) having a force-introducing section (21) engaging the stem (11) and/or the tip (12), and a bearing surface (22) remote from the load application section (13) and provided with an elastic layer (17) having an opening (18) a wall (19) of which is radially spaced from an axial projection of the stem (11).

Abstract: A microchip comprises a flow pass in which a solution containing particles can flow, and a deflection mechanism for deflecting a portion of the particles as the particles flow through the flow pass.

Abstract: A marking device for marking visual permanent markers on a surface and including a housing (2), a marking unit (19), a motorized drive (36, 18; 24) for displacing the marking unit relative to the housing (2), a detector device (21) for detecting a measurement signal and for generating a position signal upon deviation of the measurement signal from a marking signal, and a control circuit (27) for controlling the drive (36, 18; 24) and for actuating same in response to the position signal for displacing the marking unit (19) relative to a reference housing position into a corrected marking position.

Abstract: A magazine with bolt-shaped fastening elements for a setting tool and extending sidewise of a bolt guide of the setting tool and including an attachment region (2) provided at an end region of the magazine (1) facing in the setting direction; and a washer holder (6) releasably attachable to the attachment region (2) and having a central axis that extends substantially coaxially with a central axis of a receiving bore of the bolt guide (3).

Abstract: A method and system for the combined underground storage and production of petroleum. A wellbore is drilled such that the surface is in fluid communication with an oil bearing and a salt bearing formation. Salt is leached from the salt bearing formation to form a cavern. The oil bearing formation is placed in condition for production. The pressure in the salt bearing formation is maintained below the pressure in the oil bearing formation and oil is collected in the cavern that was formed in the salt bearing formation. Periodically, oil is displaced from the cavern to the surface. The system includes a wellbore connecting the surface, an oil bearing formation and a cavern in fluid communication, a check valve is placed within the wellbore to permit the one way flow of oil from the oil bearing formation to the cavern. A wellhead tree seals the wellbore through which passes a conduit to inject gas into the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for making hollow bodies, preferably components made from blanks, includes a press table, a slide movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the press table, a tool upper part connected to the upwardly and downwardly movable slide for joint movement therewith; a two-part tool lower part fixed on the press table, and additional tools integrated in the apparatus.

Abstract: An inductive sensor arrangement for detecting ferromagnetic or non-ferrous electrically conducting objects hidden in a surrounding medium comprising three field coils arranged in essentially the same geometric plane and adjacently positioned at angular distances of usually 120° from each other around a central axis orthogonal to the plane for generating an alternating magnetic flux by a sequential excitation with an AC-current ramp. The sensor arrangement further comprises three sense coils respectively mounted inside each associated field coil and in an orientation to the axes of each of the field coils such that essentially no voltage is induced in the sensor coils in an environment free of a metallic object.

Abstract: In a solid-state image-sensing device, first, the outputs of compensation pixels G10 to Gm0, provided one for each column of pixels, are fed to a line memory 10 so as to be stored therein as compensation data with which to achieve column-by-column compensation. Then, as the outputs of ordinary pixels G11 to Gmn are fed as image data to the non-inverting input terminal of a differential amplifier circuit 11, the compensation data obtained from the compensation pixel arranged in the same column as the ordinary pixels of which the output signals are currently handled is fed to the inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit 11. In this way, the image data from the individual ordinary pixels is fed out after being compensated, by the differential amplifier circuit 11, with the compensation data stored in the line memory 10.