Abstract: The invention provides a fault tolerant output stage for a digital two-conductor bus data communication system of the type having a transmission module and a reception stage which contains a bus signal intermediate processing module and a reception module connected downstream that conditions incoming bus signals for a data processing unit which is connected downstream. A state detection module is connected to the bus lines to detect a short-circuit between the bus lines, in which case the transmission module can be switched over between a difference mode of operation and a single-wire mode of operation under the control of the state detection module.

Abstract: The invention relates an energy supply network for a vehicle powered by a fuel cell or by a battery. The energy supply network according to the invention is configured as an IT-network in which the consuming devices linked with the load current circuit are electrically connected with the vehicle body by a low impedance. An insulation monitoring device which consists of a measuring-bridge balancing stage and a buffer amplifier stage is connected between the load current circuit and the vehicle body.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing stackable units containing food service items from a container having the form of a typical freight container, on board an aircraft. The apparatus cooperates with means for further transporting and then delivering the stackable units to an aircraft galley, and cooperates with a program controllable unit to allow the programmable handling of the stackable units. Arranged in the container (1) is a plurality of partition walls (10), each having a plurality of shelf ledges (15) to form a plurality of storage compartments (13) on the two opposite sides of an access alley (9). A handling unit (12) including a tower (22) on an undercarriage (12A) rides along rails (11) in the access alley (9). The tower (22) includes a plurality of receiver bins (19), with a motor driven engaging and entraining member (21) respectively arranged in each receiver bin (19).

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the catalytic water vapor reforming of methanol. The reforming process is carried out in two stages. The methanol is incompletely reacted in the first stage in a heat-transfer-optimized process with a high specific catalyst load. In a reaction-optimized second stage, while the specific catalyst load is lower, a further reaction is carried out which completes the methanol reaction. In addition, a tube bundle reactor is disclosed in which the first, heat-transfer-optimized stage takes place in reaction tubes which, for constructing heat transfer medium ducts, are each surrounded by a concentric outer tube, while the second, reaction-optimized stage is carried out after the return of the reform gas in the housing. The reaction tubes as well as the area between the outer tubes are filled with catalyst material.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated circuit for carrying out different mixer and switch functions includes: at least one p-i-n diode and at least one Schottky diode monolithically integrated in the circuit. The p-i-n diode and Schottky diode are made from a common semiconductor layer sequence. The semiconductor layer sequence respectively includes: highly doped p-contact and n-contact layers, and a lightly doped insulating layer grown between the contact layers and which includes an etch arresting layer at a defined distance d from one of the contact layers.

Abstract: It is a problem in conventional aircraft having a fuselage of substantially circular cross-section, that a conventional lower deck would have an insufficient standing height for passengers if the lower deck were to be equipped as a passenger cabin space including seats, sleeping cabins, or other passenger service facilities. In the present aircraft, the lower deck floor (2, 2') is depressed or dropped at least in a certain area (14) that will form an aisle (16), so that the free height of the lower deck in the area of the depressed floor provides at least the normal standing height (HS) for a person. A module (15, 15') containing passenger service facilities is arranged in the lower deck area at least to one side of the depressed floor area. A modular construction provides a great flexibility and convenience in reconfiguring a lower deck from a cargo hold configuration to a passenger cabin configuration and vice versa.

Abstract: In a tandem warhead, the preliminary shaped charge (5) is arranged at the front end of a spacer (9) which is displaceable toward the front in a guide (12) provided in the preliminary structure (13) of the warhead. Shearing pins (14) are provided for fixing the spacer (9) in the pushed in position. A pyrotechnical element (16) is fastened at the spacer (9). The spacer (9) is provided at its rear end with an annular element (28) which contacts the lining (3) of the main charge (1) in the pushed in position. A pressure space (32) is accordingly formed, so that a high pressure is achieved when the pyrotechnical element (16) is fired, whereupon a recoil occurs due to the propellant gases of the pyrotechnical element (14) flowing out through nozzles (25), which recoil ensures a gentle starting of the spacer (9) into the moved out position.

Abstract: A catalyst and a process for producing the catalyst are provided. For the catalytic reduction of NO.sub.x and for the oxidation of hydrocarbons, the catalyst contains a spinel containing the metals copper, zinc and aluminum.

Abstract: SiC field-effect transistors with source, gate and drain contacts and in which the source contacts are located on the surface of the semiconductor wafer, the drain contacts on the underside of the wafer and the gate contacts in trench-like structures. The trench-like structures surround the source electrodes of the transistors in the shape of a ring and the gate contacts are connected to each other on the floors of the trenches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite structure for electronic components comprising a growth substrate, an intermediate layer having substantially a crystallographic lattice structure arranged on the growth substrate, and a diamond layer applied on top of the intermediate layer, and to a process for producing a composite structure of this type. In order to obtain a diamond layer of highest quality, the intermediate layer has substantially a zinc blende or diamond or a calcium fluoride structure, in which at the outset of the intermediate layer the difference between the lattice constant of the intermediate layer and the lattice constant of the growth substrate, relative to the lattice constant of the growth substrate, is less than 20%, in particular less than 10%, and in which at the transition from the intermediate layer to the diamond layer for the lattice constant of the intermediate layer and the lattice constant of the diamond layer the value of the expression .vertline.(n*a.sub.ZS -m*a.sub.D).vertline.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for optimizing the aerodynamic effect of the airfoil of an aircraft by defined changes in camber. The method includes the following steps:a. determining the flow for the flight condition caused by the change in camber,b. comparing the ascertained characteristic values with stored nominal reference values for an optimal flow,c. forming differential values between the characteristic values and the stored nominal reference values,d. deriving actuator signals from the differential values, ande. changing the camber by motor, based on the actuator signals, for minimizing the differential values.The optimum wing flow is thereby maintained more exactly. For transonic wings, the position and strength of compression shocks is also effectively controlled, which leads to a reduction of the direct shock induced separation.

Abstract: In a method of operating an internal combustion engine with direct injection of fuel into an engine combustion chamber during a compression stroke of a respective piston wherein first a main fuel volume is injected and subsequently an ignition fuel volume is injected into the combustion chamber, the injection of the main fuel volume is initiated only after about 3/10 of the compression stroke of the piston has been completed.

Abstract: A vehicle door having a longitudinally oriented collision-protection body extending from a forward (4) to a rear door post (5) of the vehicle, the ends of which are designed to abut on the door posts in case of a collision and which in a collision do not penetrate into the interior of the vehicle, which door may be opened with little effort after a collision for rescuing passengers. For this purpose, the collision-protection body (11) is structured as a structural unit releasably connected with the door (10) and in vertical section laterally of the direction of movement forming part of the door contour (12) so that in case of a collision the vehicle door (10) may be opened and the collision-protection body (11;50) may remain in the door opening (1).

Abstract: Method and device for control within a line network such as a tram line, of a number of rolling units in various line runnings, and a method for installation of said device. A number of passive position determination elements (9) such as transponders, arranged for radio scanning, are located at determined positions in the network. Control equipment (2) on board said rolling units is provided with devices (8) for scanning of the position determination elements (9) and with sensors (6) for measurement of distance travelled. The momentary unit position within the line network is determined by continuous measurement of distance travelled and by calibration of the thereby obtained position determination by scanning of successively passed position determination elements (9). Data on the design and topography of the line network is stored in a central equipment (1) and communication from the mobile units stating their positions is received in a data processing unit (4).

Abstract: In an energy generating system, which is preferably suitable for satellites and space stations, a total of four Stirling engines are assembled together into a cross-shaped unit, at the center of which is arranged a cross-gear drive that is acted upon by the pistons of the Stirling engines. The heaters of the Stirling engines are impinged upon by solar energy. The incident sun's rays either are guided by a radiation trap that is arranged in the center of a collector onto an umbrella-shaped tubular heating heat exchanger, or are absorbed by disk collectors that are arranged inside a fusion heat reservoir.

Abstract: A process for linearizing the gain and phase-frequency characteristics of traveling-wave tubes and transistor amplifiers at different power levels is suggested, wherein the signal is divided between two branches and again united into the output signal, and in which the signal is divided between partial networks with compressing gain behavior, which are placed between two 3-dB couplers, and gain compression or gain expansion of the partial signals (E or K) is generated at two gates (KOMP, EXP) by the reflection behavior, which is different corresponding to the signal level, and the level of the nonlinear, gain-expanded partial signal (E) is raised by a linear amplifier (E2), and the additionally amplified, gain-expanded signal (E2) and the gain-compressed signal (K) are then united into the output signal with an adding network.

Abstract: An arrangement of a plurality of microcooling devices provided with electrical components, each microcooling device having a closed channel structure for a coolant to flow through, and being provided with electrical conductors for the electronic components and with externally carried fluid ducts for a coolant which flows through the channel structures. A covering layer which forms one of at least two flat sides of the microcooling device is made from an electrically insulating material with good heat conductivity. The electronic components are arrayed on this cover layer and on the opposite flat side of each microcooling device. Adjacent microcooling devices which are provided with electronic components on confronting flat sides are arranged with their components spaced apart or staggered with respect to one another, and the components of one microcooling device preferably are in contact with the cover layer of the adjacent microcooling device.

Abstract: The invention relates to painted objects, especially motor vehicle bodies, and effect paints for painting such objects. The effect paint has a color-producing paint layer comprising liquid crystal polymer compounds, especially those based on organopolysiloxanes, and surface-active compounds, especially polysiloxanes and/or polyacrylates. The paint is applied directly to the objects to be painted, e.g. by a spray or dip application. As a result, even convex surfaces can be painted simply, completely, and uniformly with liquid crystal polymers.