Abstract: A laser-based target detection system applicable to search and rescue operations takes into account a plurality of optical attributes in the energy delivered to, and received from, a target-containing area. In addition to analyzing the returned optical signature for sufficient energy reflected by a potential target at a primary laser wavelength, the system also senses the target's effect on a supplemental optical attribute. Only when sufficient amplitude at the primary wavelength is detected in conjunction with a substantial effect on the supplemental optical attribute is a valid target confirmed. The supplemental optical attribute can be amplitude at a wavelength other than the primary wavelength, with the system looking for a high degree of attenuation at the non-primary wavelength, or polarization. with the system preferably looking for change of orientation in the return optical signature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polymers stabilized with protective colloids in the form of water-redispersible powders or aqueous dispersions thereof having a reduced content of volatile components, by

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising a side gas bag module which contains a gas bag folded into an elongated packet and having inner and outer sides when unfolded. The gas bag packet has an underside and a side face adjoining thereto and is surrounded by a flexible protective covering which has a predetermined tear line along the side face, so that the protective covering, on an unfolding of the gas bag, opens in a region of the side face of the gas bag packet and two sections of the protective covering, which are of differing length, extend along the inner and outer sides of the unfolded gas bag.

Abstract: An unloading and erecting apparatus has a frame fixed to a magazine holding a stack of flattened cartons, an outer horizontal guide on the frame, an outer horizontal slide horizontally displaceable on the outer horizontal guide and carrying a nonstraight outer vertical guide. A drive motor connected to the outer horizontal slide horizontally displaces same. A vertical guide on the frame carries a vertical slide and another drive motor connected to the vertical slide vertically displaces same. A shaft pivotal about a generally horizontal axis transverse to the forward direction on the vertical slide is fixed horizontally relative to the outer horizontal slide.

Abstract: An X-ray analysis device (1) having an X-ray source (2) for illuminating a sample (6) with X-radiation (4), a sample support for receiving the sample (6) and a detector (12,14) for detecting the diffracted or scattered X-radiation or fluorescent X-radiation (4′) emitted by the sample, wherein an X-ray optical construction element of semi-conductor material having a plurality of channels which are essentially transparent to X-radiation (4,4′) is provided in the path of rays between the X-ray source (2) and the detector (12,14), is characterized in that the X-ray optical construction element comprises a semi-conductor wafer (20;30a;30b;40;50) into which micropores (21;31;41) are etched which extend essentially in parallel in the direction of the rays and have diameters of 0.1 to 100 &mgr;m, preferably 0.5 and 20 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A fluid pressure regulating valve, particularly for an automated clutch in the power train of a motor vehicle with a manually shiftable transmission, is adjustable by an electronic control unit which regulates the strength of alternating current being supplied to one or more electromagnets of the valve. The control unit receives signals from sensors which monitor the fluid pressure, the temperature and/or the RPM of one or more constituents of the motor vehicle, and such signals are processed into signals denoting differences between existing and desired pressures of fluid being supplied to and/or by the valve. These signals are compared with information stored in at least one memory of the control unit and denoting memorized differences between actual and desired current strengths. The memorized signals are altered when a comparison in the control unit indicates that the differences ascertained on the basis of signals transmitted by the sensors depart from differences denoted by the memorized information.

Abstract: A current collector is located on a roof cover plate of a car body for a rail vehicle. Mounted on said current collector is an intermediate carrier for a current collector frame which is equipped with two wearing strips. Said intermediate carrier is suspended on oscillating rods. According to the invention, the intermediate carrier is configured in the form of a thin plate so that in its resting position, i.e. in its lowered position, the current collector, including wearing strips, is located within the regulation limitation line of the vehicle. In this way, the construction height is reduced.

Abstract: A plug connection for a hazardous location for energy and data transmission by means of electrical quantities in a bus system has a primary part and a secondary part constructed as transmitters, as well as limiting means for the electrical quantities to be transmitted. The limiting means are located in the primary part and are designed for limiting the electrical quantities to be transmitted to the secondary part to values allowed for the particular type of protection.

Abstract: A module rack has on its front at least one upper and one lower crossrail and at least one left and one right vertical corner profile strip. A vertical mounting groove is formed in at least one vertical corner profile strip. The vertical mounting groove faces away from the front of the module rack. Additional fastening capabilities may be provided on the front of the module rack. These additional fastening capabilities are used for external add-on parts such as a covering box, a handle, and cover panels. The module rack may be used for e.g., plug-in modules having electric circuits and components mounted on a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A gas generator for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The gas generator comprises a housing, a filter chamber, and a combustion chamber which is filled with solid propellant and which has an outflow end. The gas generator further comprises at least one igniter unit which has an igniter and ignites the solid propellant, and comprises at least one filter which adjoins the solid propellant at the outflow end and delimits the combustion chamber. The filter has a central part which at least in sections has the shape of a cone and tapers in a direction towards an interior of the combustion chamber. The solid propellant laterally adjoins the conical section.

Abstract: A headrest in a vehicle seat includes an inflatable protective cushion in which the contact surface area is increased and caused to approach the head without needing to provide burst seams in the upholstery or in the cover or to make use of an elastic covering material. The protective cushion is arranged between the headrest frame member and the upholstery. The cover or the upholstery is joined at its outer circumference by jointing means to the headrest frame member. The jointing means maintain the cover, or the upholstery, tensioned in the non-activated condition of the protective cushion and permit a limited displacement of the outer circumference of the cover, or upholstery, from the headrest frame member in the activated condition of the protective cushion. The upholstery may thus be brought by the protective cushion nearer to the head and the contact surface area may be enlarged without destroying the cover or upholstery.

Abstract: The test needle comprises, for contacting a circuit board test point, a contact portion configured conically tapered to a free contact tip. The contact portion has a length of at least 15 mm and at the contact tip a diameter smaller than 0.2 mm. An end section of the contact portion opposite the contact tip comprises a diameter at least 0.1 mm larger than the contact tip. With the test needle in accordance with the invention extremely dense structures on circuit boards can be strobed. The test needle in accordance with the invention is stiffer than known test needles for strobing comparable structures. This simplifies their handling and the configuration of a pattern adapter incorporating these test needles.

Abstract: An inflatable side gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an upper edge by means of which it can be fastened in a vehicle. The side gas bag has an upper portion adjacent the upper edge and a lower portion remote from the upper edge. In a non-inflated condition, the upper portion of the side gas bag is folded in another way as the lower portion. There is proposed a method of folding such a side gas bag, and a side gas bag module incorporating such side gas bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator comprising a combustion chamber filled with a solid propellant, a supply chamber filled with a fluid and a mixing chamber in which a hot gas generated by combustion of the solid propellant is mixed with the fluid. A combustion chamber wall is provided that has a plurality of outflow openings through which the hot gas escapes. A fluid feed chamber is provided so as to lie, in terms of flow, between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber, the hot gas passing through the fluid feed chamber. The fluid from the supply chamber flows into the fluid feed chamber and the fluid feed chamber is radially open towards the outflow openings across the entire circumference of each of the outflow openings, so as to direct an annular fluid stream onto the hot gas.

Abstract: For producing an exposure pattern on a resist material layer on a substrate, a mask having a pattern of transparent structures is illuminated with a beam of energetic radiation and the structure pattern is imaged onto the substrate by means of the structured beam within a pattern transfer system such as an ion-beam lithography system. The pattern image produced on the substrate is shifted laterally with respect to the substrate between a plurality of predetermined shift positions and with each shift position the substrate is irradiated for a predetermined time, wherein the width of lateral displacements is smaller than the minimum feature size of the exposure pattern, the blur as determined by the pattern transfer system is not smaller than the width of lateral displacements, and the dimension and/or direction of the structure patterns are incongruent with respect to the lateral displacements.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module, comprising a pot-shaped module housing that has a front wall that can be opened and a circumferential wall projecting from a rear side. The airbag module further comprises a baseplate that is attached to the circumferential wall by at least one snap-action hook that is able to latch into an opening. An unlatching protection is provided that reduces a cross-section of the opening after a latching procedure in such a way that unlatching is prevented.

Abstract: An airbag module for occupant restraint systems in vehicles has a pot-like housing part (10) made of sheet metal to the base (14) of which a gas generator is attached and to the circumferential wall (16) of which, extending upwards from the base (14), an airbag (26) and a covering cap (12) made of plastic are attached. The covering cap (12) has a supporting wall (17) that is in contact with the outside of the circumferential wall (16) of the housing part (10). The supporting wall (17) is provided with cutouts (20). On the free edge of the circumferential wall (16) of the housing part (10) facing away from the base (14), there are arranged hook-shaped metal tabs (18) which pass through the cutouts (20) of the supporting wall (17) of the covering cap (12) and which are bent on their outside in the direction toward the base (14) of the housing part (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a covering cap which is visible from the exterior in an installed state and covers an outlet opening for a gas bag. The module further comprises at least one display integrated in the covering cap and a lighting for the display provided on a rear face of the covering cap. The covering cap has a front wall visible from the exterior with a section covering the outlet opening, the section being connected in one piece with a display section lying over the lighting. In the display section, the covering is constructed so as to be transparent or translucent. The display section is made of a first material component of the covering cap and the covering cap includes a second material component which has a carrier layer in the form of a cup. The base of the cup forms the section closing the outlet opening and the peripheral wall of which laterally delimits an accommodation space for the gas bag.

Abstract: An inflatable side impact airbag for a vehicle occupant protection device comprises an upper edge to attach it in the area of an A-column and of a roof frame of a motor vehicle. The upper edge of the airbag is straight. Further, there is proposed a method of installing such an airbag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an igniter for a gas generator. The igniter contains a charge sleeve which has an open end. The method comprising the following steps: A pyrotechnic ignition charge is introduced via the open end into the charge sleeve such that an edge of the charge sleeve projects axially at the open end with respect to the ignition charge. The projecting part of the edge is shortened axially, and the open end is closed. The invention further relates to a charge sleeve which has a weakened zone running along its periphery, or has a section which is able to be removed from the remainder of the charge sleeve.