Abstract: In the case of a semiconductor igniter, particularly for the gas generator of a protection system for vehicle occupants, consisting of a semiconductor layer which is arranged on a carrier with the insertion of a thermal insulation layer, is connected at the end side to electric contact areas and during the current passage in the ignition path range heats up in an ignition-triggering manner, while maintaining a high ignition efficiency, a mechanically secure linking of the semiconductor layer to the carrier is achieved in that the thermal insulation layer is limited to the ignition path range of the semiconductor layer and the semiconductor layer is connected directly with the carrier at its end sections kept free of the thermal insulation layer.

Abstract: This invention consists in a method of sealing tubular or bag-shaped packaging casings (10) filled with a tough filling, where the packaging casing (10) is first of all compressed to an adjustable degree, so that a pinched area (34) is produced, beside which a neck without filling is then produced by crimping the packaging casing (10), which neck is subsequently, if necessary, extended and sealed by setting two closure clips. The invention also consists in a sealing device comprising a crimping element (24, 26) and an additional clamping means (28, 30) for compressing the package beside the crimping element.

Abstract: A safety apparatus (70) for helping to protect an occupant (30) of a vehicle (10) in the event of a vehicle collision comprises an air bag system including at least one inflatable air bag (80) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The air bag (80), when inflated, unlocks at least one of the occupant's knees (50) to minimize forces transmitted through at least the corresponding one of the occupant's legs (40) to the occupant's pelvis (36). Seat belt webbing (74) restrains forward movement of the occupant (30) relative to the vehicle (10) when the occupant's knee (50) is unlocked.

Abstract: An air bag module includes a gas bag with an inlet opening, an inflator having a pyrotechnic propellant and a flame protection. To provide an effective flame protection which is simply and cost-efficiently achievable and applicable to the various methods of folding the gas bag, the flame protection consists of a pot-shaped textile part of a heat-proof material, the bottom of which comprises a central recess corresponding to the inlet opening of the gas bag, and the rim of the central recess surrounds the inlet opening.

Abstract: In a method and an air bag system for depleting the kinetic energy of a vehicle occupant in case of a vehicle accident involving heavy, negative acceleration, the air bag system comprising a control unit for inflating an air bag which activates the air bag system on the basis of electric signals of an acceleration sensor provided in the vehicle, further sensor elements are provided by means of which the parameters determining the individual kinetic energy of the vehicle occupant are sensed and electrical signals representing these parameters are transmitted by the sensor elements to an electronic analyzer connected to the control unit, this electronic analyzer establishing on the basis of these signals a point in time t4 at which the vehicle occupant is likely to come into contact with the inflated air bag of the air bag system, the electronic analyzer calculating on the basis of the established point in time t4 a prior point in time t2 at which the inflation of the air bag is to commence and signalling this

Abstract: A gas generator with a housing (14), and outflow opening (16) in the housing (14), via which gas can emerge, and with a bursting membrane (17) which closes the outflow opening in the non-activated state of the gas generator and which is destroyed on activation, the bursting member (17) having an outer edge at which it is permanently fastened to a wall (24) which defines at least one axial section of the outflow opening (16), is characterized in that the wall (24) is rounded or extends inwards and obliquely in the outflow direction downstream immediately after the fastening region (31) of the bursting membrane (17).

Abstract: A device for force limitation with an annular housing in which a guide path is formed, comprises a carrier arranged inside the housing concentrically therewith, which is rotatable relative to the housing, and a traction means which is secured on the carrier, extends along a part of its length in the guide path and can be withdrawn from the guide path by rotation of the carrier relative to the housing and can be wound onto the the carrier.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for viewing vessels, in particular blood vessels, in body cavities and hollow organs, comprising an ultrasonic transducer (14) which can be guided into a viewing position by means of an endoscopy device (10, 12), an ultrasonic unit (34) which can be connected to the ultrasonic transducer (14) and which is based on the Doppler principle and which is designed to detect an organ and/or fluid movement at at least one predetermined spacing from the ultrasonic transducer, a Doppler evaluation unit (38) which is connected downstream of the ultrasonic unit (34) and which is designed for digital conversion of an output signal of the ultrasonic unit (34) into a visual representation of the organ and/or fluid movement at the at least one predetermined spacing, and a video output unit (40) which receives an output image signal of the Doppler evaluation unit (38) and an electronic image signal of the endoscopy device (12) and which is designed to produce a combined overall image (24) fo

Abstract: Method and apparatus for filling a packaging casing to produce a sausage-like product, wherein the tautness of the casing during both filling and closing is detected by a sensor and filling or closing is interrupted when the upper or lower limit for tautness is exceeded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint system of a vehicle, in particular for inflating a gas bag. The device comprises a gas generator which contains a pyrotechnic propellant material and is provided for developing a first gas. The device further comprises a compressed gas container arranged so as to be separate from the gas generator and containing a second gas which is under pressure. The gas generator and the compressed gas container are activated in a case of restraint and introduce the first and second gases, respectively, into the vehicle occupant restraint system. The invention further relates to a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising a head/side gas bag and the device for inflating the gas bag.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting device is connected to a prime mover unit and a speed-changing transmission and includes a hydrodynamic torque-converter or fluid coupling with a pump wheel, a turbine wheel and in some cases a stator wheel. The torque-transmitting device has a disconnecting clutch to uncouple it from the prime mover unit.

Abstract: Method and closing device for producing sausage-like products with a flexible tubular or pouch-like wrapper, wherein the various stages of the closing process include constriction of the wrapper, elongation of the braid, setting and closure of the clamp fastener, which can be controlled in a partially autonomous manner by means of a programmable control unit.

Abstract: A vehicle seat with a back rest (72) in which a sliding guide (74) is provided, and with a headrest which is fixed to the back rest (72) by means of at least one guide rod (76) inserted into the sliding guide (74), and is provided with a functional unit (20, 23) which is connectable electrically with a base unit arranged outside the headrest, is characterized in that the guide rod (76) is used for the electrical connection of the functional unit.

Abstract: The rotary housing of a hydrokinetic torque converter, which can be utilized in the power train of a motor vehicle—for example, in conjunction with a continuously variable transmission—contains a torque monitoring device which is installed in such a way that it does not take up any, or any appreciable, additional space, especially in the axial direction of the housing. The torque monitoring device can serve to transmit torque between the lockup clutch and the output element of the torque converter. Additional features reside in the provision, configuration and manner of mounting of an auxiliary mass, and in the provision of a member for centering the piston of the lockup clutch in the housing as well as a member for centering the housing on the output element of a prime mover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking device for motor vehicle folding tops with a first connecting device (3) which, for the fixing of the folding top (9) to the motor vehicle, has a first closing mechanism with at least one second connecting device (5), which is positioned at an interval from the first connecting device (3) and a plug-like element (7), as well as a guiding element (85) suitable for the mounting of the plug-like element (7). The locking device is distinguished through the fact that the second connecting device (5) has a connecting device for the temporary locking of the plug-like element in the guiding element, and that the second locking device is connected with the closing mechanism in such a manner that, upon the fixing of the first closing mechanism into its closing position, the locking of the plug-like element (7) takes place at the same time.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for an automated transmission and/or an automated clutch in the power train of a motor vehicle is connected with one or more sensors denoting one or more activities by the operator of the vehicle. The control unit can become operative in response to a signal denoting the actuation of a brake and/or in response to a signal denoting that the ignition system of the vehicle has been operated to start the engine.

Abstract: A belt tensioner with a piston/cylinder unit and with a device for fastening the belt tensioner to the vehicle is characterized in that on the exterior of the shell surface of the cylinder (3) a thread (13) is formed, by which the cylinder (3) can be screwed into a counter-thread (15) in the vehicle.

Abstract: According to the invention, a bass reproduction device is disclosed, with which the sound emission from the membrane (15) to the listening space (38) is carried out solely by way of a displacement volume (37) and at least one sound guidance conduit (34), whose cross section is smaller than the cross section of the membrane (15). A device of this kind has the advantage that for sound emission, only wall surfaces have to be supplied, which merely have to contain the sound guidance conduit(s) (34). The side of the membrane (15) remote from the displacement volume (37) acts on a closed damping volume (30), which can, however, be changed in its size over a great band width. A particularly favorable bass reproduction is achieved if the length of the respective sound guidance conduit (34)≦&lgr;/8 of the desired upper cross-over frequency.

Abstract: An electric machine with a stator and a rotor arranged in the drive train of a drive unit is disclosed. A vibration insulation device is incorporated in the rotor of the electric machine. The electric machine can function as a starter/generator, a generator vehicle brake, an auxiliary drive and/or an active vibration damper.

Abstract: A process model of an industrial process or system is generated. The model correlates a first number M of process parameters forming input values with a second number L of quality characteristics forming output values, which are processed to form feedback control signals for the process or system. A third number N of training data sets of the industrial process are first gathered and processed during a learning phase of the model with the help of a central processing unit, whereby a preliminary approximately model is used including a neural network with local approximation characteristics. The neural network is connected in parallel with a linear network. Both networks are connected to the same inputs. The neural network initially has a number N of neural cells corresponding to the number of training data sets. A weighted linear combination of the M process parameters is performed. The linear network and the neural network are connected with their outputs through weighting circuits to a common summing point.