Abstract: Technologies are disclosed for providing integrated private office technologies. A wide variety of functionality across a variety of service providers can be provided via a single portal. On the consumer side, a single, integrated portal allows the consumer to manage contracts with different service providers across different industries. Information such as cash flow can be integrated to provide an overall picture across the consumer's affairs. Recurring payments can be integrated into a system that also supports reminders and the like. On the provider side, plug-ins can be utilized by which a great number of consumers can be reached, and the overall consumer experience is enhanced. Cloud technologies can make the portal available to a consumer from any location via a variety of device types.

Abstract: Using a method for producing a spring from a spring wire, turns of a first spring part are produced, wherein said produced turns move in a first direction. Thereafter, turns of a second spring part are produced, wherein said produced turns move in a second direction which is different from, in particular opposite of, the first direction. Such a method can be used to produce a spring having a plurality of spring parts.

Abstract: Composite conductor comprising a metallic conductor and a ceramic conductor or non-conductor, at least one of them being elongate, the two being connected with each other in an electrically conductive manner. The ceramic conductor or non-conductor and the metallic conductor are hard-soldered to each other by a contact surface extending obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the at least one elongate conductor, and has one of the conductors tapers at its end and the other conductor has a matching tapering recess. The tapering end of the conductor is fitted into the tapering recess.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) having at least two cylinders (4) or at least two groups (2, 3) of cylinders (4), of which at least one is electronically deactivatable, has at least one inlet strand (5, 6) and at least one outlet strand (7, 8). In order to improve the quality of the operating noise in the interior of a passenger cell, at least one inlet strand (5, 6) of at least one deactivated cylinder (4) can be acoustically connected via at least one sound conducting apparatus (21, 22) to an inner chamber (20) of a vehicle (19).

Abstract: The invention relates to a power generation apparatus (1), in particular for expanding the range of an electrically operated vehicle, having an internal combustion engine (5) and a generator (6), which is situated coaxially to the output shaft (7) of the internal combustion engine (5), internal combustion engine (5) and generator (6) being situated in a housing (2, 3) through which cooling air flows.

Abstract: Using a method for producing a spring from a spring wire, turns of a first spring part are produced, wherein said produced turns move in a first direction. Thereafter, turns of a second spring part are produced, wherein said produced turns move in a second direction which is different from, in particular opposite of, the first direction. Such a method can be used to produce a spring having a plurality of spring parts.

Abstract: Composite conductor comprising a metallic conductor and a ceramic conductor or non-conductor, at least one of them being elongate, the two being connected with each other in an electrically conductive manner. The ceramic conductor or non-conductor and the metallic conductor are hard-soldered to each other by a contact surface extending obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the at least one elongate conductor, and has one of the conductors tapers at its end and the other conductor has a matching tapering recess. The tapering end of the conductor is fitted into the tapering recess.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interchangeable container (1) for a device used to construct models. Said container forms a substantially delimiting frame, into which a workpiece platform (2) that acts as a base can be inserted. The interchangeable container (1) contains a support (3) onto which the workpiece platform (2) is introduced.

Abstract: Described herein is a device for pattern building in layers, which has a frame (1), a vertically movable and interchangeable workpiece platform (17), and a material feeder with a spreader (4), whereby the spreader (4) serves to feed material from a storage bin situated in the workspace above the workpiece platform (17), and the workpiece platform (17) is fixed at least when building a pattern. The workpiece platform (17) is accordingly loaded into the device from one side and unloaded from the other side of the device.

Abstract: Described herein is a device for pattern building in layers, which has a frame (1), a vertically movable and interchangeable workpiece platform (17), and a material feeder with a spreader (4), whereby the spreader (4) serves to feed material from a storage bin situated in the workspace above the workpiece platform (17), and the workpiece platform (17) is fixed at least when building a pattern. The workpiece platform (17) is accordingly loaded into the device from one side and unloaded from the other side of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for manufacturing models layer by layer. The inventive device comprises a frame (1), a vertically adjustable and exchangeable workpiece platform (17)m and a device for feeding the material comprising a coating applicator (4). Said coating applicator (4) serves to feed material from a storage container to a process zone above the workpiece platform (17), said workpiece platform (17) being fixed in the device at least during manufacturing of a model. The workpiece platform (17) is introduced on the one side of the device and extracted on the other side of the device.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for breaking out a pattern (1) embedded in loose particulate matter (2), whereby the pattern (1) is arranged on a platform (4) movable at least vertically. At least during breakout, the movable platform (4) is enclosed in a container (3) that is open at least in the upward direction as viewed from the platform (4) towards the pattern (1). The platform (4) is displaced at the desired settable speed upwards in the direction of the pattern (1) and the loose particulate matter (2) is removed simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interchangeable container (1) for a device used to construct models. Said container forms a substantially delimiting frame, into which a workpiece platform (2) that acts as a base can be inserted. The interchangeable container (1) contains a support (3) onto which the workpiece platform (2) is introduced.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for producing a three-dimensional object from a powder material which includes powder particles and which is solidifiable by exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus includes a support having a substantially plane support surface for supporting said object, an applying device for applying a layer of the powder material to the support surface, a radiation device for selectively exposing the powder material to electromagnetic radiation at places corresponding to the object and a discharge electrode for generating an electric field for reducing charge differences on the powder particles.

Abstract: A hand device for varying the gas pressure in a valve-less ball comprises a holding structure in which the ball is held non-rotatably and an injection syringe which is introduced into a longitudinal bore in a handle of the holding structure. During the introduction movement the hollow needle of the syringe perforates the wall of the ball and finally projects by a portion thereof into the interior of the ball. The syringe can be operated to inject into the ball a sealing agent which has been previously drawn into the injection syringe and then, after the piston has been removed from the syringe, the connecting portion of an air pump may be introduced into the open end of the syringe cylinder to pump the ball up to the desired pressure which is indicated by a pressure measuring arrangement, the injected sealing agent closing off the perforation formed by the needle when the syringe and the air pump are withdrawn from the holding structure.

Abstract: A two axes manipulating device is provided for the movement of work pieces between two arbitrary desired points in a plane. The device comprises a carriage with guide tracks for two axes disposed at a 90 degree angle relative to each other. The drive is provided under computer control via gear rack and pinion. A position sensing transducer with a pulse generator is provided in each case for the control of the drive. The invention provides a simple and economic apparatus where the gripper can be rapidly and accurately positioned. The computer control comprises a position and a speed control circuit. The carriage comprises means for balancing weights capable of moving in a vertical direction. The balancing is preferably provided by a rotating air piston engine. An electrically disengageable brake can be provided at the vertical axis. The carriage can be a light weight product, for example made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic.