Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a crucible for producing particle-free and nitrogen-free silicon ingots by means of targeted solidification, in which method a crucible is provided, the inner surface of the crucible having a coating containing SixNy over its full surface or at least in regions, which coating is coated with a protective layer containing SiOx in order to reduce or prevent the introduction of nitrogen and SixNy particles into the silicon. The invention also relates to a silicon ingot, which is virtually free from nitrogen or SixNy particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous suspensions containing 30 to 95 wt.-% metal carbide particles and a dispersant, and to a process for coating substrates using said aqueous suspensions. The invention also relates to the coated substrates that can be produced by the process according to the invention and to the uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of cell therapy and to an in vitro method for generating T-cell progenitors, comprising the step of exposing CD34+ cells in a medium containing a Notch ligand, a soluble domain of the Delta-like ligand 4, joined to an Fc region of a protein IgG, in the presence of a fragment of fibronectin comprising the motifs RGDS and CS-1 and a heparin-binding domain.

Abstract: Device for producing silicon blocks for photovoltaic applications, comprising a container for receiving a silicon melt with a base wall and at least one side wall, means for reducing the diffusion of impurities from at least one of the walls of the container into the silicon melt, wherein the means for reducing the diffusion of impurities comprise at least one covering element for the at least partial covering of at least one of the walls of the container.

Abstract: An actuator including a metal housing that consists of multiple housing parts, an electric motor, an actuating member, a transmission mechanism that adapts the movement of the electric motor to the actuating member and an electronic system for controlling the electric motor. At least one housing part consists of is plastic, a heat sink being situated in the region of the housing part that consists of. The heat sink has thermal connecting surfaces for the electronic system and is connected to a metal housing part.

Abstract: A method (100) is proposed for recognizing attempts at manipulating a self-service terminal, specifically a cash dispenser, in which a control panel with elements arranged therein, such as a keypad, cash-dispensing slot, etc. is provided, wherein a camera is directed onto at least one of the elements and wherein the image data generated by the camera are evaluated. Using edge detection, at least one edge image is created from the image data generated (step sequence 120). The edge image is evaluated using a reference edge image (step sequence 130). To generate the reference edge image, several individual images are used (step sequence 110). Fully automated evaluation and recognition of manipulation attempts is possible using edge detection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing crystalline bodies by directional solidification. The device comprises a melting furnace (11) having a heating chamber (12) in which at least one supporting surface (13) for a crucible (8) and at least one gas purging device arranged above the supporting surface (13) and having a gas outlet facing the supporting surface (13) are defined. An embodiment of the device is characterized in that the gas outlet is defined by one or more openings in a lower plunger surface of a plunger-shaped element (2) which has a geometry adapted to the inner shape of the crucible (8), said shape allowing an at least partial insertion of the plunger-shaped body (2) into the crucible (8). The gas purging device and/or the supporting surface (13) comprise an adjusting mechanism or are designed to be adjustable in such a manner that they allow an adjustment of a perpendicular distance between the supporting surface (13) and the plunger-shaped body (2).

Abstract: Method for producing a silicon ingot comprising the following steps: providing a container for receiving a silicon melt with a base wall extending perpendicular to an axial direction and side walls, providing at least one flat monocrystalline seed crystal with an axial orientation selected from the group of <110>, <100> and <111> orientation, arranging the at least one seed crystal on the base wall of the container and directional solidification of a silicon melt in the container (2) to form a silicon ingot proceeding from the at least one seed crystal, wherein the axial orientation of the at least one seed crystal predetermines an axial orientation for the silicon ingot and wherein the at least one seed crystal is configured on the base wall of the container in such a way that a twin formation is avoided in an edge region adjoining the side walls.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a fitter with multimedia support during assembly work in or on a technical facility is provided. Existing remote-controlled systems for supporting technicians on-site do not offer sufficient support possibilities. By means of the apparatus, which includes a competence center having different transmitters and receivers, and a computer on-site, which has a multimedia system for examination, the support is improved and considerably faster.

Abstract: A method (100) is proposed for recognizing attempts at manipulating a self-service terminal, specifically a cash dispenser, in which a control panel with elements arranged therein, such as a keypad, cash-dispensing slot, etc. is provided, wherein a camera is directed onto at least one of the elements and wherein the image data generated by the camera are evaluated. Using edge detection, at least one edge image is created from the image data generated (step sequence 120). The edge image is evaluated using a reference edge image (step sequence 130). To generate the reference edge image, several individual images are used (step sequence 110). Fully automated evaluation and recognition of manipulation attempts is possible using edge detection.

Abstract: A method for transmitting an image from a first control unit to a second control unit is provided wherein a maintenance technician can view the same image on a head-mounted display from the first output unit as an expert in the back office. The image is played back on the first output unit with the same resolution as on the head-mounted display.

Abstract: Device for the production of silicon blocks, the device comprising a vessel for receiving a silicon melt with a bottom, an inside, an outside and a central longitudinal axis and at least one support plate which is at least partially in direct contact with the bottom, and which forms a base together with the bottom, and means for generating an inhomogeneous temperature field on the inside of the bottom.

Abstract: A device for the production of silicon blocks comprising a vessel for receiving a silicon melt with at least one vessel wall, with the at least one vessel wall comprising a nucleation-inhibiting coating on at least part of an inside or with the at least one vessel wall consisting of a nucleation-inhibiting material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing crystalline bodies by directional solidification. The device comprises a melting furnace (11) having a heating chamber (12) in which at least one supporting surface (13) for a crucible (8) and at least one gas purging device arranged above the supporting surface (13) and having a gas outlet facing the supporting surface (13) are defined. An embodiment of the device is characterized in that the gas outlet is defined by one or more openings in a lower plunger surface of a plunger-shaped element (2) which has a geometry adapted to the inner shape of the crucible (8), said shape allowing an at least partial insertion of the plunger-shaped body (2) into the crucible (8). The gas purging device and/or the supporting surface (13) comprise an adjusting mechanism or are designed to be adjustable in such a manner that they allow an adjustment of a perpendicular distance between the supporting surface (13) and the plunger-shaped body (2).

Abstract: A gear wheel includes multiple helical toothings, each having a different helical angle. A pressing method for molding a gear wheel involves introducing a compactable material into a chamber of a pressing tool, compacting the material, exposing the helical toothings of the gear wheel, and removing the molded body from the pressing tool. A pressing tool for pressing, as one part, a gear wheel, includes a matrix, cylindrical first and second molding tool parts which can be translated along and then rotated about a longitudinal axis, and a driver coupled to the molding tool parts or driving them. The molding tool parts can be moved towards and away from each other and the inner surface of the matrix delimits the chamber and is shaped to allow a linear axial sliding movement of the compactable material relative to the matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining a motion vector in a predetermined area of a sequence of digital images by comparing a current image to a preceding image. The current image and the preceding image are prepared by the same filter for image adaptation. Distance vectors between a pixel of a current image and balanced pixels of the preceding image in a predetermined environment are determined, said distance vectors being averaged in order to form a displacement vector for the pixel. The displacement vectors are averaged and the displacement vector is produced.

Abstract: The present invention is a supplementary control valve device including a valve body, which may be reversibly displaced in a guide, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, between an opening solenoid and a closing solenoid. The magnetic yoke of the opening solenoid includes at least one extension, with direct contact with a web, connected to the guide on the end thereof facing away from the extension.

Abstract: The supplementary control valve device comprises a valve body, which may be reversibly displaced in a guide (3), in the direction of the longitudinal axis, between an opening solenoid (1) and a closing solenoid (2). The magnetic yoke (4) of the opening solenoid (1) comprises at least one extension (5), with direct contact with a web (6), connected to the guide (3) on the end thereof facing away from the extension (5).

Abstract: A power control device for drive motors in motor vehicles, in particular an accelerator pedal, includes an operating lever which may be operated by an operating force against a return force from a rest position on pivoting about a pivot axis. A damping device for damping the pivot motion of the operating lever is also included. The damping device is a friction device which includes a friction element. The friction element acts upon a component of the operating lever such that in addition to the return force a friction force is also overcome during a pivot movement of the operating lever in a direction away from the rest position.

Abstract: A gear wheel includes multiple helical toothings, each having a different helical angle. A pressing method for molding a gear wheel involves introducing a compactable material into a chamber of a pressing tool, compacting the material, exposing the helical toothings of the gear wheel, and removing the molded body from the pressing tool. A pressing tool for pressing, as one part, a gear wheel, includes a matrix, cylindrical first and second molding tool parts which can be translated along and then rotated about a longitudinal axis, and a driver coupled to the molding tool parts or driving them. The molding tool parts can be moved towards and away from each other and the inner surface of the matrix delimits the chamber and is shaped to allow a linear axial sliding movement of the compactable material relative to the matrix.