Abstract: A piezoelectric bending element is sealingly insertable into a chamber in a housing and controls with its free end at least one sealing seat corresponding to an applied control current. The bending element has a covering made of partially elastic insulating material and which also seals off the chamber at the proximal end. The bending element is electrically insulated and sealed off against the medium to be controlled, and electrical contacts lie outside of the working area of the valve.

Abstract: Methods of permanent shaping and volumizing hair that are gentle and prevent overcurling are described. In one method using curlers to curl the hair, an alkaline permanent shaping composition having a pH of 7.6 to 11 and including a hair keratin-reducing substance is applied to the hair and allowed to act on the hair for 5 to 30 minutes at room temperature or for 2 to 20 minutes at an elevated temperature. Then the hair is optionally rinsed with water and subsequently with an acidic aqueous intermediate rinse, which has a pH of 2 to 6.5 and includes an aliphatic organic acid. Next the hair is wound onto curlers, after which the hair is allowed to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature or 20 minutes at an elevated temperature. After the resting period the hair is treated with an oxidant-based fixative, which can be a solution of hydrogen peroxide, and the curlers are removed. The hair is subsequently rinsed with water or washed with a shampoo to remove the fixative and combed into a hair style.

Abstract: Thermoplastic molding materials contain A) polycarbonates B) elastomeric graft copolymers, C+D) two different, thermoplastic copolymers based on styrene or &agr;-methylstyrene, E) copolymers based on alkyl(meth)acrylate and F) polymeric, OH-containing compounds.

Abstract: Cookware is provided with a swingable handle via a mounting assembly which has an actuator which, upon depression, allows the handle to be swung from an extended position into a position in which the handle overlies the cookware or it tangential thereto. The handle can be locked in either of its extreme position.

Abstract: In a method for producing liquid pig iron (16) and a sponge metal from charging substances comprising iron ore (4) respectively metal ore, the charging substances are directly reduced to sponge iron in at least one first reduction zone (2) the sponge iron is melted in a melt-down gasifying zone (15) under the supply of carbon carriers (10) and oxygen-containing gas and a CO— and H2-containing reducing gas is produced which is fed to the first reduction zone (2), is reacted there and withdrawn as a top gas, wherein the withdrawn top gas after a scrubbing operation is subjected to CO2 elimination and optionally to heating and is supplied to at least one further reduction zone (27) for the direct reduction of metal ore, in particular of iron ore (26), as a reducing gas that is at least largely free from CO2 and after reaction with the metal ore (26) is withdrawn as an export gas and purified in a scrubber.

Abstract: A process and a device for the joining of fastening elements on a mask frame of picture tubes by welding using laser beams is applicable to the production of color picture tubes for television sets and computer monitors. After positioning the fastening elements, the elements are welded by laser beams from at least one laser source. The laser source is located outside the mask frame, and the laser beam is guided through a glass wall of a screen to weld the fastening elements.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed containing a metal-oxide ferroelectric thin film. An voltage-cycling recovery process is conducted to reverse the degradation of ferroelectric properties caused by hydrogen. The voltage-cycling recovery process is conducted by applying from 104 to 1011 voltage cycles with a voltage amplitude of from 1 to 15 volts. Conducting voltage-cycling at a higher temperature in the range 30-200° C. enhances recovery. Preferably the metal oxide thin film comprises layered superlattice material. Preferably the layered superlattice material comprises strontium bismuth tantalate or strontium bismuth tantalum niobate. If the integrated circuit manufacture includes a forming-gas anneal, then the voltage-cycling recovery process is performed after the forming-gas anneal.

Abstract: The method of prophylaxis and therapy of radical-mediated cell damage includes administering an effective amount of at least one steroid and at least one pharmaceutical adjuvant to a human being. The at least one steroid is selected from the group consisting of ent-estradiol, 17&agr;-estradiol, 8-dehydro-estradiol, 8-dehydro-17&agr;-estradiol, 8(14)-dehydroestradiol, 6,8-didehydro-17&agr;-estradiol, 6-dehydroestriol, 9(11)-dehydroestriol, 20-hydroxymethyl-3-hydroxy-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10)-triene, 14&agr;, 15&agr;-methylene-8-dehydroestradiol, 14&agr;, 15&agr;-methylene-estradiol, 2-hydroxy-estradiol-3-methyl ether, 3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-17S-spirooxirane, 3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10),9(11)-estratetraene-17S-spirooxirane, and 14&bgr;,15&bgr;-methylene-8-dehydroestradiol.

Abstract: A valve for regulating the rate of flow and/or the pressure of oil flowing to a transmission or another consumer in the power train of a motor vehicle has a piston which defines with the valve housing a chamber for one or more springs and for oil being admitted through a first inlet by way of a first conduit containing a first throttle. A second inlet admits pressurized oil from a pump, and such oil can be admitted into the consumer by way of a first outlet and a second conduit containing a second throttle and supplying oil to the first conduit. A second outlet can deliver oil from the second inlet to the sump in response to shifting of the piston. A hydraulic seal is established between the piston and the housing intermediate the chamber and the second outlet to prevent leakage of oil from the chamber into the second outlet. Oil leaking from the chamber could adversely influence the characteristics of oil flowing into the consumer.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve having a swirl disk, located downstream from a valve seat (15), that is made of at least one metallic material and has at least two swirl channels emptying into a swirl chamber, with all layers being built up by electrodeposition (multilayer electroplating) so that they adhere firmly to each other. The swirl disk has an upper layer that includes multiple material areas separated from each other by opening structures. The material areas of the swirl disk rest against a valve seat body containing the valve seat. The fuel injection valve is especially suitable for injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing internal combustion engine with externally supplied ignition.

Abstract: A fuel inject includes an orifice plate which is arranged on a valve-seat member, particularly at its downstream end face, the valve-seat member having a fixed valve seat, the orifice geometry of the orifice plate being bounded by the valve-seat member, so that the flow ratios in the orifice plate are influenced by the valve-seat member. The valve-seat member covers an upper inlet region of the orifice plate, at least to the extent that downstream outlet orifices of the orifice plate are overlapped. The fuel injector is particularly suited for use in fuel systems of mixture-compressing internal combustion engines with externally supplied ignition.

Abstract: A chemically amplified resist for electron beam lithography contains the following components: a polymer with dissolution-inhibiting groups that can be cleaved with acid catalysis, a photo-reactive compound, which upon electron irradiation releases a sulfonic acid with a pKa value ≦2.5 (photo acid generator), an electron-beam-sensitive sensitizer enhancing the exposure sensitivity of the resist, such as a fluorene derivative, and a solvent.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a water kettle (1) including at the junction between the handle (18) and the housing (2) a safety arrangement (64) comprised of a button, an actuating element (44) and a detent lever, which allows operation of the water kettle (1) only when the lid (26) closes the opening (48) of the water kettle (1). Opening of the lid (26) automatically turns off the water kettle (1). The risk of an operator being scalded is thereby essentially eliminated. Manipulation of the water kettle (1) is also facilitated by the automatic shutoff feature of the water kettle (1) when the lid (26) is opened.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a restraint device in a motor vehicle has a detector for detecting a child seat disposed on a vehicle seat, a pickup for determining the position of the vehicle seat, and an evaluation device. The evaluation device furnishes a control signal for the restraint device as a function of the vehicle seat position and as a function of a status signal of the detector for detecting a child seat.

Abstract: A selection system for an automatic motor vehicle transmission has locking system in which a toggle lever arrangement is connected with the selector element and is arranged to be movable thereby relative to a locking body. The locking body is arranged to be movable into the moving path of the toggle lever arrangement into a locking position which locks it and out of this moving path into an unlocking position which does not lock it and can be driven by the actuator arrangement for carrying out its movements. As a result, the selection system can be securely unlocked also by low forces of an actuator arrangement.

Abstract: A method for producing an integrated semiconductor memory configuration, in particular uses ferroelectric materials as storage dielectrics. A conductive connection between a first electrode of a storage capacitor and a selection transistor is produced only after deposition of the storage dielectric.

Abstract: Non-slip floor covering and method of producing a non-slip floor covering. The non-slip floor covering includes a plurality of depressions that are regularly or randomly distributed over a floor covering surface such that the depressions provide a suction effect. The method includes directing pulsed laser beams onto a surface of the floor covering, forming micro-craters having suction effect with the directed pulsed laser beams, and distributing the formed micro-craters over the surface of the floor covering.

Abstract: The injection valve has a control valve with a control chamber in which a closing member is disposed. The closing member is pressed against a corresponding sealing seat by a pressure (e.g. fuel pressure) in the control chamber. The closing member merges into a rod that passes through a drain hole and is connected to a spring plate. The spring plate is preloaded against the housing by a compression spring in such a way that the closing member is pressed against an associated sealing seat. The closing member can be raised from the sealing seat by an actuator piston which rests against the spring plate.

Abstract: In a process for producing self-releasing, compact or cellular moldings which comprise polyisocyanate polyaddition products and may contain reinforcing material by reacting a) organic and/or modified organic polyisocyanates with b) at least one compound containing at least two reactive hydrogen atoms and having a molecular weight of from 62 to 10,000 and, if desired, c) chain extenders and/or crosslinkers in the presence of d) internal mold release agents and in the presence of or absence of e) catalysts, f) blowing agents, g) reinforcing materials and h) auxiliaries in an open or closed mold, the internal mold release agents (d) used are diesters and/or monoesters of alkylsuccinic acids and/or diesters and/or monoesters of alkenylsuccinic acids.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring device includes a pressure measurement sensor provided on each of the wheels to be monitored, a transmitter arranged near each pressure measurement sensor for sending signals representative of the pressure determined by the pressure measurement sensor, respective antennas for receiving the signals, the antennas being arranged on the vehicle chassis near the respective wheel. Each antenna is formed by making use of a separate electric line belonging to another monitoring system that is associated to the same wheel or is formed by making use of a sensor belonging to another monitoring system associated to the same wheels. Alternatively an electric line that leads to another consumer which is associated to the respective wheel, like a lamp, is used as an antenna.