Abstract: A high temperature fuel cell and a method for producing the same include at least one interconnecting conducting plate which is associated with at least one electrode. A contact layer is disposed between the interconnecting conducting plate and the electrode. The contact layer is produced from an oxide mixed crystal powder which has a spinel structure and also contains, in addition to chromium, a divalent element selected from the group Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co and Cu. The contact layer has high thermodynamic stability in addition to sufficient electrical conductivity. A high temperature fuel cell stack includes a number of the high temperature fuel cells.

Abstract: There is provided a biodegradable filter tow or filter material from renewable raw materials for the use as a tobacco smoke filter element of cigarettes, cigars or pipes as well as a method for preparing it, wherein fibers, films or foams prepared in an extrusion method from biopolymers based on thermoplastic starch or its polymer compositions are processed to the filter tow or filter material according to the present invention.The advantages of this invention reside in the use of mainly renewable raw materials, a fast and complete biodegradability of the natural biopolymer filter material, a pollutant-reducing flavor-increasing filtering effect and an economically favorable preparation method.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling plastic melt flow in an injection molding machine comprising: a thermally conductive housing having a fluid flow channel sealably disposed in the housing, the channel having an input end sealably connected to a source of flow of a plastic melt material and an output end for controllably delivering the flow of plastic material to an input aperture of a mold cavity; an elongated pin disposed within at least a portion of the channel for controlling output of the flow of plastic melt through the output end of the channel, the pin having a head end and a pin end and a length extending between the head end and the pin end; the pin being slidably mounted along its length through an aperture in the housing such that the pin is slidably movable through the aperture between at least one unrestricted flow position and at least one restricted flow position; the head end of the pin extending outside the housing and being readily connectable to and disconnectable from a pin reciprocating mechan

Abstract: A fuel-injection nozzle consists of a nozzle housing terminating in a nozzle tip, a pintle guided in the housing, the pintle is pressed by spring action against a conical valve seat in the nozzle tip, the conical valve seat has a plurality of spray holes selectively covered by the conical end of the pintle and passing into a blind hole, the corresponding imaginary cylinder surface area (M) which results, along the extension of each spray hole, between the conical end of the pintle and the conical valve seat being smaller at the end of the first phase of the stroke than the cross-sectional area (Q) of the corresponding spray hole. In order further to improve the emission behavior as a whole, the imaginary cylinder surface area (M) is at most 0.3 times the cross-sectional area (Q) of the corresponding spray hole and the entrance zone into the spray hole is rounded with a radius of at least one-tenth the diameter of the spray hole.

Abstract: A panel including a starch foam core which is composed of starch, which is one of resilient foam or hardened foam; and which has a form selected from the group consisting of a plurality of strands which are straight and in essentially parallel alignment with one another, and a plurality of strands which are bent and arranged in an undulating path; and at least one outer layer composed of sheet material and provided directly on a surface of the starch foam core in engaging contact therewith; wherein the panel is prepared in a continuous process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of pteridine derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## in which X is O, NH or N--(C.sub.1-C.sub.5)-alkanoyl, R.sup.3 is the radical --OR.sup.4, --NR.sup.5 R.sup.6 or --S(O).sub.m R.sup.7, and R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and m have the meanings given in claim 1, which are nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, for the treatment of diseases which are caused by an increased nitric oxide level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molded part made of completely biodegradable starch foamed material to be used for protecting transported articles and to a method for its preparation, wherein the starch foamed material is expanded to form starch foam profiled sections which are self-adhesive when moisture is applied and can be processed individually or so as to form single or multi-layer foam panels. The advantages reside in improved operating properties and minimized expenditure on packaging.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing composite materials from renewable raw materials wherein natural raw materials, especially in fiber form, comprising starch as binder are molded by adding water in accordance with a predetermined temperature and time profile to form boards and molded articles. The advantages of this method reside in said materials being fully biodegradable and free from harmful substances.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming circumferentially extending necked and flanged parts at an end of a bilaterally open hollow cylindrical body. First and second axially aligned shafts carry axially displaceable first and second inner tools, respectively. Each inner tool has a circumferential body-shaping and a circumferential body-supporting surface. In a first axial position of the two inner tools the shaping surfaces together define a circumferential shaping groove situated inside the hollow body, and the body-supporting surfaces support the hollow body. In a second axial position the two inner tools are at a greater axial distance from one another than in the first position to allow introduction of a hollow body therebetween. A third shaft, carrying an outer tool having a circumferential shaping surface, extends parallel to the first and second shafts.

Abstract: To improve stability and efficiency of a high-temperature solid-electrolyte fuel cell of planar multilayer design, it is proposed to increase the effective interface between the electrolyte layer and an electrode layer. This is achieved by a suitably treated surface of the electrolyte layer or by a porous and/or rough interlayer.

Abstract: An injection molding heater system for heating molding resins or plastics includes a plurality of heaters for heating resin wherein each of the heaters is positioned adjacent a nozzle or manifold. The system also includes an electrical circuit which is connected with the heaters and carries electricity from a power source to each of the heaters in order to energize the heaters. A plurality of circuit breaking devices are incorporated in the circuit for discontinuing the flow of electricity through each of the electrical circuits for preventing circuit damage in case of overcurrent, surges or the like. At least one circuit breaker is positioned in each of the electrical circuits between the power source and each of the heaters.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing biodegradable films from plant-based raw materials in the form of carbohydrates which method is continuous and carried out in one step. In the process the plant-based raw materials are modified and plastified and the films are prepared without interruption and in one step. The advantages of the invention reside in reduced shear stress of the starch molecules and thus in the improved properties of the films as well as in the cost-efficient, time-, energy- and space-saving manufacture.

Abstract: An roller-flanging device for flanging at least an end region of a cylindrical body includes a receptacle having a longitudinal axis common with the cylindrical body being flanged. Flange rollers are rotatably seated in the receptacle about the common longitudinal axis, and roll along a surface of the cylindrical body. The flange rollers each have a part with a cylindrical surface and a flange collar for forming a flange contour on the cylindrical body. At least one limiting body is disposed between contiguous ones of the flange rollers, and extends inwardly toward the common longitudinal axis beyond the circumscribed cylindrical surface of the cylindrical parts of the flange rollers at least when forming the flange. The at least one limiting body prevents burrs or material from the cylindrical body from reaching or extending beyond the cylindrical surface of the flange rollers, and assures a uniform flange diameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for forming injection molded plastic articles having an inner wall portion. The apparatus includes a mold cavity portion and a mold core portion defining a cavity space in the shape of the plastic article to be formed. The apparatus further includes at least two hot runner nozzles for injecting molten plastic material into the cavity space. The nozzles are preferably offset to outer portions of the mold core portion so as to provide an increased space in the mold core portion in which cooling conduits, inlets and the like can be placed to increase the cooling capability of the mold core portion. The offsetting of the nozzles also provides the mold core portion with increased strength. Each of the nozzles communicates with inner wall portion of the cavity space via a hook-shaped passageway and an inside gate. Additionally, each of the nozzles has a metal portion for maintaining plastic material in the hook-shaped passageway in molten condition.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a first feeding device having an endless traction member circulated at a constant speed and a carrier pawl mounted on the traction member for engaging a trailing edge of a sheet to be advanced. The apparatus further has a second feeding device being a continuation of the first feeding device and having an endless traction member; a carrier device mounted on the second traction member for engaging a trailing edge of a sheet to be advanced; and a drive for circulating the last-named traction member with a periodically changing travelling speed having a minimum value not higher than the speed of the traction member of the first feeding device and a maximum value greater than the speed of the traction member of the first feeding device and at the most equal to an initial speed with which the sheet enters a sheet handling station downstream of the second feeding device. The initial speed is at least as high as the constant speed of the traction member of the first feeding device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bi-metallic clamping system for holding a heater firmly on the external surface of a hot runner nozzle body. The band heater-clamp arrangement of the present invention is formed by a cylindrical sheath which houses the heater coil. The sheath has an inner sleeve formed from a material having a relatively high thermal expansion and an outer sleeve formed from a material having a relatively low thermal expansion. The heater coil is positioned between the two sleeves. The desired clamping effect is produced by providing at least one axial slot in the inner sleeve. It has been found that during heating, the outer sleeve expands less than the inner sleeve due to the differences in the thermal expansion coefficients of the materials used to form the sleeves. This produces radial forces in the inner sleeve that are redirected into circumferential forces by the axial slot. These circumferential forces in turn cause the slot to close and thereby achieve the desired clamping effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hot runner sealed edge gated injection molding system. The system includes a mold cavity plate with at least one injection gate and a nozzle assembly having a tip end and at least one melt channel for transporting molten plastic material. The system further includes an annular seal ring which fits snugly over the tip end of the nozzle assembly. The seal ring has at least one melt channel and at least one orifice for transporting molten plastic material from the at least one melt channel in the nozzle assembly to the at least one injection gate in the mold cavity plate. In a preferred embodiment, the seal ring is formed from a material having a thermal coefficient of expansion lower than the thermal coefficient of expansion of the material forming the nozzle.

Abstract: An injection molding station includes a mold manifold plate housing a plurality of injection molding nozzles and housing heaters for the plurality of injection molding nozzles; at least one printed circuit board associated with the mold manifold plate; and a power source; wherein the at least one printed circuit board electrically connects the power source with the heaters. Each printed circuit board has at least one power layer printed with a plurality of power supply tracks, the power supply tracks being connected at a first end to the power source and at a second end to a respective heater. Each nozzle may also have a respective temperature sensing device, the printed circuit board having at least one sensor layer printed with sensor tracks, the sensor tracks being connected at a first end to a respective temperature sensing device, and at a second end to a controlling device.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a mold cavity and a molten plastic inlet channel for communication with the mold cavity for transmission of molten plastic to the mold cavity. A valve stem is provided with substantially no net resulting forces on the valve stem due to melt pressure acting on the projecting area of its upstream and downstream faces.

Abstract: A method for producing a superconducting layer of YBa.sub.2 CU.sub.3 O.sub.7 on a sapphire substrate utilizes the steps of epitaxially growing an intermediate layer that at least contains a yttrium-stabilized zirconium oxide layer directly on the substrate, and then epitaxially growing a superconducting layer on the intermediate layer. In one embodiment, the step of growing the intermediate layer grows two sub-layers, with the first sub-layer being a yttrium-stabilized zirconium oxide layer and a second sub-layer being a yttrium oxide layer applied onto the first sub-layer.