Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of an alpha-amylase having improved stability to chelating agents relative to its parent enzyme, compositions comprising the variants, nucleic acids encoding the variants, methods of producing the variants, and methods for using the variants.

Abstract: Detergent compositions including polypeptide variants and methods of cleaning and/or treatment of surfaces using such compositions, and fabric treatment compositions including polypeptide variants. The compositions may include surfactants: anionic, nonionic and/or cationic.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system for an aircraft includes a compressed air branch for conveying externally supplied and pressurized air, preferably bleed air. Furthermore, a cooling circuit for conveying preferably liquid refrigerant is provided and extends through a ram air duct. The system also includes a first heat exchanger for the heat transfer between the compressed air branch and the cooling circuit, a compressed air turbine arranged in the compressed air branch and a cooling circuit compressor arranged in the cooling circuit and mechanically coupled to the compressed air turbine. The system can have a modular design and be positioned at optimal locations in the aircraft due to the separation of the compressed air branch and the cooling circuit. In this way, the length of hot compressed air ducts can be shortened.

Abstract: A fresh air inlet for an aircraft features a ram air inlet with a ram air inlet opening, a secondary air inlet opening separate from the ram air inlet and a movably mounted flap. The flap can be moved into a first or second position, and essentially covers the secondary air inlet opening in the first position and at least partially opens the secondary air inlet opening and extends away from the aircraft body in the second position to shield the ram air inlet opening from foreign matter in the air. The secondary air inlet reduces the pressure loss of the air inlet on the ground or during flight phases with relatively slow speed due to the enlarged cross-sectional surface. The ram air inlet can be optimized for cruising phases, and the energy expenditure for any downstream compressors and flow-induced noises can be considerably reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressurizing an aircraft cabin structure and measuring the amount of leakage of the aircraft cabin structure comprises an air supply line which at a first end is connectable to a pressurized air source and which at a second end is connectable to the aircraft cabin structure so as to supply pressurized air from the pressurized air source into the aircraft cabin structure, an air supply valve disposed in the air supply fine, a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure inside the aircraft cabin structure and for providing signals indicative of the pressure inside the aircraft cabin structure, an air discharge line which at a first end is connectable to the aircraft cabin structure and which at a second end is connectable to an air discharge opening so as to discharge air from the inside of the cabin structure to the air discharge opening and an air discharge valve disposed in the air discharge line.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for pressurising an aircraft cabin structure (12) and measuring the amount of leakage of the aircraft cabin structure (12) comprises an air supply line (14) which at a first end is connectable to a pressurized air source and which at a second end is connectable to the aircraft cabin structure (12) so as to supply pressurized air from the pressurized air source into the aircraft cabin structure (12), an air supply valve (36) disposed in the air supply line (14), a pressure sensor (50) for sensing the pressure inside the aircraft cabin structure (12) and for providing signals indicative of the pressure inside the aircraft cabin structure (12), an air discharge line (42) which at a first end is connectable to the aircraft cabin structure (12) an which at a second end is connectable to an air discharge opening (44) so as to discharge air from the inside of the cabin structure (12) to the air discharge opening (44), and an air discharge valve (48) disposed in the air discharge line (42).

Abstract: The invention relates to a fresh air inlet for an aircraft that features at least one ram air inlet with at least one ram air inlet opening, at least one secondary air inlet opening that is spaced apart from the ram air inlet and at least one movably mounted flap, wherein the flap can be moved into a first position and into a second position, and wherein the flap essentially covers the secondary air inlet opening in the first position and at least partially opens the secondary air inlet opening and at least in certain areas extends into the air flow directed toward the ram air inlet opening in order to shield the ram air inlet opening from foreign matter in the second position. The air inlet according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the pressure loss of the air inlet on the ground or during flight phases with relatively slow speed due to the enlarged cross-sectional surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for heating an aircraft cabin and comprises a first hot air supply line (12) that leads to an air conditioning unit (14), a flow control valve (16) that is disposed in the first hot air supply line (12) upstream from the air conditioning unit (14), and a second hot air supply line (18) that branches off from the first hot air supply line (12) between the flow control valve (16) and the air conditioning unit (14) and bypasses the air conditioning unit (14). In order to assure air conditioning of the aircraft cabin in the event of a failure of the air conditioning unit (14) a third hot air supply line (20) branches off from the first hot air supply line (12) upstream from the flow control valve (16), which third hot air supply line (20) connects the first hot air supply line (12) to the second hot air supply line (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for heating an aircraft cabin and comprises a first hot air supply line (12) that leads to an air conditioning unit (14), a flow control valve (16) that is disposed in the first hot air supply line (12) upstream from the air conditioning unit (14), and a second hot air supply line (18) that branches off from the first hot air supply line (12) between the flow control valve (16) and the air conditioning unit (14) and bypasses the air conditioning unit (14). In order to assure air conditioning of the aircraft cabin in the event of a failure of the air conditioning unit (14) a third hot air supply line (20) branches off from the first hot air supply line (12) upstream from the flow control valve (16), which third hot air supply line (20) connects the first hot air supply line (12) to the second hot air supply line (18).