Abstract: A method of improving the operating characteristics of an internal combustion engine equipped with electronic throttle control employs variable cam timing to vary the phasing of the intake valves and/or exhaust valves so as to achieve lower feed gas emissions and improved fuel economy while delivering as closely as possible the desired torque. The method can be implemented using a fuel-lead strategy or an air-lead strategy. Whenever a change is requested in the amount of torque, the method responds by adjusting the amount of fuel flow, the spark timing, the position of the throttle and/or the positions of the intake valves and/or the exhaust valves so as to deliver the desired torque. The method adjusts those operating parameters in a way that improves the ability of the engine to deliver the desired torque, produce less feed gas emissions, idle more stably, and consume less fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to seroreactive regions on proteins E1 and E2 of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16.

Abstract: A procedure for detecting microparticles released by at least one dispenser, encompassing the following steps: (a) triggering the dispenser over an oscillation target (20) with a sensor material (21), so that at least one microparticle hits the sensor material (21) and excites an acoustic wave, (b) detecting the acoustic wave with at least one oscillation sensor (31) connected with the sensor material (21), which emits an electrical sensor signal when the acoustic wave arrives, and (c) evaluating the sensor signal to determine the impact of the microparticle. The procedure is aimed at detecting the impact and/or impact positions of microparticles on a target. A detector for executing the procedure is also described.

Abstract: Vaccine formulations comprising viral capsomeres are disclosed along with methods for their production. Therapeutic and prophylactic methods of use for the vaccine formulations are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to seroreactive regions on protein E1 and E2 of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16. The application also relates to a vaccine which contains such peptides which contain the seroreactive regions. The invention likewise embraces compositions for diagnostic purposes which contain peptides with the seroreactive regions.

Abstract: A mail piece handler defines a paper path having a downstream direction. A first motor is mechanically coupled with the mail piece handler, and an encoder is operatively coupled with the mail piece handler. A mail piece sensor is positioned at the paper path, and a print rotor is positioned at the paper path downstream of the mail piece sensor, the print rotor having a print surface. A second motor is mechanically coupled with the print rotor, and an electronic controller is communicatively coupled with the encoder, with the mail piece sensor, and with the second motor, the controller disposed in the event of sensing of a mail piece by the mail piece sensor to control said second motor so as to cause the print surface of the print rotor to move at substantially a speed measured via the encoder.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve, in particular a high-pressure injection valve for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of a compressed mixture, externally ignited internal combustion engine, has in a guide and seat area provided at the downstream end of the valve which area is formed by three disk-shaped elements. A swirl element is nested between a guide element and a valve seat element. The guide element, which can move radially in the assembled valve and which has an inner guide opening, serves to guide an axially movable valve needle which extends through it, while a valve closing section of the valve needle acts in concert with a valve seat surface of the valve seat element. The guide element is spring-loaded through a compression spring which acts upon it.

Abstract: Stress relieving of an age hardenable aluminium alloy product after solution heat treatment and quenching, is carried out by a permanent cold plastic deformation applied by the steps of:(a) applying a stress-relieving cold mechanical stretch to said product, and(b) applying a stress-relieving cold compression to said product.This combined treatment gives improved strength and toughness and at least comparable distortion after machining.

Abstract: An injection valve is described, in particular for direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, with a valve body having a valve opening surrounded by a valve seat to form a spray opening, and with a valve needle which is pressed into its closed position, has a closing head and extends through the valve opening so that the closing head which works together with the valve seat is in contact with the valve seat on the spray side when the valve is closed.

Abstract: In a connection between a first component having a U-shaped fork with two essentially parallel spaced legs having recesses formed therein and a second component having a portion disposed between the legs and a bolt extending into the recesses, the ends of the bolt are engaged in the recesses by spring clamps which hold the bolt in firm contact with wall portions of the recesses so as to provide for a play-free pivot connection between the two components.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve, in particular, a high-pressure injection valve, for injecting fuel directly into a combustion chamber of a compressed-mixture internal combustion engine with externally supplied ignition. The fuel injection valve includes a guide and seating area formed by three disc-shaped elements provided at the downstream end of the valve. A swirl element is embedded between a guide element and a valve seat element. The guide element is used to guide a valve needle which passes through it and can move in the axial direction, while a valve closing segment of the valve needle interacts with a valve seat surface of the valve seat element. The swirl element has an inner opening area with multiple swirl channels which are not joined to the outer circumference of the swirl element. The entire opening area extends completely across the axial thickness of the swirl element.

Abstract: A wheel bolt for a a vehicle wheel has a shaft with a torque applying head and a threaded section. A rotatable supporting ring is disposed between the head and threaded section, which supporting ring has a spherical construction with a contact area for contacting a vehicle wheel. The supporting ring is non-rotatably held on the shaft in a ring groove by way of at least one caulking.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle body structure including a deformable passenger compartment front wall to which longitudinal forwardly extending frame members are connected and on which a pedal support block is mounted which is tilted backwardly and upwardly when the front wall is deformed by crash impact forces transmitted through the longitudinal frame members to the front wall, pedals pivotally mounted on the pedal support block have projections extending backwardly and having end portions guided by a guide surface so as to pivot the pedal arms forwardly when the pedal support block is tilted backwardly and upwardly by frontal impact forces.

Abstract: Recombinant papilloma virus-like particles result from the expression of viral structural protein L1 and/or L2 in which one or several sections of the L1 and/or L2 protein are deleted. The ability to form virus-like particles is at least the same as, preferably higher than, that of native reproduction and/or in vitro production processes.

Abstract: In order to effectively stop noises in the interior of a vehicle occurring to relative movements between individual components or a component and associated support part, it is proposed to coat them with a lacquer at the contact points.

Abstract: In a vehicle operating pedal unit, which may include clutch and brake pedals, mounted on a front wall of a vehicle passenger compartment and including a pedal support structure on which the pedals are pivotally supported by bolts, the pedal support structure includes a portion which extends upwardly so as to be disposed on top of a transverse frame member to which it is mounted and which is sufficiently strong to withstand forces to which a brake unit mounted on the opposite side of the front wall may be subjected during a crash. At least the brake pedal has an extension projection to a point adjacent the transverse frame member to prevent the brake pedal from being tilted by a brake operating rod into the leg room of the vehicle if the brake unit and the operating rod are pushed inwardly during a crash.

Abstract: An arrangement of outlet devices for releasing into the atmosphere cryogenic, combustible exhaust vapors in the near-surface, flow-swept, outer area of aircraft, land vehicles and watercraft. The arrangement provides at least one outlet device on the top side of a component at the top end of a pylon, which is favorable in terms of flow, in the free, undisturbed air flow. Each outlet device is arranged, designed and oriented such that the exhaust vapor is released in at least one directed jet oriented to the rear or to the rear and upward, with or without a lateral component, and is kept away from air inlets, hot exhaust gas jets and other sources of ignition, as well as from surfaces of components.

Abstract: Method of preparing data, in particular voice signal parameters for transmission at a low bit rate, identical signal parameters are combined interval by interval in quantized form; forfurther bit reduction, bits are suppressed from the total number of bits of at least two intervals, the bit difference to be suppressed being formed on the basis of the total number of unreduced bits with respect to the next-higher power of two; and theprocedure supplies a better voice quality than in the case of changing the number of quantization stages by multiples of 2.

Abstract: The invention relates to seroreactive epitopes on proteins of human papillomavirus HPV18.In addition, the invention relates to peptides which have amino-acid sequences which coincide in whole or in part with the sequences of the seroreactive epitopes, and to vaccines which contain such peptides.

Abstract: A date-setting method for use in a postage meter having date wheels includes the steps of setting the date wheels, printing a date on a mail piece, requesting an input indicating whether the date printed on the mail piece is correct, receiving a response in the negative, receiving information indicative of the date printed on the mail piece, resetting the date wheels, logging a record indicative of the negative response and the resetting action, printing another date on a mail piece, requesting an input indicating whether the date printed on the mail piece is correct, receiving a response in the negative, receiving information indicative of the date printed on the mail piece, resetting the date wheels, logging another record indicative of the negative response and the resetting action; and annunciating the records indicative of negative responses.