Abstract: An example system includes an omnidirectional robot reachtruck or system that has a set of steerable wheels configures in a U-shaped base structure, a vertical track structure that enables an engagement structure or extendible forklift to be raised and lowered, and a housing that stores control components, engine and energy components. Each of the wheels is steerable thus making the robot omnidirectional. The U-shaped base structure enables the system to lower the engagement structure or forklift to the ground and to pick up pallets or other items that fit between the projections of the U-shaped base structure.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting control-point activation conditions corresponding to a portion of a glove body coming in contact with or being within a threshold distance from at least one of another portion of the glove body or a control surface separate from the glove body. The glove may include a conductive path attached to the glove body and an expanded conductive area conductively coupled to the conductive path and attached to the glove body. The expanded conductive area may be wider than individual portions of the conductive path.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting control-point activation conditions corresponding to a portion of a glove body coming in contact with or being within a threshold distance from at least one of another portion of the glove body or a control surface separate from the glove body. The glove may include a conductive path attached to the glove body and an expanded conductive area conductively coupled to the conductive path and attached to the glove body. The expanded conductive area may be wider than individual portions of the conductive path.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting control-point activation conditions corresponding to a portion of a glove body coming in contact with or being within a threshold distance from at least one of another portion of the glove body or a control surface separate from the glove body. The glove may include a conductive path attached to the glove body and an expanded conductive area conductively coupled to the conductive path and attached to the glove body. The expanded conductive area may be wider than individual portions of the conductive path.

Abstract: A hoist, a hoisting apparatus with said hoist and a method for securing a hoist. A hoist body having a drive mechanism for raising or lowering a hoist chain or a hoist cable is suspended from a support device by a hoist support. A safety device having a loosely arranged coupling element and a damping element is mounted between the hoist body and the support device. If the hoist support is released, the hoist body can drop by a drop height until the coupling element becomes taut. The damping element then damps the fall under the load of the hoist body, the hoist chain and whatever load is suspended from it.

Abstract: A hoist, a hoisting apparatus with said hoist and a method for securing a hoist. A hoist body having a drive mechanism for raising or lowering a hoist chain or a hoist cable is suspended from a support device by a hoist support. A safety device having a loosely arranged coupling element and a damping element is mounted between the hoist body and the support device. If the hoist support is released, the hoist body can drop by a drop height until the coupling element becomes taut. The damping element then damps the fall under the load of the hoist body, the hoist chain and whatever load is suspended from it.

Abstract: Methods and/or systems for scanning biometric objects and compiling 2-dimensional digital images thereof, such images as can provide enhanced resolution, with reduced distortion.

Abstract: A method for loading and unloading rail cars includes at least one car, having a frame and a superstructure, moved into loading and unloading positions. During unloading the car superstructure is lifted off from the frame with lifting devices to an unloading level, and after the lifting operation the superstructure is moved at the unloading level in a transverse direction with respect to a longitudinal plane of the car until the superstructure is seated completely on a loading and unloading face. During loading the superstructure is moved from the loading and unloading face in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal plane of the car to above the frame and the superstructure is lowered, by lifting devices, onto the frame located in the loading and unloading positions. The lifting and lowering of the superstructures is carried out by lifting devices that are anchored to the track bed or secured to a platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a traction vehicle (21) for semi-trailers (3), preferably for loading and unloading the semi-trailers (3) onto and off of a freight train (18), in particular, as part of the rolling highway, wherein the freight train (18) comprises several freight cars coupled to one another, in particular low-floor railcars (10), and a continuous driving lane in the longitudinal direction (20) of the train for moving the semi-trailers (3) on the freight train (18), wherein the traction vehicle (21) is unmanned and self-propelled, as well as a tractor-trailer unit (30) formed from the traction vehicle (21) and a semi-trailer (3), a method for transferring semi-trailers (3) from the railway (12) to the roadway and vice versa, as well as a freight transfer terminal thereto, and a method for transferring semi-trailers (3) from the railway (12) to the roadway and vice versa and for transporting the semi-trailers (3) on the railway (12).

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for characterizing and identifying a human. The apparatus comprises a light imaging device that images topography of a surface of a portion of human anatomy, and an infrared imaging device that images infrared radiation of the same portion of human anatomy. The light imaging device and the infrared imaging device are rotatable about at least one axis, each of the at least one axis extending through the portion of the anatomy.

Abstract: Methods and/or systems for scanning biometric objects and compiling 2-dimensional digital images thereof, such images as can provide enhanced resolution, with reduced distortion.

Abstract: An apparatus for inputting information is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first sensor operably configured to be mounted on a user's thumb and a plurality of sensors operably configured to be mounted on the user's fingers, such that the user can move the user's thumb and/or fingers to cause contact between the first sensor and at least one of the plurality of sensors. The apparatus also includes an interface in communication with the first sensor and the plurality of sensors, the interface being operably configured to associate contact between the first sensor and sensors of the plurality of sensors with respective data items and to produce a data signal representing the data item. Frequently used data items are associated with sensors of the plurality of sensors located in positions on the user's fingers that permit ergonomically favourable conditions when causing the contact.

Abstract: An apparatus for inputting information is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first sensor operably configured to be mounted on a user's thumb and a plurality of sensors operably configured to be mounted on the user's fingers, such that the user can move the user's thumb and/or fingers to cause contact between the first sensor and at least one of the plurality of sensors. The apparatus also includes an interface in communication with the first sensor and the plurality of sensors, the interface being operably configured to associate contact between the first sensor and sensors of the plurality of sensors with respective data items and to produce a data signal representing the data item. Frequently used data items are associated with sensors of the plurality of sensors located in positions on the user's fingers that permit ergonomically favorable conditions when causing the contact.

Abstract: Novel catalyst beds comprising a physical mixture of catalytically active and catalytically inactive shaped bodies, in which the catalytically inactive shaped bodies have rounded edges on the external rubbing surfaces.

Abstract: Process for preparing phthalic anhydride by gas-phase oxidation of xylene, naphthalene or mixtures thereof in a shell-and-tube reactor thermostatted by means of a heat transfer medium over three or more different fixed-bed catalysts arranged in zones, wherein the process is carried out so that the maximum temperature in the second catalyst zone in the flow direction is up to 50° C. lower than the maximum temperature in the first catalyst zone and the maximum temperature in the third zone from the gas inlet is from 30 to 100° C. lower than that in the first catalyst zone. The process of the present invention makes it possible to prepare phthalic anhydride in high yields under industrially relevant conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for loading and unloading rail cars, wherein at least one car, having a car frame (40) and a car superstructure (1), is moved into a loading and unloading position, and: a) when unloading takes place, the car superstructure (1) is lifted off from the car frame by means of lifting devices (101, 111; 201, 221) to an unloading level, and after the lifting operation the car superstructure (1) is moved at the unloading level in a transverse direction with respect to a longitudinal plane (7) of the car until the car superstructure (1) is seated completely on a loading and unloading face (140), and b) when loading takes place, the car superstructure (1) is moved from the loading and unloading face (140) in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal plane (7) of the car to above the car frame (40) and the car superstructure (1) is lowered, by means of the lifting devices (101, 111; 201,221), onto the car frame (40) which is located in the loading and unloading positi

Abstract: Olefinically unsaturated hydrocarbons are prepared from corresponding paraffinic hydrocarbons, in particular propylene is prepared from propane, by dehydrogenation over a catalyst comprising an oxide of a transition metal of group IV B of the Periodic Table, eg. TiO2 or ZrO2, and possibly at least one element selected from among elements of transition group VIII, eg. palladium, platinum or rhodium, and/or an element of transition group VI, eg. chromium, molybdenum or tungsten, and/or rhenium and/or tin and possibly a compound of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, a compound of main group III or transition group III or zinc.

Abstract: Process for preparing phthalic anhydride by gas-phase oxidation of xylene, naphthalene or mixtures thereof in a shell-and-tube reactor thermostatted by means of a heat transfer medium over three or more different fixed-bed catalysts arranged in zones, wherein the process is carried out so that the maximum temperature in the second catalyst zone in the flow direction is up to 50° C. lower than the maximum temperature in the first catalyst zone and the maximum temperature in the third zone from the gas inlet is from 30 to 100° C. lower than that in the first catalyst zone. The process of the present invention makes it possible to prepare phthalic anhydride in high yields under industrially relevant conditions.

Abstract: A process for preparing alkenylaromatic compounds by reacting alkylaromatic compounds in the presence of steam and natural gas or methane over a suitable catalyst at a temperature of from 400 to 800° C. and a pressure of from 0.01 to 10 bar, wherein the molar ratio of steam to alkylaromatic compound is from 6.9:1 to 1:1 or the molar ratio of methane to alkylaromatic compound is from 0.1:1 to 8:1.

Abstract: A process for removing chloride from chloridic iron oxide comprises mixing said chloridic iron oxide with an acid and subsequently conducting a thermal treatment at from 50 to 1300° C.