Abstract: A ball and socket joint is provided for a motor vehicle that has a joint housing (1), in the interior space of which a ball shell (2) is arranged. The ball (3) of a ball pivot (4) is accommodated in the ball shell (2). A sensor device (7), for measuring forces and loads, is arranged on a flexurally elastic printed circuit board (6). The printed circuit board is fastened in the joint housing (1) in a flexurally mobile manner. The sensor device (7) measures deflections and mechanical stresses of the sensor printed circuit board (6). A transmission device introduces forces or a bending moments into the sensor printed circuit board (6) in case of a deformation of the ball shell (2). The process makes possible the permanent determination of the state of wear of the ball and socket joint via measurement of the prestressing force of the ball shell.

Abstract: A hollow-bodied component, which includes at least two die-cast shell elements (1, 2), is suitable in particular for use as a steering component in motor vehicle running-gear assemblies. The hollow-bodied component has a connection zone (5, 6, 18, 19) configured on the shell elements (1, 2) to be interconnected. One connection zone (5) has one first contact area (7) with an essentially U-shaped cross-section that is located on the respective shell element (1) and the other connection zone has at least one strut-type second contact area (8) that engages in the space in the U-shaped first contact area (7) and that is located on the respective other shell element (2). The connection zones (5, 6, 18, 19) are joined in a force fit in a cold welding process that uses a contact pressure (F1, F2), whose value is a multiple of the separating force components (Fr) that act on the connection zones (5, 6, 18, 19) during operation. A method is provided for producing the component.

Abstract: A self-contained unit which is automated for safety and efficiency recovers emissions present as a result of loading volatile organic compositions at marine or land based vessels or terminals. The unit is enclosed for protection of its components from wind, weather and the saltwater marine environment, while including venting for protection against possible vapor build-up. The unit also includes required support services and materials, and also includes structure for protection against transfer of explosion back into the cargo vessel or terminal.

Abstract: A modular laboratory apparatus for analysis and synthesis of liquids has a liquid tank, a central electronic evaluation unit, a multitude of functional modules, and a multitude of fluid modules. The functional modules and the fluid modules are mechanically connected in rows and are selectively connected to each other electrically and fluidically. At least one fluid module is fluidically connected to the liquid tank, and provision is made for electrical connections which connect the functional modules and the fluid modules to the central electronic evaluation unit. In a method for analysis and synthesis of liquids using a modular laboratory apparatus, the functional modules and the fluid modules are controlled by the central electronic evaluation unit by executing an analysis and/or synthesis program in order to perform an analysis procedure and/or a synthesis procedure.

Abstract: An anti-roll bar device of an axle of a motor vehicle. The axle has an anti-roll bar (2) and, for each wheel, at least one steering rod (1). The chassis articulation (6) of the steering rod (1) is connected with an end (3) of the anti-roll bar (2), while the compensation movement of the steering rod (1) causes a twisting actuation of the (1) anti-roll bar (2). The anti-roll bar device is distinguished by the fact that the anti-roll bar (2) is rigidly connected with the chassis side end of the steering rod (1). The anti-roll bar arrangement facilitates constructively simple and sturdy articulation of the steering rod directly on the anti-roll bar as well as on the vehicle chassis or the axle mount. Furthermore, the assembly and installation of the anti-roll bar is simplified and the required structural space, weight and cost of the anti-roll bar are improved.

Abstract: Method for disseminating digital content that is secured by Digital Rights Management (DRM), the digital content being encrypted and playback of the digital content being linked to a license that is provided with a digital key including associated attributes that regulate at least one of a type, a scope and a duration of a permissible utilization of the digital content, including: generating a DRM ticket including an unambiguous destination address on a DRM server contactable via a computer network, the DRM ticket configured to enable a user in possession of the DRM ticket to download, at the destination address, a first license onto a device configured to play digital content; making the DRM ticket available to a buyer of the first license; and generating the first license based on rights coupled to the DRM ticket at a moment of a download of the first license onto the DRM server, the rights being stipulated by a content provider when the DRM ticket is generated.

Abstract: In an anti-skid device having lengths of chain which can be thrown under a vehicle wheel by means of a rotary plate which is arranged at the end of a pivotable extension arm (5), a drive unit having a piston (16) which is arranged in a cylinder (11) and whose movements are transmitted by a thrust chain (22) which assumes the function of the piston rod, to a drive pinion (29) whose shaft bears the extension arm (5) is used to apply the pivoting movement to the extension arm (5).

Abstract: A covering for a luggage compartment in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle between a backrest and a tailgate can be fitted in two fitting positions. Regardless of the selected fitting position, the covering is mounted such that it can pivot about a front edge, as seen in the direction of travel, and can be operatively connected to the tailgate at a rear edge, as seen in the direction of travel.

Abstract: A side impact protective apparatus is incorporated into a side wall of a motor vehicle, such as a motor vehicle door, and includes a pressure gas source as well as a gas bag inflatable by the latter. The folded together, extended gas bag is arranged along the upper edge of the side wall behind an internal covering in the resting state. The gas bag exits upward upon unfolding in the region of the railing of the side wall through a slot formed between the upper edge of the covering and the side wall and extends upward along the interior of a side window as impact protection for the head region of the motor vehicle occupant. The covering is fastened on the side wall at a distance to both long-sided ends of the gas bag, and a defined weakening is present on the front face of the covering approximately at the height of the pivotal upper edge region. As a result, a great stability of the covering is attained, and a defined exit is assured over a large temperature range when the gas bag unfolds.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a protective device which is arranged behind a backrest of a motor vehicle seat and has a flexible plane surface structure, in particular a sun blind, adjustable between an extended position of use and a retracted inoperative position. Accordingly, the motor vehicle is of coupe-like design and an electrical drive device is provided, which adjusts the flexible plane surface structure in the form of a sun blind between its position of use and its inoperative position substantially vertically, the sun blind in its position of use being arranged so that it is substantially vertically free-standing.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint is provided for a motor vehicle that has a joint housing (1), in the interior space of which a ball shell (2) is arranged. The ball (3) of a ball pivot (4) is accommodated in the ball shell (2). A sensor device (7), for measuring forces and loads, is arranged on a flexurally elastic printed circuit board (6). The printed circuit board is fastened in the joint housing (1) in a flexurally mobile manner. The sensor device (7) measures deflections and mechanical stresses of the sensor printed circuit board (6). A transmission device introduces forces or a bending moments into the sensor printed circuit board (6) in case of a deformation of the ball shell (2). The process makes possible the permanent determination of the state of wear of the ball and socket joint via measurement of the prestressing force of the ball shell.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint, a processes for load measurement and for wear measurement is provided, for example, for an axle system of a motor vehicle. The ball and socket joint has a housing (1), in the essentially cylindrical interior space of which a ball shell (2) is arranged. The ball (3) of a ball pivot is slidingly accommodated in the ball shell (2). The ball and socket joint has a sensor device for measuring forces or loads formed by a sensor array (4), which is placed in the area of the ball shell (2) and comprises at least two pressure or force sensors (6) for measuring forces or pressing pressures acting between the joint ball (1) and the ball shell (2). The processes provides permanent monitoring of the operating state and the state of wear of the ball and socket joint, by measuring the prestressing force of the ball shell.

Abstract: A covering configuration has a loading space covering and is arranged behind a vehicle seat in a motor vehicle. The loading space covering extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle and is held at its longitudinal ends in corresponding receptacles on the vehicle. It important that the receptacle on the driver side is configured such that the one longitudinal end of the loading space covering can be inserted horizontally while a receptacle on the passenger side is configured in such a manner that the other longitudinal end of the loading space covering can be pivoted counter to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle into the receptacle and can be latched therein, or vice versa. In this case, the receptacles on the driver and passenger sides are configured and arranged such that installation of the loading space covering is possible from a passenger compartment.

Abstract: A covering is provided for a gap behind at least one rear seatback in a motor vehicle, which gap is provided in the transverse direction of the vehicle between the rear seatback and a luggage compartment covering. The covering has at least one covering flap which is held in position on a housing of the luggage compartment covering, is mounted pivotably about a hinge and, in a use position, bears under prestress against the rear seatback. An integrated receptacle for the hinge of the covering flap is provided on an upper and, as seen in the direction of travel, front region of the housing of the luggage compartment covering.

Abstract: A guide element for a guideway element in a wheel suspension of a vehicle has one of the elements arranged such that it is connected essentially rigidly to the body and the other element arranged such that it is connected essentially rigidly to the wheel and a plain bearing, which makes possible a displacing motion of the guide element on the guideway element, is formed between these elements. The guide element is guided in a rotatingly movable and/or pivotingly movable manner on the guideway element via a joint arrangement, within which the plain bearing ring is arranged, which is guided with its circular passage opening, adapted to the cross section of the guideway element, on the guideway element. This joint arrangement may be designed as a rubber bushing or as a ball and socket joint.

Abstract: A hollow-bodied component, which includes at least two die-cast shell elements (1, 2), is suitable in particular for use as a steering component in motor vehicle running-gear assemblies. The hollow-bodied component has a connection zone (5, 6, 18, 19) configured on the shell elements (1, 2) to be interconnected. One connection zone (5) has one first contact area (7) with an essentially U-shaped cross-section that is located on the respective shell element (1) and the other connection zone has at least one strut-type second contact area (8) that engages in the space in the U-shaped first contact area (7) and that is located on the respective other shell element (2). The connection zones (5, 6, 18, 19) are joined in a force fit in a cold welding process that uses a contact pressure (F1, F2), whose value is a multiple of the separating force components (Fr) that act on the connection zones (5, 6, 18, 19) during operation. A method is provided for producing the component.

Abstract: A method for quantitative determination of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in feed is described. The method includes the steps of adding a defined amount of an internal standard which has a mass different from 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and a polarity similar to that compound, e.g., 26,27-hexadeutero-25-hydroxycholecalciferol, to an aqueous dispersion of the feed, extracting the aqueous dispersion with tert.butyl methyl ether and further processing the extract by HPLC and mass spectrometry as described in the specification.

Abstract: A covering for a luggage compartment in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle between a backrest and a tailgate can be fitted in two fitting positions. Regardless of the selected fitting position, the covering is mounted such that it can pivot about a front edge, as seen in the direction of travel, and can be operatively connected to the tailgate at a rear edge, as seen in the direction of travel.

Abstract: A method for quantitative determination of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in feed is described. The method comprises the steps of adding a defined amount of an internal standard which has a mass different from 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and a polarity similar to that compound, e.g., 26,27-hexadeutero-25-hydroxycholecalciferol, to an aqueous dispersion of the feed, extracting the aqueous dispersion with tert.butyl methyl ether and further processing the extract by HPLC and mass spectrometry as described in the specification.

Abstract: Pnicogen chelate compounds which have two pnicogen-containing groups joined to one another via a xanthene-like or triptycene-like molecular skeleton and in which at least one pyrrole group is covalently bound via its nitrogen atom to each pnicogen atom form complexes with metals of transition group VIII which are useful as catalysts for the hydroformylation of olefins.