Abstract: An injection nozzle has a nozzle needle that suppresses metering of fluid in a closed position and otherwise allows the metering of fluid. Furthermore, the injection valve has a solid-state actuator that acts on the nozzle needle. A first operating phase is performed for a closing operation in a first operating mode, during which first operating phase the solid-state actuator is discharged to a predefined part charge. Furthermore, a second operating phase is performed, during which the solid-state actuator is operated as a sensor. An operating duration of the second operating phase is predefined such that the closed position of the nozzle needle is reached during the operating duration. A third operating phase is performed, during which the solid-state actuator is discharged further to a predefined reference state. In a second operating mode, the first and second operating phases are carried out and the third operating phase is omitted.

Abstract: A method for determining the actual start of injection is performed by an actuating device for a piezo fuel injection valve and includes the following steps. First, a test injection is carried out with such a short actuation duration that a start of shut-off takes place at a time so early that the nozzle needle does not reach the open end position. Said time is predefined by the actuation and is therefore precisely known. Next, the closing time of the nozzle needle is then determined by measurement and evaluation of an electrical variable of the piezo direct drive. Once the closing time and the time of the start of shut-off are known, the actual start of injection is calculated back from the closing time via the start of shut-off. This permits an adequately precise determination of the actual injection quantity in almost every operating state of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A control method for a fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein at least one control signal for actuating a drive of the injection valve is generated in recurring injection cycles and as a function of a target stroke height of a closing element of the injection valve, wherein the drive is actuated by the control signal to lift the closing element to the target stroke height and the closing element is lifted to an actual stroke height by means of the drive, wherein at least one measured parameter correlated with the actual stroke height is captured and the actual stroke height is determined as a function of said at least one measured parameter, wherein the control signal is generated in at least one of the subsequent injection cycles as a function of a deviation of the actual stroke height from the target stroke height.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a lock element of an injection valve for an internal combustion engine includes moving the lock element in the direction of a locked position in a closing movement in order to lock the injection valve, subsequently measuring a closure time at which the lock element arrives in the locked position, determining a time difference between the closure time and a preceding starting time of the closing movement, and determining, based on the time difference, a position which the lock element has assumed at the starting time of the closing movement.

Abstract: A device for applying a sensor to a measurement site on a patient's skin has a wall arrangement defining an applicator volume above the patient's skin The wall arrangement has a patient's side and a sensor side. At least one gas-permeable membrane separates the applicator volume into a first volume directed to the measuring site at the patient's side of the wall arrangement and a second volume separated from the patient's skin and directed to the sensor side of the wall arrangement.

Abstract: An injection nozzle has a nozzle needle that suppresses metering of fluid in a closed position and otherwise allows the metering of fluid. Furthermore, the injection valve has a solid-state actuator that acts on the nozzle needle. A first operating phase is performed for a closing operation in a first operating mode, during which first operating phase the solid-state actuator is discharged to a predefined part charge. Furthermore, a second operating phase is performed, during which the solid-state actuator is operated as a sensor. An operating duration of the second operating phase is predefined such that the closed position of the nozzle needle is reached during the operating duration. A third operating phase is performed, during which the solid-state actuator is discharged further to a predefined reference state. In a second operating mode, the first and second operating phases are carried out and the third operating phase is omitted.

Abstract: A method for determining the actual start of injection is performed by an actuating device for a piezo fuel injection valve and includes the following steps. First, a test injection is carried out with such a short actuation duration that a start of shut-off takes place at a time so early that the nozzle needle does not reach the open end position. Said time is predefined by the actuation and is therefore precisely known. Next, the closing time of the nozzle needle is then determined by measurement and evaluation of an electrical variable of the piezo direct drive. Once the closing time and the time of the start of shut-off are known, the actual start of injection is calculated back from the closing time via the start of shut-off. This permits an adequately precise determination of the actual injection quantity in almost every operating state of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to porous matrices based on a biologically compatible polymer or polymer mixture, to a cell implantation that is established on said matrices and to additional cell implantation based on cell mixtures of hepatocytes and islets of Langerhans. The invention also relates to a method for producing porous matrices, to matrices obtained according to said method and to a special method for obtaining cells for the inoculation of an implantable matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing one or several substances. According to said method, a tissue equivalent is cultivated, the substance/s is/are made to affect the tissue equivalent, and it is determined whether the effect of the substance/s has resulted in a modification of the tissue equivalent and/or the substance/s. The tissue equivalent comprises at least one cell and a porous matrix based on a biologically compatible polymer or polymer mixture. The matrix is provided with pores having a maximum size of 150 ?m as well as pores having a minimum size of 300 ?m while the degree of porosity is 93 to 98 percent.

Abstract: A system for controlling administration of a respiratory depressant drug or mixture of drugs to a spontaneously breathing patient comprises a drug delivery unit (3), being adapted for indexed or continuous and automatic titration of a respiratory depressant drug or mixture of such drugs to said patient (1), and a control apparatus (6), receiving measurement signals (20) relative to the respiratory state of said patient (1) and issuing control signals (27) to said drug delivery unit (3), wherein the control apparatus is adapted to keep said measurement signals relative to the respiratory state to a predetermined condition and thereby providing adequate sedation and/or analgesia to said patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to porous matrices based on a biologically compatible polymer or polymer mixture, to a cell implantation that is established on said matrices and to additional cell implantation based on cell mixtures of hepatocytes and islets of Langerhans. The invention also relates to a method for producing porous matrices, to matrices obtained according to said method and to a special method for obtaining cells for the inoculation of an implantable matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to porous matrices based on a biologically compatible polymer or polymer mixture, to a cell implantation that is established on said matrices and to additional cell implantation based on cell mixtures of hepatocytes and islets of Langerhans. The invention also relates to a method for producing porous matrices, to matrices obtained according to said method and to a special method for obtaining cells for the inoculation of an implantable matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing one or several substances. According to said method, a tissue equivalent is cultivated, the substance/s is/are made to affect the tissue equivalent, and it is determined whether the effect of the substance/s has resulted in a modification of the tissue equivalent and/or the substance/s. The tissue equivalent comprises at least one cell and a porous matrix based on a biologically compatible polymer or polymer mixture. The matrix is provided with pores having a maximum size of 150 ?m as well as pores having a minimum size of 300 ?m while the degree of porosity is 93 to 98 percent.

Abstract: A method for producing at least one product stream containing hydrogen from a feedstock containing glycerol and a device for performing the method is disclosed. By separation of unwanted substances and pyrolysis of glycerol, an intermediate product is obtained from the feedstock containing glycerol and is then converted into a crude synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide by steam reforming in an externally heated steam reforming reactor.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for hydrogenating streams in plants for producing alkenes by catalytic dehydrogenation of light alkanes, and also an apparatus for carrying out the process. The entire hydrocarbon stream to the dehydrogenation reactor, consisting of fresh and recycled alkane, is subjected upstream of the dehydrogenation reactor to a full hydrogenation of all unsaturated hydrocarbons present therein. This drastically reduces coke formation in the dehydrogenation reactor. The energy demand for the preheating of the reactant stream to reaction temperature is reduced since the energy released in the exothermic hydrogenation remains virtually fully in the hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: An ignition device for a passive retention system, especially in motor vehicles, in which an ignition unit arranged in a housing includes two plug pins which freely project on one side with their free end out of a casing and which are intended for slidingly receiving thereon a plug coupling, while the two plug pins are connected at the other end with an incandescent bridge and are surrounded by an ignition or primer mixture disposed inside of a casing; protective contact means are provided which protect the plug pins against electrostatic charges by short-circuiting the same prior to the emplacement of the plug coupling on the plug pins; the protective contact means consist of an essentially U-shaped elastic clamp which electrically conductively connects with each other the plug pins, when the plug coupling is not inserted, and which is automatically opened, when the plug coupling is inserted, in such a manner that the clamp interrupts the contact between the plug pins only when the regular ignition circuit h

Abstract: An ignition device for a passive retention system, especially in motor vehicles, in which an ignition unit fitted into a housing includes two plug pins which protrude on one side with their free ends out of a covering and which, on the other side, are connected with a heater bridge and are surrounded by an ignition substance within a casing.