Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and computer program products are provided that allow for a credit partner, such as a retailer, to process a customer credit card application at multiple point-of-sale/point-of-contact channels, such as a manned or self-service cash register, a manned or unmanned kiosk, partner web site, a call center or the like and, if the customer is approved, allow for the customer to transact using the approved credit account at the credit partner location/site. The systems, methods and computer program provide for integration of the credit application system within multiple point-of-sale channels without requiring a large degree of customization and/or configuration at the credit partner level. In addition, embodiments support both active and passive instant credit decision processing.

Abstract: In a brake disk for a vehicle disk brake, a material from the carbon group is used for an internally ventilated disk brake. The individual components, such as the friction rings and the ribs, are manufactured individually or partially together and can be fastened to one another by way of an unreleasable connection, such a high-temperature welding or gluing.

Abstract: The friction unit, in particular brake disc, has at least one friction face, with a friction element and with at least one molded unit, the friction element being made from carbon fiber-reinforced composite material and joined permanently to the molded unit. The friction unit is characterized in that the (minimum of one) molded unit (6, 13, 23, 23′) is joined to the friction element (5) in such a way that at least part of it forms a region of the friction surface (7) and the molded unit (6, 13, 23, 23′) has a higher thermal conductivity along the perpendiculars to the surfaces than the friction surface (7) itself.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a friction element designed for frictional contact with a body and for use, in particular, in brakes or clutches. In the method, a porous carbon block, which approximately matches the shape of the end of the abrasion unit, is produced, liquid silicon is infiltrated into the pores of the carbon block, and the block is ceramized by initiating a chemical reaction to form silicon carbide. In order to further fashion a friction element of this kind to increase its resistance to thermal stresses and so that it is also easy to manufacture, the porous carbon block is shaped, before the silicon is infiltrated into it, in such a way that cavities and/or recesses are formed in certain internal and/or external zones for cooling and/or reinforcement purposes, the cavities and/or recesses retaining essentially the same shape and size after ceramization.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction element designed for frictional contact with a body and for use, in particular, in brakes or clutches. The friction element has at least one freely accessible surface formed by a carbon-fiber-reinforced porous carbon block, at least some pores of which are filled with silicon and silicon carbide. In order to provide a friction element of this kind, as well as a method of manufacturing the friction element, which gives the advantages associated with C/C--SiC materials and which can be manufactured inexpensively, thus making it suitable, from the cost point of view, for general use particularly in the automobile-construction industry, the friction element is made up of at least one core element and at least one friction block securely bonded to it, the friction block being bonded to the core element on the side remote from its friction surface and the two elements being joined to each other by a high-temperature-resistant bonding layer.

Abstract: A process is provided for permanently joining at least two structural components together to form a molded body, in which a carbon-containing paste is introduced between the structural components to be joined and heated to form a carbon skeleton. This skeleton is then infiltrated with silicon at a temperature above 1,410.degree. C. to form silicon carbide. As one of the structural components, a carbon fiber-reinforced component with a system of microcracks is used. One of the structural components is aligned with the other structural component in such a way as to leave a joint gap. For cases in which the width, defined as the distance between the two surfaces to be joined, is .ltoreq.80 .mu.m, the joint gap is filled with a paste which contains an organic, carbon-containing binder with a carbon content of at least 30 wt. % and carbon powder with a particle size of less than 15 .mu.m. In cases where the width of the gap is more than 80 .mu.

Abstract: To avoid the necessity of piston rings in a piston-cylinder set, it is prsed that the cylinder liner be surrounded by a band consisting of a fiber composite whose thermal expansion in a radial direction is less than that of the cylinder liner, the impediment to expansion presented by the band varying over the length of the cylinder housing; that the piston be constructed with a cap consisting of a piston head facing the combustion chamber and an essentially cylindrical piston skirt adjacent to the cylinder bearing surface, and a force-transmitting core that contains the bearing for the piston pin and the spherical pressure pad; that a force-transmitting connection rotationally symmetrical to the piston's longitudinal axis be provided above the spherical pressure pad; that the cap be connected at the lower edge of the piston skirt to the force-transmitting core, but otherwise no contact be provided between cap and force-transmitting core except in the area of the force-transmitting connection; and that both cy

Abstract: A device, such as a gudgeon pin, for connecting a piston of a reciprocating internal combustion agent to a connecting-rod comprises at least in part a fibre-reinforced composite material. The device further comprises a metallic sliding bearing having a circular cylindrical external surface. The sliding bearing layer is arranged on the external surface of the fibre-reinforced composite material. A plurality of fibre layers, which run in differing directions, are arranged in the composite material, and the sliding bearing layer is divided in the transition region from a piston to a connecting-rod. The gudgeon pin has alternate layers, in which fibres are arranged orthogonally to fibres in an adjacent fibre layer. The fibres run parallel to the gudgeon pin axis in one layer and orthogonally thereto in the two adjacent layers.

Abstract: A compressor rotor for a turbine comprises individual segments radially stressed by a bandage of fibre-reinforced material which is under prestress when the rotor is stationary. The bandage cross-section has regions of different stiffness and different tensile strength, constituted by retaining rings arranged one inside another or side-by-side.

Abstract: A disc is centered and secured on a shaft by means of flexible webs which extend parallel to the shaft and lie against the inner surface of a central aperture in the disc, and by radially extending tongues fixed to the shaft and entering into corresponding radial slots in the disc. As the assembly rotates, the webs are urged outwards by centrifugal force, to apply a radial compression force to the material of the disc.