Abstract: A flexible, ceramic membrane is useful as a separator for batteries, especially lithium batteries, the membrane containing a polymeric non-woven; a ceramic coating on and in the non-woven; wherein the ceramic coating comprises at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, BaTiO3, SiO2, and mixtures thereof; wherein the coating comprises at least two fractions of oxides selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, BaTiO3, SiO2, and mixtures thereof; a first ceramic fraction of the coating having been obtained from a sol; a second fraction of the coating comprising particles having an average particle size in the range from 200 nm to 5 ?m; wherein the first fraction is present as a layer on the particles of the second fraction; the coating comprising from 0.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool has a drive motor driving a tool and a generator. One or more heating devices having one or more heating elements are provided. The generator supplies the one or more heating devices with energy. A control device controls a power supplied to the one or more heating elements as a function of at least one operating parameter of the drive motor.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) modeling system for generating a 3D representation of a modeled object on a display device of a computer system. The modeled object is represented by an initial definition of an object and a set of modifiers. Each modifier modifies some portion of the definition of an object that may result in a change in appearance of the object when rendered. The modifiers are ordered so that the first modifier modifies some portion of the initial definition of the object and produces a modified definition. The next modifier modifies the results of the previous modifier. The results of the last modifier are then used in rendering processes to generate the 3D representation. Each modifier is associated with a three dimensional representation so that the user can more easily visualize the effect of the modifier.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) modeling system for generating a 3D representation of a modeled object on a display device of a computer system. The modeled object is represented by an initial definition of an object and a set of modifiers. Each modifier modifies some portion of the definition of an object that may result in a change in appearance of the object when rendered. The modifiers are ordered so that the first modifier modifies some portion of the initial definition of the object and produces a modified definition. The next modifier modifies the results of the previous modifier. The results of the last modifier are then used in rendering processes to generate the 3D representation. Each modifier is associated with a three dimensional representation so that the user can more easily visualize the effect of the modifier.

Abstract: A heating device is provided for a handle of a portable implement, especially a chain saw, a brush cutter, trimmer or the like. At least one heating element is disposed in the handle for heating the handle. The heat-conducting element is connected to the heating element and serves for a distribution of heat within the handle and for a transfer of heat to the handle.

Abstract: A hand-held work tool has a housing with a carburetor heater and a grip heater. An internal combustion engine is mounted in the housing and has a crankshaft and an ignition system. The ignition system has a pole wheel with permanent magnets fastened sequentially at a periphery of the pole wheel in the circumferential direction. Charge armatures are mounted in the housing and close the magnetic circuit between neighboring permanent magnets. The charge armatures have legs and excitation coils mounted on the legs. Upon rotation of the pole wheel, the permanent magnets generate an electric current in the excitation coils, wherein a first set of excitation coils is combined to a first partial generator and connected to an electric circuit of the carburetor heater and a second set of the excitation coils is combined to a second partial generator and connected to an electric circuit of the grip heater such that the electric current is supplied respectively to the carburetor heater and the grip heater.

Abstract: An interactive rendering system which can minimize computational demand while allowing a designer to manipulate one or more selected objects in a scene is disclosed. A scene is rendered to a scene buffer. One or more objects are selected and rendered to an object buffer. The scene is re-rendered to the scene buffer without the selected objects. As the selected objects move or change, they are re-rendered only in the object buffer and a display is generated by merging the objects buffer and the scene buffer. Because there is no need to render the background scene, most of the computational power can be dedicated to the selected objects. The perspective and depth relationship between the selected objects and the scene are maintained.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) modeling system for generating a 3D representation of a modeled object on a display device of a computer system. The modeled object is represented by an initial definition of an object and a set of modifiers. Each modifier modifies some portion of the definition of an object that may result in a change in appearance of the object when rendered. The modifiers are ordered so that the first modifier modifies some portion of the initial definition of the object and produces a modified definition. The next modifier modifies the results of the previous modifier. The results of the last modifier are then used in rendering processes to generate the 3D representation.

Abstract: A system to permit a designer to select the minimum scene refresh rate or animation redraw rate acceptable by the designer. The system also incorporates a selection of presentation methods for the three-dimensional objects in a scene, arranged in decreasing fidelity, and consequently in computational complexity, as fall back positions for the general rendering technique. Using the designer's selected refresh rate as a target, the system attempts to use the highest quality rendering technique selected by the designer. If the computational complexity of the scene causes the refresh rate of the scene to fall below the minimum acceptable level selected by the designer, the system selects the next lower rendering option selected by the designer, thus degrading the presentation quality of the scene and simultaneously reducing the computational complexity of the task.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) modeling system for generating a 3D representation of a modeled object on a display device of a computer system. The modeled object is represented by an initial definition of an object and a set of modifiers. Each modifier modifies some portion of the definition of an object that may result in a change in appearance of the object when rendered. The modifiers are ordered so that the first modifier modifies some portion of the initial definition of the object and produces a modified definition. The next modifier modifies the results of the previous modifier. The results of the last modifier are then used in rendering processes to generate the 3D representation. Each modifier is associated with a three dimensional representation so that the user can more easily visualize the effect of the modifier.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) modeling system for generating a 3D representation of a modeled object on a display device of a computer system. The modeled object is represented by an initial definition of an object and a set of modifiers. Each modifier modifies some portion of the definition of an object that may result in a change in appearance of the object when rendered. The modifiers are ordered so that the first modifier modifies some portion of the initial definition of the object and produces a modified definition. The next modifier modifies the results of the previous modifier. The results of the last modifier are then used in rendering processes to generate the 3D representation.

Abstract: A caching system for a 3D modeling system. Intermediate channel results, created during the generation of a representation of an object, are cached. The caching increases the speed of system. In particular, the representation of the object is generated in multiple channels, each channel representing some portion of that representation. Intermediate channel results are generated in each channel by elements in that object's list of modifiers. Depending on for how long these intermediate channel results are valid, the intermediate channel results may or may not be cached. For example, if it is determined that one set of intermediate channel results will be valid for a predetermined period of time, while the next intermediate channel results in that channel will not be valid for a predetermined period of time, then the intermediate channel results are cached.

Abstract: A graphical user interface ("GUI") incorporating one or more subpanels. Each subpanel has a presentation control and can have one or more GUI objects displayed on the computer screen. Each subpanel may be toggled between an expanded state or a collapsed state by operating the presentation control. Expanding and collapsing the subpanels changes the appearance and the functionality of the GUI, but the size of area of the screen used by the subpanels remains unchanged.

Abstract: Therapeutic compositions for the treatment of infectious diseases are disclosed. These compositions comprise xanthones and xanthone derivatives, such as 2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyxanthone. Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of infectious diseases using such compounds.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling parameter values. One such system includes a number of functions for controlling parameter values, i.e. "parameter control functions," to enable a user to quickly and easily control variable parameter values using a graphical user interface and to enable the user to obtain the desired precision of control of such variables. One such system provides four control functions: a data entry function, single step function, a scroll function, and a translation function. The user can select the particular control function used to control a parameter value in light of the particular amount or type of control that needs to be accomplished.

Abstract: A fuel tank arrangement for a motor vehicle. The arrangement includes a fuel tank containing fuel therein and having a gas space disposed above the fuel, and a venting device connected to the fuel tank. The venting device includes an activated charcoal filter and a venting conduit connecting the gas space to the activated charcoal filter for establishing gas communication therebetween. A stop valve is disposed in the venting conduit and is adapted to open gas communication between the gas space and the activated charcoal filter during refueling. Moreover, a fuel separator is disposed in the venting conduit for separating fuel from a gas flow through the venting conduit thereby yielding separated fuel.

Abstract: A process for the production of a thermoplastic composition for molded parts having improved impact resistance, transparency, surface gloss, and weatherability, and formed of a hard inner core of crosslinked polystyrene, a rubber-elastic intermediate layer of crosslinked polyacrylic ester, and an outer layer of polyvinyl chloride, wherein the inner core thereof is produced by the steps of:(a) forming a mixture, before or after addition of an initiator, under polymerization conditions in the presence of an emulsifier, of 0.01-5.

Abstract: A pourable polyvinyl chloride having an acrylate content of at least 30 percent by weight, is formed through a process wherein the emulsion polymerization of an acrylic acid ester forming soft polymers is conducted together with a diene crosslinking agent(a) in the presence of a fatty acid soap, or(b) by the batchwise or continuous addition of the monomer, pre-emulsified with an aqueous alkali lauryl sulfate solution, during polymerization, and by the addition of a fatty acid soap after polymerization, and the vinyl chloride polymerization is performed in the presence of a methylcellulose ether as the suspension agent; wherein, after addition of the suspension agent, a Ca(OH).sub.2 suspension is added, the polymerization charge is neutralized by addition of an acid, and then an organic peroxide is added as the initiator in a dissolved or suspended form. The polymerization can also take place without acid addition, by utilizing azo-type catalysts.

Abstract: A desk with a channel which extends directly below the table top on the backside thereof and which is removably guided in the desk. The channel has a U or L-shaped profile for receiving cables and wires therein. The outer leg of the profile is in alignment, in the retracted condition thereof, with the desk wall and has openings for facilitating an exiting of the cables and wires therethrough. At least on one side of the channel which extends parallel to the table top there is secured a further channel extending perpendicularly to the channel and which extends downwardly. This further channel together with the first channel is movable and can be moved into a recess in a base of the desk and has a connection to the horizontally extending channel.