Abstract: Electric expansion valve (1) including a valve housing (12), a valve seat (2), a valve element (3) cooperating with the valve seat (2), a drive driving the valve element (3) and including a rotary motor (4) having an axis (17) of rotation. The valve element (3) is connected to the motor (4) and has a possibility of radial displacement between the rotor (6) and the valve element (3) with respect to the axis (17) of rotation. Such an expansion valve should ensure a long lifetime with low production costs. To this end the valve element (3) is connected to the motor (4) by means of a fixing element (16) which guarantees a defined position of the valve element (3) in axial direction while allowing the radial displacement between the axis (17) of rotation and the valve element (3).

Abstract: An electric expansion valve (1) including a valve housing (12), a valve seat (2), a valve element (3) cooperating with the valve seat (2), a drive driving the valve element (3) and including a rotary motor (4) having an axis (17) of rotation. The valve element (3) is connected to the motor (4) and has a possibility of radial displacement between the rotor (6) and the valve element (3) with respect to the axis (17) of rotation. Such an expansion valve should ensure a long lifetime with low production costs. To this end the valve element (3) is connected to the motor (4) by means of a fixing element (16) which guarantees a defined position of the valve element (3) in axial direction while allowing the radial displacement between the axis (17) of rotation and the valve element (3).

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising at least one test channel, which test channel comprises an upper test channel section with an upstream end and a sampling region at its upstream end and at least one reference channel, which reference channel comprises an upper reference channel section with an upstream end and a sampling region at its upstream end. The test channel and the reference channel comprise a merging region downstream to the upper test channel section and a common downstream channel section. The merging region and the common downstream channel section are arranged such that a reference liquid flowing from the upper reference channel section into the merging region will block a test liquid flow in the upper test channel section when the test liquid flow has not yet reached the merging section. The microfluid device may be used for detecting change of flow properties e.g. due to agglomeration, agglutination or viscosity change in a liquid preferably selected from water, urine, blood, or blood plasma.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising at least one test channel, which test channel comprises an upper test channel section with an upstream end and a sampling region at its upstream end and at least one reference channel, which reference channel comprises an upper reference channel section with an upstream end and a sampling region at its upstream end. The test channel and the reference channel comprise a merging region downstream to the upper test channel section and a common downstream channel section. The merging region and the common downstream channel section are arranged such that a reference liquid flowing from the upper reference channel section into the merging region will block a test liquid flow in the upper test channel section when the test liquid flow has not yet reached the merging section. The microfluid device may be used for detecting change of flow properties e.g. due to agglomeration, agglutination or viscosity change in a liquid preferably selected from water, urine, blood, or blood plasma.

Abstract: Digitally programmable, single-channel and multi-channel hearing aids of various manufacturers and/or hearing aids having different acoustic characteristics can be set and adjusted with the programming device of the invention. The programming device includes a microcontroller, main memories, interchangeable company program modules with plug-in locations, and a master program module with corresponding plug location. A display is also provided for the programming device.