Abstract: An apparatus having a shaft that can sense the depth of penetration, for penetrating into an object (the substrate). The substrate being penetrated has impedance that varies according to the depth under a surface of the substrate. The shaft has a tip for penetration and has conductive ends near to the tip of the shaft. A change of impedance of material of the object between the conductive ends can be sensed to provide information on the depth of penetration. A processor can be provided external to the object being penetrated by the shaft to gather and process the impedance information to determine whether the desired depth has been achieved.

Abstract: The subject innovation relates to a system for optimizing collection trips and/or delivery trips of a courier service, comprising a computer system with a database for storing address data records and for providing the address data records for a navigation system which can at least be read in at least one of the courier vehicles belonging to the courier service, has a display screen for navigation information and comprises an input system in the courier vehicle, which input system is connected to the computer system and is intended for the input of at least one item of additional information relating to at least one address data record, wherein the computer system is suitable for inserting the additional information into the stored address data records. The subject innovation also relates to a method for using this system.

Abstract: A steering test stand has a first steering device with a measurement unit measuring the steering device torque value and applies forces to the steering device and control unit and has a control unit connected to a computer for controlling actuators. The computer simulates static and/or dynamic properties of a motor vehicle and transmits simulated target values to the control unit. A test driver unit comprises a second steering device as a force feedback steering wheel and a connection between the test driver unit and the computer, transmits a second steering angle set on the force feedback steering wheel. A second connection between the test driver unit and computer transmits steering torque measured on the first steering device to the test unit, such that the second steering device sets a second steering torque value on the force feedback steering wheel as a function of the first value.

Abstract: A multi-part piston ring, containing an at least single-part spring support which is provided with a piston ring joint region and an at least single-part spring element, which is positioned in a groove provided in the region of the inner circumferential face of the spring support, wherein the wall thickness of the spring support is essentially equal in the region of the ends of the spring support facing the piston ring joint and in the rear region of the spring support, and a pocket which extends over a circumferential range of at least 60° and is created by local reduction of the wall thickness of the spring support is provided in each case between the rear region and the piston ring joint ends.

Abstract: This invention is directed to various protocols for reprocessing off-spec gas to produce a concentration of off-spec gases to a desired target concentration. A combination of source gases is blended with the off-spec gas. This technique has the effect of enabling relatively small adjustments to the concentration of off-spec gas. Processes are also described that incorporate the blending protocols.

Abstract: A system for real-time simulation of a battery comprising simulating a cell array by an overall computer model is disclosed. The model includes a plurality of single cells. A computer is connected via a cell voltage emulator to a control unit calculating terminal voltages of single cells by using the overall model and supplying the calculated terminal cell voltages to the control unit by the cell voltage emulator. The overall model comprises a first model which models a first single reference cell having cell parameters typical of the cell array and sending the total input current of the cell array to the first model as an input variable. The terminal voltage of the reference cell is calculated by the first model. The overall model further comprises a second model which calculates a deviation in the terminal voltage of an additional single cell from the terminal voltage of the reference cell.

Abstract: A gas sensor is for determining at least one physical quantity of a gas, e.g., an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, the gas sensor having a sensor element that is fixed in a housing of the gas sensor by a seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a sealing element, which has a ceramic and/or a metallic material. After the heat treatment, the sealing element has a maximum decrease in volume of 5 percent, or an increase in volume, based on the volume of the sealing element prior to the heat treatment.

Abstract: A circuit for simulating an electrical load at a terminal of a test circuit having at least one first switch and at least one second switch includes a third switch connected to the first switch of the test circuit via a first external connection point. A fourth switch is connected to the second switch of the test circuit via a second external connection point. The first switch and the second switch are connected via a shared, first internal connection point to the terminal of the test circuit and the third switch and the fourth switch are connected via a shared, second internal connection point such that that the first switch, the second switch, the third switch and the fourth switch form an H-bridge circuit. A voltage source is configured to provide the first and second external connection points with a supply voltage. A controllable voltage source is connected in a transverse bridge branch between the terminal and the second internal connection point. An inductance is active in the transverse bridge branch.

Abstract: An apparatus having a shaft that can sense the depth of penetration, for penetrating into an object (the substrate). The substrate being penetrated has impedance that varies according to the depth under a surface of the substrate. The shaft has a tip for penetration and has conductive ends near to the tip of the shaft. A change of impedance of material of the object between the conductive ends can be sensed to provide information on the depth of penetration. A processor can be provided external to the object being penetrated by the shaft to gather and process the impedance information to determine whether the desired depth has been achieved.

Abstract: The novel active compound combinations consisting, firstly, of cyclic ketoenols and, secondly, of beneficial species (natural enemies) have very good insecticidal and/or acaricidal properties.

Abstract: A multimedia message service center and telecommunication device for accessing deposited multimedia messages. The forwarding and receipt of multimedia messages transmitted in networks that are configured for the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) independent of the communication between the networks and the infrastructure and the topology of the respective network from any transmitter to any addressee. A dial-in information (EWI) is indirectly or directly sent to the telecommunication device in addition to a communication message (MN) sent indirectly or directly e.g. via a short message center and/or an additional multimedia message center to the telecommunication device (ETKG) in response to a multimedia message (MMN) destined for a telecommunication device (ETKG) and deposited in the multimedia message center (MMNDZ). This dial-in information (EWI) tells the telecommunication device where to dial in to be able to access the multimedia message (MMN) addressed to the telecommunication device.

Abstract: A gas sensor is for determining at least one physical quantity of a gas, e.g., an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, the gas sensor having a sensor element that is fixed in a housing of the gas sensor by a seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a sealing element, which has a ceramic and/or a metallic material. After the heat treatment, the sealing element has a maximum decrease in volume of 5 percent, or an increase in volume, based on the volume of the sealing element prior to the heat treatment.

Abstract: A composite body made of at least two ceramic layers, in which the ceramic layers are permanently bonded to one another at defined bonding points by a contact layer made of a bonding material. To achieve a permanent, thermally stable bond of ceramic layers having different coefficients of thermal expansion, the bonding material has a low modulus of elasticity. During the manufacture of the composite body, the bonding points of the ceramic layers are pretreated to form a porous surface structure, the bonding material is applied to these bonding points, and after the ceramic layers are laid one on top of another with bonding points facing toward one another and bonding material lying between them, the assembled composite body is subjected to a heat treatment.

Abstract: A gas sensor is for determining at least one physical quantity of a gas, e.g., an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, the gas sensor having a sensor element that is fixed in a housing of the gas sensor by a seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a sealing element, which has a ceramic and/or a metallic material. After the heat treatment, the sealing element has a maximum decrease in volume of 5 percent, or an increase in volume, based on the volume of the sealing element prior to the heat treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified acetylcholine receptor subunits, to nucleic acids coding modified acetylchloine receptor subunits, and to methods for finding active ingredients for crop protection and active pharmaceutical ingredients for treating humans and/or animals.

Abstract: A green ceramic insert having a green ceramic body provided with a recess extending through the ceramic body is provided, the recess being filled with a paste which may be converted into an electrical plated hole. A ceramic insert made from a sintered green ceramic insert of this type is also described. In addition, a ceramic green body or a green body composite is provided, which has at least one recess in some areas, into which one of the described green ceramic inserts is inserted. The ceramic insert may be integrally joined to the laminated composite, a conductive paste converted by sintering into a printed conductor being routed on the laminated composite in a manner electrically insulated from it, and electroconductively connecting the top of the laminated composite to its bottom via the electrical plated hole.

Abstract: A device for detecting a failure of a filter used to clean a gas stream, in particular an exhaust gas stream, of soot particulates, including a chamber which is insertable into the gas stream to be cleaned in addition to the filter and which is at least partially closed by a filter body and has at least one opening through which gas entering the chamber through the filter body can exit the chamber, at least one gas sensor for determining the concentration of at least one component of the gas to be cleaned being arranged in the chamber, and at least one second gas sensor for determining the concentration of the at least one component of the gas to be cleaned being arranged outside the chamber.

Abstract: A gas sensor for determining the concentration of gas components in gas mixtures is used in particular to measure the concentration of nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines or in the interiors of motor vehicles. It contains an electrochemical measuring cell which includes a first electrode situated on a solid electrolyte and an additional electrode. The electrode is made of an oxide material containing lanthanum which at least catalytically decomposes nitrogen oxides. The pump current flowing between the electrodes is used as a measure of the nitrogen oxide concentration in the gas mixture.

Abstract: A multimedia message service center and telecommunication device for accessing deposited multimedia messages. The forwarding and receipt of multimedia messages transmitted in networks that are configured for the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) independent of the communication between the networks and the infrastructure and the topology of the respective network from any transmitter to any addressee. A dial-in information (EWI) is indirectly or directly sent to the telecommunication device in addition to a communication message (MN) sent indirectly or directly e.g. via a short message center and/or an additional multimedia message center to the telecommunication device (ETKG) in response to a multimedia message (MMN) destined for a telecommunication device (ETKG) and deposited in the multimedia message center (MMNDZ). This dial-in information (EWI) tells the telecommunication device where to dial in to be able to access the multimedia message (MMN) addressed to the telecommunication device.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids which encode insect acetylcholine receptor subunits, to the corresponding polypeptides, and to processes for discovering novel active compounds for plant protection.