Abstract: Rappelling device having a casing (12) that is movable along a rope (18) and in which a pulley (16) and a guide roller (14) are supported rotatably, such that the rope, during rappelling, is held in frictional contact with the periphery of the pulley (16), the device having a braking device (36) for the pulley (16) and a coupling device (28) for suspending a load (74) to be rappelled, the casing (12) forms a rope channel (26) that extends between the guide roller (14) and the pulley (16) and into which the rope (18) can be placed in extended state, and in that the coupling device (28) is arranged at the casing (12) in a position that is offset from the rope passage (26) towards the side of the pulley (16).

Abstract: A method of rappelling loads (18) from an offshore platform, wherein a rescue raft (30) is lowered from the platform at a rappelling rope (22) until the raft floats on the water, and at least one load (18) is rappelled along the rope into the rescue raft, wherein the rappelling rope is held tensioned by a tension weight (26) that is suspended at a portion of the rappelling rope that passes through the rescue raft (30).

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell stack comprising a base plate supporting fuel cells and a cap of an electrically insulating material, particularly of ceramics, for electrically insulating the fuel cells stacked on top of each other partially enveloping the fuel cells stacked on top of each other. According to the invention it is contemplated that a metal cap provided for guiding cathode gas envelops the cap including the fuel cells together with the base plate and that the metal cap is attached to the base plate in a sealed manner. The invention further relates to a method for producing a fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A method of rappelling loads (18) from a platform, includes the steps of lowering a rappelling rope (22) from the platform, controlled rappelling of a tension weight (26), that is connected to the rope (22) by a brake unit (28) for limiting the rappelling speed, into a lower end position on the rope, and rappelling at least one load (18) via the rope (22) before the tension weight (26) has reached its lower end position.

Abstract: Rappelling device having a casing (12) that is movable along a rope (18) and in which a pulley (16) and a guide roller (14) are supported rotatably, such that the rope, during rappelling, is held in frictional contact with the periphery of the pulley (16), the device having a braking device (36) for the pulley (16) and a coupling device (28) for suspending a load (74) to be rappelled, the casing (12) forms a rope channel (26) that extends between the guide roller (14) and the pulley (16) and into which the rope (18) can be placed in extended state, and in that the coupling device (28) is arranged at the casing (12) in a position that is offset from the rope passage (26) towards the side of the pulley (16).

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell stack comprising a base plate supporting fuel cells and a cap of an electrically insulating material, particularly of ceramics, for electrically insulating the fuel cells stacked on top of each other partially enveloping the fuel cells stacked on top of each other. According to the invention it is contemplated that a metal cap provided for guiding cathode gas envelops the cap including the fuel cells together with the base plate and that the metal cap is attached to the base plate in a sealed manner. The invention further relates to a method for producing a fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high temperature fuel cell stack (10) retained by a temporary retaining device. According to the invention it is contemplated that the temporary retaining device (12-22) consists of a plastic material burning at a temperature which is lower than the operating temperature of the high temperature fuel cell stack (10). The invention also relates to a method for temporarily retaining a high temperature fuel cell stack (10) and a method for removing a temporary retaining device (12-22) of a high temperature fuel cell stack (10). The invention further relates to the use of per se known plastic elements (12-22) as a temporary retaining device for a high temperature fuel cell stack (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle door, consisting of an interior sheet metal and an exterior sheeting, together which form a hollow interior space of the door, having an opening in the interior sheet metal and having a carrier module that closes said opening, and carries at least one functional part of the motor vehicle door, such as a hinge part, lock part or window lifter part. In order to simplify the assembly of a motor vehicle door it is proposed that the vehicle door (10) features, apart from the opening (18) in the interior sheet metal (12) which may be closed by means of a carrier module, an additional access opening (22) adequately large for inserting the carrier module, including the at least one functional part, into the interior space (16) of the door and that the carrier module consists of a base plate (20) which closes the opening (18) of the interior sheet metal (12) from the side of the hollow interior space (16) of the door.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials composed of lignocellulosic fibers, for example wood meal, and thermoplastic polymer. The inventive composite material has improved mechanical properties. According to the invention, it is envisaged that the lignocellulosic fibers, before mixing with the thermoplastic polymer, are treated with an aqueous mixture composed of organopolysiloxanes which contain aminoalkylalkoxysilanes.