Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping device (10) and a method for clamping a workpiece (2), preferably to a machining device, in particular for clamping a workpiece (2) having one or more curved surfaces or free-form surfaces, comprising: a first receiving section (12) for receiving a workpiece (2), which preferably has at least in sections thereof a first negative form relative to the workpiece (2) to be received, a second receiving section (13) for receiving the workpiece (2), which preferably has at least in sections thereof a second negative form relative to the workpiece (2) to be received, wherein one of the receiving sections (12, 13) can be moved out of a first position relative to the other receiving section (12, 13) into a second position, and one or more clamping mechanisms (20a, 20b) is/are provided on the first receiving section (12) and/or on the second receiving section (13).

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a hydropneumatic suspension and a method involved in controlling such a hydropneumatic suspension as is used in relation to cross-country motor vehicles, which, in spite of being of a simple, inexpensive and repair-friendly structure, makes it possible to take account of both static and also dynamic factors and which in addition permits both manual and also automatic control. The hydropneumatic suspension, such as for motor vehicles, has at least two hydropneumatic springs which are in flow communication with each and also with a metering cylinder by way of a load distribution unit which is distinguished in that the load distribution unit has at least the following switching positions; flow separation of the hydropneumatic springs, flow communication only of the two connected hydropneumatic springs with each other, and flow communication of the two hydropneumatic springs and the metering cylinder with each other.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for regulating the distance between the frame and a wheel unit or axle of a motor vehicle by means of a hydrodynamic suspension element by varying the volume of the damping liquid. The vehicle frame is sprung and damped at both sides of the vehicle relative to one or more wheel axles by means of hydropneumatic springs, wherein one of the volumes of the hydropneumatic springs is variable. In this arrangement, to increase the distance the static volume is supplemented by an additonal volume and to reduce the distance the static volume is reduced by a reduction volume. Associated with one or more parallel-connected hydropneumatic springs is a metering unit which can add or withdraw at least one defined additional volume and/or reduction volume with respect to the instantaneous sum of the damping volumes of the associated hydropneumatic springs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a joint for folding and unfolding a cantilever arm on a satellite. Pivoting of the cantilever arm during unfolding is governed by a guide element which is rigidly connected with the end of the cantilever arm and is held against stop plates which are rigidly attached to the satellite, by means of at least one coil tension spring connected with cantilever arm and with satellite itself. Each of the stop plates has first, second, and third unfolded stops which cooperate with the guide element. The first and second unfolded stops are mounted symmetrically with respect to the motion plane of cantilever arm. During unfolding of the cantilever arm, the guide element strikes alternately the first two unfolded stops on the one hand and the third unfolded stop on the other hand; and with cantilever arm in the unfolded state it abuts all three unfolded stops. Two additional stops rigidly connected with satellite are provided for guide element, on which cantilever arm rests in the folded state.