Abstract: An automated clutch between the engine and the variable-speed transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is operated by a control unit which receives signals from several circuits and/or sensors via one or more conductors. The control unit shifts from a normal operating mode to an emergency mode when one or more sensors and/or circuits and/or conductors are defective. When in emergency mode, the control unit disengages the clutch when the driver starts the engine while the vehicle brake or the parking brake is applied. This ensures that the engine can drive the vehicle as soon as the transmission is shifted into a forward gear or into reverse gear and the application of the brake or brakes is terminated because the control unit is then again free to engage the clutch. Furthermore, such mode of operation enables the driver to shift the transmission into or from a selected gear in response to the application of a relatively small force to the gear shifting lever.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wherein the power train comprises an automated clutch between the engine and a manually shiftable transmission. The control circuit for the clutch is designed in such a way that the clutch is disengaged in response to actuation of the gear shifting lever simultaneously with one or more additional undertakings such as actuation of the gas pedal and of one or more brakes, a reduction of the speed of the vehicle below a preselected value, and/or many others.

Abstract: A power train in a motor vehicle has an automated clutch which is operated by a control unit by way of an actuator. The control unit receives signals from various parts of the engine, from the brake or brakes and from the transmission; such signals are processed and transmitted to the clutch by way of the actuator so that, when the vehicle is to carry out a crawling movement, the torque being transmitted by the then partly engaged clutch is properly related to the engine torque to ensure a predictable crawling movement of the vehicle regardless of eventual shifts of the operating point of the clutch and/or fluctuations of other parameters of the engine, transmission and/or clutch. The crawling movement can begin when the brake(s) is or are idle, the gas pedal is not depressed, and the engine is running; and crawling movement begins in response to shifting of the transmission into gear.

Abstract: A reversible flow thermal expansion valve for use in a heat system is disclosed wherein the thermal expansion valve includes a valve body having a flowpath therethrough with an inlet and outlet, an expansion port within the flowpath, and an expansion valve to open and close the expansion port. An internal by-pass flow path by-passes the expansion port for reverse flow through the expansion valve. A check valve in the by-pass flow path prevents refrigerant from by-passing the expansion port during regular, forward flow through the expansion valve. The check valve has a spring to bias the check valve normally closed, and a bypass port communicating between a check valve guide path chamber and a check valve outlet in order to relieve pressure in the guide path chamber and increase the flow rate through the check valve.