Abstract: A power transfer mechanism control device controlling a power transfer mechanism mounted on a vehicle which transfers power from an internal combustion engine to an axle side via a friction engagement element actuated by a fluid pressure from either of a first fluid pressure actuator driven by the power from the internal combustion engine and a second fluid pressure actuator driven by a fluid pressure source different from a fluid pressure source for the first fluid pressure actuator. When the internal combustion engine is to be automatically started, the second fluid pressure actuator is controlled such that, before complete combustion occurs in the internal combustion engine, the friction engagement element stands by in a low-pressure state, and the first fluid pressure actuator is controlled such that the friction engagement element transfers the torque at predetermined timing after the complete combustion occurs in the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an internal combustion power train, whereby the values of various operating parameters of the power train are measured by means of a number of sensors, and operation of the engine is monitored by means of at least one control unit, which is physically separate from the engine block and connected to the sensors; at least one pressure sensor is housed in the control unit, is physically separate from the engine block, and determines the intensity of pressure waves generated by the power train; and the control unit determines the value of at least one operating parameter of the power train as a function of the intensity of the pressure waves generated by the power train.

Abstract: A planetary gear transmission with a steplessly adjustable transmission ratio where the gear transmission comprises a first and second sun gear (11, 12) arranged on a first and second operating shaft (7;8), and first (1) and second planetary gears (2) connectable thereto, each of which sun gears is rigidly attached by a shaft (6) to the first planetary gears (1), so that the first and second planetary gears form planetary gear pairs (B1). The gear transmission includes only one planetary carrier (5). By means of coupling means (50), the whole rotary force or part thereof is taken out of the planetary gear and/or fed therein, either via said first or second operating shaft (7;8), or via an alternative planetary carrier. By using at least one operation means (15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 26, 37), the planetary carrier rotation velocity (&phgr;) is controlled to remain locked stationary or to be freely rotatable.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading onto a pipettor a plurality of micropipette tips, the pipettor having a plurality of tip pins depending from a head portion, the tips each having an upper, hollow, tapered, generally cylindrical barrel portion and lower, hollow, generally cylindrical aspirating tip portion, both lying along a common vertical axis and being cojoined at a horizontal shoulder, and the tips being frictionally held in a tip package, the apparatus comprising: a horizontal pusher plate to simultaneously engage the shoulder on each of the tips and to simultaneously raise the tips for insertion of the tip pins therein.