Abstract: An auxiliary power steering mechanism with a working piston installed in the steering gear has a rotary valve comprising a rotary member and a fixed valve sleeve. A piston valve is inserted in a bore provided in the rotary member. The piston valve is connected with an adjustment device, such as an electromagnet, via a tube supported by a torsion bar. The electromagnet adjusts the piston valve as a function of various influencing variables such as speed, and controls the condition of a plurality of hydraulic fluid flow return bores arranged in longitudinally spaced relation in the rotary member for noise-free control of the build-up of pressure in a surge chamber that is active at the moment. The bores have flat portions of different contours and circumferential lengths.

Abstract: An all-wheel steering system for motor vehicles includes an adjusting motor (10) for the rear wheels. The motor has a piston rod on which two fixed working pistons (25 and 25A) and, in a housing segment located between the working pistons, two movable steering pistons (27 and 27A) are mounted. The working pistons (25 and 25A) and steering pistons (27 and 27A) form control chambers (28 and 28A) that are constantly connected to a pump (2). Between the steering pistons (27 and 27A) is a pressure chamber (33) in which a spring element (34) acts upon the steering pistons (27 and 27A). The pressure chamber (33) can be blocked via a 2/2-way valve (37) that is controlled by a switching device (17) or it can be connected with a tank (3). When the rear-wheel steering system (11) is in the operating position, the two steering pistons (27 and 27A) come to rest against a sleeve (35) on the piston rod by virtue of the pump pressure that is fed into the control chambers (28 and 28A).

Abstract: A cover, especially for an oil tank, has a locking device with flexible arm carrying locking elements flexibly slidable against a bayonet curved track ridge of a tank opening or tank neck for closure of the tank. The locking device cover is capable of being rotated to close the tank opening without manual downward pressure. A bayonet curved track ridge has spring pressure of the flexible arms eliminating need for manual pressure. The construction is a single integral member made from a plate of spring steel, or made from plastic, of suitable flexibility. It has a bed plate with prongs formed from the edges of an aperture through the bed plate for gripping a pin carried by the cover to secure the locking device to the cover. The flexible arms extend in curved contour from the bed plate and have outer free ends on which the locking elements are located which slidably engage the bayonet track ridge in the tank opening or neck for limited rotation up to a stop for locking the cover to a tank.

Abstract: A servo assisted power steering system for motor vehicles comprising a steering-wheel shaft (2) which is connected via a rotary slide valve (6, 7, 8) and a worm-gear spindle (4) of a steering gear (5). The rotary slide valve controls the pressure impacting on a working piston (15) in a hydraulic power boost device. A power takeoff shaft (20) of an electric motor (21) is connected with the rotary slide (7) of rotary slide valve. In case of a rotary motion of steering-wheel shaft (2), a sensor (22) so activates electric motor (21) that a small counterforce is generated upon rotary slide (7) and that force works against the rotary motion of steering-wheel shaft (2). After completion of the rotary motion of steering-wheel shaft (2), as the steering wheel is let go, rotary slide (7) is moved back all the way into its neutral position by the electric motor.

Abstract: Hydrostatic auxiliary power steering devices transmit the steering power to the steered wheels via oil pressure. Such devices utilize a metering pump 5 and a steering valve 2 combined into a single unit. The metering pump distributes oil flow produced by a power steering pump 1 to a pressure operated steering power cylinder 8 under control of a steering valve 2 responsive to drive rotation of the vehicle steering wheel. The oil flow synchronizes the angle of rotation of the steering wheel with the angle of the lock of the wheels being steered. In hydrostatic systems there is a tendency to pressure oscillations. In the present invention these oscillations are minimized without occurring excessive pressure loss. The arrangement provides an inlet conduit 4 for steering, a damping valve 11 having a damping piston 12 centered by springs 13, 14 and closing off a branch conduit 6 which stops flow to the metering pump 5.

Abstract: A hydrostatic auxiliary power steering mechanism with load-dependent performance for controlling a variable displacement pump includes an orifice for generating a pressure difference. A control valve in a valve borehole contains a movable valve piston. Orifice is formed between the discharge opening cross-section of a pressure line into the valve borehole and a central spool land provided on valve piston and reveals a cross-section that can be altered as a function of the position of the control valve. The cross-section of orifice has its smallest value when the control valve is in the neutral middle position and can be made larger by adjusting the control valve in both directions.

Abstract: A control mechanism for two consumers includes a flow divider valve (3) which is connected to a pump 2. From flow divider valve (3) springs a flow line (12) for the working flow (A) of a first adjustment device (10) such as a steering motor. Another flow line (13) of the flow divider valve (3) leads via an activation valve (14) to a second adjustment device (15). A pilot flow line (4) connected with the flow divider valve (3) via a measurement diaphragm (3A), is connected with a pilot valve (5). Pilot valve (5) can choke or entirely block the connection from the pilot flow line (4) to a nonreturn line (11) for the purpose of setting a pressure in flow line (12). For purposes of activation, pilot valve (5) is coupled with a steering valve (6) that controls flow line (12) so that both valves can be deflected together during one steering movement. A hydraulic steering unit is provided as the steering mechanism and it includes a rod-set connection from a manual steering wheel to the vehicle wheels.

Abstract: In a mechanically driven supercharger (1) whose rotor (6) is propelled by an internal combustion engine by way of a primary shaft (2), a planet gear (8) that is geared up and a rotor shaft (7), the working life of a support (11, 12) for the rotor shaft (7) is increased. For that purpose, the support floats with radial play (17) and axial play (19) in a fixed housing section (10) of the supercharger (1).

Abstract: A hydrostatic steering device is provided with a pump connected with a reservoir, a steering valve, a controlled-volume pump that is capable of being activated by a steering wheel and with a steering cylinder. The steering mechanism has a variable working flow and a constant pilot flow, with the pilot stream flowing through a constant throttle and the pressure drop through the constant throttle serving as a control signal for the conveying flow in a pressure delivery line. The controlled-volume pump is coupled mechanically with an adjustment throttle through which the pilot flows. Between the constant throttle and the adjustment throttle lies a pressure compensator that is controlled by the adjustment throttle's differential pressure. To receive the load signal, a control line branches off between the constant throttle and the pressure compensator and leads to the pump or, in the case of a fixed displacement pump with a rear-position flow-dividing valve, to the flow-dividing valve.

Abstract: Auxiliary power actuated clutch and gear shifting device for a motor vehicle transmission with function selector and a gear change mechanism controlled by the driver through a clutch actuating mechanism at the clutch pedal wherein a response signal to the driver is received when a gear is engaged in the transmission or the transmission is in neutral. Located at the clutch pedal and connected with it mechanically is a safety device that holds the actuated clutch pedal against movement when a gear is disengaged in the transmission during the shifting of gears. The safety device holds the clutch pedal clamped in actuated position until a gear is engaged in the transmission whence the driver can carry out the procedure of engaging the clutch again in known fashion. The safety device consists of a clamping mechanism that grips a piston rod connecting to the clutch pedal to prevent further operation until the clutch pedal is released.

Abstract: In an electrically-assisted rack and pinion auxilliary steering mechanism, an electric motor is controlled in accordance with a signal from a torque-measuring device. To prevent faulty control messages, a safety switching device is provided that contains two switches capable of being activated by a lever. A ball nut that is connected with a threaded spindle by a ball diversion channel is connected with the steering rack of the rack and pinion steering gear. The threaded spindle is connected via a spring bellows, with an output part of a coupling that can be coupled with or uncoupled from the electric motor. The threaded spindle is connected, axially movable and rotatable, opposite the fixed housing by two elastic intermediate rings and two axial bearings. If the axial movement does not coincide with the torque at the steering wheel in case of a malfunction, the coupling is disengaged by one of the two switches.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning fuel injector systems of internal combustion engines which comprises avoidance of burns and possible injuries in setting up the conventional system apparatus in the engine compartment. The present method is characterized by setting up the required connections and apparatus at the rear of the vehicle in an area isolated from the region under the vehicle hood. The invention has other advantages. In particular, filter replacement in the isolated area subsequent to completion of the cleaning process is effected by a novel aspect of the method which involves filter removal as a step in the method. In a conventional method the filter is left in place but ultimately replaced, for comprehensive maintenance of the fuel system, as an additional step. Another advantage of the invention is the method of detecting leakage in injector and fuel flow systems and to detect the extent of clogging of individual injectors to determine the need for replacement.

Abstract: A vehicle operating and speed-regulating system for a motor vehicle having a transmission and an engine accelerated and decelerated under control of gas and brake pedals, wherein vehicle speed is maintained at a constant value preset by actuation of one of the pedals just before both pedals are released. The constant speed maintaining action of the system is effected by regulating both shifting of the transmission and optimized operation of the engine pursuant to calculations made to attain driving conditions in accordance with diagrammed characteristics of the engine.

Abstract: A torque sensor for measuring the torque being transmitted by a torque bar comprises a pair of coaxial input elements carried on a torque bar and secured thereto, and being connected by a lost motion coupling. Each such input element has flexible spokes fixed to respective sides of an output collar. Steering torque stress applied to the torque bar in either direction effects rotation of a respective input element depending on direction of rotation. Thus, such directional rotation causes flexing of the flexible spokes between an input element and the output collar. Linear longitudinal movement of the output collar is thus caused in a direction depending on the direction of rotation of a respective input element. The direction and degree of movement of the output collar serves to vary a magnetic field to which an electrical measuring circuit is responsive for torque measurement. Two torque sensors can be connected in series with respect to the same torque bar to achieve various measurement effects.

Abstract: A rack and pinion gear system in a gear casing for vehicle steering has a spring biased rack against the pinion at one side of the pinion to maintain pinion engagement with the rack. On the other side of the pinion is a generally semicircular bracing bushing encompasssing the pinion and slightly spaced therefrom to brace the pinion in event of bending due to operational stresses. The bracing bushing is carried for support against the gear casing and secured in any suitable manner or may be cast as part of it.

Abstract: A steering angle limiter is built into an auxiliary power steering mechanism wherein the limits of steering can be variably preset to any predetermined degree within limits in a continuous manner. The limiter is a device built into the power cylinder. Such device comprises a mechanism having threaded telescopic members. One member is axially fixed and manually rotatable by a tool exteriorally of the cylinder to axially shift the other member to a predetermined distance from a respective end of the power piston. The other member may be non-rotative and threaded to the first member or it may be rotative but threaded to the housing. In either event, it is guided for axial movement. The axial setting of the other member effects a limit stop or abutment for the moving piston for such distance of movement as desired to limit the steering angle of the vehicle wheels in a particular direction of steering. For a double acting cylinder a steering limiter as described is provided for each end of the cylinder.

Abstract: A nerve block needle is curved in a manner for use in penetrating skin and muscle at the side of a rib, so as to have the tip re-entrant, in the direction of and proximate to the groove in the inner surface of the rib, the said groove carrying the intercostal vein artery and nerve. A conventional local anesthetic drug can then be introduced in close proximity to the intercostal nerve with enhanced safety with respect to puncturing and collapse of the underlying lung. Such complication, known as pneumothorax, may occur with the use of a conventional straight nerve block needle. Other advantages of the curved needle and method of use will be subsequently explained.

Abstract: In an electrically-assisted auxiliary power steering mechanism an electric motor (11) is controlled by a control circuit (9) according to an output signal X1) from a torque-measuring device (8). To prevent instances of faulty control a redundant safety circuit (14) with a safety device (15) and a switching device (16) controls a disconnecting element (13, 27) located between the electric motor (11) and the steering gear (1) that switches the electric motor (11) on and off. A second torque-measuring device (17) for measuring the torque of the electric motor (11) is disposed between the electric motor (11) and the steering gear (1). The switching device (16) of the safety circuit (14) activates the disconnecting element (13, 27) when the torques measured by the two torque-measuring devices (8, 17) have different directions.

Abstract: A steering valve for vehicles has a torque input member for connection to a steering wheel and connects through a torque rod to an output shaft, having coacting valving components operated by relative rotation during the initial torque stress on the steering wheel between the input member and the output shaft in order to control flow to and from the servomotor. The torque rod has an average reduced cross section and is particularly manufactured to take torque stress for simulation of steering resistance. The torque rod has end connecting members and a connecting member can be utilized to effect a shorter overall length of the torque rod which determines the overall length of the steering valve as well as affording support. Thus, one such connecting member adjacent the output shaft is elongated as a bearing for the valving component rotated by the steering wheel, and also has a return flow throttling port for pressure reduction of return flow to quiet the noise of such flow.

Abstract: A control system for the automatic shifting of variable change speed transmission by an electronic control unit through which drive ratio change is determined in accordance with vehicle speed, instantaneous load demand and acceleration calculated from the speed of the driven shaft of the transmission. Drive ratio change command programs based on the behavior of a very good driver manually controlling a comparable transmission, are stored in the control unit to assign varying numbers of the available gear ratios to different combinations of sensed conditions under which automatic drive ratio change is effected.