Abstract: A method for diagnosing an exhaust gas cleaning system of a lambda-controlled internal combustion engine where a catalyst is subjected to a specific oxygen load which is greater than the normal operating load, by increasing the surface covered by the oscillation of a signal of a pre-catalyst lambda probe according to a set value. The exhaust gas cleaning system can be tested by evaluating the oscillation of a signal of a post-catalyst lambda probe. In the event this diagnosis shows a defect in the exhaust gas cleaning system without the area covered by the oscillation of the probe signal of the pre-catalyst lambda probe having had to be increased to or beyond a set value, the pre-catalyst lambda probe is defective. Otherwise, it can be concluded that the catalyst is defective.

Abstract: A method and device for starting an internal combustion engine in a manner which reduces the emissions occurring during starting. The method and device involving setting the throttle valve in an intake duct, accelerating the engine via a crank shaft starter alternator to a desired rotational speed, determining the suction-pipe pressure in the intake duct downstream of the throttle valve, and enabling fuel injection when the suction-pipe pressure undershoots a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: In a steering booster device, a torque-sensor shaft being provided between a first shaft carrying the steering wheel and a second shaft connected to the gear of the steering booster, at least one end of the torque-sensor shaft is supported flexibly in the first or second shaft by at least one damping element.

Abstract: A method of detecting misfires in an internal combustion engine based on the crankshaft speed, in the case of which cylinder segment times are measured and differences between consecutive segment times are analyzed by means of a prescribed algorithm and where one cylinder group is switched off and the analysis is carried out for the cylinder group continuing to be operated.

Abstract: An auxiliary wheel conversion assembly for a motorcycle comprises a frame having side members on opposite sides of a receiving space to receive the rear drive wheel of the motorcycle when connected thereto. The assembly has a pair of wheels having a common axis but each being independently mounted to a side member opposite the receiving space, and the pair of wheels substantially in contact with the ground surface at all speeds and is not adapted to selectively lift the wheels. The frame also is substantially at or below the axis of rotation of the rear wheel of the motorcycle.

Abstract: Method for checking the conversion capacity of a catalytic element for converting ozone where the catalytic element is provided as a vehicle radiator with a catalytic coating and the method of checking uses ozone sensors upstream and downstream of the radiator. The check is only carried out if predetermined enable conditions are satisfied. Only then are the values emitted by the sensors recorded and compared with one another. A variable which represents an uncorrected value for the quality of the conversion capacity is derived from this comparison. This variable is weighted as a function of at least one operating parameter of the vehicle. The weighted variable is compared with a predetermined threshold value, and, if the threshold value is exceeded, it is concluded that the conversion capacity of the radiator is insufficient.

Abstract: A floating slat frame adapted to provide additional flexibility within mattress foundations of various configurations. The floating slat frame is constructed for attachment to a core assembly, and has a series of slats in a first plane, at least some of which are resiliently supported relative to a second series of slats in a second plane.

Abstract: A temporary ball valve support structure is utilized to apply pressure to the ball in a ball valve so that a seal is maintained between the ball and the upstream seal member in the ball valve to prevent fluid from leaking from the valve while the valve is being serviced. The temporary ball valve support allows a downstream seal member and the ball valve retainer housing assembly to be removed. This allows the outer seal and retainer to be replaced and/or serviced without allowing fluid to escape from the tank or pipe. First and second ball support members are alternately used to force the ball member against the upstream seal member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a navigation system for a land vehicle having a measuring arrangement for supplying position, direction and/or distance data, having a data source arrangement for supplying navigation data, having an input arrangement at least for inputting a destination, having a control arrangement at least for determining a route, and having at least one display apparatus for outputting navigation instructions. To free the driver from other actions diverting his attention from the traffic, the control arrangement determines a direction from the calculated position of the land vehicle and a stored position for a prescribed place. The display apparatus additionally displays the direction ascertained by the control arrangement.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system with an air-conditioning compressor, an electric motor and a refrigerant circuit, in particular for motor vehicles, the electric motor being controllable by an electronic control device and an expansion member arranged in the refrigerant circuit, a further expansion member is arranged between the high-pressure side of the expansion member and the suction side of the air-conditioning compressor in the refrigerant circuit, and the electronic control device is connected thermally conductively to the low-pressure side of the further expansion member. The further expansion member is controllable as a function of the temperature of the electronic control device.

Abstract: A telescopic seating riser assembly capable of being configured into a variety of seating riser systems. The assembly has a plurality risers having vertically spaced substantially horizontal portions with the risers being movable between an extended position for use and a retracted position for storage. The assembly is further constructed to support deck bridging panels between spaced apart pairs of assemblies, and to utilize a method of supporting at least one deck bridging panel on a pair of spaced apart telescopic seating riser assemblies in an extended position for use and in a retracted position for storage of the assemblies.

Abstract: An extendible leg device for use in supporting a portion of a platform assembly above a floor surface. The extendible leg device has a leg tube that slidably receives a foot tube which is moved relative to the leg tube via selective rotation of an axle. The axle has a first link pivotally connected to a first end of a second link which second link is further pivotally connected at its second end to the foot tube.

Abstract: A ventilation device for a fuel tank, including lines situated outside the fuel tank, which include a line intended for operational ventilation and a line intended for refuelling ventilation. These lines are arranged such that the line intended for operational ventilation is located within the line for refuelling ventilation, so that the line for the operational ventilation is prevented from having direct contact with the environment. This keeps the escape of fuel vapors into the environment at a particularly low level.

Abstract: In a feed pump designed as a side-channel pump, a blade chamber of an impeller has a contour which is formed by a radius and in which, as seen from the contour, the origin of the radius is located behind a center line of the blade chamber. A circulation flow thereby passes into the blade chamber with particularly low turbulences. The feed pump has particularly high efficiency as a result.

Abstract: Retaining means for holding a fastening cross-pin that holds a removable cap mounted to a pole of a hammer thus providing a selected type of cap impact face for the hammer head. The cap forms a chamber and the pole is removably slidably fitted into the pole chamber. The fastening cross-pin is removably positioned in cap pin holes in the cap cylindrical wall and to a pole pin hole so as to removably secure the cap to the pole and also so as to allow the pole to move relative to the cap in the longitudinal dimension between an impact mode position of the cap impact face against a workpiece and a static mode position of the cap impact face remote from the workpiece. A biasable pad for absorbing shock is positioned within the chamber formed in the cap between the cap impact face and the pole. The fastening cross-pin extends through the pole pin hole and is connected to the cap side walls.

Abstract: In an extraction method for a casting mold with a plurality of mold parts which can be displaced by electric motors, the electric motors are activated as a function of values deposited in a memory. The values represent required values for the respective positions of the mold parts. By this means, molded parts with complicated shapes can be extracted, with particularly small structural requirements, from the casting mold.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of routing using an offboard navigation system for motor vehicles, in which road points, at which there is a road junction, and also the road distance between adjacent road points on a calculated route are stored in a memory element in the vehicle. Preferably, only those road points which are also turnoff points are stored. The distance from the next turnoff point at which a turnoff maneuver is to be effected is determined by comparing the distance covered since the last turnoff point with a stored value for the road distance between the adjacent turnoff points. If a minimum value for the distance from the next turnoff point has not been reached, a driving instruction is output. The method requires only a small volume of data and an odometer for position finding.

Abstract: Arranged in a fuel tank of a motor vehicle are guide elements and guide plates which deflect a flow of the fuel toward a wall of the fuel tank at a flat angle. Splashing noises of the fuel are thereby markedly reduced. The guide plates form a channel with a calming region, in which the flow of the fuel is throttled.

Abstract: A simplified retractable knob in which an actuating element can be displaced axially with respect to a bearing element with or counter to the force of a coiled spring. A latching element is integrated into the coil spring, which is guided in a guideway having at least a rest position and an actuating position of the actuating element.