Abstract: A low earth orbiting satellite control arrangement according to the invention has an earth sensor for measuring roll and pitch of the satellite relative to an earth oriented moving reference system, a spin wheel mounted along an axis perpendicular to the orbital plane of the satellite for measuring spin of the satellite, and two magnet coils for generating control. A first of the two magnet coils is aligned substantially in parallel to a roll axis of the satellite, and the second is aligned substantially parallel to the yaw axis. Alternative control algorithms are disclosed for controlling attitude, nutation and spin of the satellite based on information from the earth sensor, spin wheel and an observer which is also mounted on the satellite.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering apparatus contains a user-operated steering angle input system with corresponding steering shaft as well as a piston-and-cylinder unit for coupling a steering angle setting system to the steering angle input system. The hydraulic unit comprises a piston-and-cylinder unit which is disposed with its longitudinal axis running transversely of the steering shaft, and its axially moving piston is coupled mechanically with the rotatory steering shaft and divides the cylinder into two working chambers. The two cylinder halves forming working chambers are disposed on opposite sides of the steering shaft. The piston is configured as a dual piston and is coupled to the steering shaft by a coupling section lying between its ends defining the working chambers. Thereby, a steering apparatus with a compact hydraulic coupling between the steering angle input system and the steering angle setting system is provided, with the ability to rotate the steering angle input system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a diode-pumped solid-state ring laser gyroscope consisting of a diode-pumped solid-state laser made from a doped crystal or glass in the form of a square or cube for monoaxial or triaxial measurements; limitation and stabilization of the laser mode is achieved by precise matching of the pumping radiation to the mode volume of the ring laser. Outcoupling of the laser radiation is done by making the light tunnel through a slit to a dielectric plate which is moved by an actuator. Frequency modulation of the signal is done as required by coupling an acoustic wave into the laser medium or by precise spatial modulation of the diode excitation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit for electric rail vehicles, wherein the hub (7) of a greater wheel (6) driven by an electric traction motor (1) via a pinion shaft (4) forms a hollow shaft stub which surrounds the shaft (9) of a wheel set with a defined play. By inserting a coupling (11) which is radially rigid but allows transverse and angular movements, the motor torque is transmitted to one of the wheels (10) of the wheel set. The axial mobility of the coupling (11) should not have any disturbing restoring forces or resilient forces. Therefore, the hub-side coupling half (11b) having a curved-teeth-shaped external toothing engages the wheel-side coupling half (11a) which is provided with a straight internal toothing. The wheel-side coupling half (11a) is detachably connected via coupling supports to the inside flank of a disk wheel (10) and the hub-side coupling half (11b) to the hub.

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: The invention relates to a hydraulic power steering system for motor vehicles, in the case of which the manual steering wheel is normally connected only by way of a control system with respect to the drive with a servomotor operating the steered vehicle wheels. In the event of a malfunctioning of the control system, a hydraulic forced coupling is automatically established between the servomotor and a hydraulic delivery unit which is constantly forcibly coupled with the steering handle, in order to form a "hydraulic linkage".

Abstract: A method selects one of several equivalent operating elements for controlling the lengthwise and/or transverse dynamics of a motor vehicle. Inadvertent control of the lengthwise and/or transverse dynamics of the motor vehicle is prevented and manual switching between various operating elements is allowed without a transition to be safely feasible for the participants even while driving. The selected operating element is activated simultaneously when the previous operating element is deactivated, after activation of the selected operating element has been made possible by a selector switch. The method therefore takes place in two steps, with activation of an operating element first being made possible by activating a selector switch. The actual activation takes place at a later point in time, namely when the operating element to be activated is in fact actuated to control the lengthwise and/or transverse movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rail vehicle, includes an air-suspended body having an underside, an air spring having a base point and an internal air pressure, and cars supporting the body. The body rests on the cars and swings out on the air spring. There is also an emergency spring which has a core. Guide and damping devices are further disposed between the body and the cars. The guide and damping devices serve to stabilize the cars at traveling speeds of >100 km/h and suppress any sway of the cars. The guide and damping devices include a friction plate loaded against the underside of the body by the internal air pressure of the air spring. The friction plate is linked to the core of the emergency spring or the base point of the air spring to form a connection to the cars in a longitudinal direction for suppressing the sway of the cars.

Abstract: A line-leading arrangement for a motor vehicle has a covering pivotally connected on the vehicle body side, particularly a rear lid, for a motor vehicle opening, for the connection of subassemblies arranged in the covering. At least one line is provided which, for this purpose, bridges a distance between a vehicle body part and the covering. The covering is movable between a first and a second end position. A pull-back device is provided which, for adapting the at least one line to the distance which changes when the covering is moved between its two end positions, exercises a force onto the at least one line. The at least one line, with the aid of the exercised force, is guided along an ideal course and is displaced on the vehicle body side and/or on the covering side.

Abstract: A spark plug for forming a spark that jumps between two electrodes has an insulating body surrounded by a housing with a ground electrode. The insulating body has a center electrode therein, which projects beyond the ground electrode in the axial direction.

Abstract: A commercial vehicle having a driver's cab, a chassis and a transport container. The transport container holds cargo, which is movably disposed therein. The transport container is fastened at a distance behind the driver's cab in the driving direction via impact-energy-absorbing bearings mounted on the chassis. The bearings are constructed and arranged to absorb impact energy particularly in the driving direction. The impact-energy-absorbing bearings prevent an uncontrolled impact of the transport container onto the driver's cab in the case of a collision.

Abstract: A partially spring-loaded drive, particularly for electrically-powered rail vehicles, having a gear which, including an encapsulating gear housing, is seated on the wheel axle, and a pinion that is seated in the gear housing. The coupled motor is fixedly secured to the truck, and the resilient, elastic fastening of the gear housing to the truck is effected by way of at least two elastic spring elements that are mounted nearly vertically and diametrically opposite the pinion shaft, and whose lines of influence extend through the center of the pinion shaft.

Abstract: A pipe clamp with a headed bolt for securing a pipe connection, in particular pipes of the exhaust system of a motor vehicle which are to be connected to one another, in the case of which the end of a first pipe is pushed into an axially slit end of a second pipe and, when the headed bolt is tightened, the pipe clamp, fitted on the slit pipe end, connects the two pipe ends to one another in a frictionally locking manner, is to be secured against a reduction in clamping force. For this purpose, the pipe clamp is formed of a material which has a higher coefficient of expansion than does the material of the pipes which are to be connected. The head of the headed bolt is elongated, in order to avoid impermissibly high local stressing during tightening of the pipe clamp. Due to the elongate form of the head of a headed bolt, the forces on the pipe clamp which support the tightening torque are reduced by a lengthening of the lever arm with respect to the axis of the headed bolt.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system has an electronic control system for coupling a steering device and the steered wheels of the vehicle, with the steering angle setpoint signal passing though a filter before a setpoint/actual value comparison is made. The filter passes essentially only those frequencies below an adjustable transition frequency. A switch is made to a low transition frequency when there is to be a direct translation between the steering device and the steered wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: Longitudinal diode-pumped solid-state lasers currently have maximum power outputs of no more than a few watts. By using resonators with several reflection sites inside the active medium, the output power of these lasers can be boosted accordingly. The configuration proposed here differs from known designs in being far easier to handle and less costly to manufacture.

Abstract: A catalyst and a process for producing the catalyst are provided. For the catalytic reduction of NO.sub.x and for the oxidation of hydrocarbons, the catalyst contains a spinel containing the metals copper, zinc and aluminum.

Abstract: In a venting arrangement for an internal combustion engine having a cylinder head with an intake duct structure consisting of plastic material and including intake passages, an inlet stub for connection to a vent pipe, and an outlet for communication with the intake passages, the intake duct structure includes a passage with a metal sleeve and a bolt extending through the metal sleeve for mounting the intake duct structure to the cylinder head while firmly engaging the metal sleeve with the cylinder head and a throttle structure which limits the vent flow from the inlet stub to the outlet intake ducts is formed in the passage adjacent the metal sleeve so as to be heated by the metal sleeve.

Abstract: A movable roof construction for an open or convertible passenger car with a two-part foldable hardtop. To prevent the occurrence of wind noises in the area of the bordering of the two hardtop parts, a locking mechanism is provided between the two parallelogram control arms on each side of the parallelogram linkage. The locking mechanism is restrictedly coupled by transmission devices to the locking device of the forward roof part on the windshield cross member. Thereby, for a release of the parallelogram control arms, the locking mechanism can be unlocked together with an unlocking of the locking device.

Abstract: Otto internal-combustion engines having one injector respectively per cylinder for the internal mixture formation can be operated at full load or high partial load by fuel injection in the suction stroke of the piston and, at medium or low partial load, with a compression stroke injection. The compression stroke injection, which is advantageous in this load range, because of low average combustion space temperatures and the tendency to form deposits in the combustion space because of residues of liquid fuel and the resulting impaired operating conditions, can partially be carried out only to a limited degree.