Abstract: A method for reconstructing the profile of structures on surfaces. According to said method, at least two images of the same area of the surface that is to be analyzed are evaluated, said images being recorded from a nearly vertical perspective, for example, and the surface being illuminated from different directions at a flat angle thereto. Elevations or depressions on the surface thus cast a distinct shadow in the recorded images, the position of which varies according to the incident light. Inclined areas can be identified by means of a brighter reflection. The vertical profile of a structure on the surface can be determined, and the shape of a fin can hence be reconstructed, for example, by analyzing shadow contours and outlines of bright areas. Even flat inclination changes can be determined by integrating the shape-from-shading process so as to evaluate brightness patterns such that a 3D reconstruction of the surface can be obtained, which matches the original well.

Abstract: Process for manufacture of self reinforced sheets or shape parts (9) by rolling at least one metal strip (1, 2), which during roller processing is guided through a gap formed between work rollers, wherein at least in one area of the metal sheet (2) through holes (7) are introduced and the area of the metal sheet with through holes (4, 6) is brought together with an area of the same metal sheet without through holes (5) or at least one further metal sheet without through holes (1) and rolled, so that a new metal strip (1, 2), sheet or shaped part (9) is formed, as well as a sheet or shaped part obtainable by this process, wherein the sheet or shape part is comprised of two metal parts (4, 6) joined by welding or adhering, wherein at least one metal part is provided with perforations (7), which correspond to the recesses of the self reinforced structure.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having a compressor in its induction system which has a compressor wheel rotatably mounted in an intake duct combustion air compressor, whereby the combustion air is compressed to an increased boost pressure, and an auxiliary duct which opens into the compressor intake duct, an adjustable blocking element being arranged in the compressor intake duct upstream of the compressor wheel and an adjustable swirl device being arranged in an opening region of the auxiliary duct, and an NOx storage catalytic converter being disposed in the exhaust gas system, the blocking device and the swirl device are adjustable so as to generate an air fuel ratio with an excess of fuel, and, at the same time a propulsive swirl is applied to the compressor wheel when the blocking element is moved to a position in which air supply to the compressor intake duct is restricted.

Abstract: In an adjusting device, in particular for a motor vehicle, which includes at least one adjusting unit for adjusting the pressure of a pressure medium in accordance with at least one parameter, the adjusting unit includes a first and a second throttle point having different dependences on the parameter in order to obtain a pressure difference dependent on the parameter for controlling the supply of the pressure medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fault recovery and/or fault detection of an external temperature sensor of a motor vehicle, in which a temperature gradient is determined from the profile of the measured temperatures over time, in which the determined temperature gradient is compared with a predefined or predefinable limiting gradient, and in which a fault is detected as a function of this comparison.

Abstract: A vehicle axle construction comprises a suspension for supporting the axle from first and second frame rail members. Elongated support members extend forwardly from respective locations along the frame rail members that are rearwardly of the axle and are clamped or otherwise coupled to the axle. A single pivot may be utilized to couple the respective rearmost end portions of the supports to the respective frame members. The forward ends of the supports may be coupled to respective air springs. Desirably, at least a portion of each air spring is positioned forwardly of the axle. In addition, at least one lateral stabilizer rigidifies the suspension. An alternative suspension utilizes leaf springs. A double acting rack-and-pinion steering mechanism may be rigidly coupled to the axle for use in steering the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a coolant circuit for an internal combustion engine having two cylinder banks, a radiator for cooling the engine coolant, a pump and a thermostatic valve including a mixing chamber and first and second flow control valves, wherein the pump is connected to the radiator via an intake line for receiving coolant therefrom and supplying it to the cylinder banks which are in communication with the mixing chamber from which a radiator line extends to the radiator for returning heated coolant to the radiator under the control of a flow control valve, or supplying it via a bypass line to the intake line under the control of a bypass valve, a heating circuit is provided extending from one of the cylinder banks via a heater to the pump intake line and a heater control valve is disposed in the heating control circuit so that, upon opening of the heater valve, coolant flows from the other cylinder bank via the mixing chamber to the one cylinder bank and coolant from both cylinder banks jointly flows through the heating

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for determination of a tire internal pressure for a motor vehicle by at least one measurement sensor in the form of an optical fiber, with an evaluation and computer unit deducing a sought parameter from a change in the light wave. The at least one measurement sensor detects light changes corresponding to the shape and/or size of a tire contact area as an indicator of the internal pressure in the tire.

Abstract: In a balance shaft for a multi-cylinder in-line engine with at least two imbalance weight sections and at least one bearing structure wherein the balance shaft has imbalance weight sections being arranged symmetrically relative to the bearing position and at least one of the imbalance weight sections is connected to a further shaft section at an end facing away from the bearing position, a flexible coupling element that enables a deflection of the end of the connected imbalance weight section in the direction of the resulting centrifugal forces when the balance shaft rotates is provided between the end of the at least one imbalance weight section facing away from the bearing position and the further shaft section.

Abstract: An operator control system for a vehicle includes a visual display unit for displaying at least one operator control function; and at least one central manual operating device is associated with the visual display unit, for operator control of the at least one displayed operator control function. In addition, at least one further manual operating means, as well as at least one sensor which detects when an object approaches the at least one further operating means. The visual display unit displays an operator control function associated with the further manual operating means when such an approach is sensed.

Abstract: Motor vehicle having a hybrid drive and a fuel cell system. When activated, the fuel cell system can be operated continuously in a predetermined operating range or at a predetermined operating point of high efficiency, whereby any excess energy generated can be supplied to a power consuming device to maintain the high power withdrawal from the fuel cell system required for said high efficiency.

Abstract: A shift device for a transmission of a motor vehicle has a shift lever that can be moved into different shift positions, an actuating unit that, as a function of the shift position of the shift lever, generates a shift signal for transmitting to an electric transmission control unit, and an electric transmission control unit that, as a function of the shift signal of the actuating unit, sends an electric activation signal to a shift element of the transmission in order to set the desired shift stage. The actuating unit includes a restoring element or restoring elements operating in such a way that the shift lever, after reaching the selected shift position, is always moved automatically into a predefined starting position.

Abstract: A device for securing at least one hand rail on a vehicle roof has a securing rail, on which the hand rail can be secured, and paneling. In order to provide a device by which securing of the hand rail is simplified, the paneling has an installation access gap that runs along the securing rail and is closed by a gap cover.

Abstract: In a rolling-code based process and system for the unambiguous identification of serial numbers in a data communication system, least two subscribers each have an identical serial number set. The process includes a) the first subscriber transmitting a first challenge with respect to a serial number from the serial number set to the second subscriber; b) subscriber responding the second subscriber by a first response corresponding to the first challenge; generating an identification signal for the second subscriber which unambiguously identifies the second subscriber with respect to the first subscriber if the first response corresponds to the serial number expected on the basis of the first challenge of the first subscriber.

Abstract: A folding convertible top for a vehicle has at least one roof part which can be displaced between a closed position and a stowed position, and can be brought out of the stowed position into a raised loading position. A folding-top kinematic mechanism on each side of the roof part has a main bearing element and an intermediate bearing element mounted rotatably on the main bearing element at a pivot point. The roof part is coupled both to the main bearing element and to the intermediate bearing element via links on both sides of the folding-top kinematic mechanism and can be displaced by means of at least one driving device. The driving device has at least one linear driving element that acts at least indirectly on the intermediate bearing element at a point remote from the pivot point of the intermediate bearing element with the main bearing element.

Abstract: A supporting structure for a motor vehicle which, at a front end of a safety passenger cell, is provided with a front section with a crumple zone and two wheel housings which are arranged laterally in the region of the crumple zone and in which a respective wheel having a tire and a wheel rim, is arranged. A wheel support ramp which runs obliquely downward, as seen from the travel direction, is formed and causes the respective wheel, which has been moved toward the wheel support ramp as a consequence of a crash-induced deformation of the crumple zone, to be guided downward in the direction of the safety passenger cell. An additional wheel impact element is provided for each wheel and is deformable by the respective wheel (3) that has been moved as a consequence of the crash-induced deformation of the crumple zone.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder in which a combustion space is delimited between a piston and a cylinder head, with a fuel injector having an outwardly opening injection nozzle arranged in the combustion space for injecting fuel in the form of a hollow cone into the combustion space, and a spark plug mounted in the cylinder head and having electrodes arranged outside the hollow fuel cone generated by the injection nozzle, into which the electrodes of the spark plug project, the cylinder has a bore diameter (D) dimensioned such that, at an ignition time point of the internal combustion engine, a ratio dmR/D of the mean diameter (dmR) of the fuel boundary vortex (10) to the cylinder bore diameter (D) is in a range of 0.08 to 0.2, in particular of 0.1 to 0.12.

Abstract: In a method for operating a motor vehicle in the event of a shift of a power divider actuated by external force, before the commencement of the shift of the power divider, a control device reduces the torque at the shifting members involved in the shift. The vehicle transmission is an automatic transmission, and the reduction is achieved a clutch in the automatic transmission is opened. After the conclusion of the shift, a torque is permitted again at said shifting members, and the clutch is closed again. The vehicle driver can consequently execute a shift in the power divider merely by triggering a shift requirement.