Abstract: An imaging system with brightness control includes an image capture subsystem and an image control block and is adapted for use in conjunction with an image processing application. The image capture subsystem receives an image and converts this image into digital image data. The digital signal is then stored in a video buffer for access by the image control block. The image control block provides brightness control of an image sensor in the image control subsystem to optimize the brightness of the desired area of interest in the image relative to the background. In one application, the imaging system is used in conjunction with a lane tracking system image processing application to detect roadway lane markings from a moving vehicle.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for monitoring a communication media access schedule of a communication controller (5) of a communication system (1) by means of a bus guardian (6). The communication system (1) comprises a communication media (2) and nodes (3) connected to the communication media (2). Each node (3) comprises a communication controller (5) and a bus guardian (6) assigned to the communication controller (5). Messages are transmitted among the nodes (3) across the communication media (2) based on a cyclic time triggered communication media access scheme.

Abstract: In an air compressor, particularly for an internal combustion engine, which has a compressor housing with a flow duct structure and a recirculation arrangement including a bypass structure for recirculation some of the air entering the compressor wheel, a recirculating ring is arranged in the bypass flow structure around the compressor wheel and the ring has a plurality of flow passages distributed uniformly around its circumference with inflow orifices at the radial inner end in communication with the compressor flow duct and outflow orifice at the radial outer end in communication with a by-pass flow space.

Abstract: A device for compensating the inertia forces in reciprocating piston machines consists of a balance shaft housing (5) and of balance shafts (6, 7) mounted in the latter in friction bearings (30) and having compensating weights (8), the balance shaft housing (5) being fastened in one part and to the engine block. In order to achieve the highest possible sufficient lubrication along with minimal production costs and simple assembly, a) the friction bearings (30) of the balance shafts (6, 7) are arranged, together with the main bearings (3) of the crankshaft (2), in a plane (9) perpendicular to the crankshaft axis, b) the friction bearings (30) are cylindrical bores in the balance shaft housing (5) which are machined as bearing surfaces (31), c) the balance shafts (6, 7) are cylindrical shafts of essentially constant diameter, on which the compensating weights (8) are fastened individually.

Abstract: A display unit for an information processing system comprises a holographic image generating system. The information processing system may be a computer, television, telephone or other information system. The display may also be used in a large format, including a matrix of individual units, for sports arenas, road signs and the like.

Abstract: A speed-difference-dependent hydraulic clutch comprises a drive housing (27), which rotates in a housing (25) that is fixed in space and forms a reservoir, a hydrostatic displacement machine (35), an output shaft (30), a friction clutch (36) and a piston (5) for acting on the friction clutch (36), a pressure being produced in a pressure chamber (4) when a difference occurs between the speed of the drive housing (27) and that of the output shaft (30), this pressure giving rise to action upon the friction clutch (36).

Abstract: A tire-filling system has an electronic control unit response to the tire pressure and the vehicle operating conditions for automatically operating pneumatic tire-filling valves to increase or reduce the tire pressure to setpoint values determined by the electronic control unit and matching the driving conditions. The pressure is delivered from a variable volume source in which a control element increases or decreases the volume. The system can be operated as an open system or a closed system.

Abstract: A fastening system has a mounting plate of substantially greater area than a flange of a part being attached to a hardened plate. This mounting plate is sandwiched between the flange and an outer face of the hardened plate and has an outer periphery spaced well outward of the flange. A plurality of nuts bear on an inner face of the hardened plate in line with the flange. Respective bolts extend through the flange, mounting plate, and hardened plate into the nuts and press the flange and mounting plate against the outer face of the hardened plate. A weld at the outer periphery secures the mounting plate to the hardened plate.

Abstract: In a gear shift device for a manual gear change transmission with a plurality of shift rails disposed in the transmission housing and a shift lever pivotally mounted on a joint carrier supported on a shift dome above the shift rails, the shift lever has a forked downwardly extending end in which a shift finger is received and pivotably supported by the joint carrier so as to project from the shift lever downwardly into engagement grooves of the shift rails and the shift finger is snugly engaged by the lower forked lever end of the shift lever for pivoting the shift finger at a rate which is increased with respect to that of the lower shift lever end.

Abstract: An automatic tire-filling apparatus for a motor vehicle has an electronic controller which, in response to sensors for the operating state of the vehicle, controls pneumatic valves for the tires and a compressor to enable the tire pressure to be matched to such conditions as travel speed, vehicle load, roadway conditions and terrain. The compressor is in a normal operating state part of a closed system with the tire and the pressure reservoir and is directly connected to the pressure reservoir without the intermediary of a switching element.

Abstract: An front wall of an armored vehicle is formed with a large-diameter hole and has a tow hitch in turn having a generally cup-shaped reinforcement plate having an outer periphery engaging an inner face of the front wall around the hole. This plate is forwardly concave toward the hole and the outer periphery is welded to the inner face of the wall by a weld. A tow-eye bar fixed to the center of the reinforcement plate extends forward through the hole. The hole and plate are circular and the plate is of greater diameter than the hole.

Abstract: In a method of operating a diesel internal combustion engine, wherein a homogeneous mixture is formed in the combustion space before a spontaneous ignition by means of fuel injected directly into separately supplied combustion air, which combustion air is admitted to the combustion space in a swirling flow about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder that can be adjusted as regards its swirl intensity by a control element. A control unit adjusts the swirl intensity in a manner coordinated with the injection parameters to provide a homogeneous mixture igniting at a predetermined point for highly effective engine operation with low emissions.

Abstract: In a fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine including a fuel tank, a fuel processing apparatus to which fuel from the tank is supplied and which separates the fuel into different fractions, the fuel and the fractions are mixed in a mixing chamber according to a performance graph stored in a control unit depending on the operating state of the engine and the mixture is then supplied to the engine in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An information system for providing explanatory information on functional elements or controls in motor vehicles. The respective functional element or control which is of interest is located with a hand-held computer-supported pointer and the locating data are transferred to a computer-supported controlled and output unit in which a stored information text is selected, using this locating data, and is output to the user via a voice response system.

Abstract: In a device for transfering especially a person sitting in a wheel-chair between a platform and a passenger department of a vehicle having a floor on a higher level than the platform a first floor surface (5) is arranged inside the vehicle closest to an entrance (2) into the vehicle from a platform side and arranged on substantially the same level as the platform. Power means are adapted to move a support surface (6) arranged inside the vehicle and reachable through the first floor surface (5) between platform level and the level of the floor of the passenger department so as to join a first floor surface and a second floor surface (10) leading to the passenger department or belonging thereto, respectively. A staircase (8) is arranged between the two levels beside the support surface (6) and directly reachable through the first floor surface (5) as well as the second floor surface (10) independently of the position of the support surface (6).

Abstract: Tire pressure is automatically checked when the motor vehicle is started. At the same time, the type of operation, either off-road operation or on-road operation, is detected. According to the inventive method, in the on-road operation of the motor vehicle, the speed of all four wheels is measured and it is made sure whether or not there is an inadmissible difference in wheel speed. If the wheel speeds do not differ, the theoretical tire pressure is determined. If the actual tire pressure differs from the theoretical pressure, the inflation or deflation valves of the tires are actuated until the theoretical value is achieved, thereby adjusting the theoretical value. If the wheel speeds differ, as for example, during the operation state of the off-road mode, the vehicle speed is measured and is compared with a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for joining a first part to a second part wherein the first part comprises machine cast iron and the second part comprises case-hardened steel comprises abrading a surface on each of the parts which are to be welded together with a groove, fitting the abraded surfaces together to form a welding groove and high-energy beam welding within austenitic welding wire for joining the parts together.

Abstract: In a transmission arrangement including a continuously variable toroidal drive mechanism, an intermediate planetary gear train and a final planetary gear train which are arranged in the power path between an input shaft and an output shaft, a central intermediate shaft is connected to the input shaft and to a central drive disc of the toroidal drive mechanism, and to a planet carrier of the intermediate gear train. A concentric intermediate shaft, through which the central intermediate shaft extends, is connected to a central driven disc of the toroidal drive mechanism and to a sun gear of the intermediate gear train. The concentric intermediate shaft has a drive connection to a first mechanism link of the final gear train in the form of a sun gear. An outer ring gear of the intermediate gear train has a drive connection to a second mechanism link of the final gear train. A third mechanism link of the final gear train is mounted on a housing part.

Abstract: A tire inflating device for a motor vehicle has a lubricant reservoir connected with a sealed area of the tire bearing. The device has a rotational insert disposed in an external component which has the seal acting upon an inner component. There is a connection member on the wheel support for inflating and deflating a tire mounted on the wheel, a control valve on the hub and bores formed in the wheel support for connecting the connection member with a control valve for the inflation and deflation.

Abstract: A device is provided for fastening a first part to a stationary second part, in particular to a part of a vehicle, having a fastening element which can be connected to the first part and has at least one locking element arranged so it cannot be lost, such that it can be brought into a locked position where the first part is joined to the second part and it can also be brought into an unlocked position where the first part is released from the second part, where the fastening element has a top part facing the second part and a bottom part facing the first part, where the top part and the bottom part are designed to pivot about a pivot axis, and the locking element is mounted on the top part.