Abstract: In a process and apparatus for controlling the attitude of a spacecraft, drive signals for driving attitude control units of the spacecraft are generated based on control unit signals related to the three principle axes of a spacecraft oriented coordinate system, using the rule k=B.sup.I e+cu.sub.2. The drive matrix B.sup.I, a definite vector u.sub.2 and the constant c result from the application of a matrix decomposition according to the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) method to a nozzle matrix B. The latter matrix contains as elements, the momentum and force vectors which can be generated by the attitude control units, and the drive matrix B.sup.I is multiplied directly with the vector e derived from the axis-related control unit signals.

Abstract: A floor structure for a self-supporting motor vehicle body is provided which has a down and up open central tunnel and a power unit crossmember extending under the central tunnel. Two mutually opposite supporting profiles are secured in a force-transmitting manner on the power-unit crossmember. Each supporting profile has a dimensionally rigid supporting leg which extends along a lateral tunnel wall of the tunnel arrangement and is arranged parallel to said tunnel wall at a small distance therefrom. In relation to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle the supporting profiles extend at least over part of the length of the power-unit crossmember.

Abstract: An impact absorbing outer body structure of a motor vehicle including an outer panel with a deformable impact region. For the protection of a person or object making impact on the outer-panel, the deformable impact region can be displaced outwardly toward said person or object. The outer panel is provided with at least one plastically deformable impact region which is weakened in relation to the rest of the outer panel, and a supporting shell is firmly connected to the outer panel on an inner side. The supporting shell has at least the stability of the rest of the outer panel, enclosing the impact region and forming, along with the outer panel, a closed cavity. In the event of an impact load, the plastically deformable impact region can be expanded rapidly outward by means of a high-pressure charge, such as a pyrotechnical propellant charge, to provide a deformation area to absorb the energy of the impact. The impact absorbing structure is particularly used in hoods and doors of motor vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having seat and backrest cushions includes a ventilation device for ventilating the cushions as well as a heating device for heating the cushions. A desirable sitting climate providing high comfort is produced by eliminating both a seat user's perspiration and overcooling. The desirable sitting climate is assured by a control unit which is connected on an input side with a temperature sensor arranged in a cushion and on an output side with the electric circuits of the ventilation unit and the heating unit. The control unit is adjusted such that, at cushion surface temperatures measured by the temperature sensor which are above an indicated value, it switches on the ventilation device or changes it to a higher power stage and/or switches off the heating device or changes it to a lower heating capacity.

Abstract: A locking device protects a charge socket on a vehicle having a traction battery, for charging the traction battery. A charge plug, which is connected with a current source by way of a charge cable, is insertable into the charge socket. The charge can be locked by the locking device to prevent removal. The locking exercised by the locking device is effected by a swing lid which, in the closed position, is used for covering the charge socket. Alternatively, the locking device exercises a locking effect directly on the inserted charge plug whereby the locking device can simultaneously be used for locking the swing lid in its closed position.

Abstract: Converter modules have a busbar system for a plurality of power semiconductor switches or, preferably, IGBT power semiconductor modules (IPMs). The power semiconductor switches are arranged in pairs, facing one another or facing away from one another, close together and parallel. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, alternating current is fed in one or two phases via bridge circuits composed of two or four power semiconductor switches.

Abstract: In a fuel tank for motor vehicles including a tank vent with a venting valve, which automatically closes when the fuel in the tank reaches a predetermined level and when the vehicle is in an upside down position, the venting valve includes a vent closing member and a float structure engaging to the vent closing member and having a buoyancy, which is variable depending on the amount of fuel contained in the tank.

Abstract: In a method for detecting and tracking objects by stereo image evaluation a part of structure class images is initially generated from a recorded stereo image pair. Differences in brightness of selected pixels in the environment are determined for each pixel as digital values, which are combined to form a digital value group, with identical groups defining their own structure classes. Structure classes which lack a brightness change along the epipolar line are discarded. Corresponding disparity values are then determined for the pixels in the other structure classes and are collected in a disparity histogram with a given frequency increment. The pixel group that belongs to a given grouping point area of the histogram is then interpreted as an object to be detected.

Abstract: In a valve for the dosed discharge of fluids particularly a fuel injection valve for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, the valve includes in an valve housing at the front end of an injector housing a valve structure at a fluid discharge end of the valve housing and a stack of piezo elements disposed in the opposite end of the injector housing and a high pressure fluid passages leads to the fluid discharge end which is isolated from the area in which the stack of piezo elements is disposed and which is in communication with a low pressure drain passage such that the piezo elements are not exposed to the high pressure fluid. Isolation is obtained by a compensation cylinder movably disposed in an annular space between, and in sealing relationship with, the valve housing, the piezo stack being enclosed in a piezo guide tube which is sealingly connected to the valve housing.

Abstract: In a variable valve timing mechanism for an internal combustion engine with exhaust valves operated by an exhaust camshaft and intake valves operated by two intake camshafts of which one is driven by the exhaust camshaft by way of a phase controller disposed at one end of one of the intake camshafts and controls the valve openings time and the other is driven by the one intake camshaft by way of a coupler drive which is disposed at the opposite end of the one intake camshaft and controls the valve closing times.

Abstract: A self-supporting body for an automobile with mixed construction is disclosed with an area of the body support structure associated with a set area for an engine assembly and other heavy vehicle assemblies, as well as the body parts of the body cladding surrounding this area are made asymmetric with respect to the longitudinal center of gravity of the vehicle and at least partially of a material whose weight is reduced by comparison with the rest of the body support structure and with respect to the rest of the body cladding.

Abstract: An arrangement for attitude control and stabilization of a three-axis stabilized, bias momentum spacecraft which is equipped with a spin wheel arrangement that is capable of generating an angular momentum vector in a predeterminable direction, as well as control torques about all three axes of a spacecraft fixed system of coordinates, independently of one another. The control arrangement is equipped with an attitude sensor, which measures the attitude deviation about a first lateral axis (roll axis) oriented perpendicularly to the predetermined direction, with actuators for generating external control torques.

Abstract: A handgun comprises a grip (1), a slide (2), a trigger device (3) having a trigger (10) and a trigger safety lock. In order to provide a simple, ergonomically correct trigger safety lock, this safety lock is formed by a safety locking element (8) which moves vertically above the trigger device (3) in the grip (1), has, at the bottom, a hook (9) which interacts with a catch (11) on the trigger (10), in the safe position, projects visibly out of the grip (1; 60) in front of the trigger (10; 62), and has side projections (15). This safety locking element is held with respect to the grip (1) by a spring-loaded lock (18, 19, 20, 21).

Abstract: A system for guiding the end phase of guided autonomous missiles consists of a marker unit having a sensor, a signature transmitter and a device for attachment to the target, as well as a cooperating direction finder in the guided missile.

Abstract: An air-conditioning unit is provided for a vehicle with an air-conditioning function depending on the outside dew point. The air-conditioning unit includes a device for determining the dew point temperature of the outside air, an air duct leading to a window of the vehicle and having a controllable closing device, a device for determining the temperature of the air blown through the ducts leading to the window of the vehicle and a control device for automatically opening and closing the air duct leading to a window of the vehicle by appropriately energizing the air duct closing device. The control device, in the cooling operation of the air conditioning unit, opens and closes this air duct automatically as a function of the dew point temperature determined for the outside air and as a function of the temperature determined for the air blown out through this air duct.

Abstract: In a support arrangement for a steered vehicle wheel mounted on a wheel carrier which is supported by a transverse link by way of a ball joint with a flange pivotally supported and mounted on the transverse link by clamping screws extending through spaced mounting holes in the transverse link and the mounting flange, the mounting holes in one of the transverse link and mounting flange is formed by at least three different receiving bores disposed at different distances from the pivot point of the flange for receiving the clamping screws and the mounting holes in the other are holes elongated along a line extending through the pivot point between the transverse link and the flange and forming jointly with the screws stops which provide for positive engagement between the transverse link and the flange in each of the different relative pivot positions between the two.

Abstract: A process and an extrusion arrangement are suggested for cutting extruded hollow profiles while heated from the extruding process heat into the required lengths by means of a high-energy beam or jet moved along with the extruding operation. The interior of the extruded hollow profile is filled with a light-weight material at least at the cutting points. The light-weight material is advantageously an expansive foam mass, such as an aluminum foam or a plastic foam. The filling of the extruded hollow profile takes place either by coextrusion or by way of an arbor or a hollow-chamber bottom die of the extrusion arrangement.