Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the rate of recirculation of exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine are disclosed. The rate of recirculation is measured by determining the percentage of carbon gas in the exhaust gas, determining the percentage of carbon gas in the intake gas at a point downstream from the introduction of the recirculated gas and comparing the ratios of carbon gas in the two gases. The gases are drawn off for collection and determination of carbon gas content by a vacuum generator connected to a carbon analyzer and a pressure regulator. A 3-way selection valve is used for drawing off either the exhaust or intake gas.

Abstract: A device for controlling components of electrical equipment of a motor vehicle, such as flashing direction indicators, warning lights, side and rear lamps, etc. Respective control switches actuable by the driver of the vehicle, control circuit units for processing control signals from the control switches, control relays activated by the control circuit units to supply the components, and a synthesis circuit common to all of the control circuit units and providing a common supply output for all the control circuit units are provided. The synthesis circuit has a prepositioning circuit providing a prepositioning output, and a general clock adapted to serve as a time base for the system by controlling an input shifting circuit, in each control circuit unit, to shift a transient control signal such that it is provided at the output of the input shifting circuit when its duration is of at least one clock period.

Abstract: A pressure limiter-regulator for a hydraulic control circuit. In a single body, a single spring acts both on a central spindle, which provides the pressure regulating function, and on a ball which provides the limiting function. The invention is applicable to the hydraulic feeding of a hydrokinetic torque converter.

Abstract: A device for hydraulically lifting agricultural implements by a lifting jack, utilizing a pump with constant stroke volume and a stepless distributor. A flow pressure regulator of the pump is piloted by the pressure of the lifting jack, a downstroke valve is provided for lowering the implements, and a relay valve connects to the reservoir the piloting pressure of the regulator in the downward movement of the implements. A reducing valve fed by the flow circuit of the pump feeds at least one pilot electrovalve of the stepless distributor.

Abstract: A power-assisted steering system for a motor vehicle comprises a flexible tie, the ends of which are wrapped in opposite directions around, and are anchored to drums which turn with the steering movements of the steerable guiding wheels. The tie carries at its center, rollers which follow fixed cams. The profiles of the cams are such that, during the steering of the wheels under the action of two hydraulic rams acting through racks and pinions fixed to the drums, the wheels always turn about a single common instantaneous center of turning. The rams are controlled by a distributor valve which is in turn controlled by a rocking lever which is actuated by Bowden wire cables from a steering wheel. The system is especially applicable to load handling trucks having small turning circles.

Abstract: A novel process and system for computing and adjusting the optimum ignition advance in an internal combustion engine wherein knocking is detected by means of an accelerometer rigidly fastened to the cylinder head of the engine. An output from the accelerometer is integrated, converted into digital form, and processed by processing circuits to derive an average value C proportional to n preceding knocks and two comparison thresholds S.sub.1 and S.sub.2, each a linear function of the preceding average value C. The accelerometer output integrated and converted into digital form is compared with each of these thresholds and the existence of a preknocking or audible knocking value is deduced and then used to act on the programmed electronic ignition advance.

Abstract: A transmission with a variator, notably for automotive vehicles, is disclosed. The transmission is constituted by a variator which can be disconnected by engaging a constant-ratio direct drive. The engagement system is an either-or device.

Abstract: A piston for internal combustion engines, especially for motors of the Diesel type. On purpose to reduce the heat diffusion from the piston crown to the piston portion where are fitted the sealing piston rings, provision is made of an internal circular groove intended to reduce the thickness of the connection portion between the piston crown and the side portion where are fitted the sealing rings, an external cut tangentially formed in the piston side portion substantially at the connection thereof with the piston crown, i.e. above the grooves of the piston rings, being substituted for the circular groove which is interrupted below the regions of the piston crown provided with any recess which would cause the thickness of the connection portion to be too slight.

Abstract: In the regulation of a motor-drive unit for a motor vehicle having a heat-engine and a continuously variable ratio transmission, in a clutch-engaged phase the heat-engine fuel feed is controlled so that it is a function of the displacement of the accelerator pedal of the vehicle and of the speed of the heat-engine such that the power delivered by the engine is substantially equal to the power required for that displacement of the accelerator pedal. In addition, the transmission ratio is controlled so that the speed of the heat-engine approaches an ideal speed which depends upon the power required and is predetermined for operation of the motor-drive unit which is optimalized in accordance with a chosen criterion. Operation is thus obtained with, for example, minimum consumption or pollution while taking into account, in the transient phase, the operation desired by the driver.

Abstract: A device controlling a multi-stage automatic transmission for an engine-driven vehicle with three forward drive ratios and change-under torque, damped by a hydrokinetic torque converter, and one reverse drive, of the type consisting of an epicyclic gear train actuated by two clutches and two brakes hydraulically controlled. A hydraulic distribution unit is monitored by two electric valves in order to feed selectively the two clutches and the two brakes on the basis of data concerning the running of the vehicle. The two electric valves are controlled in response to three different states of the two electric valves for providing selective feeds corresponding respectively to each of the three forward drive ratios and for providing an additional control of the electric valves in response to a fourth transient state for the transmission between the third and second forward drive ratios.

Abstract: A transmission unit for coupling the engine of a motor vehicle to either a manual-shift gearbox or an automatic gearbox includes a differential having a crown gear, pinions for coupling the crown gear to the output shaft of the gearbox and a housing for enclosing the differential, the pinions, and either a mechanical clutch or a torque converter. The housing has a first coupling face portion for attaching the transmission unit to an engine, a second coupling face portion for attaching the transmission unit to a manual-shift gearbox or to an automatic gearbox, and bearings supported to engage the pinion and the input and output shafts of the engine, the gearbox and the differential, with the gearbox of either shafts in substantially the same position relative to the housing. The housing can be a one-piece construction or a two-piece construction. A bearing support housing can be utilized with the main housing when coupling the transmission unit to an automatic gearbox.

Abstract: An automatic coupling or torque transfer device for connecting an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising a double free-wheel system, each of the elementary free wheels functioning for one rotational direction. Cocking of the free wheels is accomplished by means of the control of the rotational direction. The main application is to the transmission of an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A seat belt restraining apparatus for vehicles which frees access to the seat of the user when the door of the vehicle is open and which closes over the body of the user while the door is closed is disclosed. This apparatus is characterized by the fact that it uses a movable anchorage affixed to the extremity of a flexible rack and movable by the force of a motor.

Abstract: A multi-level pressure regulating valve for a hydraulic control circuit. It includes a three-level or four-level pressure regulating valve utilizing an intermediate chamber which is fed with fluid through two parallel ducts, each having its own throttling device.

Abstract: An elastic guard brace for attaching bumpers to an automobile is disclosed. The brace consists of a relatively thick elastic member which is connected between the bumper and the automobile and is oriented so that the direction of its elasticity is parallel to the direction of a force acting on the bumper. At least one inelastic member is positioned within the elastic member and is oriented parallel to the direction of the force acting on the bumper so that it can buckle in an inelastic manner and absorb energy upon impact. The elasticity of the elastic member minimizes the inelastic deformation of the elastic element and returns the bumper to its original position.

Abstract: The bolt (6), brought into play by a remote-controlled activator (4), goes into a keeper (8) shaped like a blind stirrup made in the same unit as the portal (3) by passing through the cup of the vent through intermediary fixtures for guiding (13) and for preventing the escape of gasoline vapors (14). An emergency manual control button (21) is provided on the connection between the bolt (6) and the activator core (7).

Abstract: A window clearing arrangement particularly for the rear window mounted on an automobile liftgate is provided, being characterized by a control circuit comprising a single relay, the single reversing contact of which enables, according to its position, either wiping by powering the motor-reducer or the stopping of the motor by short-circuiting of the armature. The relay is fed by the first wire, while the second wire powers the defogging system. All of the controls, whether momentary or not, involve one or more suitable switches, one position, however, being reserved for the impulse control of the washer by electrically powering a pump, which simultaneously activates the wiper.

Abstract: A loading mechanism in which the portion of the loading mechanism facing the rack carries a cradle consisting of a support upon which are fashioned two oval-shaped bearing races and a retainer for securing alternately loaded and non-loaded ball-bearings. The retainer includes slots allowing the loaded ball-bearings to contact the rack.

Abstract: A cooling tower apparatus for cooling by dry and natural draft in which a battery of exchangers is shared among several independent networks fed separately by a cooling fluid, and the nominal thermal dissipation of the newtorks in operation is maintained by separation of the air flows inside the tower by means of an appropriate partition, especially by a double-shelled structure having application for the elimination of untransformed calories in electrical plants of all types, especially thermal and nuclear.

Abstract: A device for wiping the windows of double headlights on a motor vehicle, which includes two wipers angularly spread out and set in motion in accordance with an alternative circular movement on a joint motor shaft located inside a zone included between two neighboring headlights characterized in that one of the wipers is directly set in motion by the shaft on the tip of which it is mounted, whereas the other wiper is set in motion by way of a delayed coupling mounted on the joint shaft in such a way as to provide a delay in its motion and therefore to reduce its wiping range in relation to the range of the first wiper.