Abstract: A composite bumper structure is made up of an elongated molded bumper section, molded attachment lugs and energy absorbers. The bumper section is integrally molded with the lugs and both contain elongated reinforcement fibers. The energy of a collision is absorbed both by the deformation of the energy absorbers and the elastic deformation of the lugs. The bumper section may also support a stylistic facade.

Abstract: Metal scrap cuttings are prepared for use in making sintered pieces. The cuttings are physically and chemically cleaned, ground in an inert atmosphere, heat treated in a reducing atmosphere, and sorted according to particle size in an inert atmosphere. Movement of the cuttings into the various treatments is performed by vibratory conveyors located in enclosures sealed from the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the limitation of the action of a manual choke by the recirculation of exhaust gases to the intake manifold is disclosed. A vacuum valve is located in a conduit connecting the intake and exhaust manifolds. The vacuum valve is activated by a vacuum transmitted through a conduit connected with the carburetor. The conduit is selectively opened by an electrovalve. The electrovalve receives a signal to open the conduit when the manual choke is activated and an engine temperature sensor indicates that the engine temperature has exceeded a predetermined value. A time delay circuit may delay the sending of the signal to the electrovalve.

Abstract: The reducer includes a motor, an input shaft furnished with a ring gear meshing with a number of planet gears, the shafts of which are integral with a plate itself mounted on an output shaft. The planet gears are located inside a deformable annulus of thin steel reinforced outside by a thick, and thus very rigid ring.

Abstract: A main T-shaped lever 3 is articulated at the ends of its horizontal arm on two links 5, 6 mounted so as to pivot on a support plate 1 in such a way that the four axes of articulation A, B, C, D form a deformable isosceles trapezoid when the main lever is in the central position E of its travel which, moreover, is parallel to the front 2 of the plate. Secondary levers 9, 10 actuated by cams 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b act on the air-conditioning controls 13, 14.Particular application is to the case of multiple controls manipulated by a single lever with a large straight displacement with no deflection.

Abstract: A process for providing a plastisol covering on a metal surface so as to form in situ a floor covering in the passenger space of an automotive vehicle including dispersing polyvinyl chloride powder in a liquid solvent of an ester type virtually uncharged so as to form the plastisol and spraying the plastisol by means of a spray gun on the floor of the vehicle at the time of its passage into a painting conveyor. The corresponding product of such process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Device for transmitting motion to the wheels of a vehicle having drive axles by means of two motors generating the driving power, one motor driving a speed reducing mechanism associated with each drive wheel of the vehicle and the other motor also driving one of the reduction mechanisms, the motors and mechanisms constituting jointly a kinematic chain disposed at the outer periphery of the frame of the vehicle for transmitting the torque to the drive wheels thereof. A member for driving one of the wheels is adapted to transmit the driving power from one input member of the mechanism to an output member of the same mechanism, both input and output members being driven from a separate transmission member, a brake of the driving member being provided for decelerating said wheel.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission system for use in internal combustion engine vehicles provides two modes of vehicle operation. In the first or city mode, the vehicle is propelled by one or more reversible hydraulic motor/pumps which operate as a function of vehicle accelerator pedal displacement and of brake pedal displacement and which are driven by fluid pressure stored in an accumulator. In the second or highway mode, the vehicle is propelled by its internal combustion engine through a mechanical transmission.During the city mode operation, the accumulator is automatically and intermittently charged by a reversible hydraulic motor/pump driven by the internal combustion engine. Also, during the city mode, the internal combustion engine operates only during intermittent charging of the accumulator.

Abstract: The stackable modular element for a flow divider unit for a hydraulic circuit has a flow regulator with a piston controlling an opening as a function of the variations in the pressure upstream between the fluid input and output. The internal cylinder of the regulator piston (11, 111, 211) opens, on the one hand, onto a stacking face of the element and, on the other, into the exit hole (5, 105, 205) of the element, passing through its entry hole (3, 103, 203) and communicates, via the said stacking face, with a passage (12, 112, 212) for equalization of output pressures traversing the element between its stacking faces and connecting them with the corresponding passages in the adjoining units, the equalization passage communicating, in addition, with the exit hole (5, 105, 205) of the element.

Abstract: A fail-safe coil ingition dwell control system for an internal combustion engine of the type employing a digital ignition advance computer, wherein the computer computes ignition advance angle data and stores current dwell data. The fail-safe system detects the absence of an ignition spark, as may be caused by a computer failure, and in the event thereof produces a control signal capable of triggering the engine power element, i.e. spark plug, and includes an output switching circuit at the output thereof for switching control of the triggering of the engine power element from the computer to the signal generator circuit in the event of a computer failure.

Abstract: The locking mechanism of the cradle is associated with a safety catch articulated on a fixed support and capable of pivoting automatically against a return element in retracting beneath the floor of the vehicle, by the raising of the cradle with the help of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: An improvement for internal combustion engine carburetors of the variable diffuser type with a sonic throat, the diffuser having a circular intake passage leading to an obstacle in the form of a body of revolution of maximum diameter appreciably larger than the intake passage, coaxial with the passage and axially adjustable to form, with a fixed divergent circular wall prolonging the intake passage of the carburetor barrel, a circular divergent sonic-flow nozzle, the annular throat of which is formed between the intake passage and the nearest surface of the adjustable obstacle.

Abstract: A shaft, the angular position of which is to be detected, equipped with a notched disk one tooth of which has been removed. A position sensor detects the passage of the teeth for a Schmitt trigger with its output connected to the inputs of two monostable multivibrators, to the up-down counter input of a counter, to one input of an AND gate and to the inputs of logic circuits. The held output of the counter is connected to an input of a type D flip-flop connected at its output to the second input of the AND gate.

Abstract: The color-changing valve is constituted by a predetermined number of unitary valves, one unitary valve being provided for each color. The unitary valves are mounted on a common manifold by simple engagement and maintained in position on the manifold by screwing means. The valve system is primarily designed for paint-spraying applications in automobile production plants.

Abstract: Automatic and reproducible spraying of liquid materials on complex tool surfaces is attained through a multinozzle spraying block, traversed by supply passages for the spray material and the air for spraying, and comprising, on at least one of its faces, a series of valves provided with elastic obturating membranes and with pneumatic logic control, programming and communication of the spray material supply passages with the spray air outlets of the nozzles grouped on at least one of the block faces. Application of the multinozzle spraying block to automatic treatment is achieved by spraying materials on tool surfaces under constant conditions on repetitive-cycle machines.

Abstract: A control arrangement with a single lever pivoting successively about two articulation axes. The lever is articulated on a fixed plate by the intermediary of at least one link. The link is articulated on the plate at a fixed axis while the lever is articulated on the link at an axis movable with respect to the plate and offset from the fixed axis. In this way, after the lever-link assembly has pivoted around the fixed axis, the link comes up against a stop on the plate so that the movable axis becomes fixed in its turn and the lever continues its travel pivoting about this axis.

Abstract: A speed limiter for the regulation of the speed of an internal combustion engine wherein in addition to a first kinematic linkage chain between a manually operable acceleration pedal and an engine throttle is provided a second computer controlled kinematic linkage chain which can assume speed regulation control in such a way that the second chain can take over from the first when the first has maximally opened the throttle and without the first chain hindering the functioning of the second under the command of the computer as soon as the vehicle has entered the prescribed range of regulation. In one embodiment the second kinematic chain includes a pneumatic actuator coupled to the throttle and operable by means of the opening electrovalves as controlled by the computer in accordance with vehicle speed and acceleration. In another embodiment, the second kinematic linkage chain includes a reversible motor having a shaft rotatable under the control of the system computer.

Abstract: Each cylinder of a slanted, in-line, overhead valve, internal combustion engine has intake and exhaust valves with axes which extend radially from and perpendicular to the camshaft axis. The camshaft axis is above an inclined plane which includes the central axes of the cylinders, and the valve axes are mutually divergent to intersect this plane at different angles.

Abstract: A transmission with epicyclic trains which includes four epicyclic trains permitting six forward speed ratios and one in reverse. With this transmission it is possible to obtain, by elimination of elements such as an annulus, brake bands or clutches, combinations of three, four and five forward speed ratios and one in reverse and is applicable to automobiles, buses and industrial vehicles.

Abstract: A device for the power-assisted control of a hydraulic transmitter is disclosed which includes a transmitter cylinder having a first and second bore provided therein, a main piston with a bore hole, disposed in the cylinder, valve means disposed in the bore of the cylinder, a fluid source communicated with the cylinder, a control piston movably disposed in the second bore and having a control section and a second section formed thereon wherein the control section of the control piston is larger than the second section of the control piston.