Abstract: A compressed air installation having a normal operating mode and an idling mode includes a feed valve, a feed line which is connected to and receives air through the feed valve, at least one compressor having at least one compression chamber, and at least one inlet valve which is connected to the feed line and supplies air to the compression chamber. The feed valve and the inlet valve are switchable between open positions and one-way positions wherein air can pass through the valve in one direction only. In normal operating mode, the feed valve is in its open position and the inlet valve is in its one-way position, thereby allowing air to enter and exit the installation through the feed valve and the feed line, and to pass from the feed line through the inlet valve into the compression chamber.

Abstract: A process for the control of non-synchronized, manually shiftable vehicle transmissions which are actuated in vehicles of new construction by means of an automated transmission control system whereby the driver is able to select a desired gear by means of an operating unit which is connected electrically to the transmission control system. When the vehicle is stopped and the clutch is disengaged practice of the invention prevents a situation in which the engagement of a gear is prevented by a tooth-on-tooth position of the transmission claws. The disclosed process makes it possible to engage the selected gear in all operating states of the vehicle in a simple and reliable manner. In this regard, a desired gear is first selected, and the clutch is then disengaged. When a suitable speed of the transmission input is then reached, a gear to be engaged is automatically engaged. Thereby, the engagement of a gear when the vehicle is stopped is systematized and facilitated for the driver.

Abstract: A wear-resistant valve, having at least two parts which move relative to each other, and which impact against each other, avoids damage to the contacting parts over long operating periods, with very little additional space requirement, and at low cost. At least one of the impact surfaces is covered with a thin coating. The material used for the coating is plastic, in particular, a fluorine-containing polymer material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The valve closing element, whose valve closing surface makes contact with a valve seat when the valve is actuated, is preferably provided with the coating. Valve arrangements which are actuated electromagnetically by a pulsing electrical signal are preferred areas of application for the present invention.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle with one or several driven axles, as well as with corresponding equalizing gears and/or power dividers for the compensation of differences in the speeds of the wheels, the spinning of wheels and/or axles is avoided through the use of braking devices for the braking of individual wheels, in conjunction with locking devices for the above-mentioned equalizing gears and/or power dividers. Upon reaching a predetermined speed difference value between the drive axles, a reduction of this speed difference is first brought about by actuation of the corresponding braking devices. When a predetermined approach tendency of the wheel speeds to each other is reached, a synchronization of the wheels is obtained by actuating the appropriate locking device. In this manner, a synchronization of rotating parts is achieved during any speed behavior of the rotating parts, without damage to parts of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for braking a vehicle ensures the correct braking deceleration for every deceleration demand of the driver, without the need for a load sensor. The load condition of the vehicle is represented by a predetermined linking signal, which is stored in an electronic control system. The control system evaluates the deceleration demand of the driver with respect to the actual braking deceleration, and determines the dimensioning of braking energy as a function of the linking signal and the deceleration demand. An actual-deceleration feedback signal is monitored by the control system, in order to enable it to equalize the deceleration demand and the actual vehicle deceleration.

Abstract: A safeguard feature prevents supply of voltage to an electrical device in the event a protective element is no longer reliably connected in a circuit arrangement for protecting a susceptible component from inadmissible voltage values. The protective element in the circuit arrangement is often conveniently provided in the form of a suppressor diode, which is connected in parallel with the susceptible component to be protected, and which experiences breakdown in case of excessive voltage, thereby causing a short-circuit in the power supply. In the event of such protective response, the suppressor diode may heat up considerably, and that the solder used for electrical and mechanical attachment may liquefy or evaporate. As a result the suppressor diode may become completely or partially unsoldered, so that a reliable protection of the susceptible component is no longer ensured by the shorting of the circuit thereacross.

Abstract: An arrangement for use with a valve system permits facilitated adaptation to conditions where modified lever ratios are desired while an actuation force requirement remains unaffected, or where a modified actuating force requirement is desired while lever ratios remain unchanged. In order to avoid or reduce costs associated with modification of the actuation force requirement of the valve system, a spring is provided which acts upon an operating element thereof, in addition to a pressure force, and codirectional therewith, against the actuating force in such manner that a predetermined actuating force requirement results. The invention finds particular significance in applications directed to vehicle braking systems.

Abstract: A process for reducing yaw during braking in a vehicle having an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traveling on a roadway having different coefficients of friction on opposite sides of the vehicle comprises regulating the braking pressures in the wheels of the vehicle during ABS-controlled braking so that a permissible braking pressure difference (.DELTA.P) between the braking pressures in the high and low wheels is maintained. The permissible braking pressure difference (.DELTA.P) is calculated by an electronic system based on an algorithm that takes into account the frictional value of the road, and/or the load on the vehicle, and/or the wheel base of the vehicle, and/or the wheel gauge of the vehicle, and/or the level of the center-of-gravity of the vehicle. The algorithm increases the value of the permissible braking pressure difference (.DELTA.P) as the frictional value of the road, the load of the vehicle, and the wheel base of the vehicle increase.

Abstract: A safety valve arrangement for an installation operating with a pressure medium has a pressure medium input and a pressure medium output connected by a valve. The valve comprises a valve seat and a valve closing element. The valve closing element is moveable between an open position and a closed position and has an active surface that is subjected to the pressure medium in the opening direction of the valve. The valve closing element also has an auxiliary surface that is subjected to the pressure medium in the opening direction of the valve only when the valve closing element is lifted from the valve seat. A spring arrangement holds the valve closing element closed and the valve closing element moves from a closed position to an open position when the pressure medium acting upon the valve closing element is greater than the opposing force of the spring arrangement acting upon the valve closing element.

Abstract: A solenoid valve apparatus, for supplying two end-users from a single pressure fluid source, includes two valves and a solenoid apparatus for actuating the two valves. The two valves are installed opposite each other, and the solenoid apparatus is located between the two valves. The solenoid apparatus contains two armatures configured as movable valve elements, which are approximately coaxial with each other. A coil surrounds the two armatures over at least part of their axial extensions. A pressure fluid channel connects the pressure fluid inlet of one valve to the pressure fluid inlet of the other valve. Each valve has a corresponding pressure fluid outlet, which connects to a respective end-user pressure fluid chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the recognition of the state of a solenoid valve supplies an on/off control switching current to the coil of the solenoid valve. A high level of current is caused to flow through the coil for switching the device on, and a reduced level of current is applied to the coil for holding the solenoid armature in its on position. If the armature should be caused to drop off from its on position by a mechanical shock, an increase in the frequency of the switching current occurs, due to the decrease in magnetic circuit inductance. This frequency increase is detected and compared to a predetermined threshold value. If the detected frequency exceeds the threshold value, it is recognized as an armature drop off, and corrective action can be taken immediately.

Abstract: A process for reducing the yawing moment that develops during hard braking in a vehicle equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traveling on a roadway having different coefficients of friction on opposite sides of the vehicle is disclosed. The driver must compensate for the yawing moment by steering towards the side that has the lower coefficient of friction. The process comprises venting the brake cylinder of the front wheel on the side with the higher coefficient of friction for a time t.sub.AH that is calculated in an electronic control module. The algorithm for computing t.sub.AH depends on the venting time t.sub.AL at the front wheel on the side with the lower coefficient of friction and the maximum or so-called deregulating pressures attained in the cylinders of the rear wheels. The electronic control module receives pressure information from pressure sensors and ascertains the venting time t.sub.AL that the ABS produces at the slipping front wheel.

Abstract: A process for controlling the speed of a vehicle travelling on a slope is disclosed. The vehicle is equipped with an electronic system which, through active brake intervention, adjusts the speed of the vehicle to a predetermined constant hill descent speed upon actuation of a hill descent control mode. The process comprises generating in the electronic system a continuously variable desired speed, and upon actuation of said hill descent control mode, the desired speed is continuously adjusted until it is equal to the predetermined constant hill descent speed. While the desired speed is being adjusted, the vehicle speed is continuously adjusted through active brake intervention until it is equal to the desired speed, so that after a transition period, the vehicle speed is equal to the predetermined constant hill descent speed.

Abstract: An inductive displacement sensor comprises a magnetically conductive housing, a coil located within the conductive housing, and a solenoid plunger movable within the coil. A ring-shaped air gap is formed between the solenoid plunger and the conductive housing. A short-circuit ring surrounds the solenoid plunger and is located on the outside of the conductive housing and in front of the ring-shaped air gap. An electronic unit is connected to the coil that measures the displacement-dependent inductance of the coil.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for adjustably attaching a first component, such as a wheel speed sensor, to a second component, such as a part of a wheel suspension, comprises a mounting device having first and second regions, and an intermediate region located between the first and second regions, the first component being mounted on the first region of the mounting device, and an attachment element, such as a screw, which connects the second region of the mounting device to the second component. The mounting device is shaped so that its intermediate region is spaced away from the second component. Upon tightening of the attachment element, the intermediate region of the mounting device is brought into contact with the second component by elastic or plastic deformation of the mounting device, whereby the position of the first component is fixed in relation to the second component.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for adjusting the speed of a vehicle travelling on a gradient to a predetermined desired speed, wherein the vehicle is equipped with an ABS and/or ASR system, comprises determining the actual speed of the vehicle travelling on a gradient, determining a control deviation for the vehicle, the control deviation being the difference between the actual speed of the vehicle and the desired speed, and actively applying the brakes of the vehicle when the control deviation is greater than a predetermined amount. Only the brakes of the downhill axle are braked so long as the control deviation is less than a predetermined control deviation, or so long as the slip of the braked wheels are less than a predetermined slip. The brakes of the uphill axle are applied only if the predetermined control deviation is exceeded.

Abstract: A process for reducing yaw during braking in a vehicle having an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traveling on a roadway having different coefficients of friction on opposite sides of the vehicle, is disclosed. The process comprises detecting the braking pressures in the wheels of the vehicle, calculating a permissible braking pressure difference, and adjusting the braking pressures in the wheel on the high friction side (high wheel) so as to maintain the permissible braking pressure difference. The permissible braking pressure difference is a variable value which depends mainly on the deregulating pressure (P.sub.max) at which the ABS begins to deregulate in the low wheel.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for restoring brake pressure in a brake of a motor vehicle having an antilock brake system which subjects the brake to a brake regulating cycle. The brake regulating cycle comprises a pressure reduction phase, wherein the brake pressure is reduced from a deregulating pressure P.sub.max to a holding pressure P.sub.min, a pressure maintenance phase, wherein the holding pressure P.sub.min is maintained in the brake, and a pressure restoration phase, wherein the brake pressure in the brake is increased. According to the invention, during the pressure restoration phase the brake pressure is increased with a steep pressure gradient PG.sub.H during a first pressure increase stage until a pressure level P.sub.K is reached. Thereafter the brake pressure is increased with a low pressure gradient PG.sub.N in a second pressure increase stage. The steep pressure gradient PG.sub.H is calculated as a function of P.sub.max and P.sub.min of the last regulating cycle, while the low pressure gradient PG.

Abstract: A star coupler for serial bus systems operates in compliance with the carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) method. The star coupler connects a plurality of individual bus systems to corresponding T-drivers and associated logic circuits, so that arbitration is performed within the total bus system in which all individual bus systems are included. Feedback suppression is used to assure unidirectional data flow, while error detection is combined with switching logic to disable faulty individual bus systems without affecting the other connected individual bus systems.

Abstract: An arrangement for fixing the position of a coil carrier in a cup-shaped formed casing part between a base of the casing part and a closure part which attaches to the casing part, comprises at least one spring element located on the circumference of the coil carrier and extending away from the coil carrier at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the coil carrier and towards a wall of the casing part. The spring element is sized and shaped so that it presses against the wall of the casing part, thereby elastically fixing the position of the coil carrier in the casing part. In a preferred embodiment, at least one rigid abutment is also provided on the coil carrier. The rigid abutment extends at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the coil carrier and towards the wall of the casing part. The rigid abutment is sized and shaped to securely support the coil carrier against the wall of the casing part via the rigid abutment.