Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor-fault detection circuit for use with either an inductive or capacitive-type sensor. The sensor-fault detection circuit conducts a test signal into the sensor circuit for testing such sensor circuit. A time difference measuring device is provided to analyze for correct duration of the transit time of a test signal or test pulse, respectively, passing through the sensor. In the event that the transit time does not fall within a predetermined range tolerance, a fault indication can be activated. The circuit can be used, for example, to test an inductive bar-type sensor to determine the speed of a wheel on a vehicle.

Abstract: A pressure relief system comprises a control system which includes a housing with a housing chamber in which electrical equipment is located, and a valve system having a pressure relief device. The housing chamber is connected via a connecting device (e.g., a pipe conduit) to the pressure relief device, thereby protecting the electrical equipment contained in the housing chamber from occurrence of overpressure.

Abstract: A shift by wire vehicle transmission system includes control methods that are especially useful for controlling the transmission under start-from-stop conditions. Since the master clutch must be manually operated under such conditions, the invention includes a method of determining whether the clutch is open or closed. The rotational speed of the engine output shaft is compared to the rotational speed of the transmission input shaft and if the difference between those speeds is greater than a preselected value, the clutch is determined to be open. Another use of the disclosed method is to provide an indication to the driver whether a desired gear has been engaged. A visual or audible signal indicates to the driver that the desired gear is not yet engaged. Once engagement is confirmed, the signal is turned off and the driver knows that the desired shift has been accomplished.

Abstract: An installation for the production of pressure has three operating states corresponding to a delivery operation, an idle operation, and a partial delivery operation. The installation contains at least two compression chambers in at least one compressor, each chamber being assigned at least one switchable inlet valve. In the delivery operation, the switchable inlet valves act as check-valves that allow pressure medium to flow into their respective compression chambers. Each compression chamber also contains at least one outlet check valve through which compressed pressure medium flows out to a pressure consuming system in the delivery operation. Each switchable inlet valve also has an idling position that allows pressure medium to flow into the applicable compression chamber and back out again without being substantially compressed. In the idle operation of the installation, each switchable inlet valve switches to its idling position.

Abstract: A circuit in which driver units are associated with data networks that are coupled through at least two single transmission channels is provided. The driver units have a logical signal input and a logical signal output on their sides facing away from the data network, with the signal input or signal output of one driver unit being connected with the signal output or signal input of the other driver unit through a signal transmission channel in each case for coupling each of two data networks. A logical coupling control unit is looped into the coupling signal transmission channels. The unit blocks the signal path to the other signal transmission channel when predetermined blocking signal information appears on one signal transmission channel. This ensures that feedback and oscillation effects are suppressed during the transmission of signals over the transmission channels. The circuit can be used for coupling CAN data networks in motor vehicles.

Abstract: A process for braking a vehicle and braking system for carrying out that process are disclosed. As braking begins, a start-braking signal is produced. A signal indicating a vehicle deceleration requirement and a signal indicating the actual vehicle deceleration are also produced. At the time the start-braking signal is produced, a control unit sets an initial vehicle declaration signal equal to the signal indicating the actual vehicle deceleration. Thereafter, the control unit actuates at least one brake of the vehicle when the value of the signal indicating the actual vehicle deceleration is different from the sum of the signal indicating the vehicle deceleration requirement and the initial vehicle deceleration signal.

Abstract: In a vehicle train comprising a motor vehicle and a trailer, a process for monitoring a trailer brake for overload comprises producing an energy call-up signal during a braking action, supplying energy to a motor vehicle brake in the motor vehicle, the amount of energy being supplied to the motor vehicle being determined, at least in part, by the value of the energy call-up signal, producing a trailer energy signal, the value of the trailer energy signal being determined, at least in part, by the value of the energy call-up signal, and supplying trailer energy to a trailer brake in the trailer, the amount of trailer energy supplied to the trailer brake being determined, at least in part, by the value of the trailer energy signal. The process further comprises monitoring the coupling force appearing at a coupling between the motor vehicle and the trailer, and adjusting the coupling force based on the trailer energy signal.

Abstract: A pressure fluid operated ride leveler which adjusts the actual level of a vehicle body relative to a vehicle axle to a desired level, includes a pressure fluid source and a pressure fluid sink, pressure fluid chambers which support the vehicle body, and a pressure fluid conduit connecting the pressure fluid chambers to either the pressure fluid source or the pressure fluid sink. First and second controllable valve mechanisms are disposed in the pressure fluid conduit. The second valve mechanism is, e.g., a controllable throttling valve, capable of reducing the diameter of the pressure fluid conduit. Both the first and second valve mechanisms are actuated by a control unit. The control unit actuates the first valve mechanism to connect the chambers to the pressure fluid source or the pressure fluid sink based on the difference between the actual level of the vehicle body and the desired level.

Abstract: A force measuring system for measuring first and second forces (F.sub.1,F.sub.2) acting on a body along first and second directions of attack (.alpha.,.beta.) comprises first and second force sensors which are disposed at first and second measuring directions (.gamma.,.delta.) with respect to the body, at least the first measuring direction (.gamma.) differing from the first and second directions of attack (.alpha.,.beta.). The first and second force sensors measure first and second measured forces (F.sub.Meas1,F.sub.Meas2) along measuring directions (.gamma.,.beta.). From the first and second measured forces (F.sub.Meas1,F.sub.Meas2), the first and second forces (F.sub.1,F.sub.2) acting on the body can be calculated.

Abstract: In a vehicle train comprising a motor vehicle and a trailer, a process for monitoring a motor vehicle trailer brake for overload comprises producing an energy call-up signal during a braking action, supplying energy to the motor vehicle brake in the motor vehicle, the amount of energy being supplied to the motor vehicle being determined, at least in part, by the value of the energy call-up signal, producing a trailer energy signal, the value of the trailer energy signal being determined, at least in part, by the value of the energy call-up signal, and supplying trailer energy to a trailer brake in the trailer, the amount of trailer energy supplied to the trailer brake being determined, at least in part, by the value of the trailer energy signal. The process further comprises monitoring the coupling force appearing at a coupling between the motor vehicle and the trailer, and adjusting the coupling force based on the trailer energy signal.

Abstract: A braking system comprises at least one brake, a brake value demand mechanism which emits an operator signal when actuated by an operator, and an energy dimensioning device which supplies braking energy to the brake to actuate it, thereby producing a braking value at the brake. The braking system also includes a control unit which receives the operator signal from the brake value demand mechanism and emits a braking value signal based thereon. The energy dimensioning device receives the braking value signal and supplies to the brake the braking energy needed to produce the desired braking value at the brake. In order to eliminate hysteresis in the braking system, the control unit supplies to the energy dimensioning device a braking value signal taken from a first characteristic line of braking value as a function of braking value signal when the brake is actuated.

Abstract: A dual voltage supply circuit for vehicles is disclosed, in particular for vehicles with a dual circuit electrical braking system. The circuit contains a starter battery and an auxiliary battery, each supplying an electrical braking circuit. The two batteries are charged from a three phase generator which has power diodes and excitation diodes. The auxiliary battery is charged via an electrical path from the excitation diodes. A monitoring module, which includes a charge monitoring system and a time delay, is connected in series between the excitation diodes and the auxiliary battery.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the braking with optimized stability of a vehicle train is disclosed. The vehicle train comprises at least two individual vehicles, one of the individual vehicles supporting the individual vehicle. The process comprises supplying energy to the brakes of the vehicles, thereby actuating the brakes and producing an actual force between the vehicles, and measuring the actual-value horizontal and vertical components (F.sub.hact, F.sub.vact) of the actual force (F.sub.act) acting between the supporting and supported vehicle. A desired-value horizontal force component (F.sub.hdes) of the force is determined by multiplying the actual-value vertical component (F.sub.vact) by the ratio of the actual-value train deceleration (b) to the earth's acceleration (g). The desired-value horizontal force component (F.sub.hdes) is then compared with the actual-value force horizontal component (F.sub.hact). The energy supplied to the brakes is adjusted so that F.sub.

Abstract: A dual circuit brake valve system comprises first and second brake circuits, first and second combined inlet and outlet valves through which first and second braking pressures respectively are delivered to said first and second brake circuits, and first and second pistons which actuate the first and second combined inlet and outlet valves respectively. The second piston is actuated by the first braking pressure which serves as a control pressure therefor. To achieve simultaneous actuation of the first and second combined inlet and outlet valves, a compression spring is installed between the first and second pistons and mechanically connects these to each other. Thereby, a pressure difference of .DELTA.p between the pressure in the first brake circuit and the pressure in the second brake circuit, which approaches zero, is achieved. In order to be able to increase the pressure difference .DELTA.p in the two brake circuits, a third piston is provided between the first and second pistons.

Abstract: A device for measuring the deformation of a structural component comprises a sensor installed at a first end of a hollow bore in the structural component, the sensor having a measuring surface and producing an electrical signal indicative of a deformation in the measuring surface, and a transmission element which passes through the hollow bore. The transmission element has a first end which is supported by the structural component, and a second end which bears upon the measuring surface of the sensor, so that a deformation which occurs in the structural component will be transmitted to the measuring surface by the transmission element.

Abstract: A device for optically displaying the pressure of a medium comprises a housing, a piston within the housing which is movable along a longitudinal axis against a restoring force, and an optically transparent element within the housing having a display surface which is visible from outside the housing. An inner wall of the optically transparent element delimits a cavity which is open towards the piston. A surface of a first color, e.g., green, is mounted on the piston and is movable therewith, the colored surface being received within the cavity of the optically transparent element. The optically transparent element includes a circumferential zone of a second color, e.g., red, which colored zone is not directly visible from outside the housing through the display surface.

Abstract: A process for braking a vehicle which comprises applying to a front axle group and to a rear axle group front axle brake pressure (p.sub.1) and rear axle brake pressure (p.sub.2) in accordance with wear-optimized curves when a deceleration command signal (S) is less than or equal to a predetermined switch-over deceleration command signal (S.sub.1). When the deceleration command signal (S) is greater than the switch-over deceleration command signal (S.sub.1), the front axle brake pressure (p.sub.1) and the rear axle brake pressure (p.sub.2) are applied in accordance with parabolas which pass smoothly through a point on the wear-optimized curves which corresponds to the switch-over deceleration command signal (S.sub.1), and at least one point on curves for equal adhesion utilization of the front axle group and the rear axle group, which point corresponds to a second deceleration command signal (S.sub.2).

Abstract: A relay valve arrangement useful in an ABS system comprises a relay valve, a source of control pressure, a control pressure circuit, a control chamber which receives the control pressure from the control pressure circuit and thereby determines the configuration of the relay valve, a control valve through which the control pressure is delivered to the control chamber, and a return valve connecting the control chamber to the control pressure circuit so as to by-pass the control valve to deaerate the control chamber when the control pressure in the control chamber is greater than the control pressure in the control pressure circuit. The control valve includes a solenoid-actuated inlet valve having an armature, and a solenoid-actuated outlet valve. The return valve is designed so that at least part of it constitutes an armature support for the armature of the solenoid-actuated inlet valve and is coaxial with this armature.

Abstract: An error detection and display system for an apparatus having first and second operating states comprises a testing device, a display unit (e.g., a warning light), and a switch-on control unit. The testing device runs primary error test cycles for detecting errors of a first kind which occur during the first operating state of the apparatus (e.g., a vehicle at standstill), and secondary error test cycles which occur and can be detected only in the second state of the apparatus (e.g., the vehicle moving above a predetermined minimum speed). The system also includes a non-volatile memory wherein all occurrences of errors of the second kind are stored. The switch-on control unit switches on the testing device and the warning light when the vehicle is first started. If no error of the first kind is detected by the testing device and no error of the second kind is stored in the error memory, the switch-on control unit switches off the warning light while the vehicle is still at a standstill.

Abstract: A multi-axle vehicle equipped with an antilock braking system which provides regulated braking operations to prevent locking of the wheels when the vehicle is braked and spinning of the wheels when the vehicle is started up, comprises a front axle, first and second rear axles, the first rear axle being a drive axle and the second rear axle being a liftable following axle, wheels mounted on each of the axles, rotational speed sensors producing signals indicative of the rotational speeds of the wheels associated with each of the wheels mounted on the front axle, on the drive axle, and on the following axle, brake cylinders associated with each of the wheels, a circuit supplying a pressure medium to the brake cylinders so that a braking pressure is applied to the wheels, and at least one electronic control unit which controls the braking pressure applied to each of the wheels.