Abstract: A method for controlling the rotational speed or the torque of a motor to protect a suppressor diode in a control device of a vehicle, wherein the suppressor diode converts recuperation energy of the motor into thermal energy comprises determining the current junction temperature and/or diode voltage of the suppressor diode; and controlling the rotational speed or the torque of the motor by means of the current junction temperature and/or diode voltage in such a way that the junction temperature of the suppressor diode does not exceed a predetermined junction temperature limit value.

Abstract: A hinge assembly comprises first and second tape spring elements, wherein each of the spring elements is configured to connect a first element of a space structure to a second element of the space structure. Each of the first and the second tape spring elements is movable from a folded state into an unfolded state by releasing stored strain energy, to deploy the first and the second element of the space structure. The first tape spring element is connected to a first direct current source and configured to conduct direct current of a first polarity supplied to the first tape spring element from the first direct current source. The second tape spring element is connected to a second direct current source and configured to conduct direct current of a second polarity, opposite to the first polarity, supplied to the second tape spring element from the second direct current source.

Abstract: A hinge assembly comprises first and second tape spring elements, wherein each of the spring elements is configured to connect a first element of a space structure to a second element of the space structure. Each of the first and the second tape spring elements is movable from a folded state into an unfolded state by releasing stored strain energy, to deploy the first and the second element of the space structure. The first tape spring element is connected to a first direct current source and configured to conduct direct current of a first polarity supplied to the first tape spring element from the first direct current source. The second tape spring element is connected to a second direct current source and configured to conduct direct current of a second polarity, opposite to the first polarity, supplied to the second tape spring element from the second direct current source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a brushless electric motor, the windings of which are controlled by an inverter using six switches, wherein the inverter comprises three outputs, which are associated with the windings of the electric motor, and wherein a respective power semiconductor switch is arranged between the output of the inverter and the windings, and wherein a detection unit for detecting defective switches, a unit for measuring the voltage at the outputs of the inverter, and a microcontroller for controlling switches are provided. The invention further relates to a device operating a brushless electric motor. In order not to damage the power semiconductor switches, according to the invention of the inverter is switched off by the microcontroller after a defective switch has been detected, such that no additional power is introduced in the windings (U, V, W) of the electric motor and the power semiconductor switches are opened in a predetermined motor angle position (?U, ?v, ?w).

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system may include any suitable combination of a sensing gripper unit, a gripper unit with removable gripper fingers, an element or chute arrangement for separating gripper fingers from an object being gripped, and a detection system for detecting the level of objects in a container such as a waste container. The system may be used in a laboratory environment where objects such as specimen containers, caps, and tubes are manipulated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining different fill levels of objects in the containers for disposable and consumable objects are disclosed. A sensor unit can detect presence of an object passing into a waste container and different levels of the objects in the waste container as the objects fill the waste container. When the waste container is full, a notification message may be generated to empty or replace the waste container. The sensor unit can also detect different levels of objects in a consumable container as the objects are removed from the consumable container. When the consumable container is empty, a notification message may be generated to refill or replace the consumable container. In embodiments of the invention, a notification message may also be generated for a predetermined level of objects in the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a brushless electric motor, the windings of which are controlled by an inverter using six switches, wherein the inverter comprises three outputs, which are associated with the windings of the electric motor, and wherein a respective power semiconductor switch is arranged between the output of the inverter and the windings, and wherein a detection unit for detecting defective switches, a unit for measuring the voltage at the outputs of the inverter, and a microcontroller for controlling switches are provided. The invention further relates to a device operating a brushless electric motor. In order not to damage the power semiconductor switches, according to the invention of the inverter is switched off by the microcontroller after a defective switch has been detected, such that no additional power is introduced in the windings (U, V, W) of the electric motor and the power semiconductor switches are opened in a predetermined motor angle position (?U, ?v, ?w).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a brushless electric motor whose windings are driven by an inverter with the aid of six switches, having an identification unit being provided in order to identify defective switches, a unit for voltage measurement at the outputs of the inverter, and a microcontroller for controlling the switches. Particularly in safety-relevant applications, it is important to quickly determine what characteristic the defective switch has, for example in order to continue to operate the electric motor in an emergency mode, or to switch it off immediately. The defect (F1, F2, F3) is traced and the nature of the defect (F1, F2, F3) in a switch determined by using a different voltage (PWM1, PWM2) to drive those windings (V, W) which are not associated with the defective switch, while a voltage measurement is carried out on the winding (U) associated with the defective switch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a brushless electric motor whose windings are driven by an inverter with the aid of six switches, having an identification unit being provided in order to identify defective switches, a unit for voltage measurement at the outputs of the inverter, and a microcontroller for controlling the switches. Particularly in safety-relevant applications, it is important to quickly determine what characteristic the defective switch has, for example in order to continue to operate the electric motor in an emergency mode, or to switch it off immediately. The defect (F1, F2, F3) is traced and the nature of the defect (F1, F2, F3) in a switch determined by using a different voltage (PWM1, PWM2) to drive those windings (V, W) which are not associated with the defective switch, while a voltage measurement is carried out on the winding (U) associated with the defective switch.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic actuator for operating a gas exchange valve, this actuator being situated on a cylinder head. The actuator includes a switchable electromagnet which is situated between two armatures. The armatures are axially set apart on a common armature shaft. A cavity is configured in the cylinder head, in which the actuator armature on the cylinder head side is at least partially accommodated, and the electromagnet at least partially delimits the cavity on the actuator side. This results in a compact internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic actuator for operating a gas exchange valve, this actuator being situated on a cylinder head. The actuator includes a switchable electromagnet which is situated between two armatures. The armatures are axially set apart on a common armature shaft. A cavity is configured in the cylinder head, in which the actuator armature on the cylinder head side is at least partially accommodated, and the electromagnet at least partially delimits the cavity on the actuator side. This results in a compact internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for inserting a pouring pipe into a mold of a continuous casting machine. The pouring pipe is mounted in a truck, and the truck and pouring pipe combination are then mounted on a conveyor mechanism such that the pouring pipe is set in a substantially horizontal starting position. From this substantially horizontal starting position, the pouring pipe is guided along a pair of guide rails of the conveyor mechanism such that is pivots into a substantially vertical position and is moved into a waiting position wherein its lower end is inserted into the mold. In this waiting position, the pouring pipe is offset laterally from but aligned with a casting opening in the bottom wall of the metallurgical vessel. From this waiting position, the pouring pipe can be forced by a pusher mechanism into a pouring position beneath the casting opening of the metallurgical vessel, such that molten metal can be poured from the metallurgical vessel into the mold via a pouring pipe.