Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter, which exhibits important advantages regarding the consumption of fuel and the operation at low RPM in the power train of a motor vehicle, has a stator, a pump and a turbine which jointly form a toroidal structure having a meridian cross-sectional outline which is asymmetrical with reference to at least one axis other than the rotational axis of the housing of the torque converter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power train which is to be utilized in a motor vehicle and employs a hydrokinetic torque converter--lockup clutch--electronic control system assembly operating in such a way that the lockup clutch is already at least partially engaged while the engine of the motor vehicle is running but the vehicle is at a standstill. This reduces the likelihood of the development of shocks during shifting of a manual, automated or continuously variable transmission which receives torque from the output element of the torque converter. Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a compact, lightweight and inexpensive design of the torus composed of the impeller, reactor and stator of the hydrokinetic torque converter.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing hydrogen gas includes a hydrogen source, a hydrogen receiver, and a pair of hydride reservoirs. Each of the hydride reservoirs is capable of reacting with hydrogen gas therein and includes a jacket for the receipt of a heating and cooling medium therein. Each of the hydride reservoirs selectively receives the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen source and discharges the hydrogen gas to the hydrogen receiver. A heat pump means is operably connected to each of the hydride reservoirs by way of the heating and cooling medium for selectively cooling one of the hydride reservoirs while heating the other hydride reservoir and heating the one hydride reservoir while cooling the other hydride reservoir. There is also included a method of compressing hydrogen gas by using at least one hydride reservoir and a heat pump for transferring heat thereto and therefrom.

Abstract: A method of producing a vacuum in a volume of a hollow body which has at least one outlet opening for the gaseous atmosphere present therein, the method includes the following steps: introducing at least about 3 g/dm.sup.3 of evacuation volume of a metal hydride into the hollow body so as to take up less than about 5% of the volume 3. The metal hydride comprises a hydride forming alloy of the formulaTi(V.sub.1-a-b Fe.sub.a Al.sub.b).sub.xy Mn.sub.z,wherein1<x.ltoreq.20<y.ltoreq.0.2x+y.ltoreq.20<a.ltoreq.0.40<b.ltoreq.0.2a+b.ltoreq.0.5(1-a-b) x.gtoreq.10<z.ltoreq.2-x-y.The metal hydride is heated to a temperature so that a substantial amount of the gaseous hydrogen is released from the hydride, the heating step is performed so that heating of the hollow body will not exceed a temperature of about 500.degree. C.

Abstract: A pressure vessel for the storage of hydrogen in form of metal hydride is constructed to have an inner tube being relatively thin and made of material copper or aluminum having high thermal conductivity, but the strength of the inner vessel tube is insufficient by and in itself to take up operating pressure in the interior when hydrogen is either fed into the interior of the tube or developed therein; an outer cylindrical tubular vessel jacket is made of stainless steel and abuts against radially outwardly extending ribs of the inner vessel establishing flow channels the rib means are dimensioned not to undergo plastic deformation during operation at the gas storage facility; axial end cap means closes the vessels on both ends; sealed gas nipples means in one or both caps feeds gas into and/or out of the interior of the inner vessel tube.

Abstract: A metal hydride storage facility having a cylindrical pressure vessel and a centrally mounted gas conducting tube. Self contained boxes, being annular in shape, are stacked within the vessel. The boxes contain the metal hydride. Each body is capable of expansion.

Abstract: The invention relates to the charging of pressure gas containers used for the storage of hydrogen, on the basis of a gas/solid matter reaction. In the method the container (1) is supported from the outside both on filling and compressing of the storage material (2) and on subsequently charging the material (2) with hydrogen. By this means, deformations of the container wall through expansion of the storage mass or its introduction into the container are inhibited, and the use of larger more economic containers is made possible.

Abstract: A tubular container is traversed axially by a gas tube the interior of which is continued beyond the end enclosure of the container. The gas tube is provided with apertures filled with metal wool and closed by a compacted ceramic wool plug. The interior of the container is compartmentized by a plurality of bulk head like annular partitions each having a cylindrical inner flange and a cylindrical outer flange, whereby the inner flanges sit tightly on the gas tube and the outer flanges bear tightly against the inside wall of the tubular container. A single vessel may be traversed by heat exchange tubes, or a bundle of such vessels may be immersed in heat exchange fluid.

Abstract: A tubular blank is held in a bed, heated on one end, which is then rolled into a semisphere with an integral nipple; an adjacent portion of the blank is subsequently heated and stretch-formed by rolling to obtain a spherical continuation of the semisphere, being continued in a cylindrical portion, preferably with a stepped-down section. The remainder of the blank is then cut off.

Abstract: Cylindrical blanks are formed into wheels, each with an integral shaft; and one of the shafts is shrunk into the other one in order to complete the set. Each wheel may have an integral, outwardly extending bearing hub.

Abstract: A hollow blank, such as a tube, is inserted in between two dies and is also received by two retractable die members. The interior of the blank is closed off, but working fluid is admitted to widen the blank. Widening is at first restricted to a central portion established by conical front faces of the die members. These members are retracted while continued application of fluid pressure progressively widens the blank, urging blank material into continued abutment with the front faces of the receding die members.

Abstract: A tubular blank is held in a bed, heated on one end, which is then rolled into a semisphere with an integral nipple; an adjacent portion of the blank is subsequently heated and stretch-formed by rolling to obtain a spherical continuation of the semisphere, being continued in a cylindrical portion, preferably with a stepped-down section. The remainder of the blank is then cut off.