Abstract: In a drive arrangement of a motor vehicle in which the wheels of the motor vehicle are driven by separate electric motors and the electric motors are powered via a d.c. voltage intermediate circuit by a generator arrangement driven by an internal combustion engine, the speed of the internal combustion engine and individual wheels is sensed by speed sensing circuits which respond to pulse signals of commutator circuits of the generator arrangement and electric motors. The commutator circuits generate the pulse signals depending on position transmitters which are arranged at the generator arrangement and at the electric motors. In this way, the speeds can be sensed with great accuracy exclusively on the basis of already existing components of the drive arrangement. In particular, the speed sensing means cooperate with an antilock braking system (ABS) and a drive slip regulating system (ASR).

Abstract: A motor vehicle including a unit (2) consisting of an internal combustion engine, a generator supplying current to electric motors (12, 16) coupled with driving wheels (14, 18) over an energy distributor/power electronics system (8) and a battery which is supplied with energy by the internal combustion engine/generator unit via the energy distributor (2). An electronic control system (20) controls the energy distributor (8) as a function of a driving signal according to boundary conditions, for example, according to the least possible specific fuel consumption. A temporary increase in the power required to drive the motors can be supplied by the battery (22). In the event that the increase in power lasts for longer periods, the internal combustion engine, which as far as possible operates in a state that ensures low fuel consumption, is accelerated in order to cover the demand for high power.

Abstract: Steering is actively assisted in a turning motor vehicle including a hybrid drive having both an internal combustion engine and a generator unit. The inner and outer wheels are each associated with an individual drive which is controlled in accordance with the steering angle of the steered wheels. Specifically, the torque differential is adjusted such that the percentage actual wheel differentials approach the percentage reference wheel speed differentials. A substantial reduction in the force which must be applied via the steering system to adjust the steering wheels, as compared to an absence of torque differential, is achieved because the outer wheel is driven at a higher output than the inner wheel when making a turn.

Abstract: The drive arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an internal combustion engine (1) with at least one controlling element (29), an electric generator arrangement (3) driven by the internal combustion engine (1), at least one electric motor (11) which is powered by the generator arrangement (3) and drives the motor vehicle, and an electronic control unit (19) which, depending on the setting of an accelerator pedal (23), controls at least an actuating drive (27) and the electrical output generated by the generator arrangement (3) and/or the electrical output received by the electric motor (11). The arrangement contains a device for detecting an actual value of the speed of the internal combustion engine (1) and component for detecting an actual value of the electrical output generated by the generator arrangement (3).

Abstract: A drive and braking arrangement for a motor vehicle has at least one electric motor which drives the motor vehicle in dependence on the setting of an accelerator pedal. A forward drive or reverse drive selector (15) adjusts the driving direction of rotation of the electric motor, and a sensor is provided for detecting the driving speed of the motor vehicle. In order to control the braking force of a friction brake arrangement acting on at least one wheel of the motor vehicle, an actuating drive is provided which is set to a braking position by an electronic control unit when the accelerator pedal remains in a driving position for longer than a predetermined period of time and at the same time the detected driving speed is zero and/or when the sensor associated with the control unit detects an actual movement of the motor vehicle in the direction opposite to the driving direction selected at the selector.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a critical driving torque and information representing the coefficient of friction at the wheel grip limit for a vehicle having a plurality of driven wheels. It is suggested that torque control devices be assigned to at least two of the driven wheels so that the ratio of the driving torques of the two driven wheels can be varied, wherein torque sensing device generate a torque signal corresponding to the magnitude of at least the greater of the driving torques of the driven wheels. A wheel slip sensing device is associated with the driven wheels and detects an increase in the slip of the wheel with the greater driving torque beyond a predetermined limit. The information on the coefficient of friction is generated depending on the magnitude of the detected driving torque of the wheel whose slip exceeds the limit.

Abstract: A mobile paving machine which may, with minor modification, be employed either to distribute material along the path of movement of the machine or in a region which is laterally offset to one side of the motion path. In order to spread material in a laterally offset region, which may correspond to a break-down lane being formed along the side of a travel lane, a tiltable secondary skip is installed above the primary skip to which paving material is normally supplied. A scraper is mounted from an extension of the distribution beam of the machine to controllably disperse material discharged through an end of the secondary skip when the loaded secondary skip is angularly inclined to cause gravity induced flow of material into the lateral region.

Abstract: The control device for a motor-vehicle friction clutch incorporates an electric motor which drives an output member in a substantially translational motion through a motion conversion crank gear unit designed as a worm gearing. This axis of a worm of the crank gear unit and the resultant drive force exerted on the output member by the assigned worm gearwheel lie in a common plane normal to the axis of rotation of the worm gearwheel. A spring-type energy accumulator supports the drive motion of the electric motor in the release direction of the clutch and is tensioned in the engagement direction by the electric motor. In this way a comparatively small-sized electric motor can also be used for rapid release movements.

Abstract: A clutch (3) which can be engaged and released by a controllable clutch drive (11) is arranged in the torque transmission path between an engine (1) and a gear transmission (5) of a motor vehicle. By means of a control switch (15) the clutch (3) is released whereby the vehicle can coast free-wheeling, saving fuel, with the engine (1) working in idling rate. On actuation of a brake pedal (15) a control circuit (13) engages the clutch (3) and at the same time shuts off the fuel supply to the engine (1) by means of a fuel valve (23). The engine (1) thus brakes the vehicle without additional fuel consumption. Alternatively the control circuit (13) can have constantly shut off the fuel supply of the engine (1) in free-wheeling operation. Under control of a pressure detector (45) detecting the suction in a servo-brake unit (41) the control circuit (13) engages the clutch (3) when the pressure rises to values which no longer guarantee operation of the brake unit.

Abstract: For controlling a central locking installation and/or theft alarm of a motor vehicle a switch lock installation is provided which comprises at least one lock with mechanical tumblers for the mechanical locking and unlocking of a door or a bonnet of the motor vehicle. The tumblers form a first key secret. The key which blocks the tumblers carries an electrically, magnetically or optically readable information carrier for a second, operationally variable key secret. A reading device detects the information of the second key secret in a position in which the mechanical tumblers of the lock are released. If the key is moved in the opening direction of the lock, a control circuit compares the information read by the reading device with an ideal information stored in a memory circuit and controls the central locking installation and/or theft alarm accordingly.

Abstract: A cylinder unit of a cylinder-piston-combustion engine comprises a cylinder housing and a lining unit inserted into the cylinder housing. The lining unit consists of a cylindrical liner sleeve and a terminal wall and encloses a combustion space. The terminal wall is integral with the liner sleeve. The lining unit is manufactured by a non-cutting manufacturing method like cold impact forming, hot impact forming, deep drawing, tube reshaping, press molding or injection molding.

Abstract: The friction disc clutch for a motor vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine comprises a flywheel which is driven through a rotationally elastic element by the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The mass-spring system of the drive path of the clutch is so dimensioned that natural vibrations occur in or below the idling rotation rate range of the internal combustion engine. The rotationally elastic element can be bridged over for rotation rates in the range of and below the idling rotation rate in order to prevent resonance effects in idling and in the starting of the internal combustion engine. The bridge-over clutch can be formed by a pinion of the starter motor. Alternatively, centrifugal clutches can be used.

Abstract: A rotary clutch assembly is provided with a clutch release group. The clutch release group comprises a stator surrounding a torque transmission shaft in driving connection with one of the rotors of the rotary clutch assembly. A first bearing ring surrounds the torque transmission shaft. A toroidal membrane member is fixed with respect to the stator and acts onto the first bearing ring so as to axially displace the first bearing ring in response to pressure variation within the membrane. A second bearing ring is mounted for common axial movement with the first bearing ring and rotatable with respect thereto. The second bearing ring acts onto a clutch disengagement member rotating around the torque transmission shaft.

Abstract: A torsional oscillation damper having first and second damping members mounted for rotation about a common rotational axis and a coupling member arranged in torque transmitting engagement therebetween, the coupling member being in fixed rotative engagement with the first damper member and capable of being axially displaced relative to at least one of the damper members in the direction of the rotational axis. A spring device operates to apply a force to the coupling member against the axial direction of displacement thereof and the coupling member is movable over an axial slip surface between the coupling member and the second damper member acting during relative rotation between the coupling member and the second damper member.

Abstract: The torsional vibration damper which is suited in particular for the clutch disk of a motor vehicle friction clutch has two damper parts (13, 17) rotatable relative to one another around a common rotational axis (7) over a defined rotational angle, which damper parts (13, 17) together enclose at least one, preferably, at least three, damper chambers (33, 35) sealed outwardly and at least partially filled with a hydraulic fluid. A roller body (37) is arranged in each damper chamber (33, 35) which roller body (37) divides the damper chamber (33, 35) in the circumferential direction into two spaces (39, 41) whose relation of volume changes during the relative rotation of the damper parts (13, 17). A throttle connection (47) between the two spaces (39, 41) makes possible the compensation of the hydraulic fluid as a by-pass connection to the roller body (37).

Abstract: A clutch disk of a motor vehicle clutch is provided with a contact element. This contact element is part of a sensing circuit rotating with the clutch disk. This sensing circuit is open as long as the friction pads on the clutch disk are relatively new. Only when the friction pads have been worn to a predetermined degree, the contact element comes into contact with a friction face of the fly wheel disk of the pressure plate of the clutch, so that the sensing circuit is closed. The sensing circuit is connected through a pair of induction coils to a stationary electronic circuitry. This circuitry is influenced by the opening and closing of the sensing circuit and controls indicating means for indicating the degree of wear of the friction pads.

Abstract: A system for automatic actuation of the clutch of a motor vehicle wherein a pneumatic cylinder operates a normally engaged clutch to disengage the clutch when fluid pressure is applied to the pneumatic cylinder. A valve system operated through a control system vents the pneumatic cylinder to effect engagement of the clutch and applies fluid pressure from a fluid pressure source to disengage the clutch. The control system is responsive to the position of a clutch activating element interposed between the clutch and the pneumatic cylinder as well as to the speed of the motor of the motor vehicle. Additionally, sensors responsive to the operating condition of a manually shiftable transmission also operate to control the fluid pressure condition of the pneumatic cylinder to determine actuation of the clutch.

Abstract: A locking device includes a key and a reading device. The key has a grip portion and a plurality of information carrier parts attached to the grip portion. The information carrier parts determine the locking code for the key. Each information carrier part is arranged to receive an information element and the carrier parts are adjustably positionable for disposing the information elements into a predetermined angular pattern. The reading device is arranged to read the locking code on the key and to compare it with a predetermined locking code for operating a lock. The information carrier parts are mounted on a member extending axially from the grip portion of the key. The carrier parts are angularly adjustably positionable about the axis of the member. The reading device contains elements for the detecting the presence or absence of the information elements in predetermined angular positions.

Abstract: An elastic sole for a shoe, such as a sport shoe, includes an outer sole with a profiled wearing surface and an inner sole. The inner sole forms at least one chamber. A spring member is located within the chamber and includes a plurality of elastomer spring elements and a tension rod extending through the spring elements. The tension rod is connected to abutments at opposite ends of the spring elements. One end of the tension rod is accessible on the exterior of the sole for adjusting the spring characteristic of the spring member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the purification of liquids utilizing anodic oxidation wherein the electrodes are composed of an austenitic chromium-nickel-molybdenum steel which contains about 0.07% by weight carbon, more than about 17.0% by weight chromium, about 12.0 to 14.5% by weight nickel and about 2.5 to 4.5% by weight molybdenum. By using the electrodes of the present invention, one can avoid the precipitation of chromium which normally occurs during the purification processes of the prior art.