Abstract: A device for controlling at least one electromagnetic load, which includes a first switching device arranged between a first terminal of a supply voltage and a first terminal of at least one load, and a second switching device arranged between a first terminal of an assigned load and the second terminal of the supply voltage. The energy released during the transition from a first higher current (IH) to a second lower current (IH) is stored in a storage device.

Abstract: In a height regulation system for a vehicle having an air spring suspension, the actual value (h) of the height of the vehicle body (10) is filtered with a short time constant (t.sub.1) to produce a first signal (NIV.sub.1) which is compared with a desired height (h.sub.o). The actual value (h) is also filtered with a longer time constant (t.sub.2) to produce a second (delayed) signal (NIV.sub.2) which can be compared with the desired value (h.sub.o). The selection of the first signal (NIV.sub.1) or the second signal (NIV.sub.2) is effected by an electronic switch (46) under the control of a velocity comparator (50). When the vehicle is at rest or moving at a relatively slow speed (below v.sub.o) at which large oscillations are not expected, the filter (40) with the shorter time constant (t.sub.1) is connected to the comparator (48) for comparison with the desired height (h.sub.o) whereas, at higher velocities (v>v.sub.o) the second filter (42) with the longer time constant (t.sub. 2) is brought into use.

Abstract: A height sensor (20) of a height regulating device of an air spring suspension system of a vehicle is calibrated by using the air spring bellows (16) as jacks while the height regulation by the control device (44) is disabled. A dialog is set up between a test device (50) connected by an interface (52) with the control device (44), whereby the test device (50) takes over the control of the air supply to and from the air spring bellows (16) and the height of the vehicle body (10) is brought to a desired null height. The output (h.sub.n) of the sensor (20) is then stored in a non-volatile memory and is used as a reference height (h.sub.o) for the height regulation.

Abstract: A method for controlling a spark-ignition engine without a throttle flap is carried out with variable inlet valve opening durations. The method includes the steps of: detecting a speed signal having a value dependent upon the engine speed; detecting an accelerator pedal signal having a value dependent upon the accelerator pedal position; determining the intake valve opening durations as well as the fuel quantity in dependence upon the particular values of the engine speed signal and the accelerator pedal signal; and, determining the ignition angle in the dependence upon the particular values of the engine speed and fuel quantities. The method affords the advantage that for all driving conditions and even for sudden changes of the accelerator pedal signal, the masses of air and fuel are optimally adapted to each other in order to obtain high driving comfort without misfirings and with low toxic gas exhaust.

Abstract: A height adjustment system for a vehicle including a solenoid valve arrangement that controls air flow to and from an air spring of an air suspension arranged between a vehicle body and a wheel axle, a sensor unit for determining a height between the vehicle body and the wheel axle and a velocity of vertical movement of the vehicle body relative to the wheel axle, and a control unit that controls operation of the solenoid valve arrangement in accordance with the velocity of vertical movement of the vehicle body relative to the wheel axle as well as a comparison between threshold height values and the distance between the vehicle body and the wheel axle. The air suspension may also be provided with an oscillating damper of substantially constant damping characteristics, such as a shock absorber.