Abstract: A rotation rate sensor is described that operates on the principle of a resonant vibration gyrometer and is excited by an amplitude-regulated oscillator loop. This sensor is used for instance to ascertain the yaw speed of a vehicle. The effect of Coriolis acceleration is evaluated, which is a measure for the current yaw speed. To monitor the operability of the sensor and the associated electronics, an integrated self-test function is used, which as a so-called BITE function introduces a defined interference variable after actuation of a test input. This defined interference variable leads to an estimatable output voltage, whose occurrence is evaluated for error detection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hip joint socket for insertion into bone tissue, having an outer metal shell and an inner antifriction liner. The antifriction liner is fixed in the metal shell by means of a taper lock. To safeguard the socket insert and antifriction liner against misalignment and separation, and enable a non-destructive removal of the liner and replacement thereof, the angle (.alpha.) of the taper lock of the liner in the shell is between 10.degree. and 25.degree..

Abstract: Disclosed is a hip-joint socket for insertion into bone tissue. The hip-joint socket has an outer metal shell and an inner antifriction shell, the contact surface of the antifriction shell in the metal shell being conical in shape. The antifriction liner lies upon the conical contact surface without self-locking and the antifriction liner is fixed in the metal shell by a retaining ring. The antifriction shell is thus protected against canting and drop-out but can be removed out of its seat nondestructively and replaced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hip joint socket for insertion into bone tissue, with an outer metal shell and an inner ceramic shell, the ceramic shell being anchored in the metal shell. To reduce its size while simultaneously reducing the wall thickness of the ceramic shell the inside of the metal shell and the outside of the ceramic shell have a spherical shape accurately fitted to one another and means are disposed for equalizing the transmission of force between the ceramic shell and the metal shell.

Abstract: A countdown counter (14) counts out a speed dependent number to determine the start of the dwell period when a comparison number (Z17) is reached which is adjusted dynamically by a regulation counter (17). The countdown counter's contents are reduced by a value dependent upon acceleration when acceleration is present in order to improve the dynamic correction. In the case of strong accelerations these dynamic corrections are insufficient and when such a strong acceleration occurs the regulation counter content is set to a high value to assure a succession of strong ignition sparks. The high value of acceleration necessary for this precaution may be determined by comparing the difference of successive engine speed counts with a predetermined value or it may be determined by the failure of the current in the ignition coil primary to reach some predetermined value.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit is galvanically, directly connected across at least part of the secondary winding in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine. The input portion of the overvoltage protection circuit is a voltage divider preferably constituted by RC elements. The voltage at the tap of the voltage divider is applied to a Schmitt trigger. When the voltage across the secondary winding becomes excessively high, the Schmitt trigger output pulse triggers a monostable multivibrator whose output pulse in turn increases the conductivity of a transistor switch located in series with the primary. The increase in primary current tends to oppose further increases in primary and secondary voltages. Alternatively, the output from the multivibrator could be used to shorten the time of current flow in the primary winding in subsequent ignition time intervals or to completely block any subsequent ignition process.

Abstract: To improve an ignition system as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,645, Jundt et al., in which a threshold switch is provided which controls current flow through the ignition coil, the turn-ON point of the current flow being determined, in part, by an integrator, and to prevent malfunction due to corroded terminals, improper installation and the like, a variable resistance branch, including a transistor 66, is connected across the integrator 31, 44, and so connected that, as the supply voltage drops, the effect of the integrator 31, 44 on the threshold switch 15, 16 is decreased, thus preventing modification of the inherent threshold level of the threshold switch by the action of the integrator.

Abstract: The voltage across a capacitor is changed in a first direction while the current in the primary winding of the ignition coil increases to a predetermined value less than the value required for ignition and is thereafter changed in a second direction until ignition takes place. The voltage across the capacitor is applied to the inverting input of a difference amplifier constituting a threshold stage controlling the initiation and termination of current flow through the ignition coil. The two changes are symmetrical when the engine speed remains constant. The residual voltage across the capacitor at the end of the second change is maintained until the start of the next subsequent first change, so that the time at which the threshold stage switches in, that is the time at which primary current starts to flow in the ignition coil changes as a function of the residual voltage in the capacitor.