Abstract: A shunting element includes two terminal elements for bridging an electrical component, at least one semiconductor component, and at least one electrically conducting layer connecting the semiconductor component to the two terminal elements, the electrically conducting layer being alloyed with the semiconductor component to form a shorting element upon the passage of a current which increases the temperature in the electrically conducting layer and in the semiconductor component to a given value.

Abstract: A propulsion system for vehicles, includes a d-c machine, an armature current control element connected to the d-c machine, an alternating member having an output side connected to the armature control element and having an input side, an armature current control device connected between the input side of the alternating member and the d-c machine for delivering a first armature current reference value to the alternating member, a maximum value formed connected between the input side of the alternating member and the d-c machine for receiving the value of the actual machine speed and the actual armature current from the d-c machine and for delivering a second maximally permissible armature current reference value to the alternating member, the alternating member passing on the smaller of the first and second armature current reference value to the armature current control element.