Abstract: A free-wheeling coupling sensitive to the direction of rotation for a motor vehicle comprises a first ring which constitutes a driving element in a towing mode of the motor vehicle, a second ring which constitutes a driven element in the towing mode, clamping elements which act between the first and second rings to transfer torque in both directions of torque flow, a cage in which the clamping elements are disposed, a fixed friction ring, and a friction element actively connecting the cage to the fixed friction ring. The friction element comprises a plurality of friction segments disposed between the cage and the fixed friction ring, the friction segments being slaved to rotate in the circumferential direction with the cage and being lifted away from the fixed friction ring by centrifugal force when they are caused to rotate at a rotational speed which is greater than a predetermined rotational speed.

Abstract: Apparatus to maintain a thermally insulating vacuum in a rotor of a turbogenerator with a superconductive excitation winding is disclosed. A sorption pump is mounted within the rotor in close proximity to the superconductive winding. The cooling system for the superconductive winding also serves to cool the sorption pump. The pump includes an arrangement for protecting the adsorbent material from radiation. The radiation protection is in the form of offset openings in the pump housing to form a labyrinth. Chambers are provided in the pump for the adsorbent material. These chambers are separated by walls or screens to retain the adsorption material in place as the rotor turns. The sorption pump is provided with a heating device in order to regenerate the adsorbent material.