Abstract: A method for determining the operating state of an energy-storage battery in assumed temperature and state of charge conditions, which has the following steps: a) measurement of a temperature variable (TACT) which is correlated with the battery temperature (TBAT), b) determination of the state of charge (SOCACT) of the energy-storage battery, c) determination of a further state variable (AACT) of the energy-storage battery, d) formation of a reference value (BV) from the reference between the determined state variable (AACT) and a corresponding state variable (ANEW) of an identical, new energy-storage battery with the same temperature variable (TACT) and the same state of charge (SOCACT), and e) determination of a predicted state variable (AP) as a measure of the operating state for an assumed temperature variable (TP) and an assumed state of charge (SOCP) from known comparison reference values (BT), which have been recorded as a function of temperature variables (T), states of charge (SOC) and the aging stat

Abstract: An intake pipe (10) for an internal combustion engine composed of shells (11a, 11b) in which the geometry of the joining surfaces (19) adopts an approximately stepped course in areas with a slight incline relative to to joining force (F). This produces areas with a greater or lesser inclination relative to a joint line (16) indicating the average inclination of the joining surfaces. This results in areas which can be welded with a high degree of stability because of their considerable incline towards the joining force. These areas can then support areas which are less inclined towards the joining force. This allows the shells (11a, 11b) to have strongly curved joining surfaces, which increases the geometric design freedom of the intake pipe and, in particular, makes it possible to manufacture intake pipes with strongly curved intake channels constructed from just two shells.

Abstract: A method for determining the operating state of an energy-storage battery in assumed temperature and state of charge conditions, which has the following steps: a) measurement of a temperature variable (TACT) which is correlated with the battery temperature (TBAT), b) determination of the state of charge (SOCACT) of the energy-storage battery, c) determination of a further state variable (AACT) of the energy-storage battery, d) formation of a reference value (BV) from the reference between the determined state variable (AACT) and a corresponding state variable (ANEW) of an identical, new energy-storage battery with the same temperature variable (TACT) and the same state of charge (SOCACT), and e) determination of a predicted state variable (AP) as a measure of the operating state for an assumed temperature variable (TP) and an assumed state of charge (SOCP) from known comparison reference values (BT), which have been recorded as a function of temperature variables (T), states of charge (SOC) and the aging stat

Abstract: An intake device for an internal combustion engine, comprising welded shells joined along a partition line, in which the partition line is provided with a region for producing inclined additional surfaces, which generate a transverse force Q2 due to their inclination relative to a pressure force D applied for welding the shells. This transverse force Q2 offsets a transverse force Q1 which is generated as a result of the inclination of partial regions of the partition line relative to the applied pressure force D. In this way, the transverse forces which arise during production of the intake device may be at least partially offset in the component, so that little or no forces are exerted on the molding tools, and the welding results for the intake pipe may thus be improved.

Abstract: A method for determining performance of a storage battery including evaluating a time profile of voltage drop in the storage battery by application of a heavy current load, determining a voltage A from voltage response U(t) of the storage battery after switching on the heavy current load, determining a state value A1 from the voltage value A, battery temperature TBAT and state of charge SOC, comparing state value A1 with a preset value A1x which depends at least on associated battery temperature (TBAT) and associated state of charge (SOC) of the storage battery, wherein the present value A1x is calculated from comparison values A1T which are determined from the state values A1 for previous heavy current loads applied to the storage battery, and determining performance of the storage battery from the difference between the present value A1x and the state value A1.

Abstract: An electrical rechargeable battery with an electronic functional monitoring circuit integrated in the rechargeable battery container. The rechargeable battery contains an apparatus for measuring battery voltage, an apparatus for measuring battery temperature and an apparatus which detects the current direction by means of a measurement apparatus on the battery pole stem. The electronic circuit contains a microprocessor which uses the input variables to calculate the state of charge and/or the serviceability of the rechargeable battery, and the calculated output values can be passed on via a communication apparatus. A visual indicator is arranged on the rechargeable battery container, can be actuated via the communication apparatus, and indicates information about the state of charge and/or serviceability.

Abstract: A method for determining the state of charge of rechargeable batteries by measuring the rechargeable battery voltage and comparing it with predetermined families of characteristic curves, the rechargeable battery voltage UBi, the charging time tLi and, from comparison with characteristic curves &Dgr;Qi=f(SOC,tL,UB) the charge increase are determined in each charging phase. In a subsequent discharge phase, the rechargeable battery voltage UBi is measured in time intervals, a rechargeable battery voltage value UBij+1 at the end of a time interval is determined from the rechargeable battery voltage UBij at the beginning of the time interval by means of an assumed current value IBij by comparison with families of characteristic curves UB=f(IB,Ri,SOC), and a corrected current value IBij+1 is determined by iteration from the deviation of the value thus determined of UBij+1 and the rechargeable battery voltage actually measured at the end of the time interval.

Abstract: An intake device for an internal combustion engine, comprising welded shells joined along a partition line, in which the partition line is provided with a region for producing inclined additional surfaces, which generate a transverse force Q2 due to their inclination relative to a pressure force D applied for welding the shells. This transverse force Q2 offsets a transverse force Q1 which is generated as a result of the inclination of partial regions of the partition line relative to the applied pressure force D. In this way, the transverse forces which arise during production of the intake device may be at least partially offset in the component, so that little or no forces are exerted on the molding tools, and the welding results for the intake pipe may thus be improved.

Abstract: An intake device for supplying combustion air to an internal combustion engine composed of two sealingly connected half shells (10, 11) which form an intake air plenum (13), intake ducts (14), and a cylinder head flange (15) in which there is an insert (20) associated with each intake duct (14). Each insert is provided with a partition (23) for dividing the flow into two flow cross-sections (21, 22). The first flow cross section (21) is provided with a valve flap (24), which can be opened and closed to influence the filling of combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A switching assembly (10) having closure elements such as switch valves (18), for example, for closing intake lines (24b) and an intake manifold (28) in which the switching assembly is installed. The switching assembly (10) advantageously is composed of assembly injection-molded valve modules including switch valves (18) and a frame (14b). Alternatively, the switch valves (18) may also be injection molded directly in place in the support component (17). Because it may be pre-assembled, the entire switching assembly (10) may be easily installed in the intake manifold. In addition, the switching assembly preferably has rotational axes (15) which lie at a right angle to the alignment of the valves. It is advantageous that each switch valve (18) has its own rotational axis, thereby avoiding additive tolerances. In this way a part is provided which is economical to produce and which satisfies the sealing requirements for the switching assembly.

Abstract: An intake manifold (10) for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes a tubular intake distributor (12) from which a plurality of long intake tubes (13) extend and lead to the individual cylinders. Short intake tubes (14) likewise extend from the intake distributor and open into the respective associated long intake tubes (13). The intake distributor (12) and the long and short intake tubes (13, 14) are formed from a one-piece housing (11) which has a cavity (21) which intersects the short intake tubes (14). In this cavity (21) a control element (15) is installed, which includes flaps (16), flap frames (17), a shaft (19) and a control element frame (18). By moving the shaft (19) either rotationally or translationally, the short intake tubes (14) can be opened or closed. In contrast to arrangements known in the prior art, the control element (15) has no sealing elements which can catch or jam during assembly.

Abstract: A method for determining performance of a storage battery including evaluating a time profile of voltage drop in the storage battery by application of a heavy current load, determining a voltage A from voltage response U(t) of the storage battery after switching on the heavy current load, determining a state value A1 from the voltage value A, battery temperature TBAT and state of charge SOC, comparing state value A1 with a preset value A1x which depends at least on associated battery temperature (TBAT) and associated state of charge (SOC) of the storage battery, wherein the present value A1x is calculated from comparison values A1T which are determined from the state values A1 for previous heavy current loads applied to the storage battery, and determining performance of the storage battery from the difference between the present value A1x and the state value A1.