Abstract: A pneumatic actuator includes, but is not limited to a pressurized gas source, a cylinder, and a piston which is moveable between a rest position and an extended position. Together with the cylinder, the piston borders a first working chamber which is connected with the pressurized gas source via a first inlet opening and which can be pressurized with a first portion of the pressurized gas of the pressurized gas source for moving the piston out of the rest position, and a second working chamber which is connected with the pressurized gas source via a second inlet opening for moving the piston into the rest position and which can be pressurized in a delayed manner with a second portion of the pressurized gas.

Abstract: Described here is a motor vehicle comprising a body, a bonnet and also at least one actuator which is supported on the body and engages with a first edge of the bonnet for the purposes of raising the first edge up to a stop means in the event of an impact. Prior to the striking of the stop means, the actuator accelerates the first edge to a speed which is such that the impulse received by the bonnet is sufficient to raise a second edge of the bonnet that is located opposite the first edge when the first edge strikes the stop means.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic actuator is provided for an active hood that encompasses an installation site for a gas generator, a cylinder incorporating a moving piston and a compressed gas line that joins the installation site with the cylinder. A filter body for trapping particles from the gas stream of the gas generator is arranged on the compressed gas line.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic actuator for an active bonnet is provided that includes, but is not limited to a cylinder, a piston which can be displaced in the cylinder under the influence of a propellant gas and a first gas generator for producing the propellant gas. The actuator includes, but is not limited to at least one further gas generator, which can be ignited independently of the first gas generator.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator is provided for an active hood and includes, but is not limited to a cylinder and a piston, which is movable in the cylinder between a lower terminal position, in which the volume of a chamber delimited by piston and cylinder, which may be impinged using compressed gas, is minimal, and an upper terminal position, in which the volume of the chamber is maximal. The piston is lockable in the lower terminal position by a detent body engaging in first recesses of the cylinder and the piston. A slider is displaceable by impingement using the compressed gas out of an idle position, in which it fixes the detent body in the first recesses, into a triggering position, in which a second recess of the slider overlaps with one of the first recesses and is capable, together with a single one of the first recesses of accommodating the detent body.

Abstract: A body for a motor vehicle comprises a frame, a bonnet connected on a first side to the frame by a hinge and on a second side by a bonnet lock, and at least one actuating element which can be extended in the event of an accident in order to raise the bonnet. The actuating element comprises a movable part acting on the first side of the bonnet. A catch of the bonnet lock is coupled to the movable part in order to release the bonnet lock (when said actuating element is extended.

Abstract: In a method for operating a motor vehicle drive train during a shifting operation of a gearwheel change gearbox, the clutch is triggered for closing before the target gear is fully engaged. A control device determines a triggering moment for the clutch as a function of operational parameters and/or state variables of the drive train. The control device calculates a required interval which is necessary until complete engagement of the target gear and an interval which is necessary until a gripping point of the clutch is reached. An optimum triggering moment is determined from these intervals. The tractive force interruption during a shifting operation is thus very short. At the same time, the completion of the shifting operation is ensured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for operating an automated change-speed gearbox of a motor vehicle. The control device of the change-speed gearbox communicates via signals with a control unit of an anti-block control system. To allow particularly comforatable operation of the change-speed gearbox, the invention envisages that, as a function of signals from the control unit of the anti-lock control system, the change-speed gearbox is set to a neutral position, an appropriate gear ratio is determined and this gear ratio is engaged.

Abstract: The car industry increasingly uses plastic optical fibers whose protective sheathing (4) is made of a polyamide. As unmodified PA poorly adheres to the fluoropolymers often used as the material for the fiber cladding (3), the plastic optical fiber (2, 3) moves in relation to the protective sheathing (4) when the temperature varies. To suppress this effect referred to as “pistoning”, the connectors and holders of the optical fibers must apply very large clamping forces to the protective sheathing (4) and the plastic optical fiber (2, 3) arranged therein, resulting in an increased signal attenuation. The use of a modified PA can clearly improve the adherence of the protective sheathing (4) to the cladding (3) of a plastic optical fiber which is made of a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for operating an automated change-speed gearbox of a motor vehicle. The control device of the change-speed gearbox communicates via signals with a control unit of an anti-block control system. To allow particularly comforatable operation of the change-speed gearbox, the invention envisages that, as a function of signals from the control unit of the anti-lock control system, the change-speed gearbox is set to a neutral position, an appropriate gear ratio is determined and this gear ratio is engaged.

Abstract: A cable network with a light waveguide cable which is introduced in the pipeline of an existing pipeline system. The light waveguide cable is arranged along a line, preferably at the vertex of the pipeline, and is provided with a protective layer so that a smooth transition exists between the wall surfaces of the pipeline and the cable.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a fluid diffusion layer comprise continuously applying a loading material to a substrate and continuous compacting the substrate and loading material applied thereto with at least one compaction roller. Methods of preparing an electrode comprise continuously applying an electrocatalyst to a fluid diffusion layer and continuously compacting the fluid diffusion layer and electrocatalyst applied thereto with at least one compaction roller. The methods can be employed in a continuous process and can increase the penetration and adhesion of the loading material.

Abstract: An output stage having a load is connected to a voltage source via a source-drain path of a field effect transistor. Between drain and gate terminals of the field effect transistor a specifically designed voltage doubling circuit is provided. This has the effect that only one control voltage and one switch (control transistor T1) is required for driving the field effect transistor.

Abstract: A convertible sports device has a housing, and sport members movable between an extended and a retracted position relative to the housing. An arresting member is provided, which in a first position abuts against a first face of each of the sport members so as to arrest them in the extended position, and in a second position abuts against another face of the sport members so as to arrest the latter in the retracted position. The housing may be formed as a bottom portion of a shoe or may be attachable to the shoe. The arresting member may be actuated by an actuator which, in turn, may be actuated by a foot of a user so that the sport members may be retracted or extended without the need to use one's hands.

Abstract: A fruit knife has a handle, and a blade connected with the handle and having a plurality of throughgoing apertures. This permits the juice produced during movement of the blade through the fruit to flow through the apertures and thereby prevents spurting of the juice. The apertures may be spaced from one another in the direction of elongation of the elongated blade and uniformly distributed on the latter. The apertures may be arranged in rows spaced from one another in a direction transverse to the direction of elongation of the blade. The apertures of one row may be offset relative to the apertures of the adjacent row in the direction of elongation of the blade. The blade may have forked end. An intermediate spoon-like portion may be provided between the forked end and the remainder of the knife blade.

Abstract: A convertible sports shoe includes a shoe body having a sole, and a plurality of cooperating projections and recesses provided on a sports device and the sole for detachably connecting the sports device to the shoe body. A plurality of different sports devices are provided, and a selected one of these devices is interchangeably mounted on the sole.