Abstract: A motor vehicle radar system having at least one sensor-radiation transparent body for focusing the sensor beam and/or at least one radome without intentional focusing in the beam path, at least one arrangement made of electrical printed circuit traces being arranged in the area of the sensor-radiation transparent body and/or the radome, the arrangement being suitable at least for heating the sensor-radiation transparent body and/or the radome, electrical power being able to be supplied to the electrical printed circuit traces, power control of the supplied electrical power being carried out as a function of operating states and ambient conditions, such that the surface temperature (TL) of the sensor-radiation transparent body and/or the radome does not exceed preestablished temperature values.

Abstract: A support for an adjustable sensor housing, in particular for a radar sensor, in which the position of the sensor housing on the support is changeable using at least one adjusting screw. The at least one adjusting screw is able to be rotated using a regulatable adjusting drive, and for adjustment of the sensor housing there is an electronic control system present which conveys adjustment signals to the particular adjusting drive. A plug-in connection for a bus connection of the control unit electronics for communication with a higher-level bus system is present, and a compact support housing is constructed in which the electronic control system, the at least one adjusting drive and the plug-in connection are accommodated, and from which attachment points of the adjusting screws for the adjustable sensor housing protrude.

Abstract: System for measuring the distance and the relative speed between objects using electromagnetic waves, having means for emitting electromagnetic waves from a first object and having means for receiving reflected electromagnetic waves from at least one second object, the frequency of the emitted signal being modulated in such a way that the modulation frequency, during a first time segment, increases approximately linearly from a first to a second modulation frequency value, that the modulation frequency, during a second time segment, is approximately constant, that the modulation frequency, during a third time segment, decreases approximately linearly from the second to a third modulation frequency value, that the modulation frequency, during a fourth time segment, is approximately constant, and that these time segments recur repeatedly, at least one of the modulation frequency values and/or the duration of at least one time segment being changeable.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a beam system is proposed including a base having at least one beam source, and at least three supporting elements, which fix the base to a carrier, each length of the at least three supporting elements being capable of being changed selectively and independently of one another in order to change the distance of the at least one beam source from a focusing arrangement, and in order to change the alignment of the at least one beam source in relation to the focusing arrangement.

Abstract: Proposed is a method as well as a device for the lane allocation of consecutive vehicles, the lane allocation being carried out in a model-based manner via a frequency distribution of the lateral displacements of detected radar objects. The method is additionally used for detecting the misalignment of the sensor.

Abstract: A method is described in which the correction of the detection range of a distance sensor, which is installed with an eccentricity laterally offset with respect to the central axis of a motor vehicle. In order to correct the detection range, a correction angle (a) is used, with which the eccentricity (y) of the distance sensor (3) is corrected at the time of its installation. Thus the distance sensor (3) is not aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, but to its central axis. Thus, the detection range is advantageously covered approximately symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The correction angle (a) is determined either empirically, via appropriate test measurements, or mathematically.

Abstract: A method and a radar sensor for determining an elevation angle error of a multibeam radar sensor are described. In order to detect an elevation angle of the multibeam radar system with respect to a predefined target, a plurality of laterally arranged cutting planes at a predefined distance are formed. The values of the corresponding antenna diagrams in each plane are stored in a suitable form, for example, normalized and in a parametric form taking into account the elevation angle &agr;. In order to reduce the size of the memory, it is sufficient to store one symmetry half for reasons of symmetry if additional information, for example, road clutter values are added, so that the upward or downward direction of the angle can be recognized. By comparing the measured echo values obtained by normalization and application of a quality factor, a corresponding elevation angle &agr; is obtained for each cutting plane.

Abstract: A method is proposed for detecting and compensating for nonlinearities in a microwave radar system, in which a transmitted signal frequency-modulated according to a defined function is generated with a transmitting oscillator (1), and from the mixing of the transmitted signal with a received signal reflected from an object, a distance of the microwave radar system from the object is ascertained. In defined time windows (&Dgr;t), instead of a trigger voltage effecting frequency modulation, a defined constant test trigger voltage is switched to the transmitting oscillator (1); a reference signal ascertained in the context of the respective constant test trigger voltage, which signal corresponds to a frequency value of the transmitting oscillator (1), is employed to correct the characteristic for the frequency modulation and thus to compensate for nonlinearities.

Abstract: A method of detecting and compensating for non-linearities in a microwave radar system in which a transmitted signal, frequency modulated according to a predefined function, is generated using a transmit oscillator, and by mixing the transmitted signal with a received signal reflected by an object, a distance of the microwave radar system from the object is determined. In predefined time windows a predefined constant test control voltage is applied to the transmit oscillator instead of a control voltage effecting frequency modulation, preferably using a test ramp, the voltage/frequency characteristic of a module being updated during the time window in order to generate the function characteristic for frequency modulation taking into consideration the reference signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for adjusting the alignment of a beam characteristic of a distance sensor, in particular of a proximity radar for a motor vehicle. An apparatus for positioning a motor vehicle, preferably a headlight aiming device, is joined to the target object for the distance sensor. Also provided is a service unit with which measured values or data of the distance sensor can be read out. On the basis of at least one predefined criterion, the measured values or data are analyzed in such a way that necessary displacement directions of the distance sensor can be displayed by way of the service unit. Preferably the capability of the distance sensor to determine angular positions of detected target objects is utilized. Otherwise adjustment is performed to predefined reception levels.

Abstract: A method of detecting and compensating for non-linearities in a microwave radar system in which a transmitted signal, frequency modulated according to a predefined function, is generated using a transmit oscillator, and by mixing the transmitted signal with a received signal reflected by an object, a distance of the microwave radar system from the object is determined. In predefined time windows a predefined constant test control voltage is applied to the transmit oscillator instead of a control voltage effecting frequency modulation, preferably using a test ramp, the voltage/frequency characteristic of a module being updated during the time window in order to generate the function characteristic for frequency modulation taking into consideration the reference signal.

Abstract: Method and device for determining an azimuth angle and/or an elevation angle, based on a multibeam radar system, in which the echo signals of each radar target are recorded over at least two beams. The amplitude of an echo signal recorded in each receiving beam is normalized. For each receiving beam, the normalized amplitude is compared to the pattern values of an antenna pattern stored and normalized for this beam in order to determine the angle of a radar target. The comparison results from at least two receiving beams are combined to form an angle-dependent analysis quantity, and the angle whose angle-dependent analysis quantity meets a minimum and maximum criterion is determined to be the angle of the radar target. Included in the angle-dependent analysis quantity is a phase angle of at least two recorded echo signals. This operation can also be performed on the basis of a complex normalization operation.

Abstract: An antenna lens, in particular for a motor vehicle radar system, has in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the antenna lens at least a first and a second lens region, the lens regions being configured such that electromagnetic waves are concentrated or scattered in a first manner upon passage through the first lens region and in a second manner upon passage through the second lens region. The lens regions have different polarization-dependent permeabilities for electromagnetic waves. A motor vehicle radar system having an antenna lens of this kind is also described.

Abstract: In a radar system, which is used particularly in motor vehicles, the angle at which a detected radar target is located are determined by providing that echo signals of the radar target are picked up via at least two reception channels, and their amplitudes are standardized and compared with standardized values, stored in memory, of a duplex antenna graph of the radar system.

Abstract: A light-weight brake shoe for a rotary disc brake having a removable and replaceable friction pad. The brake shoe provides a thin-walled backing plate having a side wall for cooperatively engaging the friction pad. The side wall of the backing plate has a pair of raised lip portions for cooperatively engaging a complementary groove provided in the bottom wall of the friction pad. An irregularly shaped spring cooperatively engages a tapered groove provided in the top wall of the friction pad for biasing the friction pad into cooperative engagement with the side wall of the backing plate. The tapered groove of the friction pad provides a downwardly and inwardly biasing force in order that the friction pad maintains cooperative engagement with the side wall of the backing plate while also ensuring that the friction pad avoids dragging on the brake rotor of the vehicle when the brake is not activated.

Abstract: An improved disc brake rotor is formed with fins extending between the two annular braking members which are elongated tangentially of the rotor axis and disposed in two groups lying at different radial distances from the axis. The tangential orientation of the fins minimizes the amount of material required to form the fins while achieving structural rigidity comparable to other fin arrangements which require substantially more material. The fin arrangements disclosed thus enables a substantial reduction in weight and also achieves efficient cooling air flow patterns for either direction of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A device for continuous supervision of the attenuation (d), dissymmetry (k) and mismatch (v) system parameters in impedance earthed power systems. The parameters are calculated from the circle diagram uEN=f(v), i.e., the relative neutral point voltage as a function of the mismatch. The circle diagram is in turn defined by two measuring points for uEN which are derived by connection or disconnection of a reactance complement between system neutral and earth. The invention improves known devices for control of the condition of impedance-earthed power systems. Then the continuous supervision of the mentioned power parameters enables a better detecting of high-resistive earth connections.The invention can be implemented in any computer system capable of providing the necessary measurement, control and calculating functions.

Abstract: The valve includes a control piston axially slidable in a cylindrical bore which controls the cross-sectional area of an orifice of a connection between the cylindrical bore communicating with a pressure port and a user port. The control piston is acted on by a spring and a pressure which is reduced relative to the pressure at the pressure port. A cushioning arrangement acting on the control piston avoids occurrence of pressure surges affecting the control piston behavior.

Abstract: Laminates comprising at least one reinforcing layer, for example of metal or of fiber-reinforced duroplast resin, bonded to a foamed polyimide layer are disclosed, wherein the particular nature of the polyimide foam imparts high temperature strength properties to the laminates and permits them to be made by methods, also disclosed, employing more extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, and time than are otherwise operable for making conventional laminates.

Abstract: A pressure responsive valve for distributing the fluid under pressure delivered by a fluid pressure source to two user components, one of which is connected to an accumulator. The device includes a control valve which is disposed in a line connecting the fluid pressure source with a first user component and governs the cross-section of the passage in that line. The control valve has a control chamber and cross-section reducing member when the control chamber is in communication with the fluid pressure source. When the control chamber communicates with the return line the cross-sectional area of the passage increases. In addition a pilot and/or stop valve is included which changes its position depending upon the pressure existing in the line connecting the fluid pressure source with the second user component.