Abstract: A process for the extraction of an unwanted material from a gas or liquid comprising the steps of introducing an extraction liquid into the fluid having an unwanted liquid therein to form a physical microdispersion comprising a plurality of extraction liquid droplets and the fluid, allowing the plurality of extraction liquid droplets to interact with the unwanted component in the fluid, to cause the extraction liquid droplets to be “wetted out” and captured on a porous medium, where the liquid is further contacted by the gas and simultaneously formed into a plurality of coalesceable droplets, coalescing the coalesceable droplets into larger droplets containing the unwanted liquid, and separating the larger droplets containing the unwanted liquid from the fluid.

Abstract: A retractable golf divot tool with detachable ball marking disc is an apparatus that is provided as a dual combination golfing accessory that incorporates a retractable mechanism to extend and retract a divot tool while additionally offering a convenient storage mount for a slightly over-sized marker. The present invention comprises a rounded housing, a divot tool, a retractable mechanism, and a marking disc that detaches. The rounded housing provides a cylindrical shape, convenient overall sizing, and allows for facilitated storage in a plurality of common and frequently utilized compartments. The divot tool and retractable mechanism provide an operative coupling, enabling the tool's forks to be extended when needed and retracted after use. The ball marker is provided with a detachable coupling and rounded housing that secures the marking disc in place, but permits facilitated detachment and re-attachment as necessary.

Abstract: A method of operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. The drivetrain comprises a transmission arranged between a drive assembly and an axle drive, such that an input shaft of the transmission is connected, via a controllable separator clutch, to the drive assembly and an output shaft of the transmission is connected to the axle drive, and such that the transmission comprises at least one shifting element formed as a claw clutch. To reduce the probability that a tooth-on-tooth position may occur in a shifting element formed as a claw clutch, a torque is applied thereto by at least one transmission-internal assembly and/or at least one transmission-external assembly so that a speed difference at the claw clutch approaches a predetermined nominal value, and engagement of the claw clutch is only started when the speed difference of the claw clutch reaches the nominal value.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of an unwanted material from a gas comprising the steps of introducing an extraction liquid into a fluid having an unwanted liquid therein to form a physical aerosol comprising a plurality of extraction liquid droplets and the fluid, allowing the plurality of extraction liquid droplets to interact with the unwanted liquid in the gas to cause the extraction liquid droplets to be “wetted out” and captured on a porous medium, where the liquid is further contacted by the gas and simultaneously formed into a plurality of coalesceable droplets, coalescing the coalesceable droplets into larger droplets containing the unwanted liquid, and separating the larger droplets containing the unwanted liquid from the fluid.

Abstract: A pet waste collection apparatus having a drawstring within an outer peripheral border of the pet waste collection apparatus, the drawstring having a drawstring exit portion exiting the pet waste collection apparatus, the drawstring exit portion of the drawstring releasably fastened to a bottom corner portion of the pet waste collection apparatus, the pet waste collection apparatus adapted to form a shape of a bag when the drawstring exit portion of the drawstring is released from the bottom corner portion of the pet waste collection apparatus and the drawstring is pulled taut, the pet waste collection apparatus substantially enclosing and sealing pet waste within the pet waste collection apparatus when the drawstring is pulled taut. Alternative embodiments include a bifurcated exit sleeve, an alternate exit sleeve, and a tab, each adapted to adhesively and releasably fasten the drawstring exit portion to the bottom corner, and a leak protection barrier.

Abstract: An automated group transmission having a multi-stage main transmission (HG), a splitter group (VG) connected upstream from the main transmission (HG) and a two-stage range-change group (BG) connected downstream of the main transmission (HG), such that the splitter group (VG) is connected, via a controllable separator clutch, to a drive motor. The main transmission (HG) and the range-change group (BG) are of either a synchronized or an unsynchronized design and the shifting clutches of two respective transmission ratio steps, in at least one of the partial-transmissions (VG, HG, BG), are respectively combined in a common shifting packet with two shift positions and a neutral position. To speed up most range shifts, it is provided that in the main transmission (HG) the shifting clutches associated with the lowest transmission ratio step (G1) and with the highest transmission ratio step (G4 or G3) are combined in a common shifting packet (S1/4 or S1/3).

Abstract: A clutch system for producing and interrupting a force flow between the engine and transmission of a motor vehicle, with a clutch, which is disengaged unless actuated, and one or more valves, which regulate the flow of pressure medium and which are electrically actuated by a control and regulation unit. If there is electrical failure while driving and when a gear is engaged or when the vehicle is stationary, the engine is running and a transmission gear is engaged, unintended clutch engagement is prevented. The valves are designed such that if there is a failure of the voltage supply and consequently also of the actuation of the valves by the electronic control and regulation system, the operating condition of the clutch existing at the time of failure, namely the disengaged or engaged operating condition, remains as it is.

Abstract: A method for controlling shifts in an automated group transmission that comprises a multi-stage main transmission, a multi-stage splitter group connected upstream from the main transmission and a multi-stage range-change group connected downstream from the main transmission. The method includes the steps of disengaging the separator clutch to relieve the load of the motor; shifting range-change group to neutral and bringing the speed of the motor to the synchronous speed of the target gear; braking the main transmission and the splitter or upstream group via a transmission brake; changing the transmission ratios in the main transmission and in the splitter group; synchronizing the range-change group by partially engaging the separator clutch; engaging the desired transmission ratio in the range-change group; and simultaneously increasing the load on the drive motor and fully engaging the separator clutch.

Abstract: A method for controlling an automated friction clutch arranged in a drive train of a motor vehicle in the force flow between a drive engine (3) and a drive transmission (4), which is configured to close passively by spring pressure and can be disengaged and engaged by way of a pressure-medium-actuated clutch actuator (14), such that the actuation position x_K of the clutch actuator (14) or of an associated transmission element is determined and used for controlling the friction clutch (2). To improve the accuracy and reliability of the clutch actuation it is provided that in addition, an actuating pressure p_K of the clutch actuator (14) is determined and that a required change of the clutch torque M_K to a new nominal value M_K_soll takes place under pressure control, in that the actuating pressure p_K of the clutch actuator (14) is set to a nominal value p_K_soll which corresponds to the nominal value M_K_soll of the clutch torque M_K.

Abstract: Improvements in the operation and maintenance of non-clogging pumps are provided which increase pump efficiencies through improved impeller design and vacuum assembly design, and which increase seal lubrication efficiencies through improved seal lubricant reservoir system design.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating the performance of aftermarket vehicle part sales for assortment planning, the method including: receiving a vehicle part identifier associated with a vehicle part to be evaluated, receiving information related to vehicles in operation in a given market, receiving product information related to the vehicle part, receiving sales information related to the vehicle part in the given market, processing the information related to vehicles in operation in a given market, the product information related to the vehicle part and the sales information related to the vehicle part to produce an evaluation of the aftermarket performance of the vehicle part sales, and generating an evaluation report of the aftermarket performance of the vehicle part sales.

Abstract: A method of operating a group transmission of a motor vehicle, the group transmission being arranged in a drive-train between a drive aggregate and an axle drive and including at least a multi-stage main transmission (HG), a splitter group (GV) connected one of upstream and downstream of the main transmission and/or a range group (GP) connected one of upstream and downstream from the main transmission. The main transmission (HG) is of countershaft design with at least one countershaft (WVG1, WVG2), an input shaft (WGE) of the group transmission is connected to the drive aggregate via a controllable separator clutch (K) and an output shaft (WGA) of the group transmission is connected to the axle drive. For starting the drive aggregate, the splitter group (GV), connected upstream of the main transmission (HG) and/or the range group (GP), connected upstream of the same, is/are shifted to a neutral position.

Abstract: A method for controlling an actuating device in an automated shifting system of a motor vehicle. The position of the actuating device is determined by a path measurement system. The actuating device can be controlled by a pressure regulation device, including a pressure medium reservoir, at least two pressure lines and a switching valve for connecting a first pressure line to a pressure medium line leading to the pressure chamber of the actuating device, and a pressure regulating device for adapting the pressure level of the main pressure line to the control pressure level of the actuating device. By appropriately controlling the pressure regulation device before the piston of the actuating device moves in the intended direction, it is moved in the direction opposite to the intended movement direction. When this movement direction is registered the movement direction is changed to the intended movement direction.

Abstract: A miniature alpha-numeric keyboard, operated by one hand, for use with computers, cell phones and mobile electronic devices. The device has only 4 keys, one dedicated to each of the four fingers, and a thumb receptacle or pouch, arranged in such a way that when the thumb is inserted in the pouch, the four fingers rest naturally on the four keys. While the keyboard is being operated, the thumb inserted in the receptacle supports the keyboard in position, each of the four fingers resting above its own key, preventing it from moving out of place. Support against the fingers depressing the keys is provided by resting the device against another object—a table, an armrest, the operator's own body or pocket—or any other object that a hand would normally rest on. Alphanumeric, control and special characters are generated by pressing the four keys using composite keystrokes, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,173.

Abstract: A method for shifting an automated transmission situated in a drive train of a motor vehicle between an engine and a drive axle and having at least one multi-speed main transmission and a two-speed range change group rear-mounted thereon. The main transmission has at least one counter shaft with a transmission brake. A clutch engages the prime mover and the main transmission and the range change group is shifted via unsynchronized dog clutches which are combined in pairs in a common shift set and have two shift positions and one neutral position such that, during a range change gear shift both in the main transmission and the range change group a change between two ratio stages occurs. A range change up-shift includes synchronizing the input shaft and the target gear utilizing the transmission brake and passively synchronizing the dog shifted transmission parts by the edge beveling of the concerned dog clutches.

Abstract: A system for estimating bit error rates (BER) may include using a normalization factor that scales a BER to substantially normalize a Q-scale for a distribution under analysis. A normalization factor may be selected, for example, to provide a best linear fit for both right and left sides of a cumulative distribution function (CDF). In some examples, the normalized Q-scale algorithm may identify means and probabilistic amplitude(s) of Gaussian jitter contributors in the dominant extreme behavior on both sides of the distribution. For such contributors, means may be obtained from intercepts of both sides of the CDF(Qnorm(BER) with the Q(BER)=0 axis, standard deviations (sigmas) may be obtained from reciprocals of slopes of best linear fits, and amplitudes may be obtained directly from the normalization factors. In an illustrative example, a normalized Q-scale algorithm may be used to accurately predict bit error rates for sampled repeating or non-repeating data patterns.

Abstract: A system for estimating bit error rates (BER) may include using a normalization factor that scales a BER to substantially normalize a Q-scale for a distribution under analysis. A normalization factor may be selected, for example, to provide a best linear fit for both right and left sides of a cumulative distribution function (CDF). In some examples, the normalized Q-scale algorithm may identify means and probabilistic amplitude(s) of Gaussian jitter contributors in the dominant extreme behavior on both sides of the distribution. For such contributors, means may be obtained from intercepts of both sides of the CDF(Qnorm(BER) with the Q(BER)=0 axis, standard deviations (sigmas) may be obtained from reciprocals of slopes of best linear fits, and amplitudes may be obtained directly from the normalization factors. In an illustrative example, a normalized Q-scale algorithm may be used to accurately predict bit error rates for sampled repeating or non-repeating data patterns.

Abstract: A method for shifting an automated transmission situated in a drive train of a motor vehicle between an engine and a drive axle and having at least one multi-speed main transmission and a two-speed range change group rear-mounted thereon. The main transmission has at least one counter-shaft with an transmission brake. A clutch engages the prime mover and the main transmission and the range change group is shifted via unsynchronized dog clutches, which are combined in pairs in a common shift set having two shift positions and one neutral position such that during a range change gearshift, both in the main transmission and in the range change group, a change between two ratio stages occurs. A range change up-shift and down-shift each include active synchronization of the dog clutch by way of the transmission brake and of the separating clutch.

Abstract: A method for controlling shifts in an automated group transmission that comprises a multi-stage main transmission, a multi-stage splitter group connected upstream from the main transmission and a multi-stage range-change group connected downstream from the main transmission. The method includes the steps of disengaging the separator clutch to relieve the load of the motor; shifting range-change group to neutral and bringing the speed of the motor to the synchronous speed of the target gear; braking the main transmission and the splitter or upstream group via a transmission brake; changing the transmission ratios in the main transmission and in the splitter group; synchronizing the range-change group by partially engaging the separator clutch; engaging the desired transmission ratio in the range-change group; and simultaneously increasing the load on the drive motor and fully engaging the separator clutch.

Abstract: An automated group transmission having a multi-stage main transmission (HG), a splitter group (VG) connected upstream from the main transmission (HG) and a two-stage range-change group (BG) connected downstream of the main transmission (HG), such that the splitter group (VG) is connected, via a controllable separator clutch, to a drive motor. The main transmission (HG) and the range-change group (BG) are of either a synchronized or an unsynchronized design and the shifting clutches of two respective transmission ratio steps, in at least one of the partial-transmissions (VG, HG, BG), are respectively combined in a common shifting packet with two shift positions and a neutral position. To speed up most range shifts, it is provided that in the main transmission (HG) the shifting clutches associated with the lowest transmission ratio step (G1) and with the highest transmission ratio step (G4 or G3) are combined in a common shifting packet (S1/4 or S1/3).