Abstract: Techniques involve a device which includes an energy chain and a sliding table, the energy chain having a plurality of sliding shoes, each having a sliding surface for sliding on the sliding table. The sliding shoes each have a detection element, which is spaced from the corresponding sliding surface by a wearing layer. The sliding table has a sensor for determining the distance (d) between the sensor and the detection elements.

Abstract: A telecommunication system comprises a first plurality of virtual circuit label switched paths (VC-LSPs) dedicated to communicate broadcast and unknown frames. The known frames have an encapsulated source site identifier used for media access control (MAC) address learning.

Abstract: A housing for a telecommunications system is described. The housing contains a housing base for accommodating modules and module frames, and a covering shroud connected releasably to the housing base and, with the housing base, encloses the modules and the module frames. The covering shroud has a casing plate forming at least part of the covering shroud, and plastic moldings connected, in part, to the casing plate and/or the housing base. Some of the plastic moldings can be lined up in a row one beside another to form a wall surface of the covering shroud.

Abstract: A telecommunication system comprises a first plurality of virtual circuit label switched paths (VC-LSPs) dedicated to communicate broadcast and unknown frames. The known frames have an encapsulated source site identifier used for media access control (MAC) address learning.

Abstract: An input protection circuit protects a multiplexer used in an automotive breakout box for coupling to an electronic control module (ECM) of an automotive vehicle. The input protection circuit includes resistors connected between the input and the multiplexer and a negative feedback amplifier connected to the output of the multiplexer. The negative feedback amplifier provides a virtual ground. Additionally, the inputs to the multiplexer are clamped to within one diode forward voltage drop of electrical ground by diode pairs.

Abstract: A wheel alignment system uses head units attached to each of the four wheels of an automotive vehicle. Angle measurements are taken using light sources and light sensors. Pitch sensors measure the pitch of the head units with respect to a horizontal plane. The head units are connected to the left and right front wheels of the automotive vehicle. The pitch information is used to compensate for errors in left and right cross-toe measurements between the left and right front wheels of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A cross toe zero calibration system for use in an automotive vehicle wheel alignment system uses a calibration bar for receiving cross toe measuring head units. A first set of cross toe measurements are taken with the bar in a first position and a second set of cross toe measurements are taken with the bar in a second position. In the second position, the bar is rotated 180.degree. from the first position. The two sets of measurements are averaged to yield zone cross toe angle calibration factors. The combination of rotating the bar and averaging the two sets of measurements nulls out errors introduced into the calibration measurements due to deformities in the bar. The calibration bar is mounted on the main console of an automotive vehicle wheel alignment system. Switches are included which indicate the position of the bar.

Abstract: A wheel alignment system measures caster and steering axis inclination (SAI) by positioning the wheels at a right turn position and a left turn position. Toe, camber and inclination angle measurements are made for both wheels at both the left turn position and the right turn position. Based upon these measurements, caster and SAI are calculated either directly or through an iterative technique.

Abstract: A signal representing the RPM of an internal combustion engine is produced by a signal processor connected to the battery of the vehicle. The signal processor derives an electrical signal from the battery which contains signal components produced by operation of the vehicle ignition system, as well as components from a multitude of other sources such as the voltage regulator, fans, air conditioning and other electrical systems of the vehicle. The signal processor filters and signal processes the signal derived from the vehicle battery to produce a signal having a frequency which is related to the RPM of the engine.

Abstract: A wheel alignment system uses head units attached to each of the four wheels. The front head units contain photodetector arrays which view across the front of the vehicle and to the rear. The rear units carry photodetector arrays which look forward. Each photodetector array views a target on one of the other head units. A microcomputer in each head unit determines an angular value based upon the position of the target image on the photodetector array. The angle values determined by the microcomputers of the individual head units are supplied to a master computer in a main console which determines individual toe angles with respect to a tread centerline for either the front two wheels or for all four wheels. The master computer controls a display at the main console, as well as a remote display to guide the mechanic in making alignment adjustments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring toe in vehicle wheels. The apparatus ordinarily includes a pair of head units. Each of the head units is mounted upon one of the front wheels of the vehicle. Each head unit includes a projecting element for projecting a light beam generally laterally across the front of the vehicle and onto a target on the opposite head unit in determining front toe of the respective front wheels. Each head unit can also project a beam generally axially from the front wheel of the vehicle to a reflector on the adjacent rear wheel for determination of rear toe of the respective rear wheels. A metering device is connected operatively to signal generators on the head units for determining the toe in each front wheel in relation to a thrust-line reference calculated from the total rear toe of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vibration pick-up unit for balancing rotating bodies such as vehicle wheels comprises a housing having a tubular guide communicating with the interior of the housing, a plunger rod disposed telescopically in the tubular guide for axial and rotary movement, a permanent magnet attached pivotally on an end of the rod for engagement with a vibrating member of a wheel suspension system arising on rotation of the wheel, a first mounting member disposed within the housing and cooperating operatively with the tubular guide, the first mounting member being movable in response to the vibrations of the suspension system, a second mounting member disposed within the housing adjacent the first mounting member, light means disposed in the second mounting member for generating a source of light, photo-sensitive means disposed in the first mounting member and being responsive to the light means for converting the vibrations of the suspension system into an electric sinusoidal signal and circuit means connected operatively