Abstract: A method for controlling a drivetrain including an automatically shifted starting clutch and gear-shift clutch and a transmission, with a non self-locking clutch actuator, a gear actuator for engaging and disengaging transmission gears and a control unit which generates control commands for the clutch actuator and gear actuator and transmits such commands to the actuators such that, when the vehicle is at rest and a gear is engaged and if the clutch actuator fails, the clutch does not inadvertently engage. When a transmission gear is engaged, a control command is generated and sent for the clutch actuator to disengage the clutch. Thereafter, the vehicle speed is determined and if the speed is essentially zero and the clutch begins to engage, a control command is sent to the gear actuator to shift the transmission to its neutral position.

Abstract: A method of monitoring contact tip useful life in a welding torch includes measuring at least one of welding current (I) and welding voltage (V) of the contact tip mounted in the welding torch. Deterioration of the contact tip is quantified based on one or both of (i) a decrease of the welding current and increase of a standard deviation of the welding current (sd_I), and (ii) an increase of the welding voltage. Deterioration of the contact tip may be quantified by calculating an index of contact tip life (ITL) based on the welding current and standard deviation of the welding current and/or by calculating a reference index of contact tip life (ITL_v) based on the welding voltage.

Abstract: A configuration device for the graphical creation of at least one test sequence for controlling a test device having at least one electronic computer. The test device is controllable according to the created test sequence. The configuration device has at least one display device, graphical library functional elements being displayed with the display device in a library field. The test sequence can be created by placing at least one instance of a library functional element in a configuration field. The instance of a library functional element is placed in the configuration field. The graphical library functional element can be provided with a function placeholder, whereby the function placeholder in the instance of the library functional element can be provided with an instance functionality, whereby the reference of the instance of the library functional element to the library functional element is retained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transponder system for the contactless inductive power transmission of a stationary part having at least one read coil (2) disposed on the stator (1) to a rotating part having at least one transponder coil (4) disposed on a spindle (3). The aim of the invention is to provide a transponder system of the aforementioned kind which can be used for self-sufficient sensor applications even in the vicinity of metal materials and noise fields caused by electric motors conventional in mechanical engineering. For this purpose, the surrounding (5) of the read coil (2), especially the stator is produced from a material having little magnetic permeability and good electrical conductivity, preferably aluminum. The transponder coil (4) and/or the read coil (2) are disposed as flat coil (6) on the inside and/or outside of a cylindrical periphery (9, 10) of the stator and/or rotor (11).

Abstract: A chuck-integrated force-measuring system for determining cutting forces at the cutting tool tip of a rotating tool, for example a drill or milling cutter having at least one measuring sensor, as well as a measured-value processing station. The at least one measuring sensor is designed as a strain sensor which is placeable on a tool holder of a machine tool. A measuring hub assembly is also provided which is insertable as an adapter piece into the chuck of the machine tool and is designed with its own chuck for receiving the tool, the at least one measuring sensor being integrated in the adapter piece.

Abstract: An automatic transmission control method in which at least one of a starting clutch, a clutch coupling and transmission elements, for selection as well as engagement and disengagement of a gear step, are determined as a function of respectively existing variables representing the driving situation as well as the driver's wishes can be activated by actuators which are controlled by a control and regulation device. The method comprising the steps of collecting and normalizing the input variable into standard input variables; weighting with weighting factors and summarizing; converting the weighted input variables into intermediate variables; selecting a specific range of values which represents a specific shifting sequence; and implementing the shifting operation.

Abstract: A method and a apparatus for operating an automatic synchronized transmission for motor vehicles. The transmission having a countershaft design, with a countershaft parallel to input and an output shafts, which communicate with each other and the countershaft by means of gear wheel pairs. The transmission further having at least one coupling and synchronization device for at least one idler gear, with the aid of which at least one idler gear can be rotationally fixed to a transmission shaft, such that when the motor vehicle is stationary and a starting gear is engaged, torque of the countershaft is not drive-effectively reduced. Thus, ensuring that when the starting gear is engaged, no undesired acceleration of the vehicle occurs.

Abstract: A method for controlling an automotive hydraulic pump, wherein the hydraulic pump is activated to increase the pressure in a hydraulic accumulator associated therewith once the pressure falls below a predetermined lower pressure threshold, and the hydraulic pump is switched off once the pressure exceeds a predetermined upper pressure threshold value (P_O). The solution is to reduce fuel consumption of the vehicle, wherein the hydraulic pump is activated during different operating phases of the vehicle at different lower pressure values (P_U1, P_U2) in the event of a hydraulic pressure drop in the hydraulic accumulator of the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A method of monitoring contact tip useful life in a welding torch includes measuring at least one of welding current (I) and welding voltage (V) of the contact tip mounted in the welding torch. Deterioration of the contact tip is quantified based on one or both of (i) a decrease of the welding current and increase of a standard deviation of the welding current (sd_I), and (ii) an increase of the welding voltage. Deterioration of the contact tip may be quantified by calculating an index of contact tip life (ITL) based on the welding current and standard deviation of the welding current and/or by calculating a reference index of contact tip life (ITL_v) based on the welding voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transponder system for the contactless inductive power transmission of a stationary part having at least one read coil (2) disposed on the stator (1) to a rotating part having at least one transponder coil (4) disposed on a spindle (3). The aim of the invention is to provide a transponder system of the aforementioned kind which can be used for self-sufficient sensor applications even in the vicinity of metal materials and noise fields caused by electric motors conventional in mechanical engineering. For this purpose, the surrounding (5) of the read coil (2), especially the stator is produced from a material having little magnetic permeability and good electrical conductivity, preferably aluminum. The transponder coil (4) and/or the read coil (2) are disposed as flat coil (6) on the inside and/or outside of a cylindrical periphery (9, 10) of the stator and/or rotor (11).

Abstract: A method of determining an application point of an automatically actuated clutch of an automatic mechanical transmission. After pre-selecting a new gear, the clutch automatically separates, the activated gear disengages, the engine rotational speed is brought to a target value for the new gear and the clutch, with higher advancing speed, is advanced to an application point at which the transmission input shaft is precisely entrained. To determine the application point, the gradient of the time curve of the rotational speed of the transmission input shaft is monitored, an important change of the gradient, that adjusts itself when reaching the application point, is determined and the current position of the clutch is defined as the application point. The application point is determined during downshifts, the time rotational speed curve of the transmission input shaft is between slowdown and re-acceleration, which is easily and accurately determined.

Abstract: A method for detecting fault in an actuator. By transmitting a control value, which is generated by a control unit, to an input of the actuator a signal for the measured actuator position is produced at the output of the actuator. The signal for the measured actuator position is sent to an input of a signal conditioning unit which determines from it a measure of actuator movement. The control value is also transmitted to an input of a modeling unit, which calculates from it an expected measure of actuator movement. These movements are sent to a computer unit, which produces a corresponding status signal for the functionality of the actuator and for the functionality of the sensor for determining the actuator position.

Abstract: Video surveillance systems are used, by way of example, for monitoring public places, such as railway stations, junctions, airports, or public buildings, such as libraries, museums, but also private environments, such as an alarm system in houses. To this end, the video surveillance systems often have a plurality of surveillance cameras which observe relevant surveillance scenes. The video sequences produced during observation are usually combined and evaluated at a central location.

Abstract: A rotating power connector for an electric welding torch unicable includes a generally cylindrical outer housing having a longitudinal axis. A connector pin is fixedly, axially disposed within the outer housing and extends from one end thereof. A rotating stud is rotatably, axially disposed within the outer housing and extends from another end thereof. The connector pin and the rotating stud have ends in contact within the outer housing. A secondary electrical contact ring also is disposed within the outer housing. The secondary electrical contact ring includes at least one contact portion contacting the rotating stud. At least one biasing member is disposed between the rotating stud and the contact ring. The biasing member urges the rotating stud into engagement with the connector pin and urges the contact ring into engagement with the rotating stud.

Abstract: A gooseneck locking mechanism for a robotic GMAW torch having a torch body and a gooseneck includes a connector receiver disposed in the torch body. The connector receiver includes longitudinal ends and a passageway extending between the longitudinal ends. An indexing feature is disposed in the passageway. An elongated connector is mountable on a proximal end of the gooseneck. The connector includes a cooperable indexing feature. The locking mechanism further includes a detent for joining the connector receiver and the elongated connector. The indexing features align the gooseneck relative to the torch body, and the detent secures the connector in the connector receiver for quick release. The locking mechanism may include a plurality of electrical contacts in the connector receiver that are engageable with the connector to provide flow of electrical current through the connector receiver to the gooseneck.

Abstract: A method for establishing malfunctions of components of a motor vehicle power train as well as the reaction to the same. The power train has a drive motor and an automatic transmission with respectively allocated control devices, setting apparatus and sensors, and the transmission input shaft is allocated a torque sensor for recording the transmission input shaft. During operation of the motor vehicle, the functions of the control devices, the operating elements, the sensors and their data transmission apparatus as well as the measured values of the transmission input torque are recorded and checked for signs of malfunction. After recognizing such a malfunction, operations are conducted by means of which the motor vehicle can be further operated in an emergency type of operation or with the aid of which the driving operation can be safely ended.

Abstract: A chuck-integrated force-measuring system for determining cutting forces at the cutting tool tip of a rotating tool, for example a drill or milling cutter having at least one measuring sensor, as well as a measured-value processing station. The at least one measuring sensor is designed as a strain sensor which is placeable on a tool holder of a machine tool. A measuring hub assembly is also provided which is insertable as an adapter piece into the chuck of the machine tool and is designed with its own chuck for receiving the tool, the at least one measuring sensor being integrated in the adapter piece.

Abstract: A device for controlling a fluid-actuated, double-action operating cylinder (2) having two cylinder chambers (6, 8) separated from one another by a piston (4). Each cylinder chamber (6, 8) communicates with a respective valve (12, 14) for controlling the flow of fluid in and out of the cylinder chamber (6, 8) and a pressure sensor (40) for detecting the fluid supply pressure. A control unit (20) is connected to the switching valves (12, 14) and the pressure sensor (40). To determine the actual control force of the operating cylinder (2), the pressure sensor (40) is arranged between the cylinder chambers (6, 8) and the control unit (20). The output from the pressure sensor (40) can be processed in the control unit (20) and used for actuating a pressure regulation valve (22) arranged in the pressure line (32).

Abstract: A retaining head for a MIG welding device includes a contact tip mounting end, an opposite retaining head mounting end, and a throughbore extending from one of the ends to the other end. A deflector is disposed along the throughbore and is adjustable for imparting a bend in welding wire passing through the throughbore. The deflector provides a straight wire contour for the welding wire that is fed out of the welding torch, while maintaining sufficient contact force between the welding wire and the contact tip. The deflector also reduces the effect of wire twist on the contact point between the welding wire and the contact tip.

Abstract: A forgery-proof value document, in particular a postage stamp, is examined for its authenticity. The value document contains a two-dimensional area with a security element in the form of a two-dimensional structure. The two-dimensional area is provided with, for example printed with, at least one first and at least one other substance. When illuminated with light that is visible to the human eye, the two substances have the same hue and different hues when illuminated with infrared light. The security element is placed on the value document by use the first substance, the remaining part of the area by use of the at least one other substance. When illuminated with visible light the entire two-dimensional area appears in the same hue. When illuminated with infrared light the security element is optically distinguished from the remaining area.