Abstract: A value document, in particular a postage stamp, which contains an optically recognizable security element in the form of a two-dimensional structure. Accordingly, the security element has a resolution of at least 300 dpi which makes it difficult to electronically reproduce the security element and therefore protect against the production of counterfeit postage stamps.

Abstract: A method for assembling a position measuring arrangement for measuring a relative position of a first object with respect to a second object, wherein the position measuring arrangement includes a first unit movable in relation to a second unit of the position measuring arrangement, the method including fastening said first unit to the first object and fastening the second unit to the second object. The method further including adjusting a required scanning distance (A) between a scanning element of the second unit and a graduation of the second unit by applying a gauge to a first limit stop face of the first unit, as well as to a second limit stop face of the second unit. Prior to the fastening the first unit and the fastening the second unit, positioning and fixing either the first limit stop face on the first unit or the second limit stop face on the second unit in a direction of the required scanning distance so that the scanning distance (A) is optimally adjusted.

Abstract: A welding system, in certain embodiments, includes a torch having a neck with an arcuate portion, and a resilient jump liner disposed in the neck and extending through the arcuate portion. The resilient jump liner includes a pathway having a curvature configured to bend a welding wire passing through the pathway. The system also includes an annular support disposed about the resilient jump liner inside the neck, wherein the annular support is configured to at least substantially fix the curvature to force the welding wire to achieve a wire curvature. The system also includes a contact tip coupled to the neck, wherein the wire curvature is configured to bias the welding wire into substantially consistent contact with an interior pathway through the contact tip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are providing for automated servicing of MIG welding torches and components thereof including the nozzle, the retaining head assembly, and the contact tip. The invention is directed to removing and cleaning a nozzle from a first end proximal to the torch, cleaning a retaining head assembly of deposited welding wire, or removing a used contact tip to be replaced with a replacement contact tip obtained from a magazine or combinations thereof. The invention can feature severing a welding wire or applying an anti-spatter solution to the torch or its components. The invention is also directed a plurality of maintenance operations being performed as to a stationary torch in an automated environment.

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 method and a device with which disturbing vibrations are diminished at least in the height of their amplitude. A control and regulating device (24) and suitable sensors (34, 36, 41) activate a device (7, 11, 15, 23, 29, 30) when previously established limiting values are exceeded with regard to procedure, with which components of the motor vehicle are influenced such that the disturbing vibrations are damped or compensated.

Abstract: A method is provided for emergency unlocking of an automatic transmission in a vehicle. The transmission may be unlocked from a blocked state for protection against unauthorized use, by an emergency unlocking unit. Upon actuation of the emergency unlocking unit, the automatic transmission cannot be operated in a forward driving mode.

Abstract: A transmission system including a shift mechanism for operating and controlling the transmission system. To automatically detect geometric characteristic values of the transmission system or of the shifting device a selector motor and a shift motor actuate a select or finger that is displaceably mounted in a selection-shift-passageway layout. Starting from an initial position whose coordinates within the selection-shift-passageway layout are unknown, the selector finger is displaced in the directions of shifting and in the directions of selection in order to detect paths of movement in the direction of selection or shifting. The selector finger is repeatedly displaced to establish the maximum paths of movement until the predetermined transmission geometric characteristic values are completely detected. Also disclosed are a control device for controlling a transmission system that includes a shift mechanism, and a method for controlling such a transmission system.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for generating a depth map of a scene to be recorded with a video camera, the scene is recorded at a plurality of focus settings differing from one another, and the focus setting proceeds through the depth range of the scene in increments; the image components recorded in focus at a given focus setting are assigned the depth corresponding to that focus setting, creating a first depth map; the scene is recorded a plurality of times, each at a different zoom setting, and from the geometric changes in image components, the depth of the respective image component is calculated, creating a second depth map; and from the two depth maps, a combined depth map is formed.

Abstract: A method of controlling an automated clutch of a vehicle includes the step of adapting a characteristic curve of the clutch through an electronic clutch management system. The adaptation is performed under at least one set of operating conditions that are represented by an operating point.

Abstract: A transmission system including a shift mechanism for operating and controlling the transmission system. To automatically detect geometric characteristic values of the transmission system or of the shifting device a selector motor and a shift motor actuate a selector finger that is displaceably mounted in a selection-shift-passageway layout. Starting from an initial position whose coordinates within the selection-shift-passageway layout are unknown, the selector finger is displaced in the directions of shifting and in the directions of selection in order to detect paths of movement in the direction of selection or shifting. The selector finger is repeatedly displaced to establish the maximum paths of movement until the predetermined transmission geometric characteristic values are completely detected. Also disclosed are a control device for controlling a transmission system that includes a shift mechanism, and a method for controlling such a transmission system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are providing for automated servicing of MIG welding torches and components thereof including the nozzle, the retaining head assembly, and the contact tip. The invention is directed to removing and cleaning a nozzle from a first end proximal to the torch, cleaning a retaining head assembly of deposited welding wire, or removing a used contact tip to be replaced with a replacement contact tip obtained from a magazine or combinations thereof. The invention can feature severing a welding wire or applying an anti-spatter solution to the torch or its components. The invention is also directed a plurality of maintenance operations being performed as to a stationary torch in an automated environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of compensating for the influence of changes of speed of a rotary component of an adjustable clutch upon the control torque characteristic curve of the clutch in the power train of a motor vehicle wherein the clutch operates between the rotary output element of the engine or another prime mover and a rotary input element of a change-speed transmission. The method includes the steps of monitoring the rotational speed of the clutch and varying the required positions of a mobile adjusting member for the clutch as a function of changes of the monitored rotational speed. The invention also relates to the power train wherein the influence of changes of rotational speed of the aforesaid component upon the characteristic curve can be varied in accordance with the novel method.

Abstract: An ignition device, particularly a spark plug for internal combustion engines, permits improved corrosion protection. The ignition device includes an electrical connector and a tubular, metallic housing having a screw-in thread imprinted on it. At least one of the metallic components of the ignition device is provided at least partially with a protective coating made of a zinc/nickel alloy.

Abstract: A method and an actuating arrangement for automatically actuating a component of a motor vehicle brake is actuated by an externally applied force and independently of an actuation of a brake pedal by the driver of the vehicle clutch actuation occurs at times when the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero, or when the vehicle rolls backward with the gearbox engaged in a forward gear, or when the vehicle rolls forward with the gearbox engaged in a reverse gear. Clutch wear and tear is thereby reduced. Additionally, the vehicle clutch can also be automatically actuated by an externally applied force, to engage or to disengage the clutch based upon predetermined operating parameters of components of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides markers and methods of using markers to identify or treat anatomical sites in a variety of medical processes, procedures and treatments. The markers of embodiments of the present invention are permanently implantable, and are detectable in and compatible with images formed by at least two imaging modalities, wherein one of the imaging modalities is a magnetic field imaging modality. Images of anatomical sites marked according to embodiments of the present invention may be formed using various imaging modalities to provide information about the anatomical sites.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for diagnosing a malfunction in a clutch actuator of a motor vehicle, the actual position of the clutch actuator is measured by a position sensor. Simultaneously, an estimated position of the clutch actuator is calculated by an emulation unit that emulates the function of the clutch actuator. Malfunctions of the clutch-actuator are diagnosed by comparing the actual, measured position to the estimated position.

Abstract: In a method for controlling an automated clutch and/or an automated transmission in a motor vehicle with an electronic clutch management system, a target value for the clutch torque is determined as an output quantity of a start-up function dependent on suitable input quantities.

Abstract: The method is designed for a motor vehicle equipped with wheel rpm sensors and means to determine whether the wheels are either rolling normally or locked or spinning without adhesion. The method employs plausibility routines to determine whether an abnormal wheel rpm sensor signal is due to locking or spinning of the wheel or whether it is due to a sensor failure. In case that an abnormal condition is detected, an alternate strategy is initialized to determine wheel rpm rates and perform control functions that are based on wheel rpm rates.

Abstract: In a vehicle with a gear-shift transmission of a kind that requires a torque-free state to shift gears, the riding comfort is improved by a method of shifting gears where a gear shift is preceded by the steps of: reducing the vehicle acceleration at a time t1 from an existing level (1) to a first acceleration level (3), maintaining the vehicle acceleration at the reduced level (3) for a predetermined time interval, and at the end point t3 of the predetermined time interval, reducing the acceleration further to a second acceleration level that is lower than the first level.