Abstract: An ignition device, in particular, a spark plug for Otto engines, includes an electric connection (11) and a tubular metal housing (13) with a screw-in thread (18) stamped on it. At least one of the metal components of the spark plug is provided with a paint coating that serves to protect the spark plug from corrosion.

Abstract: The comfort level gear shift motor vehicle with an automated gear-shifting transmission is determined by shift parameters, which are dependent on driving parameters and on a shift program mode. The shift program mode identified through a characteristic parameter, which can vary a range of parameter values corresponding to a range of shift program modes. The method has the steps of detecting current values the driving parameters, detecting a current value of the characteristic parameter, determining respective minimum and maximum values that each of said shift parameters can assume within the range of characteristic parameter values as a function of the current driving parameter values, calculating actual shift parameter values as intermediate values between said maximum and minimum values for each of said shift parameters based on said current value of the characteristic parameter, and performing the gear shift with the actual shift parameter values.

Abstract: A method for controlling and/or adjusting a torque transmission system in the drive chain of a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, wherein a clutch torque is modified according to a starting resistance of the vehicle in order to provide a strategy for the start of said vehicle. According to the invention, said strategy is modified in such a way that the progression of said clutch torque is adapted to a starting situation.

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: A method of keeping track of the current operating position of an actuator in an automated gear-shift transmission has the following steps: monitoring the level of energy supplied by an energy source to the actuator; comparing the energy level to a minimum energy level required by the actuator; and if the energy level is lower than the required minimum, saving the current actuator position in memory for retrieval at a later time.

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: A method of regulating the position of a clutch actuator in a vehicle employs the concept of adapting the servo-loop parameters of a position controller of the clutch to different operating conditions of the vehicle, as well as the concept of applying and continuously adapting a bias current of the actuator motor in order to avoid or minimize the incidence of a hunting or after-regulation behavior of the control loop and to thereby minimize the energy consumption of the actuator motor.

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: In an ignition device, especially a spark plug (10), having a housing (12) that is provided with a screw-in thread (14), a permanent sticking or contact corrosion of the spark plug in the cylinder head is to be prevented. For this purpose, it is provided that the housing, at least in the region of the screw-in thread, include a coating (26) of a varnish provided with nonstick pigments.

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: A method of operating a motor vehicle that is equipped with sensors to detect the rpm-rates of the driven wheels includes the steps of: a) determining current rpm-rates of one or more driven wheels; b) examining the current rpm-rates for potential errors; c) detecting whether a command for a gear shift has been initiated; and d) in case an error was found in step b), taking protective measures so that the engine cannot be forced to run at rpm-rates detrimental to the safe operation of the vehicle as a consequence of executing and completing the gear shift.

Abstract: A method for influencing a shift process connected with a change in transmission ratio when driving a motor vehicle that has a set of driven wheels subject to longitudinal and transverse forces, the method including detecting whether or not the vehicle is traveling around a curve and, if doing so when the shift process is in progress, influencing the shift process so as to decrease the longitudinal forces that act on the driven wheels as a result of the shift process. Also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the disclosed method including a detector for detecting whether or not the vehicle is traveling around a curve and a transmission ratio shifter responsive to the detector that, if the vehicle is traveling around a curve when the shift process is in progress, performs the shift process so as to decrease the longitudinal forces that act on the driven wheels as a result of the shift process.

Abstract: A multiplate subculture solid media device is provided with a connection for internal flow communication with a liquid medium culture bottle. The device includes a large transparent screw cap on one face thereof to gain easy access to the plurality of media plates for direct examination and sample taking through the growth period. However, the cap is transparent and of a size allowing continuous examination during the growth period without any opening. As a further feature of the invention, the screw cap may include an integral magnifying lens for enhancing the continuous examination of culture growth.