Abstract: In a method of producing an exhaust-gas heat exchanger of a motor vehicle, at least one component of the exhaust-gas heat exchanger, e.g. an outer jacket or ducts arranged in the outer jacket or metal sheets, is subjected to an electrochemical machining process to produce a homogenous and smooth surface. The electrochemical machining process may involve plasma-polishing or electro-polishing.

Abstract: A process for the non-destructive determination of the quality of a weld seam, the process steps comprising: providing a first and a second component; connecting the first and second components by a weld seam produced by a welding operation; and measuring a surface temperature of the weld seam and surface temperatures of areas of the first and second components adjacent to the weld seam that were heated by the welding operation. A system for carrying out the process for the non-destructive determination of the quality of a weld seam, the system comprising: a measuring device, an analyzing unit, and a welding device.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting deformations of a vehicle component on a motor vehicle are disclosed, which are capable of unambiguously determining the location and temporal progression of the deformation, as well as the severity of the deformation, within a very short time after the deformation of the vehicle component begins. An emitter unit together with a detector unit is displaced relative to an aperture component disposed on the vehicle component upon deformation of the vehicle component. A beam path of a light beam between the emitter unit and the detector unit is interrupted or opened when the aperture component is displaced relative to the emitter unit, thereby changing an illumination intensity detected by the detector unit. A signal representative of the illumination intensity is transmitted from the detector unit to an evaluation unit.

Abstract: A crash box arrangement includes a hollow member having a first hardness and defining a hollow space in communication with at least one ventilation opening; and a damper having a second hardness which is smaller than the first hardness. The damper has an impulse cavity in communication with the hollow space of the hollow member.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a combustion engine includes an exhaust pipe, and a heat accumulator housing in surrounding relationship to the exhaust pipe. Arranged in the heat accumulator housing are heat pipes to provide a heat transport of heat energy contained in exhaust gas. Heat energy thus withdrawn from the exhaust gas can be carried off via the heat pipes in the heat accumulator housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electrical power from the waste heat generated by an internal combustion engine includes a first pipe wall through which a heated medium flows, a thermoelectric generator disposed exteriorly to the inner pipe wall, and a second pipe wall disposed exteriorly to the thermoelectric generator. The first pipe wall and the second pipe wall form at least a partially double-walled pipe. The first pipe wall saves as a high-temperature source. The second pipe wall serves as a low-temperature source.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting deformations of a vehicle component on a motor vehicle are disclosed, which are capable of unambiguously determining the location and temporal progression of the deformation, as well as the severity of the deformation, within a very short time after the deformation of the vehicle component begins. A grid module having a grid, an emitter component with a light emitter; and a detector with at least one sensor unit are hereby provided on the vehicle component. A beam path of a light beam between the light emitter and the detector is alternatingly interrupted when the grid is displaced relative to the emitter component due to a deformation of the vehicle component. The detector detects a signal in form of light pulses generated by the interruption of the light beam and the light pulses are transmitted as a time-modulated signal to an evaluation unit.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes at least two adjacent heat exchanging tubes, each having equilateral triangular cross section. Hot gas flows through the heat exchanging tubes and coolant flows over the heat exchanging tubes. The heat exchanging tubes form a tube bundle of polygonal cross section and have two tube walls arranged in parallel side-by-side relation at a distance to one another.

Abstract: A method for producing a thermoelectric generator configured to be used in an exhaust system of a motor vehicle. The thermoelectric generator includes a plurality of tubular thermoelectric modules arranged in a housing and including external pipes, internal pipes, p-doped and n-doped thermoelectric elements, and external rings. The thermoelectric modules are separated from one another on a face side by pipe bottoms. The method steps include connecting, by a gas-tight connection, the external pipes with the housing and the pipe bottoms; applying an electrically insulating coating onto inside surface of the external pipes; sliding the internal pipes including the p-doped and n-doped thermoelectric elements, and the external rings into the external pipes; shrinking the external pipes and fitting the external pipes into the internal pipes.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for installation in a motor vehicle includes a cooling channel, a heating channel, and heat pipes to thermally couple the cooling channel with the heating channel. A thermoelectrical generator is arranged on a cold side of at least one of the heat pipes and coupled with the heat pipe by a material joint. The material joint is realized by a liquid metal.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a housing having first and second longitudinal housing walls disposed in opposite relationship, and plural cartridges which are made from extruded aluminum sections and have channels for flow of a first medium there through. The cartridges are received in the housing in alternating relationship in several rows to thereby define a multiple S-shaped curved flow path for flow of a second medium around the cartridges, with a first longitudinal side of each of the cartridges touching one of the first and second housing walls and with an opposite second longitudinal side thereof positioned at a distance to the other one of the first and second housing walls.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting deformations of a vehicle component on a motor vehicle are disclosed, which are capable of unambiguously determining the location and temporal progression of the deformation, as well as the severity of the deformation, within a very short time after the deformation of the vehicle component begins. A grid module having a grid, an emitter component with a light emitter; and a detector with at least one sensor unit are hereby provided on the vehicle component. A beam path of a light beam between the light emitter and the detector is alternatingly interrupted when the grid is displaced relative to the emitter component due to a deformation of the vehicle component. The detector detects a signal in form of light pulses generated by the interruption of the light beam and the light pulses are transmitted as a time-modulated signal to an evaluation unit.

Abstract: A process for the non-destructive determination of the quality of a weld seam, the process steps comprising: providing a first and a second component; connecting the first and second components by a weld seam produced by a welding operation; and measuring a surface temperature of the weld seam and surface temperatures of areas of the first and second components adjacent to the weld seam that were heated by the welding operation. A system for carrying out the process for the non-destructive determination of the quality of a weld seam, the system comprising: a measuring device, an analyzing unit, and a welding device.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting deformations of a vehicle component on a motor vehicle are disclosed, which are capable of unambiguously determining the location and temporal progression of the deformation, as well as the severity of the deformation, within a very short time after the deformation of the vehicle component begins. An emitter unit together with a detector unit is displaced relative to an aperture component disposed on the vehicle component upon deformation of the vehicle component. A beam path of a light beam between the emitter unit and the detector unit is interrupted or opened when the aperture component is displaced relative to the emitter unit, thereby changing an illumination intensity detected by the detector unit. A signal representative of the illumination intensity is transmitted from the detector unit to an evaluation unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electrical power from the waste heat generated by an internal combustion engine includes a first pipe wall through which a heated medium flows, a thermoelectric generator disposed exteriorly to the inner pipe wall, and a second pipe wall disposed exteriorly to the thermoelectric generator. The first pipe wall and the second pipe wall form at least a partially double-walled pipe. The first pipe wall saves as a high-temperature source. The second pipe wall serves as a low-temperature source.