Abstract: Novel vapor compression evaporative cooling systems which use water as a refrigerant are provided, as are methods for using same. Also provided are novel compressors, compressor components, and means for removing noncondensibles useful in such cooling systems.

Abstract: An improved point-of-sale product chiller that is modular in design and construction whereby the server may be readily produced in various sizes and capacities for point-of-sale display and sale of chilled products. An insulated enclosure includes a base panel, a pair of sidewall panels, and a plurality of modular end wall panels that form a chilled product cavity. The panels are formed of hollow, blow-molded thermoplastic with foam insulation panels inserted therein. A chiller of a desired size is produced by selecting a base panel of the desired size and assembling to it modular end wall panels and sidewall panels of the desired size. One or more insulated central divider panels may be assembled within the enclosure to form multiple chilled product cavities within the enclosure. Removable, flat cold cell panels having cooperating edges are inserted about the inner periphery of the enclosure to maintain product temperatures inside the cavities.

Abstract: This invention relates to an air-conditioning system for passenger aircraft for conditioning humidity-containing air under excess pressure for air-conditioning a passenger aircraft cabin, comprising at least one compressor and two expansion turbines, where in accordance with the invention a droplet coalescing device with succeeding water separator is disposed between the expansion turbines.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-conditioner having a heat exchanger, such as an evaporator, for example, with a reservoir for a cold storage medium.

Abstract: A plate mainly used for serving sushi on a revolving conveyor in restaurants. The plate is provided with a central recess with an ice disc set inside and covered with a transparent cover that is prevented from falling off the plate accidentally, so that the interior of the plate being carried on the conveyor is kept cool in order to keep the sushi fresh on the plate and prevent the sushi from coming into contact with outside air.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-conditioner for a motor vehicle having a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant flows. The circuit includes a heat exchanger (1) through which the refrigerant circulates. A second internal refrigerant circuit exists in the heat exchanger (1) and operates when the first refrigerant circuit is at a standstill.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of manufacturing a pressurized multi-component liquid from a pressurized, multi-component stream, such as natural gas, which contains C5+ components and at least one component of C1, C2, C3, or C4. The process selectively removes from the multi-component stream one or more of the C5+ components that would be expected to crystallize at the selected temperature and pressure of the pressurized multi-component liquid product and leaves in the multi-component stream at least one C5+ component. The multi-component stream is then liquefied to produce a pressurized liquid substantially free of crystallized C5+ components. The removal of the C5+ components can be by selective fractionation or crystallization.

Abstract: A total flood fire suppression system is provided for transportation tunnels and other human-occupied environments, which employs a selective gas delivery method for supplying a breathable fire-extinguishing agent to a location closest to a fire site. The agent is produced from ambient air at site and stored in high-pressure containers communicating with an addressed gas delivery hose installed throughout a tunnel. When fire is detected, the agent is released from storage containers into the gas delivery hose that simultaneously becomes penetrated or broken in a location next to the fire site, allowing releasing the agent there and extinguishing the fire by totally flooding the affected portion of a tunnel. Additionally, the direction of the agent flow can be controlled by air blocks or inflatable tunnel plugs that, via a signal from a central control station, can inflate and block a tunnel tube in order to redirect the agent flow into the opposite to a block direction.

Abstract: An ornamental jewelry kit comprising at least one inner flat base element, a plurality of outer visible elements, wherein the plurality of outer visible elements are comprised of visible elements differing from other visible elements by at least one of color, material and shape, cooperating connection means comprising parts on the flat base element and parts on the visible elements for connecting the base and visible elements together, the cooperating means including at least two partially covered tracks and at least two posts with enlarged heads with the posts insertable into the tracks, the partially covered tracks have an uncovered portion allowing an enlarged head of the posts to enter into the covered tracks, the partially covered track is formed with at least a first passageway portion and a second passageway portion angled to the first passageway, and wherein a selected outer visible element is connected to the base element by aligning the at least two posts with respective uncovered portions of the co

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the manufacture of an optical fiber preform having incorporated therein a comparatively high concentration of rare earth dopant material, and which thus can be drawn and processed into an optical fiber having low numerical aperture, low core attenuation, and high pumping power absorption. The high concentrations of rare earth dopant material are accomplished through either the “hybrid vapor processing” (HVP) method or a “hybrid liquid processing” (HLP) method, each capable of being practiced in combination or independently of one another. The HVP method involves the vaporization of a rare earth halogen by the exposure thereof to a sufficiently elevated temperature, independently, or contemporaneously with the transport of the resultant rare earth halogen laden vapor, into a glass forming oxidation reaction zone on a flowing stream of essentially an unreactive inert gas, such as helium.

Abstract: An induction furnace capable of drawing large diameter preforms of up to 130 mm is described. The induction furnace has top and bottom chimneys surrounding the entire preform during operation of the furnace with an inert conditioning gas which is introduced into the top chimney and flows downward through the furnace body and bottom chimney without significant turbulence. A distributor ring inside the top chimney redirects flow from a circumferential direction to a downward direction. The top chimney also includes a resilient seal to releasably hold the top of the preform. The bottom chimney has a smoothly decreasing cross-sectional area preventing turbulence at the furnace exit. The furnace insulation is preferably a rigid self-supporting graphite cylinder. A method of drawing large diameter preforms either to an optical fiber or to a preform of smaller diameter using such a furnace is also described.

Abstract: A dual sleeved sock is provided as a sock having two cuffs. One cuff remains on the wearer's leg in a normal fashion, while the other cuff folds down over the wearer's boots.

Abstract: A portable door security mechanism which allows an existing door to be temporarily secured from the non-hinged side of the door without destruction or penetration of the door, the door frame or any existing components of the door, is disclosed. The device uses a cylindrical locking pin which is designed to slip underneath the door to be secured and rotated such that part of the locking pin protrudes upward to prevent the door from opening from the inside. The locking pin is secured to a base plate member and a cover plate which, when interlocked over a portion of the locking pin, is disposed to accept a conventional pad lock or similar device. The disclosed security mechanism can be folded through a hinge mechanism for convenience and can be applied or removed quickly without having access to the interior side of the door.

Abstract: A combination push button and/or key operated padlock is disclosed as having a housing, a shackle detachably connected to the housing for opening and closing the padlock, a push button slide plate for operative detachable movement of the shackle relative to the housing, and a plurality of push buttons mounted to the housing for the push button slide plate. At least one of the push buttons is a releasing push button that detach from the push button slide plate when depressed. The remainder of the push buttons are blocking push buttons that engage the push button slide plate when depressed. A shackle detachment is connected to the push button slide plate for moving it in detachable position when the releasing push buttons only are depressed. Each of the push buttons having independently mounted spring loaded end caps on each free end to assist in camouflaging the releasing and blocking push button from each other.

Abstract: Highly preferred embodiments of the present invention have a lock bolt extendible and retractable by movement of a power transmission assembly driven by an actuator and having a cam thereon which cams against the lock bolt to retract the lock bolt and unlock the steering column. In some preferred embodiments, the cam has a curved surface with varying distance from the axis of rotation of the cam or pivot to produce smooth and controlled lock bolt camming action with little to no jarring motion. In order to significantly reduce manufacturing and assembly time and cost, some or all of the power transmission assembly can be assembled prior to installation in the lock assembly frame. More preferably, some or all of the power transmission assembly is integrally formed. Preferably, part or all of the lock assembly can be assembled without turning, flipping, or otherwise re-orienting the lock assembly during assembly.

Abstract: A strength reinforcing structure of a lock outer handle includes a disk seat defining a first hole rotatably receiving a handle and a drive shaft tube. The handle has a drive plate rotated by a lock core to drive a lock snapping plate to move longitudinally. The drive shaft tube has one end secured in the handle, and the other end provided with locking grooves for securing locking blocks of a driven ring which is combined with a drive tube which is combined with a restoring member which defines fitting slots combined on the drive shaft tube. The drive tube passes through a positioning plate which defines a second hole provided with locking edges engaged or disengaged with end edges of the lock snapping plate.

Abstract: A seat retainer arrangement for use on the cargo compartment of a pickup truck or the like comprising a substantially rigid, longitudinally extensible and retractable arm member for engagement removably to respective joints on the bed liner sections covering two opposite side walls of the cargo compartment.

Abstract: A method of making a landscaping mulch, using as its primary ingredient, spent stable bedding which has its primary ingredient ripe de bois softwood shavings. The result of the method is a mulch, particularly for landscaping applications, having a relatively high pH value, between 6.5 and 7.5, which is also useful for neutralizing the effects of acid rain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a fertilizer by injecting ammonia into and applying electron beam to gas containing sulfur oxides. Gas containing sulfur oxides is cooled by a heat exchanger (2) and a cooling tower (3), and thereafter introduced into a process vessel (4) in which ammonia is injected into the gas and the gas is irradiated with electron beam. The product of the ratio of the concentration of ammonia to the concentration of water in the gas prior to irradiation of the electron beam and the ratio of the concentration of ammonia to the concentration of water in the gas after irradiation of the electron beam is controlled to be of a predetermined value.

Abstract: In a dry or concentrated liquid fertilizer when local water is added to dilute to a working concentration, the hardness components (e.g., Ca/Mg) in the local water react with the fertilizer components and begin to form low-solubility salts. These low-solubility salts form sludges in the working mixture and begin to scale up in the feeding tubes through which the liquid fertilizer is pumped. Furthermore, the fertilizer is deprived of the nutrient values of these low-solubility salts and, as a result, the economic value of the fertilizer is reduced. By adding excess sequestering agent(s) (i.e. above the amounts needed to dissolve the nutrients in the original fertilizer formulation) precipitation of the hardening components of the local water in the mixing tank, in the feeding tubes, and in the growing media is avoided, and previous scaling can be remedied.

Abstract: In a method and a device for producing a circumferentially closed hollow profile, a hollow-profile blank is expanded by fluidic internal high pressure in an internal high-pressure forming tool, after which the hollow-profile blank assumes the final shape of the hollow profile. In order to make it possible in a simple manner to have a production of a hollow profile in which process reliability is ensured to a sufficient extent even in the case of high expansions of the hollow profile (higher than or equal to the breaking elongation of the material), during expansion, the hollow-profile blank is supported, on at least one partial circumferential region, by at least one diaphragm fastened to the inside, facing the blank, of the tool and capable of being acted upon by a controllable pressure acting from outside, the diaphragm shifting back elastically as expansion progresses, with the supporting pressure acting on the diaphragm being reduced at the same time.

Abstract: A cold rolling apparatus includes a forming roll which applies a forming load to a tube when cold rolling the tube, and a hydraulic positioning assembly including a positioning roller disposable for initial contact with a tube surface and arranged to apply a positioning load to the tube. A hydraulic circuit is coupled to the forming roll and to the hydraulic positioning assembly such that the positioning load is related to the forming load. A face plate mounted for movement with the forming roll, and the positioning roller is mounted to the face plate. The face plate is coupled to a piston of the hydraulic positioning assembly for movement with the piston relative to the forming roll. The piston is housed within a cylinder body coupled to a guide block which is coupled to the forming roll. The forming roll is an outside roll, and the cold rolling apparatus includes two positioning rollers.

Abstract: A bending apparatus for a long material comprises: supporting device for supporting a long material in cantilever fashion at least in a bending direction; bending device which nips the material at an input point apart from the supporting device and is rotated by a predetermined angle so as to bend the material between the supporting device and the input point; driving device for rotating the bending device; feeding device for moving the material toward the bending device and setting a position of the material; and moving device which sets up a separation distance between the supporting device and the bending device prior to bending of the material and allows the supporting device and the bending device to move relatively during the bending of the material.

Abstract: A multistation press has several slides which can be moved up and down and which are equipped with tools for forming workpieces. The press a transport arrangement for transporting the workpieces within and/or between the stations. At least one cross traverse for holding the workpieces, in its resting condition, is aligned at least approximately perpendicularly with respect to the transport direction of the workpieces. The cross traverse is held at its two ends in each case a lever arrangement and can be oriented in the space. A length compensating device is arranged on at least one of the two ends of the cross traverse to change the overall length of the cross traverse between its two ends. The length compensating device has an exterior tube element, which is mounted at one end of the cross traverse on the one lever arrangement, and an interior element which is displaceably arranged inside the exterior tube element and which is mounted at the other end of the cross traverse on the other lever arrangement.

Abstract: A method and a device are proposed for controlling a setting element in a vehicle, in which at preestablished operating states a self test is carried out for driving the setting element. Before carrying out the self test, a drive signal quantity of preestablished magnitude is transmitted to the setting element, the quantity leading to a preestablished deflection of the setting element, and thereafter the setting element is once again returned to its initial position.

Abstract: A single vector calibration system is provided which facilitates the calibration of multi-axis load cells, including wind tunnel force balances. The single vector system provides the capability to calibrate a multi-axis load cell using a single directional load, for example loading solely in the gravitational direction. The system manipulates the load cell in three-dimensional space, while keeping the uni-directional calibration load aligned. The use of a single vector calibration load reduces the set-up time for the multi-axis load combinations needed to generate a complete calibration mathematical model. The system also reduces load application inaccuracies caused by the conventional requirement to generate multiple force vectors. The simplicity of the system reduces calibration time and cost, while simultaneously increasing calibration accuracy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring and controlling the size of drops of viscous material dispensed from a dispensing system. A dispensing apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a housing, a dispenser that dispenses a quantity of the viscous material, a measuring apparatus having a bottom plate to receive the viscous material, a top plate that is positioned over the bottom plate after the viscous material has been dispensed, and a compressing apparatus that compresses the material between the top and bottom plates. The dispensing apparatus further includes a viewing system that views the compressed material to determine the quantity of material dispensed by the dispenser. In one embodiment, the dispensing apparatus includes a controller that controls the quantity of viscous material dispensed based on the quantity of material determined by the viewing system.

Abstract: A water-testing apparatus tests an article such as a turbine airfoil component having at least two water flow passage article inlets. The apparatus includes an apparatus body having a water inlet, and an attachment head integral with the apparatus body. The attachment head includes a holder that receives the article therein in sealing contact with an article seal, and at least two ports, each port being in registry with at least one of the at least two water flow passage article inlets. A water flow controller within the apparatus body has a controller inlet in water-flow communication with the water inlet, at least two controller outlets, each controller outlet being in water-flow communication with one of the ports of the attachment head, and a flow-control valve disposed in a water flow path between the controller inlet and the controller outlets. The flow-control valve is controllable to controllably connect a single one of the controller outlets at a time to the controller inlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for load testing electrical systems of a motor vehicle. The operator control elements of the electrical systems are activated via an externally controlled robot during a test period of typically 7 to 14 days. The motor vehicle containing the electrical systems is located during the test in a simulation chamber in which the temperature and/or atmospheric humidity can be set by an air-conditioning system, and simulated solar radiation are set by one or more radiators. In addition, acceleration forces occurring during driving are simulated via a road simulator. The forces and moments occurring when the operator control elements are activated are preferably sensed and recorded for analysis and evaluation.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining the temperature of valves in the brake circuit of a vehicle is described. The arrangement includes an arrangement to measure a longitudinal wheel force, an arrangement to determine a wheel braking pressure using the measured longitudinal wheel force, an arrangement to determine a pressure drop across a valve using the wheel braking pressure, an arrangement to determine a valve solenoid current using the pressure drop, an arrangement to determine the resistance of the valve solenoid from the valve solenoid current and an applied valve solenoid voltage, and an arrangement to determine the valve solenoid temperature using the temperature-dependence of the valve solenoid resistance. Moreover, a method for determining the temperature of valves in the brake circuit of a vehicle is provided.

Abstract: A fuel management system for an internal combustion engine including an intake manifold is presented. The fuel management system includes a thermal reactor having an inlet port and an outlet port. The thermal reactor receives liquid fuel through the inlet port and is adapted to heat the liquid fuel and discharge fuel vapor through the outlet port. A pressure sensing device is configured to measure pressure within the intake manifold to determine engine load. A plenum is adapted to receive the fuel vapor from the outlet port and mix the fuel vapor with air, and the plenum is adapted to be connected to the intake manifold to provide the fuel vapor and air mixture to the intake manifold. A fuel metering device is operable to regulate the amount of fuel vapor provided to the plenum in response to the pressure sensing device.

Abstract: A malfunction of a thermostat in a coolant circulating path is detected from an engine side coolant temperature in consideration of the following behavior of the coolant temperature. When an open-malfunction occurs, the coolant temperature becomes different considerably from that in the normal time in the temperature range in which the thermostat is to be normally closed. When a closure-malfunction occurs, the coolant temperature becomes different considerably from that during the normal time in the temperature range in which the thermostat is to be normally opened. Alternatively, the malfunction may be detected from a difference between the engine side coolant temperature and a radiator side coolant temperature.

Abstract: A housing for an electronic monitoring device on a vehicle part such as a lead accumulator comprises a metallic, load-bearing baseplate and an injection molded, generally parallelepipedal housing body encapsulating the baseplate. The baseplate projects out of the housing body on at least one side with a cantilevered attachment section.

Abstract: A model for a wind tunnel test fabricated at a low cost, in which a plurality of small bores opening on a surface of a wing and a plurality of passages permitting the small bores to communicate therewith. The plurality of small bores and the plurality of passages are so disposed that they do not interfere with each other.

Abstract: A gaseous fluid data sensor assembly for acquiring data regarding the ambient environment adjacent a surface of an airframe with adjacent air speeds below 40 knots (or another aerodynamic structure with low speed gaseous fluid flow adjacent thereto) having a flexible substrate adhesively conforming to the airframe surface, a conformable cover layer and a relatively thin air data sensor for sensing air pressure between the substrate and the cover layer. The assembly also includes a fiber optic communication link, a battery, a data acquisition subsystem, and a flexible printed circuit, all between the substrate and the cover layer. The cover layer is formed of a polymer film.

Abstract: A liquid level gauge assembly including a dial assembly having a shaped magnet and a removable magnetic detector with a magnetic sensor, preferably a Hall sensor. The dial assembly can provide both visual and electrical signal outputs of the liquid level measured by the gauge assembly. The shaped magnet has a variable thickness which, in cooperation with the Hall sensor, provides a linear output signal from the detector over more than 270 degrees.

Abstract: A rotational rate gyroscope for detecting rotation thereof comprises a base member, a primary oscillator supported by its primary oscillator suspension so as to be movable with respect to the base member, and a secondary oscillator supported by a secondary oscillator suspension, separate from primary oscillator suspension, so as to be movable with respect to the primary oscillator. The secondary oscillator suspension is designed such that movement that can be applied to the primary oscillator can be transferred to the secondary oscillator, whereas the movement of the secondary oscillator effected by the Coriolis force substantially is not transferred back to the primary oscillator. In addition thereto, the major surfaces of the primary oscillator and of the secondary oscillator extend substantially in the same plane, with the movement of the primary oscillator and/or of the secondary oscillator also taking place in this plane.

Abstract: An apparatus levitates and transports an object. The apparatus levitates the object above the surfaces of a plurality of vibrators by air pressure of sound waves that are generated by the vibrators. The apparatus has a plurality of vibration devices, each of which corresponds to one of the vibrators. Each vibration device includes a first transducer for vibrating the corresponding vibrator. Each transducer includes a super-magnetostrictive material. A common power source is connected to at least two of the first transducers for actuating the first transducers.

Abstract: Ultrasonic energy in the form of guided waves (plate waves or Lamb waves) is launched into the wall of a container. The guided wave propagates around the circumference of the container from a transmitting transducer to a receiving transducer. Analysis of the received waves determines the presence of corrosion pitting and MIC nodules on the container inner wall, as well as the existence of foreign objects in intimate contact with the container wall. The guided waves are created with wideband transducers excited at certain frequencies that depend on the material and geometry of the part being measured. The guided wave ultrasonic energy is maximized with a shaped tone burst pulse at the specified frequency rather than an electrical spike commonly used to excite transducers in standard ultrasonic search units.

Abstract: A method of ultrasonically testing the disk bore and keyway area of a shrunk-on steam turbine rotor disk or hub is provided. The method employs a one or more scanning ultrasonic phased linear array probes mounted on the disk to inspect the disk bore and keyway area on the opposite side of the disk.

Abstract: This load sensor 10 comprises an elastic conductive tube 11, a center electrode member 13 in which at least the outer circumferential portion has conductivity, the center electrode member being provided within the elastic conductive tube 11, and an insulating linear member 15 in which at least the outer circumferential portion is an elongated shape having insulation properties, the insulating linear member being wound spirally on the center electrode member 13 at a predetermined winding distance. The insulating linear member 15 is constructed of an enamel wire in which a metal wire is coated with enamel or a coat electric wire in which a metal wire is coated with resin. The center electrode member 13 is formed by transversely winding a conductive metal wire 23 spirally on the outer circumference of a center member 21 constructed by coating elastic insulating material on a center reinforcing member made of aramid fibers.

Abstract: A mass sensor (30) in which a connection plate (33) and a diaphragm (31) are joined together at their respective sides; a sensing plate (32) is joined to the connection plate (33) at their respective sides in the direction perpendicular to the direction where the diaphragm (31) is joined to the connection plate (33); a piezoelectric element (35) consisting of a piezoelectric film and an electrode is installed on at least either one of plate surfaces of the sensing plate (32); and a resonating portion consisting of the diaphragm (31), the sensing plate (32), the connection plate (33), and the piezoelectric element (35) is joined to a sensor substrate (34). Change in the mass of the diaphragm (31) is measured by measuring change in the resonant frequency of the resonating portion accompanying the change in the mass of the diaphragm (31).

Abstract: The invention is an electronic digital bargraph tachometer apparatus encased within an upper handlebar clamp encasement which replaces the existing upper handlebar clamp for many American made and similar foreign made custom and stock motorcycles having electronic circuitry. The invention attaches to the motorcycle using the original bolts which attach the upper handlebar clamp to the motorcycle risers. The encased electronic digital bargraph tachometer is connected to the motorcycle electronic circuitry by a three wire electrical lead connection extending from the bottom of the upper handlebar clamp encasement.

Abstract: An engine starting apparatus includes a starter motor rotating when the engine is started, a wedge roller speed reduction mechanism adapted to output a rotation of the starter motor from an output shaft at a reduced speed and to cut off power transmission between the starter motor and the output shaft when the rotational speed of the output shaft exceeds the reduced speed, a pinion gear provided on the output shaft in such a manner as to rotate together with the output shaft and to move axially over the output shaft between an engagement position where the drive gear is mesh engaged with a ring gear and a disengagement position where the pinion gear is disengaged with the ring gear, and a magnet switch for driving the pinion gear to the engagement position when the engine is started and to the disengagement position after the engine has been started.

Abstract: A high frequency mechanical scanning assembly which is capable of one or two dimensional scanning comprises an actuator assembly, a base assembly, a coil assembly and a sensor assembly. The actuator assembly includes an upper resonant system and a lower flexure. The upper resonant system has an upper mass, a reaction mass, and an upper flexure. The top surface of the upper mass is a mirrored surface which can be used to reflect a light beam. The actuator assembly is connected to the base assembly via the lower flexure. The lower flexure connects to the reaction mass at a point close to the center of mass of the reaction mass. Movement of the upper resonant system is caused by an excitation system which includes magnets securely mounted to at least the lower mass and the coil assembly which provides driving torques to the magnets. The lower flexure is less stiff than the upper flexure.

Abstract: An automated twin-clutch multi-speed transmission is disclosed which functions to transfer power from the engine to one or more drivelines of a motor vehicle. The transmission includes a first engine clutch operable to establish a releasable drive connection between the engine and a first input shaft, a first motor/generator connected to the first input shaft, a second engine clutch operable to establish a releasable drive connection between the engine and a second input shaft, a second motor/generator connected to the second input shaft, an output shaft adapted to transfer power to the driveline, and a geartrain for selectively establishing a plurality of forward and reverse speed ratio drive connections between the input shafts and the output shaft.

Abstract: An automated twin-clutch multi-speed transmission adapted to transfer power from the engine to the driveline of a motor vehicle. The transmission includes a first engine clutch operable to establish a releasable drive connection between the engine and a first input shaft, a second engine clutch operable to establish a releasable drive connection between the engine and a second input shaft, an output shaft adapted to transfer power to the driveline, and a geartrain for selectively establishing a plurality of forward and reverse speed ratio drive connections between the input shafts and the output shaft.

Abstract: An automated twin-clutch multi-speed transmission is disclosed which functions to transfer power from the engine to one or more drivelines of a motor vehicle. The transmission includes a first engine clutch operable to establish a releasable drive connection between the engine and a first input shaft, a first motor/generator connected to the first input shaft, a second engine clutch operable to establish a releasable drive connection between the engine and a second input shaft, a second motor/generator connected to the second input shaft, an output shaft adapted to transfer power to the driveline, and a geartrain for selectively establishing a plurality of forward and reverse speed ratio drive connections between the input shafts and the output shaft.

Abstract: An automated twin-clutch multi-speed transmission is disclosed for use in a four-wheel drive vehicle. The transmission includes a first engine clutch operable to establish a releasable drive connection between the engine and a first input shaft, a first motor/generator connected to the first input shaft, a second engine clutch operable to establish a releasable drive connection between the engine and a second input shaft, a second motor/generator connected to the second input shaft, a mainshaft, and a geartrain for selectively establishing a plurality of forward and reverse speed ratio drive connections between the input shafts and the mainshaft.

Abstract: An actuator for actuating an element of an automated clutch or of an automated transmission in a motor vehicle. The actuator includes a housing that receives a toothed rack and a gear that meshingly engages with the toothed rack. An electric motor is drivingly connected with the gear for shifting the position of the toothed rack relative to the housing. The actuator is spring biased in a predetermined direction by a spring that extends between a point on the toothed rack and a point on the housing. The electric motor and the gear can be fastened to the housing as preassembled unit.