Abstract: A process and an apparatus for continuous casting of metallic materials in a semi-solid state is disclosed. A solid metallic material is processed by heating the material in a first container with an inductive heater to a temperature above the solidus temperature. The processed metallic material is then transported to a storage container, from there to an injection unit and subsequently to a casting tool.

Abstract: A baffle includes a base and a seal having flexible segments which engage a mold structure. The base of the baffle may have a noncircular opening in which article mold portions of the mold structure are disposed. The baffle may be connected with the furnace assembly before a mold is moved into the furnace assembly or may be connected with the furnace assembly as the mold is moved into the furnace assembly. A projection connected with the mold structure may be utilized to orient the baffle relative to the mold structure. The projection may be a thermocouple assembly which extends from the chill plate. Alternatively, the projection may be a portion of the mold structure itself.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved heated manifolds, heaters and nozzles for injection molding, having a high strength metal skeleton infiltrated with a second phase metal having higher thermal conductivity. Also disclosed is method of forming a manifold, heater or nozzle preform and infiltrating the preform with a highly thermally conductive material. The invention also provides a method of simultaneously infiltrating and brazing injection molding components of similar or dissimilar materials together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plant for producing a hot strip from a metal melt in accordance with the twin-roll casting process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a magnesium hot strip, in which a melt from a magnesium alloy is continuously cast to form a roughed strip with a thickness of maximum 50 mm, and in which the cast roughed strip is hot-rolled directly from the cast heat at a hot-rolling initial temperature of at least 250° C. and maximum 500° C. to form a hot strip with a final thickness of maximum 4 mm, whereby in the first hot-rolling pass a reduction in the thickness of at least 15% is achieved. With the method according to the invention, magnesium sheets with improved deformability can be produced with reduced manufacturing effort and expenditure.

Abstract: A cast carbon steel strip is prepared by continuously casting in a twin roll caster and cooling to transform the strip from austenite to ferrite at a temperature range between 400° C. and 850° C. at a cooling rate of not more than about 100° C./sec, such that the strip has a yield strength of greater than 450 MPa. The cast strip before cooling is passed through a hot rolling mill to reduce the thickness of strip by at least 15% and up to 50%.

Abstract: Latent heat accumulator body with an outer shell body comprising of a hard plastic or elastomer, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer, which is processable by injection techniques and a filling comprising latent heat accumulator material which is located in the interior of the shell body and has a working temperature range covering a temperature span ranging from below to above phase change temperature, wherein the latent heat accumulator material is a gelatinous or solid mass in the working temperature range, independently of the temperature, and is introduced into the interior of the shell body by a two-component injection method.

Abstract: A keel cooler having a standard header with an internal beveled bottom wall, with orifices on the inner wall of the exterior tubes extending into the header, the orifices being in the natural flow path of the coolant flow. The orifices are sufficiently large so as not to restrict the flow of coolant. A fluid flow diverter is additionally provided in the header of the keel cooler for facilitating coolant flow towards both the interior tubes and also towards the exterior tubes.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for managing heat stress by both controlling the core body temperature of an individual and facilitating hydration. The system provides cooling to an individual through means of a liquid coolant such as water which is circulated by a pump through a heat exchanger to a heat exchange garment. The liquid coolant passes through the heat exchange garment where it extracts heat, increasing in temperature as a result of heat removed from the individual wearing the garment. The liquid coolant is then returned to the heat exchanger where it is again cooled. The cycle is then repeated. A drinking outlet provides a means for hydrating the wearer.

Abstract: Systems and methods eliminate vibrations produced by coolant fluid flowing through a short stroke stage and prevent change in thermally-induced distortion of the short stroke stage by maintaining the temperature and temperature distribution within the short stroke stage constant regardless of actinic heat load incident on a reticle. This is done by: (1) conducting heat through the reticle and short stroke stage components, (2) radiatively transferring heat from the short stroke stage to a long stroke stage, and (3) using convection and a cooling system to dissipate heat from the long stroke stage. The short stroke stage can be magnetically levitated from the long stroke stage. This way there is no physical contact, but the long stroke stage's movements can still control the short stroke stage's movements. By not physically contacting the long stroke stage, the short stroke stage is not affected by vibrations in the long stroke stage caused by the flowing coolant.

Abstract: A thermal interface pad is constructed from a plurality of thermal interface plate assemblies. Alternate thermal interface plate assemblies are rotated about 180 degrees from each other within the pad. Each plate assembly includes one or more spring members configured such that the completed thermal interface pad includes a plurality of spring members on at least two sides of the pad. The thermal interface plate assemblies are configured to allow the thermal interface pad to vary greatly in thickness. The pad is sufficiently adjustable in thickness to accommodate gross tolerance differences between multiple heat generating and sinking devices. Rods inserted in openings in the plates may be used to align the plate assemblies and to apply compressive force to the plates, improving the thermal conductivity between adjacent plates and greatly decreasing the overall thermal resistance of the thermal interface pad.

Abstract: A heat dissipation device is mounted to an edge of a circuit board for removing heat from an electronic device mounted on the circuit board. The heat dissipation device includes a contact pad made of thermally conductive material and positioned on the electronic device. A top-and-bottom fan structure includes a casing defining an air passage in fluid communication with a front opening to which a heat sink is mounted and top and bottom openings to which top and bottom fans are respectively mounted. Heat pipes extend between the contact pad and the heat sink. Air is sucked into the casing by the fans and flows through the air passage to the heat sink for carrying heat away from the heat sink. The casing is mounted to an edge of the circuit board with the top and bottom fans respectively located above and below the circuit board. Side openings are defined in the casing for discharging air into upper and lower sides of the circuit board for simultaneously cooling the upper and lower sides of the circuit board.

Abstract: In a resinous heat exchanger, a core portion includes a plurality of heat exchanging plate portions forming inside fluid passages therein and holding portions. The heat exchanging plate portions are layered with predetermined spaces between them so that outside fluid passages are formed between the adjacent heat exchanging plate portions. The heat exchanging plate portions are held by holding portions. The heat exchanging plate portions and the holding portions are integrally formed by extrusion of a resin material. Thus, the heat exchanger is light in weight and is capable of improving productivity.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly of the side-entry type includes at least one fin set and an elongated heat exchanger tube having one or more collapsed sidewall portions extending substantially the length of the tube. The folded tube is first bent to form the return bend portions and then is expanded to engage the fin set. Methods of making the elongated heat exchanger tube having one or more collapsed sidewall portion methods of making heat exchanger assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an initial time of a warming-up control of a vehicle air conditioner, a control unit controls a mode switching member to set a foot mode, a first linear bi-level mode, a fixed bi-level mode, a second linear bi-level mode and the foot mode. In the first and second linear bi-level modes, a face-foot air blowing ratio between air blown from a face opening and air blown from a foot opening is gradually changed as the time passes. Therefore, the face-foot air blowing ratio can be smoothly changed in a mode switching between the foot mode and the fixed bi-level mode. Accordingly, when the mode switching is performed in the warming-up control in the winter, the face-foot air blowing ratio is prevented from being suddenly changed.

Abstract: An induction choke in a petroleum well where a voltage potential is developed across the choke to power and communicate with devices and sensors in the well. Preferably, the induction choke is a ferromagnetic material and acts as an impedance to a time-varying current, e.g. AC. The petroleum well includes a cased wellbore having a tubing string positioned within and longitudinally extending within the casing. A controllable gas lift valve, sensor, or other device is coupled to the tubing. The valve sensor, or other device is powered and controlled from the surface. Communication signals and power are sent from the surface using the tubing, casing, or liner as the conductor with a casing or earth ground. For example, AC current is directed down a casing or tubing or a lateral where the current encounters a choke. The voltage potential developed across the choke is used to power electronic devices and sensors near the choke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating to downhole oil or gas well equipment are provided. The apparatus includes a drill pipe for an oil or gas well including a generally cylindrical hollow drill pipe having an inner diameter, an outer insulative coating attached to the inner diameter of the drill pipe, a conductive coating attached to the outer insulative coating, and an inner insulative coating attached to the conductive coating, wherein the outer insulative coating, the conductive coating and the inner insulative coating together define an insulated electrical pathway from an upper end of the drill pipe to a lower end of the drill pipe.

Abstract: This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes directional formation evaluation devices on a rotating assembly in conjunction with toolface orientation sensors. The data from the toolface orientation sensors are analyzed by a processor and toolface angle measurements are determined at defined intervals. Formation evaluation sensors operate substantially independently of the toolface orientation sensors and measurements of the formation evaluation sensors are analyzed in combination with the determined toolface angle to obtain formation parameters.

Abstract: A borehole wall cleaning apparatus and method for obtaining an improved seal between a fluid sampling device and a portion of the borehole wall. Clean drilling fluid is pumped into a drilling tool using a mud pump. A fluid diverter in the tool diverts all or part of the clean drilling fluid through a port to clear a portion of a borehole wall. A sealing pad is moved against the clean portion. A sampling port is exposed to the sealed portion for sampling and/or testing fluid from the formation.

Abstract: A method of installing a liner in a drilled bore below a section of bore previously lined with casing comprises the steps of: running a length of liner into the bore such that at least an upper end of the liner is positioned in overlapping relation with at least a lower end of the casing; and plastically deforming a portion of the liner such that an external face of the portion forms an interference fit with an internal face of a portion of the casing. The interference fit preferably provides both hanging support for the liner and a fluid-tight seal between the liner and casing.

Abstract: A method for installing a subsea completion system comprises installing a conductor housing on the sea floor, landing a wellhead in the conductor housing, securing a BOP to the wellhead, landing a casing hanger in the wellhead through the BOP, connecting a tubing hanger to a THRT, landing the tubing hanger in the wellhead or the casing hanger through the BOP, installing a wireline plug in the tubing hanger production bore through the THRT, retrieving the THRT, retrieving the BOP, securing an ROSL to the christmas tree, landing the christmas tree on the wellhead, and retrieving the wireline plug from the tubing hanger production bore using the ROSL.

Abstract: A method is described for the construction of an arrangement of Extended Reach Wells (ERW) for the production, transport, and exploitation of mineral layers, in that an offshore reservoir of fluids is initially penetrated by an initial well, followed by penetration by a multilateral well, close to or connected at the end of the drilling section of the multilateral well to the end of the drilling section of the initial well. A well of long distance is therefore formed, connected hydraulically at one end of the initial well to the production unit. The resulting long-distance well allows for the drainage of the reservoir in deep and extremely deep water from a platform in shallower water.

Abstract: A tubing conveyed disconnect check valve mechanism having releasable connection with a payload tool and being selectively actuated downhole for disconnecting from the payload tool for retrieval by the tubing string, with the check valve enabled for direct circulating flow and preventing the inflow of wellbore fluids, while permitting the payload tool to remain in the well. A housing is connected to a tubing string, such as coiled tubing, and incorporates at least one check valve and defines a first disconnect connector which is releasably connected with a second disconnect connector of the payload tool housing. A check valve positioning mandrel is releasably retained at a check valve disabling position within the housing for establishing a reverse circulating flow path through the check valve and is released from the housing and moved to a check valve enabling position, closing the reverse circulating flow path and permitting direct circulating flow only.

Abstract: A tubular support system with a bowl and a hanger, the bowl for supporting at least one tubular member and including a body with at least one access port for accessing a fluid channel opening of the hanger positioned within the bowl; the hanger for connection to a tubular member and having at least one fluid channel through it from a bottom surface to an outer surface so that one or more control lines attached to a supported tubular (pipe, casing, riser, tubing) can be placed in fluid communication with the at least one fluid channel, and, via the at least one access port, the at least one fluid channel can be placed in fluid communication with other apparatus, e.g., a surface control unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for installing control lines and pipe into a well. The pipe-holding spider that is normally mounted on the rig floor is supportably retained in a vertically movable retainer. The retainer is adapted for controllably elevating the spider above the rig floor when the pipe slips within the spider are not engaged with the outer surface of the pipe string, thereby providing personnel access to a portion of the length of the pipe string below the elevated spider and above the rig floor. Personnel are provided with access to the pipe string for applying a fastener to secure the control line to the pipe string.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for completing a wellbore using expandable tubulars. Particularly, the invention relates to a system of completing a wellbore through the expansion of tubulars. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to the concurrent expansion of a first and second tubular, wherein the first tubular contains a polished bore receptacle configured to sealingly receive a portion of the second tubular thereby providing a sealable connection therebetween.

Abstract: A method of centralizing tubulars prior to cementing and subsequent expansion involves using a plurality of telescoping cylinders whose leading or trailing end is closed and which are extended by applied internal pressure in the tubular or some mechanical means. The tubular is expanded from its interior with the cylindrical telescoping members still extended. The cement is pushed all around the tubular due to the centralizers. After the cement is delivered the expansion of the tubular pushes the telescoping members into the borehole wall.

Abstract: A sod cutting device containing aspects of the present invention contains an angled blade having a vertical cutting edge and a horizontal cutting edge. The angled blade is secured to a body member that in turn is movably affixed to a vehicle. Such a device may be used for cutting and trimming of grass sod around trees, hedges, gardens and elsewhere where it is desired to obtain a well-defined grass lawn edge.

Abstract: A pre-starter for starting a turn in the end of a sod strip travelling up a conveyor in a sod harvester. The pre-starter includes a metal plate sloping downwardly and rearwardly with its end pressing against the sod strip to catch the blades of grass on the upper surface of the sod strip, thereby causing the end of the sod strip to curl upwardly. The curled end of the sod strip then moves into a conventional sod roll-up mechanism spaced immediately behind the pre-starter, to roll the sod strip. This forms accurate and consistent rolls suitable for automation.

Abstract: A portable handheld work apparatus, such as a motorized cultivator (1) or the like, includes a frame (2) which extends essentially in the longitudinal direction (21) of the work apparatus. A drive motor (3) is fixed at one end (22) of the frame (2) and a work tool is driven by this drive motor. The opposite-lying end (23) includes at least a handle (7, 8) for guiding the work apparatus during the operation thereof. In order to make possible an ergonomic work posture of the operator, the handle (7, 8) lies facing away upwardly from the ground surface (42) in the work position of the motorized work apparatus. The work position is a position in which the work tool lies on the ground surface (42) to be worked.

Abstract: A motor vehicle, ATV and lawn tractor three-point hitch adapter that provides attachment of standard agricultural category one three-point hitch implements such as scraper blades, landscaping rakes or box blades. The adapter comprises of a tube that interfaces with the motor vehicle hitch receptacle, a bracket that interfaces with the category one implement's two pivot post attachment points, and a winch that interfaces with the category one implement's upper attachment point for raising and lowering the implement. The electric winch is connected to the vehicle battery and contains a switch for controlling up and down movement of the implement by the vehicle operator. The motor vehicle adapter can be also used with all-terrain vehicles and lawn tractors when a wheel assembly and hitch assembly are added. The wheel assembly comprises of a welded tube assembly that is bolted to the motor vehicle adapter, an axle, two wheels and cotter pins to hold the wheels in place.

Abstract: A scraper designed for use in scraping manure from livestock feedlot areas. The scraper has a semi-circular configuration in plan. A horizontal beam connects the forward ends of the semi-circular blade and supports a tower providing an upper three-point hitch connection and spaced lower three-point connections. Reinforcing struts extend downwardly from the tower and are welded to an upper portion of the blade. The blade and scraping edge are constructed from non-hardened hot rolled soft tempered steel, which is permitted to wear away in a self-sharpening manner during use over abrasive concrete surfaces. Wear strips of non-hardened mild steel or polyurethane may be bolted to the scraper to serve as the scraping blade.

Abstract: A grader attachment for a skid steer utilizes the skid steer's auxiliary hydraulics to power an independent hydrostatic steering system for the grader and to control skid steer propulsion and grader blade position. The attachment mounts to the skid steer via a standard mounting connection. The auxiliary hydraulics of the skid steer are routed through a flow control valve and then through a safety valve/back pressure valve before being tapped to control the steering, blade positioning and propulsion systems of the grader. The steering and propulsion systems use a cross bar which connects to the hand control levers of the skid steer. The foot pedal used to control propulsion of the skid steer and attachment has a centering system so that the cylinder goes back to neutral when an operator's foot is removed from the pedal stopping the unit. The blade positioning system utilizes pairs of lift and angle cylinders which allow the blade to be rotated or tilted.

Abstract: To disclose a biomedical signal cable ideally applicable to also serving as an antenna for radio transmissions. The biomedical signal cable according to the present invention is a biomedical signal cable that connects a medical telemetery having a radio transmission function and a biomedical electrode and places a selective high-resistance body with respect to a radio signal, for example, a ferrite core 120 at a position away from a base 110 of a signal cable 100 by approximately a ¼ wavelength of the transmission frequency of the medical telemetery. In this way, the present invention makes a high frequency signal produce resonance, thereby improving an antenna efficiency of the biomedical signal cable.

Abstract: A box-shaped electronic control unit for use in an automotive vehicle includes a pair of side stays for mounting the electronic control unit on a vehicle. The side stay integrally formed with a bottom cover is bent upward to form a bent portion. When electronic control units are carried by a conveyer, they are placed on a conveyer belt so that the bent portions face one another, thereby to avoid overlapping of the electronic control units on the conveyer belt. To form the side stay having a sufficient mechanical strength endurable against a high vibrating force of the vehicle, a pair of ribs extending from both sides of the bottom cover are formed on the side stays.

Abstract: The hermetically sealed electrical feed-through device has a circular metal disk (11, 21) with a conductive isolated pin (13, 23) hermetically sealed in a through-going circular opening (O, O′) by a glass seal (17, 27) and a conductive ground pin (15, 25) connected with a rear side of the metal disk (11, 21) adjacent to the through-going circular opening and extending approximately parallel to the isolated pin. The isolated pin (13, 23) has an oval or elliptical section (13a, 23a) extending through the glass seal (17, 27), whereby different bridge wires of different lengths are connectable on the front side of the metal disk between the front surface of the metal disk and the isolated pin (13, 23). In one embodiment the pins are straight and the through-going circular opening is offset in the metal disk; in another embodiment the pins are bent and the through-going circular opening (O,O′) is centrally positioned in the metal disk (11,21).

Abstract: The hermetically sealed electrical feed-through device has a circular metal disk (11) with a conductive angular or bent isolated pin (13) hermetically sealed in an oval or elliptical through-going opening (O) whose center coincides with the center of the circular metal disk. The angular or bent isolated pin (13) is sealed in the oval or elliptical opening (O) by means of a glass-to-metal seal (17). An angular or bent ground pin (15) is connected to the rear side of the circular metal disk (11) adjacent to the opening (O) and extends approximately parallel to the isolated pin (13). Because the through-going opening (O) has an elliptical or oval cross-section section, different bridge wires of different lengths are connectable on the front side of the metal disk (11) between the front surface of the circular metal disk (11) and the angular or bent isolated pin (13). The isolated and ground pins both have circular transverse cross-sections.

Abstract: This invention includes packaging for miniature contact blocks. The packaging is an array having a plurality of contact blocks suspended therein by way of connecting ribs and break-away stems. The array preferably includes snaps for coupling to a printed circuit board panel. The array is coupled to a panel. The contact blocks are then permanently affixed to the circuit boards. Afterwards, the break-away stems are broken, allowing the individual circuit boards to be removed from the panel.

Abstract: Wire or cable insulation comprising at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, of polypropylene homo- and/or co-polymer, and comprising at least 2%, preferably at least 4% zinc sulphide and/or at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, zinc oxide, percentages being by weight based on the whole insulation composition. preferably, the insulation contains little or substantially zero hydrated flame-retardant fillers and substantially zero mercaptobenzimidazole, and a majority by weight or substantially all of any propylene copolymers present are copolymers of propylene with halogen-free co-monomers.

Abstract: 2.1 For electronic assemblies with at least one component mounted on a support body, the thermal connection thereof to a cooling body arranged on the underside of the support body is to be simplified and improved.

Abstract: A substrate structure that is conductive after attachment comprises a lower substrate, an upper substrate, and an adhesive. The upper and lower substrates are made of metal. A plurality of contacts are formed on a bottom surface of the upper substrate. The adhesive is applied between a top surface of the lower substrate and a bottom surface of the upper substrate to bond the upper and lower substrates, while the contacts on the bottom surface of the upper substrate being electrically connected to the top surface of the lower substrate. There is no insulation between the bonding portion, the upper substrate and the lower substrate so that good shielding is thereby provided.

Abstract: A soil sampling system that includes a drill rod, a core barrel for receiving a soil sample, an adapter coupling for coupling the core barrel to the drill rod, and a drive shoe attached to an end of the core barrel for penetrating the ground. In one embodiment, the core barrel includes two halves configured to be joined substantially along a plane to form a cylinder having a through bore with an inner and outer diameter. Each of the halves includes a pair of longitudinally extending edges, and the halves have a locking configuration to prevent lateral movement of the halves relative to one another with respect to an axis of the core barrel and to also preclude movement of the halves relative to one another in a direction perpendicular to the plane. Locking tongues extending along the length of each edge of the inner diameter on one half mate with respective notches extending along the length of each edge of the other half to prevent lateral movement.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering drill bit cuttings, shavings, and other abrasive articles from a drilling mud that is passed through an oil or gas well drilling system is provided that includes an overhead drilling system, a drill string connected to the overhead drilling system, and a mud filter for filtering the drilling mud, wherein the mud filter is disposed within a drilling mud fluid passageway that extends from the entry point of the drilling mud into the overhead drilling system and the entry point of the drilling mud into the drill string.

Abstract: Directional drilling apparatus having a non-rotating mass rotatably a centre-of-gravity spaced form the mandrel axis. An offsetting arrangement is coupled to the mass, and has an outer profile defining an offset relative to the mandrel axis, and a bearing portion rotatably mounted on the offsetting portion. The apparatus is run on a string, and the offsetting portion is oriented relative to the mass. When the towards an orientation with its centre-of-gravity positioned towards the low side of the bore and tends to maintain the relative orientation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drilling a directional or horizontal wellbore in a hydrocarbon formation using concentric drill string having an inner pipe and an outer pipe defining an annulus there between. A bottomhole assembly comprising a directional drilling means such as an air hammer or a rotary drill bit and driving system is provide at the lower end of the concentric drill string and drilling medium is delivered through the annulus or inner pipe for operating the directional drilling means to form a borehole. Exhaust drilling medium, drilling cutting and hydrocarbon are removed from the wellbore by extracting the exhaust drilling medium, drilling cutting and hydrocarbon through the other of the annulus or inner pipe.

Abstract: A cup-shaped drill head with an inner conical surface (2) for force-locking connection with an exterior conical surface (3) of a driving drill shaft (4), which at the leading end changes over into a cup base (5) with a center point (P), whereby in the change over from the cup base (5) to the inner conical surface (2) a lesser curvature (K) is present than at the center point (P).

Abstract: A soil sampling system that in one embodiment includes a drill rod, a sampler or core barrel and an adapter coupling, for connecting the sampler barrel to the drill rod. In one embodiment the drill rod provides vibratory drilling movement, and the sampler barrel collects soil samples. The adapter coupling may include a barrel adapter for attaching the adapter coupling to the sampler barrel, a rod adapter for connecting the adapter coupling to the drill rod, and an isolating mechanism to isolate the sampler barrel from any upward vibratory movement of said drill rod. As such, the sampler barrel receives only downward motion from the drill rod. In one embodiment, the isolating mechanism of the soil sampling system includes an isolator box connected to the rod adapter. The soil sampling system may also include an isolator pin attached to the barrel adapter. In an embodiment of the soil sampling system, the rod adapter drives the isolator pin during a downward stroke of said drill rod.

Abstract: A concrete drill for a rotary and percussively driven hand tool machine with a cutting part (1) and a striking part (2) that is axially and limited displaceable relative to the cutting part (1). Each of the cutting part (1) and the striking part (2) have a respective facial surface work area for machining a bore hole surface. The respective facial surface work area of the cutting part (1) and the striking part (2) radially overlap upon rotation of the concrete drill.

Abstract: A vehicle information system has a first load sensor for generating a first load signal based on a first vehicle load. A first position sensor generates a first position signal based on a position of a vehicle axle. A second position sensor generates a second position signal based on a position of a vehicle kingpin. A memory unit stores vehicle optimization data. An evaluation unit is in communication with the first load sensor, the first position sensor, the second position sensor and the memory unit. A general user interface for receiving input is also in communication with the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit makes an evaluation of the first load signal, the first position sensor, the second position signal, and any input and generates a vehicle optimization instruction relating to a distance between the axle and the kingpin.

Abstract: A balance (1) has a weighing compartment (4) that borders on a stationary part (8, 9) of the balance and is otherwise enclosed by at least one side wall panel (5, 6), a front wall panel (7), and a top cover panel (12). At least one of the panels is slidable by means of a guiding device (17, 20) to open and close the weighing compartment (4). The balance (1) further has cutout passages (20) in the side wall panels (5, 6), the front wall panel (7), the top cover panel (12), and/or the rear wall of the weighing compartment, so that cables and/or conduits can be introduced from the outside into the weighing compartment.