Abstract: A hydraulic-magnetic engine includes a two-stage piston having a middle section and a piston plunger, and a chamber with two separate chambers, a piston chamber and a piston plunger chamber containing fluid throughout. The cross-sectional area of the middle section is greater than the cross-sectional area of the piston plunger. The piston is magnetically propelled up and down and in the process fluid is transferred and exchanged between the two chambers and a hydraulic compensator. The reciprocal motion of the piston is activated and sustained by alternating magnetic attraction and repulsion between the piston and the chamber, while the engine power output is amplified by the hydraulic activity.

Abstract: A method of testing a braking device in a drivetrain of a vehicle which includes at least one tractive element coupled to a traction motor. The method includes: (a) applying the braking device to a tractive element of the vehicle; (b) using an electronic controller, causing the traction motor to apply a predetermined force to the tractive element; and (c) using the controller, monitoring the tractive element for movement while the force is being applied. A dynamic braking or “retarder” function may also be tested. A system for carrying out the method is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining a predicted vehicle braking operation is provided. The apparatus includes a test tire, a brake associated with the test tire, and an actuator operably connected to the test tire and configured to selectively apply a representative vehicle force to the test tire. The apparatus further includes a controller operably connected to the brake and configured to apply a representative vehicle braking algorithm to the brake. The apparatus also includes a sensor associated with the test tire and configured to provide feedback for determining a predicted vehicle braking operation. Aspects of the invention further include methods of using the apparatus.

Abstract: A device for detecting the amount of splash water to which a brake pad is subjected on a wet roadway. The device includes a test brake pad. whose friction lining is hygroscopically designed so that it can absorb at least 5%. preferably at least 10% water. In a test phase. vehicles can be easily tested by replacing their stock brake pads with test brake pads. By virtue of the fact that the inventive friction lining is hvgroscopic. a direct correlation exists between the water absorption of the friction lining and the amount of moisture led to the friction lining in the form of splash water and air humidity.

Abstract: A brake evaluation gauge is useful to determine a brake lining thickness and/or brake drum wear. Depending on the particular embodiment selected, one of a thickness measurement, a percentage of brake life left, a pass or a fail indication may be indicated for the thickness of the brake lining. A first end of a gauge is inserted between a brake shoe table and a brake drum of applied air brakes to provide this reading. Furthermore, a recess in the gauge is placed over a ridge created by wear of the brake lining on the brake drum. If the ridge contacts the interior surface of the recess, then excessive wear of the brake drum is indicated.

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 liquid flow meter is designed to monitor the flow of a liquid through an enclosed stream such as through the tubes or internal passageways of a device such as a filtration system. The liquid flow meter includes an axial-flow magnetic turbine and a detector such as a reed switch that monitors turbine rotation by counting pulses. The counted pulses are then used to determine the aggregate volume of liquid that has flowed through the flow meter. When the liquid flow meter is used in a domestic potable water filtration system or in a similar application, the counted pulses can also be used in conjunction with a timer to determine liquid flow rate as well as the remaining useful life of a filter cartridge of the filtration system and/or of the remaining volumetric filtration capacity of the filter cartridge. The liquid flow meter exhibits high linearity or consistency of flow measurement over a wide range of liquid flow rates--even at very low pressures and low flow rates.

Abstract: An anvil for use in ultra high pressure presses capable of operating in the pressure ranges where diamonds, polycrystalline diamond composites and cubic boron nitride are stable, fabricated by diffusion bonding together a plurality of cemented tungsten carbide layers. The anvil has a working layer adjacent to the highest pressure of the press with the remaining plurality of layers behind the working layer for support. The working layer has a higher hardness than the supporting layers and the supporting layers each have higher toughness than the working layer.

Abstract: A load cell for transmitting a signal depending on the force exerted thereon has an elastic element in the form of a rubber sleeve (11), which is in contact with a pressure transducer (14) and is enclosed in an annular compartment formed by an annular recess in a housing (2) and a corresponding recess in a rod (6), that is exposed to the force and extends into the housing.

Abstract: The apparatus measures the braking of the vehicle and the turning action on the wheels, secondarily the speed and the acceleration or the running of the engine. It records these measurements graphically and simultaneously so that, if necessary, the driver may correct his mistakes. A warning is activated if the vehicle is braked and its wheels are turned at the same time. This warning is graphic, audible or visual. The apparatus is useful for driving instruction and tests.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the action of forces between a wheeled vehicle and a substructure wherein the invention relates to the improvement of a measuring apparatus having a plurality of controls for selecting measuring distances of varying lengths, with each control programmed to trigger, when actuated, a memory in an electronic unit arranged to compare a signal value preselected to represent the measuring distance with a signal value generated by summing up output signals from a vehicle speed transducer and wherein the electronic unit is programmed to trigger discontinuation of the measuring sequence when the two signal values are equal which will be obtained at the end of the measuring distance.

Abstract: A device for effectively controlling the braking system of a wheeled vehicle to eliminate a possibility of skidding comprising an electric computing module which is responsive to electric signals fed thereinto from a vehicle speed sensor mounted on an extra wheel which mechanically contacts the road surface, and a vehicle supporting wheel rotational speed sensor.