Abstract: An automatic transmission comprising a housing (12); a planetary gear train (14) mounted within the housing; an input drive shaft (16) for providing input drive to the planetary gear train; an output drive shaft (18) connected with an output drive from the planetary gear train; a first clutch (C1) connected between the input drive shaft and a first drive input (22) to the planetary gear train; a second clutch (C2) connected between a first reaction input (28) to the planetary gear train and the housing; a third clutch (C3) connected between a second reaction input (30) to the planetary gear train and the housing; a fourth clutch (C4) connected between a third reaction input (32) to the planetary gear train and the housing; and a fifth clutch (C5) connected between a second drive input (24) to the planetary gear train and the input drive shaft; wherein for first forward gear ratio the first and second clutches are engaged; for second forward gear ratio the first, second and third clutches are engaged; for thir

Abstract: An automatic transmission (10) comprising a housing (12); a planetary gear train (14) mounted within the housing; an input drive shaft (16) connectable to main drive means (38) to provide input drive to the planetary gear train; an output drive shaft (18) from the planetary gear train; and an auxiliary drive means (E) for providing a variable auxiliary drive input (34) to the planetary gear train; wherein the planetary gear train includes a first planetary gear set (40) and a second planetary gear set (42); the first planetary gear set including a sun gear (44) having a drive input (26) connectable to the input drive shaft and a reaction input (28) connectable to the housing, a pinion gear (46) interengaging with the sun gear, and a pinion carrier (48) on which the pinion gear is rotatably mounted, the pinion carrier having a drive input (24) connectable to the input drive shaft and a reaction input (30,32) connectable to the housing, and being connected with the auxiliary drive input; the second planetary ge

Abstract: A roll control system for a motor vehicle having a vehicle body and a pair of front or rear wheel axles, the roll control system having a first fluid damper pivotally mounted on a wheel axle between the wheel axle and the vehicle body; a first fluid actuator pivotally mounted on the wheel axle between the wheel axle and the vehicle body; a second fluid damper pivotally mounted on the other wheel axle between the other wheel axle and the vehicle body; a second fluid actuator pivotally mounted on the other wheel axle between the other wheel axle and the vehicle body; wherein the first damper has a damping and stiffness compression chamber linked by a first passage to a rebound chamber in the second actuator; wherein the second damper has a damping and stiffness compression chamber linked by a second passage to a rebound chamber in the first actuator; and fluid pressure controller connecting the first passage with the second passage or isolating the first passage from the second passage and operable, during pred

Abstract: A power booster includes a housing with a rear housing section and a front housing section defining an internal cavity. A housing wall separates the internal cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber with an opening formed in the housing wall, wherein it is desirable to extend a component through the opening. A tube has an end secured in the opening in the housing wall. The tube's end includes a radially directed wall extending from the end of the tube that extends to an axially extending wall positioned concentrically with the tube and terminating with an outwardly turned segment. The axially extending wall is positioned within the opening in the housing wall with a seal positioned between the axially extending wall and the housing wall wherein the distance between the front housing section and the rear housing section is minimized, by extending the component through the tube.

Abstract: A clamping device for a steering column comprising a pair of brackets, one of which is positioned inside the other, each bracket having a pair of spaced-apart, substantially parallel walls. The walls of the inner bracket lie alongside the walls of the outer bracket.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper for a motor vehicle comprising a longitudinally extending tube and a separately formed spring seat positioned on the tube, wherein the tube is formed from extruded aluminium or aluminium alloy, and the spring seat is formed from aluminium or aluminium alloy.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper for a motor vehicle comprising a longitudinally extending tube and a separately formed steering knuckle secured to the tube, wherein the tube is formed from extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy, and the steering knuckle is formed from aluminum or aluminum alloy. The steering knuckle includes a tubular portion that overlies and is secured to a portion of the tube through the use of a groove in the tubular portion and a groove in the tube. Adhesive may be injected into the grooves to aid in securing the steering knuckle to the tube.

Abstract: An electrical terminal washer (40) includes a substantially flat contact wall (42) having an aperture (44) therein and four curved wall portions (48-54) depending from the contact wall (42) and forming an internal cavity (58) within the washer (40). Two opposing wall portions (48,52) have curved engagement ribs (28) disposed within the internal cavity. A stud (10) includes a connection end (12) which extends through the aperture (44) in the washer (40) and a hexagonal tightening portion (22) receivable within the internal cavity. The length of each rib (28) is greater than the length of each surface of the tightening portion (22) to enable the washer (40) to rotate on the stud (10) and to avoid the need for indexing the washer (40) on the stud (10) during assembly.

Abstract: A shock absorber comprising an outer tube; an inner tube positioned inside the outer tube; a rod guide closing one end of the inner tube and the outer tube; a compensation valve assembly closing the other end of the inner tube; the other end of the outer tube being closed; a piston assembly slidably sealably positioned inside the inner tube and dividing the inner tube into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber; a piston rod connected to the piston assembly and extending through the rebound chamber and the rod guide; a compensation chamber formed between the inner tube and the outer tube; and a damping valve covering an aperture through the inner tube from the compression chamber, the damping valve being actuable by differential pressure above a predetermined level to allow flow of fluid in one direction only from the compression chamber through the aperture to the compensation chamber. Improved damping characteristics at slow speed damping.

Abstract: An electrical connector for a battery terminal having a known minimum diameter, comprising an electric contact of electrically conductive material having a substantially U-shaped cross-section defined by a base portion and a pair of resilient legs extending away from the base portion, the free end of each leg being bent inwardly to form an arm which is directed back towards the base portion, the pair of arms being resilient, spaced apart to define a longitudinally extending slot therebetween, and converging such that the slot has a predetermined inner width which is less than a predetermined outer width, the predetermined outer width of the slot being greater than the minimum diameter of the battery terminal, and the predetermined inner width of the slot being less than the minimum diameter of the battery terminal; and a housing of electrically insulating material which surrounds the electric contact and which has an opening adjacent the slot through which the battery terminal can pass.