Abstract: A brake fluid reservoir (10) for a vehicle hydraulic brake system has a filler neck (16), a lid (18) which closes the filler neck, and a device for pressure compensation between the reservoir interior and the ambient atmosphere. In order, when the brake fluid reservoir (10) is in a steeply inclined position, to prevent an escape of brake fluid, in the lid (18) a first brake fluid forced-flow channel (32) is formed, which has an inlet (34) at the inside of the lid and an outlet (36) towards the outside of the lid. The forced-flow channel (32) extends between the inlet (34) and the outlet (36) along a curved path, which in relation to a plan view of the lid (18) runs through at least two quadrants.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor for a rotor (2) and method of determining angular velocity in which the position at which event generation means (4) pass sensing means (5) is determined using information from the times at which the event generation means (4) passed the sensing means (5) during at least one previous complete revolution to of the rotor (2). Especially applicable to use of Hall Effect Sensors to detect commutation points of a brushless permanent magnet rotor in an Electric Power Assisted Steering apparatus.

Abstract: A fault monitoring system comprises a fault detection mechanism to determine the status of a parameter to be monitored. An integrator counts in one direction when a fault in the measurement system is detected and counts in an opposite direction in the absence of fault detection. A threshold detector generates a hard fault indication when the integrator count reaches a threshold value, and an integrator count monitor generates information indicative of the state of the integrator count when below the threshold value thereby providing an indication of the progression of the fault.

Abstract: An apparatus for road profile prediction comprises digitization and storage means operable to digitize and store video image data relating to the road ahead of the vehicle and processor means operable to process the video image data to identify lane markings in the road, characterized in that the processor means includes estimator means operable to simultaneously analyze pairs of lines considered to constitute lane markings by a single recursive estimation procedure by finding the best fit to an expression involving left and right offsets, heading angle, lane curvature and horizon offset. A system embodying the invention has the purpose of overriding normal vehicle cruise control when another vehicle is detected in front of the vehicle.

Abstract: An actuator apparatus comprising an actuator member, an actuated element movable by actuation of said actuator member, and a marker device including a marker the position of which can be sensed in use by sensor means, said marker device being secured to said actuator member such that deformation of the actuator member during actuation to move said element causes an adjustment to the change in position of the marker.

Abstract: An oil or coolant distribution device is provided for attachment to a rotating shaft (2). The device includes a chamber (18) having an outlet towards a radially innermost portion thereof so as to form a weir. Centrifugal force ensures that debris in the oil or coolant is forced to the bottom of the weir where it is trapped.

Abstract: A motor control system is provided for controlling at least one motor driven mechanical actuator. The control system drives the motor according to a function of the actuator position. The system is further arranged to modify the motor speed to ensure that a predetermined power limit is not exceeded.

Abstract: An electronic engine controller is provided in which a backup controller or independent protection module is located in a sealed housing 8 which itself is located within the main housing 4 of the controller. The backup controller is thermally insulated such that it has enhanced durability in the event of a fire or the like occurring in the vicinity of the controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel control system for use in conjunction with a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: In a solenoid-controlled valve assembly a biasing means (21) is adapted to apply a resisting force to a spool (22) in a direction opposite to the direction substantially of a force applied by an armature (14), and engagement between at least one of the spool and the biasing means and the spool and the armature is through an engagement means defining a single point of contact. The spool (22) may be provided with at least one land adapted to connect and disconnect two flow passages (6, 8), and the first ends of the two passages are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis of the bore by a smaller distance than the spacing between the second ends of the passages.

Abstract: An hydraulic valve arrangement including a fluid pressure actuable valve which is actuable between a first position in which fluid flow through the fluid pressure actuable valve is prevented and a second position in which fluid flow through the fluid pressure actuable valve is permitted at a first rate. The hydraulic valve arrangement also includes a second valve which is actuable between an open state, in which fuel flows through the second valve at a second rate, and a closed state in which there is no flow through the second valve.

Abstract: An adjustable stop apparatus for limiting movement of an element of a metering valve for setting a flow limit condition of the valve, the apparatus comprising a stop, a housing, a rotary adjuster device connected to the stop for adjustably positioning the stop relative to the housing, and a guide device operable to guide and secure the adjuster device relative to the housing into any one of a plurality of pre-set positions determined by the guide device.

Abstract: A vane actuator for use in a turbine engine, comprising a carrier member carrying a plurality of vanes which is angularly movable, in use, so as to vary the position of the vanes relative to an airflow through the engine. The actuator includes an electrical drive arrangement comprising an input shaft which is arranged to drive an output shaft coupled to the carrier member. The electrical drive arrangement includes a brake arrangement arranged to apply a braking load to the input shaft in the event that an interruption occurs in the electrical drive arrangement.

Abstract: Solid state switching devices, such as power IGBT's, are used to switch a load from one AC generator to another. The switching is controlled to occur only when the phase and voltage of the two generator outputs are within acceptable limited, thus minimizing voltage and current transients.

Abstract: A screw actuator comprises a rotatable input member and a non-rotatable primary output member, wherein the input member is provided with a screw thread formation within which a plurality of spherical members are received to provide a ball screw coupling between the input member and the primary output member. The actuator includes a secondary output arrangement having first and second screw threaded parts in screw treaded engagement with the input member to provide a screw thread coupling between the input member and the secondary output arrangement. The first and second screw threaded parts are axially movable relative to one another, whereby, in the event that the ball screw coupling fails, relative axial movement of the first and second screw threaded parts serves to lock the first and second screw threaded parts onto the input member, thereby to stall the actuator.

Abstract: A control system is provided for use in controlling fuel supply to at least two sets of burners of an engine. The control system comprises two or more fuel pumps, each of the pumps being driven, in use, by a respective variable-speed motor. A control arrangement is provided for controlling the speed of the motors so as to regulate the rate of flow of fuel to each of the sets of burners.

Abstract: A method for detecting a fault condition in a computer processor operating a main control program, comprising the steps of sequentially performing a plurality of functions on an initial input value so as to compute a final value, the input value to each of the second and subsequent functions being provided by the output value from the preceding function in the sequence; loading at least one self-test module onto the computer processor for detecting whether a fault condition has occurred in the computer processor, wherein at least one of the functions is carried out within a self-test module; and comparing the computed final value with a predetermined value to provide an indication of whether a fault condition has occurred in the computer processor. The invention also relates to an apparatus for detecting a fault condition in a computer processor.

Abstract: A no-back device for an actuator having a screw shaft extending along an axis and a brake element fixed for rotation with the shaft and extending laterally of the axis, the no-back device comprising a rotary ratchet member and a rotary friction member mounted for limited axial movement within a recess defined by a housing, and defining at least one path for passing fluid through the recess, the no-back device further comprising peripherally extending diversion means disposed between an outer periphery of the friction member and an inwardly facing peripheral surface of the housing whereby, in use, fluid passing through the recess is diverted away from the inwardly facing peripheral surface of the housing and across a laterally extending surface of the friction member.

Abstract: A thrust reverser actuator lock mechanism comprising a rotatable shaft, rotation of which in one direction from a rest position drives an associated thrust reverser from a stowed position towards an operative position in use, retractable abutment means having a rest position abutting an element rotatable with the shaft to prevent rotation of the shaft, resilient means urging said abutment means to said rest position, and, mechanical latch means sensitive to the speed of rotation of said shaft for latching said abutment means in a retracted position against the action of said resilient means when the rotational speed of said shaft exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A failsafe arrangement comprising a first mounting member and a second mounting member which is angularly moveable relative to the first mounting member. The first and second mounting members define first and second surfaces respectively which define therebetween a channel, the first and second surfaces being shaped such that the channel is of non-uniform width. At least one wedge member is disposed within the channel, the or each wedge member being carried by a drive member and being arranged such that, in use, when the drive member and the second mounting member move at substantially the same angular speed, the wedge member does not impair movement of the second mounting member relative to the first mounting member, relative angular movement of the drive member and the second mounting member causing the wedge member to cooperate with the first and second surfaces to apply a braking force so as to impede relative angular movement of the first and second mounting members.