Abstract: A master cylinder includes a restraining device arranged between the first and second pistons for preventing the return spring from being compressed and expanded beyond a certain extent. The restraining device includes a first, substantially sleeve-shaped component and a second, substantially pin-shaped component. The pin-shaped component includes a flange which projects radially outwards. The sleeve-shaped component includes a first receiving flange which positively interacts with the flange of the pin-shaped component. The sleeve-shaped component includes at least one introduction opening which enables the flange on the pin-shaped component to be laterally introduced into the sleeve-shaped component. The end of the sleeve-shaped component includes a second receiving flange which positively interacts with a flanged projection on the second piston which projects radially outwards.

Abstract: A contactor includes a switching circuit for switching a load between one or more electrical supplies, a current detector for detecting the current flowing through the load, a trip circuit for tripping the current after an interval of time which depends upon how much the current flowing through the load exceeds a predetermined amount, and a pre-trip circuit for providing an indication during said time interval that the current exceeds said predetermined amount for providing ‘pre-trip’ or ‘near-trip’ information.

Abstract: An anti-locking brake system for traction control and vehicle dynamics control such that a pump for actuating a wheel brake removes brake fluid from a brake pressure generating unit and supplies it to the wheel brake. Disposed between the brake pressure generating unit and an input connection of the pump is a valve arrangement in the form of a 2-connection/3-position valve, which in a non-actuated (normal) position blocks the connection between the brake pressure generating unit and the input connection of the pump. In a first actuating position the valve arrangement establishes a secondary flow connection between the brake pressure generating unit and the input connection of the pump, and in a second actuating position establishes a primary flow connection between the brake pressure generating unit and the input connection of the pump. The primary flow connection has a larger flow cross section than the secondary flow connection.

Abstract: A vacuum brake booster (10) has a vacuum chamber (18) and a working chamber (20) separated from one another in a pressure-proof manner by a movable wall (16). A control valve (22), which comprises a housing (24) workingly coupled to the movable wall (16), has a first valve seat (50), which is disposed in the housing (24) and to achieve a pressure difference at the movable wall (16) is capable of controlling the supply of at least atmospheric pressure to the working chamber (20) in dependence upon the displacement of an input element (26) coupled to the first valve seat (50). For improved boosting of the brake force during emergency braking operations, an armature (38), which cooperates with a permanent magnet (40), is provided in the control valve housing (24) and is rigidly coupled on the one hand to the actuating element (26) in actuating direction and on the other hand to the first valve seat (50).

Abstract: A control valve retaining element (22) for a brake booster (10) has a hollow cylindrical base member (28) and a first retaining collar (30), which is connected to the base member (28) and has at least one side wall for supporting a bellows end (20). To enable such a retaining element to be manufactured less expensively and positioned easily and securely on an actuating rod (16) of a brake booster (10), a second retaining collar (36) extends radially inwards from a first end of the base member (28) and in peripheral direction, wherein the second retaining collar (36) comprises a first lateral face (38) for cooperation with a stop (44) of the actuating rod (16) and a second lateral face (40) lying opposite the first lateral face (38) for cooperation with a compression spring (46).

Abstract: An actuator comprising, a first, rotatable member arranged to be driven by a motor, a sleeve, said first member cooperating with said sleeve such that rotation of the first member at a given speed relative to said sleeve causes the sleeve to be translated axially at a first speed through a predetermined distance, stop means limiting axial translation of the sleeve reative to the first member whereafter during continued rotation of the first member the sleeve rotates with the first member, a second, non-rotatable, member, said sleeve cooperating with said second member whereby rotation of the sleeve at said given speed causes axial translation of the second member relative to said sleeve at a second speed and, a brake arrangement applying a braking force to the sleeve, the braking force resisting rotation of the sleeve but not significantly affecting translation of the sleeve.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake booster (10) comprises a control valve (22) for controlling a pneumatic pressure difference, a force input element (24) for actuating the control valve (22), a force output element (38) for transmitting the braking force, a reaction disk (34) made of elastomeric material disposed between the force output element (38) and the force input element (24), and a device, which is disposed between the reaction disk (34) and the force input element (24) and acts upon the reaction disk (34), for varying the force transmission ratio between force input element (24) and force output element (38) in dependence upon the force exerted on the force input element (24). For a less expensive design and greater ease of assembly, the device for varying the force transmission ratio is designed as a preassembly unit in the form of a cartridge (30), which after preassembly is insertable into the control valve (22).

Abstract: A deterministic bus control (as shown in FIG. 2) comprises a conventional CAN integrated circuit bus controller, a transmit request buffer for storing transmit requests and a deterministic scheduler which detects the status of the bus and controls the release of stored transmit requests to the controller in accordance with a deterministic protocol (e.g. the ARINC 629 system protocol).

Abstract: Disclosed is a control system for a variable frequency generator including a main stator winding for providing a generator output, excited by a main rotor winding, and a main exciter rotor winding for energizing the main rotor winding, excited by a main exciter field winding. The control system includes: a plurality of inputs adapted to receive respective signals corresponding to respective generator operating parameters; an output adapted to drive the main exciter field winding; and a plurality of negative feedback loops between the output and the inputs. Each loop includes a respective stability compensation network operable to process a feedback signal corresponding to one of the generator operating parameters.

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: The invention relates to an actuating apparatus (12) with automatic clearance adjustment for a vehicle hydraulic disk brake and includes a housing (14) having a base (16) and a shell (18) in which an open cylinder bore (20) is provided. For actuating the brake, a piston (24) is hydraulically displaceable in the bore. A mechanical actuating device for displacing the piston in the bore and for compensating lining wear comprises an expanding device (34) acting axially in a brake actuating direction and a length adjustable strut between the expanding device and the piston. The strut is formed by a first strut part (52) having a bolt shaped end, which is screwed into a second, substantially sleeve shaped strut part (54), which rests with a conical flange (68) against the piston. Between the bolt shaped end of the first strut part and the second strut part there is a cavity (90) which is to be filled with brake fluid and closed off in a fluid tight manner at one end.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying and controlling electrical power having a power source for supplying electrical power to a primary load and a secondary load, a capacitor connected to an input to the secondary load and control means operable to cause an operating condition of the apparatus to temporarily change from, a operating condition in which power from the power source is supplied to the primary and secondary loads to an alternative operating condition in which power from the power source is supplied to the primary load but is supplied to the secondary load thereby increasing the minimum voltage the capacitor can maintain at the input to the secondary load.

Abstract: An aero-engine is provided with an integrated switched reluctance generator permanently connected to the low speed spool of the engine such that “windmilling” of the engine enables the generator to be turned if the engine suffers a flame out. The generator is driven by a step up gearbox so as to provide reasonable electrical output, say 25 kW, during flameout whilst keeping the generator weight down.

Abstract: A skew detection system for use in sensing the occurrence of a skew condition in a system having a plurality of control surfaces located adjacent one another and which, in use, are driven to move simultaneously and at the same speed as one another, the skew detection system comprising a detector arrangement extending over and movable with the surfaces, between a first location on one of the surfaces and a second location on another of the surfaces, at least part of the detector arrangement being arranged to move in the event that one or more of the surfaces becomes skewed, and a sensor arranged to permit a change in the position of the said part of the detector arrangement to be detected. In one embodiment, a skew condition can be sensed using two sensors.

Abstract: A fuel system, for use in supplying pressurised fuel to a combustion space, comprises a fuel source of pressurised fuel and a fluid pressure actuable valve controlling communication between the fuel source and an injection nozzle. The fuel system further comprises a second source of control fluid under pressure and a control valve controlling the application of control fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure actuable valve to control operation of the fluid pressure actuable valve. The invention also relates to a fuel injector for use in such a fuel system, the fuel injector comprising the injection nozzle, the fluid pressure actuable valve and the control valve.

Abstract: A brake pressure transducer is to be provided for a hydraulic vehicle brake system that can be actuated by initiating an actuating force (FB) via an actuating element (2) in order to generate a brake pressure for at least one wheel brake (3) by reducing the volume of a hydraulic chamber (4) and that is equipped with a brake force booster (13) in order to superimpose a primary servo force (FS1) on the initiated actuating force (FB). An additional hydraulic chamber (6) is provided whose volume likewise decreases on initiating the actuating force (FB).

Abstract: A fuel system comprising a low pressure fuel pump having an outlet which is connected to an inlet of a high pressure pump arranged, in use, to supply fuel to an engine. The fuel system her comprises at least one actuator controlled by a servo-valve, wherein the servo-valve has a high pressure connection connected to the high pressure side of the high pressure pump and a low pressure connection connected upstream of the outlet of the low pressure pump.

Abstract: An actuator system comprising a rotary actuator having an input member, a first output and a second output, the first and second outputs being arranged to move at substantially the same regular speed upon rotation of the input member, a drive shaft coupled to the input, and first and second output shafts coupled, respectively, to the first and second outputs. The invention also relates to a rotary actuator for use in the actuator system.

Abstract: In an electro-hydraulic braking system a housing is provided having at least three discrete housing portions (1, 2, 3), a first portion being adapted to contain electrical drive circuitry for said at least one actuator, the second portion being adapted to contain hydraulic flow passages to and from the electrically operated actuator, and the third portion being adapted to house one or more pressure sensors. On assembly of the housing, electrical contacts from the one or more pressure sensors in the third portion provide a connection between the one or more pressure sensors and the electrical circuitry contained in the first portion, and hydraulic passages extending from the pressure sensors in the third portion provide a connection between one or more pressure sensors and fluid passages in the second portion.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system with an electronically controllable brake booster, comprising an actuation member (70, 80) transferring the actuation travel of a brake pedal to a master cylinder, which is allocated a travel limiting element (82) accepted between two abutment faces which limits the actuation travel of the actuation member (70), and a switching element (85) which upon an actuation movement of the actuation member (70) can be activated by one of the abutments (91, 91a) in order to issue a signal to the controller of the brake booster, with the traveling limiting element being arranged on the actuation member (80) between two collars (83, 84), and a carrier (86) accepting the switching element (85) being arranged between the travel limiting element and one of the collars.