Patents Assigned to Lucas Industries
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Patent number: 6363719Abstract: A hydraulic control unit for a motor-vehicle braking system includes a pump (32) delivering hydraulic fluid under pressure, the pump being capable of being controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) and supplying the hydraulic fluid for at least one braking device (22) which is coupled to a wheel of the vehicle, and also a first reservoir (34) for pressureless hydraulic fluid, which is assigned to the pump (32) on the input side, and a second reservoir (36) for hydraulic fluid under pressure, which is assigned to the pump (32) on the output side. In order to design the control unit for good packaging and installation space considerations, the pump (32), the first reservoir (34), and the second reservoir (36) are arranged in a common casing (60), and integrated as an electrohydraulic modular unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited CompanyInventors: Kurt Mohr, Salvatore Oliveri, Thomas Wagner
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Patent number: 6360592Abstract: A method of detection and identification of pressure sensor faults in an electro-hydraulic braking system of the type comprising a brake pedal, respective braking devices connected to the vehicle wheels and which communicate with electronically controlled proportional control valves in order to apply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the braking devices, respective pressure sensors for measuring the hydraulic pressures at the individual braking devices, a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor, a high pressure hydraulic pressure accumulator fed by the pump for the provision of hydraulic fluid under pressure which can be passed to the braking devices via the proportional control valves in order to apply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the braking devices in proportion to the driver's braking demand as sensed at the brake pedal, and a supply pressure sensor for monitoring the hydraulic pressure supplied to the electronically controlled proportional control valves.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited companyInventors: Alan Leslie Harris, Mark Leighton Howell, Mark Ian Phillips
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Patent number: 6361122Abstract: In a pedal assembly for a brake-by-wire vehicle braking system, feedback reaction means (10) is provided so that feedback to the driver through the pedal (3) provides comfortable feel, similar to the pedal feel achieved in a conventional hydraulic braking system fitted to a non-EBS equipped vehicle. The feedback reaction means may comprise a two-rate spring assembly (24, 26) or a variable rate spring assembly, in combination with a damper (40).Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1997Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited companyInventors: Robert Alan Anderson, Stephen Donald Crisp, Barry John Bridgens, Michael James Ayres
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Patent number: 6357837Abstract: The invention relates to an electronically controllable brake booster with a vacuum chamber and a pressure chamber, which are separated from each other by a movable wall, a control valve arrangement which can be actuated by means of an electromagnetic actuation means, and by means of which a pressure difference between the pressure chamber and the vacuum chamber can be adjusted, with the control valve arrangement, as a function of a current flowing through the electromagnetic actuation means, assuming a holding position in which the current ranges between a higher value and a lower value without the control valve arrangement leaving the holding position, a first pressure changing position in which the current is higher than the higher value, and a second pressure changing position in which the current is lower than the low value, characterized in that upon a changeover of the control valve arrangement from the holding position into the first or the second pressure changing position, or upon a changeover fromType: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited companyInventors: Christoph Linden, Gregor Godlewsky, Lorenz Maack
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Patent number: 6357559Abstract: Disk brake comprising a brake anchor plate (10) which is fastenable to a vehicle, a floating frame (12) which engages over a brake disk (14) of the brake and is guided on the brake anchor plate (10), at least one first brake shoe (22) which in the installed state of the brake is supported against the floating frame (12) at the side of the brake disk (14) directed towards the outside of the vehicle, at least one second brake shoe (20) which in the installed state of the brake is supported counter to braking forces against the brake anchor plate (10) at the side of the brake disk (14) directed towards the inside of the vehicle, at least one operating piston (24) which is disposed on the floating frame (12), wherein the brake shoes (20, 22) are removable substantially radially in relation to the axis of the brake, and wherein the first brake shoe (22) at its rear side (66) has a detent device (68) and the floating frame (12) has a detent device (72) complementary thereto, and that the brake shoe (22) is fastenedType: GrantFiled: July 6, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Lucas Industries plcInventors: Frank Madzgalla, Hubert Krautkremer, Christian Schroeter, Guido Zenzen
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Patent number: 6349801Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanically actuatable disk brake with a housing, a friction pad against which an electrically actuatable actuator acts, with the actuator comprising an electric motor and a spindle/nut transmission arrangement, characterised in that the electric motor is configured as an internal rotor motor with a stator and a rotor, the rotor of which is coupled non-rotably with the spindle, the spindle is operatively coupled with the nut in order to transform a rotational movement of the spindle into a translatory movement of the nut, the spindle is supported along its longitudinal extent in at least two places so as to be rotatable relative to the housing, and the nut is guided axially slidable relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited companyInventors: Boris Köth, Kurt Mohr, Salvatore Oliveri
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Patent number: 6349798Abstract: A brake assembly of the constant friction type has a rotary transmission shaft fitted with a constant friction brake device including a first set of friction plates carried on the shaft and a second set of friction plates interleaved with the friction plate and mounted on a friction element support. The friction brake device acts on the shaft to apply a braking torque thereto in at least one direction of rotary movement. The friction element support is rotatable relative to the shaft and to a housing of the assembly. A detent mechanism acts between the housing and the friction element support so as to retain the support against rotation below a predetermined braking torque. A signalling means such as a proximity sensor is arranged to be operated when the friction element support moves relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1999Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Lucas Industries LimitedInventor: Richard John McKay
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Patent number: 6345501Abstract: A hydraulic motor arrangement including a hydraulic motor having an inlet port arranged to receive a driving fluid, and an outlet port whereby fluid can exhaust from the motor, the arrangement incorporating a by-pass line interconnecting the inlet and the outlet ports, a non-return valve being located within the by-pass line and being arranged to permit fluid flow from the outlet port to the inlet port but to substantially prevent fluid flow in the reverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1999Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Lucas Industries plcInventors: Richard John McKay, Tony Jones
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Patent number: 6345700Abstract: A brake lining module (10) with electric warning device (12) for indicating excessive friction lining wear comprises a back plate (14), to which a friction lining (16) is fastened, wherein the back plate (14) has a radially situated, friction-lining-free region (18). Disposed close to the back plate (14) in the friction lining (16) is a bore (24), in which a plug (28) is provided, which comprises a head (34) and a shank (32) with a longitudinal groove (38), in which an electric conductor (30) passed through the head (34) is accommodated. Projecting up from the head (34) of the plug (28) is a protective shield (36), which is laterally offset relative to the longitudinal groove (38) and has an extension (46), which at a distance above the head (34) protrudes in the direction of the common center plane (40) of the shank (32) and of the longitudinal groove (38).Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited companyInventor: Guido Zenzen
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Patent number: 6343769Abstract: A deployment inhibiting arrangement for a jet engine thrust reverser system, the system including one or more actuators for operating a thrust reverser of the system and first locking means for the or each actuator normally serving to hold the system in a condition in which the thrust reverser is undeployed, the inhibiting arrangement including additional locking means normally held in an inactive condition, but operable by means independent of said one or more actuators and said first locking means to provide an additional mechanical lock serving to prevent deployment of the thrust reverser irrespective of the condition of the first locking means and/or actuator(s). The invention also relates to a jet engine thrust reverser system, the system including such a deployment inhibiting arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1999Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Lucas Industries plcInventor: Stephen Harlow Davies
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Patent number: 6336686Abstract: The present specification describes an actuating lever (21) for a disc brake (1, 7), having a cam section (23) with a part cylindrical curved surface (25) and a part cylindrical channel (27) with an elongate cylindrical force transmitting member (29) located therein and being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the said part cylindrical surface (25), and having opposite end regions which are located in recesses (31, 33) formed in the lever (21) at opposite ends of the said channel (27) to thus retain the force transmitting member (29) in position on the lever (21).Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Lucas Industries PLCInventors: Paul Antony Thomas, Andre Luciano D'Andrea Mathias
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Patent number: 6331767Abstract: A voltage supply circuit for an ECU of the type in which a supply voltage is connected to a voltage regulator via an N-MOSFET control device, wherein, at least above a predetermined lower operating value, the control device is adapted to introduce resistance of progressively higher value between the voltage supply and the voltage regulator in dependence upon increasing values of supply voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2000Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Lucas Industries, plcInventor: Gary Raymond Davies
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Patent number: 6328889Abstract: A filter arrangement is described in which fuel flows through a filter member in a radially outward direction. A sleeve surrounds the filter element and defines, with the filter member, an air collection chamber. One or more small openings are provided in the sleeve whereby air is permitted to escape from the air collection chamber at a controlled rate.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2000Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Lucas IndustriesInventor: Peter Francis Bradford
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Patent number: 6328388Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake actuation unit comprising a cylinder/piston arrangement which acts on at least one brake lining which can be brought into frictional engagement with a brake disk, a hydraulic pump which is hydraulically connectable with a pressure chamber of the cylinder/piston arrangement in order to move the cylinder of the cylinder/piston arrangement relative to the piston of the cylinder/piston arrangement, and a motor for driving the hydraulic pump.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1996Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited companyInventors: Kurt Mohr, Thomas Wagner
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Patent number: 6322162Abstract: An actuating device for an electrohydraulic vehicle brake system has an emergency brake cylinder (2) which comprises a piston (24, 25), the latter being displaceable in a housing (21), and which can be actuated by means of a brake pedal (1), and a simulation device (4) for simulating a force/displacement action of the brake pedal (1), wherein the simulation device (4) is connected in series and disposed after the emergency brake cylinder (2) in the direction of force from the brake pedal (1) to the emergency brake cylinder (2). In order to hydraulically uncouple the simulation device (4) from the emergency brake cylinder (2), the emergency brake cylinder (2) is supported at the simulation device (4) and the piston (24, 25) can be locked relative to the housing (21) such that the simulation device (4) can be mechanically actuated by the emergency brake cylinder (2).Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2001Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited companyInventor: Kurt Mohr
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Patent number: 6321999Abstract: A fuel injector comprises a valve needle spring biased towards a seating. The valve needle defines a thrust surface orientated such that the application of fuel under pressure thereto applies a force to the needle urging the needle away from the seating. A valve is provided to control the supply of fuel to the thrust surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1999Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Lucas Industries plcInventors: Andrew Male, Anthony Thomas Harcombe
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Patent number: 6318643Abstract: A nozzle for a fuel injector comprises a nozzle holder, a tip secured to the nozzle holder, the tip being provided with at least one outlet opening, and a feature provided on the tip providing an indication of the position(s) of the opening(s).Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1998Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Lucas Industries, plcInventor: Michael Peter Cooke
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Patent number: 6318817Abstract: An electro-hydraulic braking system for motor vehicles. The system includes a brake pedal and a braking device associated with at least one vehicle wheel which is brought into communication with an electronically controlled valve arrangement in order to apply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the braking device. A fluid pressure accumulator fed by the pump provides a pressurized hydraulic fluid which can be passed to the braking device by way of an electronically controlled valve arrangement in order to apply hydraulic fluid in proportion to the driver braking demand as sensed at the brake pedal in the “brake by wire” mode. A first device within the system provides a level of fluid pressure supply within the electro-hydraulic system whose highest value is less than that sufficient for the maximum possible braking demand level which may be required.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1999Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Lucas Industries plcInventors: Peter Martin, Barry John Bridgens, Alan Leslie Harris, Michael John Holt, Andrew William Kingston, Robert Louis Ferger, Salvatore Oliveri
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Patent number: 6314733Abstract: A control method for use in controlling the operation of a turbo-charged engine comprises the steps of: using at least one engine parameter to derive a predicted transient air pressure value; sensing an actual air pressure value using a pressure sensor; and comparing the actual air pressure value with the predicted transient air pressure value to determine a predicted boost pressure error. The boost pressure error may be used in determining whether or not the pressure sensor is operating properly. It may also be used in determining whether the engine is in a transient condition, allowing the improvement in the response of the turbo-charger and this reduces turbo-lag.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1998Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Lucas Industries plcInventors: Abdolreza Fallahi, Gary Brian Forward
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Patent number: 6311809Abstract: A first screw body (58) is rotatively mounted around a screwing axis (C; C′, C″), that extends parallel to the axis (A) of the brake disk (10) in a housing axially arranged next to the brake disk (10) in the mounted position. A second screw body (66) is secured against rotation and linked to the first screw body (58) by a readjustment threaded coupling (68), so that both screw bodies (58, 66) form together a longitudinally adjustable tappet for exercising an actuating force on a brake shoe (22). A rotary body (42) can be rotated around its own axis of rotation (B) by means of an actuating member (38) in order to axially displace the tappet The axis of rotation (B) is at least approximately parallel to the brake disk. Linking gears arranged between the rotary body (42) and the first screw body (58) have a right-angle gear a drive and a coupling device (90) which transmit a limited torque for readjusting said brake shoe.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1998Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Lucas Industries PLCInventors: Paul Antony Thomas, Andre Luciano D'Andrea Mathias