Abstract: A throttle control system including position sensing means to track the instantaneous position of the accelerator pedal, position sensing means to track the instantaneous position of the throttle valve, and a control module operative to compare the accelerator pedal and throttle valve position signals and generate a control signal for delivery to an actuator to position the throttle valve in response to the position called for by the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: An electrical switch operated by the input member of a hydraulic master cylinder and controlling the stop signal lights of a motor vehicle, when associated with the master cylinder of a hydraulic brake system, and/or controlling a cruise control disconnect circuit. When associated with the master cylinder of a clutch hydraulic control system, the switch is adapted to close an interlock circuit allowing the motor vehicle driver to start the engine only when the clutch is fully released, and to operate a cruise control disconnect circuit upon small displacement of the input member from its home position.

Abstract: A hydraulic master and slave cylinder assembly of the type in which a piston is positioned in the master cylinder, a piston rod is connected to the piston and extends out of the input end of the master cylinder, a piston is positioned in the slave cylinder, a piston rod is connected to the slave cylinder piston and extends out of the output end of the slave cylinder, a first conduit extends between the output end of the master cylinder and the input end of the slave cylinder, and a second conduit extends between the input end of the master cylinder and the output end of the slave cylinder.

Abstract: An electric actuator for use in engaging and disengaging the clutch of a manual transmission motor vehicle. The actuator comprises an electric motor which is sized to be positioned within the housing of the clutch. The motor includes an annular armature assembly which is positioned concentrically around the clutch shaft and which drives a nut member which in turn drives a screw member to move the release bearing linearly to engage and disengage the clutch. In one embodiment, the nut and screw comprise an acme thread arrangement and in another embodiment the nut and screw are of the ball type. In one embodiment the screw advances linearly in response to rotation of the armature assembly and in another embodiment the housing and armature assembly advance linearly in response to rotation of the armature assembly while the screw remains fixed.

Abstract: A master cylinder of the center feed type including a cylinder defining an axially extending pressure chamber and including a reservoir port proximate the front end of the cylinder for connection with a fluid reservoir; a piston slidably positioned in the cylinder and adapted for coaction with a piston rod extending into the rear end of the cylinder; a valve assembly in the pressure chamber including a valving member proximate the reservoir port and a valve stem secured to the valving member and extending axially rearwardly in the pressure chamber; and a retainer on the front end of the piston.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator assembly of the type including a hydraulic system comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder, and a conduit interconnecting the master and slave cylinder. One-way valve means are provided, either mounted on the master cylinder or interposed in the conduit interconnecting the master and slave cylinders, and these valve means function to block communication between the system and the associated reservoir when the system if pressurized but allow flow of replenishing fluid from the reservoir into the system when the system is depressurized to compensate for system losses and wear in the associated vehicular mechanism. The valve further includes a manual override member in the form of a plunger which is manually depressed and which moves a valving member of the valve to a position in which it establishes communication between the reservoir port and the system port so that fluid may be moved from the system and into the reservoir even when the system is pressurized.

Abstract: An electric shift apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission. The apparatus includes a power module adapted to be mounted on the housing of the transmission proximate the transmission mode select shaft and a control module adapted to be mounted in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The power module includes an electric motor driving a speed reduction unit and the lower exposed end of the output shaft of the speed reduction unit is adapted to be drivingly coupled to the exposed upper end of the mode select shaft of the automatic transmission. A manual override is provided so that, in the event of a total loss of vehicle electric power, the transmission may be moved manually to any desired position to facilitate emergency servicing of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric shift apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission. The apparatus includes a power module adapted to be mounted on the housing of the transmission proximate the transmission mode select shaft and a control module adapted to be mounted in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The power module includes an electric motor driving a speed reduction unit and the lower exposed end of the output shaft of the reduction unit is adapted to be drivingly coupled to the exposed upper end of the mode select shaft of the automatic transmission. The control module includes a plurality of push button members corresponding respectively to the transmission shift positions. An encoder wheel positioned in the housing of the speed reduction unit provides a constant coded signal indicating the instantaneous position of the transmission mode select shaft and this coded signal is compared by comparator means in the logic of the control unit with the selected shift position.

Abstract: A piston assembly including a plastic piston defining a socket at its rear face and a metallic annular insert member positioned within the socket and receiving the piston rod of the piston assembly in acting to increase the effective area over which the loading from the piston rod is applied to the plastic piston so as to allow the plastic piston to be used in environments where it might otherwise fail due to the high stress loading. The annular insert also includes prongs struck from the main body portion of the insert member and coacting with an annular shoulder on the piston rod to preclude axial withdrawal of the piston rod from the piston and further includes an annular flange portion which acts to facilitate positioning of the insert member in the socket in the piston and further acts to define the fully retracted or extended position of the piston in coaction with a snap ring on the inner periphery of the associated cylinder.

Abstract: A throttle control system for a vehicle of the type including a throttle body and a throttle valve mounted within the throttle body and controlling the delivery of fuel and/or air to the engine of the vehicle.

Abstract: An annular seal of the four point type in which a pair of annular seals are provided on one side of the seal to provide an effective pressure seal for the associated pressure chamber and a further pair of seals are provided on the other side of the seal to preclude the entry of contaminants into the sealing interface. The seal is formed as an assembly including a rigid insert ring member and an annular seal member of elastomeric material having a rectangular configuration in transverse cross section defining the four separate annular sealing surfaces at each of its four corners. In one form of the invention, the annular insert member comprises a discrete ring member which is substantially totally encapsulated by the surrounding elastomeric material and in a further form of the invention the insert member is constituted by the free annular end portion of an annular piston member to which the elastomeric sealing material is bonded to form the seal assembly.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder assembly for the annular type in which the cylinder defines an annular housing chamber slidably receiving an annular piston. The inboard end of the annular piston is enlarged to define an enlarged annular inboard end edge and an annular seal is positively secured to the enlarged inboard end edge of the piston and sealingly engages the associated cylindrical surfaces of the housing member. The enlarged annular inboards end edge of the piston is convoluted to maximize the area of the bonding interface between the piston and the seal so as to preclude extrusion of the seal and twisting of the seal during operation of the piston and cylinder assembly.

Abstract: An electric shift apparatus for controlling a motor vehicle manual transmission. The apparatus includes a power module adapted to be bolted to the housing of the transmission, a control module adapted to be positioned in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a gear selector assembly positioned on the steering column assembly of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric shift apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission. The apparatus includes a power module adapted to be mounted on the housing of the transmission proximate the transmission mode select lever and the transmission kick-down lever and a control module adapted to be mounted in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The power module includes an electric motor assembly drivingly connected to the free end of the mode select lever and a solenoid drivingly connected to the free end of the kick-down lever. The control module includes a plurality of push button members corresponding respectively to the transmission shift positions. An encoder device carried by the motor assembly of the power module provides a constant coded signal indicating the instantaneous position of the transmission mode select lever and this coded signal is compared by comparator means in the logic of the control unit with the selected shift position.

Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus for remotely controlling the operative mode selector of a motor vehicle automatic transmission. The apparatus comprises a master cylinder having an input member operatively connected to the transmission operative mode selection or shift lever placed at the disposal of the motor vehicle operator, and a slave cylinder mounted on or proximate the transmission casing and having an output member connected to the transmission operative mode selector, the master cylinder and the slave cylinder being placed in fluid communication through flexible conduits such that each displacement of the master cylinder piston as a result of displacement of the master cylinder input member causes a corresponding displacement of the slave cylinder piston coupled to the slave cylinder output member.

Abstract: An annular insert disposed at one end of a hydraulic cylinder and embedded in the material of the cylinder housing during molding of the housing. The insert has an internal groove in which a conventional retainer and abutment member in the form of an elastic spring steel split ring is engaged, whose function it is to act as a direct abutment preventing the piston disposed reciprocably in the cylinder from being pushed out of the open end of the cylinder, in some structures. In other structures the annular insert acts directly as a retaining member for the end of a sleeve installed in the cylinder housing, or indirectly through the intermediary of an end cap.

Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus for remotely controlling the operative mode selector of a motor vehicle automatic transmission. The apparatus comprises a master cylinder having an input member operatively connected to the transmission operative mode selection or shift lever placed at the disposal of the motor vehicle operator, and a slave cylinder mounted on or proximate the transmission casing and having an output member connected to the transmission operative mode selector, the master cylinder and the slave cylinder being placed in fluid communication through flexible conduits such that each displacement of the master cylinder piston as a result of displacement of the master cylinder input member causes a corresponding displacement of the slave cylinder piston coupled to the slave cylinder output member.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having particular usefulness as a throw-out or release bearing for a motor vehicle mechanical clutch. The bearing assembly has a cylindrical housing provided with an annular end wall engaged with, or mounted on, the flange of a bearing carrier. The non-revolving race of the bearing is engaged against the housing end wall such as to permit lateral displacement of the race relative to the housing end wall. The revolving race of the bearing supports an annular adapter having an outwardly extending flange engaged with the release fingers of the clutch mechanism. The housing is closed by an annular end cap having a flange radially extending between the end face of the revolving race and the adapter flange and provided with a seal having its lip engaged with the revolving race end face or with the back surface of the adapter flange. A second annular seal is preferably provided between the end of the adapter opposite to the flange and the surface of the housing end wall.

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. The apparatus is in the form of separate modular units which are separately, but simultaneously, filled with hydraulic fluid after simultaneous evacuation of atmospheric air from the apparatus modular units and test of the integrity of the modular units, and the pre-tested and prefilled modular units are shipped unconnected to a user.

Abstract: A modular structure for a hydraulic cylinder permitting the cylinder to be used in combination with a reservoir of hydraulic fluid either installed on the cylinder itself or at a remote location with a conduit connection to the cylinder. The cylinder is provided with a peripherally threaded portion over which a tubular member formed integral with the reservoir, or in the alternative, provided with a connector for connection of the cylinder to a remotely located reservoir is fitted. The tubular member-fluid reservoir assembly and the tubular member-connector assembly are interchangeable.