Abstract: A clutch control system for the automatic control of a motor vehicle clutch (14) which connects an engine (10) with a gearbox (12) under the control of a driver-operated gear ratio selector lever (24). The control system includes an electronic control unit (36) which controls initial clutch. take-up on starting of the vehicle, clutch re-engagement following each ratio change, disengagement on movement of the gear selector lever (24) to change the operative ratio of the gearbox (12), and clutch disengagement on the coming to rest of the vehicle. The level of clutch engagement is controlled in response to an engine speed error signal (E) derived from a comparison of current engine speed (Ve) and a reference speed signal (Vr) generated by the control unit, the error signal being compared with a current clutch position signal (Vc) to produce a clutch actuation signal (Vce).

Abstract: An operating lever mechanism for a master cylinder which includes a mounting bracket (12) and a lever (23) mounted on the bracket trough a pivot pin (22). The lever is connected to a master cylinder actuating rod (25) and the pivot pin (22) is adjustably mounted on the bracket in slots (27) so that by turning an adjuster wheel (31) the pin (22) is moved in the slots (27) to vary the distance between the pivot axis of the lever and the connection of the lever with the master cylinder actuating rod (25) to adust the operating lever ratio of the mechanism as desired.

Abstract: A clutch control system for the automatic control of a motor vehicle clutch which connects an engine with a gearbox under the control of a driver-operated gear ratio selector lever. The control system includes an electronic control unit which controls initial clutch take-up on starting of the vehicle, clutch re-engagment following each ratio change, clutch disengagment on movement of the gear selector lever to change the operative ratio of the gearbox, and clutch disengagment on the coming to rest, etc. of the vehicle. The control system also incorporates an automatic calibration routine which is invoked on the inital keying-on of the system, said routine comprising a predetermined sequence of events in which the system responds to actions of the operator and at predetermined that the system is ready to proceed to the next stage of the calibration.

Abstract: A device having a top end and a bottom end is characterized by a longitudinal bore extending into the device from the bottom end a particular distance and adapted for receiving a contractor's grade stake therein, which bore is intercepted at its top end by a slot extending through the device from a one side to an opposite side thereof and configured to accept a contractor's grade line therethrough in a manner to maintain the line on the top surface of the grade stake within the bore such that a particular grade level as between at least two grade stakes which each carry a device on their top ends may be maintained via the line extending between them.

Abstract: A roof tile formed of a sheet metal, preferably steel, in which the sheet material tile is strengthened by integral flanges (11) raised bosses (14) and depressions (15). The raised bosses (14) in use act as supports between one tile and an overlapping portion of another tile.

Abstract: A brake disk for an aircraft brake assembly, the assembly comprising a multi-disk stack of alternating stator and rotor brake disks wherein each disk is comprised of a carbon composite material and a specific volume of a phase change material is encapsulated within the core of the disk between its brake wear faces and distributed so as to function to enhance brake energy capacity in the operation of the brake assembly.

Abstract: A differential mechanism (10) having two output cam members (16, 17) rotatable about an axis (A) each cam member having an annular cam surface of undulating form comprising pairs of mutually inclined surfaces (24, 25; 26, 27). The inclined surfaces are engaged by end surfaces (29, 30) of cam followers (28) so that relative contra rotation of the output cam members (16, 17) causes the cam followers to slide axially. An input element (11-14) engages and supports the followers (28) and moves the followers circumferentially relative to the output cam members and a component (11, 14) of the differential which rotates during use of the differential drives oil pump means (70) for forcing oil into the differential.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hydraulic actuator body such as, for example, a brake wheel cylinder or a clutch or brake master cylinder. The method includes the steps of forming a basic actuator body having at least one spigot projecting externally therefrom, holding the body by gripping the spigot between co-operating jaws and machining the body while it is held by the spigot. If desired the spigot can be removed from the body when all other machining is complete.

Abstract: A clutch control system for the automatic control of a motor vehicle clutch which connects an engine with a gearbox under the control of a driver-operated gear ratio selector lever. The control system controls both initial clutch take-up on starting of the vehicle, clutch re-engagment following each ratio change, clutch disengagment on movement of the gear selector lever to change the operative ratio of the gearbox, and clutch disengagment on coming to rest, etc. of the vehicle. Additionally the clutch control system includes an anti-baulking routine which is enabled if the gear selector lever is in its neutral position and which when enabled allows engagement of the clutch by increasing the engine speed above an idle level.

Abstract: A differential mechanism having two output cam members rotatable about an axis (X--X), each cam member having a single annular frustoconical cam surface thereon of undulating form comprising pairs of mutually inclined surfaces and a plurality of cam followers having end surfaces engaging the cam surfaces of the output cam members. Relative contra rotation of the output cam members causes the cam followers to slide axially and an input member engages the followers which are slidably supported by the input member and moves the followers circumferentially relative to the output cam members. A locking means is also provided for locking the output cam members and/or the input member against relative rotation to lock up the differential mechanism.

Abstract: A twin mass flywheel for a vehicle comprising two co-axially arranged relatively rotatable masses interconnected by a plurality of pivotal linkages. Each linkage comprises a first link pivotally connected to one flywheel mass, a second link pivotally connected to the other flywheel mass and a common pivot joining the links to move radially outwardly. A resilient torque member in each common pivot operable after a predetermined rotation between the flywheel masses to resist said relative rotation. A variable hysteresis friction damping means, whose resistance to relative rotation changes as the relative angle of rotation is altered, acts between the flywheel masses. The damping means can be provided by two friction damping plates which operate at different stages of rotation. The relative rotation may be limited by resilient stops.

Abstract: A differential mechanism has two output cam members rotatable about an axis, each cam member having a single annular cam surface of undulating wave form comprising equal numbers of pairs of mutually inclined surfaces. A plurality of cam followers having end surfaces engage the cam surfaces of the output cam members, the arrangement being such that relative contra rotation of the output cam members causes the cam followers to slide axially. At least two different types of cam followers are provided and the number of followers is an integer multiple of the number of pairs of inclined surfaces. An input member slidably supports the followers and moves the followers circumferentially relative to the output cam members. Arrangements are also disclosed for pumping oil into the differential and for locking up the differential.

Abstract: A disc brake caliper which includes a cooling fluid gallery which at least partially surrounds at least one of the brake operating piston and cylinder assemblies to cool the hydraulic fluid of any such assemblies. The gallery is constructed to provide thin side walls for piston and cylinder assemblies to maximize the cooling of the assemblies.

Abstract: A friction material facing and carrier assembly (10) for a clutch driven plate in which at least one annular friction facing (20A) is secured to the carrier (11) by stripes (24A, 24B, 24C, 24D) of adhesive elastomeric material which are coaxial with the facing. The carrier plate includes circular rows (15, 16, 17) of perforations (14) and the stripes of adhesive are located on the circular lands (25, 26, 27, 28) either side of and between adjacent rows of perforations. The stripes of adhesive may be joined together to provide a continuous stripe of adhesive which extends from the radially inner margin of the facing to the radially outer margin of the facing.

Abstract: A portable lightweight gas generation device which can be attached to a container to generate a quantity of gas from a mixture of two chemically reactive materials and to inject the gas into the container. The device is especially useful as an apparatus for rapidly carbonating liquid beverages with chemically generated carbon dioxide produced in a gas generation chamber located inside a pressure vessel attached to a liquid container which serves as a carbonation chamber containing the liquid to be carbonated. The generated carbon dioxide is passed from the gas generation chamber to the carbonation chamber to carbonate the liquid. This device can also be used as a means of injecting pressurized gas into a pressurized spray can for dispensing liquids such as paint, hair spray or other sprayable products.

Abstract: A differential mechanism having two output cam members rotatable about an axis, each cam member having a single annular cam surface of undulating form comprising pairs of mutually inclined surfaces. The inclined surfaces are engaged by end surfaces of followers so that relative contra rotation of the output cam members causes the cam followers to slide axially. An Input element engages and supports the followers and moves the followers circumferentially relative to the output cam members. The input element engages with a radially inner portion of each cam follower to move the follower circumferentially relative to the cam output members, and the cam surfaces are inclined away from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A friction clutch drive plate having a hub and friction facings which face in opposite directions, the friction facings each being mounted on a respective coaxial carrier plate. At least one, and preferably both of the carrier plates is rotatable about the hub, the two carrier plates being secured back to back with each other and being rotatable realative to each other, said rotation being opposed by friction damping means which may comprise the two carrier plates biased against each other so that adjacent surfaces of the two plates are in frictional engagement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for degassing a high viscosity fluid wherein a vacuum chamber is oriented vertically and adapted for receiving a fluid at its top end and discharging it from a reservoir at its bottom end, the chamber having an assembly having a slotted wide-mouthed nozzle and a channel slide member mounted within the top end so as to receive a fluid fed into the chamber. The nozzle is adapted for spreading the fluid onto the surface of the slide member which is angularly positioned downwardly towards the reservoir such that fluid on the slide member surface exhibits laminar flow as it moves downwardly. A vacuum drawn on the chamber effects a release of any gaseous materials contained within the fluid as it moves down the slide surface and into the reservoir where it may be drawn out for application by one or more nozzles.

Abstract: A motor vehicle friction clutch having a flywheel, an annular plate attached coaxially to the flywheel and rotatable with the flywheel and which is biased away from the flywheel by a first spring; a clutch cover assembly secured to the flywheel and comprising a cover, a pressure plate and diaphragm spring, and a clutch driven plate sandwiched between the pressure plate and the annular plate.

Abstract: A friction clutch having a flywheel, a cover fixed to the flywheel, a plurality of fiction plates which are biased together by a spring acting between the cover, and a pressure plate to clamp the friction plates together between the flywheel and the pressure plate. At least one secondary plate is mounted on the flywheel or the pressure plate adjacent a respective friction plate. The secondary plate rotates with the cover and flywheel and is displaceable relative to the flywheel or pressure plate to compensate for friction plate wear, by adjustment of the clamping height between the pressure plate and flywheel.