Abstract: A shipping and installation restraining strap for the output member of a clutch operating hydraulic slave cylinder disposed concentric to an input shaft driving a motor vehicle gearbox from a friction clutch. The output member takes the form of the clutch throw-out bearing, and the restraining strap comprises a generally annular portion attached to the throw-out bearing and a pair of integrally formed strips having a portion of reduced strength terminating in a lug engaged in a T-slot in the slave cylinder casing. The slave cylinder, the conduit connecting the slave cylinder to a master cylinder operated by a clutch mechanical control, and the master cylinder are prefilled with hydraulic fluid prior to shipment to a motor vehicle manufacturer for installation on a motor vehicle. Upon first actuation of the slave cylinder, the strips are broken at their portion of reduced strength such as to permit normal operation of the slave cylinder for actuation of the throw-out bearing.

Abstract: A disposable shipping and installation clip holding in an extended position the input member of a linear actuator, such as the input member of a hydraulic master cylinder operating a remotely located slave cylinder connected to the master cylinder through a conduit, the apparatus being filled with hydraulic fluid prior to shipment and installation on a utilization mechanism. The clip has a generally U-shaped channel body having sidewall portions elastically spreadable apart from each other such as to permit clipping the channel body over the input member. The clip body is preferably provided with outwardly extending projecting portions, finger-graspable, to facilitate removal. In the alternative, the clip is in the form of a U-shaped flat washer disposed in a groove in the input member periphery.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder, such as more particularly the master cylinder of motor vehicle hydraulic brake system or of a motor vehicle clutch hydraulic control system, provided with a relatively thin plated coating, autocatalytically or electrolessly deposited, of nickel phosphorous matrix containing sub-micron particles of a polyfluorocarbon resin, preferably polyfluoroethylene. The plated coating provides a good wearing surface having self-lubricating properties provided by the exposed polyfluorocarbon resin particles smearing the surface of the coating, and reducing considerably squeaking noise during operation of the master cylinder. Alternatively, or additionally, the surface of the pistons may be provided with a plated coating.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing and bearing carrier assembly comprising a support flange proximate an end of the carrier member, and a pair of resiliently flexible lugs on the bearing housing face in engagement with the carrier flange disposed each in a pocket formed in the peripheral surface of the carrier proximate the flange such as to retain the bearing in assembly with the carrier while permitting limited radial motion of the bearing relative to the carrier for self-alignment, and preventing rotational motion of the bearing housing relative to the carrier. An elastomeric cushion is preferably disposed on the surface of the carrier flange for permitting limited angular axial alignment of the bearing with the axis of rotation of the clutch.

Abstract: A diaphragm spring clutch of the kind in which the diaphragm spring is retained by a plurality of tabs extending through windows in the spring and embracing a pair of wire fulcrum rings. Each tab is deformed radially outwards midway between the fulcrum rings to provide location for the spring and to allow for the outer radius of the windows to be made coincident with the fulcrum ring radii.

Abstract: A friction clutch driven plate incorporates a hub, an intermediate drive plate connected to a flange of the hub through a toothed lost-motion connection and a friction facing carrier incorporating two side plates. Main torsion damping springs act between the intermediate plate and the side plates. Soft auxiliary torsion damping springing acts between the hub and the intermediate plate to damp out idle rattle. Location between the friction facing carrier and hub is provided by an inward extension of one side plate while the auxiliary springing is arranged adjacent the flange and inward of the other side plate to provide a compact construction.

Abstract: Concentric piston and cylinder components of a hydraulic slave cylinder used with a clutch release bearing have their axial movement under a biassing spring limited by latch means in the form of flanges. The flanges each have a radial face and a chamfered face, and one flange is radially deformable, being on a slotted cylindrical extension. The radially deformable flange allows the cylinder to be rapidly assembled without the need for assembly of a separate retaining device.

Abstract: An electronic clutch control system for a friction clutch for starting a vehicle from rest has a clutch position control loop in which the actual clutch position feed-back signal is modified to compensate for changes in clutch characteristic. An engine speed control loop: clutch, engine, engine speed sensor, processed signals, clutch actuator control includes a switchable integrator. A wear compensation signal is added to the clutch position feed-back signal which is then subject to gain control in a gain control device in response to changes in slope of the torque-capacity/clutch position characteristic.

Abstract: A shipping and installation restraining strap for an actuator such as the hydraulic slave cylinder of a motor vehicle clutch actuating apparatus. The strap comprises a retaining member in the form of a cylindrical cap installed on the end of the actuator output rod and having a substantially hemispherical end portion engaged in a corresponding partially spherical concave recess in the member operated by the actuator, such as the clutch release lever. The other end of the strips is attached to a non-movable portion of the actuator. Each strip has a portion of reduced strength such as to break upon first operation of the actuator. The cylindrical cap is optionally provided with a radially extending disc-like flange seal resiliently engaged with the surface of the clutch actuating lever beyond the edge of the recess, such as to prevent introduction of dirt in the recess.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with provision of a power take-off from a friction clutch without altering the fundamental design of the clutch itself. The clutch comprises a cover member, a pressure plate and a diaphragm spring having an outer belville portion and inwardly directed fingers. The diaphragm spring urges the pressure plate against driven plate to provide a primary drive. The diaphragm spring is located on the cover member by tabs passing through mounting apertures at roots of the fingers and bent over to hold the spring in position. A power take-off drive member incorporates tabs engaged in the mounting apertures and bent over to locate the power take-off drive member with respect to the cover.

Abstract: A disposable rupturable shipping and installation strap holding in a retracted position the output member of a linear actuator such as a pre-filled pre-bled hydraulic actuator. The strap has a retaining member fitted over the end of the actuator output member and a pair of symmetrically disposed strips or bands integrally formed with the retaining member and attached at their other end to a portion of the actuator housing. The strips or bands have portions of reduced strength which cause the strap to break and free the actuator output member upon first operation of the actuator. Preferably, the strap is molded of relatively thin flexible plastic.

Abstract: A friction clutch driven plate comprises a hub having a fixed hub flange and an auxiliary hub flange which can rotate a limited amount relative to the hub. Bob weights can move radially under centrifugal force against return springs to engage apertures in the auxiliary hub flange and lock the hub flanges together. This reduces the effective length of spring windows in the hub flanges and the range of movement permitted by a low rate spring which damps gearbox rattle when in neutral.

Abstract: The transmission is intended to effect synchronism between the speed of an engine and the speed of a transmission input shaft. An engine drive clutch and gearbox combination is provided which comprises automatic change speed to engage and disengage the drive clutch and to select a required gearbox ratio. A further clutch is also provided which is responsive to said change speed to control engine speed during a ratio change with the drive clutch disengaged. The further clutch reacts against the output shaft of the gearbox to synchronize engine speed with the speed of the transmission input shaft during the ratio change and enables drive to be transmitted between the engine and output shaft with the drive clutch disengaged.

Abstract: A drum brake hydraulic wheel cylinder assembly comprises a pair of piston assemblies and an abutment member. The piston assemblies are of the kind comprising an adjustable variable length tappet assembly having interengaged screw-threaded components. To enable thrust to be transmitted from one adjacent brake shoe to the other, i.e. for parking purposes, the abutment member is slidable in the cylinder bore against a spring centering device.

Abstract: A friction clutch driven plate for motor vehicles is of the kind in which a friction facing carrier assembly is mounted for limited rotation relative to a hub, such limited rotation being controlled by damping springs and a friction damper. Centrifugal control of the friction damper is by a pendulum device in the form of eccentric collars pivoting on stop pins and engaging apertures in an intermediate plate frictionally engaged with the hub. At low rotational speeds the stop pins can move within the collars which can also tilt to allow limited relative rotation between the carrier assembly and the hub with low friction damping. At higher speeds the collars are effectively locked in place to give high friction damping. By suitable arrangement of windows for the damping springs this also has the effect of reducing relative rotation controlled by a low rate spring only required to damp transmission noise during engine idling.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint is of the type in which a ball pin is supported by a bearing insert retained within a housing. The bearing insert has axial slots in one end which upon assembly of the joint allow the insert to be deformed in a more consistant manner. An annular groove in one end of the insert defines two thin lips one of which upon assembly is deformed to provide a preload to the joint.

Abstract: A structure for rapid coupling of a housing, such as the housing of a hydraulic cylinder, to a bifurcated support member simply by pushing the housing between the bifurcated portions of the support member. The housing is provided with a generally U-shaped mounting clip having springingly spreadable legs provided each with an abutment engaging a corresponding abutment on each of the bifurcated portions of the support member. As the clip-provided housing is pushed between the bifurcated portions of the support member, the clip legs spread sufficiently to permit passage of each of the bifurcated portions of the support member and, once the housing is properly seated and located, the clip legs snap back to their original position engaging their abutment with the abutment provided on the bifurcated portions of the support member.

Abstract: A liquid reservoir for a hydraulic master cylinder, having a body with a detachable cap for refilling the reservoir, and a diaphragm secured in position by the cap and dividing the reservoir into an air chamber, vented to atmosphere via a hole in the cap and a liquid chamber connected to the master cylinder. An inlet port is provided in the wall of the reservoir for initial charging of the liquid into the liquid chamber without removal of the cap, the port being closed by a plug after the liquid reservoir has been filled. The method of filling a hydraulic control system which has such a reservoir is by the application of vacuum to the system via the inlet port, introducing liquid into the system through the port and subsequently sealing the port with the plug.

Abstract: A liquid reservoir for a hydraulic master cylinder, having a body with a detachable cap for refilling the reservoir, and a diaphragm secured in position by the cap and dividing the reservoir into an air chamber, vented to atmosphere via a hole in the cap and a liquid chamber connected to the master cylinder. An inlet port is provided in the wall of the reservoir for initial charging of the liquid into the liquid chamber without removal of the cap, the port being closed by a plug after the liquid reservoir has been filled. The method of filling a hydraulic control system which has such a reservoir is by the application of vacuum to the system via the inlet port, introducing liquid into the system through the port and subsequently sealing the port with the plug.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a housing, such as the housing of a hydraulic cylinder, on a support plate or panel by a simple manual push and twist motion exerted on the housing. The support plate or panel, such as the floorboard or bulkhead of a motor vehicle, is provided for example with a generally square opening, and the housing has a generally cylindrical mounting portion provided on one side with a circular flange of an outer diameter larger than the largest dimension of the square opening, and on its other side provided, for example, with a substantially square flange dimensioned such as to pass freely through the square opening. A resilient gasket is installed between the two flanges and is compressed such as to permit rotation of the housing for disposing the corners of the square flange in a locked position in engagement with rear surface areas of the plate or panel adjacent each straight side of the square opening.