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 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 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.

Abstract: A system for preventing a vehicle from running away downhill and for ensuring a smooth take-up from rest, in which signals proportional to engine speed (Ve) and vehicle speed (Vdp) are used. The engine speed signal is compared with a reference signal (Vs) to produce an engagement signal (E) which controls a clutch actuation means for engagement of the clutch. The vehicle speed signal (Vdp) and the engine speed signal (Ve) are fed into a filter (71) which produces a clutch actuation signal if either (Vdp or E) exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A disc brake caliper has two limbs which, in use, straddle an outer periphery of a brake disc to support friction pads on each side of the disc. Each caliper limb supports at least two friction pads arranged side by side in a circumferentially sequential array with the trailing edges of each pad abutting the leading edge of any circumferentially adjacent pad in the array to transmit torque loads from one pad to the adjacent pad.

Abstract: A differential mechanism having two output cam members, each having a single annular cam surface with pairs of inclined surfaces. Relative contra rotation of the output cam members cause cam followers to slide axially, and a housing engages the cam followers which are slideably supported by the housing moving the followers circumferentially relative to the output cam members. The two cam output members are thrust axially against the housing during drive of the cam output members through the followers and at least one cam output member acts against the housing through a friction thrust washer. This mechanism allows control of the torque ratio between inside and outside output shafts of a vehicle when turning a corner.

Abstract: A clutch control system for a motor vehicle having an engine (10), a gearbox (12) having a plurality of gear ratios, and a clutch (14) providing a drive connection between the engine and the gearbox. The control system includes a clutch actuation means (22) for controlling the state of engagement of the clutch and a control unit (36) which receives signals from a plurality of vehicle operating parameter sensors including a gear sensor (32) which indicates that a gear ratio is engaged in the gearbox. The control unit (36) processes these signals to produce a command signal for operation of the clutch actuating means. The control unit (36) ensures that if on powering-up of the control unit (36) the control unit receives a signal from the gear sensor (32) indicating that a gear ratio is engaged in the gearbox (12), the control unit inhibits disengagement of the clutch (14) by the clutch actuation means (22).

Abstract: A clutch control system having an engine speed sensor (26) for monitoring the speed of an engine (10), a clutch actuation sensor (34) for monitoring the operation of a clutch slave cylinder (22), a throttle position sensor (30) and a control unit (36) receives signals from the sensors (26, 34, 30) and determines when clutch control is required. When it is, the control unit switches to a reference mode in which, in a continuous closed loop operation, an engine speed signal Ve is compared to a reference speed signal Vr and the clutch is engaged or disengaged slightly to make the engine speed approach the reference speed.

Abstract: A vehicle clutch actuation system and a manually adjustable cable (12) therefor, the cable having an elongated end fitting (13) for transferring operating loads to a lever (22). The end fitting (13) comprises an inner and outer part (14 and 15) respectively and the inner part has a plurality of longitudinally spaced grooves (16) thereon and a resilient clip (25) which is selectively locatable in any one of said grooves. The inner part (14) is telescopically mounted in the outer part (15), with the clip (25) abutable against the outer part (15), which has an abutment seat (19) thereon for seating against the lever (22).

Abstract: A friction clutch assembly for an internal combustion engine and which includes a flywheel, a driven plate, a coaxial annular clutch cover assembly including a spring urging a pressure plate towards the flywheel to clamp the driven plate therebetween. The clutch assembly is attachable to the vehicle crankshaft via an intermediate plate which transmits the torque load from the crankshaft to the flywheel. A clutch release cylinder is mounted on the cover and is operable to relieve the clamp load acting on the driven plate.

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 filled with hydraulic fluid, and the filled modular units are shipped unconnected to a user. Each modular unit is provided with a leakproof quick-connect connector member, through which filling of the modular unit may be effected, and which mates with a complementary leakproof quick-connect connector member of another modular unit, such that after installation on a utilization device, a motor vehicle for example, complementary connector members are reconnected, thus opening ports in each connector member placing each member in fluid communication with the other. Preferably, the two connector members are provided with a one-way locking arrangement preventing separation of the connector members after coupling.