Abstract: A preassembled, prefilled hydraulic actuator apparatus for a motor vehicle clutch and adapted for connection to a non-integral fluid reservoir. The apparatus comprises a master cylinder having a supply inlet and a working pressure outlet, a slave cylinder having an inlet, a working pressure conduit interconnecting the outlet of the master cylinder and the inlet of the slave cylinder, and a low-pressure supply conduit for connection to a reservoir. In one embodiment, the supply conduit is connected at one end to the master cylinder inlet and the free end of the supply conduit is sealed by a bung partition, a piercing coupling is provided on the free end of the supply conduit, and the coupling is connected to an outlet fitting on a prefilled reservoir which may also serve as the hydraulic fluid source for the brake system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A friction facing material and carrier assembly (2) for inclusion in a clutch driven plate. The assembly (2) comprises a metal carrier plate (4) having resiliently pliable spokes or paddles (14) at its outer periphery. Two annuli (20, 22) of friction material forming facings are bonded to opposite sides of the paddles (14) by a respective layer of an elastomeric material, for example a silicone rubber. Each elastomeric layer is in the form of a spiral stripe extending substantially continuously from the outer to the inner periphery of the respective friction facing. For example, the facing (22) is bonded by an elastomeric spiral having three turns (24A, 24B) and 24C. Preferably in a complete assembly (2), both spirals of elastomeric material are of the same hand with turns of one spiral opposite gaps between adjacent turns of the other spiral.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power line comprises a combustion engine (8), a gearbox (10) and an electronically controlled clutch (20). The engine throttle (84) is actuated by an electric motor (92) controlled by the electronic control (48) usually in response to throttle demand signals. A manual move of the gear shift level (16) causes the clutch (20) automatically to disengage. When a new gear is engaged the clutch (20) is automatically re-engaged. When the gear change is an up-change the clutch (20) is automatically disengaged to lower (102) its torque transmitting capacity (C) from a maximum (C1) to zero. As the gear change progresses the new gear starts to be engaged causing the speed (B) of the gearbox input shaft (14) and clutch driven plate (32) to drop (110) to (Sn). While this is happening control (48) takes full control of the throttle and closes it. The disengaged clutch and closed throttle causes the engine speed (A) to decelerate (114).

Abstract: A damper for use with a hydraulic clutch actuator of the type including a master cylinder and a slave cylinder with a conduit interconnecting the outlet of the master cylinder and the inlet of the slave cylinder. The damper is positioned in the conduit between the master cylinder and slave cylinder and includes a diaphragm having a front face constituting a barrier wall of the hydraulic system so that the diaphragm can deflect in response to vibrations transmitted through the hydraulic fluid in the system to effect damping of the vibration and further includes a structure confronting but spaced from the rear face of the central region of the diaphragm which operates to limit the deflection of the central region of the diaphragm to a predetermined maximum magnitude to limit the stress at the center of the diaphragm to an acceptable level and thereby improve the fatigue life of the diaphragm.

Abstract: The differential comprises a drive input element, two output cam members each rotatable about a common axis, each cam member having a single angular cam surface thereon of undulating form arranged such that the cam surfaces on the cam members converge towards each other and a plurality of cam followers. The followers have cam engaging end surfaces for imparting drive from the input element to the output cam members. Relative contro-rotation of the output cam members causes the cam followers to slide axially. The cam followers are elongate in direction of the common axis and are slidably supported throughout virtually their entire length by the drive input element. The followers may be arranged closely adjacent each other to provide a degree of mutual support.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a transmission comprising a clutch (14), a clutch control (18, 20) and a change-speed gearbox (12). The gearbox (12) has a plurality of mutually exclusively engageable gear ratios any desired one of which can be engaged by a manually operated gear lever (16) which comprises a shaft (33) pivoted at (34) and a hand knob (42) on a tube (40) rockably pivoted in force relatively to the shaft (33), a signal is sent to the clutch control (18, 20) causing automatic disengagement of the clutch (14). Further manual force on the tube (40) pivots the shaft (33) in direction (A) or (B) to the opposite side of a gear shift pattern. The clutch control (18, 20) receives a signal (54') that a new gear ratio has been engaged and automatically reengages the clutch (14).

Abstract: A reservoir construction for use with a hydraulic clutch actuator for a motor vehicle. The reservoir includes a blow molded bellows portion including a plurality of pleats or convolutions and is arranged to be moved to a stressed expanded condition in response to filling of the system so that the reservoir serves not only as a source of hydraulic fluid for the system but also serves to pressurize the system by virtue of its stressed condition. The reservoir may comprise a two-part assembly including a main body member and a lid closing the upper end of the main body member, in which case the system is filled through the upper end of the main body member, the lid is secured to the upper end of the main body member, and the output member of the associated slave cylinder is retracted to pressurize the system.

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.

Abstract: A rotary coupling device has a hub driving a hub flange formed with windows containing helical compression springs. Those springs are also contained in windows in disc-like side plates rivetted together to form a carrier for friction material. The springs are also contained in windows respectively in floating disc-like plates. The windows are so dimensioned that an initial relative rotation between the friction material carrier and the hub and hub flange, causes one of the springs to be compressed and urge the floating plates to rotate relatively to the carrier or to the hub and hub flange so that the relative movement between the floating plates and the carrier or the hub and hub flange compreses the other of the springs. Thus during this initial movement the springs are compressed in series.

Abstract: The engine output torque of a motor vehicle is a function of the extent to which the throttle valve is open, the further the valve is open, the greater the throttle angle and the greater the output torque. Microprocessor based clutch control is provided to measure the throttle angle, determine the output torque, and automatically engage and disengage the clutch with respect to time. The clutch control also allows manual gear operation and clutch slip control.

Abstract: A restraining strap for use with a clutch actuator of the type including a master cylinder, a slave cylinder, a conduit interconnecting the master cylinder and slave cylinder, and a piston in the slave cylinder moved reciprocally in the bore of the slave cylinder housing in response to operation of the vehicle clutch pedal. The clutch actuator is delivered in prefilled form without out output member of the slave cylinder, which is assembled by the motor vehicle manufacturer as a part of the clutch release lever assembly, and a restraining strap is provided to maintain the piston of the slave cylinder in a retracted position to maintain the prefilled system in a pressurized state and preclude the entry of air into the system during shipment, storage and installation of the system.

Abstract: A dual mode clutch control system for a motor vehicle in which the operator has the choice of operating the clutch manually or having the clutch operated in a power mode in response to movement of the gear shift lever. Two embodiments are disclosed. In both embodiments, a mode selector switch is provided which is movable between a manual mode and a power mode. In one embodiment, the power mode is provided by a master cylinder assembly in which the piston of the master cylinder is normally moved by an input rod connected to the clutch pedal but in which an annular pressure chamber is provided in communication with the piston to which pressurized fluid may be delivered from a pressure source when the mode selector switch is positioned in the power mode. The source of pressurized fluid may comprise a motor driving a pump and an accumulator for storing pressurized fluid from the pump.

Abstract: A damper for use in a hydraulic clutch actuator to attenuate vibrations transmitted from the crankshaft of the engine of the associated vehicle to the clutch pedal. The baffle includes an elongated cylindrical housing positioned in the conduit interconnecting the master and slave cylinders of the actuator coaxial with the axis of the conduit and including a spring biased piston mounted in the bore of the housing. The housing is open at its rear end and closed at its front end by an end wall defining an outlet port for the damper and the piston includes a central through passage defining the inlet port of the damper at the rear end of the through passage. A baffle is provided at the front end of the piston to provide a circuitous path between the central passage of the piston and the outlet port of the damper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing hydraulic systems of the type including a prefilled hydraulic cylinder member having a bore, conduit means communicating with the bore proximate one end of the bore, and a piston member positioned within the bore. The test methodology comprises closing the system to substantially preclude escape of hydraulic fluid from the cylinder bore through the conduit means, applying a predetermined force to the piston to urge the piston to move in the cylinder bore, measuring the magnitude of the movement of the piston in the cylinder bore in response to the predetermined force, and accepting or rejecting the hydraulic system dependent upon the magnitude of the measured movement.

Abstract: The hydraulic clutch actuator for a motor vehicle of the concentric type in which the actuator is mounted concentrically around the transmission input shaft of the vehicle within the housing of the clutch. The actuator includes a housing structure defining a central quill shaft surrounding the input shaft of the vehicle and slidably supporting the hub portion of the bearing carrier and further defines an annular piston bore spaced radially outwardly from the quill shaft to define an annular bore between the piston bore and the quill shaft into which the rear end of the hub portion of the bearing carrier may move during the operation of the actuator so as to provide overlap as between the annular piston and the bearing carrier and minimize the axial dimension of the actuator. The preload spring is also positioned in the annular bore between the quill shaft and the piston bore so as to further optimize the compact packaging of the actuator.

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus, having a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder, is made of separate modular units interconnectable by leakproof connectors. The apparatus is prefilled with hydraulic fluid while the separate modular units are interconnected, and after filling the separate modular units are disconnected and shipped to a user, unconnected but filled with hydraulic fluid. Alternatively, the separate modular units may be individually filled with hydraulic fluid, and shipped to a user unconnected but each filled with hydraulic fluid. After installation on a utilization device, for example a motor vehicle, the complementary connector members are reconnected for placing the individual modular units in hydraulic fluid communication. The connectors take the form of complementary members which are arranged to open fluid passageway during connection.

Abstract: A control system for a motor vehicle of the type including a clutch and an manual gearbox. The control system includes an electric power module for shifting the gearbox, an electric power clutch assembly for engaging and disengaging the clutch, an electric throttle control assembly, and a control module arranged to control the gearbox power module, the clutch power module, the clutch power assembly, and the throttle control assembly in response to receipt of an operator instigated shift command signal. The control module initially operates to disable the throttle control system and disengage the clutch, thereafter operates to energize the gearbox power module in a sense to shift the gearbox to the selected position, and thereafter operates to reengage the clutch and restore operator control of the throttle control assembly.

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: Method and apparatus for the manufacture of a friction clutch plate. First and second friction components are placed on first and second jig means, a bead of adhesive elastomeric material is deposited on the first friction component and a metal carrier plate is placed on top of the bead. A bead of adhesive elastomeric material is deposited on the second friction component and the latter is placed on to the metal carrier plate with the face of the friction component on which the bead was deposited being against the metal carrier plate. The two friction components and the carrier plate are held together for a time such that the assembly is handleable. One jig means can be adapted to receive and locate a friction component on one face and a metal carrier plate on a second face, and robot means can be used for depositing the beads of adhesive elastomeric material.

Abstract: This invention relates to hydraulic master cylinder assemblies having a hydraulic master cylinder and an actuating mechanism and in particular to a hydraulic master cylinder assembly in which it is possible to alter the travel ratio between a driver operable actuating lever and a piston of the hydraulic master cylinder. The actuating mechanism includes a lever mechanism interposed between the actuating lever and the piston the effective lever arm length of which can be altered by means of an adjustable member forming part of the lever mechanism.