Abstract: A wear indicator for a disk brake having a caliper that slides in a carrier to apply friction pads against a disk. The wear indicator comprises a continuous variation sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, connected to a monitor. The capactive sensor has first and second electrodes having a variable overlap area. A guide pin for the caliper forms the first electrode. As the guide pin moves during a brake application, the monitor periodically measures the overlap area to define a current operational output signal which is compared with a predetermined signal and when the comparison differs from a normal result a failure signal is provided to indicate that the disk brake in not properly operating.

Abstract: A power-assisted steering device having a piston located in a casing and driven by a rotational input from an input shaft. The piston has a sealing section for separating a first chamber from a second chamber and a transmission section. The transmission section having a U-shaped profile formed by two branches which are coplanar with the main axis of the casing. The branches form racks and mesh at respective geometric sites with toothed sectors which are integral with one another and an output shaft. A sleeve located in the U-shaped profile and connected to the piston prevents relative rotation of the piston and sleeve with respect to the main axis of the input shaft while allowing some relative radial translations with respect to the input shaft as the piston is moved in response to a pressure difference in fluids supplied to the first and second chambers to provide assistance in rotating the output shaft in response to an input applied to the input shaft.

Abstract: A roller-contact bearing device with a reduced clearance for a power-assisted steering system having a first roller-contact bearing for absorbing axial forces exerted on a steering shaft and a second roller-contact bearing for transmitting the axial forces to a casing. The second roller-contact bearing is urged toward shaft by an spring disc to oppose the axial forces being applied to the shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic control device comprises a valve (4) which can be moved inside a casing (1) and a stop for opening the valve at one point, the position of which may be set. The stop (6) slides in an axial housing (7) under the effect of a spring (8) and a stop screw (9). The opening position of the valve (4) may be easily set from outside the casing (1).

Abstract: Device for guiding a sliding caliper (4) for a disk-brake, comprising a support (1), a screw (2) and a carrier (3). The carrier is rotationally and translationally blocked, except in a direction perpendicular to its axis (3a) by virtue of an open ring (10) housed with a small clearance in a bore (1b) of the support, itself rotationally blocked, and clamping flats made on the external surface of the carrier (3).

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve for controlling a passage for a flow of fluid or for a difference in the pressures between an inlet (48;56) and an outlet (56;48), comprises a body (10;16;46) on which is arranged a solenoid coil (22), a bore (26) in which is slideably mounted valve member (30) progressively displaceable in response to actuation of the solenoid coil (22) between a first position and a second position. The valve member (30) and the body (46) comprises cooperating valve surfaces (54;62) defining the passage. One valve surface (62) has in axial section a variable profile so that the area of the passage, in a radial section is a predetermined function of the intensity of the current applied to the solenoid coil (22).

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary hydraulic distributor comprising a primary rotary element (3) coupled to an actuating device and connected for rotation with a valve rotor, a secondary rotary element (5) coupled to a driven device and connected for rotation with a valve stator, the valve stator and the valve rotor mutually cooperating to control a double acting servomotor of the driven device, a limited relative angular displacement being permitted between primary and secondary elements (3, 5) on either side from a central rest position, and a reaction mechanism being provided in order to bias the primary element (3) toward the central rest position. According to the invention, the reaction mechanism consists of a pair of independent substantially U-shaped pistons (7) able to tilt within respectively one bore (12) of a pair of bores symmetrically provided in secondary element (5), the legs (15) of U-shaped pistons (7) engaging and biasing opposite radial ends (4) of primary rotary element (3).

Abstract: A fluid pressure regulating valve has an inlet (10) connected to a pressurized fluid source (12) and an application outlet (14). It comprises a reference piston (30) one face of which is biased by a reference force, and a regulating piston (42) upon one face of which is applied the fluid pressure at the application outlet (14). The regulating piston (42) acts as a slide valve between the inlet (10), the application outlet (14), and a low pressure fluid reservoir (18). The other faces of the pistons (30, 42) each bias a respective end of a lever (60) the fulcrum (62) of which is movable between its ends according to the biasing force generated by each of the pistons (30, 42). Such a valve is useful for power steering for vehicles.

Abstract: The hydraulic system for a servo steering of a motor vehicle, incorporates a main valve mechanism producing the assistance pressure (Pa) applied to a hydraulic assistance device (12) and including a pair of parallel fluid circuits between a source (14) of pressurized fluid and a reservoir (16), each fluid circuit comprising at least two restrictions (1,2,1',2') capable of being modulated by a rotor mechanism (10) cooperating with a stator mechanism (11), the junction point of the restrictions of each circuit being connected to a respective chamber of the hydraulic assistance device (12) and a secondary valve mechanism producing the reaction pressure (Pr) applied to the steering wheel shaft and including a second pair of parallel fluid circuits between a source (24) of pressurized fluid and a reservoir (16), each of the fluid circuits comprising at least two restrictions (3,4,3',4') capable of being modulated by the rotor mechanism (10) cooperating with stator means, the rotor mechanism (11) cooperating with t

Abstract: The assembly comprises a rack (2) and a pinion (1) each having an axis of symmetry (7, 8) perpendicular to each other in their transversal section. The rack (2) is located in a chamber (6) provided within a rigid body (5), this chamber (6) having a partly cylindrical inner wall (9), the axis of symmetry of the chamber (6) being merged into the rack axis (8). The track (2) includes a front face engaged with the pinion (1) and a rear face opposite the front face, this rear face comprising two lateral tapered sides (15) converging toward the rack axis (8) and an extending rib (13) having flat lateral sides (17) parallel to the rack axis.

Abstract: The relief valve issued for controlling the pressure of a hydraulic fluid within a first duct 30 opening into a bore 14,16 provided in a body 10, a communication between the first duct 30 and a second duct 34 connecting a primary hydraulic circuit under pressure to the bore 14,16 being provided in rest position of a valve member when the pressure within the first duct 30 is lower than a threshold determined by the preload of resilient mechanism urging the valve member in rest position, the communication being interrupted when the pressure in the first duct 30 sensibly reaches the threshold. An increase of the pressure in the first duct beyond the threshold results in providing a communication between the first duct 30 and a third duct 38 connected to a low pressure circuit.

Abstract: A variable rate shock absorber comprising a tubular working cylinder (10) destined to be mounted on a suspended part of a vehicle, a piston rod assembly (24) slidably received in the working cylinder (10) and having an end (34) destined to be mounted on a fixed part of a vehicle, the piston rod assembly (24) having at its free end a piston member (48) cooperating with the working cylinder (10) to divide the interior thereof into an upper (44) and a lower working chamber (56), a valve mechanism in the piston member (48) to permit controlled two-way flow between the upper and lower working chambers an electro-magnetic valve mechanism (62) disposed between the upper working chamber (44) and a reservoir (18) and selectively actuatable to allow fluid flow therebetween, the valve mechanism (62) comprising a first member (80, 114) slidably mounted with respect to a second member (72, 116) between a closed position and an open position, characterized in that the first member (80, 114) is movable into at least one par

Abstract: A gear assembly, for example for use in a vehicle steering assembly, includes a rack and pinion system in which the output shaft is rotatably supported in eccentric bushings mounted in the gear housing. Rotation of the bushings relative to the housing changes the alignment of the output shaft. In order to lock the bushings in position relative to the housing, each includes a projection, for example a steel ball which engages and deforms the material of the housing and fixes the bushing in position. In an alternative embodiment the steel ball is mounted in the housing and engages and deforms the bushing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rotating and sealed bearing assembly of a first member (12) rotating in a second member (10), comprising a bearing outer track structure (28) mounted in a bore (11) of the second member traversed by the first member (12) and bearing a lip seal (40), the bearing inner track (24) being formed on the first member (12), the bearing outer track structure being made of a sheet steel backing plate (28) shaped in order to a present an intermediate zone of rounded profile (26) forming the bearing outer track.According to the invention, the intermediate zone (26) is extended on one side by a first end zone (30) extending axially and on the other side by a second end zone (36) extending axially, the second end zone (36) being connected to the intermediate zone (26) by a median zone (34) extending radially.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tandem rotary master-cylinder for a vehicle brake circuit comprising a body (10;102) in which a first vane (20;114) is mounted for rotation in response to rotation of an input shaft (12;100) in order to generate pressure in a first working chamber (18;126) formed in the body (10;102) and delimited in part by the first vane (20;114).According to the invention the master-cylinder further comprises a second vane (30;120) rotatably mounted in the body (10;102) and delimiting with the first vane (20;114) the first working chamber (18;126) the second vane being rotatable in response to rotation of the first vane (20;114) to generate pressure in a second working chamber (62;128).A rotary master-cylinder with braking assistance is also described.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure generator comprises a body in which is formed a bore, at least one piston mounted slidably in the bore, an annular sealing mechanism located in the bore, and the piston being slidable from a rest position during operation of the generator to cooperate with the sealing mechanism and divide the bore into a working chamber connectable by an output passage to a hydraulic actuator. A refill passage is connected to a source of hydraulic fluid. The output passage is formed in part between a first surface fixed in the bore and a second surface formed on a member mounted in the bore.

Abstract: Recirculating ball mechanism comprising a body (10), an actuator shaft (16) rotatably mounted within the body (10) and turnable in response to rotation of an input shaft (12), an output piston (18) slidably mounted in the body (10), a bore (22) within the output piston (18) in which is received an end (26) of the actuator shaft (16), the bore (22) having an internal threaded surface (24), the end (26) of the actuator shaft (16) being formed with a threaded surface (28), a series of balls (30) located between the two threaded surfaces (24, 28) so as to operatively connect the actuator shaft (16) to the output piston whereby a given rotation of the actuator shaft (16) produces an associated displacement of the output piston (18) in the body (10), and mechanism (42, 44) for recirculating the balls (30) to a point of origin in the thread (28) formed on the actuator shaft (16) characterized in that the thread (28) comprises at least one closed loop (40) extending around the circumference of the actuator shaft (16)

Abstract: A shock absorber comprises a tubular working cylinder (12) to be mounted on a suspended part of a vehicle, with a piston rod assembly (26) received slidably in the working cylinder (12) having an end (28) to be mounted on a fixed part of the vehicle. The piston rod assembly (26) has at its free end a piston member (40) cooperating with the working cylinder (12) to divide the interior thereof into an upper (52) and a lower working chamber (50), with a valve mechanism in the piston member (40) to permit controlled two-way flow between the upper and lower working chambers (52, 50). A mass (58) is mounted in the shock absorber and displaceable in response to a predetermined acceleration of the shock absorber from a first position in which the mass closes a passage (56, 54, 90) between the working chamber (52) and a reservoir (50; 22), and a second position in which the passage (56, 54, 90) is open.

Abstract: Variable ratio steering mechanism comprising a body in which is rotatably mounted an input shaft, a drive shaft having a longitudinal axis, and coupled to the input shaft so as to be rotatable therewith, an output member slidably mounted in the body, a screw mechanism connecting the drive shaft and the output member so that rotation of the drive shaft produces a corresponding displacement of the output member in the body, characterized in that the drive shaft is axially slidable with respect to the input shaft, the steering mechanism further comprising a displacement mechanism to selectively displace the drive shaft axially with respect to the input shaft, the displacement mechanism comprising a screw connection between the drive member mounted in the body.

Abstract: A variable rate shock absorber having the interior of a working cylinder divided by a piston into an upper and lower working chamber. The lower working chamber is connected to a reservoir by a bi-directional valve member. A solenoid valve housed in a hollow piston rod has an actuated state connecting the upper working chamber to the reservoir. The output of the solenoid valve is connected to the reservoir by an axially disposed telescoping cylinder passing through the piston and the bi-directional valve member. Other embodiments are also disclosed.