Abstract: Engine torque is managed, particularly during a gear change, so as to improve comfort and reduce wear of the engine and components associated therewith. A transmission control module is adapted to determine start and end times for torque management on the basis of a plurality of look-up tables stored in memory which are accessed via one or more engine operating parameters determined from a plurality of sensors. The contents of the look-up tables are determined experimentally to give the most appropriate start and end times for the given conditions, and not on the basis of any mathematical formula.

Abstract: A drum brake comprising a drum; first and second brake shoes which carry friction lining material; at least one hydraulic actuator engaging the brake shoes for moving the friction lining material into contact with the drum on actuation thereof, a clearance existing between the friction lining material and the drum in the non-actuated position of the hydraulic actuator; a wear adjuster for adjusting the value of the clearance, the wear adjuster comprising a screw-threaded rod engaging the first brake shoe, a nut rotatably threaded on the screw-threaded rod and engaging the second brake shoe, ratchet teeth integrally formed on either the screw-threaded rod or the nut, an adjuster actuator having an integral pawl thereon and being pivotally mounted on one of the brake shoes, an actuator spring to bias the pawl into contact with the ratchet teeth; and a heat sensitive member mounted on said one brake shoe, the heat sensitive member being engageable with the adjuster actuator only when the temperature exceeds a pr

Abstract: A disc brake comprises a caliper housing 10 having a body member 12 and an arm member 14 connected to one another by a bridge 16. A leading side of the arm member 14, that is the side which the rotor of a disc brake reaches first during normal rotation thereof, is more rigid than a trailing side thereof. A set of stiffening fibers 28 is provided in each of first and second bridge portions 22, 24 of the bridge 16 to produce the difference in rigidities between the leading and trailing sides of the caliper housing 10, wherein the first bridge portion 22 comprises a greater density of fibers 28 than the second bridge portion 24. This difference in rigidities reduces uneven wear of the brake pad and, as a consequence, reduces brake squeal and noise.

Abstract: A disc brake caliper assembly for a rotary disc brake of a vehicle which has a wear adjustment mechanism is provided. The disc brake caliper assembly (10) includes a caliper housing (14) with a piston (28) slidably mounted therein, but prevented from rotating by a lug (30) on a brake shoe (16) secured thereto which keys in a groove (32) in the piston. An actuator screw (44) and actuator nut (66) are positioned in an internal bore (65) in the piston for mechanical actuation of the brakes. If the brake pads (20,22) wear, on hydraulic actuation of the brakes, a thrust washer (70) engages and moves the actuator nut axially along the actuator screw to a new position which restricts reverse movement of the piston to a new (wear adjusted) position relative to the caliper housing. An actuator cone (68) having a friction clutch surface biased into engagement with a friction clutch surface on the piston prevents reverse movement of the actuator nut.

Abstract: A brake wear indicating device (10) including an insulated electrical conductor (12) with an electrical connector (16) at one end (18) for electrical connection with a warning device and, an end cap (20) of electrically insulating material on the other end (22) of the electrical conductor. The electrically insulating material secures the brake wear indicating device of an aperture (24) in a backing plate (26) of a brake pad (28) or brake shoe with the other end of the electrical conductor passing through an aperture in the backing plate from an outer surface (30) thereof to protrude from an inner surface (32) thereof. The end cap includes an abutment edge (38) for engaging the outer surface of the backing plate, a cap portion (40) secured to the other end of the electrical conductor.

Abstract: A disc braking (10) for a motor vehicle comprising a rotor (12); inner and outer brake pads (14,16) disposed on opposite sides of the rotor and movable into brake engagement therewith; a caliper (18) comprising a piston (26) for urging one of the brake pads against the rotor, a caliper housing (28) having a cylinder (32) positioned on one side of the rotor within which the piston is slidably movable under the action of fluid pressure in the cylinder, and a fluid line (34) in the caliper for supplying fluid to the cylinder for movement of the piston; and a proportioning valve (44) in the fluid line and integral with the caliper for preventing fluid pressure above a predetermined level acting on the piston. Reduces risk of wheel lock on braking. Provides a unitary caliper and proportioning valve prior to installation on a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A dual master cylinder (10) for the braking system of a motor vehicle comprising a bore (18), a primary portion and a secondary portion (14), in which the secondary piston (44) of the secondary portion comprises an outer piston (65) slidable in the bore, and a central piston (78), the central piston including a main body (86) slidable in the bore and a secondary body (92) slidable in a piston bore (64) in the outer piston, the piston bore having a shoulder (72) engageable with a first abutment face (98) on the central piston to define a check valve (62), the piston bore providing a fluid passage (96,68) between the high pressure chamber (56) and the low pressure chamber (48) of the secondary portion, the check valve allowing hydraulic fluid to flow through the fluid passage during a rest mode or a release mode of the dual master cylinder, but preventing such flow during an apply mode.

Abstract: A dual master cylinder (10) for the braking system of a motor vehicle comprising a primary portion and a secondary portion (14) in which the high pressure chamber (56) of the secondary portion includes a check valve (62) mounted within a piston bore (64) in the secondary piston (44), the piston bore providing a fluid passage (70,96,66) between the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber (48) of the secondary portion, the check valve allowing hydraulic fluid to flow through the fluid passage during a rest mode or a release mode of the dual master cylinder, but preventing such flow during an apply mode. Prevents damage to elastomeric cup seal (52) when back-pressure is generated by ABS dus to the absence of a dilation port in the secondary portion, which is no longer required due to the presence of the check valve.

Abstract: A disc brake caliper assembly for a rotary disc brake of a vehicle which has a wear adjustment mechanism is provided. The disc brake caliper assembly (10) includes a caliper housing (14) with a piston (28) slidably mounted therein, but prevented from rotating by a lug (30) on a brake shoe (16) secured thereto which keys in a groove (32) in the piston. An actuator screw (44) and actuator nut (66) are positioned in an internal bore (65) in the piston for mechanical actuation of the brakes. If the brake pads (20, 22) wear, on hydraulic actuation of the brakes, a thrust washer (70) engages and moves the actuator nut axially along the actuator screw to a new position which restricts reverse movement of the piston to a new (wear adjusted) position relative to the caliper housing. An actuator cone (68) having a friction clutch surface biased into engagement with a friction clutch surface on the piston prevents reverse movement of the actuator nut.

Abstract: A disc brake (10) for a motor vehicle comprising a stationary support for mounting on the motor vehicle; a caliper (12) slidably mounted on the stationary support; at least one pin (14) fixed at one end (22) to either the stationary support or the caliper and slidably positioned in an axial bore (16) in the other for slidably mounting the caliper, with the other end (30) of the pin being positioned at or adjacent one end (32) of the axial bore; and a cap seal (36) sealing the one end of the axial bore, the cap seal comprising a base (38) with a continuous wall (40) upstanding from the periphery thereof which is securable to the other of the stationary support or the caliper, and an elastomeric seal (42) secured to the continuous wall for making a seal with the other of the stationary support or the caliper around the one end of the axial bore.

Abstract: A dual master cylinder (10) for the braking system of a motor vehicle comprising a bore (18), a primary portion (12) and a secondary portion, in which the primary piston (16) comprises an outer piston (65) slidable in the bore (18), and a central piston (78) slidable in a piston bore (64) defined by the outer piston, the piston bore having a shoulder (72) engageable with an abutment face (98) on the central piston to define a check valve (62), the piston bore providing a fluid passage (70,96,68) between the high pressure chamber (30) and the low pressure chamber (22) of the primary portion, the check valve allowing hydraulic fluid to flow through the fluid passage during a rest mode or a release mode of the dual master cylinder, but preventing such flow during an apply mode. Prevents damage to elastomeric cup seal (26) when back pressure is generated by ABS due to the absence of a dilation port in the primary portion, which is no longer required due to the presence of the check valve.

Abstract: A disc brake (10) for a motor vehicle comprising a stationary support for mounting on the motor vehicle; a caliper (12) slidably mounted on the stationary support; at least one pin (14) fixed at one end (22) to either the stationary support or the caliper and slidably positioned in an axial bore (16) in the other for slidably mounting the caliper, with the other end (30) of the pin being positioned at or adjacent one end (32) of the axial bore; and a cap seal (36) sealing the one end of the axial bore, the cap seal comprising a base (38) with a continuous wall (40) upstanding from the periphery thereof which is securable to the other of the stationary support or the caliper, and an elastomeric seal (42) secured to the continuous wall for making a seal with the other of the stationary support or the caliper around the one end of the axial bore.

Abstract: A disc brake (10) for a motor vehicle comprising a rotor (12); inner and outer brake pads (14,16) disposed on opposite sides of the rotor and movable into braking engagement therewith; a piston (18) for urging the inner brake pad against the rotor; a support member securable to the motor vehicle; and a caliper housing (22) slidably supported on the support member, the caliper housing having a cylinder (20) positioned on one side of the rotor and containing the piston, and an arm member (26) on the other side of the rotor for urging the outer brake pad into engagment with the rotor when the piston acts on the inner brake pad, the arm member comprising a first limb (28) on the leading side of the arm member relative to a normal direction of rotation of the rotor, and a second limb (30) on the trailing side of the arm member relative to a normal direction of rotation of the rotor, each limb having a boss (32,34) protruding therefrom for engaging the outer brake pad, the boss (22) on the first limb having a small

Abstract: A disc brake (70) for a motor vehicle comprising a stationary support (74) for mounting on the motor vehicle; a caliper (72) slidably mounted on the stationary support; at least one pin (14) fixed to either the stationary support or the caliper and slidably positioned in an axial bore (16) in the other to extend therethrough for slidably mounting the caliper; and a sealing boot (36) having a first end (38) positioned in the axial bore in sealing engagement with the axial bore, the other end (40) sealingly engaging the pin outside the axial bore, with an elastomeric bellows portion (42') extending between the two ends; wherein the first end comprises a plastics insert (44) having a substantially cylindrical portion (46) in sliding engagement with the pin and a resilient lip (48) having a free end (52) directed away from the cylindrical portion to provide the sealing engagement with the axial bore. Reduces risk of sticking at the sliding interface between the pin and the sealing boot.

Abstract: A slip ring arrangement for feeding electrical current to, or receiving electrical current from, coil windings which are mounted on a rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, the slip ring arrangement comprising a first slip ring of electrically conducting material which is substantially cylindrical and which is mounted on the rotatable shaft, adjacent one end of the rotatable shaft, for rotation therewith; and a second slip ring of electrically conducting material which is electrically isolated from the first slip ring, which is substantially flat, and which is mounted on the said one end of the rotatable shaft for rotation therewith. Suitable for use with alternators. Allows reduction in length of slip ring arrangement and rotatable shaft. The second slip ring reduces wear on its contacting brush.

Abstract: The present invention provides disc brake caliper assembly for braking a rotary disc brake of a vehicle, the disc brake caliper assembly having a mounting bracket, first and second brake shoes, and a caliper housing mounted solely on the brake shoes and comprising a bridge section for extending across the outer periphery of the rotary disc brake, wherein the mounting bracket has shoulders each spaced from a corresponding aperture, each aperture being positioned outwardly of its corresponding shoulder and having a removable pin mounted therein and extending therefrom, the shoulders, apertures and pins extending in a lengthwise direction substantially parallel to the bridge section of the caliper housing, wherein the mounting bracket also defines an abutment adjacent each shoulder, and wherein each brake shoe has a leg portion extending from each end thereof in a lengthwise direction substantially perpendicular to the bridge section of the caliper housing such that each leg portion is retainable between a corre