Abstract: A rotatable assembly for a vehicle road wheel includes a vehicle suspension knuckle (16), a drive shaft (24), a first bearing (30) carried by the knuckle for rotatably supporting the drive shaft, a wheel hub (13) drivingly connected to the drive shaft, a brake disc support (26) rotatably carried by the first bearing and connected to the drive shaft to rotate therewith, the connection (28) between the brake disc support and the drive shaft being separated and spaced apart along the shaft from the connection (25) between the drive shaft and the wheel hub, a second bearing (32) between the wheel hub and the brake disc to support the wheel hub and to allow relative rotation between the brake disc support and the wheel hub and a torque sensor (50) between said connections to sense the torque or the change in torque being transmitted by the drive shaft (24) to the wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission comprising a vehicle chassis (10), a hub unit (20) for a driven wheel; a chassis mounted drive motor assembly (11) individual to the hub unit and pivoted to the chassis about an axis (12) passing through or adjacent to the center of gravity of the motor assembly; a shaft assembly connecting the drive motor assembly to a rotatable part (25) of the hub unit and comprising a shaft (31) connected to a fixed, constant-velocity, universal joint (26) at the outboard end of the shaft which is drivingly connected to the rotatable part of the hub unit; a wheel suspension (22, 23) connected between a non-rotatable part (21) of the hub unit and the chassis (10); and a rigid tube (19) connnecting the non-rotatable part of the hub unit to the motor assembly, the non-rotatable part (21) of the hub unit being pivotally mounted with respect tot the tube about the center of articulation of the universal joint and the shaft lying within said tube and being rigidly connected to the motor assembly.

Abstract: A differential having a driving member; an input member; first and second rotatable output members; differential gearing operable between the input member and the first and second output members, for transmitting rotation from the input member to the first and second output members and providing for differential rotation of the first and second output members relative to one another; an engaging device operable to establish a driving connection between the driving member and the input member; an inhibiting device operable to inhibit relative rotation between the first and second output members; and an actuating device for causing the operation of the engaging device and the inhibiting device.

Abstract: A rotary device comprising two elements (12, 20/22) supported for rotation about an axis (11) and movable relative to one another along said axis, and diaphragm spring means (33) urging said elements axially relative to one another, said diaphragm spring means having radially inner and outer portions connected respectively to said elements and arranged such that said elements are constrained to movement in opposite directions by the same or substantially the same distance as one another about an axially fixed position.

Abstract: A drive arrangement includes an endless flexible drive element which cooperates with a pulley of variable effective diameter having two sheave members and a drive ring between the sheave members and able to run eccentrically when the sheave members move apart. The drive arrangement also includes a stabilising member for cooperating with the drive ring so as to maintain the axis of rotation of the drive ring at least substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the sheave members.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system has an anti-roll portion bar arrangement comprising a torsion bar extending transversely of the vehicle, and first and second arms extending transversely from the torsion bar, one arm being connected to the torsion bar by a rotary actuator for moving the arm angularly about the torsion bar. The torsion bar is supported for angular movement about its torsional axis by a support member, for example, a tubular housing which is mounted to the vehicle structure by brackets which preferably extend lengthwise of the vehicle, forwardly or rearwardly, from the support member to be pivotally connected to the vehicle structure. As well as providing packaging benefits, the arrangement has the effect that the support member stores some energy in the system, lessening the demands on the properties of the torsion bar.

Abstract: A squeeze formed aluminum-silicon cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine is produced from a melt consisting essentially of the following composition by weight: silicon 14% to 16%, copper 1.9% to 2.2%, nickel 1.0% to 1.4%, magnesium of 0.4% to 0.55%, iron 0.6% to 1.0%, manganese 0.3% to 0.6%, silicon modifier 0.02% to 0.1%, with the balance being aluminum and any unavoidable impurities, the as-formed article having an essentially eutectic microstructure containing not more than 10% of primary alpha-aluminum dendrites and being substantially free from intermetallic particles exceeding 10.mu. in diameter. The growth rate R of the solid phase during solidification is from 1,000 to 2,500 .mu./s and the temperature gradient G at the solid/liquid interface, expressed in .degree.C./cm is such that the ratio G/R is from 100 to 1,000.degree. Cs/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A zig-zag spring in the form of a strip of fibre-reinforced plastics material with limbs connected by reflex portions, is held at its end portion by a member such that a short length (11a, 18a) of the end reflex portion (11, 18) substantially does not move angularly as the spring is compressed. Preferably an end limb (21a, 29a) extending lengthwise of the spring as a whole is so held. A suspension strut assembly, comprising two springs thus held, is disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanical automatic clearance adjuster (10) of the type comprising a screw (24) of generally buttress thread form running within an internally threaded housing (22) on running flanks (38,40) under the action of axially directed spring means (26) has the screw (24) provided with grooved locking flanks (42) incapable of establishing contiguous engagement with the co-operating locking flanks (44) of the housing. The adjuster (10) is described for use in a valve train application in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Assembly comprising a spring in the form of a zig-zag strip of fibre reinforced plastics material with limbs (10-16) connected by reflex portions (17,22), wherein end limbs (10,16) of the spring are mounted at an attitude they would adopt when loaded if they were pin-jointed so as to be free to move as the spring is loaded so that over-stressing of the reflex portions (18,21) of the spring is thereby avoided when the spring is loaded. In modifications of the invention, a spring end limb (39) may be progressively engaged by a surface (42) of a mounting to be supported at a range of attitudes corresponding to a range of spring loads; or a spring mounting may be associated with pivotable members so that end limbs of the spring move arcuately therewith and change their relative attitude as if they were pin-jointed.

Abstract: A leaf spring of composite material has a slipper end assembly comprising two members engaging opposite surfaces of the spring leaf and extending beyond the free end of the spring leaf where they are secured together. Away from the free end of the leaf they are held together by a fastening extending transversely around them and the spring. The spring has a curved portion at its free end, with which the members interfit to prevent their moving relative to the spring. In an assembly of such a leaf with a spring leaf of steel, one of the members held to the spring may engage the steel leaf to hold the leaves in alignment with one another.

Abstract: A suspension for a pair of wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising a spring (10,30) extending tranversely of the vehicle and supported by two mountings (11,12) spaced between the spring ends and which ends are connected, directly or indirectly, to wheel carrier members, wherein the spring has a portion (22,24) displaced out of the general line of adjacent parts of the spring to give a clearance from a part of the vehicle. The displaced part of the spring may be the entire central portion (40,50,60,100) thereof between its mountings (45,46,101) and end portions of the spring may be inclined to such central portion, so that the space directly between the wheels is clear of suspension parts.

Abstract: A spring in the form of a strip of fibre-reinforced plastics material, of zig-zag configuration having limbs connected by reflex portions with the longitudinal centre line of the strip lying substantially in a single plane, is secured to another component by a mounting affording a socket in which a limb portion of the spring is held. Such limb portion may extend longitudinally or tranversely of the spring as a whole. Two such springs may be disposed on opposite sides of a telescopic damper, to provide an assembly useful for vehicle suspension.

Abstract: A motor vehicle suspension comprising a leaf spring (24) of composite material extending transversely of the vehicle, pivotally supported at two spaced positions (25, 26) between its ends and connected at its ends to wheel carriers, wherein the spring is resiliently supported, at a central region thereof between its pivotal supports, by resilient support means (31, 32, 33, 34) and the bending stiffness of the spring decreases from its pivotal support positions to the central region. The spring is enclosed in a housing (29) between the support positions (25, 26).

Abstract: An H-frame vehicle suspension, having pivoted arms joined by a transverse member, has its arms (10) pivoted within enclosures (16) connected to or incorporated in the vehicle structure, such enclosures also containing springs (19) operating on the arms. The springs are preferably of fiber reinforced plastics material.

Abstract: A suspension for a pair of wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising a pair of pivoted arms (14) supporting the wheels (10) relative to the vehicle, and a leaf spring (16) extending transversely of the vehicle and connected to the arms. The leaf spring is supported between its ends at two spaced positions, for pivotal movement about horizontal axes, so that the spring is also effective to resist roll of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mechanical automatic clearance adjuster, such as may be used as a valve clearance adjuster in an internal combustion engine, comprises a self-contained mechanism having an internally screw threaded housing (26) within which there is a complementarily threaded screw member (28). The screw threads exhibit a relatively high friction in one direction of axial loading thereof compared with a relatively low friction in the opposite direction of axial loading whereby the screw member (28) may rotate and advance axially of the housing (26) solely under the action of a compression spring (34) acting between the screw member (28) and an end cap (30).

Abstract: A squeeze formed aluminium alloy article, such as a piston, is formed with a re-entrant cavity (14) with reinforced edges by locating an isostatically compacted salt core (10) and annular alumina-silicate fibre pad (11) in the mould cavity of the squeeze forming press prior to introduction of the molten metal therein. The core (10) is subsequently dissolved from the squeeze formed article to provide a reinforced corresponding shape to the article which does not require subsequent machining.

Abstract: A squeeze formed aluminum alloy article, such as a piston, is formed with a re-entrant cavity (14) by locating an isostatically compacted salt core (10) in the mould cavity of the squeeze forming press prior to introduction of the molten metal therein. The core (14) is subsequently dissolved from the squeeze formed article to provide a corresponding shape to the article which does not require subsequent machining.

Abstract: An aluminum or aluminum alloy wheel is disclosed for use in a back-to-back support wheel assembly in a track laying vehicle. Studs are embedded in the wheel rim edges 30 to reduce wear at the point of contact by the horns 34 of the track 36.