Abstract: A vehicle suspension device includes a plurality of hydraulic actuators which in use support the sprung mass of the vehicle relative to the wheel and hub assemblies of the vehicle. Each hydraulic actuator is part of a single vehicle suspension device which includes a signal processor device for processing signals corresponding to a plurality of variable perimeters of the vehicle's behavior and for producing a signal to control the extension and the contraction of the hydraulic actuator. A central processor communicates with all of the vehicle suspension devices and processes signals corresponding to a plurality of variable perimeters of the vehicle's behavior and produces control signals to control the extension and contraction of each actuator.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of moulding a reinforced structure for use in a subsequent moulding operation to form a moulded article, comprising the steps of heating a fibrous mat (10) formed from fibres held together by a thermoformable binder while between the parts (11) and (12) of a mould tool which parts (11) and (12) are pre-coated with a release agents; bringing the parts of the mould together using a vacuum with the mat (10) between them; allowing the mould tool, with the fibrous mat (10) therein to cool and removing the moulded reinforcing structure thus formed from the mould tool. The parts (11) and (12) of the mould are brought together by placing them in a vacuum forming table (14) and then evacuating the volume enclosed between the sheet (10) spanning the frame (15) and the lower part (13) of the table (14) when both are brought into contact.

Abstract: The internal combustion engine includes a working cylinder, a compressed air supply, an injector for supplying a gas and fuel mixture, an exhaust valve and an inlet valve. The inlet valve delivers both gas under pressure and gas and fuel mixture to the working cylinder, commencing delivery of the gas under pressure at an earlier stage in the engine cycle to the commencement of delivery of gas and fuel mixture. The inlet valve delivers gas under pressure to the cylinder at least for a part of the time that the exhaust port is open so as to drive combusted gases out of the working cylinder. The internal combustion engine also includes a rotary valve having a first member of a cylindrical external configuration, a sleeve surrounding the first member, and a mechanism for rotating the sleeve relative to the first member. The first member comprises a plurality of fluid passages and a plurality of apertures allowing communication of each of the passages with the exterior of the first member.

Abstract: A valve operating mechanism for controlling inlet and exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine. A camshaft comprising a cam which imparts valve lift for high speeds of the engine, and a lobe portion which imparts no lift for valve deactivation during low speeds of the engine. A first finger follower follows the lobe portion, and a second finger follower follows the cam wherein the first follower is rockable about a fixed fulcrum and the second follower is rockable about a movable fulcrum.

Abstract: Cam mechanisms are provided for controlling valve means, and in particular relate to a cam mechanism for controlling the inlet and/or exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine. The cam mechanism comprises cam shaft means (10) having first (50) and second (51) cam means mounted thereon for rotation therewith and first (52) and second (62) finger followers having first (59) and second (61) follower means respectively arranged to follow the surface of the first (50) and second (51) cam means, the first (52) and second (62) finger followers being rockable about fulcrum means (54 and 66) which holds the finger followers (52 or 62) in engagement with the cam means (50 or 51) and the valve means (14) thereby permitting control of the valve means (14) by the cam means.

Abstract: A suspension system for a tracked vehicle includes a track and an associated wheel assembly a U-track tensioning assembly and a plurality of road wheels are adapted to be disposed adjacent to the surface over which the vehicle is moving and transfer the weight of the vehicle to the surface via the track. A microprocessor is provided to control the track tensioning assembly in response to tensioning signals. In a preferred embodiment, the track tensioning assembly comprises a tensioning wheel which is not a road wheel and a strut connected to the tensioning wheel and operable to apply force to the tensioning wheel, thereby tensioning the track.

Abstract: In a noise enhancement system for use in a vehicle having an engine, a memory contains stored data representing desired sound relating to vehicle speed or the engine speed. The system is provided with a source of first signals indicative of the vehicle speed or the engine speed and a generator to generate vehicle engine noise desired by an occupant of a cabin of the vehicle. The generator includes a synthesizer to synthesize desired vehicle engine noise signals used to generate the desired vehicle engine noise and a microprocessor responsive to the first signals to use appropriate data of the stored data in dependence upon the vehicle speed or the engine speed indicated by the first signal to control the synthesizer to synthesize the desired engine noise in time with the vehicle speed or the engine speed indicated by the first signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve control system for a push-rod internal combustion engine. The valve control system includes a cam including a rotatable cam shaft having a first cam member and a second cam member having a different profile from the first raised portion. A reciprocating movement is transmitted by a rocker arm engaging the valve and a push-rod connected to a first cam follower in engagement with a push-rod operating a rocker arm and a second follower capable of movement relative to the first cam follower with locking device to enable the cam follower members to be linked so as to be moved together.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle steering system comprising an adjustable steering input device, a device for generating a first electrical signal proportional to demanded input of the steering input device, a device for steering a vehicle wheel in response to the first electrical signal, a sensing device for detecting the response of the vehicle, a device for producing a second electrical signal proportional to the detected response, an input filter for filtering the first electrical signal, a comparator device for comparing the filtered first electrical signal and the second electrical signal and producing a different signal from comparison of the first and second electrical signals, a device for steering a vehicle wheel in response to the difference signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to valve control for an internal combustion engine. The valve control includes a valve, a first camshaft having a first cam member and a second cam member having a different profile from the first cam member and a cam follower assembly for transmitting reciprocating movement to the valve from the cam. The cam follower assembly includes a first cam follower member in engagement with the valve and a second cam follower member movably relative to the first cam follower member, and locking means to enable the follower members to be linked to move together. When the follower members are not linked the valve means is controlled by the first cam follower member in engagement with and following the profile of the first cam member and when the follower members are linked the valve is controlled by the second cam follower member in engagement with and following the profile of the second cam member. One of the cam members having a circular axial cross-section to enable valve deactivation.

Abstract: The present invention includes an internal combustion engine having at least one piston reciprocating within a cylinder, and an exhaust port allowing communication of the cylinder with an exhaust passage. A moveable shutter is provided to vary the effective area of the exhaust port. The shutter varies the effective area cyclically in a timed relationship to the reciprocal motion of the piston within the cylinder. A sensor is provided to measure an operating characteristic of the engine and to generate signals responding to the operating characteristic sensed. A control unit is provided to process the signals and to control the motion of the shutter in response to the signals.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a suspension unit comprising a hydraulic actuator of variable displacement connected to the chassis or body of the vehicle and a wheel and hub assembly of the vehicle and a control device for varying the displacement of the actuator in response to signals received from transducers on the vehicle to control the vehicle suspension. The suspension unit further comprises a displacement detector device to detect when the actuator displacement approaches a desired maximum/minimum value and a device to modify the velocity demand signal which operates in response to the control signal generated by the displacement detector device to bring the extension/contraction of the actuator gradually to a stop as the desired maximum/minimum value is reached.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension control system comprises an actuator device for connection between a sprung mass of a vehicle and unsprung masses of the vehicle.