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 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 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a land vehicle suspension control system comprising means (25) for measuring forces acting between the sprung mass (body) (20) of a vehicle and unsprung masses (wheel and hub assemblies) (11, 18) connected thereto, means for producing signals proportional to the measured loads and actuator means (14) operable to apply correcting forces in dependence on said signals to control the attitude of the vehicle, the actuator means being capable of stable operation to counteract loads acting on the vehicle including loads isolated from the means for measuring forces. The loads isolated from the means for measuring forces include those loads which are absorbed by passive isolators that are connected in series with the actuator means of the vehicle.

Abstract: A land vehicle suspension control system comprising an actuator connected between a sprung mass of the vehicle and an unsprung mass of the vehicle, which actuator comprises a piston moveable with a cylinder and dividing the cylinder into at least two chambers; a source of pressurized fluid; and exhaust for fluid; a valve mechanism controllable by a control signal for selectively connecting at least one of the chambers to the source of pressurized fluid or the exhaust for fluid and for controlling the rate of flow fluid to and from the chambers; a sensor device for determining forces applied to the sprung mass by the actuator and the unsprung mass and for generating signals corresponding thereto; a processor device for processing signals generated by the sensor device and for generating a velocity demand control signal to control the valve mechanism, the velocity demand signal demanding a relative velocity between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass and the valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid to th

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the yaw rate of a vehicle, comprising a device for measuring the velocity of the vehicle, a device for measuring the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, and a device for measuring the steering angle of the vehicle, a correction device, and a yaw gyrometer. The correction device acts to remove bias errors from the output of the yaw gyrometer. The correction device also estimates the bias errors when the velocity of the vehicle is within a tolerance of zero or when both the steering angle of the vehicle is within a tolerance of zero and the lateral acceleration of the vehicle is within a tolerance of zero.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering system comprising a steering wheel (11), control signal generating means (12) responsive to the operation of the steering wheel (11), means for steering at least one vehicle wheel in response to control signals generated by the generating means and also selectively operable coupling means (41) to enable the steering means to be mechanically coupled to the steering wheel for manual steering of the vehicle wheel independently of the control signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to valve control means for a push-rod internal combustion engine. With reference to FIG. 8 of the drawings, the valve control means comprises valve means, cam means comprising a camshaft having a first cam member and a second cam member having a different profile from the first cam member, and means for transmitting reciprocating movement to the valve means from the cam means. The means for transmitting reciprocating movement comprises a first cam follower member in engagement with the push-rod and a second cam follower member movable relative to the first cam follower member, and locking means to enable the follower members to be linked to move together.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active suspension system for controlling the suspension of a wheeled land vehicle, which comprises an actuator (31) of variable length in parallel with a spring (34), connected between the body or chassis of a vehicle and a wheel and hub assembly (40) of such. The extension/contraction of the actuator is controlled by a control unit (60) in response to parameters measured by various sensors (61, 64, 65, 66 and 62). The control unit (60) also makes allowance for loads on the vehicle not measured by the sensors, so that accurate control of the suspension system is achieved.

Abstract: An active vehicle suspension includes a strut comprising a piston working in a cylinder and movable to compensate for unexpected road inputs to the suspension and for inputs generated by the driver, such an inertial force introduced by braking or cornering. At times when the piston is being moved by the road and driver inputs to compress the strut excess hydraulic fluid is fed from the strut to an accumulator where it is temporarily stored at high pressure and later released back to the strut when it is desired to increase the length of strut. Thus some, and sometimes all, of the energy needed to extend the strut can be supplied by the accumulator rather than a pump. This save energy. The piston has unequal areas and a system of spool valves is provided to control the flow of fluid between the strut, accumulator, and pump.

Abstract: A method for moulding an article wherein mould parts are adapted to be moved together under vacuum to cause moulding material to be evenly distributed around a reinforcement structure. A finish coating of paint or the like is applied to the article during the moulding process by coating the mould interior and partially curing the coated material before introduction of the moulding material. Coating of the interior of one or both mould parts may be effected to produce articles coated on one or both surfaces. If desired, a plurality of coating and partial curing steps may be employed.

Abstract: The suspension comprises a member, on which a road wheel of the vehicle is rotatably mounted, and spaced upper and lower pivotal links extending from the member mounting the wheel to the structure of the vehicle. The lower link is L-shaped and has a first limb extending outwardly from the vehicle structure to the wheel-mounting member and a second limb extending generally-longitudinally of the vehicle and is attached to its structure. The suspension also includes a control link which extends between the vehicle structure and the wheel mounting member to control the steer alignment of the wheel-mounting member. The inboard end of the control link lies outboard of the line and can be either higher or lower than that line. The location and geometry of the control link are chosen to produce desired changes in steer alignment of the wheel-carrying member during suspension deflections of the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A road vehicle suspension unit particularly suited for the front wheels of a front wheel drive vehicle has an outer subframe consisting of a double-wishbone structure which supports the road wheel and is mounted on a rigid inner subframe so as to accommodate vertical road wheel movement, which is strongly opposed by a spring or damper device. The inner subframe is mounted on the vehicle chassis or body by forward and rear resilient mountings such that horizontal wheel movement also is strongly opposed but with provision for some rearward movement of the wheel by turning of the subframe about an axis through the forward mounting.

Abstract: A road vehicle has steerable front and rear wheels, the rear wheels being steered by an electro-hydraulic system responsive to the manual control input to the front wheels. The hydraulic actuator of the system is biased to the straight-ahead steering position by springs, so that the rear wheels are centered in the event of electric or hydraulic failure, and an hydraulically restrained latch element is spring biased to then latch the actuator piston in its centered position.

Abstract: A two-part mould for moulding an article has the mould parts adapted to be moved together under vacuum to cause moulding material to be evenly distributed around a reinforcement structure. Sealing means for sealing the mold cavity against ambient atmosphere, comprises a primary seal operative during the movement of the mould parts, the action of the primary seal being assisted by a secondary seal which becomes effective when the mould parts reach the final closed position. A collection chamber is formed in one of the mould parts for collection of surplus resin through pinch-off means, including a flexible part, which closes off flow of resin into the collection chamber in the closed position, of the mould parts. The collection chamber is preferably located to permit drainage of resin back to the mould cavity until the pinch-off means becomes effective.