Abstract: An apparatus for attenuating wheel speed variation during periods of brake intervention traction control is provided. The speed of the or each driven wheel is monitored and the braking force applied to the or each driven wheel is controlled in accordance with the wheel speed and wheel acceleration. Braking force may be increased when a rate of change of wheel acceleration is increasing and the wheel is accelerating (i.e. between periods B and C of FIG. 5c); whereas braking force may be decreased when the rate of change of wheel acceleration is decreasing and the wheel is decelerating (i.e. between periods D and E of FIG. 5c).

Abstract: A brake pressure control method in a vehicle brake system equipped with an electronically adjustable brake pressure booster provides that, during a braking operation, a stored design value (p.sub.soll) of the brake pressure constantly is associated with a respective instantaneous actuating speed (v.sub.ped) of a brake pedal. The the actual value (p.sub.Br) of the brake pressure is also measured at this instant and compared with the design value, and as a result, the pressure originating from the brake pressure booster output is adjusted in response to the result of the comparison between the design and actual values, so that the actual value converges to the corresponding design value.

Abstract: A gear arrangement for interconnecting a pair of gear wheels which are carried on rotary shafts the rotary axes of which intersect, comprise a toothed rack having two rows of teeth for engagement with the wheels respectively. The rack is resiliently biased into engagement with the gear wheels.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit for use in a control system for an internal combustion engine receives a first series of signals from a first transducer driven by the engine crankshaft and a second series of signals from a second transducer. The signals of the first series occur at short intervals of time and those of the second series at relatively long intervals and serve as engine cylinder identification signals. The signals of the second series include a further signal which occurs a predetermined time before one of the identification signals to provide an engine position signal. The processing circuit supplies the cylinder identification signals and the engine position signal separately to a microprocessor based engine control system and it is constructed to supply artificial identification signals and an artificial position signal in the event of failure of the second transducer, the artificial signals being derived from the signals of the first series.

Abstract: An electronic braking system for a vehicle having foundation brakes (137, 138) and a vehicle retarder (129), wherein an electrical braking demand signal (D) is generated from a single brake pedal and wherein the retarder (129) is operated variably or in small steps as the brake pedal movement is increased from a zero or rest position up to a partial point in its movement range which is calculated to give substantially maximum retarder powder based on the total mass of the vehicle. As a result, for a fully loaded condition this partial point occurs at low pedal deflection and, in an unloaded condition where a given retarder will produce a higher deceleration, this point occurs at a higher pedal deflection, wherein in both cases pushing the pedal beyond the calculated partial point causes foundation braking to be commenced to supplement the retarder torque.

Abstract: In a booster housing (10) two chambers (12, 14) separated from each other by a movable wall (16) are connectable to each other by a control valve (20) having a valve body (22) axially movable in common with the wall (16), said valve body having a first valve seat (24), a sealing element (60) axially movable in said valve body and pretensioned in the direction of said first valve seat and a valve barrel (30). The valve barrel (30) has a second valve seat (32) and is pretensioned in the direction of the sealing element (60), is couplingly connected for movement by means of a piston (42) movable by an actuator element (44) in the direction away from the sealing element (60) and is movable by means of a solenoid (40) also independently of the piston (42).

Abstract: A vehicle cruise controller is provided which monitors the range to and relative speed of a target vehicle ahead of the vehicle being controlled by the cruise controller. A radar provides measurements of range and relative speed. The range measurement is compared by a subtracter with a desired range which is a function of vehicle speed, so as to form a distance error. The relative speed signal represents a speed error. An acceleration demand is formed as a function, for example, a weighted sum, of the distance and speed errors. More significance is given to the distance error when the target is relatively close. This is achieved by varying the gain of a multiplier. The acceleration demand may be supplied to vehicle brake and drive systems, but preferably the acceleration demand is compared with actual vehicle acceleration to provide the advantages of closed loop control.

Abstract: A booster housing, especially for vehicle brake systems, and a method of assembling such a booster housing in which a booster housing (20) has two housing bottoms (26, 28) which are each disposed at one side of a movable partition (60). Connecting members (32) on at least one of the housing bottoms (26) are each tightly crimped around one fastening hole (30). Spacers (50) extend between the two housing bottoms (26, 28) as well as through the partition (60). Each of the connecting members (32) is provided with a recess (40) into which an end portion (52) of the associated spacer (50) is inserted and crimped. The booster housing (20) is assembled by inserting an end portion (52) of a spacer (50) into the recess (40) of one connecting member (32), passing the connecting member (32) through a fastening hole (30), and simultaneously crimping the connecting member (32) with the housing bottom (26) and the spacer (50).

Abstract: A fluid connection between a pair of passages (12,15) which open onto surfaces (13,16) in respective body parts which are secured together. About one of the passages a sealing zone (21) is established in a respective surface and the zone is surrounded by a depression (20) which communicates with a drain passage.

Abstract: In a booster housing (10) two chambers (12, 14) separated from each other by a movable wall (16) are connectable to each other by a control valve (20) having a valve body (22) axially movable in common with the wall (16), said valve body having a first valve seat (24), a sealing element (60) axially movable in said valve body and pretensioned in the direction of said first valve seat and a valve barrel (30). The valve barrel (30) has a second valve seat (32) and is pretensioned in the direction of the sealing element (60), is couplingly connected for movement by means of a piston (42) movable by an actuator element (44) in the direction away from the sealing element (60) and is movable by means of a solenoid (40) also independently of the piston (42).

Abstract: Thermal expansion within a gearbox causes relative motion of all of the component parts therein. For gearboxes having components made of different materials, differential thermal expansion may alter the clearances between meshing gears and give rise to increased backlash. The gearbox comprises a compensation member arranged to move one end of an axle having a first gear therein in response to changes to temperature so as maintain the first gear in substantially temperature invariant engagement with a second gear.

Abstract: Two chambers (12, 14) in a booster casing (10) are separated by a movable wall (16) which is connected to a valve housing (22). The housing contains a movable sealing member (60) with which a first valve seat (24), formed in the valve housing (22), and a second valve seat (32), formed on a movable valve closing member (30), are associated. The valve closing member (30) is guided for axial displacement on a piston (42) and designed as the armature of an electromagnet (40) which is arranged inside the valve housing (22) in such a way that, when energized, it moves the valve closing member (30) away from the sealing member (60) against the resistance of a valve spring (38). The piston (42) is guided for axial displacement in the valve housing (22) and serves to transmit actuating forces from an actuator member (44) to an output member (50).

Abstract: A fuel injection pumping apparatus has a cam (9) actuated reciprocable plunger (13) housed in a bore (11) into which fuel flows from a fuel supply (7,14). An outlet (12) extends from a pumping chamber (13A) defined by the plunger and bore. A spill passage (19) communicates the pumping chamber with a spill valve (16) so that fuel from the pumping chamber which flows through the passage and spill valve (20) flows into a cylinder (21) containing a resiliently biased piston (17). The fuel which flows into the cylinder is returned to the pumping chamber during outward movement of the plunger and the fuel supply (14,7) ensures that the pumping chamber is completely filled with fuel. A safety valve (30,31) allows fuel to escape from the cylinder (21) in the event that the piston (17) sticks in the cylinder.

Abstract: An optical displacement sensor comprises first and second optical fibers which transmit light to and receive light reflected from first and second fixed reflectors. A third optical fiber transmits light to and receives light reflected from a moving reflector on the end of a core which moves in response to the displacement to be measured. The intensities of the light reflected to the fibers allows the displacement to be determined with immunity from variations such as in transmissivity and refractive index of a medium between the fibers and the reflectors.

Abstract: The existence of an unacceptable vapor leak can be determined by monitoring the pressure within a fuel system of an internal combustion engine. Once the engine is switched off, a period is timed to allow pressure variations due to movement of the fuel to subside to an acceptable level. The fuel system is closed and a first rate of pressure increase is determined by measuring a first time taken for the pressure to rise by a predetermined amount. A leak of a predetermined size is then introduced and a second rate of pressure increase is determined by measuring a second time taken for the pressure to rise by a predetermined amount. The first and second times are then compared to detect whether or not an unacceptable leak exists.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a hydraulic, anti-skid braking system for a wheeled vehicle. A source of hydraulic or other operating fluid is applied to the brakes of the vehicle. A sensor indicates when the speed of wheel rotation exceeds a predetermined value. Responsive thereto, a modulator assembly modulates a supply of the operating fluid to the vehicle brakes. An electronic control unit controls the modulator assembly in order to isolate the source of operating fluid from the brakes and to relieve the pressure of the operating fluid applied to the brakes. At the termination of a sensor caused signal, there is a re-application of the operating fluid to the brakes at a controlled rate. The modulator assembly has a bore, a valve spool working in the bore, a first normally closed solenoid for operating a valve, a passage between first and second ends of the bore, and a second solenoid operated valve in the passage.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement is provided for supporting a movable member for directing a fluid flow from a first direction. A bearing sleeve encloses a bearing and a shield shields the bearing from the fluid flow.

Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus of the rotary distributor type has a pumping plunger (14) mounted in a bore (13) in the distributor member and a cam ring (24) operable to move the plunger inwardly in timed relationship with the associated engine. The cam ring is positioned by a fluid pressure operable piston (25) contained within a cylinder (26). The apparatus includes a further piston (31) mounted in a further cylinder connected to the first mentioned cylinder, the further piston being biased by a pre-stressed spring (32). A stop is provided to limit the movement of the further piston against the action of the spring which yields to limit the fuel pressure developed by the plunger during the initial inward movement.

Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to an engine includes a pumping plunger housed in a bore one end of which connects with an outlet and also by way of a valve with a source of fuel under pressure. Also provided is a further plunger housed in a further bore one end of which is connected to an accumulator volume. Cam means is provided to urge the further plunger towards the one end of its bore to compress the fluid in the accumulator and the outward movement of the further plunger under the action of the compressed fluid is transmitted to the pumping plunger to displace fuel through the outlet.