Patents Assigned to Lucas Industries public limited
  • Patent number: 5994807
    Abstract: An electric actuator for use in a vehicle power steering system includes an electric motor (20) and a gearbox (22). The electric motor (20) has a stator (26) and an armature (27) concentric with the stator (26) that is adapted to rotate about a common axis. A single common output shaft (40) extends through the actuator (14) to transmit torque from the motor (20) to a drive portion (70) of the output shaft (40) remote from the gearbox (22), from whence torque is transmitted to the gearbox (22) through a transmission portion (60) of the shaft (40). A clutch (21) may be provided between the motor (20) and the output shaft (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ronald Coles, Anthony Johnson, Mark Anthony Wilkes
  • Patent number: 5984208
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a barrel having an insert recess therein within which an insert is disposed. A facing surface of the insert is located opposite a base surface of the recess and forms a passage interconnecting a high pressure fuel passage and a valve bore. High pressure intersecting bores are thus avoided, leading to a reduction in structural failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: David E. Martin, James J. Streicher, Clifford J. Rebello, Prabhakar Ramalingam
  • Patent number: 5986871
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel injector comprises the steps of applying a test waveform to a solenoid coil of the injector to cause a response by an armature assembly and measuring the response of the armature assembly while the test waveform is applied to the solenoid coil. A control waveform for the injector is developed as a function of the variation of the measured response of the armature from a selected operational characteristic. The developed control waveform is thereafter applied to the solenoid coil to cause the armature assembly to approach a nominal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Glen F. Forck, Umesh Shah
  • Patent number: 5979999
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic braking system for motor vehicles with a brake master cylinder which can be actuated by a brake pedal. A wheel brake is coupled with at least with one vehicle wheel. The wheel brake can be connected with the brake master cylinder in order to subject the wheel brake to pressurized hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic pressure accumulator supplied by the pump, form an alternative source of pressurized hydraulic fluid which can be supplied to the wheel brake through a control valve arrangement in a controlled manner in order to subject the wheel brake to pressurized hydraulic fluid. A shut-off valve is arranged between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic pressure accumulator in order to selectively make or shut-off a connection between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic pressure accumulator to permit the hydraulic pump, in certain situations, to rapidly pressurize the braking system without having to simultaneously recharge the hydraulic pressure accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Gregor Poertzgen, Karl-Friedrich Worsdorfer, Kurt Mohr
  • Patent number: 5975437
    Abstract: A fuel injector solenoid includes an armature through which a high pressure fuel passage extends. Because the fuel passage is disposed within the armature, the solenoid can be made larger, thereby permitting greater armature forces to be developed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignees: Caterpillar, Inc., Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: James J. Streicher, Marvin P. Schneider
  • Patent number: 5971300
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a center tube which conducts fuel flow. A flat-seat poppet valve surrounds a lower portion of the center tube and controls the application of pressurized fuel to first and second check end passages to assist in check closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignees: Caterpillar, Inc., Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Marvin P. Schneider, Colin T. Timms
  • Patent number: 5971110
    Abstract: In a brake assembly in which an electric motor operates to apply the brake through a screw device, the screw device comprises a recirculating roller screw assembly which is adapted to be driven from the electric motor through a gear train, and the roller screw assembly comprises a fine pitch recirculating roller screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited companuy
    Inventor: Anthony Eugene Martin
  • Patent number: 5971500
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronically controllable braking system for motor vehicles with a brake pressure generator unit (2) which can be actuated by a brake pedal (1), which supplies hydraulic fluid via a hydraulic fluid path (3) to at least one wheel brake (4) of the motor vehicle, a first electromagnetic valve arrangement (5a, 5b) which is arranged in the hydraulic fluid path between the brake pressure generator unit (2) and the wheel brake (4) for controlling the pressure build-up, pressure relief and pressure holding phases in the wheel brake, a motor-powered controllable hydraulic pressure source (7) which, in addition to or in lieu of the brake pressure generator unit (2), supplies hydraulic fluid to the wheel brake (4), and a motor-powered controllable auxiliary energy source (15, 30) which boosts an actuation of the brake pressure generator unit (2) by the brake pedal (1) or which effects an actuation of the brake pressure generator unit (2) in lieu of the brake pedal (1), with the controllable
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Dieter Voges, Frank Lubischer
  • Patent number: 5969443
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuating device comprises a solenoid coil to which a control current can be applied and an armature associated with the solenoid coil which is adapted to carry out movements which are dependent upon a control current flowing through the solenoid coil and a spring arrangement for biassing the armature into opposite directions, with a holding position being defined which is assumed by the armature at a holding current through the solenoid coil, with the holding current flowing through the solenoid coil being variable to a higher value or to a lower value with the armature not leaving the holding position, and both the higher and the lower current value being able to be dimensioned in such a manner that interference influences on the magnetic and spring forces which actuate the armature do not bring the armature from its holding position into an actuated position which is different from the holding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Christopher Linden, Stefan Helbing
  • Patent number: 5940262
    Abstract: A control circuit for an electromagnetically operable fuel control valve of a vehicle engine includes a tank capacitor which upon closure of first and second controllable switches supplies current to the winding of the valve to achieve a high rate of rise of current in the winding and rapid operation of the valve. Following operation of the valve it is maintained in its operated state by current chopping action, the current rise being achieved by drawing current from a low voltage source through a third controllable switch. The current fall is at a high rate and the resultant high voltage induced in the winding is utilized to recharge the tank capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: Michael Anthony Archer
  • Patent number: 5937649
    Abstract: A brake master cylinder (10) for a hydraulic vehicle brake system has a master cylinder housing (32) and at least one pressure chamber (40) designed therein. Connected to the pressure chamber (40) is a hydraulic fluid reservoir which, furthermore, is provided for connection to a precharge pump of a brake pressure regulating system. Moreover, the brake master cylinder (10) has a hydraulic fluid return connection (30) which makes a fluid connection between the delivery side of the precharge pump, the reservoir and the at least one pressure chamber (40). A throttle (60) is arranged in this liquid connection, said throttle not impeding a hydraulic fluid stream out of the reservoir into the at least one pressure chamber (40) and throttling a hydraulic fluid stream from the return connection (30) into the reservoir. The throttle (60) makes it possible to cause the precharge pump to act on the at least one pressure chamber (40), without an electromagnetic valve being interposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Uwe Barz, Markus Mallmann, Bernd Wagner
  • Patent number: 5936830
    Abstract: An ignition exciter for an engine, comprising a pulse generator for generating output pulses for an igniter plug, and an oscillator for repeatedly triggering the pulse generator at a repetition rate such that each output pulse is produced before ionization caused by a preceding output pulse has substantially disappeared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Co.
    Inventors: Francis John Rousseau, David Godfrey, John Louis Bonell
  • Patent number: 5934854
    Abstract: A ring fastener, with a circular configuration in the rest condition, comprising two ring ends (11, 12) spaced from each other, an essentially constant cross-section over at least 150.degree. of its circumference, and in the area of each ring end (11, 12) a recess (13, 14) opening toward its inner circumference, enables an easy installation. A special apparatus enables a particularly effective installation of the ring fastener in very confined conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Hubert Krautkremer, Gerd Mayer, Rene Straub
  • Patent number: 5924435
    Abstract: A method of energizing an electromagnetically operable valve which comprises a valve member movable into engagement with a seating when a winding is energized comprising connecting the winding to a DC supply to achieve a rapid rate of rise of current. The current is controlled at the peak value and is then reduced to a low value after an initial movement of the valve member. The valve member continues its movement towards the seating and the current is restored prior to engagement of the valve member with the seating to substantially eliminate bouncing of the valve member away from the seating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Robin Christopher Wall, Brian William Tumber
  • Patent number: 5900149
    Abstract: A sedimenter comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet. The housing defines a collection chamber located beneath and in communication with a sedimentation chamber. Flow path defining means, for example in the form of a baffle, located within the sedimentation chamber forces fuel flowing between the inlet and the outlet to follow a relatively long, tortuous flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Peter Francis Bradford
  • Patent number: 5896958
    Abstract: The drum brake has a brake support plate which is divided into a supporting body (10) and a back plate (22). The supporting body (10) has a central ring (12) for centering and securing to an axle housing of a vehicle, and an abutment carrier (16) against which brake shoes (38) can bear in a circumferential direction. The brake shoes (38) can bear against the back plate (22) in an axial direction. At the supporting body (10) a mounting means (20) for a wheel speed sensor (46) and a rest (56) for a jacket (58) of a brake cable (60) are additionally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Peter Ludke, Frank Biebricher, Albert Langert, Eckhart Op den Camp
  • Patent number: 5890660
    Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle is disclosed which comprises a value needle slidable within a bore and biased by a spring into engagement with a seating of conical form wherein the valve needle includes an upstream conical region of cone angle slightly larger than the seating and a downstream conical region of cone angle slightly smaller than the seating, and an annular groove provided between the upstream and downstream regions wherein an upstream edge of the groove forms with the upstream region a seating line along which the valve needle engages the seating when the valve needle is in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: John William Stevens
  • Patent number: 5878958
    Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus is disclosed which comprises a pumping plunger reciprocable within a bore. A spill valve communicates with the bore. A pilot piston is exposed to the fuel pressure within the bore, the pilot piston being arranged to move under the action of the fuel pressure to supply a pilot quantity of fuel to an injector. The pilot piston is arranged so that, in one position, only part of an end face thereof is exposed to the fuel pressure within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited
    Inventor: Malcolm David Dick Lambert
  • Patent number: 5873247
    Abstract: A vehicle brake system with an electronically controllable brake booster, comprising an actuation member (70, 80) transferring the actuation travel of a brake pedal to a master cylinder, which is allocated a travel limiting element (82) accepted between two abutment faces which limits the actuation travel of the actuation member (70), and a switching element (85) which upon an actuation movement of the actuation member (70) can be activated by one of the abutments (91, 91a) in order to issue a signal to the controller of the brake booster, with the travel limiting element being arranged on the actuation member (80) between two collars (83, 84), and a carrier (86) accepting the switching element (85) being arranged between the travel limiting element and one of the collars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Peter Schluter, Stefan Bubenheim, Christoph Beuerle, Ulrich Danne
  • Patent number: 5873526
    Abstract: An injection nozzle comprises a valve needle engageable with a seating. The needle includes a surface arranged such that when the needle occupies a fully lifted position, part of the surface is exposed to the fuel pressure within a control chamber whilst a second part of the surface is exposed to the fuel pressure within a second chamber. Independent restricted passages provide communication between the control and second chambers and a supply line. A control valve communicates with the second chamber to control operation of the injection nozzle. The control valve is actuated by an electromagnetic actuator having a core arrangement--armature air gap of tapering axial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited
    Inventor: Michael Peter Cooke