Abstract: The assembly includes a plurality of diodes spaced circumferentially about the axis of rotation of the assembly, two spaced apart outer diode mounting members and a plurality of radially inner diode mounting elements. A spacer member is provided which locates the mounting elements in recesses therein. Selected mounting elements are interconnected by linking plates to form a sub-assembly which is received within a housing.

Abstract: A fuel injection pump for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine includes a bore containing a cam actuated pumping plunger. The bore is connected to an outlet during inward movement of the plunger and a spill valve including a spill valve member is operable to spill fuel from the bore to prevent delivery of fuel to the associated engine. The spill valve member includes a piston portion slidable in a cylinder to which fuel under pressure from the bore can be admitted to move the spill valve member to the open position against the action of a spring. The admission of fuel under pressure to the cylinder can be effected by an electromagnetically operable valve or by the use of a control sleeve, recesses on the internal surface of which in conjunction with porting in a rotary part of the pump, form a control valve.

Abstract: A load measuring device is incorporated in a damper or suspension strut of a vehicle. The device comprises an annular plate which is interposed between axially spaced opposite faces of a thrust bearing and an abutment for the adjacent end of the spring, and the plate is supported from the opposite faces at at least three angularly spaced locations of which a location on one side of the plate is disposed substantially at the mid-point in the circumferential length between a pair of locations on the opposite side of the plate. Bending moments in the plate are monitored by thick film technology to give a direct reading of load.

Abstract: An engine misfire detector comprises an opto-electric sensor for monitoring light produced by combustion inside a cylinder. The sensor is connected to a variable gain amplifier having a gain control circuit for controlling the amplifier gain. The output of the gain control circuit is compared with a threshold in a comparator to provide a misfire detection signal. The transfer function of the gain control circuit includes an integral term.

Abstract: A rotatable rectifier assembly has four rectifiers each comprising a group of bead type diodes mounted between axially spaced electrical conductors, the conductors being pre-loaded together to enable the diode connections to better withstand centrifugal forces. The assembly includes a spacing material to take up manufacturing tolerances and thereby ensure that each of the diode groups takes a substantially equal proportion of the applied pre-load.

Abstract: A rotary distributor fuel injection pumping apparatus has a pumping plunger actuatable by a cam to deliver fuel through a fuel delivery circuit, to an engine. The quantity of fuel supplied is determined by a spill valve which is actuated by a fluid control circuit including an auxiliary plunger also operated by the cam. A shuttle is movable by fuel displaced by the auxiliary plunger until it is brought to rest and the pressure increase actuates the spill valve. A valve is provided which connects the control circuit and the fuel delivery circuit during the initial movement of the shuttle.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operable fluid control valve includes a valve member slidable in a bore in a valve body. Resilient means biases the valve member to the open position and an actuator including an armature when energized moves the valve member to the closed position. Stop means formed by a part movable with the armature engages the valve body to limit the movement of the armature and valve member when the actuator is de-energized. Damping means formed by a liquid filled recess in the part acts to damp the aforesaid movement.

Abstract: A computer has a pageable memory which comprises a plurality of memory units each made up of a plurality of blocks of addressable memory locations. A designated one of the blocks is required to be accessed in combination with the remainder of the blocks. Logic circuits are responsive to first and second groups of address bits to generate signals which enable a selected one of the memory units and access a selected one of the blocks on the selected unit. The designated block is accessed directly by one of the aforesaid groups of address bits.

Abstract: A resonant beam sensor is excited into resonance by directing onto it a drive signal comprising light which has been amplitude modulated at the resonant frequency. A portion of the drive signal reflected by the sensor is demodulated by a photodetector to provide a measurement signal.

Abstract: A control system for the fuel system of an engine which has electrically operated valves which control the quantity of fuel supplied to the combustion chambers of an engine includes a disablement controller which in a test situation can operate to prevent the supply of fuel to the combustion chambers in turn. The system also includes a comparator which observes the variation of an engine operating parameter e.g. fuel level during the test and trim circuit which acts to modify the amount of fuel supplied to the individual combustion chambers on the basis of signals provided by the comparator, so that each combustion chamber contributes substantially equally to the power output of the engine.

Abstract: A fuel injector for supplying fuel to an engine has an elongated body in which is defined a bore at one end of which is formed a seating. Located with clearance within the bore is a fuel pressure actuated elongated valve member which at one end is shaped for co-operation with the seating. At its other end the valve member is guided for movement by a guide bush which is able to move radially to a limited extent in the body. Between the guide bush and the seating the valve member has an enlargement which co-operates with the wall of the bore to ensure that the valve member remains concentric with the seating as it moves away from the seating. The guide bush is conveniently formed by an outer bush and an inner bush with the inner bush able to move axially relative to the outer bush. The fuel pressure at the inlet of the injector acts on the inner bush to assist the initial movement of the valve member away from the seating.

Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle has a body in which is formed a bore at one end of which is a seating. Outlet orifices extend from the bore and located in the bore is a valve member shaped at one end to engage the seating and spring biased into engagement with the seating to prevent fuel flow through the orifices. The initial movement of the valve member away from the seating is limited and during this limited movement the fuel flow through the orifices is limited by an annular clearance defined by axially extending cylindrical surfaces formed by the wall of the bore and the valve member.

Abstract: A microprocessor based electric vehicle traction battery monitoring system evaluates the state of charge, interfaces with a traction motor control system, and controls recharging. The state of charge is evaluated during the first part of discharge by integrating the current after compensating it for rate of discharge and during the last part of discharge by dividing the battery into sub-packs and evaluating the state of charge from the lowest sub-pack voltage compensated for polarization voltage. The charge storage capacity is also calculated from the lowest sub-pack voltage. The maximum traction motor current is progressively limited during the last part of discharge. During charging, the charge withdrawn is replaced while progressively reducing the charging current and the battery is then charged at a constant current until the rate of rise of the lowest sub-pack voltage falls below a fixed level.

Abstract: The brake has a carrier member (12) comprising a fastening portion (14) for mounting near a brake disc (10) and a centrally disposed bridging portion (16) extending across the brake disc (10), as well as a floating caliper (30) which straddles part of the brake disc (10) and the carrier member (12) as well as the brake pads (40,42). A pair of actuating cylinders (36) are disposed at least approximately symmetrically with respect to an axial center plane (D) of the carrier member (12), at the floating caliper (30). At each side of the brake disc (10) there are two separate brake pads (40, 42) adapted to be disassembled past the bridging portion (16) substantially radially with respect to the brake disc (10) when the brake is in its installed position.

Abstract: An aircraft flight control is operated by an electric motor by way of a flywheel and a stepless variable speed ratio device. A device, for example an over-running clutch, is provided so that movement of the flight control by external forces does not cause the motor to generate a reverse current in its electrical supply.

Abstract: A distributor type fuel pumping apparatus includes pumping plungers and auxiliary plungers both operated by cams as the distributor member is rotated. The pumping plungers are housed in a bore from which fuel is delivered to outlets in turn. In order to control the start and function of fuel delivery a shuttle is movable axially by the fluid delivered by the auxiliary plungers and is angularly adjustable. A sleeve is mounted about the shuttle and is movable axially in response to engine speed. The shuttle and sleeves define a spill path through which fuel can escape from the bore and which is closed after a first predetermined axial movement of the shuttle and they also define a flow path which is opened after a further predetermined axial movement of the shuttle. Fluid flow through the flow path operates a spill valve to allow spillage of fuel from the bore.

Abstract: The core of a liner displacement transducer is coupled to a rotatable movable member by a threaded stem which engages the member for rotation therewith and is axially slidable relative thereto. The stem threadedly engages a nut which is axially located on a fixed part of the transducer and is restrained against rotation by a spring loaded detent. Projections on the stem are engageable with respective abutments on the nut at opposite limits of linear travel of the stem, causing the nut to rotate and preventing further change in the position of the core.

Abstract: An antilock brake system comprises a valve (20) in the flow path of the hydraulic fluid between a master cylinder (10) and a brake cylinder (18). To obtain on braking without antilock control a rapid pressure buildup in the brake cylinder (18) and a throttled pressure buildup when braking with antilock control, a valve (20) is provided in the hydraulic connecting conduit (14, 14', 14") between the master and brake cylinders and comprises a floating piston (50) which is subjected on the one side to the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the master cylinder (10) and on its other side to the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the brake cylinder (18). The floating piston (50) controls the valve in such a manner that when the pressure in the master cylinder (10) is greater by a predetermined amount than the pressure in the brake cylinder (18) only a throttled flow through the valve (20) is possible.

Abstract: In a multi-hole fuel injector of the VCO type the holes are larger at their inner ends than their outer ends, i.e. they taper in some way, to achieve a bushy spray without making the wall of the nozzle too thin. They can best be formed by electro-erosion machining.

Abstract: A pair of caliper guides (56) are arranged at a brake carrier (10) in a manner so as to be protected from contamination by elastic boots (64). A floating caliper (22) is guided on the caliper guides (56) and straddles the brake disc (12) as well as a pair of brake pads (14,16). A tappet (42) is provided for brake actuation and is guided so as to be axially displaceable in the floating caliper (22) at one side of the brake disc (12). Its actuating forces are exerted through a pressure plate (54) on the adjacent brake pad (14). In the range of the caliper guides (56) the pressure plate (54) is formed with a recess (68) each in its edge for the corresponding elastic boot (64). The elastic boots (64) are covered by stiff, cup-shaped caps (66) engaging with radial clearance in a respective one of the recesses (68) formed in the edge of the pressure plate (54). A heat insulation plate (72) is positioned between the pressure plate (54) and the adjacent brake pad (41).