Patents Assigned to Lucas Industries
  • Rotary electric drive device for anti-skid braking system
    Patent number: 4927212
    Abstract: A rotary electric drive device for use in a vehicle anti-skid braking system has a rotary armature supported by a thrust race in relation to a housing. One part of the thrust race has external teeth for co-action with a pawl which is disengaged from the teeth for one direction of rotation of the armature but engages the teeth during rotation in the other direction to lock the race part to the housing. When this happens, slipping occurs between opposed contiguous faces of the armature and part respectively in order to dissipate some of the rotational energy of the armature when the drive device is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries, Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Anthony W. Harrison, Philip A. Taft
  • Disc brakes
    Patent number: 4923036
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a disc brake for use on a commercial vehicle. The disc brake has a brake actuation mechanism which is movable axially by brake operator mounted in a part of the disc brake. The brake operator has an axis of actuation which extends in the same general direction as the axis along which the brake actuator moves to apply the brake. This construction leads to a compact overall design wherein the brake operator is part of the brake itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: Hugh G. Margetts
  • Method of controlling the brake pressure in an anti-lock vehicle brake system
    Patent number: 4923255
    Abstract: A method of controlling the brake pressure in an antilock (ABS) vehicle brake system provides for adapting the wheel at which the brake is applied to the optimum course of the coefficient of friction/slip curve by determining the rotational retardation of the braked wheel, upon initiation of a braking action, after given time intervals each and comparing it with the rotational retardation of the preceding time interval. Moreover, the brake pressure is varied in response to the result of the comparison. The renewed acceleration of the retarded wheel also is monitored accordingly so as to effect further lowering of the brake pressure if the renewed acceleration or the gain in acceleration is too small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Volker Braschel, Hubert Schmitt, Dieter Roller
  • Fuel pumping apparatus
    Patent number: 4920940
    Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus of the rotary distributor type includes an accumulator volume into which fuel can be spilled to terminate delivery of fuel by the apparatus. The accumulator is defined by a movable member in the form of a sleeve which is slidable on an extension of the distributor member and has a closed end. The extension defines a seating with which can be engaged by a valve element defined by the sleeve. The extension and sleeve define an annular space connected to the pumping chamber of the apparatus and mechanical means is provided to effect initial movement of the sleeve against the action of a spring to lift the valve element from the seating to allow fuel flow into the accumulator volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Harris, George N. Felton, Peter A. G. Collingborn, Christopher Stringfellow, Godfrey Greeves
  • Modulator assembly
    Patent number: 4922121
    Abstract: A modulator assembly for a vehicle braking system includes a valve means for isolating a master cylinder from a brake actuator when a wheel slip condition arises at a braked wheel. Pressure modifying means is provided in the form of a piston which is moved axially by rotation of a motor armature 11 via a screw threaded connection to modify the braking pressure to correct the slip condition. Axial movement of the armature 11 moves a valve stem axially to close the valve means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Philip A. Taft
  • Vehicle anti-lock braking system
    Patent number: 4921312
    Abstract: An anti-lock system for vehicle brakes of the type wherein a computer is used to process data received from wheel speed transducers and to control the release of the brake of a particular wheel when the deceleration and/or slip of that wheel exceeds predetermined thresholds. In order to increase the immunity of the system to road irregularities while maintaining skid detection sensitivity, it is arranged that, during periods that anti-lock is not currently evoked, the detection of a road bump at the front axle is used to cause the rear axle anti-lock system to be temporarily de-sensitized just before it would be expected, on the basis of speed and wheel-base, to reach the same bump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: Alan L. Harris
  • Combustion monitoring
    Patent number: 4919099
    Abstract: A method of monitoring combustion within a cylinder of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine comprising deriving first and second electrical signals representative of light intensity within the cylinder by means of first and second optical transducers of spaced spectral response, said first and second optical transducers observing the combustion event at a common location, or at closely adjacent locations, and, establishing a signal representing the ratio of said first and second electrical signals, said ratio signal being used as, or to obtain, a control parameter for an engine control system. The invention also resides in apparatus for monitoring combustion in accordance with the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries PLC
    Inventors: Philip Extance, Roger J. Hazelden, David Nutton
  • Transducer control in vehicle braking systems
    Patent number: 4920493
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system of the type having an electronic control computer for determining the extent of application of the vehicle brakes in accordance with given driver braking demands, includes a plurality of analogue transducers which provide analogue input signals to the electronic control computer representative of a corresponding plurality of variable operating parameters, such as driver braking demand, axle load, applied braking pressure, and vehicle decelerations. In order to enable recalibration of said transducers new zero/tare figures from each transducer are entered into the control computer and provided they pass a process of checking, are arranged to override the existing zero/tare data, whereupon they are used by the system until the next zero/tare recalibration service operation is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Malcolm Brearley, Richard B. Moseley
  • Pressure cylinder pipe coupling
    Patent number: 4919461
    Abstract: A pressure cylinder, such as a master cylinder or wheel cylinder for an hydraulic vehicle braking system has a plastic molded body within which a threaded insert is engaged and restrained rotationally and axially. A seal is positioned within the body between surfaces of the insert and body. The insert provides a seat against which is clamped, in use, a corresponding seat on a flared end of a pipe, the letter being retained within the body by a pipe nut threadedly engaged with the insert. Long-term thread torque and clamping force are sustained by the insert rather than by the plastic body which can be subject to "creep".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Desmond H. J. Reynolds
  • Shoe return spring
    Patent number: 4919239
    Abstract: An improved drum-type brake of the cam actuated type incorporating a formed return spring. The return spring is anchored relative to the backing plate in such a way that it cannot move circumferentially or axially but its flexing action is not interferred with. The arrangement for fixing the intermediate portion of the return spring to the backing plate also affords a means for affixing a dust shield to the backing plate. The cooperation of the return spring with the brake shoe and the mounting of brake shoes holds the brake shoes parallel to the backing plate and facilitates servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: John A. Urban
  • Fuel injection pumping apparatus
    Patent number: 4917065
    Abstract: A pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine has a high pressure pump, an adjustable throttle member which is utilized to control the fuel flow from a low pressure to the high pressure pump. An electromagnetic actuator is utilized to adjust the setting of the throttle member and a hydraulic damping device is provided to damp the movement of the throttle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: David J. C. Law, Lukhbir S. Panesar
  • Fuel injection nozzle
    Patent number: 4917306
    Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle comprises a valve member which is biased into contact with a seating by a spring supported on a spring abutment having an integral extension which projects through an aperture in the end face of a holder which carries a nozzle body in which the valve member is located. The valve member is in engagement with the extension. A sleeve surrounds the valve member and is slidable in the body and is engageable with the extension. The valve member and the sleeve move together against the action of the spring under the action of fuel pressure to allow fuel flow to an outlet. The movement of the sleeve is arrested by a stop surface defined by the end face of the holder. The continued movement of the valve member being under the action of the fuel pressure acting on the valve member alone, until its movement is arrested by a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: David J. Gaskell
  • Fuel injector
    Patent number: 4917307
    Abstract: A fuel injector for supplying fuel to an air inlet duct of a spark ignition engine includes a plate valve member which is movable by magnetic forces away from a seating element on a seat member to allow fuel flow through an orifice to form a spray. The fuel spray flowing from the orifice flows into a bore in a tubular outlet and extending from the bore are at least two diverging bores from which two sprays of fuel are emitted, and air is introduced into the space between the orifice and the entrances to the diverging bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Randy C. Baxter, John W. Kiracofe,Jr., Stephen L. Ballenger, Paul S. Renowden, John Southwood, Richard McGivney
  • Adaptive control system for an internal combustion engine and method of operating an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 4915079
    Abstract: An adaptive control system for an internal combustion engine has a mixture control device and an ignition timing control device. Combustion performance, such as engine roughness is measured and mixture varied about a base value to achieve a desired performance. Ignition timing is compensated for the mixture variation by perturbing ignition timing about a base valve, detecting the slope of engine output with respect to ignition timing and varying the timing to achieve a desired slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: Michael Holmes
  • Fuel injection pump
    Patent number: 4913632
    Abstract: A rotary distributor fuel injection pump includes a rotary distributor member movable axially in a body part. The distributor member has a transverse bore in which is mounted a pumping plunger. At its outer end the plunger is engaged by a cam follower including a roller which is axially movable with the distributor member and which engages cam lobes formed on the internal surface of a cam ring to effect inward movement to the plunger. Outward movement of the plunger is effected by supplying fuel to the bore and the extent of outward movement of the plunger is limited by stop rings on the opposite sides of the cam ring. The stop rings are mounted in the body and define internal inclined surfaces which are engaged by end portions of the roller so that as the distributor member is moved axially the extent of outward movement of the plunger will be varied to control the amount of fuel supplied by the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Ian R. Thornthwaite
  • Control device
    Patent number: 4913251
    Abstract: A control device for controlling the operation of a fuel control member 17 of a vehicle engine includes a piston 12 coupled to the control member and connected to the throttle pedal of the vehicle through a lost motion spring 20. The pressure in the chambers 13, 14 defined on opposite sides of the piston can be controlled by valves so that in one mode the movement of the piston and fuel control member are directly under the control of the operator and when the vehicle is driven in a second mode, the piston controls the position of the fuel control member to provide "cruise control" and in a third mode the piston can move the fuel control member in opposition to the setting determined by the driver to provide "torque control".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: Glyn P. R. Farr
  • Disc brakes
    Patent number: 4913266
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a braking disc for a disc brake. The braking disc comprises an annular disc member with a number of radially inwardly projecting lugs, located coaxially with respect to a central hub member which has a number of radially outwardly projecting lugs, the lugs on the hub member being located between adjacent lugs on the annular disc member. The lugs on said members are interconnected by at least one resilient member which is designed to flex generally radially but not circumferentially. Thus the or each resilient member positively transmits circumferential torque forces but is sufficiently flexible to allow for radial deflection due to thermal expansion of the disc member, without being over-stressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: David F. Russell, Simon B. Dobson, Alexander J. Williams
  • Vehicle disc brakes of the liquid cooled type
    Patent number: 4913267
    Abstract: A rotatable member for a brake of the liquid cooled type comprises a disc provided on opposite sides with annular braking faces. The disc incorporates a plurality of angularly spaced liquid supply slots which extend through the material of the disc and radially outwards from a position inwardly of the inner peripheral edges of the braking faces. A portion at the inner end of each slot is of a circumferential length greater than the remainder of the slot. The member may comprise a braking member for the brake, or it may be separate from the brake and act as a pump member in the form of a turbo disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited Company
    Inventors: Roy Campbell, Anthony G. Price, Andrew P. Green
  • Vehicle speed estimation in anti-lock braking systems
    Patent number: 4912744
    Abstract: An anti-lock system for controlling the slip level on one or more wheels of a vehicle by comparing the actual wheel speed with a vehicle reference speed obtained by processing wheel speed signals through a filtering system, the filtering system comprising a selection device which produces an input signal from one or a combination of the wheel speeds, an error forming device which subtracts the required vehicle speed estimate from the input signal to produce a speed error, a non-linear device which is effective to limit the slew rate of the filtering system in both positive and negative directions in accordance with vehicle characteristics, a secondary filter which reduces transients present in the error signal, and an integration device which accumulates the error signal and whose output is fed back to the error forming device as the required vehicle speed estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: David C. Hurst
  • Gasoline injector
    Patent number: 4909447
    Abstract: A gasoline fuel injector wherein the valve member is in the form of a plate which is attracted towards a pair of pole faces when a winding is energized and the extent of movement of the valve member is limited by a non-magnetic spacer member which is of annular form. In order to reduce the possibility of the valve member sticking to the spacer member the contact area between the valve member and spacer member is minimized by the provision of radially inwardly extending circumferentially spaced tongues engageable by the valve member in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: David R. Gallup, John H. Kenning