Abstract: A bearing wherein the size of the rotatable components, i.e. balls or needle rollers, can be maximized while the cage dimensions are minimized, thus aiding overall design for a mechanical device in which the bearing is located. The bearing comprises a cage constructed of flat flexible material, the cage having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-section with a number of rotatable components located between the arms of the generally U-shaped cross-section cage, each component extending partially through aligned apertures in each of said arms. When inserted between two facing helical surfaces and in engagement with both the cage automatically conforms to the pitch of the helical surfaces without the necessity of being pre-shaped to conform thereto.

Abstract: A combined brake release solenoid valve and motor driven debooster has a plunger forming part of the debooster, which, on brake re-application is moved to a flow-restricting position in which there is only a restricted connection between the brake master cylinder and the slave cylinder, so as to avoid over-rapid brake re-application. In one embodiment, the plunger is positioned to provide a stop for the solenoid valve. In another embodiment, the plunger coacts with a separate valve seat.

Abstract: A cam actuated drum-type brake having an improved mounting arrangement for the power unit that actuates the brake. The actuator for the brake includes a camshaft rotatably journaled within a tube that is affixed to the backing plate and to which is affixed a mounting bracket that mounts the power unit. The mounting bracket has a mounting portion for the power unit and is disposed at an angle to the axis of rotation of the brake drum and also at an angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the drum. The arrangement is such that the mounting bracket may be moved without necessitating disassembly of the brake or removal of the brake drum.

Abstract: Brakes (1,2; 3,4) on the wheels (5,6; 7,8) at opposite ends of a common axle are each controlled by a separate skid control unti and a single latch valve (21) common to both units closes at the first skid point to be sensed by a sensor (9,10; 11,12) on either wheel. A control module (13) responsive to signals from at least one of the sensors is operative to operate the latch valve and the skid control unit for the respective wheel. When a skid-signal is detected from a sensor on only one wheel the latch valve closes and the brake on the skidding wheel is released and re-applied when the skid signal terminates. The brake is re-applied in a fast first stage, due to pressure from an associated memory chanber and thereafter in a slower second stage due to the latch valve restricting the increase of braking pressure when it is closed. The rate of increase of brake pressure of the non-skidding wheel is restricted to that of the slow stage from the time that the latch valve is closed due to the other wheel skidding.

Abstract: A pressure cylinder, such as a master cylinder, primarily for use in a vehicle brake or clutch hydraulic system includes a cylinder component molded from plastics material, and an initially separate flange component which is preferably but not essentially, also molded from plastics material. The two components are provided with an interconnecting arrangement capable of transmitting axial thrust between the two components, and also resisting relative rotation therebetween.

Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to an engine has a high pressure pump which includes a component movable to determine the maximum amount of fuel which can be supplied to the engine. The component is biased by a spring to a minimum fuel position and to adjust the setting of the component there is provided a three armed lever one arm of which is coupled to the component. The other two arms are coupled to engine operating parameter responsive devices. In the example the device is a piston which is spring loaded and is responsive to the output pressure of a low pressure fuel pump and the device includes a diaphragm which is subjected to the air inlet manifold pressure.

Abstract: An epsilon iron nitride surface layer of high surface wear resistance is formed on a steel component by gas nitriding or nitrocarburizing and, according to the invention, includes the preliminary step of heating the component to the nitriding temperature in an atmosphere which is inert to the metal of the component.

Abstract: In a method of controlling the brake pressure in an anti-lock vehicle brake system (ABS system), wherein the rotational behavior of a braked wheel is measured and the brake pressure is lowered in response to the slip and/or rotational retardation of the wheel if threshold values are exceeded, and is subsequently raised again and then kept constant during a phase of steady pressure, it is provided that the duration (t1H, t2H . . . t5H) of the pressure stability phase is adjusted in response to a comparison of the pressure reduction periods (t1DOWN, t2DOWN . . . ) and/or the pressure build-up periods (t1UP, t2UP . . . ) of the instantaneous control cycle (1,2 . . . 5) with those of at least one preceding control cycle in order to obtain shorter stopping distances.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine having two inputs and one output affected by both inputs. One input is perturbed and the effect on the output is compared with a desired effect on the output. One or the other input is varied until the actual affect on the output is the same as the desired effect on output. In one embodiment, ignition timing is periodically varied and the effect upon engine speed is detected. The detected output variations (slope) are compared with predetermined output variations for the existing engine speed and load demand. Any error is used to correct fueling to the engine. Preferred embodiments include unique slop determination as well as a unique interpolation method of determining the engine input from a fixed schedule. In a further embodiment the error corrects the ignition timing directly and corrects fueling indirectly at a slower rate.

Abstract: An engine control and combustion quality detection system and method are provided for an internal combustion engine having at least one control input such as spark advance angle or air/fuel ratio. A base value is established for the control input and the control input is periodically perturbed about the base value. A sensor senses an engine parameter such as knock or engine roughness representing the combustion quality of the engine and provides an output representing this engine parameter. A slope calculation device receives the output from the sensor when the control input is being perturbed about the base value and determines the slope or differential of the output from the sensor to determine the engine parameter as a function of the control input, thereby to provide an indication of combustion quality of the engine.

Abstract: A rotary distributor fuel pumping apparatus has a spill valve which is operable to terminate delivery of fuel by a cam actuated pumping plunger. The spill valve is operable by a first piston and a further piston is provided the extent of movement of which is limited by an adjustable stop. A further plunger is actuated in synchronism with the pumping plunger and supplies liquid to the cylinders containing the pistons. When during the inward movement of the plungers, the movement of the further piston is halted the first piston will move to open the spill valve to terminate delivery of fuel.

Abstract: A fabricated master cylinder having a reservoir part and in interlocked cylinder part defining a cylinder bore and which a slidable piston is supported. The reservoir part that extends into the cylinder bore defines a shoulder that cooperates with a recuperation valve for forming an actuating stop for holding the makeup fluid recuperation valve in an opened position when the piston is at its at rest position.

Abstract: An adaptive control system and method is provided for a power producing engine having at least one control parameter which affects an engine output, where the engine has a drivetrain combination having at least one resonant frequency. A base value is established for one control parameter in accordance with engine operating conditions. The one control parameter is preferably perturbed about the base value in accordance with a perturbation waveform having a frequency greater than the at least one resonant frequency of the drivetrain. The perturbation waveform has a cycle including a first part and a second part. A positive perturbation is applied to the perturbed parameter during the first part of each cycle and a negative perturbation is applied to the perturbed parameter during the second part of each cycle. The engine output is monitored and the slope of the engine output is calculated with respect to at least one control parameter for the engine so as to obtain a desired value of the slope.

Abstract: An anti-lock braking system incorporates a copy valve adapted to ensure that the behaviour of a brake on one rear wheel of a vehicle is copied by the brake on the other rear wheel when an anti-lock situation arises. For example, a single copy valve may be incorporated in the braking circuit for the rear wheels of a vehicle of which the behaviour of the brakes is controlled by a single modulator. In another construction, two such copy valves are incorporated in a twin assembly of a braking system of the `X` split type. In such a construction both rear wheel brakes respond to operation of one of a pair of modulators, each responsive to signals from a speed sensor on a respective front wheel of the vehicle. The or each copy valve incorporates first and second pistons which are relatively movable in response to differential pressures from the pressure spaces of a master cylinder in order to control operation an isolating valve.

Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle for supplying fuel to a compression ignition engine includes a holder which accommodates a spring which biases the valve member of the nozzle to the closed position. A spring abutment abuts against a surface of the holder and a blind bore is formed in the holder in the vicinity of the surface. A transducer is located in the bore and produces an electrical signal when an increase in the stress in the spring occurs as the valve member is moved to the open position.

Abstract: A caliper is mounted on an axle casing of a rail vehicle by a first bracket and by a second bracket positioned between the disc and the first bracket. One of the brackets is detachably mounted on the casing and is removable to permit the caliper to be removed by movement in a generally axial direction. To permit this to happen the caliper and the other detachable bracket both lie outside the projected peripheral edge of a flange on the axle on which a wheel is mounted.

Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle of the inwardly opening type has a valve member which is movable against the action of a spring by fuel under pressure to allow fuel flow through an outlet. The valve member is coupled to a piston which is slidable within a cylinder formed in a part. The cylinder forms a damping chamber from which there is a leakage path and the part is axially adjustable to determine the degree of restriction.

Abstract: A wedge and roller brake actuator comprises a wedge disposed between opposed tappets with interposed rollers acting to transmit thrust from the wedge to the tappets for brake actuation, a fixed inclined surface engaged by one roller to restrain the wedge for linear movement, and to ensure that one of the tappets normally associated, in use, with the brake trailing shoe, applies its associated shoe in advance of the other tappet, either the roller-engaging surfaces of the wedge and opposed tappet at either side of the wedge are inclined at different angles to the wedge longitudinal axis, or respective adjusters of the tappets are provided with different clearances between threadedly interengaged components thereof so that one tappet is adjusted to maintain its associated shoe nearer to the drum than the shoe associated with other tappet.

Abstract: In an anti-lock braking system incorporating a solenoid-operated fluid flow control valve, the rate at which fluid can normally be dumped to release a brake is increased by the provision of a pilot valve. The pilot valve is adapted to open by a pressure drop across a diaphragm. The pressure drop is established when an exhaust valve opens upon energization of the solenoid in response to an anti-lock signal.

Abstract: A stator of a rotary electric machine is supported in a housing structure and is secured therein against relative rotation or axial movement by angularly spaced fasteners. A circumferential passage in the stator communicates with a supply passage for liquid coolant. The temperature coefficients of expansion of the materials of the housing and the stator differ so that below a predetermined temperature those parts are an interference fit, and above that temperature channels are created between the fasteners, through which channels coolant can flow axially from the passage.