Patents Assigned to Lucas Industries
  • Pneumatically operated servo-booster
    Patent number: 4813338
    Abstract: A pneumatically operated servo booster has a housing divided by a diaphragm assembly into front and rear chambers respectively. A hub movable with the partition carries a vacuum valve seat and a plunger slidable within the hub carries an atmospheric valve seat, the seats co-operating with a spring-urged poppet valve to control fluid flow to the chamber. A stack of Belleville washers normally transmits input force from an input rod, the washers yielding at a predetermined input force to allow a cup member to engage an abutment carried by the hub, causing the hub to move relative to the valve member and temporarily open the valve seat to cause a reduction in boost compensating for the excess input force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventors: Ivan Mortimer, Glyn P. R. Farr
  • Gasoline injector for an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 4813610
    Abstract: A gasoline injector for an internal combustion engine has an orifice plate in which is formed a pair of outlet orifices through which when a valve means of the injector is operated, flow two jets of gasoline. The jets are directed within an outlet and strike a surface of a deflector member which deflects the jets before they break up to form a spray. The orifice and the surface can be arranged to form a single spray or separate sprays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Paul S. Renowden
  • Machining the ends of round bar and tube and similiar workpieces
    Patent number: 4813114
    Abstract: Elongate round workpieces W (e.g. bar or tube) are loaded singly from a rack (252) on to a supporting cradle formed by four ball castors (38). At each end of the cradle is an upper operating unit (20) and (22) comprising a machining unit having a chamfering tool (34) and a workpiece-driving unit having a driving wheel (32) in frictional engagement with the workpiece. The wheels (32) are rotated about their axes to rotate the workpiece, and further can be pivoted to each side of a neutral position in order to drive the workpiece along its length into engagement with first one chamfering tool and then the other. The operating units are mounted on upper guide rails (16) and (18) for adjustment of the distance between them. Lower operating units mounted on lower guide rails (24) and (26) comprise deburring tools (36) which also operate on the workpiece ends, adjacent to the chamfering tools (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: Derek W. R. Walker
  • Compact drum brake adjuster
    Patent number: 4811821
    Abstract: An automatic adjusting mechanism for a drum-type brake including a pair of slidably supported tappets for actuating the brake. The tappets are comprised of two threadably connected components which effect adjustment for wear upon relative rotation of the components. An interconnecting shaft insures simultaneous rotation of the respective components of the pair and an automatic adjusting device including an over-adjustment preventing mechanism operates on an extension of this interconnecting shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Nigel C. Wrench
  • Disc brakes
    Patent number: 4809822
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disc brakes suitable for use on commercial vehicles, the disc brake incorporating a parking brake facility in addition to a service brake facility. The disc brake of the present invention comprises a housing within which a brake actuator is arranged, the parking brake facility being operable by a lever connected to a cam member which is eccentrically supported on a pivot pin carried by the housing. The cam member is arranged to act on the brake actuator arrangement as the lever is moved, the lever projecting laterally of the cam member, near to the axial mid region of the cam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: Hugh G. Margetts
  • Brake actuators
    Patent number: 4809819
    Abstract: The present specification discloses an actuator for use in a vehicle brake. The actuator incorporates an adjuster which automatically provides an adjustment to take account of pad lining wear, to thus maintain a substantially constant brake clearance. The brake actuator of the present invention comprises a hollow piston which is axially slidably located in a cylinder with an elongate shaft extending axially through said cylinder and said hollow piston. Said shaft is fixed in a position within the cylinder and carries a spiral thread and axially extending splines. An adjuster nut is rotatably mounted on said spiral thread and is engaged by detent means mounted on said axial splines. Said detent means are spring biassed against the adjuster nut by a spring which engages said piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: Anthony W. Harrison
  • Transducer with apertures in tubular conductor
    Patent number: 4810990
    Abstract: A variable inductance transducer includes a winding which is wound about a cylindrical former and a tubular member formed from electrically conductive material which is located about the winding and is movable axially relative thereto. The tubular member is provided with a number of apertures along its length in order to improve the linearity of the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Christopher A. Willis
  • Fuel injector designed to reduce fuel vaporization
    Patent number: 4807812
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a petrol engine has an outer annular body and a core member mounted therein. The core member has a central passage which leads from a fuel inlet to adjacent a plate-like valve member which is biased into contact with a seat ring by a spring. The core member is surrounded by a solenoid winding which when energized causes the valve member to lift from the seat ring to allow fuel flow through an outlet orifice. The fuel is conveyed from the inlet to adjacent the valve member by a tubular member which is mounted in spaced relationship within the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Paul S. Renowden, John H. Kenning, Ian S. Johnson
  • Pad retaining plate assemblies for use in brake shoe assemblies
    Patent number: 4807726
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pad retaining plate assembly which can be operated to allow for pad replacement without any part having to be removed and without the inconvenience of having to deal with nuts, bolts, etc. The pad retaining plate assembly comprises a latch member which is movable relative to a guide, the guide being secured to a brake shoe so that the latch member can then attain an operative position wherein the latch member projects through an aperture in the brake shoe. A spring also mounted on the brake shoe is arranged to grip the latch member and to hold the latch member in the said operative position when this position is attained. The latch member can be moved away by a simple tool against the grip of the spring to facilitate pad replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Colin J. F. Tickle, Robert L. D. Burns
  • Fuel pumping apparatus
    Patent number: 4807583
    Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to a compression ignition engine includes a high pressure pump to which fuel is supplied by a low pressure pump by way of a throttle which is responsive to the output pressure of the low pressure pump for the purpose of providing a governing action. A valve is connected in series with the pumps and is energized to the open position through a pressure responsive switch which closes when the output pressure of the low pressure pump is above a predetermined value. Means is provided to energize the valve for the purpose of starting the associated engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Ian R. Thornthwaite, Robin E. Wardley
  • Voltage control system
    Patent number: 4804923
    Abstract: A system for deriving a substantially constant output voltage from an alternating supply voltage of variable frequency and amplitude includes circuit responsive to negative-going zero crossing points of the supply for generating control signals whose duration depends on the number of points occurring in a predetermined time. A switching arrangement is responsive to the signals to interrupt the supply voltage, the interrupted voltage being applied through a transformer to an output circuit from which a d.c. output voltage is applied to spark igniters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventor: George F. Black
  • Fuel injection pump
    Patent number: 4803889
    Abstract: An injection pump for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine includes a plunger coupled to a cam follower which can be moved in one direction to effect fuel delivery by a multi lobed cam. The plunger is returned following fuel delivery by a return mechanism including two levers one of which carries a roller engaging the cam and the other of which engages the plunger. An adjustment shoe is carried by the one lever and is engaged by the other lever to enable adjustment of the backlash in the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Harris
  • Fuel injection nozzle unit
    Patent number: 4804143
    Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle unit has an inwardly opening valve member which can be moved by fuel pressure in a chamber connected to a fuel inlet to allow fuel flow through an outlet orifice. In order to circulate fuel through the chamber a passage leads therefrom to a fuel outlet. A restrictor is located in the passage and the valve member acts to prevent flow through the passage when it is open to allow fuel flow through the outlet orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Gerald S. Thomas
  • Fuel injection pump
    Patent number: 4802453
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump of the rotary distributor type has a fluid pressure operable piston connected to a cam ring of the pump for the purpose of timing adjustment. Flow of fluid into or out of one end of the cylinder containing the piston is controlled by a valve member slidable in a bore in the piston. The valve member is pressure balanced and is positioned by means of control pistons in response to variation in fluid pressure. The piston is subject to reaction forces when the cam followeres of the pump engage the leading faces of the cam lobes and the tendency for piston movement is resisted by a ball valve. Opposite reaction forces occur when the cam followers move over the crests of the cam lobes and piston movement is resisted by restricting liquid flow from the other end of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Ian R. Thornthwaite
  • Brake actuation systems for vehicles
    Patent number: 4799355
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a brake actuation system for a vehicle, which is applicable to both hydraulically or pneumatically operated/spring released brakes and spring operated/hydraulically or pneumatically released brakes. With such brakes it is often necessary to have secondary means for brake operation or release. Such braking systems thus have primary and secondary means for brake operation or release. The present invention provides a fail-safe system which can provide at least an indication of impending failure. The brake actuation system of the present invention comprises a cylinder within which two axially aligned pistons are axially slidable, the space between one end of the cylinder and one piston being connected to a primary power system and the space between said pistons being connected to a secondary power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: Anthony W. Harrison
  • Fuel injection pump
    Patent number: 4798189
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump includes a piston movable by fluid pressure to vary the setting of a cam ring of the apparatus in order to alter the timing of fuel delivery. A piston member is provided for the purpose of setting the piston in a particular position when the associated engine is cold and acceleration is required. The piston member is angularly movable and port means is provided in the piston member and its cylinder so that in one angular position the opposite ends of the piston member are subject to the same fluid pressure and in other angular positions one end of the cylinder contains fluid at a higher pressure to cause the piston member to move from the one end of the cylinder to set the piston in the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Ian R. Thornthwaite, Robert S. Bond
  • Dynamo electric machines
    Patent number: 4797602
    Abstract: A unitary starter motor and generator including a rotor assembly having a plurality of circumferentially disposed rare earth-iron permanent magnets, a stator assembly within which said rotor assembly is rotatable, said stator assembly including a laminated annular stator body formed from a silicon containing iron alloy of high electrical resistivity and low magnetic loss, and a multiphase stator winding secured to the inner periphery of said stator body and lying in the airgap defined between the stator body and the rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: John G. W. West
  • Angular position detector
    Patent number: 4797827
    Abstract: An angular position detector for an internal combustion engine includes a toothed wheel with a missing tooth and a sensor providing a pulse train as the teeth pass the sensor. To provide an accurate datum position signal a micro-computer receives the pulse train and outputs the datum signal when the period between successive pulses is significantly shorter than the preceding period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Kevin Cockerham
  • Method of manufacturing amorphous silicon field effect transistors
    Patent number: 4797108
    Abstract: An a-Si FET comprising electrically conductive source and drain regions supported by an insulating substrate; a layer of amorphous silicon which is separately deposited in a space between said source and drain regions so as to engage the source and drain regions; source and drain electrodes electrically connected with said source and drain regions respectively; a gate electrode disposed adjacent said layer of amorphous silicon; and an insulating layer separating the gate electrode from the amorphous silicon layer; the arrangement being such that, in the ON state of the FET, a direct current-path is established in the layer of amorphous silicon which is disposed in said space. A low cost, low-temperature substrate such as soda glass may be used and the a-Si FET may be of the thin film type. Such an a-Si FET can be used in an LCD device which is addressed using one or more of the FET's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Simon N. Crowther
  • Self-energizing disc brakes
    Patent number: 4796730
    Abstract: In a self-energizing disc brake of the spreading type, an intermediate metal plate located between the friction linings on an adjacent pair of rotatable friction discs includes portions which project radially with respect to the linings, and the portions include slots which define fins to facilitate cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony G. Price, Roy Campbell, Eric Henson