Abstract: A bearing has a circular element normally fixed with respect to ground. The circular element associated with the ground element is permitted to idle in rotation, so as to distribute wear around the circumference thereof. Various means of controlling and causing idle rotation are disclosed. Rolling elements are preferably provided between inner and outer races of a bearing assembly.

Abstract: A bearing assembly (12) for a rotating element (13) has one race (15) adapted to be fixed relative to ground (11) and to selectively be free for arcuate movement relative to ground. A selective locking device (18) can be provided for the relatively fixed/movable race (15).

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a rotor shaft configured for operation by a rotor; a drive shaft configured to be driven by the rotor shaft; a generator driven by the drive shaft and a torque control mechanism provided between the rotor shaft and the drive shaft. The torque control mechanism includes at least two links extending between the rotor shaft and the drive shaft. The links include a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably connected to the rotor shaft and the second end being pivotably connected to the drive shaft. The length of each link is variable.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a rotor shaft configured for operation by a rotor; a drive shaft configured to be driven by the rotor shaft; and a generator driven by the drive shaft. The wind turbine further includes a hydraulic cylinder arrangement acting between the rotor shaft and the drive shaft. The hydraulic cylinder arrangement is configured to allow relative rotation between the rotor shaft and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A rotary mechanism for incrementally advancing a rotary element (13) with respect to a ground member (12) comprises a unidirectional clutch (41) and a rotary actuator (21, 33, 39). Actuation of the actuator is against a resilient bias (34), and overcomes friction between the rotary element and the ground member to advance the rotary element with the unidirectional clutch locked. Release of the actuator allows re-setting thereof by the resilient bias, the friction between the rotary element and the ground member resisting further relative movement.

Abstract: A bearing has a circular element (12) normally fixed with respect to ground (111). The circular element (12) associated with the ground element is permitted to idle in rotation, so as to distribute wear around the circumference thereof. Various means of controlling and causing idle rotation are disclosed. Rolling elements (113) are preferably provided between inner and outer races (112, 115) of a bearing assembly.

Abstract: An engine-driven vehicle includes an energy recovery system (20) for recovering energy under braking of the vehicle. Under predetermined conditions, a controller selectively delivers recovered energy from a storage (24) via device (26) to motor the engine (12) above zero speed (e.g. at or above idle speed), preferably during engine fuel cut. The engine may be motored if the vehicle speed is below a threshold speed with zero torque demand for the vehicle driveline, or when the vehicle has been brought to a stop, for example. The step of delivering recovered energy to motor the engine (12) may be initiated if a door on the vehicle is opened or if a park brake on the vehicle is activated. Auxiliary systems are driven by the engine under influence of energy delivered from the energy recovery system to the engine when the vehicle is at rest. The energy recovery system may include a mechanical flywheel.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis in the form of a trough is ‘V shaped and encloses the vehicle driveline and is resistant to ballistic and blast damage. The chassis has a removable body attached by longitudinal pivot pins. A torsion bar suspension is pivoted on the axis of the torsion bar.

Abstract: A clutch assembly is disclosed having a driving plate arranged in communication with a thermal transfer medium for use in cooling the driving plate. The disclosed thermal transfer medium can include at least one conductive brush that is mounted with the driving plate and arranged between the driving plate and a separate cooled part of the clutch assembly for cooling the driving plate. The brush may also be resiliently biased for contact with the cooled part of the clutch assembly so that it brushes against it.

Abstract: A rotary mechanism for incrementally advancing a rotary element (13) with respect to a ground member (12) comprises a unidirectional clutch (41) and a rotary actuator (21, 33, 39). Actuation of the actuator is against a resilient bias (34), and overcomes friction between the rotary element and the ground member to advance the rotary element with the unidirectional clutch locked. Release of the actuator allows re-setting thereof by the resilient bias, the friction between the rotary element and the ground member resisting further relative movement.

Abstract: A feedback and training system for use in a vehicle the vehicle comprising or connected to one or more sensors enabled to measure one or more physical parameters associated with the vehicle; the system comprising a database, configured to receive and store data from the sensors, a processor enabled to calculate at least one performance factor based at least partly on the current physical parameters measured from the one or more sensors, a display configured to display to a driver representations of one or more of the performance factors, wherein the calculation of a performance factor, or the timing of or the prominence given to the display of the representation of a performance factor, is dependent on historic sensor data stored in the database received previously from the sensors.

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission has a driving plate defining concentric engagement surfaces, concentric friction plates, concentric pressure plates, and first and second clutch springs for operation of the pressure plates in clamping the friction plates against their respective engagement surface on the driving plate. The driving plate has a top hat type configuration, whereby the engagement surfaces are axially off set from one another. Cooling passages may be provided in the driving plate. The dct is preferably nested, wherein the outer pressure plate is in axial alignment with the radially inner portion of the driving plate, the inner pressure plate is in axial alignment with the radially outer portion of the driving plate, and the friction plates are arranged in axial alignment with one another.

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission has a driving plate defining concentric engagement surfaces, concentric friction plates, concentric pressure plates, and first and second clutch springs for operation of the pressure plates in clamping the friction plates against their respective engagement surface on the driving plate. The driving plate has a top hat type configuration, whereby the engagement surfaces are axially off set from one another. Cooling passages may be provided in the driving plate. The dct is preferably nested, wherein the outer pressure plate is in axial alignment with the radially inner portion of the driving plate, the inner pressure plate is in axial alignment with the radially outer portion of the driving plate, and the friction plates are arranged in axial alignment with one another.

Abstract: A bearing assembly (12) for a rotating element (13) has one race (15) adapted to be fixed relative to ground (11) and to selectively be free for arcuate movement relative to ground. A selective locking device (18) can be provided for the relatively fixed/movable race (15).

Abstract: A vehicle chassis in the form of a trough is ‘V shaped and encloses the vehicle driveline and is resistant to ballistic and blast damage. The chassis has a removable body attached by longitudinal pivot pins. A torsion bar suspension is pivoted on the axis of the torsion bar.

Abstract: A linear actuator includes permanent magnet annuli arranged about an armature core for axial movement in a tubular stator upon energization of coils arranged in concentric association with the armature. The stator has portions extending radially inwards of the coils and towards one another beneath each coil, which define a spacing between the coil and the armature. The annuli have a substantially radially magnetized structure and the coils are configured for single phase power input. In one embodiment (FIG. 6), two pairs of spaced annuli are arranged on the core, wherein the axial length of the outermost annuli is half the axial length of the inner annuli.

Abstract: A control assembly (10) for controlling the actuation of two clutch packs (50, 52) includes a motor (12) for driving an annular gear wheel (24). Radial pins (30) project from the gear wheel to engage concentric pistons (34, 36) arranged for linear movement relative to one another along the axis of rotation of the gear wheel. Each piston includes slots (40) which define cam surfaces for engagement by the drive pins. Rotation of the gear wheel in first direction causes the pins to drive against cam surfaces on the inner piston, to drive the inner piston towards the inner clutch. Rotation of the gear wheel in the opposite direction causes the pins to drive against cam surfaces on the outer piston, to drive the outer piston towards the outer clutch.

Abstract: An axle differential (200) for a vehicle includes a differential gear cluster (206) arranged in communication with a torque biasing gear cluster (208), wherein the torque biasing gear cluster is configured for varying the proportion of drive torque between the two outputs (204). A first drive path provides input (201) to the differential gear cluster and a second drive path provides input (202) to the torque biasing gear cluster, either independently of the first drive path or by diverting torque from the first drive path. A pivot turn axle differential is also provided, wherein even and odd epicyclic gear trains can be selected to cause rotation of the axle outputs in the same or opposite directions.

Abstract: Various configurations of twin layshaft gear transmission are disclosed, typically having a large degree of common parts between single and dual clutch variants. In one embodiment reverse ratio is provided via an independent compound idler and is driven from a driving gear also associated with a forward speed ratio.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a torque biasing device for a rotating transmission are operable to vary the proportion of the output torque transmitted to one or more output shafts. Multiple planetary gear sets are provided for speeding-up or slowing-down of one shaft with respect to another, under the control of a computer.