Abstract: A power assisted steering mechanism comprises a steering column in two parts which are connected by a plain cylindrical torsion bar which may be solid or hollow and which allows a certain degree of relative angular displacement. An abutment is also provided to prevent excessive relative angular displacement resulting from failure of the torsion bar. The torsion bar has one of its ends bonded to one of the parts in any relative angular position and the other end is bonded to the other part as by welding, brazing or adhesive bonding, and a power assistance means are adapted device operates in response to relative movement of the parts resulting from a steering movement.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly comprising a first part including a hub and a web radially extending around the hub. The hub and web are coaxial to each other and rotatably mounted with respect to each other against the force of centering springs for predetermined relative angular displacement within limits defined by at least one meshing member, a tooth or a notch, on the hub intermeshing with a complementary notch or tooth on the web. A friction washer is also provided with a meshing member similar to the meshing member on the web and also intermeshing with the complementary meshing member on the hub. The circumferential play between the meshing member on the friction washer and the meshing member on the hub is less than the circumferential play between the meshing member on the web and the meshing member on the hub. Alternatively the meshing member on the friction washer may mesh without circumferential play with the meshing member on the hub.

Abstract: A diaphragm spring clutch in which the diaphragm spring is secured to the cover member by posts, or a clip ring. Centering studs distinct and independent of the posts or clip ring are carried by the cover member for centering the diaphragm spring on the cover member. Enlarged passages are provided at the radial inner ends of slots between consecutive finger portions of the diaphragm spring, the enlarged passages being of oblong configuration with opposed radial sides, and the centering studs being in contact with portions of the edge defining the enlarged passages.

Abstract: Motor-fan unit, particularly for the cooling of the circulation water of an automobile vehicle motor, comprising a helicoid fan driven by an electric motor. A centrifugal interior blading draws in the air through the electric motor to cool it and drives this air back into a volute surrounding the axis of the motor-fan unit. The volute opens at the same side as the electric motor in relation to the vanes of the helicoid fan. An electrical resistor, usable for making the motor-fan unit turn at reduced speed, can be placed in the volute or at the outlet of the volute to be cooled by the air stream.

Abstract: Clutch mechanisms are disclosed having two clutch assemblies associated with a single or two separate output shafts. To minimize the axial dimension of the clutch mechanism and yet provide the required spring loading when the clutch assemblies act independently, for example, the spring loading is provided by two Belleville type spring washers interposed between the pressure plates of the clutch assemblies. The spring washers are arranged axially and their configurations tends to converge in the same direction. Spacer ring members are interposed between the spring washers at both their inner and outer peripheries and between each of the spring washers and the pressure plate facing it so that the spring washers are borne exclusively by the spacer ring members.

Abstract: Motor-fan unit, particularly for the cooling of the circulation water of an automobile vehicle motor, comprising a helicoid fan driven by an electric motor. A centrifugal interior blading draws air through the electric motor to cool it. The motor is fixed in a housing having at least one lateral opening for air entry which is located radially opposite a cavity formed in an arm connecting the housing to a collar which surrounds the helicoid fan. The cavity has a generally U-shaped section with its concavity turned downstream of the flow of air drawn in by the helicoid fan.

Abstract: The invention provides a substantially homokinetic transmission for rotationally connecting two shafts one of which is mounted on a fixed support and the other of which is mounted on a movable support so that its inclination is variable, and comprises two pairs of universal joints each interconnected by a connector of variable length, one pair attached to one of the shafts and the other attached to the other of the shafts; an intermediate shaft of fixed length is interposed between the two pairs of universal joints and this is carried by a third support pivotally mounted on the fixed support, and control means are provided for controlling the inclination of the intermediate shaft in relation to the position of the shaft which has a variable inclination.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly for a friction clutch is disclosed. The assembly comprises two coaxial members and circumferentially disposed springs interposed therebetween. One of the members comprises two hub parts each of which has a radially extending elemental web having openings or cutouts for the springs which bear along opposed edges thereof. The elemental webs are parallel to each other and formed in one piece with their respective hub parts. The other member comprises, for example, two annular plate members which are fixed to each other by a weld or a rivets and have recesses cooperable with the cutouts or openings in the element webs for accommodating the springs. The hub parts may be fixed for rotation with each other by suitable means. When used for a friction clutch a friction plate is fixed to one or both of the annular plate members. The webs may axially enclose the annular plate members on the annular plate members may axially enclose the webs.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing of the self-centering variety in which a drive member is clamped to a flange on an operating member by means of a resilient washer clipped to a bearing plate member. The bearing plate member protects the flange as it is interposed between the associated release fork and the flange. Raised interlock portions, in axial registry with retaining portions cooperating with the release fork, are received in notches along the inner periphery of the bearing plate member and prevent relative rotation between the operating member and the bearing plate member. Axial tabs may be provided along tangential edges of the notches, overlying the flats on the raised interlock portions for preventing wear due to the release fork. An axial tongue protruding in the same direction as the axial tabs insures reassembly of the release bearing on the release fork with the original relative orientation.

Abstract: An air conditioning device for an automobile vehicle includes the provision for automatic proportional control of the air conditioning function and also a priority function such as vehicle windscreen demisting or defrosting. Economy of pneumatic power is achieved by providing, with a double threshold control system, a signal for operating pneumatic flow distributors in the driving fluid lines to pneumatic jacks driving the control elements of the air conditioning device by means of an electrical signal which is capable of being either continuous or discontinuous in which latter state the flow distributor to which the discontinuous signal is applied is caused to oscillate to achieve an intermediate pneumatic pressure between pressure values corresponding to fully open and fully closed positions of the air conditioning control elements to be manipulated.

Abstract: A sheave for a speed variator comprising a fixed and a movable side mounted for rotation with a common shaft. A diaphragm spring urges the movably slide towards the fixed side to clamp a V-belt therebetween. The fixed side may be removed and turned around and then tightened with its own threaded fastener on the shaft to urge the movable side against the force of the diaphragm spring to a retracted position. A retaining member, e.g. a screwdriver, cooperates with the movable side to temporarily hold the same in its retracted position while the fixed side is removed again and turned around and secured by the threaded member in its normal position. The V-belt is then repositioned between the side and the retaining member released. Alternatively, the retaining member may be released automatically, e.g. centrifugally, when the variator is set into motion again.

Abstract: A C-shaped caliper member straddles the hollow cylindrical braking member, a hydraulic actuator and brake shoes on the respective sides of the braking member. To axially retain the caliper member two circumferential, laterally projecting shoulders are provided on the end of the backing plate of at least one of the brake shoe remote from but facing the intermediate portion of the caliper member abutting against flats on the fixed support of the brake, an axial bearing surface extending from the opposite end of the backing plate, and an axial bearing surface on the caliper member or a part associated therewith axially beyond the first mentioned axially bearing surface, the axial bearing surfaces being cooperable with a removable retaining pin.

Abstract: A ventilation or aeration device comprising an air vent for warm and/or fresh air. When used in a vehicle the device may serve as a window defogger by blowing warm air as well as a ventilator. In normal operation the vent may be manually manipulated as desired. When used as a defogger, opening of the warm air passage automatically directs the vent towards the window to be defogged or defrosted.

Abstract: A modulating device for a hydraulic circuit as for a motor vehicle brake circuit, comprises two chambers of which one chamber is connected to a hydraulic actuator such as a brake pedal master cylinder and the second chamber is connected to a fluid receiver such as a wheel brake cylinder, with a first regulating valve controlling communication between the two chambers, and a second regulating valve controlling communication between the second chamber and a tank. The regulating valves are disposed parallel to and at a spacing from each other.

Abstract: A rotatable distributor comprising a frame section and a plate section which is associated with a coupling having clip means which press the plate against the frame. The device further comprises an incrementing or indexing element and a rotational guiding surface for guiding the plate with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A self-centering clutch release bearing comprises an operating element, a drive element having an omnidirectional latitude of radial movement for the self-centering action, a cover axially connecting these elements together, and axially-directed resilient means integrated in the transverse wall of the cover for acting on the drive element. According to the invention, the transverse wall of the cover is provided with support zones which alternate with anchoring zones and which are offset axially in relation thereto, and the cover bears on the drive element only by its support zones.

Abstract: A screw-rudder assembly is mounted at the bottom of a steering shaft which rotates in a tubular casing which is mounted on slide shoes which slide in vertical slide guides fixed to a support which is mounted on a floating vehicle. A power cylinder connects the tubular casing to the support and slides the casing upwardly to regulate the depth of immersion of the screw and pivots the casing upwardly about upper slide shoes when bottom slide shoes are released through passages in the slide guides, to lift the screw-rudder out of the water.

Abstract: A belt-type speed change device having a pair of pulleys around which passes a belt. A side plate of each of the pulleys is axially movable relative to the other, fixed, side plate, thereby to provide for changes in transmission ratio. A rest position of the movable side plate of one of the pulleys, in embodiments described the driven pulley, is defined by a first abutment. The first abutment is movable between an operative position in which it is engageable by the movable side plate to define the rest position of the movable side plate and a retracted position in which the first abutment permits further axial movement of the movable side plate away from the fixed side plate to a retracted position as defined by a second or stop abutment, thereby to permit removal of the belt from the pulleys.

Abstract: A speed change pulley has a fixed side plate and a movable side plate, with resilient means urging the movable side plate towards the fixed side plate, to vary the width of a belt-receiving V groove therebetween. The resilient means comprises a resilient diaphragm engaged with the movable side plate by at least one engagement member which is formed separately from the diaphragm and suitably mounted thereon, and engaged in a complementary opening at the periphery of the movable side plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to annular diaphragms for example for use in clutches, comprising a peripheral portion forming a Belleville washer and a central portion fragmented by slots into radial segments. By means of the method according to the invention, in order to obtain a reduced width for the open end of the slots, the two edges of the slots are produced in two separate operations, namely a first cutting operation in the course of which one of these edges is first formed and then a second cutting operation in the course of which the other edge is formed.