Abstract: A joystick for manually operating a pair of hydraulic valve members has a bracket to which a handle is attached. A pivot shaft rotationally extends between a pair of legs of the bracket and has a transverse aperture through which a pivot pin attaches the pivot shaft to a base of the joystick. This attachment structure allows the bracket to pivot with respect to the base about two orthogonal axes. A first link for coupling to one hydraulic valve member is pivotally attached to the pivot shaft, while a second link for coupling to another hydraulic valve member is attached by a ball joint to the bracket.

Abstract: A caliper for disk brakes for high-performance cars, which has a high degree of reliability, comprises a body having two side portions and two transverse bridges connecting the two side portions, cylinder-piston units arranged along each side portion, and a circuit for a fluid for cooling the cylinder-piston units, the circuit comprising wells which are formed along the side portions and are of a depth such that they extend substantially as far as the wall delimiting the cylinder-piston units, and which are closed by covers, the circuit also comprising connecting ducts between adjacent wells.

Abstract: An assembled vehicle brake disk has a basically rotationally symmetrical friction ring which is fastened by way of several linking points in a rigid or floating manner to a basically rotationally symmetrical hub part. At least two distances between respectively adjacent linking points, which distances follow one another in the circumferential direction, differ from one another, in which case, viewed in their entirety, the linking points are arranged in a non-uniformly distributed manner along the circumference. Preferably, an uneven number of linking points are provided which may be arranged to be very asymmetrically distributed along the circumference. The number of linking points may be in the order of between 5 and 15, a smaller number being provided per circumferential segment with respect to lower-frequency noise radiations, and a higher number being provided with respect to higher-frequency noise radiations.

Abstract: The adaptive brake application and initial skid detection system allows rapid brake application and prevents deep initial skids. Brake torque is compared with a predetermined threshold brake torque. Wheel velocity error signals are also generated to indicated the difference between the wheel velocity and a reference velocity signal. A torque bias modulator integrator responsive to brake torque signals adjusts the wheel velocity error signals to provide an anti-skid control signal. The torque bias modulator integrator can also be initialized to the value of the measured brake torque when the wheel velocity error signals indicate the beginning of a skid. Brake torque difference signals are generated to indicate the difference between brake torque and a commanded brake torque, and an adjusted brake torque error signal is generated in response to the brake torque difference signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake actuator, especially a brake actuator for rail vehicle brake calipers for a disc brake. Said brake actuator comprises a service brake unit with an electromotive drive system for clamping and releasing the brake, a safety brake unit with a pre-loaded spring device for clamping the brake, and a brake spindle for converting the movements of the electromotive drive system into a translatory movement for activating a brake clamping mechanism; especially for activating brake calipers. The invention is characterized in that the pre-loaded spring device and the brake spindle are positioned coaxially in relation to each other and are mechanically series-connected.

Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces comprising: a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein; a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber; a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose; and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber, the inertial valve opening in response to terrain-induced forces and providing communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber; and the inertial valve not opening in response to rider-induced forces and preventing communication of the fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: A braking assembly with self-generating power energy is provided with a plurality of permanent magnets arranged around a rotary central shaft of the braking assembly to alternate N poles and S poles, at least one power-generating coil provided on a stator of the braking assembly nearby the permanent magnets for generating an induced electromotive force when the rotary central shaft rotates, a pulling mechanism provided on the stator for pulling two free ends of two curved braking plates mounted on the stator depending on the induced electromotive force generated by the power-generating coil and thereby regulating a brake force of the braking assembly, and at least one compression spring provided between each of the curved braking plates and the stator to provide a radially outward restoring force to the curved braking plates.

Abstract: A method and device for driving a pump of a brake system, in which a pump motor achieves full drive for a particular time following a braking request from the brake system. During the subsequent clocked driving action, a drive signal is subjected to a pulse width modulation based on a direct comparison between a motor voltage and a voltage threshold value. Due to a subsequent comparison between the motor voltage and a safety threshold, and the resulting full drive for the particular time, an increased load on the pump causes the pump to produce the necessary delivery capacity. In addition, a selectable maximum off-time of the pump motor guarantees a minimum pump on-time per drive cycle. The pump can be made to achieve full drive prematurely as a function of certain conditions which can be subjected to a preventive check, thereby avoiding an excessively high load. It is also possible to coordinate the way in which different control strategies access the pump.

Abstract: A trailer hitch cover assembly for a motor vehicle includes a hitch insert having an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough to fit over a hitch tube of a trailer hitch on a motor vehicle, and a rotatable door covering the aperture. The trailer hitch cover assembly also includes a top cover plate mounted to the hitch insert and a front cover plate mounted to the hitch insert and having an aperture extending therethrough aligned with the hitch tube of the trailer hitch.

Abstract: Vibration-isolating device including a vibration-isolating substrate formed of a rubber elastomer, first and second fittings each connected to a respective sides of the substrate, a first stopper portion arranged in connection with the first metal fitting, an outwardly projecting flange arranged in connection with the second metal fitting and a stopper metal fitting. The stopper metal fitting includes a caulking and fastening portion which is caulked and fastened with at least a part of the flange, and a second stopper portion arranged proximate and abutting against the first stopper portion. Outer circumferential surfaces of the base body and the second metal fitting are substantially oval and outer edges of the caulking and fastening portion and the flange trace along an imaginary circle around a central axis, at least at areas caulked and fastened.

Abstract: Shift lever unit for transforming the tilting movements of a shift lever (1) in electrical control signals, in particular for controlling a gearbox, with a shift lever, a rotating element (30, 3′) which is rotated by the tilting movements of the shift lever (1) and a sensor (32, 41) detecting the angular position of the rotating element (30, 3′) and transforming it into electrical signals.

Abstract: A flexible sleeve for an air spring terminates in end portions which define a pair of open ends. The sleeve has inner and outer layers of a flexible material with a plurality of reinforcement elements disposed within the materials with the reinforcement elements extending throughout the end portions. Inner and outer layers of the end portions are joined to the inner and outer layers of the sleeve, by non-overlapping joints with the inner and outer layers of the end portions having a higher modulus of elasticity than the inner and outer layers of the sleeve.

Abstract: An actuator (5) comprises a housing (4) with a motor (6) and a screw mechanism (9), said screw mechanism comprising nut (10) and a screw (11) one of which is rotatably supported with respect to the housing by means of a screw mechanism support (13) allowing relative rotations of the screw and the nut with respect to the longitudinal screw mechanism axis (28), and an actuating member (15) connected to the screw mechanism by means of an actuating member connection (26), such that on relative rotation of the nut and screw the actuating member is displaced with respect to the housing. The screw mechanism support and the actuating member connection allow rotations having at least one axis transverse with respect to the longitudinal screw mechanism axis, so as to compensate traverse loading and bending moments.

Abstract: A skewed-roller brake assembly 10 is provided, including a first rotor disc 12 and a second rotor disc 12. A stator disc 14, positioned between the first and second rotor discs 12, includes a plurality of skewed-roller slots 16 formed through the stator disc 14. A pair of roller elements 20 are positioned within each of the plurality of skewed-roller slots 16 such that a first of the pair of roller elements 21 protrudes from the stator disc 14 in the direction of the first rotor disc 22 and a second of said pair of roller elements 23 protrudes from the stator disc 14 in the direction of the second rotor disc 24. When the first and second rotor discs 12 are moved towards the stator disc 14, the first of the pair of roller elements 21 and the second of the pair of roller elements 23 rotate in concert while transmitting frictional torque to the first rotor disc 12 and the second rotor disc 12 respectively.

Abstract: In the rotary pump, a high pressure outer circumference chamber, which is formed around an outer circumference of an outer rotor and communicates with a discharge port, presses radially inward first defined parts among the outer circumference of the outer rotor that are positioned radially outside second defined parts adjacent to teeth gap portions whose volume are largest and smallest among teeth gap portions communicating with an intake port. Teeth top clearance between the outer and inner rotors at the second defined part is reduced due to pressure difference between the discharge pressure applied to the first defined parts and the intake pressure applied to the second defined parts.

Abstract: An hydraulic ABS system for motorcycle is installed between the wheels and the corresponding braking levers. The system respectively includes two hydraulic circuits respectively comprised of a pressure increasing circuit and a pressure releasing circuit, and an electric control unit where a plurality of control zones are established. The front and rear wheel braking levers respectively provide two braking signals that separately or simultaneously control the respective braking forces of the front and rear wheels. Via calculated slip rates, the operation of pressure increasing and releasing circuits are further timely controlled to achieve an optimal braking.

Abstract: A crush tube assembly for absorbing impact energy is provided. A first tube substantially free from convolutions is disposed about a second tube substantially free from convolutions. A third tube having convolutions is also disposed within the first tube, and may be interposed between the first and second tubes. The convolutions support the axial integrity, and minimize lateral bucking of the first and second tubes during the absorption of impact energy. Additional alternating layers of smooth and convoluted tubes may be alternatively disposed within the assembly to provide further strength and control for absorbing energy. A method for absorbing impact energy is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first tube substantially free from convolutions, disposing within said first tube a second tube substantially free from convolutions, interposing between said first and second tubes a third tube having convolutions; and impacting said first, second, and third tubes.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for a hydrodynamic clutch device particularly for coupling a turbine wheel hub with a turbine wheel shell and/or for coupling a lockup clutch arrangement with a turbine wheel, includes a primary side and a secondary side which is rotatable about an axis of rotation with respect to the primary side against the action of a damper element arrangement. A radial bearing arrangement is arranged for radially supporting the primary side and secondary side with respect to one another. For this purpose, the radial bearing arrangement is arranged radially outside of the damper element arrangement.

Abstract: The squareness of the both end surfaces of the flange portion with respect to the outer circumference of the shaft portion of the shaft member is set to 0.001 mm or less respectively, and the flatness of both end surfaces of the flange portion is set to 0.001 mm or less respectively. The squareness of the end surface of the bearing member with respect to the inner circumference of the bearing member is set to 0.002 mm or less, and the flatness thereof is set to 0.0015 mm or less. The flatness of the inner surface of the bottom portion of the housing is set to 0.002 mm or less.

Abstract: There is provided a maintenance-free sleeve bearing arrangement that is light in weight, has a long service life and does not require resupply of oil during operation. The sleeve bearing arrangement is comprised mainly of a shaft and a sleeve bearing, wherein the sleeve bearing formed of CRB ceramics, and/or the shaft formed of the CRB ceramics are used.