Abstract: An improved hydraulic clutch engagement system for use in a drag racing motor vehicle provides automatic engagement of the clutch for launching the car at the start of a race, without sacrificing manual control of the clutch necessary for power staging the car at the starting line prior to the race. A clutch assembly is movable between engaged and disengaged positions, wherein the car is driven when the clutch assembly is engaged. A slave cylinder is mounted adjacent to the clutch assembly. Main and return fluid lines extend between and flowingly connect the slave cylinder to a master cylinder. A pedal is operatively connected to the master cylinder for manually controlling the clutch assembly through displacement of a hydraulic fluid. A normally-closed solenoid valve is incorporated into the return line.

Abstract: A fuel charging system which injects nitrous oxide into the engine of a high performance vehicle to provide an instant burst of power to the vehicle. A nitrous oxide supply line feeds nitrous oxide under pressure from a supply container thereof into the vehicle engine through a spray bar. A normally closed solenoid valve controls the flow of nitrous oxide into the vehicle engine through the supply line. The supply line also is connected to a vent tube having a normally open solenoid valve controlling the flow of nitrous oxide thereto. The vent valve communicates with a one-way low pressure actuated check valve and vents any nitrous oxide leaking past the closed solenoid control valve into the atmosphere to prevent the harmful buildup of nitrous oxide in the engine.

Abstract: A portable system for filling bottles with nitrous oxide from a large supply cylinder of nitrous oxide at ambient temperature. The supply cylinder is connected by a conduit to a cylinder of inert gas which is under a considerably higher pressure than that of the nitrous oxide through a valve. The bottle to be filled is connected to the cylinder of nitrous oxide by another conduit. The inert gas through a pressure regulator maintains a blanket of high pressure inert gas above the liquid nitrous oxide in the cylinder to force the nitrous oxide from the cylinder and into the bottle. The valve when in a first position enables the cylinder of nitrous oxide to be connected to the cylinder of inert gas to maintain the pressurized blanket of gas above the nitrous oxide and then when in a second position enables the inert gas to force the nitrous oxide into the bottle.

Abstract: A friction plate for a vehicle clutch assembly having an improved damper spring. The damper spring includes a compression coil spring member which is encapsulated within an elastomer. The elastomer fills the interior of the spring and the spaces between the individual spring coils. The spring-elastomer combination has a greater dampening effect than the total dampening effect of the spring and elastomer if acting independent of each other. A plurality of the encapsulated springs are mounted individually in axially aligned openings provided in an inner hub flange, a friction drive plate and a retainer plate, all of which are mounted concentrically with respect to each other, with the hub flange being integral with a clutch hub. The encapsulated spring rotatably couples together the friction drive plate and retainer plate with the hub. Friction elements are mounted on the outer periphery of the drive plate.

Abstract: A loading bar is mounted on a leaf spring of a racing vehicle rear axle suspension system to increase traction on the vehicle tires during acceleration. Strut tube and strap members are mounted in a spaced relationship on the vehicle leaf spring rearwardly and adjacent to the vehicle axle by a pair of U-bolts and reinforcing plates. The tube and strap members extend rearwardly from the axle and are joined at their extended ends by a wheel bracket and a strut tube adjusting channel. The strut tube extends in an upwardly angled direction between the adjusting channel and axle, with the strap member being generally parallel with respect to the ground or racetrack. A wheel or roller is mounted on the wheel bracket and is spaced above the ground when in static condition. The loading bar is readily adjustable on the leaf spring to change the traction aiding effect thereof.