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. In a preferred embodiment a selective locking device (18) is provided for the relatively fixed/movable race (15).

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 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 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: 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: An energy storage apparatus is provided comprising a flywheel (12) having at least one input. According to an aspect, the flywheel input is arranged, in use, to supply energy to the flywheel, wherein that energy has been recovered from engine exhaust gas. According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising a charge boosting device arranged, in use, to provide inlet pressure boost to an engine. The apparatus further comprises a flywheel wherein said flywheel is arranged to supply energy to drive operation of the charge boosting device.

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 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: In clutch or brake cooling, a conductive brush (104) is arranged between a plate (102) and a separate cooled component (106), in order to reduce the temperature of the plate. The applied pressure from said conductive element may be responsive to the temperature of the plate. For example, the brush may be operable to move to an active, rubbing position from a non-rubbing position under predetermined temperature conditions. Similar brushes can be incorporated into bearing assemblies for clutches and brakes.

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 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.

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 wrap spring moves from a relaxed state to an energised state for braking rotation of the output shaft in a vehicle transmission. The wrap spring may constrict for engagement on the shaft or expand for engagement with an adjacent ground member. Two wrap springs, concentric or axially spaced, provide bi-directional braking. A split ring energises both wrap springs, e.g. using an epicyclic differential arrangement to move opposing ring portions in opposite directions The wrap spring may be mounted in a relaxed state for rotation with the shaft, with a mechanism for inducing drag torque to energise the spring for a braking operation. Means is provided preventing an actuator from energising the wrap spring, e.g. if the shaft is rotating above a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes at least one driver input, a supervisor and at least one sub-system controlled by the supervisor. The supervisor assesses the driver input to establish actual driver demand and controls the sub-systems accordingly. As a result intuitive driver demand is identified and met.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain modelling system includes a powertrain model (20), a vehicle model (30), a seat model (55), a driver model (60) and a correlation element (50) comprising a neural network. As a result vehicle development is enhanced, using the neural network (50) to correlate modelled shift aspects with previous subjectively obtained ratings.