Abstract: A friction clutch device for coupling a first rear motor shaft to a second front forced shaft by allowing free relative axial displacement between the two shafts. The clutch device includes a double shock-absorbing steering wheel having a primary couple input assembly which is fixedly mounted axially to the motor shaft, a secondary couple output assembly which is rotatably connected to a reactive plate of the clutch device which is supported by the forced shaft. An elastic circumferential action member is arranged in a cavity that is peripheral to the primary assembly to rotatably connect the secondary assembly, with circumferential shock absorption, to the primary assembly. The secondary assembly is fixedly mounted axially relative to the reactive plate.

Abstract: A friction clutch device for coupling a first rear motor shaft to a second front forced shaft by allowing free relative axial displacement between the two shafts. The clutch device includes a double shock-absorbing steering wheel having a primary couple input assembly which is fixedly mounted axially to the motor shaft, a secondary couple output assembly which is rotatably connected to a reactive plate of the clutch device which is supported by the forced shaft. An elastic circumferential action member is arranged in a cavity that is peripheral to the primary assembly to rotatably connect the secondary assembly, with circumferential shock absorption, to the primary assembly. The secondary assembly is fixedly mounted axially relative to the reactive plate.

Abstract: A database of entries, such as Web pages and sites, is provided. The entries are at least partially mapped to a set of predetermined categories. The entries are also associated with keywords, for instance, by automatic indexing of documents. In response to a query into the database, a user is provided with a series of refinement strategies, in addition to search results. Refinement strategies comprise categories relevant for the search, selected among the set of predetermined categories. Refinement strategies also include keywords dynamically selected among keywords associated with the entries. The user may easily navigate among the results to the query, and formulate new queries.

Abstract: A database of entries, such as Web pages and sites, is provided. The entries are at least partially mapped to a set of predetermined categories. The entries are also associated with keywords, for instance, by automatic indexing of documents. In response to a query into the database, a user is provided with a series of refinement strategies, in addition to search results. Refinement strategies comprise categories relevant for the search, selected among the set of predetermined categories. Refinement strategies also include keywords dynamically selected among keywords associated with the entries. The user may easily navigate among the results to the query, and formulate new queries.

Abstract: A double flywheel vibration damper including two coaxial masses free to rotate relative to each other and acting against elastic parts, in which one of the masses, referred to as the first mass, is intended to be fastened to a drive shaft, whereas the other mass, referred to as the second mass, includes a reaction plate assuring rotational connection to a driven shaft, and in which the first mass has a central hub projecting axially and carrying bearing member operating between the second mass and the central hub to enable the second mass to rotate on the first mass, wherein the central hub comprises two aligned coaxial parts, namely a first hub supporting the second mass rotationally via the bearing member fitted on this first hub, and a second hub intended to be fastened to the drive shaft, and wherein the second hub constitutes an axial spacer between the drive shaft and the first hub. The invention is applicable to motor vehicle transmission systems.

Abstract: A double flywheel, the friction members of which comprise a first ring (41) and a second ring (46) which are situated radially one outside the other, the first ring being gripped elastically in frictional contact against a friction face (40) of one of the rotating masses by a closure ring (45), a resiliently acting ring (48) being interposed between this closure ring (45) and the friction ring (46), so as to constitute two-stage friction members having a reduced number of components.

Abstract: A reaction plate for a friction clutch comprising a cover which includes a mounting insert fixed in the body of the reaction plate. The insert includes, on the outer periphery of the reaction plate, a projecting area for mounting the friction clutch cover.

Abstract: A potentiometer includes a rotatably mounted lever which acts as a follower member adapted to lie in contact with a moveable finger, the movement of which the lever is to follow, the lever being biassed at all times towards the finger by resilient return means.The lever is in the form of a fork having two arms whereby it is adapted to embrace the finger. Whichever one of these arms is in the trailing position with respect to the direction of rotation in which the lever is biassed by the return means is longer than the other arm. In the embodiment described, the longer arm is an active arm, the shorter arm being a security arm.

Abstract: An actuator, especially for a motor vehicle clutch, is of the kind that has a casing carrying a reversible electric motor which has a drive spindle, a driving element for coupling the actuator to an actuating member of the clutch, a coupling mechanism which couples the motor drive spindle to the driving element and which includes a toothed sector plate coupled in rotation to the driving element. The coupling mechanism also includes an actuating force reducing mechanism having a compensating spring. The actuating force reducing mechansim includes a compensating lever which is articulated on the toothed sector plate and on an intermediate pivoting lever, which is itself articulated to the casing, the intermediate pivoting lever being coupled to the compensating spring.

Abstract: An actuator comprising, in a casing, a mechanism which is controlled by a motor and which is adapted to control an output member. The mechanism including in particular a moveable thrust unit which is arranged generally for to and fro movement. The casing is liquid-tight, and incorporates a sump for containing a liquid lubricant. A pump is associated with this sump, the pump being arranged to be actuated by the moveable thrust unit. The suction port is in communication with the lower part or sump of the casing, while its delivery port is in communication with the mechanism in at least one region of the latter that is to be lubricated.

Abstract: A servo control device comprises a motor and continuously acting friction device, which is coupled to the output shaft of the motor and arranged in a housing having an aperture through which the motor output shaft extends. The housing is mounted so as to float radially in a mounting which is provided for it in a casing. Resilient tongues are provided so as to act between the housing and the mounting. The invention is particularly applicable to the motorized servo control of a clutch.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling a clutch fitted with motorized actuation by means of a pulse-fed direct-current electric motor. According to the invention, the control system of the electric motor comprises a microcomputer associated with a memory, in which values defining the duration of the control pulses of the clutch are stored, and these values can be updated during the operating life to take into account ageing and wear. The invention is particularly suitable for automatic clutch control in an automobile.

Abstract: Motorized control device, suitable for a motor vehicle clutch, comprises a motor which activates a shaft and a lever by means of a connection mechanism associated with a force moderator arrangement incorporating a spring; according to the invention, this spring is mounted under compression.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a clutch release bearing in contact with a clutch cover assembly at all times comprises a clutch release bearing operating shaft, a motorized actuator and coupling devices coupling the actuator to the shaft. These coupling devices incorporate a gear unit driven by the actuator and a toothed sector meshing with the gear unit and rotating freely on the shaft. The toothed sector cooperates with a lever fastened to the operating shaft through the intermediary of a thrust device which is implemented with play. An elastic device for presetting the force with which the clutch release bearing bears on the clutch cover assembly when the clutch is engaged, is disposed between the toothed sector and the lever and operates to increase the play of the thrust device.

Abstract: Power-assisted steering device for motor vehicles.The steering column is in two parts 13A and 13B which have between each other a limited degree of relative angular play and which receive rotor discs 23A and 23B of a hydraulic distributor 21. The rotor discs 23A and 23B are housed in a cavity 25 of a casing 26, with a small degree of axial play between a base 27 of the cavity 25 and a closure member 28 fixed to the casing 26. The closure member 28 is positioned with respect to the casing 26 by lugs 51 which are applied so as to abut against the base 27. The closure member 28 is fixed to the casing 26 by a weld 50.

Abstract: A hydraulic distributor device comprises two members movable relative to one another, either in rotary or translational movement, along a planar sliding interface, at least one narrow groove being provided superficially in one of the members along the interface, so as to minimize or eliminate the axial thrust generated by the fluid pressure. The distributor device may be used in power-assisted steering apparatus for a vehicle.

Abstract: A power-assisted steering device for a vehicle. The two parts (13A and 13B) of the steering column have the limited relative angular play permitting an angular offset of the rotor discs (23A, 23B) of the distributor (21). The parts (13A and 13B) are coupled by a torsion bar (52). An annular sealing gasket (70) is engaged in the perforation (50) of at least one of the parts (13A and 13B) round the main portion (53) of the torsion bar (52) and is applied against a widened head (56) of this torsion bar (52). The torsion bar (52) has, between the main portion (53) and the widened head (56), a fillet (57) against which the annular sealing gasket (70, 70') wedges itself. In this way, perfect leak-tightness is provided between the distributor (21) and the outside environment.

Abstract: A power-assisted steering device for a vehicle comprises a two-part steering column which parts are capable of limited relative angular displacement, and a hydraulic power-assistance mechanism responsive by means of a hydraulic distributor to relative angular displacement of the parts. The distributor comprises a stator having a pressure orifice connected to a hydraulic pump, a return orifice connected to a fluid reservoir, and two service orifices connected to the assisting jack. Two adjacent rotors are located within the stator and these are rotatable respectively with said two parts, the first rotor having distribution passages interacting with the stator pressure and return orifices, and the second rotor having distribution passages interacting with the first rotor distribution passages and the stator service orifices.

Abstract: A power-assisted steering device for a vehicle comprises a two-part steering column, which parts are capable of limited relative angular displacement, and a hydraulic power-assistance mechanism having a distributor responsive to relative angular displacement of the parts and comprising two rotors, each rotationally integral with a corresponding part of the steering column. One or both of the steering column parts has a prism-shaped cavity in its end, a prism-shaped plug being received in the cavity with an angular offset and being connected to the other part, thus providing the limited angular play between the two parts. The plug may either be a separate element received in cavities in both parts of the steering column, or may be received in a cavity of only one part and integrally formed with the other part. A thin corrugated tooth annular element may act as a rotational lock between each part and the corresponding rotor of the distributor.

Abstract: A power-assisted steering device for a vehicle which has a steering column consisting of two coaxial shafts, an input and an output shaft, which are coupled so that they have a limited relative angular play between them and which are rotationally fast with rotors of a hydraulic distributor. In case of accidental breakage of the torsion bar which couples the two shafts elastically, an axially acting stop means is provided between the input shaft and the housing of the distributor so as to prevent the input shaft from separating from the output shaft. This stop means consists of a washer which has a prolongation projecting towards the input shaft. The washer additionally maintains the sealing gasket which is between the input shaft and the distributor housing in position on the housing.