Abstract: A wheeled vehicle steering system comprising an adjustable steering input device, a device for generating a first electrical signal proportional to demanded input of the steering input device, a device for steering a vehicle wheel in response to the first electrical signal, a sensing device for detecting the response of the vehicle, a device for producing a second electrical signal proportional to the detected response, an input filter for filtering the first electrical signal, a comparator device for comparing the filtered first electrical signal and the second electrical signal and producing a different signal from comparison of the first and second electrical signals, a device for steering a vehicle wheel in response to the difference signal.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a suspension unit comprising a hydraulic actuator of variable displacement connected to the chassis or body of the vehicle and a wheel and hub assembly of the vehicle and a control device for varying the displacement of the actuator in response to signals received from transducers on the vehicle to control the vehicle suspension. The suspension unit further comprises a displacement detector device to detect when the actuator displacement approaches a desired maximum/minimum value and a device to modify the velocity demand signal which operates in response to the control signal generated by the displacement detector device to bring the extension/contraction of the actuator gradually to a stop as the desired maximum/minimum value is reached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a land vehicle suspension control system comprising means (25) for measuring forces acting between the sprung mass (body) (20) of a vehicle and unsprung masses (wheel and hub assemblies) (11, 18) connected thereto, means for producing signals proportional to the measured loads and actuator means (14) operable to apply correcting forces in dependence on said signals to control the attitude of the vehicle, the actuator means being capable of stable operation to counteract loads acting on the vehicle including loads isolated from the means for measuring forces. The loads isolated from the means for measuring forces include those loads which are absorbed by passive isolators that are connected in series with the actuator means of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering system comprising a steering wheel (11), control signal generating means (12) responsive to the operation of the steering wheel (11), means for steering at least one vehicle wheel in response to control signals generated by the generating means and also selectively operable coupling means (41) to enable the steering means to be mechanically coupled to the steering wheel for manual steering of the vehicle wheel independently of the control signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active suspension system for controlling the suspension of a wheeled land vehicle, which comprises an actuator (31) of variable length in parallel with a spring (34), connected between the body or chassis of a vehicle and a wheel and hub assembly (40) of such. The extension/contraction of the actuator is controlled by a control unit (60) in response to parameters measured by various sensors (61, 64, 65, 66 and 62). The control unit (60) also makes allowance for loads on the vehicle not measured by the sensors, so that accurate control of the suspension system is achieved.

Abstract: A vehicle with an active suspension system has a road wheel suspension unit comprising a double-acting hydraulic actuator extending between a fitting connected to the vehicle body or chassis and a pivoted road wheel suspsension arm, a coiled compression spring in parallel with and surrounding the actuator, a load cell for signalling actuator loading, and a resilient isolator ring in series between the load cell and the fitting, or the actuator and the load cell.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel suspension system includes a suspension device having a double acting hydraulic actuator, of which the piston position is adjustable in response to forces acting on the piston and/or to a selective control input, and a load bearing strut operable in response to the actuator piston experience to minimize the actuator load. The device comprises an inner member having a portion slidable within an outer member with the piston on the inner member and slidably engaging the outer member and a fluid body operative between the members, the volume of which is selectively adjustable to alter and strut pre-load and load deflection characteristics. The fluid body may be a body of oil or a gas.

Abstract: A road vehicle has steerable front and rear wheels, the rear wheels being steered by an electro-hydraulic system responsive to the manual control input to the front wheels. The hydraulic actuator of the system is biased to the straight-ahead steering position by springs, so that the rear wheels are centered in the event of electric or hydraulic failure, and an hydraulically restrained latch element is spring biased to then latch the actuator piston in its centered position.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle road wheel comprises a wheel suspension device (1) having a double-acting hydraulic actuator and a gas spring in parallel, the gas spring being controllable to provide a selectively variable offset, a sensor (6,90) arranged to sense load changes experienced by the suspension device and to provide an output dependent thereon, and control assembly (95) responsive to the sensor output to effect adjustment of the hydraulic actuator pending change of the offset of the gas spring to accommodate the load changes. Also disclosed is a damping system for damping movement of a piston (64) within a cylinder, the damping system comprising a valve (80) operable to connect spaces (70,74) within the cylinder at opposite sides of the piston to fluid pressure and/or return lines (84,85) so as to apply selected positive or negative damping to the movement of the piston.

Abstract: A torque splitting device (12) capable of use in a four wheel drive road vehicle has two coupled epicyclic differential devices providing the two outputs and connected respectively with a torque input shaft (30), which may be driven by a vehicle gearbox and a control shaft (35). The control shaft is driven from the input shaft (35) by way of an infinitely variable ratio drive means comprising a fixed displacement hydrostatic motor (51) coupled with a variable displacement hydrostatic pump (50) which is controlled by signals from a control unit (60). The unit (60) may be responsive to signals representing vehicle control and/or experience.

Abstract: An active vehicle suspension system has a suspension device with a variable offset gas spring and a double acting hydraulic actuator acting in parallel. Load changes experienced by the device are sensed electrically, or electrically and hydraulically, so as to effect appropriate response of the device by adjustment of the actuator pending change of the offset of the gas spring, so as to reduce energy requirements.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system comprises suspension units (2) with double acting hydraulic actuators (12) for carrying the road wheels (4). Signals from transducers sensing actuator load and actuator piston position (14,15) are used in a control system (5) to generate signals representing forces corresponding to heave, pitch, roll and warp modes of vehicle movement and control signals are generated for supply to servo-valves (18) associated with the actuators to obtain desired vehicle attitude. The control signals can be modified by signals representing vehicle speed and lateral and longitudinal acceleration and under selective control of the driver.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle has an undertray shaped to form a venturi duct with a road or like surface over which the vehicle moves, the undertray being carried in substantially fixed relationship with the wheels, so that the vehicle chassis or body can move relative to the wheels without substantial alteration of the shape of the venturi duct. The undertray can comprise the lower wall of a shell enclosing the vehicle body or chassis.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon composition such as a lubricating or specialty oil containing a selected heteroaromatic nitrogen compound as an antioxidant/metal deactivator/electrical insulator having the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein each X is C or N with at least one X being N; Y is C or N; R is H or CH.sub.2 NR"'.sub.2 where each R" is H or alkyl of 1 to 20 carbons; R' is H, SR"' OR "' or NR"'.sub.2 with each R"' being H or alkyl of 1 to 20 carbons.