Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle braking system comprising one or more frictional braking devices and one or more regenerative braking devices. The method comprises receiving one or more electrical signals indicative of a brake command. The method further comprises determining whether one or more predetermined conditions are met in response to the received brake command, wherein at least one of the predetermined condition(s) comprises a condition pertaining to the one or more frictional braking devices. The method still further comprises inhibiting the operation of at least one of the one or more regenerative braking devices and actuating at least one of the one or more frictional braking devices when at least certain of the one or more predetermined conditions are met in order to carry out the received brake command and to also bed-in brake pad lining(s) of the actuated frictional braking devices.

Abstract: A pad assembly includes a carrier plate, a backing plate to one side of which is secured at least one friction pad and which is mounted on its alternate side on the carrier plate, a spring acting between the carrier plate and the backing plate and allowing for limited rocking and/or linear movement of the backing plate relative to the carrier plate against the action of the spring. A plurality of transmitting members are secured to one or the other of the carrier plate or the backing plate and project to engage the other so as to enable the transmission of force between the two plates. The arrangement of the force transmitting members is such that at least two of the force transmitting members are generally equiangularly arranged about the geometric center of the carrier plate.

Abstract: A pad assembly includes a carrier plate, a backing plate to one side of which is secured at least one friction pad and which is mounted on its alternate side on the carrier plate, a spring acting between the carrier plate and the backing plate and allowing for limited rocking and/or linear movement of the backing plate relative to the carrier plate against the action of the spring. A plurality of transmitting members are secured to one or the other of the carrier plate or the backing plate and project to engage the other so as to enable the transmission of force between the two plates. The arrangement of the force transmitting members is such that at least two of the force transmitting members are generally equiangularly arranged about the geometric center of the carrier plate.

Abstract: A pad assembly includes a carrier plate, a backing plate to one side of which is secured at least one friction pad and which is mounted on its alternate side on the carrier plate, a spring acting between the carrier plate and the backing plate and allowing for limited rocking and/or linear movement of the backing plate relative to the carrier plate against the action of the spring. A plurality of transmitting members are secured to one or the other of the carrier plate or the backing plate and project to engage the other so as to enable the transmission of force between the two plates. The arrangement of the force transmitting members is such that at least two of the force transmitting members are generally equiangularly arranged about the geometric center of the carrier plate.

Abstract: A disc brake testing apparatus comprises operating means operable to operate pad moving means of the disc brake to urge pads of the brake towards the disc thereof. The operating means operable to urge the pads against the disc with a higher pressure sufficient to cause the pads to maintain constant contact with the disc and apply a significant braking force thereto. In order to simulate conditions which cause disc thickness variation, the operating means is alternatively operable to urge the pads against the disc with a lower pressure selected to cause the pads to make intermittent contact with the disc during each revolution of the disc.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle sway bar 10' (FIG. 2(b)) which has two non-metallic components 25 and 26 molded directly thereonto at a spacing D for interfacing with a vehicle chassis, enabling the bar to be fabricated separately from, rather than during assembly with, the vehicle, comprises producing a bar form 10 from steel rod bent to shape, defining a datum point or feature of the bar beam by which the bar can be located with respect to a reference part 33 of molding apparatus 30, defining a first portion 20 of the bar, at which a first component 25, is to be molded, in terms of its distance S from the datum feature, arranging the molding apparatus 30 with two molds 31, 32 a distance D apart and the first mold a distance S from reference part 33, locating the bar form 10 with the datum feature at the reference part and extending through the molds and molding components onto the first and second portions of the bar form to give sway bar 10'.

Abstract: A plain bearing material, e.g. for a bearing bush or a thrust washer has a composition of 45 to 60 weight percent of semiaromatic polyamide, 15 to 20 weight percent of glass fibre, 10 to 20 weight percent of graphite, 10 to 20 weight percent of polytetrafluoroethylene and up to 5 weight percent of silicon oil.