초록 ▼

A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. The apparatus is in the form of separate modular units which are separately, but

A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. The apparatus is in the form of separate modular units which are separately, but simultaneously, filled with hydraulic fluid after simultaneous evacuation of atmospheric air from the apparatus modular units and test of the integrity of the modular units, and the pre-tested and prefilled modular units are shipped unconnected to a user. Each modular unit is provided with a leakproof quick-connect connector member, through which filling of the modular unit may be effected, and which mates with a complementary leakproof quick-connect connector member of another modular unit, such that after installation on a utilization device, a motor vehicle for example, complementary connector members are reconnected, thus opening ports in each connector member placing each member in fluid communication with the other. Preferably, the two connector members are provided with a one-way locking arrangement preventing separation of the connector members after coupling.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of providing a prefilled hydraulic clutch actuator for incorporation into a motor vehicle during the assembly of the vehicle to provide a clutch actuator for the vehicle, said actuator comprising a hydraulic master cylinder, a hydraulic slave cylinder and conduit means connecting said maste

A method of providing a prefilled hydraulic clutch actuator for incorporation into a motor vehicle during the assembly of the vehicle to provide a clutch actuator for the vehicle, said actuator comprising a hydraulic master cylinder, a hydraulic slave cylinder and conduit means connecting said master cylinder to said slave cylinder; said method comprising, (A) providing a hydraulic master cylinder adapted to be secured to the vehicle body structure; (B) providing a hydraulic slave cylinder adapted to be mounted proximate the vehicle clutch; (C) providing conduit means for hydraulically connecting said master cylinder to said slave cylinder; (D) filling said master cylinder, slave cylinder and conduit means with hydraulic fluid; (E) providing a leak-proof connector having two interengageable complementary connector members in said conduit means so as to define separate modular units together comprising said hydraulic control apparatus; and (F) delivering said actuator in the form of prefilled modular units to the vehicle assembly location for separate installation of said modular units respectively on the vehicle body structure and proximate the vehicle clutch and subsequent connection of said interengageable complementary connector members to provide said hydraulic clutch actuator for the vehicle.