Abstract: A turnbuckle actuator between a mast jacket of a motor vehicle steering column and a tilt housing pivotally supported on the mast jacket. The turnbuckle actuator includes a first turnbuckle yoke, a second turnbuckle yoke, and a turnbuckle shaft. The first and the second turnbuckle yokes are supported on respective ones of the mast jacket and the tilt housing for rotation about parallel lateral centerlines of the mast jacket and the tilt housing. The first turnbuckle yoke has a transverse bore therein eccentric relative to the lateral centerline of the mast jacket. The second turnbuckle yoke has a transverse bore therein eccentric relative to the lateral centerline of the tilt housing. Opposite hand screw threads on the turnbuckle shaft mesh with matching screw threads in the transverse bores. Rotation of the turnbuckle shaft thrusts the turnbuckle yokes in opposite directions to pivot the tilt housing.

Abstract: A method of making a torsional damper for a motor vehicle intermediate steering shaft including the steps of forming a tubular end on a shaft of the intermediate steering shaft, forming a damper chamber in a yoke of a torsionally rigid universal coupling around and oversize relative to the tubular end of the shaft so that an uncalibrated annular clearance is defined therebetween, disposing a tubular torsion block in the uncalibrated annular clearance with an outside surface bonded to an inside surface of the damper chamber and an inside surface bonded to an outside surface of the tubular end of the shaft, and converting the uncalibrated annular chamber to a calibrated annular chamber by expanding the tubular end of the shaft inside of the damper chamber to radially compress tubular torsion block and increase the torsional stiffness thereof.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical powertrain has two motor/generator (m/g) units disposed in concentric coaxial arrangement with a plurality of planetary gearsets and a pair of friction brakes. An input shaft is driven by a prime mover through a selectively engageable clutch. The motor/generator units are controlled in combination with the planetary gearset, the prime mover and an electrical source (batteries) to provide a two-mode, input split powertrain.

Abstract: A two-mode, compound-split, electro-mechanical transmission utilizing an input member for receiving power from an engine, and an output member for delivering power from the transmission. First and second motor/generators are operatively connected to an energy storage device through a control for interchanging electrical power among the storage means, the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator. The transmission employs three planetary gear subsets which are coaxially aligned. Each planetary gear arrangement utilizes first and second gear members, and each first and second gear members meshingly engage a plurality of planet gears rotatably mounted on a carrier. The first and second motor/generators are coaxially aligned with each other as well as the three planetary gear subsets which are circumscribed by the first and second motor/generators. At least one of the gear members in the first or second planetary gear subsets is connected to the first motor/generator.

Abstract: A planet carrier assembly has a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted in a cage or spider. A stationary washer, having four bearing pads, is disposed adjacent the sidewall of the planet carrier cage. Th& sidewalls are spaced and have aligned openings to accept pinion pins on each of which a pinion gear is rotatably mounted. A rotatable washer, or thrust bearing, is disposed between each pinion gear and respective bearing pads of the stationary washers.

Abstract: An end play take up retaining ring between a support element and a retained element is constituted by a longitudinally split sleeve defining at a first end thereof a closed-biased C-shaped spring and at a second end thereof a larger open-biased C-shaped spring. The closed-biased C-shaped spring is expanded to fit the retaining ring over an external annular groove in the support element. At the same time, the open-biased C-shaped spring is squeezed to a smaller diameter. When the closed-biased C-shaped spring is released, it resiliently clamps the retaining ring in the annular groove. When the open-biased C-shaped spring is released, it resiliently expands and thrusts a beveled shoulder against the retained element. The beveled shoulder converts expansion of the open-biased C-shaped spring into relative lateral thrust which seats the first end of the retaining ring against an end wall of the annular groove and the retained element against a stop on the support element.

Abstract: An energy absorber including a yoke on a vehicle body pivotable about a lateral centerline thereof, a linear bore in the yoke surrounding a steering column mast jacket, a ball sleeve between the mast jacket and the linear bore, a plurality of steel spheres interference fitted between the mast jacket and the linear bore and loosely received in apertures in the ball sleeve, and an annular lip on the yoke. The interference fit of the steel spheres yields a rigid, lash-free connection between the vehicle body and a lower end of the mast jacket. An impact on the steering column induces linear translation of the mast jacket through the linear bore. The ball sleeve is trapped in the linear bore by the annular lip on the yoke. The steel spheres are held stationary by the apertures in the ball sleeve and plastically deform the mast jacket by plowing tracks therein to convert into work a fraction of the kinetic energy of the impact on the steering column.

Abstract: A method of making a steering hand wheel for a motor vehicle having a metal spider, a molded plastic rim, and a plurality of molded plastic spokes integral with the rim and mechanically interlocked with the spider. The method according to this invention includes the steps of extruding a billet having a cross sectional shape matching the profile of the spider, forming the spider by cutting off a flat section of the extruded billet from an end thereof, and insert molding a plastic rim and a plurality of integral plastic spokes around the spider. Each of the plastic spokes has an inboard end molded around a corresponding one of a plurality of spoke bases on the spider with a plurality of integral plastic pins captured in respective ones of a plurality of perforations in the spoke bases to mechanically interlock the spider and the molded plastic spokes.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a motor vehicle including a steering column and an electric power assist apparatus. The steering column includes a mast jacket, a steering shaft rotatably supported on the mast jacket, and a steering hand wheel on the steering shaft. The electric power assist apparatus includes a speed reducer on the mast jacket and an electric motor. A worm wheel of the speed reducer is rigidly connected to an output shaft of the speed reducer which, in turn, is connected to a steering gear of the motor vehicle. A worm gear of the speed reducer is driven by the electric motor and meshes with the worm wheel to transfer the torque of the electric motor to the speed reducer output shaft. A tubular reference shaft is rotatably supported on the speed reducer housing.

Abstract: A demand responsive flow control valve including a housing in a fluid conduit between a pump and a motor vehicle power steering gear, a flow control orifice in the fluid conduit, and a valve pintle supported on the housing for linear translation. An inboard stop on the housing engageable by the valve pintle defines an active position of the valve pintle, obstructing the flow control orifice and reducing the effective area of the latter. The inboard stop is a tubular sleeve interference fitted in a bore in the housing. The position of the tubular sleeve on the housing corresponding to the active position of the valve pintle is established by inducing linear translation of the tubular sleeve into the bore in the housing as a unit with the valve pintle while monitoring the corresponding flow rate through the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A retainer for a crossover tube of a ball screw between a rack piston and a worm shaft of a motor vehicle power steering gear. The ball screw includes a helical passage between the rack piston and the worm shaft, a U-shaped crossover tube on the rack piston, and a plurality of bearing balls which roll in a ball circuit defined by the helical passage and the crossover tube. The crossover tube retainer is a molded plastic arch straddling a linear segment of the crossover tube having a web bridging the gap between the crossover tube and the rack piston bore. The thrust of the bearing balls urging dislodgment of the crossover tube from the rack piston is reacted against the rack piston bore through the web of the molded plastic arch across a bearing surface of the web having a contour complementary to the contour of the rack piston bore above the molded plastic arch.

Abstract: A coupling between a motor vehicle steering shaft and a motor vehicle steering wheel including a first coupling element on the steering wheel having a cavity therein, a second coupling element on the steering shaft plugged into the cavity in the first coupling element, and a latch responsive to relative rotation between the first and the second coupling elements to couple together for unitary rotation the first and the second coupling elements with substantially zero lash therebetween. The latch includes a plurality of lugs on the second coupling element seated in extensions of the cavity in the first coupling element, a plurality of ramps in the cavity extensions operative to eject the lugs from the cavity extensions concurrent with relative rotation between the first and the second coupling elements, a plurality of sockets in the first coupling element, and a plurality of springs operative to thrust the lugs into corresponding ones of the sockets.

Abstract: An outboard seal between a rack bar of a rack and pinion steering gear and a fluid motor cylinder tube around the rack bar. The outboard seal includes an annular bulkhead in an outboard end of the cylinder tube around the rack bar, a metal retaining ring preventing dislodgment of the bulkhead from the cylinder tube by fluid pressure in the cylinder tube, and a seal ring adjacent an end wall of the bulkhead having an outer surface resiliently pressing against the cylinder tube and an inner lip biased against the rack bar by garter spring. A coupling between the seal ring and the bulkhead consists of an annular groove in a cylindrical shoulder on the bulkhead and a flexible lip on the seal ring stretched over the cylindrical shoulder and seated loosely in the annular groove.

Abstract: A shaft coupling including a socket, a first shaft, a plug on a second shaft seated in the socket, and a clamp operative to clamp together the first and the second shafts in the direction of a longitudinal centerline of the shaft coupling to prevent dislodgment of the plug from the socket. The clamp includes an annular first flange on the first shaft, an annular second flange on the second shaft facing the first flange, oppositely facing frustoconical shoulders on the first and the second flanges, a plurality of clamp jaws pivotally mounted on the first shaft arrayed symmetrically around the first and the second flanges each having a closed position inducing radial thrust on the oppositely facing frustoconical shoulders, and springs biasing each of the clamp jaws toward its closed position.

Abstract: Vehicle suspension of the type including trailing arm axle with cross-beam includes steer-control bushings connecting the forward ends of the axle trailing arms to the vehicle body, the bushings having rigid steer-control elements molded in situ within the elastomeric element of the bushing.

Abstract: A vehicle rear suspension includes a rucher-like mechanism providing one connection of the semi-elliptic spring, or link equivalent of the suspension linkage to the vehicle sprung mass. The mechanism incorporates pivots and spring means effective to enable rear wheel roll understeer during vehicle cornering, while also absorbing impact forces acting on a rear wheel as the wheel hits a bump.

Abstract: Steerable vehicle suspension in which lateral support is provided to the strut body as opposed to support of the strut rods to eliminate or minimize the bending loads and the strut rod. This support and provides equilibrium against the moment from the offset of the wheel load to the ball joint. The lateral support is provided by a support bracket which is attached to the inner race of the upper strut mount and turns about the kingpin axis with the strut and spring assembly during steering maneuvers. One or more rolling elastomer elements are disposed between the support bracket and the strut body. These elements provide support while allowing relative vertical motion to occur between the support bracket and the strut.

Abstract: An "adaptive" wheel suspension linkage for automobiles and the like includes a pair of lateral extending arms or links spaced fore and aft of one another at pivots on the auto chassis and pivotally secured to the wheel knuckle, with one of such links having its inboard end automatically or adaptively adjusted to various positions vertically on the chassis, without any significant lateral displacement, in response to varying operating conditions, so as to suitably vary the roll steer property of the linkage.

Abstract: A planetary milling machine employs concentric inner drive tubes within a housing, eccentric cam means on one such tube and a motorized spindle unit in an orbitally adapted carrier in the housing which has cam follower means inter engaged with the cam means such that with both tubes constantly rotating and with one tube driving the carrier, a speed differential between the two tubes can be employed to establish the desired orbital relation of the spindle unit to a central working axis of the machine.

Abstract: Vehicle strut type suspensions are improved against deleterious side loadings and excessive friction in the telescopic strut portions by use of a couple counterbalance secondary spring which imposes a counter-moment on the strut-connected wheel support knuckle.