Abstract: A clutch adjuster adapted to compensate for clutch disc wear incorporates a spring lock which in a first position secures the adjuster against rotation. On application of a disengagement force, the lock is deflected to a second position, wherein the adjuster is free for rotation. In one preferred form, the lock has an aperture which engages a bolt head on the adjuster, and upon application of the force the lock is axially displaced from the bolt head. In a second preferred form, a disc spring is adapted to normally retain the bolt head axially away from a clutch over in a first, secured, position. Upon application of force, the bolt head is depressed against the disc spring to shift the adjuster to a second position wherein the bolt head is free for rotation.

Abstract: A valve stem seal assembly includes a rigid cylindrical shell and an annular resilient seal body supported within an endwall of the shell. The resilient seal body includes an exterior circumferential groove, and the endwall contains an aperture adapted for being received in the groove. The circumference of the aperture in the endwall is greater than the circumference of the bottom of the groove. A predetermined radial clearance is thereby created to provide that the resilient seal body remains concentric with a reciprocating valve stem, notwithstanding the fact that the stem may be eccentric relative to a valve guide to which the assembly is affixed.

Abstract: An angled release clutch system provides a low bearing load at a relative constant pressure plate load throughout the life of either a pull-type or a push-type clutch. In a preferred form, the angled release clutch system includes an inverse Belleville spring compressed between a clutch cover and a plurality of levers for biasing the levers against the pressure plate for engagement of a friction disc secured to an input shaft. The spring includes an inner annular edge portion engageable with the levers, in an outer annular edge portion engageable with the cover, which is inverse to the normal Belleville spring clutch arrangement. The pressure plate in the preferred form includes an annular inclined surface portion for the cooperating with the levers, each lever having a pressure plate contacting portion for engaging the inclined surface portion of the pressure plate.

Abstract: A hydraulic spool valve assembly includes a pair of lands spaced apart by a groove, one land comprising a piston face, an adjacent land comprising a hydraulic flow notch, wherein the piston face includes a pair of concentric radially concave concentric. The boundary between the two concave annuli defines a convex split point annulus. The notch is oriented so as to establish a hydraulic fluid flow adapted to impact the split point annulus so as to create inversely directed radial flows across the respective concave annuli. A reverse flow component is thereby established across the groove and back toward the notch to lessen the impact of the force of the hydraulic stream against the split point annulus.

Abstract: A modular power drive assembly includes a plain carbon driving shaft having an externally splined connection end, and a cast iron yoke having a hub thereon in fixed engagement with said connected end of the shaft. In a preferred form, the hub includes an internally splined mating portion for fixed torsional securement to the externally splined connection end of the shaft. The splined portions are sized to be press-fitted together to provide an interference fit between the splined members. A bonding adhesive is applied between the mating splined portions, and the yoke and shaft members are thereby fixedly secured against axial and rotational movement with respect to one another.

Abstract: A valve stem seal provides an elastomeric main valve body having an upper working portion and a lower support portion, the latter for support of the seal on a valve guide member. The seal contains a central helically threaded internal region adapted to meter oil flow betwen the valve guide and a valve stem reciprocally moveable with the guide. The upper working portion defines a pair of ends, wherein each end contains a non-threaded internal portion defining a plurality of alternately arranged axially extending grooves and ribs. The grooves provide oil flow passageways, while the ribs support the ends of the working portion against the reciprocal valve stem member. In a preferred form, the non-threaded internal portions have axial lengths within a range of one-tenth to one-third the axial length of the central threaded region.

Abstract: A valve stem seal assembly includes a rigid cylindrical shell and an annular resilient seal body contained entirely within the shell. Integral to the seal body is a frustoconical sealing element adapted to engage a valve guide of an internal combustion engine. The sealing element converges radially inwardly, and upon installation of the assembly on a valve guide the outer surface of the sealing element bends further radially inwardly to effectively seal the top surface of the guide. The seal body includes a stem sealing aperture, which in one preferred embodiment is designed to engage the valve stem without a spring. In a same or similar embodiment, the shell contains a circumferential array of tangs for retention of the assembly on the guide.

Abstract: A socket bearing for use in a ball and socket joint includes a plurality of lubrication grooves, some having annular, others having helical, orientations over the interior surface thereof. In a preferred form, the socket is cup-shaped having a spherical interior surface, and includes three parallel radially oriented annular grooves intersected by three longitudinally oriented helical grooves. Each groove defines a radius, and each pair of adjacent grooves defines a land between the grooves. An interface boundary is defined by one side of one groove and the land associated with the side of that particular groove. The interface boundary is radiused, wherein the radius thereof has a value of at least fifty percent of that of the radius of the groove.

Abstract: A collet assembly includes a self-retraction system for convenience of use and quick adjustment. In a preferred form, the collet assembly is releasably retained against a top pressure ring normally biased apart from a base ring. The pressure ring includes a plurality of elongated detents which extend axially from the pressure ring, each adapted for insertion into a detent-receiving socket of one die segment contained in an elastomeric cage. Each detent is radially moveable with respect to the pressure ring, such that as the die segments are contracted radially inwardly, the detents hold the segments to the pressure ring but permit movement of the segments radially with respect to the ring. After each crimping operation, the detents, which are normally spring biased to their radially outermost position, will return the die segments to a fully opened position.

Abstract: A preloaded steering ball joint assembly provides a system wherein relatively constant torque may be realized over the useful life of the joint. In a preferred form, the joint assembly includes a housing having a ball socket cavity, and a ball and a shaft integral with the ball. Top and bottom bearing seats are disposed for positioning and retaining the ball within the housing. The bottom seat includes an aperture for permitting passage of the shaft, while the top seat includes both an aperture as well as radial passageways for permitting access of lubricant into a lubricant chamber portion of the socket cavity. A preferred method of manufacture includes insert molding an elastomer disc over the top bearing seat by a pre-measured amount of overfill, then after its formation compressing the elastomer disc by means of a second disc made of metal by peening the latter metallic disc over the elastomer disc.

Abstract: A driven clutch disk assembly adapted for use in a friction clutch includes a system for controlling clutch engagement friction, whereby an increasing surface contact friction area is presented in order to limit clutching capacity over an initial clutch engagment period. The result is a substantial reduction of the chatter which tends to occur in clutch systems which utilize metallic friction elements. In a preferred form, the clutch disk assembly incorporates a pair of circumferentially extending cantilevered spring beams, both positioned intermediately of a pair of backing plates, each spring beam loaded against one of the pair. An associated friction element secured to the backing plate will thereby have a crowned surface for initial clutch engagement. The surface will collapse during engagement to ultimately present a full flattened friction surface area. The invention thereby tends to obviate the chatter problem.

Abstract: A friction disc assembly includes a plurality of one piece or unitary friction elements each containing a pair of opposed planar friction surfaces. Each element is adapted for being supported within an opening of a clutch driven disc, wherein a pair of backing plates virtually supports each disc by trapping same within pairs of aligned openings. In a preferred form, the backing plates comprise an interference fit with the axially aligned boundaries of associated friction surfaces, and rivets which hold the backing plates rigidly to the driven disc are spaced from and hence out of contact with the friction elements. In a preferred form, each friction element includes a radially extending tongue which has a thickness equal to the thickness of the driven disc.

Abstract: A clutch disk for use in a dry friction clutch includes a cushioned friction element assembly. The assembly includes a novel support system, wherein as part of a pair of identical friction laminates welded or otherwise secured to one another, opposing pairs of integral sliding wedge supports are adapted to jointly clasp the disk at radial boundaries of openings in the disk. In a preferred form, each laminate incorporates a backing plate, and each friction assembly includes a central cushion region between back plates. The sliding wedge supports retain each assembly over a disk opening, and are adapted to accommodate significant lateral deflection of the assembly during transitional engagement of the clutch disk.

Abstract: A system of wire connectors fixedly secured to a tubular hydraulic brake hose member in a vehicular assembly. In a preferred form, the connectors are uniformly spaced along the tubular member, each connector having a main body portion injection molded to the tubular member. Each connector has a pair of flexible retaining tabs spaced circumferentially apart from one another and extending generally radially of the main body portion. Each pair of tabs defines a generally circular wire receiving opening of a diameter substantially equal to that of the wire member intended to be secured therein. The tabs further define a pair of flexible arms which provide snap-fittable engagement and removal of the wire member with respect to the opening.

Abstract: A friction disk assembly includes a driven annular member having a plurality of radially extending torque transmitting support segments circumferentially spaced, each support segment defining an opening and supporting a friction laminate member across the opening. Each laminate includes a single backing plate which incorporates a pair of friction pads bonded to each of the opposed sides of the single backing plate. In a preferred form, the backing plate includes an offset portion which extends into the opening of an associated support segment, wherein an interference fit with the opening is established with respect to the offset portion in order to avoid relative movement between the laminate and the support segment under circumferential friction loads.

Abstract: A self-venting spool valve assembly includes a novel mechanism for retention of a rotatable spool within a longitudinally disposed valve body. The spool contains first and second flanges at opposed ends thereof, wherein the first flange is adapted to bear against the longitudinal body of the valve assembly. The second flange, however, is spaced from the valve body by a groove, and a biasing retainer is disposed within the groove for frictional engagement between the second flange and the valve body in order to sealingly retain the spool within the valve body. In the preferred form, the spool and associated bore are tapered, and contain fluid drain and air vent apertures for selective communication with fluid drain and air vent passages extending through the longitudinal body of the valve assembly.

Abstract: An annular shaft seal including a continuous lip sealing element for sealing against oil flow between a bore and a shaft extending through the bore includes a convoluted elastomeric flexible section which connects the sealing element with a rigid case support. The flexible section is defined by a plurality of annuli, wherein each adjoining pair of annuli defines a reverse bend therebetween. One or more of the reverse bends is reinforced with a relatively non-elastic material, preferably plastic, which is integrally molded thereinto, and provides a torsional rigidity while permitting radial flexibility. This provides a closer following of the lip seal element on the shaft under conditions of extreme runout wherein the lip seal element would otherwise become dynamically distorted.

Abstract: A torsional sleeve coupling provides a spring system for dampening torsional vibrations in a driveline coupling during low torque modes of operation. In a preferred form, the coupling is adapted for use with a driving and a driven shaft which are coaxially aligned. The coupling includes a lost motion connection for torsionally coupling the driven and driving shaft ends for joint rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling incorporates a sleeve which contains a C-spring having an annular metallic body positioned in coaxial registration with one of the shafts. The spring includes a pair of spaced, radially oriented ears. The sleeve and the shaft about which the spring is positioned each contain a slotted portion. The two slotted portions are in radial alignment with each other, and each is adapted to receive both of the ears of the spring.

Abstract: A reduction gear axle apparatus includes a differential gearing assembly positioned for driving a pair of coaxially arranged driving axle shafts. The apparatus includes a rotary input shaft disposed for coupling with a prime mover having a power modulating device. A centrifugal speed control governor is fixed to the input shaft, and the governor is operatively connected to the power modulating device for control thereof as a function of axle shaft speed. In one preferred form, the governor comprises a pair of plates with a plurality of slide weights circumferentially spaced about the plates. One of the plates is fixed to the input shaft while the other is slideable thereon. At least one plate contains cam surfaces wherein as the weights are centrifugally urged outwardly of the input shaft axis, the slideable plate is axially moved away from the fixed plate.

Abstract: A fluid pressure seal assembly is adapted to accomodate high and low pressure conditions in hydraulic oil environments. In a preferred form, the seal assembly includes a primary shaft sealing annulus having a radially inwardly extending circumferential sealing lip defined by a pair of outer and inner converging frustoconcial walls. During a low pressure mode, the sealing lip provides contact with the shaft being sealed. During a high pressure mode, the inner frustoconical wall provides a surface contact with the shaft. A rigid metallic support component is disposed for limiting axial movement of the annulus, the support component being a part of a steel J-casing which structurally supports a body of elastomer bonded thereto. In a preferred form the support component of the casing member is encased by a portion of the body of elastomeric material to form a barrier which limits the amount of high pressure deformation of the sealing annulus.