Abstract: An edge filter for use with a variable-displacement pump control is disclosed. The edge filter comprises a first portion disposed between a source of hydraulic actuating fluid and an orifice having a first flow area. The first portion has an outer circumference defining a radial gap within a bore. The gap has a predetermined gap width less than a diameter of the orifice.

Abstract: A pressure control system for controlling output pressure of a variable-displacement hydraulic pump used with a hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled injector fuel system and method of operation is disclosed. The control system comprises a variable-displacement hydraulic pump with a control element adjustable to a range of positions which controls an output of the pump. The control system additionally includes positioning means for positioning the control element responsive to pressure differences between the fluid reference chamber and the output port. Electronic valve means regulates a pressure of hydraulic actuating fluid in the fluid reference chamber. The electronic valve means is electronically connected with the electronic control means to receive the output signal.

Abstract: An improved fuel injector nozzle employs a hydraulic spring which controls displacement of a needle check to provide a desired rate of fuel flow through an injector orifice.

Abstract: A new and improved brake shoe hold down mechanism for retaining a brake shoe to an inside surface of a backing plate includes a nail having a head disposed on an outside surface of the backing plate limiting axial travel of the nail and a barb-like tip adapted to pass through apertures in the backing plate and a web of the brake shoe. A wire spring is disposed on a first end against the brake shoe and has a coil on a second aligned with the tip of the nail. A cup shaped retainer cap is compressively seated against the spring coil and engaged by the tip of the nail at a bottom of the cap thereby biasing the brake shoe against the backing plate. The retainer cap has a slot from a first position at which the nail tip is received and which is offset from the bottom of the cap to a second position at a bottom of the cap to which the tip is biased by the compressive spring load. The tip engages the bottom of the cap independent of orientation to the slot.

Abstract: This invention teaches a method for producing a tubular structural member which can longitudinally vary in wall thickness, perimeter and material using the hydroforming process. This is accomplished by first fabricating a tube blank of the desired longitudinal combination of wall thickness, perimeter and material by welding together portions of tubing having the desired characteristics and then hydroforming the resultant blank. The hydroformed part will have nearly the same thickness, perimeter and material characteristics as the blank in the corresponding longitudinal location.

Abstract: A seal device for a hydroforming press includes a housing having a bore and a seal carrier slidable within the housing bore. The seal carrier has a bore which fits closely outside of the end of tube to be hydroformed. A V-shaped locator rigidly mounted relative to the housing aligns the end of the tube placed thereon with the carrier bore. A carrier actuator is operable to move the seal carrier between a retracted position away from the end of the tube to an extended position over the end of the tube. A resilient elastomeric annular seal carried by the seal carrier encircles the outer surface of the tube. A seal actuator carried on the seal carrier compresses the seal upon relative movement between the seal actuator and the seal carrier. A stop is engaged by the seal actuator as the seal carrier approaches the extended position so that subsequent further movement of the seal carrier compresses the seal against the tube.

Abstract: A three element fluid torque converter has a variable pitch stator. The stator blades have two principal orientations, closed and open. The blades are biased toward the closed position by a spring loaded annular piston. In the closed position, the blades block approximately 75% to 90% of the annular area between a stator core and a stator shell. An inlet angle for the stator blades is between 30 degrees and 70 degrees in the closed position. This combination reduces creep torque without any significant increase in driveline noise and vibration when the engine is idling. As engine speed and torque are increased, the blades overcome the spring bias to rotate to the open position thereby increasing the torque transmitted to effectively propel the vehicle.

Abstract: A gear range indicator for use with automatic transmissions which is remote from the shift mechanism yet requires minimal adjustment to be made to the mechanical linkage to compensate for variations in the position of the display relative to the shift mechanism. This gear range indicator used has magnetic biasing means to position a pointer to the appropriate transmission gear range symbol on the display.

Abstract: A torque converter has a turbine and a pump with elastomeric linings on its core and shell surfaces proximate to the blades. The elastomeric linings are deformed where the blades engage the core and shell surfaces. This localized deformation effects a seal between the blades and the core and shell surfaces. This seal eliminates leakage between the blades and the cores and the shells, thereby increasing torque converter efficiency.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount assembly includes a pair of mounting members connected together through a hollow elastomeric body. This hollow body is closed by a resilient diaphragm so as to form a cavity for a damping liquid. A partition divides the cavity into a primary chamber formed between the partition and the hollow body and a secondary chamber formed between the partition and the diaphragm. The partition also includes a primary (damping) track and a secondary (dynamic rate reducing) track providing fluid communication between the chambers. A decoupler is held for limited reciprocating movement in an annular groove in the secondary track. In operation, high amplitude vibratory inputs seat the decoupler forcing damping fluid to flow between the primary and secondary chambers through the damping track. The resulting high level of damping and high dynamic rate serve to suppress the vibrations and control engine movement/noise.

Abstract: A three element fluid torque converter has a variable pitch stator. The stator blades have two principal orientations, closed and open. The blades are biased toward the closed position by a spring loaded annular piston. In the closed position, the blades block approximately 75% to 90% of the annular area between a stator core and a stator shell. An inlet angle for the stator blades is between 30 degrees and 70 degrees in the closed position. This combination reduces creep torque without any significant increase in driveline noise and vibration when the engine is idling. As engine speed and torque are increased, the blades overcome the spring bias to rotate to the open position thereby increasing the torque transmitted to effectively propel the vehicle.

Abstract: An axially oriented annular piston is provided in the torque converter. It encircles the converter pump. The piston has an open and a closed position. In the open position, a portion of the fluid exiting the converter pump bypasses the turbine, passing through an axial gap between the pump and the turbine. Having some of the fluid bypass the turbine reduces the amount of fluid impinging on the turbine, thereby reducing the torque induced in the turbine by the fluid. When the piston is in the closed position, all of the fluid is directed toward the turbine, maximizing the torque developed. Springs keep the piston in the open position at rotative speeds at or below an engine idle speed. As the rotative speed of the pump is increased beyond engine idle, a centrifugal chamber opposed to the springs fills with fluid and forces the piston to the closed position.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount assembly includes a pair of mounting members connected together to form a hollow elastomeric body closed by a resilient diaphragm so as to form a cavity for a damping liquid. A partition divides the cavity into a primary chamber formed between the partition and the hollow body and a secondary chamber formed between the partition and the diaphragm. The partition also includes a primary orifice track, a secondary orifice track and a decoupler passage providing fluid communication between the chambers. A first decoupler is mounted for limited reciprocating movement in the decoupler passage. A spring biases the first decoupler to a seated position sealing the passage. A second decoupler is mounted for limited reciprocating movement in the secondary orifice track. The primary orifice track establishes a first resonance frequency for the damping liquid. Similarly, the secondary orifice track establishes second, higher resonance frequency.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount assembly includes a pair of mounting members connected together through a hollow elastomeric body. This hollow body is closed by a resilient diaphragm so as to form a cavity for a damping liquid. A partition divides the cavity into a primary chamber formed between the partition and the hollow body and a secondary chamber formed between the partition and the diaphragm. The partition also includes a bypass track, a damping orifice track and a decoupler passage for providing fluid communication between the cambers. A decoupler is held for limited reciprocating movement in the decoupler opening. An actuator is provided for selectively releasing/disabling the decoupler and opening/closing the bypass track. In a first operative position, the actuator closes the bypass track and allows the decoupler to reciprocate. In a second operative position the actuator engages and disables the decoupler, seals the decoupler opening, and opens the bypass track.

Abstract: A hydraulic closed loop control for positioning a transmission shift rail and synchronizer fork has recesses on the rail and ports in a valve body in which the rail is disposed. Fluid flow between the ports as permitted by the rail recesses controls the position of valves which in turn control the position of the rail. The valves control the position of the rail by routing pressurized fluid to one of two opposing sides of a piston fixed to the rail in response to the flow of fluid from the valve body ports. The pressurized fluid moves the rail to a desired position with the flow of pressurized fluid being interrupted when that position is reached.

Abstract: A torque converter turbine has a plastic bladed element molded around a sintered iron hub to form a substantially semi-toroidal structure. The hub provides ribs, apertures through the hub, and channels in which the plastic bladed element is disposed. Having the bladed element and hub thus engaged allows the bladed element and hub to sustain high torsional and axial loads at elevated temperatures without separating.

Abstract: A core length adjuster mechanism provides adjustment for a push-pull cable system having a core disposed within a conduit. The core and the conduit are flexible for much of their length, with the core being a rigid rod at the ends. An end of one of the rods is slidably disposed within a body of the adjuster mechanism. The body has generally rectangular shape, elongated in an axial direction. The body has a means of swivelable attachment integrated into it. The body has a rectangular opening through perpendicular to the axis from a top to a bottom. There are teeth transverse to the axis in the opening on sides paralleling the axis. A clip is disposed in the opening. The clip can be manually moved from an adjust position to an engaged position It has teeth complementary to the teeth in the opening that engage those teeth when the clip is in an engaged position by pressing it into the body. When the clip is in the adjust position, the teeth are not engaged.

Abstract: A thrust bearing having an integral axially oriented resilient means provides a gap between unloaded thrust surfaces. The gap is sufficiently large to prevent bearing rollers from contacting both thrust surfaces simultaneously. Providing such a gap reduces noise from unloaded thrust bearings.

Abstract: A core length adjuster mechanism provides adjustment for a push-pull cable system having a core disposed within a conduit. The core and the conduit are flexible for much of their length, with the core being a rigid rod at the ends. An end of one of the rods is slidably disposed within a body of the adjuster mechanism. The body was generally rectangular shape, elongated in an axial direction. The body has a member for swivelable attachment integrated into it. The body has a rectangular opening through perpendicular to the axis from a top to a bottom. There are teeth transverse to the axis in the opening on sides paralleling the axis. A clip is disposed in the opening. The clip can be manually moved from an adjust position to an engaged position. It has teeth complementary to the teeth in the opening that engage those teeth when the clip is in an engaged position by pressing it into the body. When the clip is in the adjust position, the teeth are not engaged.