Abstract: A connecting rod includes a connecting rod body having a crank arm bore formed in a first end and a pin bore formed in a second end. A tube is connected to the body for carrying lubricant from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A retainer for positioning and retaining flanged nuts relative to a member for installation on studs of a larger assembly. The retainer includes a body and nut retaining tabs extending from the body. Each tab loosely carries a flanged nut. The member has a body with a plurality of openings spaced to be received on a plurality of threaded studs. The retainer and captured nuts are attached to the member to form a retainer assembly, which holds the member and nuts together until the member is installed on the studs of the larger assembly. The retainer assembly is positioned on a plurality of studs and the nuts are threaded onto the studs. The nut retainer is then removed from the member, leaving the member attached to the studs. The retainer may then be reused to install similar members.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a torque converter fluid coupling member includes forming a plurality of hollow tubes having first and second ends and connecting the plurality of tubes together side-by-side in an annular array. Fluid may be carried through each tube from the first end to the second end, thereby forming the fluid coupling member. The fluid coupling member may be a turbine or a pump of a torque converter.

Abstract: A Roots supercharger has an extended cavity with 103 mm diameter rotors having chambers defined by interleaved helical lobes with equal angular face offsets exceeding 60 degrees from inlet to outlet end faces angled in directions opposite to directions of rotor rotation. The chambers have angular seal times of less than 67 degrees of rotation. A preferred embodiment has a displacement of 122 cu mm/revolution, rotor length of 208 mm, face offsets of 65.3 degrees and seal time of 58.6 degrees. The rotor lobe helix angle is essentially 0.314 deg/mm, equal to the helix angle of a prior art supercharger with rotors of common diameter, displacement of 112 cubic inch/revolution, rotor length of 191 mm, previously considered maximum, 60 degree face offset, previously considered optimum, and seal time of 67 degrees. Both flow volumes and efficiency of the new configuration are improved from the prior art wherein the 60 degree face offset was considered optimum.

Abstract: An electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) system for shifting a transmission range of a transmission includes a park servo valve movable between a first position to inhibit a first flow of pressurized fluid and a second position to enable the first flow of pressurized fluid. A hydraulic servo assembly is movable between a first position and a second position based on the first flow of pressurized fluid. An actuator arm is interconnected to the hydraulic servo assembly. When the hydraulic servo assembly moves to the second position the actuator arm shifts the transmission range from a Park position to an Out-of-Park position.

Abstract: A rotary-to-linear actuator includes two thrust plates. One of the thrust plates has three roller assemblies secured thereto. The roller assemblies are equiangularly spaced and disposed at separate radii. The other thrust plate has three ramps formed thereon in juxtaposed relation to respective ones of the roller assemblies. One of the thrust plates is rotatable relative to the other whereby the action between the roller assemblies and the ramps causes the rotary action of the one thrust plate to induce linear movement in the other thrust plate. The radially spaced roller assemblies and ramps permit substantially 360 degrees of rotation at the rotatable plate during linear movement of the other plate.

Abstract: A gear checker apparatus has a master gear with an outer periphery on which is spaced a plurality of complements of full face width teeth. A first complement of less than full face width teeth extends about the periphery from one of the complements of full face width teeth to the opposite side of the gear. A second complement of less that full face width teeth extends from one of the complements of full face width teeth in a direction opposite the first complement of less than fill face width teeth. In a second embodiment a third set of less that full width teeth extends between two full fare width teeth.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the performance of an energy storage system that incorporates a high density electrical energy storage device, such a battery or ultracapacitor. The method may be implemented in an energy storage system of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) as a computer control algorithm for controlling the discharge power limits of an energy storage device, such as a battery. The method allows the discharge power limits of the battery to be temporarily expanded under vehicle launch conditions where the power demands are high, thereby making additional stored energy available for use under such conditions by improving battery utilization and providing more consistent vehicle launch characteristics than would otherwise be available.

Abstract: A method is provided for achieving a desired preload on tapered roller bearings which rotatably support a gear between first and second transmission housing members in the assembly of a transmission. The bottom of each pocket which supports a tapered roller bearing is measured with respect to a mating face of the transmission case half. Shims are selected based upon these measurements so that each shim forms a reaction surface upon which the tapered roller bearings rest so that the appropriate preload is established with the case halves are bolted together.

Abstract: An integrated hydraulic valve actuator for use in a camless internal combustion engine. The valve actuator includes a separate bolt-on housing defining a through opening receiving a cylindrical liner. The liner internally defines an internal cylinder providing a riding surface, which coaxially surrounds an outer surface of a tubular boost piston. The boost piston defines an inner cylinder, which provides a riding surface for a drive piston fitted within the inner cylinder of the boost piston. The pistons are axially reciprocable within the liner cylinder. A piston position sensor extends radially into the housing and engages a cam on the drive piston to relay the position of the drive piston to a controller. The actuator is preassembled and the housing is attached to an engine cylinder head or cylinder head supply manifold to operate an associated exhaust or intake valve.

Abstract: An automatic transmission is comprised of a housing and a hub rotatable about a shaft at differing speeds and having an axial assembly gap therebetween. The axial assembly gap defines an annular flow path in fluid communication with a source lubrication path and a lubrication-requiring mechanism. A lubrication control device is disposed in the annular flow path. The device includes a washer in constant contact with the housing and having a radial slot to permit a prescribed flow of lubricant through the annular flow path to the lubrication-requiring mechanism. The device further includes a belleville spring wherein a small diameter end is in contact with the hub and a large diameter end is piloted by a seating on the washer, wherein the belleville spring provides spring adjustability to accommodate the variable axial assembly gap.

Abstract: A cast engine piston has a crown with a combustion surface and an undercrown for exposure to crankcase fluids. A plurality of pins extend from the undercrown to increase the surface area of the undercrown. The pins draw heat from the crown and dissipate the heat to the crankcase fluids. Crankcase oil may be sprayed, splashed, or misted against the pins to further increase heat dissipation.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an engine includes at least one relatively large mounting wall portion potentially subject to induced vibrations that transmit undesirable noise or sound to the exterior of the engine. To reduce the vibration and resulting noise, a pair of vibration damping plates is attached to the interior of the mounting wall portion and urged against the wall portion. The damping plates may be made from untreated steel when mounted in a lubricating oil atmosphere which serves to protect the plates against oxidation. The plates have different thicknesses selected to provide differing vibration frequency responses that act to create damping between the plates and the associated cover wall portion.

Abstract: A hybrid electric powertrain includes a direct-injection, two-stroke, port scavenged engine in hybrid combination with an electric motor. The engine is configured to use a fuel with wide flammability limits, such as hydrogen, for extremely lean combustion to significantly reduce emissions. The two-stroke engine eliminates the engine displacement problems associated with extremely lean combustion, and the use of a hybrid powertrain allows the engine to be operated efficiently with reduced throttling compared to the prior art. A continuously variable transmission, or a transmission with closely-stepped ratios, is preferably employed.

Abstract: A planetary transmission has a plurality of torque-transmitting synchronizer mechanisms that are controlled to engage and disengage positions. The control of the torque-transmitting synchronizer mechanisms is accomplished through a plurality of cam slots and control rods that are disposed between a control mechanism and each of the torque-transmitting synchronizers to enforce engagement and disengagement of the synchronizers.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a power transmission having an input shaft continuously connected directly between an engine and a planetary gear member of a first planetary gearset. Another member of the planetary gearset is selectively grounded by a torque transmitting mechanism to establish a reaction member during the launch of a vehicle incorporating the powertrain. The reaction member is established during both the lowest forward drive ratio and the reverse drive ratio. A third member of the planetary gearset transmits the torque from the input shaft, as modified by the planetary gearset, to other planetary gearsets in down stream power flow arrangement with the first planetary gearset.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical powertrain includes a pair of motor/generator units that are interconnected with a transmission output shaft through planetary gear mechanisms. One of the motor/generator units continuously supplies power to a power takeoff unit, which operates accessory devices and supplies power to a transmission output shaft. The second motor/generator unit continuously transmits power to a transmission output shaft except during a ratio interchange. A selectively engageable clutch is operable to connect the first motor/generator unit with the transmission output shaft during the ratio interchange when the second motor/generator unit is disconnected therefrom. Both of the motor/generator units are supplied with power by a fuel cell prime mover through an electronic control unit.

Abstract: A shaft and detent assembly includes a detent lever assembly that is manually assembled on the shaft. The detent lever includes a hub which has an opening formed therein alignable with an opening formed in the shaft. A pin is inserted through the opening in both the hub and the shaft to secure the two members together for common rotation. A cylindrical retainer is assembled on the hub of the detent lever in a position to overlap or cover at least a portion of the openings in the detent lever and shaft to restrict the movement of the pin, which is secured therein during assembly. The retainer also has a plurality of spring fingers, which engage a groove formed in the hub to restrict inadvertent removal of the retainer from the assembly.

Abstract: A piston assembly is provided for use in an engine. The piston assembly includes a piston body including a crown with a skirt extending from the crown. The skirt has an exterior surface. The exterior surface has a surface finish in a wave form with peaks and valleys, and having a roughness total between approximately 6 and 8 micrometers. The roughness total is defined as the difference between the highest peak and lowest valley within an assessment length. The surface finish has an approximate peak-to-peak distance between 0.18 and 0.23 mm within the assessment length. A composite coating is provided over the exterior surface.

Abstract: A synchronizer clutch assembly includes an input driver member having a shift collar disposed thereon. A plurality of driven members are included in the synchronizer assembly and are operatively connected by the shift collar to provide at least three drive paths from the input driver member to one or more of the output driven members.