Abstract: A differential drive that includes a rotatably driven differential housing supported in a housing. The differential drive further includes a differential gear set arranged and supported in the differential housing. The differential drive also includes a torque distribution device adjacent to a differential gear set. The torque distribution device connects a differential side shaft gear with one side shaft. The torque distribution device is arranged to control the torque between a front axle and a rear axle of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly (10) comprising a constant velocity universal joint (12) including a hollow shaft (20) and a connecting shaft (18) is provided. The hollow shaft (20) includes an outer joint part (23) having an outer race surface (31) that includes an outer forward portion (32) and an outer rearward portion (34). The connecting shaft (18) includes an inner joint part (25) having an inner race surface (33) that includes an inner forward portion (35) and an inner rearward portion (36). The connecting shaft (18) further includes a recessed surface portion (38). A ball cage (26) that has a plurality of torque transmitting balls (28) is included. During a collision, the torque transmitting balls (28) translate off said inner race surface (33) and drop into the recessed surface portion (38) allowing the connecting shaft (18) to collapse into the hollow shaft (20).

Abstract: A barrier for use in a constant velocity joint wherein the constant velocity joint has a lubricant within an outer race and a boot secured to a boot cover. The barrier includes a shield wherein that shield is in contact with the outer race and the boot cover. The shield generally has a body with a cup shaped cross section and a circumferential flange extending therefrom. The shield provides a barrier between the boot and the heat and grease lubricant of the constant velocity joint.

Abstract: An engagement mechanism for use in a vehicle includes a housing. The engagement mechanism also includes a first ball ramp disc engaging the housing on one side. The first ball ramp disc includes a first ramp on the side engaging the housing. The first ball ramp disc also includes a second ramp having a predetermined angle on the side opposite of the side engaging the housing. The engagement mechanism further includes a ball ramp disc adjacent to the first ball ramp disc on a side opposite of the side engaging the housing which is rotatably driven. The engagement mechanism also includes a spring element arranged between the first ball ramp disc and the second ball ramp disc. The engagement mechanism is used to engage a friction clutch pack of a vehicle drivetrain system.

Abstract: A centering flange for use in mating shafts. The centering flange including a body. The body having a pole extending from one end thereof. The centering flange also including a plurality of lobes extending from the body equidistantly arrange around a perimeter of the body. The centering flange also including a circumferential recess on the side of the body opposite the pole. The integrated centering flange is used for mating a propshaft of an automotive vehicle to a driveline module.

Abstract: An active bi-directional overrunning clutch that includes an oil housing. The clutch also includes a flange rotatably supported with respect to the oil housing. An input shaft is connected to the flange. The clutch further includes a plurality of rollers contacting the input shaft and a coupling. A roller cage positions the plurality of rollers with respect to the input shaft and coupling. The friction ground ring is in contact with the roller cage. The clutch also includes a worm gear in contact with the friction member.

Abstract: An active bidirectional clutch for use on a vehicle includes an oil housing. The clutch also includes a flange rotatably supported with respect to the oil housing. The flange includes an input shaft that is rotatably fixed with respect to the flange and a coupling that is adjacent to the input shaft. The clutch also includes a plurality of rollers in contact with the input shaft and coupling. The clutch uses a roller cage that positions the plurality of rollers with respect to the input shaft and the coupling. The bidirectional clutch also includes a sleeve positioned around the input shaft, wherein the sleeve has a plurality of slots and the sleeve engages the roller cage.

Abstract: A vent system for use in a driveline component of an automotive vehicle. The driveline component includes a housing and a bi-directional clutch rotatably supported within the housing. The driveline component includes a vent system which has a vent that is secured to the housing and an orifice within a top portion of the housing. The vent system also includes a recessed pocket formed on an inner surface of the housing at or near the vent. The vent system also includes a grounding element that is arranged within the recessed pocket adjacent to the orifice in the housing of the rear driveline module. The vent system is used to allow for venting of high pressures developed during high speed rotation of driveline modules within a drivetrain system of a automotive vehicle without allowing the expulsion of a lubricating fluid from the oil housing.

Abstract: An all wheel drive system for a motor vehicle having a front differential and rear differential, a pair of front and rear halfshaft assemblies, a power takeoff unit, a constant velocity joint connected to the power takeoff unit, a first proshaft, a plunging constant velocity joint, a second proshaft, a flexible coupling, a self contained speed sensing torque transfer assembly connected to the flexible coupling wherein torque is selectively transferrable when the self contained speed sensing torque transfer assembly is engaged, and a torque arm assembly.

Abstract: An axle module for use in an automotive vehicle. The axle module includes a housing and a shaft rotatably supported within that housing. The axle module also includes a ring gear connected to the shaft. The axle module also includes a clutch pack housing engaged with an end of shaft while a side shaft joint is arranged within the clutch pack housing. The side shaft joint is connected to a side shaft which is further connected to a wheel of the automotive vehicle. A plurality of plates extend from the clutch pack housing and from the side shaft joint such that they overlap in an alternating manner with one another. The axle module also includes a motor which is used to control the transfer of an axial torque through the clutch pack housing and plurality of plates.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint vent for use in a constant velocity joint. The vent includes a permeable membrane located within a chamber of the vent. The vent further includes a neck having a plurality of orifices thereabout, wherein the orifices allow gases to travel between an interior and exterior of the vent. The orifices also provide a secondary function of stopping any lubricant from entering and contaminating the permeable membrane of the vent system.

Abstract: An assembly of an outer race of a constant velocity joint and part of a motor vehicle wheel bearing, wherein the outer race has a first bore and an internal groove in the bore, the bearing part and the race being held in assembled position by a spring ring engaged in the groove and in an external groove of the bearing part which has a second bore with an open end, the ring having, adjacent its ends, arms which extend generally radially inwardly through a slot extending radially of the second bore between an inner end open to the second bore and an outer end at the external surface of the bearing part, the slot extending axially between the external groove and an end of the bearing part.

Abstract: An axle disconnect device for use in an all wheel drive vehicle. The axle disconnect device includes a one-way overrunning clutch and a spring contacting the clutch. A spline locking ring contacts the spring on an end opposite of the clutch. A friction dog spline engages the surface of the spline locking ring while a differential ramp ring contacts the friction dog spline. The axle disconnect device also includes a cover ramp engaging the differential ramp ring.

Abstract: A quick change insert system for a microfinishing machine comprising an insert body having a connection side and a finishing side, the connection side including a keyway defined by a central wall and a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls, the finishing side including at least one finishing support surface; and a finishing arm having an extending key including a central shoulder and a pair of oppositely disposed side walls wherein the insert body keyway and finishing key are correspondingly matingly shaped in a press fit relationship whereby the insert body is retained on the finishing arm during finishing.

Abstract: A center bearing hanger assembly (68) for supporting a drive shaft (62) of a vehicle is provided. The center bearing hanger assembly (68) includes a center bearing (66), which supports the drive shaft, having an outer housing (76). The outer housing (76) is mechanically coupled to a male hanger (102). The male hanger (102) is received by a female receptacle (104). The female receptacle (104) is attached to an undercarriage of the vehicle. The center bearing hanger assembly (68) increases the ease of vehicle assembly.

Abstract: A differential drive for use on a vehicle to control the transfer of torque between the front and rear axles of a vehicle. The differential drive includes a rotatably driven differential housing supported in a housing. The differential drive also includes a differential gear set arranged and supporting in the differential housing. The differential gear set has at least two side shafts gears and at least two differential gears. The differential drive also includes a torque distribution device having a viscous transmission. The viscous transmission has an inner hub and an outer casing. The inner hub is connected to a first side shaft. The outer casing is connected to one of the side gears. The viscous transmission also connects the output of the first side shaft to one of the side shaft gears.

Abstract: An all wheel drive system for a motor vehicle comprising a front differential, a pair of front halfshaft assemblies operatively connected to the front differential whereby the front differential supplies torque to the pair of front half shaft assemblies, each of the pair of front half shaft assemblies connected to a respective front wheel, a power takeoff unit operatively connected to the front differential, a constant velocity joint connected to the power takeoff unit whereby the front differential supplies torque to the constant velocity joint through the power takeoff unit, a first propshaft having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the constant velocity joint, a plunging constant velocity joint connected to the second end of the first propshaft, a second propshaft having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the plunging constant velocity joint, a universal joint having a first end and a second end, the first end of the universal joint connected to the second end o

Abstract: A torque transfer device for use on an all wheel drive vehicle. The torque transfer device includes a differential housing. The torque transfer device includes a clutch assembly rotatably supported within the differential housing. The torque transfer device also includes a pump assembly connected to the clutch housing on one side thereof. The torque transfer device also includes a hydraulic assembly in contact with the pump on the side opposite the clutch. The hydraulic assembly is rotationally stationary with respect to the pump assembly. The torque transfer device also includes an axle housing rotatably fixed with respect to the differential housing. The hydraulic assembly is in contact with the axle housing.

Abstract: A differential drive that includes a rotatably driven differential housing supported in a housing. The differential drive further includes a differential gear set arranged and supported in the differential housing. The differential drive also includes a torque distribution device adjacent to a differential gear set. The torque distribution device connects a differential side shaft gear with one side shaft. The torque distribution device is arranged to control the torque between a front axle and a rear axle of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A constant velocity ball joint includes an outer race having a plurality of first tracks separated by first lands. Each first land has a first land surface. The joint further includes an inner race having a plurality of second tracks separated by second lands. A cage is disposed between the races. The cage has an outer cage surface facing the outer race, an inner cage surface facing the inner race, and a plurality of circumferentially distributed windows. A plurality of torque-transmitting balls are disposed in the windows, and are engageable with the tracks. At least one of the group consisting of the first land surfaces and the inner cage surface includes ramped portions that are engageable with a respective one of the group consisting of the outer cage surface and the inner race.