Abstract: An assembly includes a first member having an inner surface and a second member having an outer surface. One of the two members has greater rigidity than the other member and at least one groove. The rigid member is partially received within the less rigid member and a coupling mechanism provides radially inward pressure to generate a seal between the inner surface of the first member and the outer surface of the second member. The groove includes an opening and a base each having a predetermined width. The predetermined width of the opening is generally less than the predetermined width of the base. The more rigid member may comprise an insert with a surrounding sleeve wherein the sleeve includes the grooves.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to determining and controlling the appropriate moment at which a combined starter/alternator should transition from start-up mode to alternator/generator mode following an IC engine start-up sequence. The method relies on battery voltage or battery current monitoring to establish the timing of the transition.

Abstract: A vehicle differential case is disclosed, the case having an interior and an exterior configuration which provides an increased internal volume for, among other things, lubricant for components of the differential mechanism, while at the same time providing excellent structural strength. Importantly, the weight versus stiffness ratio of the differential case so described is significantly improved compared to known differential cases.

Abstract: A body mount support bracket, including a central body portion having a pair of leg portions depending therefrom, is secured to a frame portion of a vehicle body and frame assembly by flexing the leg portions from a first, unstressed position to a second, stressed position so as to create internal stresses within the body mount support bracket. Then, the central body portion and the leg portions of the body mount support bracket are secured to the frame portion, such as by welding, adhesives, and the like. The flexing of the leg portions is performed to create internal stresses within the body mount support bracket that remain after the body mount support bracket has been secured to the frame assembly. These residual internal stresses are effective to increase the strength and rigidity of the body mount support bracket beyond what would normally be obtained if the body mount support bracket was secured to the frame assembly side rail in an unstressed condition.

Abstract: A drivetrain of an all-wheel drive motor vehicle provided for selective actuation and control of the torque distribution between first and second drive axle assemblies to match various vehicle operating conditions. The drivetrain comprises a power drive unit including a prime mover, the first drive axle assembly driven by the power drive unit to drive a first set of wheels, the second drive axle assembly driven by the power drive unit to drive a second set of wheels, a first clutch unit provided to disconnect the first drive axle assembly from the power drive unit, and a second clutch unit provided to disconnect the second drive axle assembly from the power drive unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle wheel sensor apparatus and a method that determine if a vehicle wheel sensor is active or passive, while efficiently providing the necessary connectivity, power, and communication between the sensor and a controller, without requiring a change in controller hardware. For an active sensor, the apparatus provides power and receives speed signals, high frequency vibration or acceleration signals, or other analog signals. For a passive sensor, the apparatus receives speed signals.

Abstract: A multi-piece exhaust manifold includes a ring seal between separate portions. The separate portions have generally cylindrical sealing surfaces formed thereon to mate with the ring seal. The ring seal may include a metal sheath filled with graphite or other sealing material.

Abstract: A steer axle for a vehicle and a method of making the same involves forming portions of a steer axle to have a three sided design. Spring seats that wrap around two of the three sides are secured to the steer axle. Plates are secured to the spring seats. The plates extend over the third surface of the steer axle. Angled spring pads are located over the plates.

Abstract: A suspension mounting system and a method of assembly of the same are disclosed. The system has an axle housing having two hollow arms and an upper portion and a lower portion. At least one suspension bracket is located between the upper portion and the lower portion and through one of the hollow arms.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a node for joining a plurality of structural members together, such as in a vehicular body and frame assembly, is well suited for joining structural members that are formed from differing materials. An insert is provided having a node securing portion and a mounting portion that is adapted to have a structural member secured thereto. A node is formed about the node securing portion of the insert for joining a plurality of structural members together. The insert can be formed from a first material, while the node can be formed from a second material that is different from the first material. The insert can be provided with a node securing portion having at least one aperture or protrusion formed therein, and the node can be formed within or about the aperture or protrusion. A plurality of inserts can be provided, each having a node securing portion and a mounting portion, and the node can be formed about each of the node securing portions of the inserts.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a stainless steel tubular housing. Within the housing is a polyetheretherketone tube and a sensor. An optical fiber joins the sensor to a transmission cable and is fixedly positioned within the tube. A first end of the housing includes a pressure transmission device or bellows and the second end of the housing is crimped about the tube to fixedly position the tube and the sensor within the housing. The sensor assembly is positioned within a channel of a gasket to obtain pressure data from a combustion chamber. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A valve stem seal assembly having a retainer body that includes an annular interior passageway defined by a wall is disclosed. At least one internal sprue extends between top and bottom ends of the retainer body and are formed within the wall. A channel is concentrically formed about the interior passageway on the bottom surface of the retainer body and is in fluid communication with the internal sprue. A sealing material inserted to the sprue extends from the top end of the retainer body through the internal sprue and into the channel such that a single seal body is formed.

Abstract: Sensor apparatus for a multiple layer steel (MLS) cylinder head gasket measures combustion pressures for detecting engine conditions. A membrane is positioned at one end of an elongated metal tube, and the membrane end of the tube engages a cylinder bore boundary. A fiber optical sensor apparatus is fixed within the tube, and communicates with cyclic combustion events via the membrane. In one disclosed embodiment, optical wires from sensor apparatus situated at each engine bore are bundled into a common groove machined into an extended spacer layer radially outwardly of the conventional boundary of the gasket. The tube protects the sensor apparatus from damage of sealing stress on the gasket, and particularly at the bore perimeter. Each tube lies in a separate groove in the spacer layer that terminates at the bore boundary. A converter changes optical signals received from the apparatus into electrical signals for transmittal to a controller.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for locking a vehicle transmission where at least one directional clutch gear is located on one end of a shaft and a second directional clutch gear and a park flange are located at the other end of the shaft. A single clutch is selectively moved between the at least one directional clutch gear, the second directional clutch gear, the park flange and a neutral position between the two ends of the shaft. The transmission is locked when the single clutch is engaged with the park flange as the flange is secured to the transmission housing.

Abstract: A tire inflation system and wheel speed sensor system having a hollow shaft rotatable with a drive mechanism. The shaft extends into the hollow end of an axle. A angular velocity system rotates with the shaft within the hollow end of the axle. A sensor, mounted within the axle, senses the rotation of the angular velocity system. The hollow shaft is a conduit for air from an air source to at least one tire.

Abstract: A tandem axle system for vehicle having an optimized inter-axle driveline is depicted and described. The system has a forward drive axle system having a forward pinion gear drivingly connected to a drive side of a forward portion of a forward ring gear. The system also has a rear drive axle system having a rear pinion gear drivingly connected to a drive side of a rear portion of a rear ring gear. An inter-axle driveline connects the forward drive axle system with the rear drive axle system.

Abstract: A combined tire inflation system and a wheel speed sensor for a vehicle steer axle has a steerable spindle with a substantially hollow interior portion. A shaft, located in the hollow interior portion, connects a rotatable hub cap adjacent the spindle and a sensor at least partially within the spindle. A magnet is secured to the shaft and rotates with the shaft. A sensor is mounted adjacent the magnet for sensing the rotation of the magnet. The shaft has a hollow interior that connects an air source with a tire associated with the hub cap.

Abstract: A valve stem seal of an internal combustion engine is described wherein the valve stem seal includes an outer peripheral surface and an inner sealing surface. The inner sealing surface minimizes ingress of a liquid upwardly from an intake port area into an overhead engine area by having at least one sealing lip disposed on an upper portion of the inner sealing surface and extending away from the inner sealing surface. The sealing lip includes a generally square lower corner.

Abstract: A suspension and a drive assembly is provided for forward and rear wheels disposed on first and second longitudinally spaced axles of a skid steer loader. The suspension includes a central bearing support and leading and trailing arms that are independently, pivotally mounted to the central bearing support and which support the forward and rear wheels. The drive assembly includes gear housings coupled to the leading and trailing arms and a motor having a housing coupled to one of the gear housings. The motor's output shaft drives a gear arrangement in one of the gear housings that in turn drives a driven axle shaft supporting one of the forward and rear wheels. A driven shaft is coupled to the output shaft through a universal joint and drives another gear arrangement in the other gear housing that in turn drives another driven axle shaft supporting the other wheel.

Abstract: A gasket includes an intermediate layer having resilient sealing beads flanked by stopper beads. The three-layer gasket, particularly designed for heavy duty racing engines, provides a relatively robust cross-section in web-areas between cylinder bore apertures. A thin bottom layer includes wrap-around flanged portions extending about cylinder bore edges of the intermediate layer to partially overlap cylinder bore aperture areas of that layer. The flanged portions may include a plurality of waves to increase forces to generate the seal. A thin top layer overlies the intermediate layer, as well as the overlapping portions of the bottom layer. In one described embodiment, the overlapping portions are limited to cylinder bore edges between cylinder bores. As a between-engine-overhaul indication of engine health, the top gasket layer is adapted via plastic deformation to form a permanent indentation in an aluminum cylinder head to signal excessive engine operation.