Abstract: The centering unit for the primary and secondary flywheels of a torsional vibration damping apparatus for use in the power train of a motor vehicle employs a radial bearing with a sleeve which is or can be a press fit on or in one of the flywheels, and the still accessible internal or external surface of the sleeve is calibrated simultaneously with or following the press fit. The calibrated surface of the sleeve is thereupon inserted into a socket or receives an extension of the other flywheel. The centering unit further utilizes an axial bearing wherein the function of the sleeve in the radial bearing is performed by an annular collar which can extend radially inwardly or radially outwardly of the sleeve. One of the bearings can be installed radially inwardly of the fasteners which secure the primary flywheel to the output shaft of the engine, and the other bearing can be installed radially outwardly of such fasteners.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper has primary and secondary masses rotatable with and relative to each other about a common axis, and a torsionally elastic damper which opposes rotation of the masses relative to each other and operates in series with a torque limiting device. The latter comprises a pair of ring-shaped lateral members flanking a ring-shaped intermediate member which can stress the energy storing elements of the torsionally elastic damper. One of the lateral members is a prestressed diaphragm spring which is riveted to the other lateral member. The maximum torque which can be transmitted by the torque limiting device is greater than the maximum torque which can be transmitted by a friction clutch between the secondary mass and the transmission of a motor vehicle. The primary mass can receive torque from the engine of the vehicle.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the input element of the change-speed transmission in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels one of which is driven by the crankshaft and the other of which can transmit torque to the transmission in response to engagement of a friction clutch. The transmission of torque between the two flywheels takes place by way of a damper and a slip clutch which latter is effective only within a selected range of possible angular movements of the two flywheels relative to each other.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein an adjusting device serves to compensate for wear at least upon the friction linings of the clutch disc between the driven counterpressure plate and the axially movable pressure plate. The purpose of the adjusting device is to ensure that the bias of the clutch spring upon the pressure plate remains at least substantially unchanged. The adjusting device satisfies such requirement due to the provision of a device which compensates for departures of the actual position of the clutch actuating unit from an optimum position or which compensates for the departures of those portions of the actuating unit relative to a clutch disengaging member from an optimum position which are acted upon by the actuating unit.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein the clutch spring is shiftable axially toward the pressure plate during disengagement of the clutch to compensate for wear at least upon the friction linings of the clutch disc. Disengagement of the clutch is facilitated by several springs which act upon the clutch spring and upon the pressure plate and render it possible to disengage the clutch in response to the application of a relatively small force to the tips of the radially inwardly extending prongs of the clutch spring. Moreover, the magnitude of the disengaging force remains at least substantially constant during the entire useful life of the clutch.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein the pressure plate is movable axially of and relative to the clutch housing to engage or disengage and the clutch by bearing against or by becoming disengaged from the friction linings of the clutch disc. The wear upon the friction linings is compensated for by an adjusting unit which is designed to shift a seat for the tiltable diaphragm spring relative to the housing and toward the pressure plate. A resilient component, which can form part of or can be borne by the diaphragm spring or which is carried by the housing, acts upon the diaphragm spring to ensure that the magnitude of the force to be exerted upon and by the diaphragm spring during and immediately after disengagement of the clutch varies within a narrow range. The resilient component does not affect the operation of the adjusting unit.

Abstract: An electronic management system for an automatically adjustable clutch in a power train between a combustion engine and a manually shiftable transmission of a motor vehicle employs a microcontroller which regulates the transmission of torque by the clutch to initially effect a change from a disengaged condition to a condition of initial engagement with a maximal slip whenever the synchronization of the transmission following a manual shifting of the transmission into a different gear ratio takes place at that RPM of an input and/or an output component of the transmission which exceeds a predetermined threshold value, such as that corresponding to the maximum permisible RPM of the engine. The microcontroller varies the slip of the clutch until the RPM of the input and/or output component of the transmission decreases at least to the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A selected portion of a surface of a metallic workpiece such as the end surface of a tubular workpiece, is provided with one or more recesses by resorting to a tool having a preferably pointed tip and being driven into the surface to displace the material of the workpiece substantially transversely of the thus obtained recess. The latter can be used to facilitate the establishment of a separable connection between the workpiece and a substantially disc-shaped section of a cover or housing in a friction clutch for use in motor vehicles. The tool can be left in the recess to serve as a locating or centering device for the workpiece.

Abstract: A pulley which can be driven by the output element of the engine in a motor vehicle to transmit torque to one or more endless belts or chains has a rotary input member, a rotary output member and a damper which yieldably opposes rotation of the input and output members relative to each other about a common axis and is at least partially confined in an annular chamber defined by at least one of the input and output members. The chamber can further receive a friction bearing which operates between the input and output members, as well as a vibration absorbing device. Such device can have a mass which is adjacent a flange of one of the input and output members and one or more energy storing elements acting in the circumferential direction of the pulley.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated release mechanism for a friction clutch assembly of motor vehicles, includes a slave cylinder adapted for positioning in a clutch housing and having a pressure housing in concentric surrounding relation to a driveshaft and secured to a gearbox casing. Hydraulic fluid is supplied to a pressure compartment of the slave cylinder via a pressure conduit which is connected in one piece with the pressure housing and bridges a radial distance between the pressure housing and the clutch housing. The pressure conduit has a free end for attachment of an adapter inside the clutch housing in proximity of an opening of the clutch housing, with a fitting insertable through the opening for attachment to the adapter, after assembly of the slave cylinder.

Abstract: A friction clutch has a pressure plate which is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a flywheel on the output element of the engine in a motor vehicle and is acted upon by a diaphragm spring which causes the pressure plate and the flywheel to frictionally engage the friction linings of a clutch disc when the clutch is engaged. The wear upon the friction linings is compensated by a device which causes the diaphragm spring to move toward the flywheel and operates between the clutch housing and the diaphragm spring.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein the wear upon the friction linings of the clutch disc is automatically compensated for in response to each disengagement and subsequent engagement of the clutch whenever an adjustment for wear is necessary. The compensating unit is mounted between the axially movable pressure plate and the diaphragm spring of the friction clutch, and the extent of axial adjustability of the pressure plate to compensate for wear upon the friction linings is determined by an arresting unit having one or more sensors carried by the pressure plate and cooperating with the counterpressure plate and/or with the cover of the friction clutch. The compensating unit comprises a ring-shaped locating element which is biased by the diaphragm spring toward the pressure plate, and two sets of wedges having abutting ramps which can shift the pressure plate and the locating element axially relative to one another in response to angular movement of one set of wedges relative to the other set.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the input element of the change-speed transmission in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels one of which is driven by the crankshaft and the other of which can transmit torque to the transmission in response to engagement of a friction clutch. The transmission of torque between the two flywheels takes place by way of a damper and a slip clutch which latter is effective only within a selected range of possible angular movements of the two flywheels relative to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.

Abstract: A friction clutch which is provided with a system to compensate for wear upon the friction linings of the clutch disc and, if necessary, for wear upon certain other parts employs one or more diaphragm springs or other energy storing elements which assist in the disengagement of the clutch so that the disengaging force is relatively low and/or that such force fluctuates within a relatively narrow range. The energy storing element or elements can operate in parallel with the clutch spring and can be installed between the housing of the friction clutch and the clutch spring. The disengaging force of the energy storing element or elements can be assisted by the bias of resilient segments between the friction linings of the clutch disc.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping torsional vibrations, particularly between coaxial primary and secondary masses of a composite flywheel in the power train between the engine and the transmission of a motor vehicle, has at least one coil spring or torsion spring which extends around the common axis of the two masses, which is stressed at least in the radial direction, and which is in a mere frictional (rather than positive) torque transmitting engagement with at least one of the masses. The spring can be installed to transmit torque from the secondary mass to the primary mass and/or vice versa, and such spring can operate in series with a damper between the primary and secondary masses.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.