Abstract: A clutch (3) which can be engaged and released by a controllable clutch drive (11) is arranged in the torque transmission path between an engine (1) and a gear transmission (5) of a motor vehicle. By means of a control switch (15) the clutch (3) is released whereby the vehicle can coast free-wheeling, saving fuel, with the engine (1) working in idling rate. On actuation of a brake pedal (15) a control circuit (13) engages the clutch (3) and at the same time shuts off the fuel supply to the engine (1) by means of a fuel valve (23). The engine (1) thus brakes the vehicle without additional fuel consumption. Alternatively the control circuit (13) can have constantly shut off the fuel supply of the engine (1) in free-wheeling operation. Under control of a pressure detector (45) detecting the suction in a servo-brake unit (41) the control circuit (13) engages the clutch (3) when the pressure rises to values which no longer guarantee operation of the brake unit.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood processing system is disclosed having a rotor drive assembly that is rotatably mounted to a stationary base for rotation along a predetermined axis. A rotor assembly, which includes a blood processing chamber, is rotatably mounted with respect to the base for rotation about the axis. A flexible umbilical cable segment is provided for establishing fluid communication with the blood processing chamber. One end of the cable segment is fixed with respect to the base along the axis at one side of the rotor assembly while the other end of the cable segment is attached on the axis in rotationally locked engagement to the rotor assembly. Guide means are provided for causing the umbilical cable to rotate about the axis with the motor drive assembly. Means are provided for rotating the rotor assembly and the rotor drive assembly in the same direction with a speed ratio of 2:1 to prevent the umbilical cable from becoming completely twisted during rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A purely mechanical apparatus using a number of centrifugal force generating devices produces a unidirectional continuous centrifugal force on the main frame of the generator which is capable of propelling the generator in a straight line or of imposing a force on another body against which the generator may be placed.

Abstract: A clutch disk is provided of the type comprising a hub to be coupled with a torque output shaft, an inner hub flange fixed integrally to the hub, an outer hub flange disposed concentrically on the outside of the inner hub flange so that it can rotate within the extent of a predetermined angle by means of splines with respect to the inner hub flange, main and auxiliary disk plates disposed on each side of both the flanges which are to be coupled with a torque input shaft, and provision for a hysteresis effect including thrust material provided between the flanges and the main and auxiliary disk plates, which is characterized in that plate material for covering a torsion section cutout and a spline section formed between the inner and outer hub flanges is disposed between the thrust material for providing the hysteresis effect and both the hub flanges, and the plate material has a fixing section for making the plate material rotate together with the inner hub flange, whereby a stable hysteresis is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slide cylinder device having a frame with enhanced torsional rigidity and which can have an additional member interposed between the cylinder and the moving board without interfering with the moving board operation. The slide cylinder includes fixed pulleys, whose peripheries are partially exposed from an upper wall of the frame and movable pulleys. A flexible member is connected between the moving board, one of the movable pulleys, one of the fixed pulleys and a wall of the frame.

Abstract: An electromagnetic spring-wound clutch for a refrigerant compressor includes a coil-wound spring disposed around a pulley and having one end connected to an armature plate and cover plate. The cover plate is connected to a hub which is fixed on the outer end of the drive shaft of the refrigerant compressor through an elastic member. The elastic member is closely fitted in a polygonal-shaped air gap defined between the cover plate and hub. As a result, the impact force generated when the coil-wound spring is wound around the pulley during transmission of rotating motion is absorbed by the elastic member instead of the hub and drive shaft of the refrigerant compressor to thereby increase the life and durability of both the electromagnetic clutch and the refrigerant compressor.

Abstract: An anti-roll back device for vehicles is of the general type where a loop or noose is caused to tighten on a drive shaft or a brakedrum on the drive shaft when the drive shaft attempts to make unwanted reverse rotation. To improve on this construction, we propose a construction where the loop or noose extends around a cranked member pivotally mounted in closely spaced relationship to the drive shaft or brake drum, and an arrangement to pivot the cranked member between a first position where the loop or noose can engage the drive shaft or brake drum and prevent the opposite rotation, and a second position to render the loop or noose inoperative during any period where the drive shaft or brake drum is positively required to be rotated in the reverse direction and there being further structure to hold the crank in its second position until the drive shaft or brake drum has ceased rotating in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A clutch controlling apparatus for automatically carrying out the operation of a clutch device comprises a first output device responsive to the amount of operation of an accelerator pedal for producing a first operation control signal for carrying out the complete engaging operation of the clutch device in relation to the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal, and a second output device responsive to the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal for producing a second operation control signal for operating the clutch device in a semi-engaged state at an amount of semi-engagement related to the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal. Either the first or second operation control signal is selected by a selector in accordance with the amount and speed of operation of the accelerator pedal and the selected operation control signal is applied to the clutch device enabling the operating range of the accelerator pedal to be widened in a control mode according to the second operation control signal.

Abstract: The one or the other group of transmission speeds of a motor vehicle transmission is adapted to be alternately connected with a double clutch having a clutch housing driven from the engine crankshaft by way of a central shaft and a hollow shaft concentric thereto. For that purpose, two clutch disks are provided which are hydraulically pressed alternately against a center plate of the clutch housing. Two mutually concentric annular pistons serve for the actuation of the clutch disks which are arranged in a two-partite hydraulic plate threadably fastened at the clutch housing.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission having a four-element two-stage torque converter and a planetary gear transmission which carries out a change-over operation of drive stage of plural planetary gear elements by hydraulically engaging and disengaging plural friction elements from the rear stage of the torque converter transmitting engine power by means of fluid; a drive stage control mechanism for automatic transmission, in which a piston carrying out the engagement and disengagement of the friction members by means of hydraulic force. The pressure surface of the piston is formed into plural concentric stepped surfaces. A pressure oil passage port interconnecting with a control valve for controlling charge and discharge of hydraulic pressure is provided at any one stage of the plural stepped surfaces. A passage leading the hydraulic pressure from such any one stage to another stage and having a throttling function is provided.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch contains a sealing member that radially floats along with a cage of the clutch in order to maintain the sealing member in an equilibrium sealing condition relative to an eccentrically moving clutch race, thereby blocking lubricant leakage without increasing friction.

Abstract: In a gear for the transmission and/or transformation of the changing or alternating rotary movement of a drive, a cam plate is associated with the latter and has a guidance channel for receiving the said driver. The driver rotates in a radius about a center, a further driver being connected to said center and engages in at least one reception groove of the cam plate, when the first driver is disengaged from the guidance channel.

Abstract: A viscous coupling for a drive shaft has an elongated tubular first shaft and an elongated cylindrical second shaft extending into and cooperating with the first shaft to define a cylindrical clearance therebetween. Bearings for accommodating both relative rotation and axial displacement of the first and second shafts are interposed therebetween at opposite ends of the clearance. Seals are associated with the bearings to hermetically seal the ends of the clearance, which is filled with a viscous fluid. The viscous resistance of the fluid to rotation of one shaft relative to the other provides a means of transmitting torque therebetween.

Abstract: A roller clutch is improved to circumferentially guide its energizing springs to protect them from being radially dislocated and worn against the races. A circumferentially extending guide surface of the cage, located outside of the retention pocket, and a guide member on the spring, located remote from the active portion of the spring, slidably engage to guide the spring as it energizes the roller. By virtue of the location of the guide means, there is no effect or limitation on the motion of the roller or on the motion or size of the spring.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle has an engine clutch for transmitting the output of an engine to a transmission, main drive wheels operatively connected to an output shaft of the transmission, auxiliary drive wheels, and a transfer clutch for transmitting the output of the transmission to the auxiliary drive wheels. A control system is provided with a detector for detecting a driving condition for reducing the torque capacity of the transfer clutch. The control system responds to a signal from the detector for gradually reducing the torque capacity of the transfer clutch.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle has an engine clutch for transmitting the output of an engine to a transmission, main drive wheels operatively connected to an output shaft of the transmission, auxiliary drive wheels, and a transfer clutch for transmitting the output of the transmission to the auxiliary drive wheels. A control system is provided with a steering angle sensor producing a steering signal dependent on steering angle of the vehicle, a throttle position sensor producing a signal dependent on throttle position, and a vehicle speed sensor producing a vehicle speed signal. A control unit is provided to respond to the steering signal, the throttle position signal and the vehicle speed signal for controlling the torque capacity of the transfer clutch so as to reduce the torque capacity with increase of the steering angle and with decrease of the vehicle speed and degree of throttle position opening.

Abstract: A hydraulically-actuated starting clutch, and more particularly a starting clutch for a continuously variable transmission which is located at the output of the transmission to couple the vehicle wheels to the engine upon a signal from a throttle-induced system oil pressure. The clutch includes a housing connected to the drive shaft through a hub and forming a pressure chamber behind an annular piston, a Belleville spring connecting the driving shaft hub and a pressure plate together for simultaneous rotation; the piston urging the pressure plate against a clutch plate and an end plate secured in the housing. The piston includes a plurality of axial projections thereon contacting the surface of the pressure plate opposite to the clutch plate, and the clutch plate is operatively connected to a driven concentric sleeve shaft to drive the vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle has an engine clutch for transmitting the output of an engine to a transmission, main drive wheels operatively connected to an output shaft of the transmission, auxiliary drive wheels, and a transfer clutch for transmitting the output of the transmission to the auxiliary drive wheels. A control system is provided with a calculator for producing a deceleration signal representing deceleration of the vehicle. A control unit is provided to respond to the deceleration signal for controlling the torque capacity of the transfer clutch so as to increase the torque capacity with increase of the deceleration.

Abstract: A drive (10) comprising a first (12) and a second (14) pulley rotationally isolated from an input shaft (16), and adapted to be drivingly connected to the input shaft. A plate (40) rotatable with the input shaft (16) and axially movable thereon between a first position in engagement with the first pulley and a second position in engagement with the second pulley (14); a rolling diaphragm (60) supported by one of the pulleys (12) for urging the plate (40) to move into engagement with the other of the pulleys (14), the diaphragm being attached to the one pulley (12) defining an activation chamber (80) therebetween, a controller (134) for communicating and modulating pressurized fluid to the activation chamber (80); and a spring (50) for biasing the plate toward and into engagement with the one pulley.

Abstract: An accessory transmission for an automotive vehicle comprises a planetary gear set, a fixed cover and a cone clutch engageable with the ring gear of the planetary gear set or the cover to provide a direct drive or underdrive gear ratio in one embodiment, or a direct drive and overdrive gear ratio in another embodiment. The principles of the invention may also be applied to an embodiment wherein the ring gear rotation is governed by a one way clutch as well as the cone clutch to provide both underdrive and overdrive transmissions.