Abstract: Low-noise pulleys and methods of constructing low-noise pulleys are disclosed. In a first aspect, first and second pluralities of arms extending radially outward from the outer hub to the outer rim are angularly offset from each other about the axis of rotation to eliminate symmetry across the lateral midline of the pulley. In a second aspect, the radially outermost ends of a plurality of arms are arcuately spaced apart according to a pitch sequence describing a pseudo-random pattern of relative spacings so as to reduce or eliminate rotational symmetry of the pulley. In a third aspect, features of the first and second aspects are combined, and in one embodiment, first and second pluralities of arms are, respectively, approximately oppositely canted so as to vary the arcuate spacings of the laterally outermost ends of the arms.

Abstract: An insert moldable cap retainer for securing a bearing cap to a pulley assembly is disclosed. The cap retainer includes a hollow neck configured to receive a bearing cap, a plate that extends outward from the neck with the neck protruding upward from the plate, and a continuous or discontinuous flange extending downward from the outer periphery of the plate. The plate is configured to be juxtaposed with an upper surface of an outer race of a bearing and the flange is configured to be juxtaposed with an outer surface of the outer race of the bearing when the cap retainer is positioned on the bearing. The cap retainer and bearing are insert moldable together to have an integral pulley body connected thereto. A pulley assembly is also disclosed that includes the insert moldable cap retainer.

Abstract: An endless brush belt and methods of making the same are disclosed. The endless brush belt includes a belt body comprising a tension section having a plurality of laterally extending brush segments adhered thereto by a cyanoacrylate adhesive, a compression section, and a load-carrying section disposed between the tension section and the compression section. Each brush segment includes a plurality of bristles having free ends extending away from the belt body, and neighboring brush segments are disposed proximate to one another to define a continuous density of the free ends about the length of the endless brush belt.

Abstract: An insert moldable cap retainer for securing a bearing cap to a pulley assembly is disclosed. The cap retainer includes a hollow neck configured to receive a bearing cap, a plate that extends outward from the neck with the neck protruding upward from the plate, and a continuous or discontinuous flange extending downward from the outer periphery of the plate. The plate is configured to be juxtaposed with an upper surface of an outer race of a bearing and the flange is configured to be juxtaposed with an outer surface of the outer race of the bearing when the cap retainer is positioned on the bearing. The cap retainer and bearing are insert moldable together to have an integral pulley body connected thereto. A pulley assembly is also disclosed that includes the insert moldable cap retainer.

Abstract: An insert moldable cap retainer for securing a bearing cap to a pulley assembly is disclosed. The cap retainer includes a hollow neck configured to receive a bearing cap, a plate that extends outward from the neck with the neck protruding upward from the plate, and a continuous or discontinuous flange extending downward from the outer periphery of the plate. The plate is configured to be juxtaposed with an upper surface of an outer race of a bearing and the flange is configured to be juxtaposed with an outer surface of the outer race of the bearing when the cap retainer is positioned on the bearing. The cap retainer and bearing are insert moldable together to have an integral pulley body connected thereto. A pulley assembly is also disclosed that includes the insert moldable cap retainer.

Abstract: Low-noise pulleys and methods of constructing low-noise pulleys are disclosed. In a first aspect, first and second pluralities of arms extending radially outward from the outer hub to the outer rim are angularly offset from each other about the axis of rotation to eliminate symmetry across the lateral midline of the pulley. In a second aspect, the radially outermost ends of a plurality of arms are arcuately spaced apart according to a pitch sequence describing a pseudo-random pattern of relative spacings so as to reduce or eliminate rotational symmetry of the pulley. In a third aspect, features of the first and second aspects are combined, and in one embodiment, first and second pluralities of arms are, respectively, approximately oppositely canted so as to vary the arcuate spacings of the laterally outermost ends of the arms.

Abstract: Low-noise pulleys and methods of constructing low-noise pulleys are disclosed. In a first aspect, first and second pluralities of arms extending radially outward from the outer hub to the outer rim are angularly offset from each other about the axis of rotation to eliminate symmetry across the lateral midline of the pulley. In a second aspect, the radially outermost ends of a plurality of arms are arcuately spaced apart according to a pitch sequence describing a pseudo-random pattern of relative spacings so as to reduce or eliminate rotational symmetry of the pulley. In a third aspect, features of the first and second aspects are combined, and in one embodiment, first and second pluralities of arms are, respectively, approximately oppositely canted so as to vary the arcuate spacings of the laterally outermost ends of the arms.

Abstract: Low-noise pulleys and methods of constructing low-noise pulleys are disclosed. In a first aspect, first and second pluralities of arms extending radially outward from the outer hub to the outer rim are angularly offset from each other about the axis of rotation to eliminate symmetry across the lateral midline of the pulley. In a second aspect, the radially outermost ends of a plurality of arms are arcuately spaced apart according to a pitch sequence describing a pseudo-random pattern of relative spacings so as to reduce or eliminate rotational symmetry of the pulley. In a third aspect, features of the first and second aspects are combined, and in one embodiment, first and second pluralities of arms are, respectively, approximately oppositely canted so as to vary the arcuate spacings of the laterally outermost ends of the arms.

Abstract: Low-noise pulleys and methods of constructing low-noise pulleys are disclosed. In a first aspect, first and second pluralities of arms extending radially outward from the outer hub to the outer rim are angularly offset from each other about the axis of rotation to eliminate symmetry across the lateral midline of the pulley. In a second aspect, the radially outermost ends of a plurality of arms are arcuately spaced apart according to a pitch sequence describing a pseudo-random pattern of relative spacings so as to reduce or eliminate rotational symmetry of the pulley. In a third aspect, features of the first and second aspects are combined, and in one embodiment, first and second pluralities of arms are, respectively, approximately oppositely canted so as to vary the arcuate spacings of the laterally outermost ends of the arms.

Abstract: An insert moldable cap retainer for securing a bearing cap to a pulley assembly is disclosed. The cap retainer includes a hollow neck configured to receive a bearing cap, a plate that extends outward from the neck with the neck protruding upward from the plate, and a continuous or discontinuous flange extending downward from the outer periphery of the plate. The plate is configured to be juxtaposed with an upper surface of an outer race of a bearing and the flange is configured to be juxtaposed with an outer surface of the outer race of the bearing when the cap retainer is positioned on the bearing. The cap retainer and bearing are insert moldable together to have an integral pulley body connected thereto. A pulley assembly is also disclosed that includes the insert moldable cap retainer.

Abstract: A method for maintaining constant position of a bearing outer race relative to an axial bore of a pulley comprising providing a pulley having a central axial hub exhibiting a concentric axial bore therethrough, the concentric axial bore having an axial bore surface; providing a bearing having an outer axial race, an inner axial race, and a plurality of bearing elements rotatably positioned between the outer axial race and the inner axial race; applying at least one drop or bead of a fastening element onto an outer surface of the outer race, wherein the fastening element acts to maintain constant position of the bearing relative to the pulley; and coupling the bearing to the pulley, and a pulley having a bearing integral therewith which exhibit the characteristic of maintaining constant position of the bearing relative to the pulley are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for maintaining constant position of a bearing outer race relative to an axial bore of a pulley comprising providing a pulley having a central axial hub exhibiting a concentric axial bore therethrough, the concentric axial bore having an axial bore surface; providing a bearing having an outer axial race, an inner axial race, and a plurality of bearing elements rotatably positioned between the outer axial race and the inner axial race; applying at least one drop or bead of a fastening element onto an outer surface of the outer race, wherein the fastening element acts to maintain constant position of the bearing relative to the pulley; and coupling the bearing to the pulley, and a pulley having a bearing integral therewith which exhibit the characteristic of maintaining constant position of the bearing relative to the pulley are disclosed.

Abstract: A pulley for a belt drive system includes a belt-running surface and a core disposed to radially support the belt-running surface. The belt-running surface is comprised of a first material including a first polymer resin and the core is comprised of a second material including a second polymer resin, where the first material and the second material are different.

Abstract: A fuel fill system includes an outer funnel and one or more components, each formed from a thermoplastic material. The components, which may include a flange, a tube, and a vapor recirculation fitting, are in fluid communication with the outer funnel via welded joints. The welded joints may be formed by at least one of: spin welding, hot plate welding, laser welding, vibration welding, and ultrasonic welding. The plastic to plastic weld provides an electrically conductive, substantially seamless, vapor permeation resistant joint between each of the components and the outer funnel.

Abstract: A tubular structure wherein the tubular structure is constructed solely of a polybutylene terephthalate or a polybutylene naphthalate tubular structure having an inner surface and an outer surface wherein the polybutylene terephthalate or polybutylene naphthalate extends throughout the entire wall structure from the inner surface to the outer surface thereof. The polybutylene terephthalate or polynaphthalate tubular structure is useful in a variety of automotive, industrial or domestic applications where there is no need to dissipate any static electricity buildup.

Abstract: A tubular structure exhibiting fuel and vapor impermeability properties for use as a fuel transport hose, wherein the hose is constructed of a polyalkylene terephthalate material or a polyalkylene naphthalate material, wherein the polyalkylene terephthalate or the polyalklyene naphthalate material extends throughout the entire wall structure.

Abstract: A tubular structure exhibiting fuel and vapor impermeability properties for use as a fuel transport hose, wherein the hose is constructed of a polyalkylene terephthalate material or a polyalkylene naphthalate material, wherein the polyalkylene terephthalate or the polyalklyene naphthalate material extends throughout the entire wall structure.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of toothed belt constructions and a set of such belt constructions are provided, the method including the steps of disposing tubular sleeves of stretchable fabric material respectively onto a plurality of toothed mold members having different diameters, forcing mold material against the outside surfaces of the sleeves to tend to stretch the fabric material into the grooves of the toothed mold members as the mold material enters the grooves of the mold members so that the resulting toothed belt constructions will have the fabric material thereof carried in certain positions relative to the respective teeth thereof, and forming the sleeves from the same fabric material and with the same diameters in the nonstretched condition thereof.