Abstract: A viscous damped driveline coupling has two concentric tubes concentric with a torsion bar where the torsion bar is nonrotatably connected to both a drive coupling and a driven coupling. An outer tube has a first end connected to the drive coupling and a second end connected to a driven ring where the driven ring contacts ring forks contacting the driven coupling at travel stops thereby providing for lost motion between the driven coupling and the outer tube. A concentric inner tube is connected to the driven coupling and is viscously coupled to the outer tube. As the torsion bar transfers relatively low levels of torque between the drive and driven couplings, the viscous layer between the outer and inner tubes provides viscous damping. Upon contacting the travel stops, the outer tube then carries any additional torque in the driveline coupling.

Abstract: An engine valve hydraulic actuator having an upper actuator housing slidably attached to a lower actuator housing is disposed between an oil supply header and an engine cylinder head where the supply header and the cylinder head are fixed relative to one another. The upper actuator housing is allowed to position and seal itself relative to the oil supply header and the lower actuator housing is allowed to position itself relative to the engine cylinder head to minimize friction and wear and thereby improve overall performance.

Abstract: A lightweight spool valve for an engine hydraulic valve actuator having a lightweight main body with a center bore therethrough with one end plugged to balance hydraulic forces and a soft iron magnetic ring attached to the main body where the magnetic sleeve is castellated to minimize oil film stiction forces and magnetically interacts with an electrical coil which induces axial motion to control the flow of hydraulic oil within the valve actuator.

Abstract: A method of operating at least two exhaust valves in an engine cylinder using a four-way hydraulic actuator to open a first exhaust valve and after a time delay using a three-way hydraulic actuator to open a second exhaust valve to minimize the overall energy consumption in operating engine valves using hydraulic actuators.

Abstract: A dual vacuum cleaner is disclosed which includes generally a power unit, a small tank, and a large tank. The power unit includes a motor and an impeller, and is complementary to an access opening of the small tank and also complementary to an access opening of the large tank. The power unit may be fastened to either the small tank or the large tank for selective operation as a small portable vacuum cleaner or as a large wheeled tank-type vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: An engine valve control mechanism (12) for varying the amount of opening and/or timing of a cylinder valve (16) in a valve gear train (14) of a multi-cylinder, internal combustion engine having an overhead camshaft (24) which actuates the valve via a rocker arm (18) pivotally bridged between a valve stem end (16e) and a hydraulic lash adjuster (31). The valve gear train portion for each intake is provided with a valve control mechanism by providing the camshaft with a high lift lobe (24c) and two low lift lobes (24a) for actuating the valve and by providing the rocker arm with a rigid link, two low lift cam roller followers (36) fixed to a shaft (40) rotatably mounted on the link, and a high lift cam follower (38) rotatably mounted on the shaft (40) and rotatable between first and second positions for respectively engaging and not engaging the high lift cam lobe (24c). A latch member (44) and a solenoid (54) control the position of the high lift cam follower (38).

Abstract: A sprocket and flexible tape combination is disclosed wherein the tape has a thickness which is a relatively large fraction of the radius of the sprocket so that the tape is relatively stiff. The tape has web areas between longitudinally adjacent apertures and has connecting areas laterally adjacent each aperture connecting longitudinally adjacent web areas. These connecting areas of the tape engage engagement shoulders which are disposed around the periphery of the sprocket and these engagement shoulders alternate with sprocket surfaces around the periphery. All of the engagement shoulders have the same radius from the axis and a sprocket tooth is mounted on each of the engagement shoulders to engage a respective aperture in the tape.

Abstract: A closure operator such as a garage door operator utilizes an apertured flexible tape. The tape is enclosed in a guide and a drive sprocket has teeth engaging the apertures to apply both tension and compression forces to open and close a door. The apertures are enlarged in width and length and the tape has fewer apertures per-unit-length compared to the prior art tape. This decreases the stress per-unit-area in the tape at each tooth and increases the shear strength of the webs between successive apertures to be more nearly equal to the tensile strength of the tension band areas of the tape.

Abstract: A device for disabling a poppet valve in an internal combustion engine. The engine includes a valve actuating drive train having an overhead camshaft, a hydraulic lash adjuster, and a rocker arm which pivots at one end about the lash adjuster. The disabling device is secured to the valve stem and is drivingly interposed between the valve and the other end of the rocker arm. The disabling device includes a cap and drum or first drive means moveable with the rocker arm and relative to the valve stem, first and second springs concentric to the valve stem and respectively applying a biasing force to the first and second drive means, and a rotatable latch. The latch is moveable between a valve enabling position and a valve disabling position. The valve is enabled for normal opening and closing when the latch is in the valve enabling position; in this position the latch prevents relative movement between the first and second drive means and both springs bias the valve closed.

Abstract: A device for disabling a poppet valve in an internal combustion engine. The engine includes a valve actuating drive train having an overhead camshaft, a hydraulic lash adjuster, and a rocker arm which pivots at one end about the lash adjuster. The disabling device is secured to the valve stem and is drivingly interposed between the valve and the other end of the rocker arm. The disabling device includes a cap and drum or first drive means moveable with the rocker arm and relative to the valve stem, first and second springs concentric to the valve stem and respectively apply a biasing force to the first and second drive means and a rotatable latch. The latch is moveable between a valve enabling position and a valve disabling position. The valve is enabled for normal opening and closing when the latch is in the valve enabling position; in this position the latch prevents relative movement between the first and second drive means and both springs bias the valve closed.

Abstract: A positioning device for motor vehicle adjustable steering columns which includes antifriction strips disposed between slideably engaged inner and outer sleeve members and a locking cam member to allow locking at infinitely variable axial positions of the sleeve members.