Abstract: An actuating mechanism for adjusting the swashplate angle in a Stirling cycle engine. A stationary mounted motor is used to drive one member of a planetary gear set. The motion of this member is transmitted through a second planetary gear set to a member connected to the swashplate. In one embodiment, a worm gear powered by a stationary mounted electric motor drives a moveable rear ring gear. The movement of the rear ring gear is transmitted through three rear planet gears and a common sun gear to produce relative movement in a front planet gear carrier. The relative movement of the front planet gear carrier is transmitted through a bevel gear to the swashplate. This embodiment allows the off-line production of swashplate actuator subassembly cartridges that can quickly be journalled to the drive shaft, joined to and properly phased with respect to the swashplate and meshed with a worm gear connected to the stationary electric motor during the assembly of a Stirling engine.

Abstract: A motor wheel apparatus having an integral reduction planetary gearset is steerable and adapted for use in a conventional independently sprung automotive suspension. The motor, gearset and wheel elements are mounted on a single steerable support member to minimize the tolerance stack up and to enable independent servicing of the motor and gearset elements. The output element of the gearset is supported solely by virtue of the gear meshes and a splined connection to the wheel, thereby permitting the output element to self-align with the wheel and isolating the wheel forces from the motor and gearset elements.

Abstract: A belt tensioner assembly for a vehicle combined starter generator uses the shifting reaction torque incident to a change from generating to cranking mode or back to automatically select one of a pair of tensioner arms to tension the shifting slack side of a belt.

Abstract: A continuously variable speedometer drive adapter including a housing with input and output shafts rotatably mounted therein, a first race secured to one of the shafts, a spring-loaded second race mounted freely around the same shaft, a pair of spacer balls mounted therebetween, a drive roller formed on the other shaft and frictionally confined between the races, and adjustment means for varying the position of the roller along the races to thereby vary the resultant input/output speed ratio. In an alternate embodiment, the races are operatively connected to the housing, as well as to one of the shafts, to provide a basic 2:1 input/output speed ratio to supplement the variable ratio feature.

Abstract: A continuously variable speedometer drive arrangement including a traction drive arrangement operatively connected between the governor drive shaft driven from the transmission output shaft and a speedometer take-off shaft, wherein the radius from the governor drive shaft axis to the center of the traction drive unit may be readily changed by a simple rotary adjustment made through the speedometer take-off shaft.