Abstract: A rotary blower (26) including a pair of shafts (70,56) on which are mounted a pair of rotors (28,29), input to the first shaft (70) being by way of an input pulley (76;108;201). The first shaft (70) has a forward terminal portion (72) extending forwardly of a first timing gear (60) to a location disposed within the input pulley. A torsion damping means is associated with the input pulley (76;108;201) and includes a resilient means (94;124;213) which resists relative rotation between the input pulley and the terminal portion (72) of the first shaft. The torsion damper also includes means (88,90,92;118,122;207,211) for limiting the relative rotation of the input pulley and the first shaft. The disclosed arrangement provides a more compact, less expensive input portion of the blower which eliminates the need for the conventional "third shaft" and its associated bearings.

Abstract: A device for reducing the level of brake squeal noise having a damper ring disposed between a brake drum and a vehicle wheel rim where one or more friction springs extend from a retention band to form the damper ring with its axial position relative to the wheel set by a stop flange attached to the retention band and where the friction springs contact the squealer band of the brake drum with a separation force thereby creating friction damping on the squealer band to lower vibration and resultant noise levels produced by the brake drum.

Abstract: An intake manifold (18) for an engine (10) includes a Roots-type supercharger (26) having a torsion damping mechanism (54) for reducing audible gear tooth rattle of timing gears (72,74) which prevent contact of meshed lobes (28c,29a) of the supercharger rotors (28,29). The damping mechanism includes a drive member (90) having an annular band portion (90d) banded about an annular member (100) formed of relatively soft elastomeric material which is fixed for rotation with the drive member via lugs (90e). The member (100) includes three arcuate slots (100d) each defining forward and reverse direction stops (100e,100f) for limiting movement of pins (94) slidably disposed at one end in the slots and fixed at the other end to the gear (74). A torsion spring (96) of low rate resiliently connects the annular member to the pins for reducing the audible gear tooth rattle.

Abstract: An intake manifold (18) for an engine (10) includes a Roots-type supercharger (26) having a torsion damping mechanism (54) for reducing audible gear tooth rattle of timing gears (72,74) which prevent contact of meshed lobes (28c,29a) of the supercharger rotors (28,29). The damping mechanism includes a drive member (90), having an annular band portion (90d) for maintaining the shape of an annular member (98) formed of relatively soft elastomeric material which is fixed for rotation with the drive member via lugs (90e). The member (98) includes three arcuate slots (98d) each defining forward and reverse direction stops (98e,98f) for limiting movement of pins (94) slidably disposed at one end in the slots and fixed at the other end to the gear (74). A torsion spring (96) of low rate resiliently connects the annular member to the pins for reducing the audible gear tooth rattle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a supercharger system (30) for an internal combustion engine (14) mounted for movement on a vehicle chassis (18). The supercharger system includes a Roots-type blower (22) fixed to the engine, an engine intake manifold (20) fixed to the engine, a chassis mounted intercooler (32), and a ducting system (34). The supercharger and intercooler and the intercooler and intake manifold each include three rigid duct members (46, 48, 50 and 54, 56, 58) connected at their interface by couplings (52, 60, 62, 64) allowing articulation therebetween. Each coupling includes telescoping ends of adjacent duct ends (46b, 50a) radially spaced apart for allowing articulation of the duct members and links 76 for limiting articulation about predetermined axes transverse to the telescoping duct ends. The radial space between the telescoping duct ends is closed by a low durometer ring seal.