Abstract: The invention comprises a shaft damper having an inertial mass engaged with an elastomeric member within a shaft bore. The elastomeric member is contained in an annular space between a shaft inner surface and an outer surface of the inertial mass. A profile on the outer surface of the inertial mass enhances a mechanical bond with the elastomeric member. The elastomeric member and the inertial mass are disposed in the shaft in order to damp a bending vibration of the shaft.

Abstract: The invention comprises a joint formed by mechanical interaction of particles with the parts to be joined. The particles engage an interface surface of each part, creating a high friction condition that prevents further relative movement of the parts once they are assembled. The particles have a substantially flat or flake-like morphology. The surface of each particle is rough to enhance mechanical engagement with each interface surface. The flake-like shape prevents the particle from penetrating an elastomeric part, which would render the particle ineffective in the bonding process.

Abstract: An assembly device for a shaft damper. The assembly device comprises a holding member for holding a damper. The holding member is releasably engaged with a pair of parallel elongate members. An actuator is connected to the elongate members and to a piston. A shaft damper is inserted into and temporarily held by the holding member. The holding member containing the shaft damper is inserted into a shaft a predetermined distance. The actuator then slidingly retracts the holding member while a pressing member at an end of the piston simultaneously holds the damper in the proper position in the shaft.

Abstract: The invention comprises a crankshaft damper having an integral pulse ring. The crankshaft damper comprises an inner hub and outer pulley with an elastomeric connecting member between each. The elastomeric ring dampens a crankshaft vibration. The integral pulse ring is manufactured as part of the inner hub by flow forming a sheet metal blank.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of forming a sheet metal cup without using a mandrel. A cup shaped blank is first produced having a relief on a rim or outer circumference. The blank is clamped in the spinning machine. The relief controls and facilitates the bending process, creating a uniform curve at a predetermined bending point. During the rolling process, a forming roller is engaged with rim, and is moved progressively parallel with an axis of rotation. As the forming roller moves, the rim is progressively bent from an orientation normal to an axis of rotation to a position parallel to the axis of rotation. The fully formed rim can then be punched to accommodate a bearing or shaft. This allows a small radius pulley to be formed without use of a mandrel.

Abstract: A fan idler pulley having a threaded hub for attaching a fan shaft. The pulley also comprises a receiving portion for engaging a bearing. The bearing is further engaged with a cup. The entire assembly is mounted by a pin press fit though the cup into a mounting surface such as an engine block or front cover. The pulley may be engaged to either the inner race or the outer race of the bearing.

Abstract: The invention comprises a joint formed by mechanical interaction of particles with the parts to be joined. The particles engage an interface surface of each part, creating a high friction condition that prevents further relative movement of the parts once they are assembled. The particles have a substantially flat or flake-like morphology. The surface of each particle is rough to enhance mechanical engagement with each interface surface. The flake-like shape prevents the particle from penetrating an elastomeric part, which would render the particle ineffective in the bonding process.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of forming a sheet metal cup without using a mandrel. A cup shaped blank is first produced having a relief on a rim or outer circumference. The blank is clamped in the spinning machine. The relief controls and facilitates the bending process, creating a uniform curve at a predetermined bending point. During the rolling process, a forming roller is engaged with rim, and is moved progressively parallel with an axis of rotation. As the forming roller moves, the rim is progressively bent from an orientation normal to an axis of rotation to a position parallel to the axis of rotation. The fully formed rim can then be punched to accommodate a bearing or shaft. This allows a small radius pulley to be formed without use of a mandrel.

Abstract: The invention comprises a dual ring damper. The damper comprises an inner ring for connecting the damper to a crankshaft. It also comprises an outer inertial ring for contacting a belt or the like. A flexible elastomeric material is mechanically contained in an annular space between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring each describe a complex, non-arcuate cooperating, profile or cross-section that mechanically fixes the elastomeric between them. The elastomeric does not use chemical adhesives to bond with either the inner or the outer ring, instead relying on mechanical containment between the rings. The elastomeric in the preferred embodiment comprises EPDM.

Abstract: A hub having a bore, in accordance with the present invention, is spun-roll formed of a portion of an annular sheet metal disc. The hub is formed by radially displacing a portion of the annular sheet disc outward from the bore. The so formed hub that is integral to the annular sheet metal disc forms a web having a thickness equivalent to or not less than a thickness of the annular sheet metal disc before formation of the hub. The web may be used to spun-roll form a rim having a belt receiving portion and as such a one-piece spun roll formed pulley. The web may also be used to interconnect to a rim having a belt receiving portion as a separate piece from the hub and web. During the spinning process, a shaping roller is pressed against a bore of an annular sheet metal disc which is being rotated simultaneously.

Abstract: A hub having a bore, in accordance with the present invention, is spun-roll formed of a portion of an annular sheet metal disc. The hub is formed by radially displacing a portion of the annular sheet disc outward from the bore. The so formed hub that is integral to the annular sheet metal disc forms a web having a thickness equivalent to or not less than a thickness of the annular sheet metal disc before formation of the hub. The web may be used to spun-roll form a rim having a belt receiving portion and as such a one-piece spun roll formed pulley. The web may also be used to interconnect to a rim having a belt receiving portion as a separate piece from the hub and web.

Abstract: The invention comprises an idler pulley, having a web and a belt bearing surface connected to the web. The web is aligned with and affixed to an inner race outer surface of a bearing by a fastener. The pulley is stamped, formed or spun out of sheet metal and may have a central hole described by a lip for alignment with a central axis of the bearing. The outer race of the bearing may be affixed to a mounting surface.

Abstract: A method for making a hub/pulley by spin forming from a disc including forming an annular collar extending radially inward of the hub and defining a blind bore of the hub.

Abstract: A hub is spun rolled formed of a portion of metal radially displaced from a side of a disc of sheet metal. An annular collar formed of an annular part of the disc extends inward of the hub and creates a blind bore. The collar is integral with the hub and is formed of the same sheet metal. The so formed hub that is integral to a web formed of the disc, and the collar; the web may be connected to a rim, or the extremity of the disc may be shaped into a rim to form a pulley.

Abstract: A pulley with an integral hub spun-roll formed of a disc of sheet metal where the hub has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet metal. The hub has a bore and external surface for attaching to other components.

Abstract: A pulley with an integral hub spun-roll formed of a disc of sheet metal where the hub has an annular ring extending radially outward of the hub and reinforcing the hub. Optionally, the hub has as integral flange that facilitates removal of the pulley from a shaft.

Abstract: A weight reduced pulley for "K" type poly-v belt systems includes a body having an outer cylindrical surface. A plurality of raised ribs extend from said surface and run circumferentially around said surface. A plurality of trough areas are positioned between the ribs. The ribs and troughs corresponding to the location of indented and raised areas, respectively, on a poly-v belt. The ribs have a cross sectional profile extending radially traverse of the axis of rotation of the pulley, each rib being bounded by a pair of planar side walls at relative angles of 40.degree.+0.5.degree.. The side walls terminate in a 140.degree. arc having a radius of 0.5 mm, the outermost point of said arc terminating 0.96 mm inward of the intersection of the upward projections of the planar side walls or apex. The planar side walls extend radially inward at least 3.44 mm from said apex. The trough areas are bounded by the outer cylindrical surface of said pulley, said surface being 3.57 mm from said apex.