Abstract: A wheel has a central hub and an outer rim interconnected by a web, with a pair of annular braking discs being mounted one on each side of the web and each composed of at least two curved segments, each secured to the web by a number of wide clearance bolts, at least two close clearance bolts and at least two further bolts. The wide clearance bolts are each a clearance fit both in an aperture in a segment and in a bore in the web; the close clearance bolts are a close fit both in an aperture in a segment and a bore in the web; and the further bolts are a close fit in an aperture in a segment and a wide clearance fit in a bore in the web.

Abstract: A viscous coupling apparatus having enhanced torque progression characteristics. The viscous coupling apparatus includes two sets of viscous coupling plates which are interleaved and mounted with rotatable members for relative rotation therebetween. Each plate is a generally circular ring of thin plate material and has one or more openings formed therein. The openings include coined edge surfaces that form an inclined surface and a planar wiping surface. The coined edges facilitate the wiping and removal of viscous fluid from the surface of an adjacent coupling plate when relative rotation and frictional contact occurs between adjacent plates without generating excessive wear on one of the mating plates. The removal of the viscous fluid promotes enhanced frictional contact between the facing adjacent plate surfaces and results in an increased torque transmission characteristic.

Abstract: A wheel comprises a central hub and an outer rim interconnected by a web, with a pair of annular braking discs being mounted one on each side of the web by connection assemblies each comprising a plate member slidably retained in a generally radially extending slot in the rear face of a braking disc. The plate members are preferably flexible and of a thickness less than the depth of the slot. Bolts secure the plate member to the web so that the braking discs are solely subjected to the pull of the flexed plate members irrespective of how tightly the bolts secure the plate member to the web.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch comprising a rotor rotatable about a rotational axis, an armature operable to be magnetically coupled with the rotor for rotation therewith, and a fixed annular magnetic coil energizable to magnetially couple the rotor and armature. The rotor includes an inner annular portion, an annular clutch portion extending outwardly from an end of the inner annular portion and an outer annular portion extending from an outer end of the clutch portion. The annular clutch portion includes a coupling surface and a series of arcuate slots extending from the coupling surface through the annular clutch portion.

Abstract: A friction disc, in particular for a motor vehicle clutch, comprises a carrier member in the form of a simple thin metal radial disc, with a plurality of friction pads distributed on the carrier disc coaxially with it. Each friction pad is fastened to the carrier disc by at least one fastening member, and is in the form of two pad portions arranged respectively on either side of the carrier disc. The carrier disc is formed with windows, with each friction pad being mounted in line with a respective one of these windows, in such a way that it can at least partially engage in the window at its periphery. The window defines a tongue which is fixed with respect to the carrier disc and extends into the window, and the fastening member, or each fastening member, for each friction pad is secured to the corresponding tongue.

Abstract: A ring-shaped friction element for operating in oil provided with a plurality of oil containers at an inner peripheral portion thereof and a plurality of grooves communicating between the oil containers and an outer periphery of the friction element.

Abstract: A housing mounts an input shaft with a clutch flange thereon, and an output shaft with an annular friction member thereon to divide the housing clutch chamber into two separate operating chambers. A brake ring has a first friction face facing the friction lining of the friction member while the friction member has a second friction lining facing the clutch flange. The friction member is axially displaceable a limited amounted by a compressible fluid for controlling the movement of the friction linings axially between the linings and into engagement with one of the brake member and the clutch flange. Each of the clutch flange and the brake ring has an annular groove concentric to the coextensive axes of the shafts that opens to the axially adjacent friction lining.

Abstract: A clutch or brake system for a heavy duty vehicle is provided having an assembly which includes a shoe having an exposed surface on which is attached a carrier member. A friction liner is molded onto the carrier member. The carrier member is provided with a plurality of apertures, each having a peripheral flange embedded into a concealed surface of the liner. The attachment of the carrier member to the shoe exposed surface permits relative adjustment therebetween, when the assembly is in a braking or clutching mode, so as to compensate for any differential in coefficients of thermal expansion between the shoe and the carrier member on which the liner is molded.

Abstract: A caliper type brake for braking a brake disc including a caliper having a recess in the caliper on one side of the disc, a piston mounted in the caliper on the other side of the disc and including a recess, each recess having one or more ribs forming two or more cavities in each recess and a brake pad mounted in each recess, each brake pad being formed with a number of frangible portions, which break on engagement with the ribs to separate the brake pads into separate sections corresponding to the number of cavities in the recesses.

Abstract: A groove pattern for the paper-based friction facing on a wet clutch to elize the surface temperature of the friction facings and thus increase the thermal capacity of the clutch where there is continuous slippage. The groove pattern includes one or more continuous annular grooves dividing the friction area into two or more annular bands and a plurality of cross grooves in each band which are angled with respect to a radius of the facing. The angled cross grooves increase in number in each band from the inner band to the outer band. The angled cross grooves extend at an acute angle (10-50 degrees) to such radius. Slip of the friction pair of plates cause a viscous pumping action. The cross groove angle in each band of the facing is preferably different so as to keep all the grooves filled with cooling oil. And, the cross-section of the cross grooves vary in their dimensions as between the bands. The disclosed 60.degree.

Abstract: A self-contained friction clutch having a low inertia driven disc assembly is disclosed. The clutch includes a cover having a friction plate secured thereto in spaced apart fashion. The cover and the friction plate are secured to a flywheel as a unit, with the friction plate being disposed adjacent to the flywheel. Radial and circular grooves are formed in the face of the flywheel adjacent to the friction plate to permit cooling air to flow therebetween. A pressure plate is disposed between the cover and the friction plate for rotation therewith and axial movement relative thereto. Friction pads are secured to the adjacent faces of the friction plate and the pressure plate. A driven disc assembly is disposed between the friction plate and the pressure plate. The driven disc assembly includes a support plate extending between the pads secured to the friction plate and the pressure plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resin mold clutch facing integrally heat molded out of a resin mold base member and a backup member. The resin mold base member consists essentially of a matrix composed of from 10 to 20 volume % of a glass fiber, from 5 to 30 volume % of at least one heat resistance organic fiber, and from 5 to 25 volume % of at least one heat resistance inorganic fiber, based on the total volume of the resin mold base member, an inorganic filler, a solid lubricant, and a resin binder. In the resin mold clutch facing, the heat resistance inorganic fiber works to suppress the plastic flow resulting from the softening of the glass fiber at a high temperature and under a high bearing pressure. Thus, the resin mold clutch facing comes to have improved and excellent friction and anti-wear properties at a high temperature, and a long life accordingly.

Abstract: One face of a coupling disc (i.e., the armature or rotor) of an electromagnetic coupling such as a clutch or brake is formed with a plurality of radially spaced and circumferentially extending grooves. The other face of the disc is formed with a plurality of radially spaced rows of circumferentially extending slots which communicate with the grooves so as to form air gaps completely through the disc. In the preferred embodiment, each groove is circumferentially continuous while each row of slots is defined by circumferentially spaced slots which are separated by short bridges. By virtue of forming the grooves in the disc, only a small thickness of material need be removed from the disc in order to form the slots.

Abstract: A reversing clutch mechanism (10) for use in a transmission (12) of the type having a continuously rotating input shaft (52) and a rotatable output shaft (20). A pair of friction clutches (48, 50) are rotatably disposed on the output shaft (20) and are continuously driven in opposite reverse and forward rotational directions by gears (54, 58) and sprockets (60, 62) associated with the input shaft (52). A double friction cope (94) is helically splined on the output shaft (20) and moveable toward and away from the friction clutches (48, 50) for selective frictional engagement with either friction clutch (48 or 50) to cause the output shaft (20) to rotate in either a forward or reverse rotational direction. The double cone (94) includes a peripheral shifting groove (112) having oppositely inclined side walls (114) which cooperate with a shifting pin (120) disposed in the groove (112) to disengage the double cone (94) and the friction clutch ( 48 or 50).

Abstract: A wet-type multiplate clutch for selectively transmitting drive forces from an engine to a road wheel has a plurality of clutch discs adapted to be coupled to the engine and each having a frictional surface, and a plurality of clutch plates adapted to be coupled to the road wheel, of clutch discs and the clutch plates being alternately interleaved and arranged so that the clutch discs and the clutch plates can be pressed against and separated from each other. Each of the clutch discs having a ring-shaped frictional member or a plurality of frictional members on the frictional surface, and radial oil passages for allowing oil to pass therethrough and oil grooves for retaining oil therein.

Abstract: In a clutch disc assembly in which facings comprising cerametallic pads stuck to one faces of back plates are secured to both faces of a plate at an outer peripheral part of the clutch disc, a heat insulating material having a thickness which increases from the radial inside to the radial outside is held between the above-mentioned plate at the outer peripheral part and at least one back plate of a facing so that failure in engagement and disengagement of clutch can be avoided by preventing a strain caused by heat to be produced on the part of plate on which the facings are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the construction of friction rings for clutch discs which peripherally have a substantially uniform material thickness and, in the region of the riveting, have groove-shaped, substantially radially extending indentations which are open to the front side, project on the rear side and rest on the wave crests of the lining carriers.

Abstract: Clutch and brake components especially adapted for use in electromagnetic semblies (50) includes a first disc (56) or plate having a ground surface (58) comprising parallel surface features and a second disc or plate (64) having a turned surface (66) comprising circular or spiral features. Excellent static and dynamic frictional coefficients are achieved. Preferably, the ground (58) and turned (66) surfaces have roughness of between Ra 3 and 300. A wide variety of variously alloyed steels may be utilized to fabricate the clutch or brake components.

Abstract: An interlocking clutch brake provides first and second parts adapted to radially fit together to form a disc-shaped body having a central aperture for engaging a clutch shaft. Both first and second parts are U-shaped, and are interlocked together by means of mating tongue and groove members. The first and second parts employ bores which are adapted to become axially aligned for receiving the ends of a bowed spring. The bowed portion of the spring is adapted to become partially flattened as a bolt, secured through an aperture in the spring to a threaded aperture in the second part, is rotated by a hand-tool. Partial flattening of the bowed portion causes the spring ends to spread apart to engage respective sets of aligned bores for retaining the two parts together.

Abstract: A friction facing material and carrier assembly (2) for inclusion in a clutch driven plate. The assembly (2) comprises a metal carrier plate (4) having resiliently pliable spokes or paddles (14) at its outer periphery. Two annuli (20, 22) of friction material forming facings are bonded to opposite sides of the paddles (14) by a respective layer of an elastomeric material, for example a silicone rubber. Each elastomeric layer is in the form of a spiral stripe extending substantially continuously from the outer to the inner periphery of the respective friction facing. For example, the facing (22) is bonded by an elastomeric spiral having three turns (24A, 24B) and 24C. Preferably in a complete assembly (2), both spirals of elastomeric material are of the same hand with turns of one spiral opposite gaps between adjacent turns of the other spiral.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter and lockup clutch assembly comprising an impeller housing and a clutch construction situated within the housing comprising a clutch plate in the form of a piston having formed thereon an annular friction surface, a friction disc located between the friction surface on the clutch plate and an adjacent wall of the impeller housing and having an inner margin secured to the impeller housing at a location radially inward of the friction surface, friction material formed on the friction disc and flow passages for establishing a circuitous cooling oil flow path across the dynamic friction surfaces of the clutch to establish cooling and for eliminating wear as the pressure in the clutch control pressure chamber is modulated to effect a continuous slipping of the clutch surfaces during operation of the converter, the friction disc providing a shield that minimizes heat transfer to the impeller housing and for providing maximum compliance of the face of the friction surface with respect

Abstract: A clutch facing (1) having an annular friction material (3) and reinforcing plate (4) integrally connected to the friction material (3) characterized by that the reinforcing plate (4) having substantially the same shrinkage as the friction material has, an annular rib (6) concentrically formed on the connecting surface (5) of the reinforcing plate (4), and radial ribs (7) formed on the connecting surface (5) and crossing the annular rib (6).

Abstract: A blocker-clutch assembly (10) includes an openly porous, pyrolytic carbon composite friction material (74) configured for optimum performance and, therefore, prevention or substantial prevention of nonsynchronous engagement of positive clutch members (12,14) due to premature unblocking of blocker tooth ramps (48-54). The composite friction material is formed to be resilient in direction normal to its friction surface (76b), is cut into segments (76), is bonded to a frustoconical surface (62) in a manner preseving the resiliency and with the segments circumferentially spaced apart, and is configured to control engagement force thereon in a range of 150-300 pounds per square inch (10-20 Kg/cm.sup.2).

Abstract: A clutch driven plate comprising a clutch facing plate molded from a clutch facing material comprising a fiber, a binder, and a friction modifier and a back-up plate carrying the clutch facing plate, wherein a number of dimples are formed on the surface of the clutch facing plate.The clutch driven plate is obtainable by thermo-compression molding a back-up plate and a clutch facing material comprising a fiber, a binder, and a friction modifier to integrate them in one body.

Abstract: A groove pattern for the friction facings of a wet clutch to equalize the face temperature of the friction facings and thus increase the thermal capacity of the clutch where there is continuous sllippage. The groove pattern includes one or more circumferential grooves dividing the friction area into two or more annular bands with radial grooves in each band which increase in number from the inner band to the outer band.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a carrier disc for clutch friction pads comprising a central portion and radial blades. Each blade is joined individually to the central portion by a generally radial blade foot, and is cantilevered asymmetrically from either side of this foot. Each blade is divided into zones by transverse shoulders. For a given diameter, the terminal zone of that portion of the blade that is cantilevered to the greatest extent with respect to the blade foot, and which is intersected by the endmost shoulder, is joined to the central zone by a second foot.

Abstract: A piston plate for providing a lock-up of a hydrodynamic torque transmitting unit has a friction lining bonded to a flat area thereon near the outer diameter which is arranged to slip with respect to the front cover of a rotating housing of the torque converter. The friction lining has an annular sealing segment to seal fluid leakage across the lining; and a plurality of grooves is formed from the outside diameter of the lining to an intermediate point on the width to communicate through an axial hole in the piston plate to provide a path for flow of cooling fluid through the lining for removing heat build up therefrom; the source of the cooling fluid also is the fluid source for applying pressure to the plate for providing lock-up in the torque transmitting unit.

Abstract: A friction assembly is disclosed. A support plate which functions as a friction lining support, is connected with hub plates which are placed against both its frontal sides by using slitted spring collets.

Abstract: A clutch disc including a disc-like annular facing members arrange to front on each other and a cushioning plate corrugated in circumferential direction. Stiffening plates which are disc-like annular bodies having inside and outside diameters approximately identical with those of facing members and on which slotted holes extending nearly in radial direction are made at plural places in circumferential direction, are glued to fronting surfaces of the facing members. The cushioning plate is disposed between the fronting stiffening plates to make convex portions on its both surfaces contact with portions located between the slotted holes of the stiffening plates, and is fastened by rivets to the contacting portions.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved disc useful as a clutch plate. The disc has a major surface, preferably a flat planar surface, and a hole, having a hole circumference, through the disc at the major surface. Preferably the disc is circular with a concentric hole. The disc further comprises at least one tooth and preferably a plurality of teeth coplanar with the major plane of the disc, and extending from the hole circumference. Each tooth has at least one, and preferably two tooth side edges extending from the hole circumference. Preferably, there are a plurality of the same shaped teeth distributed uniformly along the hole circumference. There is a tab extending at an angle, preferably perpendicular to the major plane from at least part of at least one tooth edge. Preferably a tab extends from each tooth edge.

Abstract: The non-working face of a coupling disc (i.e., the armature or rotor) of an electromagnetic coupling such as a clutch or brake is formed with radially spaced rows of angularly spaced grooves separated by radially extending bridges. The grooves terminate short of the working face of the disc and delineate magnetic poles in the disc. In some embodiments, radially spaced rows of grooves also are formed in the working face of the disc. In still other embodiments, excess metal resulting from rolling of the grooves in the non-working face of the disc is used to form integral locating flanges or the like adjacent the disc.

Abstract: Synchronizing ring for a synchronizing assembly in a clutch coupling of a motor vehicle with an interrupted and coated friction surface conically arranged with respect to the transmission axis, whereby the synchronizing ring having two mutually parallel conical surfaces which are interrupted in the circumferential direction through profiling by hollow stamping of the entire synchronizing ring and that one or both friction surfaces have a friction coating.

Abstract: The clutch disc for a motor vehicle friction clutch comprises a hub (1) with a lining carrier disc (9) held thereon and several friction lining plates (15), arranged in the region of the external circumference of the lining carrier disc and offset in the circumferential direction in relation to one another, axially on both sides of the lining carrier disc (9). The friction lining plates (15) arranged on at least one axial side of the lining carrier disc (9) are secured through axially resilient spring segments (23) on the lining carrier disc (9). The spring segments are radially domed and are held on the lining carrier disc (9) both in the circumferential direction on both sides laterally of the friction lining plate (15) by first rivets (35) and radially towards the hub (1) laterally of the friction lining plate (15) by second rivets (33).

Abstract: A wet frictional engagement apparatus comprising an input side member, an output side member, a wet friction member attached to one of the input side member and the output side member, an opposite member facing the friction member and attached to the other of the input side member and the output side member, and a device for applying pressure to engage the friction member and the opposite member. The wet friction member comprises a substrate, a plurality of first friction submembers mounted spaced apart on the substrate, and a plurality of second friction submembers mounted on the substrate each adjacent one of the first friction submembers forming a pair of submembers. Each pair of submembers is spaced from each adjacent pair by an oil groove. Each first friction member is relatively less oil-permeable and each second friction member is relatively more oil-permeable.

Abstract: A blade for liquid friction couplings consists of a disk formed with slot- or holelike apertures. In order to ensure that the blades will have a long service like whereas the occurrence of mixed friction (hump) will not adversely be affected, at least portions of the boundary surfaces of the apertures extend at an oblique angle to the surface of the disk.

Abstract: In order to provide a reliable connection between a circular plate mounted on a hub and a friction material having a pair of oppositely faced friction surfaces extending in the axial direction in a clutch disc, a sub plate is secured to the circular plate. This permits the interposition therebetween of frictional material in such a manner that a plurality of axial openings are provided in the circular plate and the sub plate and the friction surfaces project from each opening in opposite axial direction.

Abstract: An improved structure for a clutch brake is disclosed. Powdered metal, such as powdered steel, is initially pressed into a preform having a desired configuration for each of a pair of opposed covers for the clutch brake. The configuration of the outer surface of each of the preforms includes a plurality of embossed segments, which alternate with non-raised areas, arranged in an annular array. The embossed segments of the covers are the portions thereof which are frictionally engaged during use. Each of the segments is defined by inner and outer circumferentially extending sides connected by a pair of generally radially extending ends. The intermediate portions of both of the ends can be curved circumferentially inwardly toward one another to form a concave region. The covers together form an internal cavity in which inner and outer brake washers are disposed.

Abstract: A one-way clutch comprises first and second rotational members radially spaced apart from each other and concentrically disposed for relative rotation and having axially extending annular track surfaces, a torque transmitting member disposed between the first and second rotational members for transmitting a torque between the track surfaces, a pair of retainers for retaining the torque transmitting member circumferentially, and a bearing member for holding the first and second rotational members concentric, the rear surface portion of the bearing member being formed with a recessed lubricating oil supply area for expediting the introduction of lubricating oil for lubricating the one-way clutch between the rear surface portion and a surface sliding relative thereto.

Abstract: An original, replacement, or aftermarket mechanism which responds to predetermined maximum torque levels to decouple a radiator fan from the rotation of a driving element, usually a water pump. The mechanism includes variable mounting adaptations which can accommodate water pumps and fans of different lengths, diameters and required physical location so that a large number of vehicular applications can be satisfied with a few different size fan clutch mechanisms. The mechanism includes a rotor case connected to the fan and a rotor connected to the water pump. The rotor is positioned in a cavity in the case and is immersed in nonlinear fluid such as silicon fluid.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch is disclosed which includes a first rotatable member rotatably supported on a first bearing. The first rotatable member is provided with at least one annular groove along an outer surface thereof for receiving a belt rotatably connecting the first rotatable member to an external driving source. The first rotatable member further has a magnetic axial end plate. The magnetic axial end plate has at least one arcuate slit. A second rotatable member is rotatably supported on a second bearing. An annular magnetic member is supported on the second rotatable member so as to be capable of limited axial movement and faces the axial end plate of the first rotatable member with an axial gap therebetween. An electromagnet is associated with one of the rotatable members and the annular magnetic member for attracting the other of the rotatable members and the annular magnetic member.

Abstract: An annular support of a clutch disc made of a plate member having connecting apertures and radial slits. Friction material facings are die pressed into engagement with the plate member with dies which force the friction material through the apertures and slits to integrally connect the facings to the plate member and to each other. Each facing is provided at its surface with hollows positioned over the slits and having circumferential widths wider than the slits. The hollows overlap the edge portions of the slits at the opposite sides of the slits. The hollows in the facings are formed by projections on the faces of the dies in the forming operation.

Abstract: A cap clip for a slot in a brake disc wherein a pair of circumferentially spaced cap clips are mounted on the peripheral edges of each circumferential slot. Each cap clip has an arcuate extension that seats into an arcuate recess in the bottom corner of each slot. Each cap clip also has side portions that functionally engage the annular sides of the brake disc and also may have a top portion and a front portion that seat on the periphery of the brake disc and the side wall of the slot respectively. The pair of cap clips in each slot are not interconnected but are separately retained in their positions in the slots. Such brake disc also may have one retainer located on the periphery of the brake disc between adjacent slots and retained thereon by connection to the clips to reduce oxidation of the brake disc.

Abstract: A friction disc assembly includes a plurality of one piece or unitary friction elements each containing a pair of opposed planar friction surfaces. Each element is adapted for being supported within an opening of a clutch driven disc, wherein a pair of backing plates virtually supports each disc by trapping same within pairs of aligned openings. In a preferred form, the backing plates comprise an interference fit with the axially aligned boundaries of associated friction surfaces, and rivets which hold the backing plates rigidly to the driven disc are spaced from and hence out of contact with the friction elements. In a preferred form, each friction element includes a radially extending tongue which has a thickness equal to the thickness of the driven disc.

Abstract: A clutch disk for use in a dry friction clutch includes a cushioned friction element assembly. The assembly includes a novel support system, wherein as part of a pair of identical friction laminates welded or otherwise secured to one another, opposing pairs of integral sliding wedge supports are adapted to jointly clasp the disk at radial boundaries of openings in the disk. In a preferred form, each laminate incorporates a backing plate, and each friction assembly includes a central cushion region between back plates. The sliding wedge supports retain each assembly over a disk opening, and are adapted to accommodate significant lateral deflection of the assembly during transitional engagement of the clutch disk.

Abstract: The clutch disc for a friction disc clutch comprises friction linings attached to a lining carrier by connection elements. The connection elements are provided with a synthetic plastics conical head, seated in a conical opening of the friction lining. A shank, on the side of the lining carrier turned away from the friction lining, has been deformed into a closing head. The portion of the shank forming the closing head can consist of synthetic plastics, too, or can be formed by a metal hollow rivet anchored in the head. The synthetic plastics head wears out along with, and increases, the wearable volume of the friction lining.

Abstract: A friction disk assembly includes a driven annular member having a plurality of radially extending torque transmitting support segments circumferentially spaced, each support segment defining an opening and supporting a friction laminate member across the opening. Each laminate includes a single backing plate which incorporates a pair of friction pads bonded to each of the opposed sides of the single backing plate. In a preferred form, the backing plate includes an offset portion which extends into the opening of an associated support segment, wherein an interference fit with the opening is established with respect to the offset portion in order to avoid relative movement between the laminate and the support segment under circumferential friction loads.

Abstract: A friction element to be secured to a hub member in a friction clutch, comprises a back plate (21) provided with a friction facing (23) on at least one side thereof, the friction facing (23) being of trefoil shape with a first lobe (24) extending radially inwardly and second and third lobes (25, 26) extending radially outwardly and in opposite circumferential directions from the first lobe. The shape of the friction facing provides a desirable distribution of material while using a minimum quantity thereof.

Abstract: A blocker-clutch assembly (10) includes an openly porous, pyrolytic carbon composite friction material (74) configured for optimum performance and, therefore, prevention or substantial prevention of nonsynchronous engagement of positive clutch members (12,14) due to premature unblocking of blocker tooth ramps (48-54). The composite friction material is formed to be resilient in direction normal to its friction surface (76b), is cut into segments (76), is bonded to a frustonconical surface (62) in a manner preserving the resiliency and with the segments circumferentially spaced apart, and is configured to control engagement force thereon in a range of 150-300 pounds per square inch (10-20 Kg/cm.sup.2).

Abstract: In a starting motor which has reduction gears including a planet gear and in which at least one end part of an internal gear of the reduction gears is fastened in engagement with an elastic member so as to hold the internal gear within a housing in sandwiched fashion; the improvement comprising the fact that the surface of the annular elastic member abutting on the internal gear is uneven.

Abstract: A heat puck has a trapezoidal shape with a steel base plate and a thick layer of a high heat capacity material such as copper. The heat puck is attached to either or both the pressure plate and flywheel of an otherwise conventional automotive clutch assembly. Preferably a circular array of heat pucks are mounted on a respective plate or flywheel. The puck is mounted with a large diameter shoulder member that extends through an aperture in the puck and is received in an aligned receptacle in the surface of the plate or flywheel. A screw or rivet fastener extends through the shoulder member, puck and plate or flywheel to retain the assembly. The shoulder member provides the necessary torque resistance to the assembly, protection the fastener from stress failure.