Abstract: An isolation mount for use in motor vehicles in which the mount is sandwiched between the subframe and body. The mount includes an elastomeric upper mount and lower mount and a threaded fastener drawing the two elastomeric mounts together. The upper mount has an insert member with an oblong shape in the lateral displacement direction of the vehicle. The oblong shape increases the volume of elastomer that can be used to respond to lateral forces and reduces the stresses developed on the elastomer. The lateral response rate is stiffer than the fore and aft response rate and both are stiffer than the vertical response rate.

Abstract: A fluorine containing thermoplastic vulcanizate composition includes a continuous phase of at least one melt formable thermoplastic resin and a discrete phase of a vulcanized perfluoroether elastomer. The perfluoroether elastomer comprises between 10 and 80 weight percent based on the total amount of the continuous phase and the disperse phase combined.

Abstract: A crankshaft damper includes a hub and a rim. The rim has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the hub. A plurality of spokes connects the rim to the hub. An axial inner surface is formed on the rim and projects forwardly of the spokes. A damper support includes a band and a collar. The band is retained to the axial inner surface of the rim and the collar projects radially outwardly beyond the outer diameter of the rim. An elastomeric member is mounted on the collar and faces the rim. A damper is mounted on the elastomeric member and faces the rim. The elastomeric member and damper are positioned radially beyond the rim to dampen torsional and axial vibrations.

Abstract: An isolation mount for use in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The motor vehicle has a body portion and a subframe portion. The subframe has a through hole. The isolation mount includes a thimble member having a flanged portion and an axially extending tube portion. An annular foamed elastomeric member is adjacent to the thimble member. The annular member having a radially outwardly extending one end portion, an opposite end portion and an inner passage. The opposite end portion is acceptable in a slidable fit into the through hole from one side of the subframe portion to the other side. The opposite end portion being movable radially outwardly when the opposite end is axially advanced past said through hole and said one end portion being axially advanced to be adjacent to the one side of the subframe portion.

Abstract: An improved dual lip radial shaft seal is disclosed. The free end of the dual lip seal extends toward the air side of the seal. Optionally, the dual lip seal has an oil side excluder lip seal, an air side dust excluder lip seal, an elastomeric static seal extending from the elastomeric portion of the dual lip seal. In another optional embodiment, a relief groove is formed in the seal. A unitized seal version is also disclosed with two embodiments.

Abstract: A bushing is disclosed with a sleeve. The sleeve member has an inner surface and a cavity. A core member is disposed in the cavity. A pair of elastomeric members are disposed in the cavity. One of the pair of elastomeric members is adjacent to the core. The other of the pair of elastomeric members is adjacent to the inner surface. The one of the pair of elastomeric members has a modulus that is greater than the other of the pair of elastomeric members so that one of said pair of elastomeric members absorbs low frequency vibration and the other of the pair of elastomeric members absorbs high frequency vibration.

Abstract: A radial shaft seal with a membrane is disclosed. The surface of the membrane is in sealing contact with the shaft. A plurality of inclined waves are formed in the surface in response to shear stresses formed by movement of one of the support rings relative to the other. The inclined waves are generally elliptical in shape and form an undulating surface. The direction of the inclined waves can be changed in response to shaft rotation.

Abstract: The oil seal of the present invention for a valve stem includes a triple seal lip having a cam chamber side lip, a first combustion chamber side lip and a second combustion chamber side lip. Notches are provided on the second combustion chamber side lip and other notches are provided on the first combustion chamber side lip. These notches permit flow communication from the cam chamber side with the combustion chamber side. The notches provided on the combustion chamber side lip and the notches provided on the second combustion chamber side lip are placed circumferentially shifted from each other so that the notches are not axially aligned relative to the notches. Preferably, the non-notched portion is axially aligned and spaced apart relative to the notched portion.

Abstract: A body mount for absorbing compressive and shear forces in a vehicle is disclosed. The body mount includes a retainer member with a radial portion and an axially extending tubular portion. A microcellular bushing has base, a top, and a passageway extending from the top to the base. The axially extending portion of the retainer member is inserted into the passageway of the bushing. An insert is molded into the bushing to form a one-piece member. The insert has an inner diameter. The microcellular cylinder insert is adjacent to the axially extending tubular portion. A microcellular cylinder sleeve is formed between the inner diameter and the tubular portion and in combination with the insert resists lateral forces and does not interfere with the vertical forces from the frame to the body. The microcellular shear mount design provides excellent lateral shake isolation and excellent vertical rate dissipation over prior art rubber shear mounts.

Abstract: A water pump with a plurality of elastomeric blades on a rigid impeller is disclosed. The impeller has a tubular extension with a pair of flats on the outer diameter of the extension. The seal seat has a corresponding pair of flats on its inner diameter to engage the flats on the tubular extension for positive rotation. The impeller also has a retaining lip formed on its inner diameter and a sealing shoulder to form a retaining cavity along the tubular extension. The retaining lip receives the seal seat in the cavity by stretching the lip radially into a gap to accommodate the outer diameter of the seal seat. This stretch to fit feature eliminates the need to control the outer diameter of the seal ring to precise dimensions. The lip forms a static seal with the outer diameter of the seal seat. The elastomeric shoulder provides a static seal against the seal seat.

Abstract: A mount is provided with a pair of spaced apart support members. One of the support members includes a stop. A vibration isolation member is connected to both support members. The vibration isolation member has a rubber block for absorbing unwanted vibrations. A restraint member is connected to the rubber block to reduce the mass of the vibrating components so as to prevent reducing the resonant frequency of the device. The restraint member has a first portion and a second portion. The design is compact and does not permit the stop to extend above the restraint member in order to permit unrestrained travel of the first support member toward the second support member when the mount is in a compression mode. The second portion engages the stop to limit the stretch of the rubber block away from the support member and provides a heat shield for the rubber block and stop.

Abstract: An automotive drum brake assembly includes first and second brake shoes mounted on a backing plate. A wheel cylinder for braking actuation is mounted between the brake shoes. An adjuster screw assembly is held between the brake shoes by an adjuster spring. The adjuster screw assembly includes a pivot nut threaded onto an adjuster screw. In one embodiment, a sleeve includes a first portion slidably mounted on the pivot nut, a second ramp portion covering the screw threads and a third portion opposite the pivot nut. The second portion, preferably formed as a frustoconical ramp, is slid by the adjuster spring to travel with the adjuster screw as it unthreads from the pivot nut, thereby shielding threads from corrosive elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cable actuated parking brake mechanism for a drum brake. A lever and an associated lever return spring are arranged to accommodate blind assembly of the cable to the lever. The spring guides the cable from an opening in the backing plate to the lever. The spring cooperates with the lever to indicate to an assembler that the cable is fully inserted as well as aids in directing a cable button to an engagement surface.

Abstract: A fan clutch includes a housing and a cover cooperating to contain a viscous fluid. A pump plate divides an interior of the fan clutch into a working chamber and a reservoir. A driven clutch plate, disposed in the working chamber, includes hub and disk portions. A wiper is mounted on the pump plate adjacent a discharge orifice so that a first clearance is provided between the wiper and a front surface of the disk portion. An annular blocking wall is formed on the front surface of the disk portion radially inbound of the wiper. The height of the blocking wall is such that a second clearance formed between the blocking wall and the pump plate is less than or substantially equal to the first clearance, thereby forming a dynamic seal.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar system includes a stabilizer bar connected to a support by a hydraulic actuator. A pump forces fluid into conduits connected to upper and lower chambers of the actuator. A check valve is provided between the pump and the actuator. A pressure control valve, provided between the check valve and the actuator, is controlled by an electronic controller to vary pressure in the actuator chambers.

Abstract: An engine cooling fan assembly includes a mounting bracket having outwardly extending legs. A motor is mounted to a central hub of the mounting bracket. A multi-bladed fan is attached to and driven by the motor. A least one leg of the mounting bracket has a formed end with a ramp, a resilient grommet retained by a flange, and recesses between the ramp and grommet. A retainer is removably received on the end as barbs of the retainer are received and seated in the recess.

Abstract: A twin-tube hydraulic damper includes a fluid-filled cylinder tube closed at its lower end by a cylinder end. A piston is slidably mounted in the cylinder tube and divides an interior volume of the cylinder tube into upper and lower chambers. A plurality of intake slots permit fluid to flow from a reservoir to the lower chamber. A plurality of exit flow openings permit fluid to flow from the lower chamber to the reservoir. A cut-off cap is slidably mounted on the cylinder end and sprung away from the cylinder end by a reaction spring. An annular wall formed on the cylinder end receives the cap as the piston engages an activation spring near the travel limit of a compression stroke. Reduced fluid flow through the exit flow openings increases the damping force to reduce harsh impacts.

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch includes a cover having an airflow ring. The airflow ring can be formed integrally with or separately from the cover. Concentric inner and outer walls are attached to each other by radially spaced fins. A cooling passage for airflow is provided between each pair of adjacent fins. During rotation, a cooling airflow passes freely between the fins, improving the rate of heat transfer from the clutch. Such construction of the walls and fins and a method for forming the cover are well suited for casting and eliminate the need for costly prior art machining. A labyrinth seal can be formed between the cover and housing by an annular flange on the housing received into a complementary groove in the cover.

Abstract: A test strip for measuring film build on a plastic piece includes a desired length of tape having an adhesive coating on an inner surface and a window. A paint strip of sufficient area to cover the window is secured to the tape by the adhesive. A backing formed from material easily peeled from the adhesive is removed when the tape is mounted on a piece prior to painting. After painting, the test strip is peeled away from the piece so that the paint strip can be separated from the tape, analyzed and stored.

Abstract: A hydraulic suspension damper includes a fluid-filled cylinder divided into first and second fluid chambers by a reciprocating piston. A bypass valve assembly includes a first pressure responsive valve assembly in fluid connection with one of the fluid chambers and a second pressure responsive valve assembly in fluid connection with the other fluid chamber. The pressure responsive valve assemblies direct fluid to an unidirectional electromechanical valve assembly. Operation of the bypass valve assembly permits independent control of fluid during compression and rebound strokes of the damper.