Abstract: A fan clutch assembly for a vehicle includes a pump plate for separating a collecting chamber and a receiving chamber from a reservoir. The pump plate includes an orifice for permitting the passage of fluid from the receiving chamber to the reservoir and for accepting a snap-in-place wiper. The snap-in-place wiper includes a locking element which is receivable in the orifice for quickly securing the wiper to the pump plate.

Abstract: A floating wiper assembly mounted on a pump plate of a viscous fluid clutch includes a spring secured at its first end to a pump plate. A wiper formed from a low-friction material is secured to a second end of the spring and received in an opening in the pump plate. During assembly of the clutch, the wiper is urged by the spring into the pumping chamber and accommodates variances in machining and assembly variances. The wiper projects into a pumping chamber to create a fluid pressure rise to enhance the pump-out through an orifice of fluid in the pumping chamber to the reservoir.

Abstract: An air spring damper used in a vehicle suspension system with upper, intermediate and lower chambers and incorporating a reservoir tube which has an anti-friction rod guide and bearing assembly therein which lubricates the hollow rod of a piston as it strokes in their reservoir tube in jounce and rebound. An elastomeric air sleeve is featured which is connected to a top mount fastened to the vehicle body. An elastomeric isolator of this mount pivotally connects the piston rod to the body while sealing the upper end of the air sleeve. The air sleeve is supported full time by an outer elastomeric sleeve for improved air sleeve operation. A jounce bumper mounted internal of the reservoir tube is compressible to resist and cushion jounce strokes of the piston. This damper provides optimized vehicle body isolation and damping of both body and wheel axle at their natural frequencies.

Abstract: A moldable metering pin for an energy absorber unit includes an integral base having a plurality of openings. The base is press-fitted in an outer cylinder of the unit. The openings in the base prevent the formation of air pockets between the base and an end cap of the outer cylinder. During impact, fluid in a rear chamber passes to the end cap, thereby reducing fluid forces on the base of the metering pin.

Abstract: A fan clutch assembly for a vehicle includes a clutch plate rotatably driven by an input shaft. The clutch plate includes a plurality of concentric, annular lands and grooves which are mated with complementary lands and grooves of a clutch body to form a shear zone. A plurality of passages are provided in the clutch plate lands and grooves for directing fluid from a reservoir to the shear zone. A plurality of radial channels are provided in the clutch plate lands and grooves to expel fluid from the shear zone to a receiving chamber of the clutch plate assembly. Each channel is aligned with and leads radially outwardly from a respective passage. Preferably, each groove includes an aligned notch provided on the circumference of the clutch plate. The notch includes a mouth on the surface of the clutch plate adjacent the lands and grooves and an exit on the surface of the clutch plate adjacent a receiving chamber.

Abstract: A fan clutch assembly for a vehicle includes a pump plate assembly for separating a receiving chamber from a reservoir, wherein the receiving chamber receives fluid from a shear zone. The pump plate assembly includes an orifice for permitting the passage of fluid from the receiving chamber to the reservoir. A check valve is provided at the orifice to control the flow of fluid and permit only one-way flow from the receiving chamber into the reservoir. The check valve eliminates the migration of fluid through the orifice from the reservoir into the receiving chamber.

Abstract: A fan clutch assembly for a vehicle includes a pump plate for separating a collecting chamber and a receiving chamber from a reservoir. The pump plate includes a plurality of orifices for permitting the passage of fluid from the receiving chamber to the reservoir. A dual face wiper having scoop surfaces on each lateral side is mounted on the pump plate adjacent respective orifices to permit either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the fan asssembly.

Abstract: An air sleeve assembly includes a tubular sleeve constructed from a radially elastomeric material. A liner constructed from a resilient material is positioned adjacent an inner surface of the tubular sleeve. A first fastener secures respective first ends of the sleeve and liner to a rigid tubular member of a damper. A second fastener secures respective second ends of the sleeve and the liner to a piston rod of the damper so that the sleeve and liner form a closed chamber for receiving pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A fan clutch assembly for a vehicle includes an electromagnetic control assembly for actuating a rotatable valve plate. A rotatable shaft is connected to the valve plate. A ferromagnetic element is slidably mounted on the shaft. When an electromagnetic coil is energized, the resulting flux attracts the ferromagnetic element. As the ferromagnetic element slides, it is rotated to cause rotation of the shaft, thereby opening the valve plate.

Abstract: An insole includes a top wall and a bottom wall constructed from an air-impervious material. The top and bottom walls are heat-sealed at a durable side wall ridge to form an envelope having a heel, intermediate and front zones. A porous pad is contained within the envelope. Vent openings are provided only at the intermediate and front zones for ingress and egress of air from the envelope as the wearer walks on the insole. The total area of the vent openings in the front zone is greater than the total area of vent openings in the intermediate zone, thereby facilitating movement of air throughout the insole without imparting excessive pressure at the side wall ridge.

Abstract: A quick connect and disconnect coupling includes a connetor for housing a fluid conduit. The conduit includes a flexible tube terminating in an upset bead. One or more adjoining O-ring seals encircle the tube adjacent the upset bead. The connector includes a plug for receiving the tube. The plug terminates in an end wall adjacent the O-rings. A first chamfer is provided in the plug end wall. A second chamfer is provided in the upset bead adjacent the O-ring seals. During installation and removal of the connector, the O-rings are compressed and forced into the first and second chamfers to retain the O-rings in place on the tube.

Abstract: Shrouded engine cooling fan in which the interface between an outer stationary shroud fixed with respect to a radiator and an inner and rotating shroud fixed to the tips of the fan blades define a generally toroidal chamber in which a vortex of air is generated in response to the rotational drive of said fan that acts as a seal to block the flow of recirculation air from the fan discharge to the fan entrance over a wide range of fan operating points to increase fan operating efficiency and reduce fan generated noises.