Abstract: A fan drive assembly including a cooling fan (11) and a fluid coupling device (13). The cooling fan includes a fan hub (17), a spider (15), and a plurality of fan blades (19). The coupling device has an output coupling assembly (21) including a body (23) and a cover (25). The body (23) includes preferably only three mounting portions (67), each being disposed immediately adjacent an outer periphery of the body. Each of the mounting portions (67) defines the necessary machining chucking surfaces (73), and a spider mounting surface (75) including a pilot surface (77) engaging the pilot diameter (79) of the spider (15). The body (23) includes cooling fins (61) covering substantially all of the rearward surface (59) of the body not covered by the mounting portions. The fan hub (17) also includes a rearwardly extending air dam portion (81), limiting localized radial air flow.

Abstract: A transfer case for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a center differential which provides a direct output in two-wheel drive and a slightly reduced speed output in four-wheel drive. In two-wheel drive, the outputs of the center differential are locked together by a clutch collar and drive torque is provided to the primary drive line only. In four-wheel drive, the clutch collar unlocks the differential and couples the output from a sun gear to a chain drive sprocket in the secondary drive line. The center differential is driven through the carrier and operates as an open differential. The ring (outer) gear drives the primary drive line and the sun (center) gear drives the secondary drive line through cooperating chain sprockets and a chain. The chain drive sprockets are of unequal size and effect a speed reduction between the drive and driven sprockets. This speed reduction is nominally the same as the speed reduction from the input to the primary output achieved through the center differential.

Abstract: A chain for use with a continuously variable transmission is formed in two portions that are phased, or offset, by one-half pitch length. The chain portions include an asymmetrical guide link on the outside of alternate rows. The inner links have a substantially horizontal lower body and a horizontal upper portion of the passageway to position the strut in close proximity to the chain pitch line.

Abstract: A friction device includes a fixed housing and a driven member which ise rotatable about a common axis. The assembly also includes a friction disc pack operable to connect and disconnect the driven member for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A piston assembly is supported in the clutch housing and defines an expandable chamber. The piston assembly is responsive to the pressure of fluid in the expandable chamber to move between disengaged and engaged positions thereby actuating the pack to connect and disconnect the driven member. The pack is disposed within a grounded housing that includes a sealed circumferentially arranged opening defining a coolant chamber for supplying convergent flow cooling to the pack from the OD to the ID thereof.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner having a hydraulically actuated rack member. A pair of check valves permit fluid to flow from an external source of pressurized fluid into a fluid chamber. The two check valves form a substantially fluid tight chamber in order to provide sufficient pressure to prevent the piston from retracting upon deenergization of the source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a two-ply fibrous base material comprising a primary layer having elastic and oil absorbent characteristics bonded to a secondary layer having high temperature resistance and high strength characteristics. The two-ply fibrous base material, when impregnated with a phenolic, modified phenolic silicone, modified silicone or silicone/phenolic resin blends, provides a friction material exhibiting good friction and wear characteristics and is especially useful in high energy end use applications.

Abstract: A friction device includes a clutch pack operable to connect and disconnect drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A piston is supported in the clutch housing and defines a first expandable chamber. The piston is responsive to the pressure of fluid in the expandable chamber to move between disengaged and engaged positions thereby actuating the clutch pack. An outer ring is slidably supported within the housing to form a second expandable chamber. The outer ring includes at least one orifice extending therethrough. The piston closes the orifice in the outer ring when the drive and driven members are disconnected and has a second position where the orifice is open. A second source of lubricant pressure separate from the piston actuating fluid flows into the second expandable chamber thence through the orifice and from the outer diameter of the clutch pack between the adjacent plates and disks to the inner diameter of the clutch pack for cooling the pack.

Abstract: A power transmission roller chain includes pin links having pins spaced by one pitch and connected to each other by plates, and bushing links or “blocks” having bushings spaced apart from each other and rigidly connected to each other by plates. Two successive pin links are connected to each other by a bushing link having the bushings rotatably mounted on the pins. At least one pin link includes a central plate provided with pins alternately protruding from opposite faces of the plate offset from each other by a fraction of a pitch.

Abstract: A motor vehicle clutch assembly with an outer ring which is rotationally driven by the engine. An inner ring of the clutch assembly is seated, with a clutch element, on the transmission input shaft of a speed-change gear. The clutch element locks during engaged conditions of the engine and opens during overrun conditions of the engine.

Abstract: A valve spool (70) for an oil pump assembly (10) that includes a pilot pressure relief valve (80) to provide pilot pressure relief that increases the stability of the pump assembly (10) and eliminates the delay between the change in the discharge pressure and the associated response to the pilot pressure. The valve spool (70) operates in response to the pilot pressure to increase or decrease the pump discharge pressure during vehicle operation. A chamber (72) within the valve spool (70) is in fluid communication with the discharge flow and pressure at one end and the pilot pressure at the other end. When the pilot pressure exceeds the discharge pressure, the relief valve (80) opens, allowing the discharge pressure and the pilot pressure to equalize.

Abstract: In a silent chain, multiple link plates are interleaved and connected to each other by connecting pins in a rocker joint. The rocker joint includes a joint pin and a rocker pin which are inserted into pin apertures. Guide links are placed on both ends of the joint pins. The joint pins are slightly longer than the rocker pins. Each rocker pin and joint pin has a cross-sectional area. The cross-sectional area of the joint pin is made larger than that of the rocker pin. In another embodiment, the rocker joint has a joint pin with a greater thickness than that of the rocker pin. Another embodiment of the invention includes a rocker joint where the radius of the curvature of the rolling surface of the joint pin is greater than that of the rocker pin.

Abstract: A closed-loop controlled system solenoid actuated EGR valve includes an engine mount for attachment to a vehicle engine, a valve housing to which the engine mount is attached, a motor housing positioned above the valve housing, and a sensor housing. The valve housing includes a valve inlet adapted to receive engine exhaust gas and a valve outlet which communicates the engine exhaust gas from the valve inlet to an engine intake system. The motor housing has a bobbin, an armature, and a valve stem disposed in a bore formed therein. The valve stem is in communication with a plunger extending from the sensor housing to monitor the position of the valve stem with respect to the valve seat. A guide bearing is positioned in the housing to guide the armature while a valve stem bearing is positioned in the valve housing to contact and position the valve stem with respect to the valve seat while a valve opening is being closed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a two-ply fibrous base material comprising a more porous primary layer having elastic and oil absorbent characteristics bonded to a less porous secondary layer having high temperature resistance and high strength characteristics. The two-ply fibrous base material, when impregnated with a suitable resin, provides a friction material exhibiting good friction and wear characteristics and is especially useful in high energy end use applications.

Abstract: An automotive fluid control system with pressure balanced solenoid valve [24] and fluid mixing housing [22] is disclosed. The solenoid valve [24] is preferably used in an EGR (exhaust gas circulation) fluid control system, although the valve may be used in other vehicle fluid control systems, such as an engine block cooling liquid control system. A poppet member [84] of an EGR valve is pressured balanced such that only a light spring [170] and armature [88] are needed to control the positioning of the poppet member [84]. Magnetic and inductance sensors [184, 282] are used to accurately determine the position of the poppet member. The fluid mixing housing [22] homogeneously mixes first and second fluids. A portion of a main first fluid flow is funneled off and mixed in the housing [22] with a second fluid prior to being returned to the main fluid flow.

Abstract: An integrated cam and shift fork assembly is disposed on a rotating shift rail. The shift fork assembly includes a cylindrical body having a helical cam at one end. Adjacent the cam end of the body is a cam follower secured to the rotating shift rail. The opposite end of the body either includes a second cam and suitably disposed cam follower or a flat surface engaged by a return spring. The rotating shift rail is driven by an electric motor through a suitable speed reducing and torque increasing drive such as a worm gear set. One or both of the aforementioned cam configurations may be utilized in a transfer case on a single shift rail to, for example, select a high or low speed range, couple the primary and secondary drive lines together or both.

Abstract: A guide link for a back-drive silent chain includes a pair of flat outside surfaces and window holes. The flat outside surfaces are formed on the opposite sides of the center line of the apertures for contacting a chain guide or tensioner arm. The edge portions of the window holes in the vicinity of the apertures are formed of arcuate surfaces equally spaced apart from the edge portions of the apertures.

Abstract: A silent chain and sprocket system for power transmission that includes a toothed sprocket and a chain with multiple links. At each point of engagement between the sprocket teeth and the chain link teeth, the sprocket teeth have a curved surface that makes contact with a curved surface on the chain link teeth.

Abstract: A method for actuating an onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve to selectively enable passage of fuel vapor from a fuel tank to a collection canister for the fuel vapor. The method includes determining whether a filling event is occurring and determining a fuel level within the fuel tank. The ORVR valve is selectively opened and closed in connection with whether a fueling event occurs and whether the fuel tank is full.

Abstract: A lubrication system is provided, including a pressure control valve for regulating oil pressure in an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. An oil pump for circulating oil through the lubrication system is connected in flow communication with an engine lubrication circuit and a sump. A control valve in the oil pump is slidably movable in response to a control oil pressure. As oil pressure increases, the control valve functions to recirculate some of the oil back into the oil pump. By recirculating the oil, the control valve controls the flow of oil from the oil pump, and thereby regulating oil pressure in the lubrication system. During a cold engine start, the pressure control valve is actuated using a combined oil pressure, where a check valve is used to blend a first pressure prevailing at the outlet of said oil pump and a second pressure prevailing at or near the end of the lubrication circuit and.

Abstract: A ratchet one-way clutch assembly is disclosed. The assembly has an inner member, such as a race or shaft member, with a plurality of notches, an outer member, such as a race, stator or reactor member, with a plurality of pockets, and a plurality of pawl members positioned in the pockets for engagement with the notches. The pawl members have a pivot ridge which mates with a peak or recess in the pockets in the outer member to precisely position the pawl in the pocket. The pawl center of the mass is selectively positioned such that the pawl can have a tendency to become engaged or disengaged with the notches in the inner member. In an alternate embodiment, a spring member is utilized to provide a tilting force on the pawl members toward engagement. Garter springs, coil springs, ribbon springs, or the like can be used for this purpose. Axial retainment members, such as washers, can also be used with the present invention.