Abstract: A friction clutch having a friction plate and a pressure plate located within the friction clutch housing. The friction clutch has a backing plate that is positioned between the friction plate and the pressure plate with the backing plate being made from a harder material, such as steel, than the pressure plate which is made from a softer material, such as aluminum.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a control assembly including a control assembly having electric windings and cooperating control elements wherein a sealant is applied to conductors and other portions extending from the assembly, the windings and other control elements being adapted to be placed in an injection mold, and wherein an encapsulation is formed by injecting plastic material into the mold, the encapsulation comprising the sealant to form a hermetic seal.

Abstract: A ratchet one-way clutch assembly is disclosed. The assembly has an inner race with a plurality of notches, an outer race 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 race 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 race. 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. One or more of the retainment (retainer) members further can have axially extending flanges for improved radial bearing capability.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a transmission includes a shifting actuator with an plurality of electric motors for shifting gears of the transmission. A load on the synchronizer is measured when shifting the gears of the transmission. The load is measured by sensors on the load fork. Compensating springs can alternatively be included. The position of the fork relative to the synchronizer mechanism is determined by a position sensor in communication with the rod or in communication with the load fork itself.

Abstract: A chain and sprocket system includes a plurality of chains and sprockets. The system includes a crankshaft, an idler shaft and two overhead camshafts. The two sprockets on the idler shaft that connect by chain to drive the camshafts are phased or offset with respect to each other to alter the impact and chordal action generated noise. These idler camshaft sprockets and the idler sprocket of the crankshaft are all manufactured separately and then placed together on a spline or hub. In this way, the idler sprocket assembly consists of four parts, which eases manufacture and assembly.

Abstract: A phased chain and sprocket assembly is provided in which the pitch length of the chain is not matched to the pitch length of the sprocket. Specifically, the chain link pitch length is approximately twice the pitch length of the associated sprocket teeth. By providing two chains in side-by-side, but offset relation, a phased chain and sprocket assembly can be achieved without the need for circumferentially offset sprockets.

Abstract: A solenoid-type control system is disclosed, particularly for operating the locking hubs of a four-wheel drive vehicle. A solenoid valve assembly or mechanism has a coil member, a tubular member for directing air flow, and a valve mechanism at one end of the tubular member. A control circuit determines the level of energizing signal to the coil member which in turn controls the valve mechanism and the air flow passing through the tubular member. A switch mechanism has a moveable terminal which is operated by the level of energizing electrical signal.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner with an internal reservoir. The tensioner includes a housing having a sleeve, and a hollow piston slidably received about the sleeve and biased in a protruding direction by a spring. A fluid chamber is defined by the sleeve and the hollow piston. Fluid from an external source flows through a passageway into a reservoir which is located inside the tensioner housing above the fluid chamber. The reservoir is connected to the fluid chamber such that fluid flows from the reservoir through a check valve assembly into the fluid chamber such that the fluid chamber remains filled with fluid.

Abstract: The chain guide of the present invention, which will be utilized on the tight side of the chain of an engine system, is designed to reduce the lateral motion of the chain. The chain guide is constructed with raised side rails that taper inward to the center. The slot which guides and controls the chain gradually narrows towards the center.

Abstract: A chain tensioner comprising an integrated tensioner body and tensioner arm. The tensioner body includes a fluid reservoir and a tensioner bore. The tensioner arm includes a pivot bore with a pivot pin disposed in the pivot bore to pivotally mount the tensioner arm. A check valve connecting the fluid reservoir to the tensioner bore permits fluid to flow into the tensioner bore, but not into the fluid reservoir. A plunger is slidably fitted into the tensioner bore and biased out from the tensioner bore by the fluid pressure in the tensioner bore. As a result, the plunger is forced against a fixed boss, causing rotational movement of the tensioner body and tensioner arm.

Abstract: A method of making a splined hub for use in a hydrodynamic torque converter includes the steps of preparing a cylindrical workpiece for forging, forging a plurality of splines on at least a portion of the cylindrical workpiece by applying a deformation force progressively across the circumference of the workpiece such that the splines extend in an axial direction relative to the workpiece and about at least a portion of the cylindrical surface thereof and hardening the forged workpiece.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner having a hollow plunger slidably fitted in a cavity in a housing and biased in a protruding direction by a spring and fluid. A check valve permits fluid to only flow into the cavity, and thereby protrude the plunger, but not out of the cavity. A sleeve slidably fits within the plunger hollow forming a small clearance between the lower end of the plunger and sleeve. The plunger is made of an elastic material capable of expanding in diameter upon increases in internal pressure to permit increased fluid flow through the increased clearance and thus release cavity fluid pressure to allow the plunger to recede into the cavity.

Abstract: A tensioner arm and a chain guide are constructed with an oil-escape portion, which is designed to allow for the drainage of oil that collects on the back side of the tensioner arm or chain guide. The oil escape portion is comprised of a through-hole on the back side of the tensioner arm or chain guide or through-holes in the side walls located on the back side of the tensioner arm or chain guide.

Abstract: A transfer case having a housing (10) which rotatably receives an input shaft (12). The input shaft is coaxial with an output shaft (14), a free end (14a) of which extends beyond the housing. A planetary sun gear differential (36) is contained within the housing, and the differential transmits torque both to the output shaft and to a sleeve (28) which coaxially surrounds a portion of the drive shaft that is within the housing. The sleeve, in turn, transmits torque to an intermediate shaft (42), which is spaced from and extends generally parallel to the sleeve, through a sprocket and chain drive (52, 54, 56), all portions of which are within the housing. The intermediate shaft terminates in front of and externally to the housing within a housing extension (48), which is removably secured to the housing by bolts (50). Torque from the intermediate shaft is transmitted to a forward output shaft (38) through a constant velocity universal joint (40), all portions of which are contained within the housing extension.

Abstract: A hydraulic chain tensioner has a locking mechanism that includes three grooves and a ring located along the body of the piston. The ring sits partially within each of the first and second grooves to lock the piston into shipping position and completely within the third groove during operation of the tensioner.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner is provided with a plunger slidably fitted in a cavity in the tensioner housing and biased in a protruding direction by a spring and fluid. An integral inlet check and pressure relief valve is positioned in the cavity and permits fluid to only flow into the cavity and thereby protrude the plunger but not out of the cavity until a high pressure condition is reached whereupon fluid is relieved out of the cavity back to the fluid source. The integral inlet check and pressure relief valve includes a check spring biasing a valve member a against a pressure relief disk that is biased against the valve member by a pressure relief spring.

Abstract: A chain and sprocket system includes a plurality of chains and sprockets. The system includes a crankshaft, an idler shaft and two overhead camshafts. The two sprockets on the idler shaft that connect by chain to drive the camshafts are phased or offset with respect to each other to alter the impact and chordal action generated noise. These idler camshaft sprockets and the idler sprocket of the crankshaft are all manufactured separately and then placed together on a spline or hub. In this way, the idler sprocket assembly consists of four parts, which eases manufacture and assembly.

Abstract: A single component tensioner arm or chain guide for a power transmission chain formed by injection molding which integrally forms both a carrier portion and a slide portion. The one piece tensioner arm is constructed of a polymer material containing graphite or aramid fibers to increase structural rigidity.

Abstract: A torque converter for translating torque from a prime mover to an input shaft of a transmission including a torque input member, an impeller assembly, a turbine assembly and a lock-up clutch assembly interposed between the turbine assembly and a torque input member. The torque converter further includes a torsional damper operatively interconnecting the turbine assembly and the lock-up clutch assembly. The torsional damper includes a plurality of reaction members integrally formed with a plurality of turbine blades and extending from the turbine shell and operatively coupled with the lock-up clutch assembly. The plurality of integrally formed reaction members define a predetermined spring rate such that torsional forces generated between the turbine assembly and the lock-up clutch assembly are damped through the flexing of the reaction members.

Abstract: A chain tensioner system having a dual arm blade and a hydraulic tensioner. A hydraulic tensioner applies force against the free ends of the dual arms. Each arm is supported in two places, i.e., at the pivot point and against the tensioner piston. A face material that has a high P/V rating is added to the surface of the arm. The arms are simple flat plastic shoes with a hole at one end for the pivot point. A blade spring can be inserted into one or both of the plastic shoes. The tensioner piston moves in and out, the arms in the dual arm tensioner system slide against one another. As one of the tensioner arms applies the force to the chain the other arm damps the movement of the first arm.