Abstract: An adaptive control system controls the slip across a start clutch located up-stream of a continuously variable transmission to allow the clutch to be use as a torsional isolator in a continuously variable transmission. The system includes a torsional vibration detector for determining the actual level of torsional vibrations transmitted by the clutch. The actual level of vibrations is compared with an acceptable level and the slip across the clutch is regulated in order to maintain the transmission of vibrations to the acceptable level.

Abstract: A line pressure control system for a continuously variable transmission which includes a continuously variable member, a clutch and a pressure transducer for providing a feedback signal for both closed loop line pressure and closed loop clutch control. The line pressure control system includes a closed loop control strategy and an open loop control strategy which operate independently, and initial conditions are determined and set to prevent discontinuities in the output. The closed loop control strategy includes proportional and integral gain terms. The control system is adaptable to utilize of a variety of different open loop control strategies to provide a schedule response to a desired line pressure or a maximum or minimum line pressure when appropriate. The control system also optionally provides for a transition from closed loop control to open loop control and vice versa in response to the output parameters generated.

Abstract: A control system for continuously variable transmissions is operative in a number of functional modes. A "neutral mode" fully disengages a clutch and sets a variable ratio to an extreme low ratio when a gear shift is in a neutral position. A "hold mode" slightly engages the clutch to cause a finite amount of vehicle creep when the gear shift is in a forward or reverse position and a throttle is fully released. A "normal start mode" partially engages the clutch when the gear shift is in a forward or reverse position and the throttle is depressed. A "drive mode" fully engages the clutch and sets the variable ratio to maintain a predetermined engine speed when the vehicle is travelling at greater than a predetermined minimum vehicle speed and the clutch is slipping at less than a predetermined amount of clutch slip.

Abstract: While chain tensioners are used with chains on the engine of a motor vehicle, conventional blade spring configurations do not apply consistent forces throughout the life of the chain. The chain tensioner comprises two blade springs mechanically interlocked within a shoe, the shoe being adapted to contact the chain of the motor vehicle. The two blade springs each have a minimal form radius that is substantially smaller than the minimal form radius of a single blade spring, the single blade spring being otherwise identical to the two blade springs, and the thickness of the single blade spring being the same as the combined thickness of the two blade springs.

Abstract: A manually-actuated six speed transmission (10) for use in an automotive vehicle wherein a vehicle operator actuates said transmission through a shift lever (82) actuating a primary shift rail (81) in the transmission housing (11), the transmission including an input shaft (12), an output shaft (13) axially aligned with the input shaft, a countershaft (15) having a gear cluster (17) thereon, the input shaft terminating in an input gear (14) which also acts as a fourth gear for direct drive, a plurality of gears (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) on the countershaft providing first through sixth gears and reverse, and a plurality of synchronizers (36, 38, 41, 42) on either the output shaft (13) or the countershaft (15) for actuating said gears. The synchronizers include a 1-2 synchronizer (36), a 3-4 synchronizer (38) and a reverse synchronizer (42) encompassing the output shaft (13), and a 5-6 synchronizer (41) encompassing the countershaft (15).

Abstract: An energizing spring utilized for a one-way clutch; such as a sprag clutch, wherein the spring includes a resilient high tensile spring steel metal cage or ring having parallel side bars joined by cross bars to define a plurality of openings with tapered inwardly extending tabs, both the tabs and the side bars having transverse wrinkles or depressions therein. This energizing spring cooperates with a set of generally rigid inner and outer circular cages between the inner and outer races, these cages having openings corresponding to the spring openings to receive sprags which engage the inner and outer races.

Abstract: An improvement in a torsional coupling in which clutch separator plates (24) are interleaved between clutch friction plates (16) having friction linings (18) on the opposite surfaces thereof to provide an increased coefficient of friction without substantially increasing the wear of the friction lining of the clutch plates during operation of the clutch or brake. The separator plates (24) are formed of a solid ceramic material (24a) or of a steel plate (46) which is coated with a thin layer of the ceramic material (48). Suitable ceramics include silicon nitride, aluminum oxide and zirconium oxide.

Abstract: A torque compensated camshaft for operating a valve of each of a plurality of valves of an internal combustion engine, the camshaft having an elongate shaftlike portion and an engine valve operating cam for each of the valves, the valve operating cams being spaced apart from one another along the shaftlike portion. Each of the engine valve operating cams has an outwardly projecting portion, and the outwardly projecting portions are circumferentially offset from one another about the longitudinal central axis of the camshaft. The camshaft also carries a compensating cam surface, either in the form of an outwardly facing surface of a separate compensating cam or an inwardly facing surface of a portion of a drive sprocket which is keyed to the shaftlike portion.

Abstract: A clutch separator plate (24) utilized in a clutch or brake pack (10) for an automotive transmission for vehicles, with the plates being internally or externally splined to be operatively connected to the rotatable and/or stationary members (12, 14) in a torsional coupling, wherein the separator plate surfaces (44) are treated by a suitable surface treatment, such as lapping, and the sputter coated with titanium nitride or a similar material (46) to provide a surface texture which enhances the frictional characteristics of the plate but does not substantially increase the wear of the lining of interleaved clutch plates (16).

Abstract: A chain-belt for engagement with the pulleys of a continuously variable transmission consists of interleaved sets of chain links joined for articulation by a joint which has a rocking action. The joint includes a pair of pins. A small camber is introduced into one or both of the pins to create a spring load between the pins and the links to retain the pins in the chain during handling and assembly. Each chain link includes a pair of spaced apertures adjacent the opposite ends; each aperture has a generally hour-glass shape with the enlarged ends receiving the pins. Also, each chain link has a pair of oppositely disposed tabs adjacent one end with the location of the tabs on the links alternating on adjacent links of each set. In addition the outermost two links of each set of links had a width substantially less than the width of the inner links in that same set.

Abstract: A hydraulically-actuated starting clutch for a continuously variable transsion which is designed to reduce the centrifugal torque of the clutch with respect to the chain belt/sheave torque. This is accomplished by adjusting the diameters of the clutch piston to reduce the resultant clutch torque to a value lower than the chain belt/sheave torque. A pair of oil feed passages are positioned in the clutch assembly to feed oil through openings in the friction plate at all times during operation, even when rotation of the friction plate ceases. Further, an improved retractor spring is utilized in the clutch assembly with circumferentially extending tabs on its inner periphery which extend over the snap ring holding the spring onto the actuating piston to prevent release of the snap ring due to centrifugal force during operation of the clutch.

Abstract: A control system for a full time four wheel drive vehicle having a transfer case including a planetary gear differential and an electromagnetically actuated clutch assembly for biasing torque between the front and rear drive wheels in response to signals from the control system. The control system includes apparatus for detecting wheel slip and a device, responsive to the detection of wheel slip for calculating a maximum torque level to be established by the clutch assembly as a function of the total torque delivered to the transfer case and for programming clutch torque application over a predetermined time period and in a manner biasing torque through the differential to eliminate wheel slip.

Abstract: Three series connected inverters (38, 40, 42) are attached to a tank circuit (18) which includes an inductance (12, 14) and a capacitance (16, 17). Negative (38) biases the inverters at the midpoint between the bistable low and high logic level states. Positive feedback from the second inverter (40) to the tank circuit induces oscillation in the tank circuit. The negative feedback is decoupled at the resonant frequency and the energy delivered to the tank circuit from the positive feedback maintains a low level oscillation in the tank circuit. Negative feedback around the three inverter digital circuit prevents lockup in the event of power loss or momentary short.

Abstract: A one-way sprag clutch for use between inner and outer races wherein the sprag clutch includes an inner cage, an outer cage, an energizing spring located between the two cages, both cages and energizing spring having aligned openings receiving suitable sprags adapted to engage the interior and exterior surfaces of the outer and inner races, respectively. The outer cage is provided with one or more retaining clips, formed of a suitable resilient metallic or plastic material, circumferentially spaced around the cage; each clip having at least one downwardly and rearwardly bent tab engaging an edge of the outer race and an upwardly inclined lip which is received in an annular groove formed in the interior surface of the outer race to prevent axial movement of the clutch relative to the races.

Abstract: A valve control assembly (10) controls the flow rate of a liquid through a solenoid valve (11) by repeatedly opening the valve (11) for a predetermined time. The control assembly (10) includes a timer (30) for providing a pulsed signal having a pulse width proportional to flow rate to energize and deenergize the operating coil (24) to open and close a valve sealing element (20). A nominal delay time is provided between the start time of the pulse and actual movement of the valve element (12). With each pulsed signal, the actual movement time of the valve element (12) is compared to the nominal delay time providing a deviation time. The deviation time is added to the original pulse width to obtain an adjusted pulse width, which when supplied to the operating coil (24), will effectively maintain the valve element (12) consistently open for the predetermined time.

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 double clutch arrangement for use in a transmission or other place where mechanical clutch is desired that has a high torque capacity and small engagement and disengagement forces at the shift lever. The clutch arrrangement is utilized on the output shaft of a two-position clutch having forward and reverse gears and includes a ball screw actuated clutch mechanism positioned between the shaft and an externally actuated encompassing shift collar in combination with a friction clutch mechanism. The friction clutch mechanism comprises either a pair of clutch friction packs positioned between the shift collar and the forward and reverse gears or a pair of cone clutches therebetween. Initial actuation of the forward or reverse friction pack or cone clutch will initiate the ball screw clutch mechanism to lock up the clutch in either direction.

Abstract: An over-pressure relief valve to be positioned within an opening of a vessel, the relief valve having a valve member with a closed end which is positioned within the opening and which carries an O-ring adjacent to the closed end. The O-ring normally engages the vessel in a circumferential pattern surrounding the opening to seal the opening. The valve member further has a second end within the vessel and the second end is resiliently biased toward the interior of the vessel by a coil spring. The coil spring is trapped between a radial flange of the valve member, which is positioned at the second end thereof, and the inside of the vessel. An over-pressure condition within the vessel overcomes the effect of the coil spring and moves the valve member to break the sealing engagement between the O-ring and the vessel. An initial, limited degree of venting occurs through an annulus which is formed between the opening and the valve member.

Abstract: A chain tensioner particularly for use in confined spaces having a blade ing mechanically interlocked with a plastic shoe. The plastic shoe engages the chain to be tensioned and the shoe may be made of a rigid heat stabilized nylon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making glass fibers comprises a burner creating an annular jet of high-temperature, high-velocity gases and an orificed spinner mounted for rotation within the jet where the circumferential rows of orifices on the spinner peripheral wall are grouped in bands, with the bands being spaced apart by blank areas on a spinner peripheral wall, and the orifices increasing in size from the bottom band to the top band.