Abstract: A gerotor pump is provided that includes a pump housing having a pump cover and a pump end plate. The pump cover defines an open end, an axial bore, and a bottom end. The pump end plate engages the open end of the pump cover thereby enclosing the axial bore of the pump cover and creating an inner cylindrical chamber in the pump housing. A wear plate and a gerotor gear set assembly are operatively disposed within the inner cylindrical chamber such that the gerotor gear set assembly is operatively disposed between the wear plate and the pump end plate. A biasing member is disposed between the bottom end of the pump cover and the wear plate, and is adapted to operatively bias the wear plate against the gerotor gear set assembly and the pump end to create an axial zero tolerance condition between the pump elements.

Abstract: A limited articulation chain design that prevents or reduces chain jumping at a given amount of chain slack comprises a chain having a plurality of alternating inner and outer links having ends interconnected by pins, wherein the ends of the outer links are partially or substantially squared on the sprocket side, such that the ends of adjacent outer links limit articulation of the links around the pins to a predetermined radius, by interfering with the adjacent outer links at the predetermined radius.

Abstract: A cartridge type hydraulic tensioner for a chain or belt is described comprising a cylinder (11) with an inner bore (13) and a hollow piston (12) sliding in the cylinder and biased outward by an elastic elements and by pressurized fluid fed into said bore (13), at least one rack (20) being formed on the skirt of the piston (12) and engaged by a toothed pad (21) passing through a corresponding aperture (22) formed in the wall of the cylinder and biased against the rack by an annular spring (25) housed in an annular seat (24) formed in the skirt of the cylinder (11) without protruding from the bulk of the cylinder.

Abstract: A hydraulic transmission pump assembly includes a pump adapted to provide fluid under pressure to predetermined components in a transmission, an electric motor operatively coupled to the pump, and a line pressure control device in electrical communication with the electric motor. The line pressure control device is operable to control the electric motor as to cause it to drive the pump when engine speeds are below a predetermined level such that the pump provides fluid at a predetermined volume and pressure to the transmission during this operating condition. A differential gear assembly is also included that is interposed between an engine and the electric motor, the differential gear assembly acting to drive both the pump and the electric motor when engine speeds are above the predetermined level such that the pump provides fluid at a predetermined volume and pressure to the transmission and the electric motor provides generated electricity.

Abstract: Chain parts and other steel articles are provided with hard, wear-resistant carbide coatings by tumbling them in a heated retort with a particulate mix which includes a source of vanadium and/or niobium. The steel substrate comprises a steel having at least 0.2% carbon, preferably 0.7-1.2%. Where the chromium content of the steel is 4-12%, preferably 4-8%, the chemical deposition process includes drawing a small amount of chromium from the steel substrate into the vanadium or niobium carbide coating, where it is distributed substantially homogeneously, helping to provide adhesion strength to the coating.

Abstract: A blade tensioner is configured with a blade shoe having a chain sliding face, several plate-spring-like blade springs stacked on the reverse side of chain sliding face of the blade shoe in order to apply a spring force to the blade shoe, and spacer members provided between respective adjoining blade springs and brought in contact with corresponding blade springs at least at two points separated from each other by a fixed distance. In such case, the blade springs contact the spacer members at a fixed span. Accordingly, the damping factor of the overall blade spring or system is constant, so that the damping performance of the blade tensioner can be stabilized.

Abstract: A variable cam timing system comprising a VCT locking pin in hydraulic communication with the control circuit of the differential pressure control system (DPCS) is provided. When the control pressure is less than 50% duty cycle the same control signal commands the locking pin to engage and the VCT to move toward the mechanical stop. When the control pressure is greater than 50% duty cycle the locking pin disengages and the VCT moves away from the mechanical stop.

Abstract: A phaser which includes a housing and a rotor disposed to rotate relative to each other is provided. The housing has at least one cavity disposed to be divided by a vane rigidly attached to the rotor. The vane divides the cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. The phaser further includes passages connecting the first and the second chamber, thereby facilitating the oscillation of the vane within the cavity. The phaser includes: a) a valve disposed to form at least two openings for fluid flowing between the first chamber and the second chamber and being disposed to keep at least one opening closed; and b) at least one by-pass disposed to stop or slow down the rotation between the housing and the rotor, thereby allowing a locking mechanism to lock the housing and the rotor together independent of fluid flow.

Abstract: A compressor wheel is re-designed to permit die inserts (20), which occupy the air passage and define the blades (4, 5) during a process of forming a wax pattern (21) of a compressor wheel, to be pulled without being impeded by the blades. This modified blade design enables the automated production of wax patterns (21) using simplified tooling. These wax patterns (21) can be used in a large-scale investment casting process, and produce an economical cast titanium compressor wheel which performs aerodynamically at high boost pressure/RPM. The compressor wheel improves low cycle fatigue, withstands high temperatures and temperature changes, and permits operation at high boost pressure ratio while, on the other hand, having low weight, low inertial drag, and high responsiveness.

Abstract: A synchronizer assembly for a vehicle transmission, where the synchronizer assembly is electrically actuated during a shift. The assembly includes a sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface. A rotor is rotatably mounted to the outer surface of the sleeve and a shift collar is axially mounted to the inner surface of the sleeve. The rotor is threadably coupled to the shift collar so that when the rotor rotates, the shift collar moves in an axial direction relative to the sleeve. An armature coil is electrically coupled to the rotor to cause it to rotate. Keys are rigidly secured to the shift collar to maintain the orientation of the shift collar while it moves. The shift collar locks a shift gear to the transmission output shaft during a shift.

Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser having a tortuous path from the supply of pressurized oil to the tapered recess into which the locking pin fits, that introduces a delay between when the engine starts and when the locking pin moves to an unlocked position. The tortuous path restricts fluid flow, preventing the locking pin from unlocking during engine start-up with the initial oil pressurization, prior to the variable cam timing phaser having sufficient oil to operate. The delay ensures that the chambers of the variable cam timing phaser have time to fill with operating fluid before the phaser is unlocked.

Abstract: A hydraulic transmission pump assembly including a pump, an electric motor operatively coupled to the pump, and a differential gear assembly interposed between the two. The differential gear assembly acts to divide engine torque between the pump and the electric motor at engine speeds above a predetermined level thereby providing fluid under pressure to the transmission and driving the electric motor to generate electricity; the electric motor also being operable to drive the pump at engine speeds below the predetermined level thereby providing fluid under pressure to the transmission during this operating condition.

Abstract: An electronically-controlled viscous coupling is coupled to a water pump to control the coolant flow rate of engine coolant to an engine at a given engine speed to maximize fuel economy and minimize emissions. The viscous coupling has a stationary electrical coil that, when excited by electrical current, induces the driven disk to flex away from an input disk within the viscous, thereby increasing the size of the shear area, thereby decreasing the amount of torque produced to drive the water pump shaft and impellers that control the coolant flow rate. A carrier coupled to the back of the driven disk maximizes the amount of flex allowed to the driven disk, thereby assuring a maximum decrease in rotational speed of the impellers at a given engine speed and ensuring that the driven disk does not contact the stationary coil.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing phaser for an internal combustion engine that varies rotation phase including a housing, a rotor, a locking pin, and a piston. The locking pin is moveable in a first direction, which urges a tapered end of the locking pin to engage a tapered recess in the rotor, and a second direction, opposite the first direction, to disengage the rotor. The is driven by an engine output in synchronism with the engine revolutions, the rotor is connected to the camshaft and has a fluid passage connecting a source of engine oil to the tapered recess in the rotor. The piston is located within the fluid passage and has a piston surface contacting the locking pin.

Abstract: A blade tensioner includes a blade shoe having a chain slide face, a plurality of blade springs for applying spring force to the blade shoe, and a spacer member interposed between the adjacent blade springs. Each of the blade springs is in the shape of a leaf spring. The blade springs are positioned and layered on the opposite side of the blade shoe from the chain slide face. The spacer member preferably contacts the corresponding blade spring at two contact points apart from each other at a uniform distance. In the blade tensioner of this invention, the blade spring contacts the spacer member at a constant span, which causes the damping coefficient of the whole blade spring to be constant and also causes the damping performance of the blade tensioner to be stable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified intake manifold having short runner valves in the manifold tuning valve. Anti-chatter devices are disclosed for reducing shaft chatter without placing friction on the shafts. A lost motion linkage is used to ensure closure of the short runner valves. Radiused seating surfaces are used for seating of the manifold tuning valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic transmission pump assembly adapted to provide fluid under pressure to predetermined components in a transmission including a one-way clutch assembly operatively coupled to the pump and an electric motor operatively coupled to the one-way clutch. The one-way clutch is operatively connected to an engine to provide motive power the pump and the electric motor at engine speeds above a predetermined level thereby providing fluid under pressure to the transmission and driving the electric motor to generate electricity. The electric motor is operable to drive the pump at engine speeds below the predetermined level to provide fluid under pressure to the transmission during this operating condition.

Abstract: A hydraulic rack-style tensioner includes two concentric pistons in the bore of a tensioner housing. The lower piston which occupies a generally lower position in the housing has conventional ratchet teeth on an outside surface. The ratchet teeth form a rack which are engaged by a pawl. An upper piston occupies a generally upper protruding position in the housing. A chamber is defined between the upper piston and the housing, or between the upper piston and lower piston. Pressurized fluid in the chamber between the upper and lower pistons act to cushion impact of the rack and pawl mechanism when high loads from an associated tensioner arm and chain cause the upper and the lower pistons to be forced back toward the tensioner housing.

Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shafts overruns, i.e., exceeds, the speed of the other drive shaft by a predetermined value related to the vehicle speed, indicating that wheel slip is present, clutch current is incrementally increased to increase clutch engagement and torque transfer to the secondary axle.

Abstract: A compressor wheel is re-designed to permit die inserts (20), which occupy the air passage and define the blades (4, 5) during a process of forming a wax pattern (21) of a compressor wheel, to be pulled without being impeded by the blades. This modified blade design enables the automated production of wax patterns (21) using simplified tooling. These wax patterns (21) can be used in a large-scale investment casting process, and produce an economical cast titanium compressor wheel which performs aerodynamically at high boost pressure/RPM. The compressor wheel improves low cycle fatigue, withstands high temperatures and temperature changes, and permits operation at high boost pressure ratio while, on the other hand, having low weight, low inertial drag, and high responsiveness.