Abstract: A method of controlling resonances in timing drive systems for internal combustion engines having variable cam timing systems using cam phasers with the capability of being locked in position. Locking or unlocking the phaser changes the resonant characteristics of the timing drive system. The invention uses these changes in characteristics between locked and unlocked phasers to minimize the effects of resonance in timing drives by changing between locked and unlocked states as engine RPM passes through resonant points.

Abstract: A torque-limiting accessory drive assembly comprising a pulley to transfer torque to an accessory drive system, a torque limiting device adapted to limit the maximum amount of transferred torque, and a one-way clutch assembly adapted to both selectively transfer torque and selectively interrupt torque transfer at predetermined times to the vehicle accessory drive.

Abstract: A control module for a vehicle transmission. The control module includes an electronic transmission control unit attached to a cooling plate. Control solenoids are attached to the cooling plate. The cooling plate is operably secured over a “worm trail” manifold in a transmission for controlling the transmission.

Abstract: A one piece slide in place “butterfly” valve plate for a short runner manifold of a vehicle. A method of reducing friction in an anti-chatter device.

Abstract: A friction device includes drive and driven members rotatable about a common axis and defining a housing therebetween in which a piston assembly is supported and an expandable chamber is defined. A clutch pack is interposed between the drive and driven members and has separation plates interleaved with friction plates. The piston assembly is adapted to move among disengaged, pre-staged, and engaged positions wherein the friction plates are disposed in non-contacting, proximate contacting, and contacting relationship, respectively, with the separation plates. In the engaged position, the piston assembly is disposed forcing such contacting relationship to actuate the clutch pack to connect the drive and driven members.

Abstract: An electronically controlled magnetorheological fluid based fan drive assembly 60 used to increase the rotational speed of a coupled radiator cooling fan. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber 99 between a drive ring 74 and an output member 86 increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid can be increased to create additional torque to drive the output member 86 and coupled radiator fan at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The magnetic field is induced by directing a flow of electrical current through an electronic coil 62 coupled within the fan drive assembly 60, and an electronic control unit coupled to the electronic coil 62 controls the amount of electrical current flowing through the coil 62.

Abstract: A turbocharger assembly has a housing (1) in which is formed a turbine volute inlet duct (4) having a butterfly valve (8) disposed therein and a bypass duct (6) which contains a swing valve (15), the valves being operable to control the flow of exhaust gas through each duct. A link member (30) is mounted for rotation about the pivot axis (21) of the swing valve (15) and has an opening in which an actuating pin (20) engages with a tolerance fit so as to non-rotatably connect the swing valve (15) to the link plate (30). The link plate also has an elongated channel (34) along which an actuating pin (13) of the butterfly valve travels upon rotation of the link plate (30) about the pivot axis (21). The elongated channel has a first portion (34a) which extends along an arc centred on the axis of rotation (21) and a second portion (34b) which extends along an arc whose centre is offset from said axis (21).

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 blade-type tensioner for chain drives which is suitable for use as a tensioner on the timing chain of a motor vehicle engine. The present invention is a chain tensioner particularly suited for use in confined spaces having a blade spring element mechanically interlocked with a plastic shoe. The shoe may be of rigid filled nylon and engages the chain to be tensioned. The spring element is interlocked to the plastic shoe by having ends inserted into grooves formed in the opposite ends of the shoe. The shoe has a metal bushing fixed in one end. The shoe is rotatably attached to a metal pin inserted through the bushing, the pin being fixed to a base.

Abstract: A power transmission chain belt has a rocker joint to reduce power transmission loss and to reduce the surface pressure acting on the connecting pin while maintaining bendability of the entire chain. The chain is formed of multiple inner links, each having a pair of pin apertures. The links are interleaved in the transverse and longitudinal directions and are connected by connecting pin inserted in pin apertures. The connecting pin includes a center pin. Arranged at the center of pin aperture are curved faces of which at both of its ends contact pulley friction surface and of a pair of rocker pins, which are arranged on both sides of center pin in the pin aperture and which are shorter than the center pin. In addition, the outer link is arranged on the outside of outermost inner link and step part of center pin is press-fitted into a pair of pin apertures in outer link.

Abstract: An electronic onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system including an electrically operated ORVR valve that selectively opens and closes a fuel vapor path between a fuel tank and a collection canister. An electronic control circuit generates control signals to selectively open and close the ORVR valve. The electronic control circuit receives one or more inputs from one or a plurality of sensors and evaluates the one or more inputs to determine whether to activate the ORVR valve. The sensor inputs include at least a sensor indicating fuel is being introduced into the filler neck and may also include at least a sensor indicating a fuel level within the tank.

Abstract: The chain and sprocket design of the present invention is applicable to sprockets (9) which have an even number of teeth and chains which use inward-pointing teeth and parallel links (2) and outer guides (8). The sprocket is designed such that alternate teeth (6) of the sprocket are of increased width such that when the sprocket is properly oriented they extend outward between outer guide links, which are shaped to allow the teeth to enter the inter-guide gap. If the chain attempts to jump a tooth, such that the sprocket is oriented with the wider teeth aligned with the outer guide links, the wider teeth will contact the guide links and prevent the chain from seating in the sprocket.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a band for use in a CVT transmission. The band is formed by spiral winding a thin strip into a continuous tube and then welding the thin strip along the spiral winding. The individual bands are cut off of the continuous tube as it is formed. The invention also includes the bands formed by the method.

Abstract: A total pressure exhaust gas recirculation duct system includes a turbocharger having a turbine inlet scroll, an exhaust gas recirculation duct and a valve assembly disposed between a port and inlet scroll and the inlet to the exhaust gas recirculation duct. The valve is situated so that the valve blade member extends from the inlet scroll port into the exhaust gas stream to divert a portion of the exhaust gas into the EGR duct. The valve has a pivot shaft disposed within a corresponding channels of the inlet scroll housing and the EGR duct with a free end extending beyond the inlet scroll and the EGR duct for actuation of the valve. Alternatively, the valve can include a blade element attached to the distal end of an actuating rod and positioned in the port of the inlet scroll. The proximal end of the actuation rod extends through a passageway in the EGR duct or the inlet scroll for actuation of the valve.

Abstract: The subject invention is a throttle body for an intake manifold of a spark ignition internal combustion engine. The throttle body includes a throttle plate member comprising a shaft, a throttle plate and a lever. The throttle plate member is integrally molded as one piece from an engineering resin. The throttle body also includes an air intake portion and an air discharge portion. Either the air intake or the air discharge portions may be integrally attached to the intake manifold prior to assembly of the throttle plate member.

Abstract: A baffle assembly for connection to the intake of an exhaust gas recirculation valve. The baffle assembly has a central intake chamber which is protected from the inflow of contaminants. The baffle assembly provides drain paths for any water or contaminants which may get into the inner chamber.

Abstract: An electronically-controlled viscous coupling is coupled to a water pump to control the coolant flow rate of engine coolant to an engine to maximize fuel economy and minimize emissions while preventing pump cavitation and possible water pump damage. The viscous coupling controls the rotational speed of a water pump shaft that is used for moving engine coolant through a cooling system as a function of engine speed and engine temperature. The viscous coupling has a stationary electrical coil that, when excited by electrical current, closes valve members which prevent the viscous fluid from entering the working chamber, thereby preventing the creation of torque to drive the water pump shaft.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing phaser (10; 110; 210) in which a rotor (12; 112;212) that is secured to a rotatable camshaft is selectively advanced or retarded in position relative to a surrounding rotatable housing (14; 114, 214), the rotor having at least one outwardly extending vane (20; 120; 220) that is received in an inwardly facing recess (18; 118; 218). Pressurized oil is selectively delivered to one of an advance portion or a retard portion of the recess, and simultaneously withdrawn from the other of the advance portion and the retard portion, by adjusting the axial position of an axially shiftable spool valve (22; 122; 222). The spool valve has a null position, and the relative positions of the rotor and the housing are positively locked in position when the spool valve is in its null position by a locking pin (48; 148; 248). The locking pin is resiliently biased towards a locking position by a spring (52; 152; 252), and is urged away from its locking position by pressurized oil from a source.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sub-assembly of a hydrodynamic converter which is comprised of an overrunning clutch with bearing rings, a stator of with integrated overrunning clutch outer ring, as well as two thrust bearings. The invention is identified by the following characteristics: the overrunning clutch has one or two cages and two bearing rings; the overrunning clutch has an overrunning clutch inner ring; the overrunning clutch has an overrunning clutch outer ring; the stator consists of glass reinforced plastic and is manufactured in an injection process; the stator is injected around the overrunning clutch outer ring during the injection process, so that it encompasses this—seen in axial section—in a U shape; each of the thrust bearings are arranged on axially opposite surfaces of the material surrounding the overrunning clutch outer ring.

Abstract: A camshaft (126) has a vane (160) secured to an end thereof for non-oscillating rotation therewith. The camshaft also carries a sprocket (132) that can rotate with the camshaft but is oscillatable with respect to the camshaft. The vane has opposed lobes (160a, 160b) that are received in opposed recesses (132a, 132b), respectively, of the sprocket. The recesses have greater circumferential extent than the lobes to permit the vane and sprocket to oscillate with respect to one another. The camshaft phase tends to change in reaction to pulses that it experiences during its normal operation, and it is permitted to change only in a given direction, either to advance or retard, by selectively blocking or permitting the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid, preferably engine oil, from the recesses by controlling the position of a spool within a valve body (192) of a control valve.