Abstract: An engine cooling system include a ring-type cooling fan (10) that includes a central hub (12), a plurality of blades (11) projecting radially from the hub (12) and an outer circumferential ring (15) connected to the blade tips (17). In one aspect of the invention, the outer ring (15) includes a flared rim (28) at the outlet side (10b) of the fan (10) that improves the stackability and stability of multiple fans. In another aspect of the invention, each of the blades (11) includes a support vane (30) defined on the rear face (25) of the blade (11). The support vane (30) is curved to follow the curvature of the airflow (F) across the back (25) of the fan blades (11). Each support vane (30) originates at the blade root (19) and terminates at the trailing edge (11b) of the blade in the first half of the blade length. The support vanes (30) provide first mode stiffness for the fan (10). In certain embodiments, a support ring (35) is defined at the central hub (12) inboard of the support vanes (30).

Abstract: An integrated shift motor and electronic controller reduces weight and provides improved performance. The shift control motor includes an output shaft having a first sensor wheel and adjacent sensor which provide signals regarding the rotation and direction of rotation of the motor. The motor drives a gear train having an output member which is coupled to and rotates a shift rail. A sensing wheel is disposed on the output member and adjacent sensors provide signals regarding the angular position of the output member. The sensors drive a microcontroller which in turn drives the shift control motor. Preferably, the sensors, the drive motor, the gear train and the microcontroller are all disposed in a housing. The rotating shift rail includes a pair of spaced-apart followers which engage a cam member which bi-directionally positions a shift fork associated with a multiple position clutch or shift collar.

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 is rotatably fixed to a base by way of a pin. The groove at the fixed end of the shoe extends towards the tip of the fixed end of the shoe past the pin attachment point. The groove at the free end of the shoe extends toward the tip of the free end of the shoe past the point at which the free end of the shoe bears upon a sliding surface formed on the base.

Abstract: Inverted tooth chains particularly those used in timing drive applications. Conventional guide links are replaced by conventional sprocket engaging links for the two outermost links in the outer link rows. A thick inner link of approximately twice normal thickness is placed in the inner link row and two normal thickness regular links are placed in the outer link row. Pins are fit securely in the holes of the links in the outer link rows.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner having a piston slidably received in a housing bore and biased in a protruding direction by a spring. A pressure relief valve is positioned in the nose of the piston. The pressure relief valve includes a valve member and seat member. The valve member biased by a spring disposed between the seat member and a retaining plate on the valve member.

Abstract: An engine tensioning system including a pivoting tensioner arm used to simultaneously tension two separate strands of the same chain in an engine timing system. The tensioner arm includes an body with essentially an “I” shape with upper and lower extending legs with attached shoes. In the center of the body a pivot bore and pivot pin allows the body to rotate. At least one pair of shoes are attached to the body by way of tabs extending in a perpendicular direction from the legs. The body rotates causing the shoes to contact and impart tension to the separate strands of the chain simultaneously and act to dampen vibrations in one strand of chain by transferring the energy through the body to the other shoe and strand.

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 variable valve actuation (VVA) system (10/210) includes a camshaft (20), having a lobe (22) thereon. A valve (30/230) terminates in a stem end (34/234), and is moveable between open and closed positions along its own longitudinal axis, where the valve is biased toward the closed position. A bucket tappet (40/240) includes a lifter plate (41/241) having a middle portion (44/244) for engaging the lobe of the camshaft on a camshaft side (46/246) of the lifter plate, and for engaging the stem end of the valve on a valve side (48/248) of the lifter plate. The lifter plate includes end portions (50/250/252) on either side of the middle portion, and is translatable by rotation of the lobe of the camshaft to cause movement of the valve along its longitudinal axis toward the open position.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner for an engine timing chain includes a housing having a bore. The end portion of a plunger is slidably fitted into the bore. The end of an oil inlet provided in an engine block is fitted with a seal cap having a C-shaped cross section and an outside concavity. The hydraulic tensioner utilizes the concavity as an oil reservoir. Oil passages are formed in the housing to connect an oil chamber with the concavity. The seal cap has an orifice to connect the oil inlet with the concavity. The present invention results in decreased space occupied by and reduced manufacturing cost for a hydraulic tensioner having an oil reservoir.

Abstract: An injection molded throttle body having a one-piece lever shaft and plate which is installed as a single piece unit in a laterally split throttle body housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism to prevent the incorrect assembly of an air vent disc in a hydraulic tensioner. The hydraulic tensioner includes a housing having a chamber. A hollow plunger is slidably positioned inside the chamber. The chamber contains a spring which biases the plunger in a protruding direction and an air vent disc provided inside the plunger. An air vent disc includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a groove as a vent channel and a through-hole. The second portion has a central hole and a plurality of grooves extending radially and opening into the outer periphery of the vent disc. The outer diameter of the second portion is larger than the inner diameter of the aperture located at the upper end of the plunger tip.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic pump module (10) for controlling the upshifting and downshifting of an automatic power transmission. The pump module (10) includes a plurality of individual pumps (12, 14) each in communication with a fluid source (34). Each of the plurality of individual pumps (12, 14) is in fluid communication with a respective switching valve (44, 52). Each of the switching valves (44, 52) controls the flow of fluid from a respective pump to a friction element to accomplish a desired gearshift. The plurality of pumps (12, 14) and the switching valves (44, 52) are each in fluid communication with an electronic control module (70). The electronic control module (70) activates an appropriate one of the plurality of pumps (12, 14) and an associated switching valve (44, 52) to direct fluid to the necessary friction element to drive the transmission in the appropriate gear.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for disposition in a motor vehicle drive line includes an internal reaction force circuit. The clutch assembly includes a multiple disc friction clutch disposed adjacent an operator assembly which selectively applies force to the friction clutch to selectively transfer torque therethrough. The clutch components are disposed between a flange and a stop on an elongate member which functions as a reaction force member to self-contain the reaction force from the clutch operator. The clutch finds particular application in motor vehicle drive line components such as a rear (secondary) axle wherein it is disposed in pairs to independently control torque supplied to each axle and in applications where it is advantageous to contain or ground the reaction force generated by and associated with the clutch operator compactly within the clutch structure rather than its housing.

Abstract: A segmented friction member for use in a clutch assembly. The friction member is circular and constructed from a paper-like friction layer. An oil groove extends completely through each friction member segment defining inner and outer segments joined by first and second bridges positioned adjacent the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of operating an adaptive drive system of a motor vehicle which reduces drive line wear, improves safety margins and permits weight reduction in drive line components activates a clutch between a primary and secondary drive line when the vehicle is determined to be heavily loaded. The method steps include sensing the position of a throttle position sensor, sensing the instantaneous speed of a motor vehicle and computing instantaneous acceleration, determining whether the ratio of vehicle acceleration to throttle position is less than predetermined threshold value and engaging a transfer case clutch to transfer drive torque from a primary drive line to a secondary drive line. Operation of this method is transparent to the driver inasmuch as the clutch is activated when the vehicle is heavily loaded as determined by the throttle position to acceleration ratio.

Abstract: A solenoid control valve (10) that includes an electromagnetic coil (30) positioned within a housing (16) and a spool valve (72) positioned within a central bore (70) of a valve body (20). An armature (40), including a pin element (44) and a check ball (45), is axially positioned within the coil (30) and an armature spring (52) biases the check ball (45) against an opening in the central bore (70) when the coil (30) is not energized. The spool valve (72) includes an internal chamber and a pair of sealing lands (98,100) that selectively seal a supply port (92) and a control port (94) within the valve body (20). A pole piece (26), including an annular flux shunt portion (62), is threadably engaged with the housing (16) to control a working air gap (60) between the pole piece (26) and the armature (40). The flux shunt portion (62) more radially directs the electromagnetic field lines to weaken the magnetic force as the armature (40) moves closer to the pole piece (26).

Abstract: A cooling fan assembly (10) includes a hubless polymer fan body molded around the perimetrical flange (20) of a metallic mounting hub (12). The fan body includes a circumferential ring (18) interlocked with the flange (20) and a plurality of fan blades (16) projecting outwardly from the ring (18). The fan body (14) is formed in an injection mold with molten polymer material being introduced into the mold at hot runner locations (25) disposed between the circumferential ring (18) and the root diameter (17) of the fan blades (16). At one face of the hubless fan (14), the circumferential ring (18) includes a plurality of uniformly spaced raised bosses (30). Each boss (30) defines a bore (31) configured to receive a balancing weight therein, preferably in the form of a balancing screw (35) threaded into the bore. The bosses (30) are interconnected by a stiffening ring (33) having a height substantially equal to the height (h) of the bosses (30).

Abstract: A ratchet-type one-way clutch mechanism 300, 360. The mechanism has an inner race member 302, 364 with a plurality of notches 312, 372, an outer member 304, 362 with a plurality of pockets 310, 370, a plurality of pawl members 306, 368 positioned in the pockets for engagement with the notches, and spring biasing members 308 for biasing the pawl members toward engagement. The outer member can be a stator member 362 or an outer race member 304. Retainer members 314, 366 retain the pawls axially in the pockets. Bearing surfaces 303, 305, 307, 315 on the inner race member, outer member and retainer member provide bearing support. Large radii R1 on the pawl members and pawl pockets reduce wear and minimize the cost of secondary machining operations. The lower surfaces 344 of the pawl members are curved and the curvature R2 can be larger than the curvature R3 of the inner race member.

Abstract: The invention is a planar clutch having a plurality of pawls and a related plurality of notches numerically selected so that two more pawls are engaged at substantially the same time, thus sharing and balancing the eccentric forces of engagement between the drive plate and the driven plate. The pawls have a cross-sectional design, wherein each pawl has surfaces for receiving compressive loading forces and is thicker at a middle point between the surfaces for receiving compressing loading forces. A pivot ridge is located at the thickest area of the pawl.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for disposition in a motor vehicle drive line includes an internal reaction force circuit. The clutch assembly includes a multiple disc friction clutch disposed adjacent an operator assembly which selectively applies force to the friction clutch to selectively transfer torque therethrough. The clutch components are disposed between fixed stops on an elongate member which functions as a reaction force member to self-contain the reaction force from the clutch operator. The clutch finds application in motor vehicle drive line components such as a rear (secondary) axle in which it is disposed in pairs to independently control torque supplied to each axle and in applications where it is advantageous to contain or ground the reaction force generated by and associated with the clutch operator compactly within the clutch structure rather than its housing.