Abstract: A transaxle includes a multi-stage final drive assembly with the final drive assembly with a plurality of serial stages. The transaxle has an input, a plurality of gear sets selectively engageable for directing power from the input to the first stage of the final drive assembly, and another gear set engageable for directing power from the input to another stage of the final drive assembly thereby by-passing the first stage thereof.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission of the expansible frusto-conical pulley type having fluid expansion chambers controlling expansion and contraction of the V-groove includes a fluid control circuit having a ratio control pressure regulator valve, a ratio relief valve connected across the ratio control regulator valve, providing for rapid down shift of the pulley combination while maintaining non-slip engagement between pulley discs and a flexible transmission band of trapezoidal cross section.

Abstract: A freewheel clutch includes a ladder-like guide band, and a cage for receiving and retaining a group of wedging gripping members in an annular space between a pair of concentric races, preferably the cage is formed from a flexible flat strip having windows defined therein including supports and resilient biasing lugs formed by the edges of the windows and having radially extending supports all unitary with the strip, opposite end windows being over-lappable and interlockable with each other to form an annular cage, the guide band may be formed of a rubber-like material or a combination of a molded material and wire, or by a continuously coiled wire defining a group of adjacent coils alternately joined by their ends forming spacers for the gripper elements.

Abstract: Charge forming apparatus for an internal combustion engine of the type in which a fuel dispersion gap is subjected to impingement by an inducted air stream is provided with pneumatic control means for varying the area of the fuel dispersion gap. An additional feature of the invention includes regulation of back pressure on the fuel.

Abstract: Charge forming apparatus in which impact of an air stream upon a stream of fuel exposed in a channel displaces fuel into the air stream to form a mixture, wherein the length of the fuel stream exposed to the air stream can be varied for controlling the proportions of fuel and air in the mixture.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel mixer for an internal combustion engine includes hinged air valve doors arranged for opening in accordance with manifold depression, the doors are linked to the fuel metering means and include means for ducting the gaseous fuel into the air stream. The air valve doors can be hinged flat along a surface of the air inlet to permit alternate use of a conventional gasoline carburetor.

Abstract: A rotatable friction clutch apparatus having improved retraction means including retraction levers and mounting means therefor arranged and constructed to permit individual adjustment of the lever ends in the axial direction such that several levers can be adjusted to a common plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation and to avoid centrifugal displacement of the retracting levers during rotation of the clutch; each retracting lever is provided with a resilient retainer clip urging the lever into rocking engagement with a wire-like fulcrum and retaining the lever against radial inward displacement.

Abstract: Charge forming apparatus for forming a fuel air mixture of the type in which a stream of inducted air impinges upon a stream of fuel in a fuel dispersion gap, is provided with an air flow rate sensor which reduces the area of the fuel dispersion gap as the flow rate of inducted air increases for providing leaner fuel air ratios at higher air flow rates than would be available if the initial area of dispersion gap were retained, in short, the apparatus provides a flatter fuel-air ratio over a greater operating range than would be provided by a dispersion gap of fixed area.

Abstract: A free-wheel clutch includes segmental cage members spaced annularly between inner and outer races of the clutch members, each segmental cage member serves as a retainer for a gripper and its associated energizing spring and in addition serves as bearing means for maintaining concentricity between the inner and outer races, various examples are shown and described.

Abstract: A vacuum controlled timing system for an electrical accessory circuit of an internal combustion system having a variable vacuum source provides a uniform residual vacuum condition for maintaining a closed circuit for a selected time interval after the engine is rendered inoperative.

Abstract: A vacuum generator of the ejector type includes a control valve subjected to frictional damping forces wherein the frictional damping forces are varied in response to changes in pressure differentials in the device such that the control valve is enabled to move quickly between opened and closed conditions thereby avoiding throttling of the motive fluid.

Abstract: An improved arrangement of locking apparatus for securing the fulcrum ring of a clutch in adjusted position includes a rotatable cam operable from a readily accessible location for forcing a locking bar radially into engagement with a slotted fulcrum ring; a wedge shaped nose on the locking bar is preferred for taking up clearance between the bar and slot in order to eliminate hammering or chucking; the nose of the locking bar may have compound inclination for exerting wedging action both radially and parallel to the axis; the wedging and securing of the locking bar is facilitated by the provision of coaxial hexagonal drive lugs adapted for engagement by wrenches. In addition, an improved interlocking drive connection is provided between the finger of a belleville spring and a release sleeve assuring that the sleeve rotates with the spring.

Abstract: An improved drive connection for a pressure plate of a friction clutch includes replaceable wear shoes especially adapted for retention in position so as to avoid the imposition of damaging stresses, thereon, including a barrier wall for deflecting air currents from the interface of the wear shoe with the housing, and further includes a damper spring which exerts a resilient bias between a pressure plate and housing both tangentially and parallel with respect to the axis of the clutch.

Abstract: A method of forming a friction disc having projecting teeth including load bearing edge faces, in which one or more surfaces of the disc is indented to reform the edge faces while confined within a die cavity.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel mixer for an internal combustion engine includes hinged air valve doors arranged for opening in accordance with manifold depression, the doors are linked to the fuel metering means and include means for ducting the gaseous fuel into the air stream. The air valve doors can be hinged flat along a surface of the air inlet to permit alternate use of a conventional gasoline carburetor.

Abstract: A carburetor construction is disclosed which includes a plurality of plate members stacked one upon the other, the plates including recesses and openings which define fuel channels, and cavities which nestibly receive various components of the carburetor, the components being designed so as to facilitate assembly with each other.

Abstract: A thermally actuated valve includes a snap action bimetal valving member enclosed in a cartridge which is inserted in a hollow fitting arranged for contact with a heated medium such as the coolant of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A free-wheel clutch having centrifugally disengageable wedging members carried by a cage, in which the cage is frictionally coupled to the overrunning race by means of a resilient retaining ring. Various forms of the invention are shown including connections to the inner as well as to the outer race.

Abstract: A vacuum relay valve for isolating a vacuum operated dependent device from a contaminated vacuum signal source includes a check valve and an atmospheric bleed valve arranged such that a negative-going pressure change in the vacuum source causes the check valve to open and the bleed valve to close, permitting evacuation of the vacuum operated device by flow toward the source, while a positive-going pressure change in the vacuum source causes the check valve to close and the bleed valve to open thereby isolating the vacuum operated device from the signal source and permitting the pressure in the device to rise by infusion of atmospheric air. The relay valve may include a timing restriction arranged for isolation from the signal source, which is purged by unidirectional flow each time the device is evacuated.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch is disclosed herein providing a structure whereby a drive and driven member are interconnected to provide a drive condition therebetween in one direction, of relative rotation thereof and an overrunning condition therebetween in the other direction of relative rotation thereof. A sprag assembly is shown in conjunction with the overrunning clutch and possesses a structure which provides for total disengagement of the sprags from the overrun portion of the clutch during the overrunning thereof.