Abstract: A fan idler pulley having a threaded hub for attaching a fan shaft. The pulley also comprises a receiving portion for engaging a bearing. The bearing is further engaged with a cup. The entire assembly is mounted by a pin press fit though the cup into a mounting surface such as an engine block or front cover. The pulley may be engaged to either the inner race or the outer race of the bearing.

Abstract: An infinitely variable speed ratio planetary ball transmission comprising planetary members in rolling contact with moveable inner and outer races and a constant speed accessory drive system utilizing the transmission. The transmission is infinitely variable between ratios of approximately 0.3 and 1.0. A transmission input shaft is connected to a prime mover such as a vehicle engine crankshaft by a drive belt. The transmission comprises at least one output shaft that is coaxial with the input shaft. An output pulley is attached to the output shaft. A belt is engaged between the output pulley and various engine accessories. A second end of the transmission output shaft may be directly coupled to an engine accessory mounted on the transmission. An included control system senses a crankshaft speed. A processor analyses the crankshaft speed and accordingly adjusts the transmission ratio using a stepper motor connected to a worm drive to maintain a constant output speed regardless of crankshaft speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring an operating front end accessory belt tension using a hubload transducer and a torque transducer. The hubload transducer comprises concentric rings with a strainable member disposed in a coplanar fashion between an inner and outer ring. The hubload transducer is used with a non-torque transmitting idler pulley. The torque transducer comprises a strainable cylindrical member connected to a belt bearing surface and a rotating shaft. The torque transducer will transmit a torque to a driven accessory. It is used on accessories such as an air conditioner compressor or power steering pump. Signals from the hubload transducer and torque transducer as used to calculate a drive efficiency as well as belt span tensions between the driver and driven accessories.

Abstract: A belt installation tool for installing a belt without rotating the pulley or the tool about a pulley axis of rotation. The tool comprises a ramp that engages a pulley flange. The ramp comprises a connecting member for connecting the ramp to the flange. After the ramp is connected to a pulley flange a belt is loosely engaged with the ramp. A first lever arm connected to the ramp is used to pry the ramp and belt outward by pivoting about the first connecting member until a second connecting member is engaged with the pulley flange. The ramp further comprises a member for laterally urging the belt. Once the ramp is fixed on the pulley flange a second lever arm, connected at a pivot point, urges the belt laterally onto the pulley. The second lever arm is moveable in a direction normal to the movement of the first lever arm, thereby laterally urging the belt onto a pulley.

Abstract: A connector comprising an adapter having a threaded bore and a bushing having an external thread and an internal thread. The adapter has a stop on an outer surface to prevent rotation. The bushing is threaded into the adapter bore. A bolt is threaded into a bushing bore using the internal threads. As the bolt is turned the internal threads cause an interference fit between the bolt shank and the threads, temporarily preventing further insertion of the bolt. The bolt is then turned further causing the bushing to unscrew from the adapter toward the mounting surface until the bushing bears upon the mounting surface. The adapter engages with part thereby completely compensating for a gap between the part and a mounting surface. The adapter does not turn through engagement of the stop with an immoveable part. As the bolt is turned further, the sacrificial internal threads are stripped to allow the bolt to be fully torqued into a mounting surface hole.

Abstract: A crankshaft damper and a method of crankshaft damper assembly using interlocking beads. A crankshaft damper having a hub portion and pulley ring and an elastomeric member disposed in an annular space between them is clamped in a tool after initial assembly. A tool having jaw teeth on oppositely disposed, cooperating jaws engages the crankshaft damper hub portion and pulley ring on either side of the elastomeric member. The tool jaws press on the hub portion and pulley ring to create beads or crimps on the hub portion and the pulley ring. The beads or crimps are formed in cooperating groups or sets. They press the elastomeric member into the form of a curve or wave. The curve or wave mechanically locks the hub portion and pulley ring together, thereby locking the elastomeric member in place between them.

Abstract: An expandable pulley. The expandable pulley comprises a plurality of belt blocks arranged about an axis of rotation. Each belt block bears upon a radial surface extending normally to the axis of rotation. Another surface of each belt block bears upon a conical member surface which is moveable coaxially with the axis of rotation. A spring bears upon the conical member which urges the conical member in an axial direction, which in turn urges the belt blocks radially outward to compensate for a belt length change and to maintain a belt tension. An elastic member holds the belt blocks in contact with the conical member.

Abstract: A method of flow forming sintered metal parts. The first step is forming a round disk by conventional powder metal process. The disk can be a donut shape part with or without a flange on one side of its outer diameter. The disk can then be copper impregnated or used as is, depending on the requirements. The disk is placed in a spinner held in proper tooling and grooves are spun in its outer diameter. The spinning can be done with a finishing roller or by a pre-finishing roller, followed by a finishing roller. This process not only creates a part with great accuracy, it also densifies and eliminates the powder metal porosities on the surface layer by the pressures inserted in spinning.

Abstract: A terrarium adapted to be immersed in an aquarium containing water, the terrarium comprising a shaft means having a first end and second end and a receptacle defining at least one wall, the at least one wall having a length, presenting at least one opening, an air exhaust and an interior wherein the receptacle is connected to the shaft means at the first end wherein the shaft means at the second end is adapted to anchor the receptacle in the aquarium and wherein the interior of the receptacle is adapted to receive air from an air supply means so as to define a dry zone in the interior.

Abstract: A transducer for detecting a shaft dynamic behavior. The transducer comprises an arcuate sensor member supported between an inner member and an outer member. At least one strain gage is attached to a surface of the arcuate sensor member to detect a surface strain caused by a shaft dynamic behavior. The inner member, outer member and arcuate sensor member are substantially coplanar. The inner member comprises a means for attaching the transducer to a mounting surface. The inner member may also comprise a self-aligning feature to optimize a sensor sensitivity.

Abstract: The invention comprises a transponder moveably implanted into a pocket on an elastomeric spindle sleeve. The pocket comprises a plastic lining which is formed in the sleeve during cure or vulcanization. The transponder is inserted into the pocket once cure or vulcanization of the sleeve is complete. The open ends of the pocket are then sealed closed with an adhesive. Since the transponder is not molded into or otherwise bonded to the pocket during fabrication the transponder may move within the pocket. This minimizes stresses that may otherwise be transmitted to the transponder during flexing of the sleeve, thereby extending a transponder life. The transponder collects, stores and transmits manufacturing data which can be read by hand-held or stationary electronic devices. The transponder comprises a microchip and antenna in addition to a plastic or paper laminate upon which it is mounted. The transponder is activated by RF (Radio Frequency) energy received by the antenna and therefore needs no battery.

Abstract: An auxiliary power system for a motor vehicle primary engine used to drive primary engine accessories when the primary engine is not operating. The system comprises a secondary engine that drives a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump is connected to a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor is integrated with an accessory belt drive system on a primary engine. The secondary engine drives the ABDS system through the hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor when the primary engine is not operating, thus allowing various primary engine accessories such as air conditioning to be operated while the primary engine is off. A one-way clutch on the primary engine crankshaft prevents the primary engine crankshaft from being turned when the hydraulic motor is driving the belt. A one-way clutch on the hydraulic motor prevents it from being driven when the primary engine is in operation.

Abstract: A belt and method of marking a belt. A layer of polyethylene material is joined or cured to a belt. The layer is optically distinguishable from a belt body. The layer is etched to expose a portion of the belt body in order to contrast the layer with the belt body. A second layer of polyethylene material may be applied adjacent to the first layer. The second layer is optically distinguishable from the first layer. The first or second layer is etched using cutting, grinding or laser light in order to expose portions of the adjacent layer, or of the belt body, thus providing a method of permanently marking the belt.

Abstract: A rate feedback and adaptation scheme or system uses a rate of rate feedback asymmetrical with the rate of data rate adaptation. In particular, the rate adaptation system provides a rate of rate feedback slower than the rate of rate adaptation. Thus, by allowing the base station to change the data rate more frequently than the individual wireless units reports the rate information, the rate adaptation system can provide improved flexibility and more efficient use of wireless resources while reducing the processing and transmission overhead required to report the rate information. For example, every 3 slots, a wireless unit can calculate and report a rate for the wireless unit to use on a shared channel to send data. The base station receives the rates from the wireless units seeking to send data over the shared channel and selects a wireless unit to use the shared channel.

Abstract: An asymmetric damping mechanism for use in a belt tensioner. The damping mechanism comprises two parts having substantially similar arcuate shapes for engaging a tensioner. The first part is in contact with the second part at a pivotable point of contact. The point of contact position is determined according to the desired asymmetric damping factor. The first part is also in contact with a spring. The second part is in contact with a tensioner arm. The damping mechanism also comprises two damping shoes, each having a damping band. The damping band is joined to the damping shoe by a plurality of vertical grooves on the damping shoe cooperating with a plurality of grooves on the damping band. The damping mechanism has an asymmetric damping factor in the range of approximately 1.5 to 5.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a belt having a region comprising a non-woven material on a pulley engaging surface. The non-woven region has a random coverage of the non-woven material to reduce natural frequency harmonics, control frictional characteristics, permeation and thermal resistance. The non-woven may comprise a combination of softwood and hardwood pulp, as well as synthetic fibers applied in a random matrix to a body having a fiber loading.

Abstract: The invention is an improved power transmission belt tensioner of the type having a first pulley adapted to communicate with a surface of a power transmission belt, a first arm supporting the first pulley upon which the first pulley is rotatably mounted via a first pulley bearing, a second pulley adapted to communicate with a surface of the power transmission belt, a second arm supporting the second pulley upon which the second pulley is rotatably mounted via a second pulley bearing. It is improved by the inclusion of a strut, a first attachment point for the strut, and a second attachment point for the strut, with the strut attached to the first and the second attachment points. The first arm is rotatably supported at a first pivot. The second arm is rotatably supported at a second pivot. The first pulley and the first attachment point are each laterally offset in relation to the first pivot and substantially balanced in terms of parasitic torque across the first pivot.

Abstract: A system, computer program product and method of preventing and controlling sulfide mineral oxidation and generation of acid rock drainage in a mass of sulfidic waste is provided. The mass of sulfidic waste includes a cover. The method involves applying under the cover of an oxygen deficient/non-reactive gas mixture, substantially throughout the mass of sulfidic waste, in a quantity sufficient to create a pressure differential between the inside of the mass of sulfidic waste and the open atmosphere outside and adjacent to the mass of sulfidic waste, such that the oxygen gas concentration inside the mass of sulfidic waste is substantially equal to, or less than, the atmospheric oxygen gas concentration outside and adjacent to the mass of sulfidic waste. The system includes a distribution system and sensors for detecting acid rock drainage conditions of the mass of sulfidic waste, and in response applying an effective amount of oxygen deficient/non-reactive gas mixture.