Abstract: A central tire inflation system for a vehicle is disclosed 10 including a controller 222 for preselecting one of several desired air pressures for the tires 12 by actuating one of the push buttons 226, 228 or 230. The system 10 will adjust the tire pressure to the preselected pressure. Should the operator sense enemy fire or believes combat is eminent, the "run flat" button 234 is actuated which causes the electronic timer of the control unit 237 to cause the automatic measurement of tire pressure every few seconds instead of several times an hour. Should one of the tires 12 be damaged while the button 234 is actuated, the damaged tire will be immediately identified and the system 10 will assume the inflate mode and supply air to the damaged tire so long as the leakage rate does not exceed the capacity of the source 138 of pressurized air.

Abstract: An intake manifold (18) of an engine (10) includes a Roots-type supercharger (26) having rotors (28,29) driven by timing gears (72,74) disposed in a gear chamber (62) having a self contained oil supply and vent 98. The vent is formed in an input drive shaft (52) of the supercharger. The vent embodiments of FIGS. 2-4 include a radially extending passage opening into gear chamber (62) and effective to sling oil mist back into the gear chamber.

Abstract: A tire pressure control system (10) for wheels (28) of a vehicle. The system includes an air control circuit (40) having a positive pressure air source (42), a vacuum pressure air source (44), a central control unit (46), a vehicle speed sensor (47), and a command/display console (48). The control circuit (40) includes valves (62,64,66,68,70) and a conduit assembly (74) for controlling communication of the positive and vacuum pressure air to wheel valve assemblies (14) mounted on each wheel. A vent valve (86) provides quick venting of positive air pressure in the conduit assembly (74) for effecting rapid closing of a valve device (100) in each wheel valve (14). Each wheel valve also includes a valve device (104) providing substantially unrestricted air flow from the conduit assembly (74) to the wheels when valve device (100) is open and providing restricted air flow from the wheels to the conduit assembly (74) to ensure closing of the valve device (100 ) when the conduit is vented.

Abstract: A vehicle central tire inflation system (10), which checks and inflates/deflates tires of an automotive tractor and trailer, is provided with a prevention control (110) for preventing inflation/deflation operation of the system (10) when the tractor is disconnected from the trailer.

Abstract: A vehicle including a pressure relief valve mounted on a wheel is provided. The valve includes a spring biased vent valve mechanism therein and a blocker which is a actuable or manipulable to either a vent position or a nonvent position. When the blocker is in the vent position, the valve acts as a vent valve. When the blocker is in the nonvent position, the spring biased valve mechanism is prevented from opening.

Abstract: A tire pressure control system (10) for wheels (28) of a vehicle. The system includes an air control circuit (40) having a positive pressure air source (42), a vacuum pressure air source (44), a central control unit (46), a vehicle speed sensor (47), and a command/display console (48). The control circuit (40) includes valves (62,64,66,68,70) and a conduit assembly (74) for controlling communication of the positive and vacuum pressure air to wheel valve assemblies (14) mounted on each wheel. A vent valve (74) for effecting rapid closing of a valve device (100) in each wheel valve (14). Each wheel valve also includes a valve device (104) providing substantially unrestricted air flow from the conduit assembly (74) to the wheels when valve device (100) is open and providing restricted air flow from the wheels to the conduit assembly (74) to ensure closing of the valve device (100) when the conduit is vented.

Abstract: A process for preparing a nitridable silicon-containing material, which process includes comminuting a slurry of silicon powder, and water, the comminuting performed to cause substantial chemical reaction between the silicon and the water. Reducing the water content of the reacted slurry forms a processable mass. In another embodiment, desired additives such as at least one nitriding agent may be added to aid any nitridation or other processing which may be performed thereafter.

Abstract: A tire pressure control system (10) for wheels (28) of a vehicle. The system includes an air control circuit (40) having a positive pressure air source (42), a vacuum pressure air source (44), a central control unit (46), a vehicle speed sensor (47), and a command/display console (48). The control circuit (40) includes valves (62,64,66,68,70) and a conduit assembly (74) for controlling communication of the positive and vacuum pressure air to wheel valve assemblies (14) mounted on each wheel. A vent valve (86) provides quick venting of positive air pressure in the conduit assembly (74) for effecting rapid closing of a valve device (100) in each wheel valve (14). Each wheel valve also includes a valve device (104) providing substantially unrestricted air flow from the conduit assembly (74) to the wheels when valve device (100) is open and providing restricted air flow from the wheels to the conduit assembly (74) to ensure closing of the valve device (100 ) when the conduit is vented.

Abstract: A torsional isolator assembly for reducing driveline torsionals includes a vane damper (36) having valving (40d,40e or 161,163) and chamfers (200,201) on pistons (60 or 160). These chamfers (200,201) aid in forming a seal between a surface (42d or 142d) by creating a hydrodynamic film that biases the piston (60 or 160) toward the housing surface (42d or 142d).

Abstract: Devices (10,110,150,200 and 250) include roller clutches for controlling rotational phase change of a camshaft between full advance and full retard positions and positions therebetween. Each of the devices includes sets of selectively operative rollers such as a set of rollers (36) for preventing phase retard and a set of rollers (34) for preventing phase advance. Devices (10,110,150 and 200) have pairs of rollers 36,34 acted on respectively by ramp surfaces (32d,32c) defined by a common flat surface. An annular member (32) defining ramp surface (32d,32c) is mounted with free play relative to an axis of the camshaft. Device (110) includes a splitter spring (112). Devices 150 and 200 include internal actuators (152,202).

Abstract: A torsional vibration damping mechanism (30) in a free standing clutch plate (26) for a vehicle driveline. The mechanism (30) includes composite C-shaped springs (41,42) for attenuating driveline torsionals and transmitting driveline torque, and a viscous damper (48) for controlling the rate of flexing of the springs. The mechanism also includes input and output drives (46,44) for flexing the springs only radially inward. The C-shaped composite springs are formed by removing a center portion of a minor arc of a closed ring comprising a plurality of layers of reinforcing filaments, or by cutting a composite cylinder into closed rings and removing the center portion. The composite springs include expanded end portions (41a,41b,42a,42b or 106b) to facilitate attachment of end brackets (72) to the springs without need of fasteners penetrating the composite.

Abstract: Devices (10 and 100) for varying the rotational phase relation between a camshaft (12) and an unshown crankshaft in response to positive and negative torque pulsations. The devices include double-acting one-way clutches (24 and 106) disposed in series with support and drive members (20,22 and 102,104) for selectively retarding and advancing the camshaft relative to the crankshaft in response to the torque pulsations. If none of the torque pulsations go negative due to relatively high constant torque, a splitter spring (30) may be disposed in parallel with the one-way clutches.

Abstract: A torsion isolator assembly (30) for reducing driveline torsionals includes a vane damper (36) having valving (40d,40e) for regulating the damping factor of the damper, spiral springs (32,34 or 82,84), and cam surfaces (44d,44c) which engage the ends of the spiral springs (32,34 or 82,84).; The spiral springs (32,34 or 82,84) have a lesser radial spacing between the outer convolutions as compared to the radial spacing between the inner convolutions.

Abstract: A torsion isolator assembly (30) for reducing driveline torsionals includes a vane damper (36) including improved valving (40d,40e) for increasing the damping factor of the damper, improved spiral springs (32,34 or 80,82) for reducing spring stress primarily due to centrifugal forces, and cam surfaces (44d,44c) for further reducing spring stress due to centrifugal forces.

Abstract: A blocker-clutch assembly (10) includes an openly porous, pyrolytic carbon composite friction material (74) configured for optimum performance and, therefore, prevention or substantial prevention of nonsynchronous engagement of positive clutch members (12,14) due to premature unblocking of blocker tooth ramps (48-54). The composite friction material is formed to be resilient in direction normal to its friction surface (76c), is cut into segments (76), is positioned and bonded to a frustoconical surface (62) using fixtures 80,82 for preserving the resiliency and with the segments circumferentially spaced apart, and is configured to control engagement force thereon in a range of 150-300 pounds per square inch (100-200 N/cm.sup.2).

Abstract: A torsional vibration damping mechanism (30) is disclosed in a free standing clutch plate (26) for a vehicle driveline. The mechanism (30) includes composite C-shaped springs (41,42) for attenuating driveline torsionals and transmitting driveline torque, and a viscous damper (48) for controlling the rate of flexing of the springs. The mechanism also includes input and output drives (46,44) for flexing the springs only radially inward. The C-shaped composite springs are formed by removing a minor arc of a closed ring comprising a plurality of layers of reinforcing filaments, or by cutting a composite cylinder into closed rings and removing the minor arc.

Abstract: A process for preparing an alpha-phase silicon nitride material and thereafter sintering to a densified beta-phase silicon nitride material is disclosed which includes comminuting a slurry including a mixture of silicon powder, water, and at least one densification aid to aid in later densifying of the silicon nitride material, the comminuting being performed to form fresh, non-oxidized surfaces on the silicon powder and to allow substantial chemical reaction between the silicon and the water, reducing the water content of the reacted slurry to a degree sufficient to form a resultant dry mass, nitriding the dry mass by exposure to a sufficient amount of a nitriding gas including at least nitrogen at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient length of time to form a mass of substantially alpha-phase silicon nitride, and sintering the resultant silicon nitride mass at a sintering temperature of from about 1450.degree. C. to about 2100.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for making silicon powder or articles of manufacture such as an internal combustion engine valve by comminuting a homogeneous water-base slurry of silicon powder and at least one nitriding agent and permitting the slurry to chemically react for a time sufficient to enable the chemical reaction to substantially reach completion, then reducing the water content sufficiently to form a powder or an article and thence nitriding the article or powder by continuously varying the temperature over the range of 1000.degree. C. to 1450.degree. C. using a nitriding gas comprising nitrogen, hydrogen and helium and maintaining a constant nitriding gas composition throughout the nitriding cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a vehicle central tire inflation system (CTIS) produces a series of valve open signals in response to a demand tire pressure signal in which each valve open signal has a time period and a time space occurs between each open signal. The series of open signals terminates when the current tire pressure is at least equal to the demand tire pressure and upon termination, a count is made of the number of valve open signals. In each successive series of valve open signals, the time period is increased or decreased depending upon whether the previous count is greater or less than a predetermined count range.

Abstract: A land vehicle wheel end assembly (16) for a rigid tubular drive axle assembly (10) includes a nonrotatable sleeve (34) interposed between a portion of a spindle (14) of the axle assembly and a wheel hub (20). The wheel hub is rotatably supported on the spindle by inboard and outboard bearings (24,26) lubricated by oil from the drive axle. The hub includes a passage for directing the oil to the inboard bearing (24). The sleeve and hub include air passages (34f,34d,39,34e and 20e) for directing air from a vehicle onboard central tire inflation system to a pneumatic tire supported by the hub. A relative rotational interface between the sleeve and hub air passages is sealed by a seal assembly (52) which is lubricated by the oil. An outboard end of the sleeve preferably includes an axially open annular groove (45 or 47) for inserting an O-ring (38) seat therein after installation of the sleeve on the spindle.