Abstract: A pin-type, double-acting synchronizer mechanism (10) with friction rings (26, 46 and 28, 48), jaw members (30, 38 and 32, 40) axially secured together by retainers (44), three circumferentially spaced pins (50) including blocker shoulders for preventing asynchronous engagement of the jaw clutches, and pre-energizer assemblies (52) to ensure initial engagement of the friction rings and blocker shoulders in response to initial engaging movement of a shift flange (42), and self-energizing ramps (20a-20d and 62a-62d). The synchronizer includes improved jaw members and self energizing ramps, an improved shift flange, improved pre-energizers, and improved jaw member retainers.

Abstract: A pin-type, double-acting synchronizer mechanism (10) with friction rings (26, 46 and 28, 48), jaw members (30, 38 and 32, 40) axially secured together by retainers (44), three circumferentially spaced pins (50) including blocker shoulders for preventing asynchronous engagement of the jaw clutches, and pre-energizer assemblies (52) to ensure initial engagement of the friction rings and blocker shoulders in response to initial engaging movement of a shift flange (42), and self-energizing ramps (20a-20d and 62a-62d). The synchronizer includes improved jaw members and self energizing ramps, an improved shift flange, improved pre-energizers, and improved jaw member retainers.

Abstract: A double acting, baulkring-type synchronizer (20) for frictionally synchronizing and positive connecting first and second gears (14, 16) to a shaft (12). The synchronizer includes a first cone clutch with friction members (22,46) for frictionally synchronizing gear (14) with shaft (12) and a second cone clutch with friction members (24,44) for frictionally synchronizing gear (16) with shaft (12). The synchronizer further includes a third cone clutch with friction members (18,56) which is engaged in response to engagement of the first cone clutch and axial movement of the first gear (14).

Abstract: A pin-type, double-acting synchronizer mechanism (10) with friction clutches (26, 46 and 28, 48), jaw clutches (34d, 30a and 36d, 32a) and improved self-energizing ramps (70a-70d and 72a-72d). Three circumferentially spaced pins (50) include blocker shoulders for preventing asynchronous engagement of the jaw clutches and pre-energizer surfaces which each cooperate with a pre-energizer assembly (52). The self-energizing ramps act between a shaft (12) and a shift flange (42) which is rotatable relative to the shaft and jaw clutch members (34d, 36d). Flange (42) includes radially inwardly extending teeth (72) defining the self-energizing ramps (72a, 72d) which act against the self-energizing ramps (70a, 70d) defined by a post like portion (70) formed from shaft splines (13).

Abstract: A baulkring-type synchronizer (18) includes cone clutch friction surfaces (24,48 and 26,50) and jaw clutch teeth (36b,28 and 36c,30) for frictionally synchronizing and positive connecting gears (14, 16) to a shaft (12). A plurality of rigid members (72) are drivingly interposed between blocker teeth (44,46) affixed to baulkrings (40,42) and self-energizing ramp surfaces (70a-70d) defined on an outer circumference of a hub 32 affixed to the shaft (12) A shift sleeve (34) is slidably splined to the hub (32) and is moved by an operator shift force (F.sub.o) and an additive force (F.sub.a) provided by the self-energizing ramp surfaces. Both forces (F.sub.o and F.sub.a) react against the blocker teeth to engage the friction surfaces. The self-energizing ramp surfaces may be long enough to assist shift completion as unblocking occurs.

Abstract: A baulkring-type synchronizer mechanism (18) includes cone clutch friction surfaces (24,28 and 26,50) and sets jaw clutch teeth (58,28 and 60,30) for frictionally synchronizing and positive connecting gears (14,16) to a shaft (12). Blocker teeth on baulkrings (40,42) prevent asynchronous engagement of the jaw clutch teeth and transmit operator shift forces (F.sub.o) from a shift sleeve (34) to the cone clutches. Angled self-energizing surfaces (72a,72b,74a,74b) are affixed to an outer circumference of a hub (32) and engage angled self-energizing surfaces (76a,76b,76c,76d) affixed to a shift sleeve (34) to provide an additive force (F.sub.a) that is transmitted via the blocker teeth to the cone clutches. The jaw clutch teeth include axially movable first and second sets of teeth (58,60) defined by the shift sleeve (34) and axially fixed sets of teeth (28,30) secured to the gears.

Abstract: A torsion isolator (34) for transmitting torque and dampening torsionals in a driveline. The isolator includes a composite c-shaped spring (48) disposed in an annular chamber (44) of a housing (38,40) filled with torque converter fluid. The spring transmits driveline torque and attenuates torsionals. The spring also functions as a fluid displacement piston by dividing the chamber into radially inner and outer volumes (44a,44b) which vary inversely in volume in response to torque changes flexing the spring. Rapid flexing of the spring increases the fluid pressure in the decreasing volume and thereby dampens or reduces the rate of spring flexing or rebound.

Abstract: A pin-type synchronizer mechanism (86) with self-energizing ramps is configured to provide self-energizing forces for reducing an operator applied shift force (F.sub.o) and/or shift time. The self-energizing forces are provided by self-energizing ramp surfaces (29e,29f,29g,29h) and (111a, 111b,111c, 111d) respectively, formed in external splines (29) of a shaft 28 and in internal teeth (111) extending radially inward from a shift flange (110). The ramp surfaces provide an additive axial force (F.sub.a) applied to friction rings (114,116) via shift flange blocker surfaces (110d,110e) reacting respectively against pin blocker surfaces (118c, 118d).

Abstract: A baulkring-type synchronizer (18) includes cone clutch friction surfaces (24,48 and 26,50) and jaw clutch teeth (36b,28 and 36c,30) for frictionally synchronizing and positive connecting gears (14,16) to a shaft (12). A plurality of rigid members (72) are drivingly interposed between blocker teeth (44,46) affixed to baulkrings (40,42) and self-energizing ramp surfaces (70a-70d) defined on an outer circumference of a hub 32 affixed to the shaft (12). A shift sleeve (34) is slidably splined to the hub (32) and is moved by an operator shift force (F.sub.o) and an additive force (F.sub.a) provided by the self-energizing ramp surfaces. Both forces (F.sub.o and F.sub.a) react against the blocker teeth to engage the friction surfaces. The self-energizing ramp surfaces may be long enough to assist shift completion as unblocking occurs.

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 gas turbine engine (20) comprises a diffuser (24) and a nozzle (26) affixed to a cylindrical housing member (22), a bearing assembly (34) including a support tube (36) affixed at one end (36a) in cantilever fashion to a radially inner portion (26c) of the nozzle, a compressor (28) and a turbine (30) affixed to axially spaced apart ends of a shaft (32) rotatably mounted therebetween in the support tube by antifriction bearings, and an annular combustion chamber (40) disposed between the compressor and turbine and concentric to the shaft. A fuel slinger (38), affixed to the shaft, receives fuel from an air/fuel annulus (96) defined by the support tube and shaft. An air/fuel mixture in the annulus also lubricates the bearings and cools a hub portion (30a) of the turbine. Movement of the mixture through the air/fuel annulus is enhanced by pumps (38c, 102, 104 and 312).

Abstract: A baulkring-type synchronizer (18) for frictionally synchronizing and positive connecting gears (14,16) to a shaft (12). The synchronizer includes a plurality of tabs (54,56) with self-energizing ramps (54a,54b and 56a,56b) which react synchronizing torque to self-energizing ramps defined by an axially slidable shift sleeve (34) secured against rotation relative to the shaft. Synchronizing is provided by cone clutch surfaces (24,48) and (26,50) which are engaged by an operator shift force (F.sub.o) and an additive force (F.sub.a), which forces are both applied to the cone clutch surfaces via angled blocker teeth surfaces (36a,44a and 36b,46a).

Abstract: A pin-type, double-acting synchronizer mechanism (18) with friction clutches (20,32 and 22,34), jaw clutches (24,14b and 26,16b) and self-energizing ramps. The ramps act between a shaft (12) and a shift flange (28) which is rotatable relative to the shaft and jaw clutch members (24,26). Flange (28) includes radially inwardly extending teeth (48) defining self-energizing ramps (48a,48b,48c,48d) which act against ramps (50a,50b,50c,50d) defined by a post-like portion (50) formed from shaft splines (12b). Three circumferentially spaced pins (36) include blocker shoulders for preventing asynchronous engagement of the jaw clutches and pre-energizer surfaces which each cooperate with a pre-energizer assembly (38). Friction members (20,22) of the friction clutches are slidably splined to gears to prevent relative rotation therebetween and abut surfaces (14d,16d) defined by gears (14,16) to limit axial movement away from mating friction rings (32,34), respectively.

Abstract: A baulkring-type synchronizer (18) includes cone clutch friction surfaces (24,48 and 26,50) and jaw clutch teeth (36b,28 and 36c,30) for frictionally synchronizing and positive connecting gears (14,16) to a shaft (12). A torque ring (63) is mounted in a shift sleeve (34) for limited rotation relative thereto and non-axial movement relative thereto. The ring defines self-energizing ramp surfaces (74a,74b,74c,74d), blocker surfaces (76a,76b,78a,78b), and reaction surfaces (76c,78c). The ring self-energizing ramp surfaces engage self-energizing ramp surfaces (70a,70b,72a,72b) defined on an outer circumference of a hub (32) affixed to the shaft. The ring blocker surfaces engage blocker surfaces (44a,44b,46a,46b) affixed to baulkrings (40,42). The ring reaction surfaces engage reaction surfaces (44c,44d,46c,46d) affixed to the baulkrings.

Abstract: A silicon-nitride beta-phase material including a non-densified structure of beta silicon nitride crystals having appreciable strength without any significant amount of liquid forming agents is made by comminuting a slurry including a mixture of silicon powder and water to form non-oxidized surfaces on the silicon powder and to allow 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 nitriding gas including at least nitrogen to form a mass of alpha-phase silicon nitride, and converting the resultant silicon nitride mass at a conversion temperature of from about 1450.degree. C. to about 2100.degree. C. to convert the silicon nitride from an alpha-phase material to a non-densified beta phase silicon nitride material.

Abstract: A method of converting non-densified alpha-phase silicon nitride to beta-phase silicon nitride which includes heating a walled container enclosing a non-densified alpha-phase silicon nitride mass to an elevated temperature for a sufficient length of time so that the non-densified alpha-phase silicon nitride mass converts to a beta-phase silicon nitride mass. The walled container is formed of a silicon nitride-containing material which is stable at temperatures of at least 1700.degree. C. and is compatible with silicon nitride. Additionally, the walled container has an opening therein to allow placement of the non-densified alpha-phase silicon nitride mass therein.

Abstract: A process for nitriding materials containing silicon to form a silicon nitride material predominantly in the alpha phase is disclosed which includes nitriding the silicon-containing material by (a) heating the silicon-containing material in an atmosphere containing at least hydrogen in the temperature range of about 0.degree. C. to about 1420.degree. C. and (b) thereafter, nitriding the silicon-containing material by heating the material in a nitriding atmosphere containing at least nitrogen gas in the temperature range of from about 1000.degree. C. to about 1450.degree. C.

Abstract: A pin-type double acting synchronizer clutch (10) is disclosed with improved pre-energizer spring assemblies (46 or 52). The spring assemblies each include at least two leaf springs 48 or 54 sandwiched between split pin members (44). Retainers (50 or 55) at opposite ends of the leafs prevent escape of the leafs from between the split pin members. In one embodiment the retainers (50) are formed separate of the leafs and in another embodiment the retainers (55) are integrally formed with the leafs (54) by an extension (54d,54e,54f) of one end of each leaf.

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 temperature and speed responsive control for a fluid coupling adapted to drive a cooling fan for an internal combustion engine. The coupling is of the hydrokinetic type and includes an input or drive member adapted to be driven by the engine, an output or driven member defining a housing adapted to carry the fan, a fluid working chamber defined by the drive and driven member, a cylindrical sleeve controlled by a fluid pressure and operative to vary the output speed by controlling fluid circulation in the working chamber, means in the working chamber for producing the fluid pressure, and temperature and speed responsive means for controlling the fluid pressure to the sleeve in response to temperature and speed changes.