Abstract: A fluid pressure operated friction coupling comprising a multiple friction disc assembly having a single piston actuator and having first and second springs operatively configured and arranged in response to pressurization of the piston actuator to selectively engage first and second sets plates and friction components for varying the gain of the coupling.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper has an outer drive plate connected to a pair of retainer plates by an outer array of damping springs disposed partly in windows formed in the outer drive plate and partly in first windows formed in the retainer plates, and an inner drive plate which is connected to the retainer plate by an inner array of damping springs disposed partly in second windows formed in the retainer plates and partly in windows formed in the inner drive plate. The adjacent peripheries of the drive plates have a plurality of notches that are defined by radial tangs that are arranged in confronting pairs when the torsional vibration damper is in a neutral position. The retainer plates are spaced apart and connected to each other by drive blocks that are disposed partly in each notch of the outer drive plate and partly in each notch of the inner drive plate.

Abstract: An electronically controlled transmission has microprocessor and a clutch housing including an integrated solenoid controlled valve; the clutch housing including a valve track operatively receiving a valve element connected for operation by the integrated solenoid controlled valve; and a friction disc pack within the clutch housing having a piston actuator pressurized by fluid flow regulated by operation of the integrated solenoid controlled valve in response to electronic control signals from the microprocessor.

Abstract: A friction device includes a clutch pack operable to connect and disconnect drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A piston is supported in the clutch housing and defines a first expandable chamber. The piston carries a control module responsive to pressure in the expandable chamber for controlling coolant flow through a dedicated coolant flow passage through the actuator piston that includes mist-forming outlets on the face of the actuator piston.

Abstract: A friction device includes a fixed housing and a driven member which ise rotatable about a common axis. The assembly also includes a friction disc pack operable to connect and disconnect the driven member for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A piston assembly is supported in the clutch housing and defines an expandable chamber. The piston assembly is responsive to the pressure of fluid in the expandable chamber to move between disengaged and engaged positions thereby actuating the pack to connect and disconnect the driven member. The pack is disposed within a grounded housing that includes a sealed circumferentially arranged opening defining a coolant chamber for supplying convergent flow cooling to the pack from the OD to the ID thereof.

Abstract: A friction device includes a clutch pack operable to connect and disconnect drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A piston is supported in the clutch housing and defines a first expandable chamber. The piston is responsive to the pressure of fluid in the expandable chamber to move between disengaged and engaged positions thereby actuating the clutch pack. An outer ring is slidably supported within the housing to form a second expandable chamber. The outer ring includes at least one orifice extending therethrough. The piston closes the orifice in the outer ring when the drive and driven members are disconnected and has a second position where the orifice is open. A second source of lubricant pressure separate from the piston actuating fluid flows into the second expandable chamber thence through the orifice and from the outer diameter of the clutch pack between the adjacent plates and disks to the inner diameter of the clutch pack for cooling the pack.

Abstract: A refueling valve for a motor vehicle includes a body connected to the upper wall of a fuel tank in vertical depending relationship thereon and the body has a body top or cover with a vapor exit passage adapted to be connected to a fuel vapor storage canister, a baffle is connected to the valve body intermediate the ends thereof to form a fuel space and a vapor space; the body includes a portion depending from the cover that has a vapor exit port communicating with the vapor space and wherein the vent exit port has a valve seat closed by a valve mounted on one end of a connecting rod that has its opposite end connected to a float within the fuel space and wherein the vapor exit port remains open until the fuel tank is filled and/or fuel slosh in the tank raises the float to close the valve; the connecting rod is directed through a port in the baffle to provide for vapor exhaust across the baffle during tank fill and to restrict fuel bypass into the vapor space during fuel slosh within the tank.

Abstract: A bearing assembly (35) for in-line roller skates (10) comprises an outer race (42) having an inner diameter surface (47) with an exterior end (38) and an interior end (41). The inner diameter surface (47) has an annular groove (46) with its annular center (50) offset from a midpoint (52) of the outer race (42). The assembly (35) also comprises an inner race (37) that is concentric with the outer race (42). The inner race (37) has an outer diameter surface (45), an exterior end (39), and an interior end (43). The outer diameter surface (45) has a second annular groove (44) with its annular center (50) offset from a midpoint (52) of the inner race (37). The second annular groove (44) of the inner race (37) is aligned with the annular groove (46) of the outer race (42) and a plurality of bearings (40) are disposed therebetween. A bearing retaining cage (54) is provided at the interior ends (41,43) of the races (37,40) to retain the bearings (40) in a spaced apart relationship.

Abstract: A device for radio communication (PH), such as for example radiophone, a shielding layer (RFS) which under operating conditions is between the antenna means and the user. The shielding layer (RFS) reduces electromagnetic irradiation of the user. The shielding layer (RFS) may be movable in such a manner that it serves as a cover of some operational device such as for example headphone, display and keyboard of apparatus when it is not in use.

Abstract: A mounting box 30 for mounting an electrical connector 40 laterally to a cross tube 32 of a trailer hitch 34. Walls 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50 enclose the body. An opening 52 of the box 30 is closed by two walls 39 and 37 of the cross tube. The electrical cable extends through a first end wall 44 through a cut out 69. The cable is connected to a connector 40 that is mounted through an opening 68 in the end wall 42. The sections 282 and 284 in proximity to the v-shaped notches 54 and 56 adjacent the open side 52 are trimmable to change the shape of the notches into semi-circular notches 154 and 156.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for automatically closing a sliding door (40), comprising a pneumatically controlled weighted piston (1) within a vertical tube 5' for operative connection to a sliding panel (13) forming part of a sliding door assembly such that sliding the panel into the open door position lifts the piston which then falls again under its own weight with pneumatic control once the sliding panel is released, thus closing the door.

Abstract: A portable tool assembly (10) has a flat carrying case (12). The case has a groove along an edge side (26) to snap-fit an allen wrench (18) in place and an opposite edge side (24) to snap-fit tool bits (14 and 16) in place. Counterbores (22) function to nonrotatably seat the tool bits in a usable position such that the case (12) acts as a handle for the tool bit. A key ring loop (20) extends from another edge side.

Abstract: The threshing cylinder or rotor of a combine harvester is driven by a rotor hydraulic motor. A rotor pump, driven by an internal combustion engine supplies hydraulic fluid to the rotor hydraulic motor to drive the rotor. A variable speed traction drive propels the harvester over the surface of a field to harvest crops. A control system varies the ground speed of the harvester based upon the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the rotor hydraulic motor to maintain a substantially constant crop material feed rate through the threshing cylinder or rotor. The control system can be an electronic system that measures the pressure of hydraulic fluid on the inlet side of the rotor hydraulic motor and varies the ground speed to keep the measured hydraulic fluid pressure substantially constant. A control system can also include a pressure control valve that varies the ground speed to maintain a constant rotor motor inlet hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir--fuel tank arrangement comprises a fluid reservoir module (1) and a fuel tank module (3) connected to the fluid reservoir module (1) via connecting elements (25, 27, and 29) provided for connecting the two modules (1 and 3) together in juxtaposed relationship.

Abstract: A rail gauge face lubricating apparatus (10) comprising a delivery assembly (12) for delivering lubricant to the rail head (40) and a pump (14) for producing a pressure to deliver lubricant to the deliver assembly (12), the deliver assembly (12) comprising in part an actuable flow regulator whereby the delivery of lubricant through the delivery assembly (12) is governed by the actuable flow regulator. The delivery assembly is maintained in an appropriate position in relation to the rail gauge face by a two cylinder positioner (38) irrespective of the loading of the rail carriage that carries it.

Abstract: A vent valve for a gasoline tank has a multi-piece valve housing that is inserted into the tank through a tank wall opening. The housing includes a valve member and a cap member that has a flange that is ultrasonically welded to the gasoline tank and a coupling skirt that has minimal protrusion into the gas tank. The coupling skirt fits into upper portion of the valve member and has keyways that receive inwardly projecting lugs of the valve member to couple the valve and cap members to each other. The valve and cap members are retained in the coupled position by resilent cantilevered lock fingers of the valve member that engage notches in the bottom of the coupling skirt. In a modification the notches coincide with entrance portions of the keyways. The cap member of a second embodiment has a coupling skirt with keyways that fit over an upper portion of the valve member that has outwardly projecting lugs and resilient lock fingers that are cut out of the wall of the valve member.

Abstract: An above-surface topple-able and self-righting dynamic building support structure having an external loadbearing shell including a bottom base and upwardly and outwardly sloping curved sidewalls extending from a periphery of the base to an upper portion. The bottom base enables the building support structure to be supported on a substantially planar surface in a datum state of stable equilibrium in which the bottom base is in loadbearing contact with same. The sidewalls define a suitable curvature for enabling the building support structure to roll reversibly about a horizontal axis over the surface while at least a portion of the sidewalls is in loadbearing contact with the surface. The dynamic building support structure also comprises self-righting means capable of generating a net moment in a direction opposed to the direction of rolling of the building support structure in the absence of external forces.

Abstract: A bearing cleaning apparatus contains a cage assembly (14), bottle (10), and cap (12). The cage assembly (14) includes rectangular-shaped vertical side arms (16) shaped so as to form one or more channels (26) in which one or more circular bearings (20) may be placed. The cage assembly (14) contains perforations (28) along the inner base surface (40) in order to facilitate solvent flow through the bearings (20) and the cage assembly (14). The cage assembly (14) also includes shoulders (30) at the bottom of the assembly, a closure mechanism (22) at the top of the assembly (14), and flanges (44) in order to prevent the bearings (20) from exiting the cage assembly (14) during cleaning.

Abstract: A process for forming a preform includes drawing a vacuum through a porous overform (16) from its outer surface toward its inner surface; providing retractable pins (32) that protrude through vertical extending sections (34) of the overform when in an extended position; depositing chopped fibers onto the outer surface of the overform such that the vertical extending sections of the overform have the fibers retained against sag by protruding sections (35) of the pins while said preform is formed; and retracting the pins from the vertical extending sections of the overflow in order to remove said preform from said overflow after cure. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for the use in manufacturing fibrous preforms that incorporates a porous overform (16) for receiving chopped fibers and binder material thereon and a plurality of pins (32) protruding through a vertically extending section (34) of the overform for engaging and supporting chopped fibers deposited onto the overform.

Abstract: Two flow control ceramic discs (22 and 24) for a thermostatic valve (10) has ports to adjust water flow from a closed to a full open position. Ceramic disc (24) has a contoured inlet (32) that has a wide section (92) and narrow section (90) that provide varying flow adjustment with respect to the other port (30). The contoured port provides for increased capacity of mixing adjustment for the thermostatic element (70) during different manual flow adjustments.