Abstract: The invention is a precipitation sensor adapted to detect water upon an automotive glass and a method for its use. The precipitation sensor includes an optical emitter and a first mirror surface in optical communication with the optical emitter. The first mirror surface is adapted to reflect and collimate light emission from the optical emitter. The precipitation sensor also includes an optical receiver and a second mirror surface in optical communication with the optical receiver. The second mirror surface is adapted to focus collimated light upon the optical receiver. The precipitation sensor further includes an intermediate reflector in optical communication with the first mirror surface and with the second mirror surface.

Abstract: The invention comprises a belt drive system for automatically controlling a belt tension. The system comprises an actuator controlled by a control module. The actuator operates on a pivoted pulley. A belt is trained about the pivoted pulley as well as other pulleys driving various accessories. A series of sensors in the system detect a belt condition including a belt tension. Sensor signals are transmitted to the control module. The control module processes the signals and instructs the actuator to move the pivoted pulley, thereby increasing or decreasing a belt tension. A feedback loop from the sensors to the control module allows the belt tension to be continuously monitored and adjusted many times per second. The system may actively control a belt tension by anticipating a system condition to prevent a belt noise by comparing sensor signals to instructions stored in a control module memory.

Abstract: A belt having a region comprising a non-woven material region on a pulley engaging surface. The non-woven region is infused with an elastomeric compound. A predetermined amount of metal salt of carboxylic acid is included in the elastomeric compound during compounding. The metal salts of carboxylic acid significantly reduce or eliminate slip noise.

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

Abstract: The invention comprises a belt installation tool comprising a substantially planar body. A belt engaging surface extends substantially normally from a portion of the planar body. A pulley engaging portion extends from the planar body approximately opposite the belt engaging surface. A central bore allows a tool to engage a pulley shaft. In use, the pulley engaging surface engages a pulley whereby the tool is rotated by a pulley rotation about a pulley axis, thereby causing the belt engaging surface to automatically urge a belt onto a pulley. The planar body stabilizes the tool against the pulley as a belt is installed. The molded body may be fabricated by injection molding.

Abstract: The invention is an improved tensioner for tensioning a power transmission belt. The tensioner is of the type having a track, a carrier mounted in sliding relation with the track with two degrees freedom of movement, a pulley rotatably mounted upon the carrier and for engaging the power transmission belt, a spring biasing the carrier in longitudinal relation to the track, and a damping mechanism that modifies the biasing of the spring based upon movement of the carrier in relation to the track. It is improved by the damping mechanism having a shoe placed in asymmetrical damping relation to the carrier and the track. Further, the shoe includes a first friction bearing surface in mating relationship with a second friction bearing surface of the track.

Abstract: A belt installation tool. The tool comprises a pair of arms connected at a pivot. Each arm has an end for engaging a pulley axle. A handtool is engaged with an arm. By a torque applied with the handtool through a short arcuate motion to the arms, the pulleys are moved apart, thereby tensioning a belt. A locking member or linkage is available to fix the arms in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A damping strut. An inner damping member is axially engaged with an outer housing. The outer housing is connectable to a tensioner arm. A wedge member connected to an immoveable mounting member is axially engaged with an inner portion of the inner damping member. The outer housing is axially moveable relative to the wedge member. A spring bears upon and urges the outer housing away from an end cap. The end cap comprises a rod, which extends axially within the wedge member and has an end connected to the inner damping member. The rod transmits a spring load force from the end cap to the inner damping member such that the inner damping member radially expands against the outer housing in response to the spring load force, thereby creating a frictional force between the inner damping member and the outer housing which damps an outer housing movement in proportion to the spring force.

Abstract: A power transmission belt, and more particularly a toothed power transmission belt, comprising a longitudinally extending tensile member composed of one or more carbon fiber cords, wherein the belt exhibits belt growth of not more than 0.1% based on its original length after 48 hours under High Temperature Belt Growth Analysis performed at 100° C., and a method for producing such belts exhibiting reduced belt growth.

Abstract: A hose clamp band member and a hose clamp comprising same, of the type having opposing looped ends connected to one another by a connection means such as a T-bolt, wherein the band is provided with two radially inward projecting ribs along at least a portion of its length, but that region of an outer portion of at least one of the loops that includes the connection point between the loop's outer- and inner portion is characterized by a substantially flat cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cam die. The cam die comprises at least one cam ring. The cam ring comprises a plurality of moveable cam teeth. The cam teeth are moveable on a normal toward an axis of the cam die by a cam actuator. The cam actuator has an inside diameter that is less than an outside diameter of the cam ring. As the cam actuator moves parallel to the cam die axis along an outside circumference of the cam ring, the cam teeth are progressively engaged and pressed inwardly toward a work piece. The work piece is moved simultaneously with the cam actuator by action of a punch that is concentric with the cam actuator and within the diameter of the cam ring. Each cam tooth is simultaneously engaged with the work piece as the work piece passes. A resilient member returns each cam tooth to a starting position after the cam actuator is withdrawn, allowing ejection of a finished part.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of using tensioners to tune a belt drive system. A tensioner having a damping rate is used on an accessory belt slack side and a tensioner having a having a damping rate is used on an accessory belt tight side. Outside of a predetermined engine speed range, the tight side tensioner arm does not move because the dynamic tension in the span is less than the tight side tensioner friction damping. Within a predetermined engine speed range the tight side tensioner arm moves in order to damp a belt drive system vibration.

Abstract: A belt drive system and toothed idler sprocket having an arcuate pitch to significantly reduce noise. The toothed idler sprocket having a pitch sufficient to cause proper engagement between a belt and the sprocket at a minimal belt wrap angle.

Abstract: A flexible drive ring CVT belt comprises a flexible drive ring having a plurality of adjacent ring segments. The segments comprise metallic or non-metallic material sufficient to bear a compressive load imposed by CVT sheaves. The segments are interlocked along a longitudinal axis and are preloaded in the assembled position by an elastomeric member. A tensile member or belt bears on an outer circumferential bearing surface formed by the interlocked segments. The tensile member is moveable along a longitudinal axis relative to the flexible drive ring on the circumferential bearing surface. The segments further comprise opposing inclined surfaces for engaging sheave surfaces on a pulley.

Abstract: A power transmission belt is disclosed in which the exterior of the overcord section is generally flat in contour and bears an outer seamless tubular knit textile material adhered to an adjacent rubber layer material interposed between the exterior belt back surface and a strain-resisting tensile section. The belt is adapted to be run against backside idlers or tensioners with minimized noise generation. A simplified process including use of a tubular knit stretched over and applied to the building drum is disclosed, thereby eliminating conventional calendaring and Bannering operations.

Abstract: A low modulus power transmission belt having a multi-unit cord tensile member. The belt also comprises a low modulus elastomeric body. A multi-unit cord tensile member configuration is plied into the elastomeric body, the tensile cord members having an included angle in the range of 120° to 180° between each ply. The belt having an elastic modulus of less than 1,500 N/mm and having an elongation of approximately 6.8% over a load range of approximately 0-350 newtons.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved O-ring seal flat face fitting of the type having a male portion including an O-ring, and a female portion having a tube with an inside diameter, an extended peripheral limit having a diameter corresponding to said inside diameter, a nut, and a joinder portion. It is improved by the joinder portion including a void having a portion extending radially beyond the extended peripheral limit.