Abstract: A self-guiding chain assembly includes a silent chain with inner and outer links having depending toes. Traditional guide links are replaced by inverted tooth outer links with a crotch of lesser height than the crotch of the inner links. The outer links perform the self-guiding function and act to maintain the chain on the sprockets. The chain has particular application in engine timing systems that utilize phased chains and sprockets.

Abstract: A transfer case includes a clutch assembly having a disc pack clutch, a cone clutch and a lockup hub or collar. All three clutch components are disposed in mechanical parallel between the primary transfer case shaft and the secondary output. The disc pack clutch includes a plurality of interleaved discs and an electromagnetic operator which effects compression of the disc pack to transfer torque from the primary transfer case output shaft to a chain drive sprocket, through a chain, to a secondary output shaft. The cone clutch is disposed adjacent the disc pack and is also actuated by the electromagnetic operator. The cone clutch includes a conical drive member driven by the primary transfer case output shaft. A conical driven member provides torque to the drive chain and, in turn, to the secondary output shaft. Preferably, the driven cone member is integrally formed with the chain drive sprocket.

Abstract: A vibration damper assembly to absorb vibrations in a camshaft and sprocket system has a sprocket positioned around a camshaft, an inertia ring positioned around the camshaft and adjacent the sprocket, yet capable of moving independently of the sprocket, and a hub member positioned around the camshaft adjacent the inertia ring. Frictional material is interposed between said hub member and a rim portion of the inertia ring whereby the inertia ring and hub member slide with respect to one another along said frictional material to absorb vibrations from the camshaft through heat dissipation.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner having a plunger slidably fitted in a cavity in a housing and biased in a protruding direction by a spring and fluid. A check valve permits fluid to only flow into, and thereby protrude the plunger, but not out of the cavity. A pressure relief valve is mounted on the housing and is in communication with the cavity. The relief valve includes a flat spring member applying a preload against a reed valve to seal an exhaust passageway connecting to the cavity.

Abstract: A rocker joint for a power transmission chain constructed of an assembly of links and pivot members including a chain assembly having a plurality of sets of links interleaved with other sets of links. Each link has end portions and a central body portion and a pair of spaced apertures each spaced aperture defining a boundary. The pivot members include a pair of pins, each pin having a circular arc rocker surface, a circular arc seat surface opposite to the rocker surface and concentric with the rocker surface and a pair of side surfaces connecting the rocker surface and the seat surface. The pin side surface includes a circular arc having its center located outside the pin. Each aperture has a circular arc support surface located toward the end portion of the link. The aperture circular arc support surface engages the seat surface of one of the pins.

Abstract: A chain and sprocket system includes a plurality of chains and phased or offset sprockets. The transmission system includes a random or hybrid chain with the offset sprockets. The timing system can include single or dual overhead camshafts, with phasing of the crankshaft sprockets and camshaft sprockets.

Abstract: A camshaft vibration damper comprises an inertia ring having a friction clutch surface disposed in driving contact with a complementary clutch surface and a spring for biasing the clutch surfaces toward one another. The complementary clutch surface may be disposed on a drive member, for example, a camshaft sprocket or similar structure rotating with the camshaft. The spring is a compression spring, preferably a Belleville spring washer, which biases the two friction clutch surfaces together. The inertia of the inertia ring opposes the instantaneous variations in rotational speed (d.theta./dt) of the camshaft causing relative rotation between the inertia ring and the drive member thereby reducing vibration without resisting camshaft rotation. Relative motion at the clutch face between the inertia ring and the drive member results in energy absorption and dissipation thereby minimizing unwanted vibration.

Abstract: An improved solenoid valve harness assembly for a vehicle transmission is disclosed that is more reliable, less costly to manufacture, and easier to test. In one embodiment, the solenoid valve assembly includes a plurality of solenoid valves and a harness. The harness includes a plurality of conductors for electrically connecting the plurality of solenoid valves to a controller. The harness is connected to the solenoid valves by a plug and receptacle arrangement that reduces the cost of manufacture and that allows each component to be separately tested prior to being plugged together. In one embodiment, the plug and receptacle arrangement permits the solenoid valves to be disconnected from the harness so that a defective component can be replaced without discarding the entire solenoid valve harness. In a further aspect, a solenoid valve harness is provided in which the solenoid valves are internally grounded thereby eliminating the need for ground wires from the solenoid valves.

Abstract: A two speed transfer case includes a spring biased dog clutch connecting a shift sleeve to a main input shaft and an electromagnetic friction clutch for transferring torque from the shift sleeve to one of the outputs. This arrangement allows dynamic upshifts and downshifts and modulation of the torque split between the outputs.

Abstract: A camshaft (126) has a vane (160) secured to an end thereof for non-oscillating rotation therewith. The camshaft also carries a sprocket (132) which can rotate with the camshaft but which is also oscillatable with the camshaft. The vane has opposed lobes (160a, 160b) which are received in opposed recesses (132a, 132b), respectively, of the sprocket. The recesses have greater circumferential extent than the lobes to permit the vane and sprocket to oscillate with respect to one another, and thereby permit the camshaft to change in phase relative to a crankshaft whose phase relative to the sprocket is fixed by virtue of a chain drive extending therebetween.

Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary drive shafts, differentials and axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch comprising a primary, cone clutch assembly which functions as a pilot device to actuate a secondary, disc pack clutch assembly. The electromagnetic clutch is controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shaft overruns, i.e.

Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shafts overruns, i.e., exceeds, the speed of the other drive shaft by a predetermined value related to the vehicle speed, indicating that wheel slip is present, clutch current is incrementally increased to increase clutch engagement and torque transfer to the secondary axle.

Abstract: A chain and sprocket system includes a plurality of chains and phased or offset sprockets. The transmission system includes a random or hybrid chain with the offset sprockets. The timing system can include single or dual overhead camshafts, with phasing of the crankshaft sprockets and camshaft sprockets.

Abstract: A guide link for use in a power transmission chain having a plurality of other links. The other links have a pair of spaced apertures and have a thickness and a hardness. The guide link has a pair of spaced apertures surrounded by a pair of upward extending toes. The toes have an outside flank and an inside flank with the inside flanks joined by a rounded crotch. The root of the crotch depends below the uppermost portion of the apertures. The thickness and hardness of the guide link is different from the other links so that the guide link has a yield load that is less than the yield load of the other links.

Abstract: A chain and sprocket system includes a plurality of chains and phased or offset sprockets. The transmission system includes a random or hybrid chain with the offset sprockets. The timing system can include single or dual overhead camshafts, with phasing of the crankshaft sprockets and camshaft sprockets.

Abstract: A composite check valve and positively closing electromagnetic solenoid valve, particularly such a valve for regulating the introduction of secondary air into the exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine at selected times during the operation of the engine. The valve comprises an inlet port, an outlet port, a first valve element movable between open and closed positions for nominally regulating the flow of a fluid between the inlet and outlet ports, and an electromagnetic solenoid having a closure element for overriding the first element. The rigid disk or closure element can function by seating against the same seat as the first element, or by "latching" the first element in its closed position. The disclosed embodiment is a flap valve which is modified by superimposing a rigid, movable valve disk over the flap. The rigid disk is connected to the solenoid armature and is movable between an override (closed) position and a disengaged (open) position when the solenoid is energized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radial drive connection between a movable flange and the shaft of an adjustable pulley. Specifically the movable flange is driven through the use of supports fixed to the shaft which radially fix the movable flange while allowing for axial movement. The supports are provided through a rigid disc splined to the shaft. The disc has an annular extension extending therefrom. Attached at one end to the disc and at the opposite end to the extension is at least one guide. Each guide is made from a bolt or pin and an annular sleeve. The movable flange is designed to have a foot which has an annular wall to it. Through this wall the movable flange slidably engages the guide and provides a radial drive connection. Because the wall and guide slide, however, the movable flange is permitted to move in the axial direction.

Abstract: A rocker joint for a chain has a crescent shaped aperture. The rocker joint includes a pair of rocker pins. Each rocker pin has a circular arc rocker surface, a circular arc seat surface and a pair of side surfaces. The aperture is bounded by a circular arc support surface and a seat surface.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner having a piston slidably fitted in a piston cavity and biased in a protruding direction by a spring and fluid. The piston is cylindrical and has a conical bottom surface. A check valve permits fluid to only flow into, and thereby protrude the piston, but not out of the cavity. Air may be vented out of the cavity through the clearance between the piston and the interior wall of the housing. This clearance is dimensioned so that air may be vented from the cavity without a significant loss of fluid. The conical bottom surface of the piston is configured to force any air present in the cavity to the clearance and thus out of the tensioner.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device with a storage capacitor is provided which accomplishes a large storage capacity together with a high component density, and facilitates the production. A switching transistor is formed locally in a semiconductor substrate. Formed over the transistor is an upper-level wire disposed over which is a storage capacitor. A storage capacitor contact passes through the upper-level wire. While ensuring a good capacity for the storage capacitor contact, the allowance of focus, too, can advantageously be obtained in simultaneously transferring a pattern of the upper-level wire onto the memory cell region as well as onto the peripheral circuit region. Particularly, by having the storage capacitor contact pass through a bit line, a drain and a source can symmetrically be arranged with a word line, like a memory cell with a bit-line-over-storage-capacitor organization cell. This eliminates an excess portion resulting in increasing the density.