Abstract: A transmission brake band (10) for use in automatic transmissions includes strap member (12) with an apply bracket (18) located at one end and a reaction bracket (20) located at the opposed end. The reaction bracket (20) is formed from the strap material as an up-raised dome (36) surrounding the reaction opening (32). The surface of the dome (36) immediately surrounding the reaction opening (32) is substantially planar and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the reaction opening (32).

Abstract: A camshaft (326) has a vane (360) secured to an end thereof for a non-oscating rotation therewith. The camshaft also carries a timing belt driven pulley (332) which can rotate with the camshaft but which is oscillatable with respect to the camshaft. The vane has opposed lobes (360a, 360b) which are received in opposed recesses (332a, 332b), respectively, of the pulley. 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 the timing belt (338) drive extending therebetween.

Abstract: An improved transmission brake band (10) and a method of forming the same s an improved reaction bracket (20) formed as an upraised dome (36) surrounding a reaction opening (32). An insert member (42), having a volcano-type body (44) integrally formed with a peripheral flange (46) is engaged with the dome (36) and opening (32) so that the body (44) is positioned in the opening (32) and the flange (46) is received by the dome (36).

Abstract: The present invention provides for a one-piece band member (10) for use w transmissions. The band member (10) is integrally constructed having the end portions (16) of a strap member (12) being formed an apply member (18) and a reaction member (20) and then folded (22) back over the outer circumference of the strap member (12) to provide a unitary unit. A friction lining (14) is secured around the inner circumference of the strap member (12).

Abstract: A camshaft (26) has a vane (60) secured to an end thereof for non-oscillag rotation therewith. The camshaft also carries a sprocket (32) which can rotate with the camshaft (26) but which is also oscillatable with the camshaft (26). The vane (60) has opposed lobes (60a, 60b) which are received in opposed recesses (32a, 32b), respectively, of the sprocket (32). The recesses have greater circumferential extent than the lobes (60a, 60b) to permit the vane (60) and sprocket (32) to oscillate with respect to one another, and thereby permit the camshaft (26) to change in phase relative to a crankshaft whose phase relative to the sprocket (32) is fixed by virtue of a chain drive (38) extending therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a composite frion element wherein a powdered solventless thermosetting adhesive is applied to a metal substrate and the product made therefrom. The metal substrate and thermosetting adhesive material are heated to allow the powdered solventless adhesive material to flow but not crosslink. A friction material is applied under heat and pressure to the adhesive material such that the adhesive material crosslinks and a composite friction element is formed.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner having a plunger slidably fitted in a mounting cavity n a housing and biased in a protruding direction by a spring and fluid. A variable orifice check valve permits fluid to only flow into, and thereby protrude the plunger, but not out of the mounting cavity is disclosed. The variable orifice check valve is accomplished with a cylindrical compression spring in which the spring coils are normally mutually contacting and which has a top spring cap molded directly to an end of the spring and a bottom spring retainer molded directly to the opposite end of the spring. Such a construction reliably secures the top spring cap and bottom spring retainer to the spring. A mechanical no-return capability is provided to the plunger through an internal ratchet positioned within the mounting cavity and constructed from a cylinder having two helical openings which the plunger engages when the plunger experiences sufficient force to be pushed inwardly.

Abstract: An improved transmission brake band (10) and a method of forming the same s an improved reaction bracket (20) formed as an upraised dome (36) surrounding a reaction opening (32). An insert member (42), having a volcano-type body (44) integrally formed with a peripheral flange (46) is engaged with the dome (36) and opening (32) so that the body (44) is positioned in the opening (32) and the flange (46) is received by the dome (36).

Abstract: A chain-belt that extends between driving and driven members such as the pulleys of a continuous variable transmission wherein the chain-belt is formed of a plurality of interleaved sets of links. The links define a passageway and a plurality of load blocks are positioned in the passageway. Several members for reducing the noise produced by such a chain-belt are disclosed whereby certain of the load blocks in the chain-belt engage the pulleys at a different location to alter and reduce the pattern of noise produced by the chain-belt. The chain-belt also has links with a particular configuration that allows the links to have a short pitch length while still maintaining strength in the links.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner having a plunger slidably fitted in a mounting cavity n a housing and biased in a protruding direction by a spring and fluid. A variable orifice check valve permits fluid to only flow into, and thereby protrude the plunger, but not out of the mounting cavity is disclosed. The variable orifice check valve is accomplished with a cylindrical compression spring in which the spring coils are normally mutually contacting, thus preventing the transfer of fluid, but which move to a non-contacting orientation upon experiencing a desired pressure. A mechanical no-return capability is provided to the plunger through an internal ratchet positioned within the mounting cavity and constructed from a cylinder having two helical openings which the plunger engages when the plunger experiences sufficient force to be pushed inwardly.

Abstract: The two-stage torsional vibration damper includes an outer hub driven by a orque input drive member, a ring member, rotatably supported in the outer hub, an inner hub rotatably supported in the ring member, and a torque output member at the center of the inner hub. A front spring retainer plate is attached to one side of the ring member and a rear spring retainer plate is attached to the other side of the ring member. The spring retainer plate retains outer spring assemblies in spring assembly apertures in the outer hub and retain inner spring assemblies in spring assembly apertures in the inner hub. Torque is transmitted from the outer hub to the outer spring assemblies to the spring retainer plates to the inner spring assemblies to the inner hub. The outer spring assemblies can be compressed until rotation of the inner hub relative to the ring member is stopped.

Abstract: An improved gear transmission (10) includes a one-way clutch (52) for connecting together selectively two drive elements to establish a plural torque flow path through the transmission (10) and the clutch (52) includes at least one inner race (52B) and one outer race (52A), each of the races having coaxial inner and outer race portions, the outer surface (112) of the outer race portion (52B) defined by a first undulating surface, the inner surface (113) of a mating drive element defined by a second undulating surface in conjugate registration with the first undulating surface, the profiles of the first and second undulating surfaces (112,113) being controlled to provide a controlled clearance therebetween reducing shock loading at the interface of the inner and outer race portions through a gradual lock-up through a controlled wind-up of the mating members and reducing vibration in the gear elements.

Abstract: A roller chain is provided with links having some rollers of nylon. The nn rollers may be arranged with standard metallic rollers in patterns along the length of a single-strand or double strand roller chain. The nylon is polytetramethylene-adipamide.

Abstract: A camshaft (26) has a vane (60) secured to an end thereof for non-oscillag rotation therewith. The camshaft also carries a sprocket (32) which can rotate with the camshaft but which is oscillatable with respect to the camshaft. The vane has opposed lobes 60a, 60b) which are received in opposed recesses (32a, 32b), 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. The camshaft experiences pulses during its normal operation, and these pulses are used to change its phase with respect to the crankshaft.

Abstract: A camshaft (126) has a vane (160) secured to an end thereof for non-osciling rotation therewith. The camshaft also carries a sprocket (132) which can rotate with the camshaft but which is oscillatable with respect to 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: A camshaft (126) has a vane (160) secured to an end thereof for non-osciling rotation therewith. The vane has opposed lobes (160a/160b) which are received in opposed recesses (132a/132b) respectively, of a sprocket (132) which is oscillatingly journalled on the camshaft. 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 timing belt drive extending therebetween. The camshaft experiences torque reversals as it rotates due to valve follower force on cam lobes attached to the camshaft, and such torque reversals are partly counteracted by a flywheel (144) fixedly attached to the camshaft.

Abstract: A rocker joint for a power transmission chain is formed from a single pin d an associated link aperture. The pin has a substantially flat front surface and a convex back surface, with the back surface being defined by a plurality of radii. The pin is received in the aperture of the link such that the front surface of the pin engages and rocks on the curved surface of the link aperture. The back surface of the pin is movable in the aperture of the links as the surfaces move relative to one another when the chain articulates.

Abstract: A roller chain is provided with sets of links constructed of unequal pitch n order to alter the pattern of contacts between the chain and the sprocket and the resulting noise spectrum. The varying pitch lengths through the chain are achieved by varying the length of the inside links or the lengths of the outside links. Alternatively, the sizes and configurations of the rollers or bushings are varied. Configurations can include circular rollers, elliptical rollers or triangular rollers. The pattern of variation of the pitch of the links is randomized throughout the chain.

Abstract: A camshaft (26) has a vane (60) secured to an end thereof for non-oscillag rotation therewith. The camshaft also carries a sprocket (32) which can rotate with the camshaft but which is oscillatable with the camshaft. The vane has opposed lobes (60a, 60b) which are received in opposed recesses (32a, 32b), 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 overrunning clutch comprises opposed inner (12) and outer (14) races dning an annular space (16) therebetween, rollers (40) or sprags (18), and a cage (22), the cage (22) being disposed in the annular space (16) and cooperating with the sprags (18). The cage (22) includes a plurality of interconnecting elements (24,41), each of which has an inner side (28) facing the inner race (12), the inner side of each interconnecting element (24,41) being contoured to redirect at least a portion of the lubrication supplied through oil holes (20) back toward the inner race (12).