Abstract: A folding bicycle assembly generally having a front and rear subassembly which pivot about a sprocket hub to nest with each other to provide a compact assembly for storage or transfer. The bicycle assembly utilizes wheels of a standard size and is equipped with pedals and handle bars that fold to further minimize the size of the folded assembly.

Abstract: A helical planetary gear assembly which is particularly adapted for use in a vehicle drive mechanism such as a four-wheel drive transfer case. The reaction member (ring gear) is rigidly secured to the housing; the input member (sun gear) is axially and radially located by a bearing; and the output member (planet carrier) is axially restrained but radially free to float. In direct drive the input and output are connected directly and the gears are unloaded, thus avoiding vibration and wear commonly experienced when running in reduction drive. The assembly requires only one mesh point when shifting to either the direct or reduction drive mode.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a variable pulley transmission assembly operable between a prime mover and a driven means. The assembly includes input and output pulleys each with a movable sheave, where the pulleys are connected by a flexible belt, a fluid-actuated and fluid cooled starting clutch, a forward-reverse-neutral gear arrangement and a differential drive system connected to the driver means. The system also includes a control system to control the fluid actuated clutch and the movable sheaves. The clutch includes a deeply grooved pattern to provide adequate cooling with low pressure oil before its return to sump. This assembly provides a slippable clutch that acts analogously to a fuse under certain conditions to avoid excess loads to the belt means and also to provide lower operating pressure limits on the movable sheave maintaining belt tension. The clutch further provides a low end lugging limit slip to thereby avoid "torsionals" being transmitted past the clutch.

Abstract: Stabilized operation of an inverter and an a-c motor, driven by the inverter, is obtained in the presence of sudden undesired load changes by controlling the inverter so that both the amplitude and frequency of the inverter output a-c voltage will be functions of, and will vary directly with, the d-c bus voltage, with the result that anytime an abrupt abnormal load change causes the d-c bus voltage to vary, a frequency change occurs to compensate for the load change and to stabilize the bus voltage. By employing the d-c bus voltage to regulate the inverter frequency, if there is a sudden decrease, for example, in the mechanical load on the motor, the d-c bus voltage, which will tend to increase, causes the frequency of the inverter output voltage to increase, thereby increasing the motor speed so that the electrical load change across the d-c bus is reduced. As a result, the d-c bus voltage tends to remain relatively constant in spite of the abrupt mechanical load change.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a variable pulley transmission assembly operable between a prime mover and a driven means. The assembly includes input and output pulleys each with a movable sheave, where the pulleys are connected by a flexible belt, a fluid-actuated and fluid cooled starting clutch, a forward-reverse-neutral gear arrangement and a differential drive system connected to the driver means. The system also includes a control system to control the fluid actuated clutch and the movable sheaves. The clutch includes a deeply grooved pattern to provide adequate cooling with low pressure oil before its return to sump. This assembly provides a slippable clutch that acts analogously to a fuse under certain conditions to avoid excess loads to the belt means and also to provide lower operating pressure limits on the movable sheave maintaining belt tension. The clutch further provides a low end lugging limit slip to thereby avoid "torsionals" being transmitted past the clutch.

Abstract: A multiple speed ratio transmission includes constantly meshed gears defining a plurality of forward speed ratios, a reverse idler gear slidable into meshing relationship with the constantly meshed gears to define a reverse speed ratio, control means including a selector and an interlock for selecting and engaging the gear ratios, and an anti-clash brake mechanism for retarding rotation of the constantly meshed gears prior to engagement of the reverse idler gear therewith. The brake mechanism includes a friction ring on one of the constantly meshed gears, and an arm extending from the interlock for blocking rotation of the friction ring when the selector is moved so as to select the reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a clutch having a built-in rotary sensitive and applied force lag control for an automotive vehicle adapted to reduce the tip-in and tip-out effects on the clutch, such as in an automotive lock-up clutch in a torque converter. The vibration damper includes a hub having radially extending fingers, and the lag control comprises friction lag plates received on each finger for generally outward radial movement relative to the hub to frictionally engage in a channel of a vibration damper housing under centrifugal force due to rotation of the assembly. The outward movement of the lag plates may be enhanced by a camming action or resilient spring between the hub finger and lag plate.

Abstract: A method of reactive sputtering of the nitride, oxide or carbide of titanium or similar materials onto a substrate from a target of the pure metal in a chamber utilizing an inert gas, such as argon, wherein the deposition rate of the metallic compound approaches substantially the deposition rate of the pure metal. A reactive gas is introduced into the chamber adjacent to the target at a constant flow and by a rapid pulsing wherein a valve is alternately opened and shut for very short time intervals.

Abstract: A metal from group IVb of the periodic table is used as the target in a reactive deposition process. An inert gas such as argon is admitted within the chamber housing the target. Electrical power at a constant level is supplied to the target, ionizing the inert gas so that the ions bombard the metal target and initiate sputtering. A controlled flow of a reactive gas such as nitrogen is then admitted to the chamber and controlled in such a way that the metal deposition rate is not lowered. The amount of the reactive gas is constantly sampled to provide a control signal used to regulate admission of the reactive gas at the proper rate for most effective deposition of the metal onto the substrate. Closed loop systems regulate the level of electrical power supplied to the target, rate of admission of the inert gas, and rate of admission of the reactive gas.

Abstract: A vibration damper with a built-in self-energizing lag system adapted to reduce the tip-in and tip-out effects of automotive lock-up torque converters for an automatic transmission. The lag system comprises a friction lag plate having a generally wedge shape that is received in a complementary notch formed in the outer surface of each hub arm of the vibration damper and will be urged outwardly by centrifugal force to slide in a channel formed in the housing for the damper to offer a resistance to movement of the hub that is proportional to the centrifugal force resulting from engine rpm.

Abstract: A mechanical seal assembly having a rotatable sealing ring means mounted for rotation on a shaft and a stationary sealing ring means connected to a housing flange, the sealing ring means having opposed sealing surfaces. The assembly also has means urging the sealing surfaces toward one another. The rotatable sealing ring means is of stepped configuration and constructed as an integral pair of equal axial length ring portions, one portion having its inner and outer diameters larger than the respective diameters of the other. Generally, the ring portion having the smallest inner and outer diameter is that ring portion having the sealing surface--one that opposes the sealing surface of the stationary sealing ring means.The degree of deflection of the sealing surface because of hydraulic load or pressure can be selected by selecting the diameters of the pair of ring portions, i.e.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for connecting the primary windings of a three-phase AC inducton motor in a delta-connection at heavy loads and for automatically reconnecting the windings in a wye-connection at light loads to effect energy savings. Power sensing means produces a control signal which is directly proportional to the power applied to the induction motor. Differential comparator means respond to the control signal and to an adjustable reference signal, representing a preselected power input level, for generating an actuating signal for switching a wye-delta starter between two conditions, one of which effects the wye connection and the other the delta connection. When the power input is below the preselected level the wye-connection is established, whereas the delta-connection is made when the power input is above the preselected level.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a fuel control system and apparatus for delivering or supplying liquid fuel to a gas turbine engine comprising a body construction (12) in which is contained a first diaphragm-actuated fuel control valve arrangement (40) for regulating fuel flow to the turbine engine for normal engine operation, a second diaphragm-actuated fuel control valve arrangement (42) for regulating fuel flow to the turbine engine for engine idling operation, the diaphragm-atuated valve arrangements (40) and (42) being responsive to the difference between the engine burner pressure and the compressor discharge pressure. A third diaphragm-actuated fuel control valve arrangement (44) is provided for supplying fuel to the turbine engine for engine starting purposes.

Abstract: A power transmission belt especially adapted for use in variable pulley transmissions and comprising a continuous metal containing band with attached drive blocks. The drive blocks are formed from sheet metal stampings and formed by sheet metal bending procedures.

Abstract: A power transmission belt especially adapted for use in variable pulley transmissions and comprising a continuous metal containing band with attached drive blocks. The drive blocks are formed from sheet metal stampings and formed by sheet metal bending procedures.

Abstract: A bi-directional internal/external gear pump with advanced porting includes inlet and outlet ports symmetrical about a line perpendicular to the port centerline. An internal/external gear set is rotatable on parallel axes establishing the hydraulic centerline, which is advanced relative to the port centerline by some predetermined angle. One axis may be revolved about the other to shift the hydraulic centerline by substantially 180.degree. minus twice the angle of advance.

Abstract: A clutch driven plate assembly for use in an automotive vehicle adapted to dissipate the irregular impulses of the vehicle engine when the transmission is in neutral, the clutch is engaged and the engine is at idle rpm. The assembly includes an inner hub in operative engagement with the transmission input shaft, an outer hub encompassing the inner hub, cooperating conical teeth on the inner and outer hubs, a back plate in engagement with the inner hub, and resilient means between the back plate and the outer hub.

Abstract: A mechanical seal assembly, especially for use in a slurry pump in which the seal rings are resiliently urged into sealing relation by at least one elastomeric assembly loaded in shear. The preferred embodiment is constructed as a cartridge for installation and removal as a unit but it may also be constructed for installation in situ.

Abstract: A mechanical seal assembly comprising stationary rotating seal rings having opposed faces which remain parallel to one another during operation or defect to become convex in order to provide a convergent path for leakage across the opposed faces.

Abstract: An extended travel vibration damper for a lock-up clutch utilized in a torque converter where both the clutch friction surfaces and the damper structure are located radially outwardly in the torque converter housing, with the damper being formed of a plurality of annular members with damper springs to provide a compact structure where there is limited space in the torque converter.