Abstract: Valves having a sprung gate of various constructions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprung gate includes a first endless elastic band having an inner perimeter defining an open space sandwiched between a first gate member and a second gate member that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof. The first endless elastic band is sandwiched therebetween with its open space oriented for alignment with the opening in both of the first and second gate members, which are aligned with one another to form a passage through the sprung gate. In one aspect, the first endless elastic band in positioned inward a distance from the outer sides of the first and second gate members and spaces the first gate member a distance apart from the second gate member thereby defining a channel having a bottom defined by the first endless elastic band.

Abstract: Venturi devices are disclosed that have a housing defining a conduit having a Venturi gap. Downstream of and bypassing the Venturi gap is a bypass check valve that defines an internal cavity having a first seat, a second seat, an inlet port, at least two outlet ports, and a seal member seated therein that is translatable between a closed position against the first seat and an open position against the second seat. The two outlet ports of the bypass check valve enter the conduit at opposing positions disposed a distance from a top of the conduit, which is located at a midsagittal plane of the housing. Further, a transition from a tapering section downstream of the Venturi gap and upstream of each of the two outlet ports to a discharge section downstream of the two outlet ports forms a gradually, continuously tapering interior surface of the conduit.

Abstract: A sprung gate for a valve having an endless elastic band sandwiched between first and second gate members that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof, which collectively form a passage through the sprung gate. The first gate member includes a fastener connected to a fastener receiving member of the second gate member thereby securing the first and second gate members together as a unit. This sprung gate unit is operatively connected to an actuator for linear translation within a pocket of a conduit to control fluid flow through the conduit. This assembled device may be manufactured using spin welding to sealingly mate the conduit to a housing enclosing the actuator.

Abstract: Aspirators are disclosed herein that include a body defining a Venturi gap between an outlet end of a converging motive section and an inlet end of a diverging discharge section and have a suction port in fluid communication with the Venturi gap. The converging motive section defines a circular-shaped motive inlet and defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet, and the diverging discharge section defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped discharge inlet. In one embodiment, the converging motive section defines an inner passageway that transitions as a hyperbolic function from the circular-shaped motive inlet to the elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet and the elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet has an area that is less than the area of the circular-shaped motive inlet.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated vacuum pump is disclosed. The pneumatically actuated vacuum pump includes a body. The body defines at least two converging motive sections each having an outlet end, at least two diverging discharge sections each having an inlet end, and at least one Venturi gap. The Venturi gap is located between the outlet ends of the at least two converging motive sections and the inlet ends of the at least two diverging discharge sections.

Abstract: Recirculation systems for engine intake air are disclosed having a turbocharger compressor with an inlet and an outlet, a recirculation pathway connecting fluid flow from the outlet of the turbocharger compressor to fluid flow into the inlet of the turbocharger compressor, and a recirculation valve assembly controlling fluid flow through the recirculation pathway. The recirculation valve assembly includes an actuator operating a valve coupled to an aspirator assembly that produces vacuum when the fluid flows through the recirculation pathway from the inlet to the outlet and when fluid flows through the recirculation pathway from the outlet to the inlet. Fluid flows through the recirculation pathway from the outlet to the inlet when the turbocharger generates boost. The vacuum generated by the aspirator assembly is in fluid communication with the actuator to move the valve between two or more positions.

Abstract: Torsional vibration dampers (TVDs) having a plurality of spokes that are asymmetric by having a changing spoke thickness in the angular direction with the greatest thickness at the position where the belt torque and the dynamic torque of the TVD act in unison are disclosed. The spokes, which connect a central member to a peripheral rim, include an asymmetrical thickness in an angular direction, as evidenced by a cross-section view transverse to a radial length of each of the plurality of spokes. Engine systems having one of the disclosed TVDs mounted to a shaft are also disclosed, for example a TVD mounted to a crankshaft.

Abstract: Engine systems have an air induction system, a turbocharger in fluid communication with an intake manifold, an evacuator defining a Venturi gap with a suction port in fluid communication therewith, a relief valve enclosing a piston and defining an inlet and an outlet in selective fluid communication with one another, and a storage tank of high pressure air in fluid communication with the evacuator. The relief valve has a valve element connected to the piston, and the piston divides the housing into a pressurized chamber in fluid communication with the suction port of the evacuator and a bypass portion in fluid communication with the inlet, which is in fluid communication with the compressed air from the turbocharger, and the outlet, which is in fluid communication with the air induction system or atmosphere. A discharge cone of the evacuator is in fluid communication with atmosphere or the air induction system.

Abstract: V-ribbed belts with spaced rib flank reinforcement and methods of making the same are disclosed. The V-ribbed belt comprises a compression section having at least one laterally spaced, longitudinally extending V-rib having first and second longitudinally extending flanks. The V-rib includes an elastomeric material having a dry coefficient of friction encapsulating a plurality of reinforcing bodies having a dry coefficient of friction that is less than that of the elastomeric material. The plurality of reinforcing bodies are arranged generally laterally within the V-rib such that at least a portion of the reinforcing bodies forms part of one or more of the first and second longitudinally extending flanks.

Abstract: Torsional vibration dampers are disclosed that have a hub defining a plurality of fastener-receiving openings and an inertia member concentric about and spaced a radial distance apart from a shaft-receiving member of the hub and having a plurality of receptacles defining a bore oriented axially. Each receptacle aligns with one of the plurality of fastener-receiving openings, and receives one of a plurality of elastomeric rings with a fastener seated therein and received in the fastener-receiving openings to operatively connect the inertia member to the hub through compression of the elastomeric rings. The height of each elastomeric ring is greater than the axial width of the receptacles, and compression of the elastomeric rings deforms each radially into a first gap between the hub and the inertia member and a second gap between the inertia member and the fastener, thereby axially locking the inertia member to the hub for rotation together.

Abstract: A tensioning system including a base and an arm pivotally coupled to the base, the arm having an engagement surface and being configured to pivot relative to the base about a pivot axis. The system further includes a biasing mechanism operatively coupled to the arm to bias the arm relative to the base, and a seal assembly sealingly positioned between the arm and the base. The seal assembly is coaxial with the pivot axis and configured to accommodate relative axial movement between the base and the arm and relative radial movement between the base and the arm while still maintaining a seal therebetween.

Abstract: Fluidic diodes are disclosed that have a housing defining an inlet and an outlet and a divided fluid passageway therebetween defined by mirror image partitions generally tear-drop shaped spaced apart a first distance from one another by a constant width primary fluid pathway with the tip thereof pointed generally toward the outlet and spaced apart a second distance from an interior wall of the housing to define a constant width secondary fluid pathway. Fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet is through the primary fluid pathway with some additional flow through the secondary fluid pathways joining the primary fluid pathway proximate the outlet for flow together in the same direction, and fluid flow from the outlet to the inlet through the secondary fluid pathways exits the secondary fluid pathways into the primary fluid pathway, proximate the inlet, in a direction substantially opposite the flow in the primary fluid pathway.

Abstract: Torsional vibration dampers having a dual spring-dashpot system are disclosed that result in a lightweight hub and a lightweight inertia ring, which is concentric about the hub. The hub has a two-piece construction: a central hub defining an innermost sleeve that defines a bore for receiving a shaft; and a monolithic, generally-annular spoke defining an outermost ring concentric about and spaced radially outward from the central hub portion. A first elastomer member, which acts as a primary spring to damp torsional vibrations, is positioned concentrically against an inner surface or an outer surface of the outermost ring of the hub with the inertia ring concentrically positioned against the first elastomer member. A second elastomer member is positioned between and operatively couples the central hub to the annular spoke, thereby attributing a flexibility to the hub.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed, and includes an evacuator and a relief valve. The evacuator includes a suction port that selectively applies a vacuum. The relief valve has an open position and a closed position, and includes an inlet, an outlet, a piston that translates within a chamber, and a pressurized chamber. The piston includes a first end and a second end. The pressurized chamber is fluidly connected to the suction port of the evacuator, and is defined in part by the first end of the piston. The piston translates within the pressurized chamber towards the open position if vacuum is applied to the pressurized chamber.

Abstract: Damper-isolators are disclosed that have a hub defining a bore for receiving a shaft, a pulley body mated to the hub to collectively define a magnet track that is concentric about the bore, a damper assembly operatively disposed between the hub and a belt engaging portion of the pulley body, a first magnet positioned within the magnet track and connected to the hub for rotation therewith, and a second magnet positioned within the magnet track and connected to the pulley body for rotation therewith. The first magnet and the second magnet are positioned with like polarities facing one another. A front end accessory drive system having one of the damper-isolators is also disclosed.