Abstract: A vibration damper and/or isolator for a rotating shaft is provided comprising a hub, an inertia element, a magneto-rheological elastic element interposed between the hub and the inertia element to non-rigidly couple the inertia element to the hub, and an electromagnet operable to produce a magnetic field across the elastic element when energized. The magneto-rheological elastic element, which may comprise a composite of magnetic-responsive particles dispersed within an elastic material, possesses a variable shear modulus that is dependent, at least in part, on the strength of a magnetic field applied to the elastic element.

Abstract: An extruded seal member having a corrugated axial surface exhibiting alternating peaks and valleys extending longitudinally along the axial surface of the seal member; a method for manufacturing the seal member which comprises extruding a tubular structure having a corrugated axial surface, crosslinking the extrude tubular structure, cutting the tubular structure to provide a plurality of uniform seal members and recovering the seal members; and a method of using such multilayer seal members, are described.

Abstract: A first belt tensioner includes an arm, spring case, coil spring, and arm plate. The arm is adapted to support an idler pulley and has a hook portion. The spring case is disposed in the arm and has a first spring seat. The spring is disposed in the spring case. The arm plate has a second spring seat. The spring is longitudinally compressed between the arm plate and the spring case. The spring is in torsion with the end portions of the spring seated against a corresponding spring seat and with the arm plate rotationally positioned under the hook portion. A method for assembling the first belt tensioner includes using the arm plate to longitudinally compress the spring and rotating the arm plate. A second belt tensioner includes an arm, spring case, coil spring, arm plate, and pivot bushing.

Abstract: A belt tensioner system includes a belt tensioner and a bumper idler pulley. The belt tensioner includes an arm which is adapted to be rotatably-biased and includes a tensioner idler pulley which is supported by the arm and which travels in an arcuate path when the arm rotates. The bumper idler pulley is positioned at least partially in the arcuate path to stop the travel of the tensioner idler pulley when the arm rotates to a predetermined rotational position. In one application, the belt tensioner system is for an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An extruded multilayer seal member having an expanded temperature range and an improved compression set resistance wherein the seal member comprises a first fluoroelastomer as the inner layer of the multilayer seal member and a second elastomer as the outer layer of the multilayer seal member; and a method for manufacturing the multilayer seal member which comprises extruding a multilayer tubular structure, crosslinking the extruded multilayer tubular structure on a mandrel, cutting the multilayer tubular structure to provide a plurality of uniform seal members and recovering the seal members, are described.

Abstract: A belt tensioner includes an arm, a spring case, and a helical spring having inwardly projecting first and second end portions. Another belt tensioner includes a spring, an arm, a spring case, and a pivot bushing surrounding the spring. An additional belt tensioner includes an idler pulley having a bearing with a mounting hole and includes an arm having a post. The post is positioned in the mounting hole, and an annular rim of the post is deformed radially outward and over the bearing. A method for manufacturing an arm and a spring case of a belt-tensioner includes obtaining a belt-tensioner-arm casting mold including a first section and a second section and obtaining a belt-tensioner-spring-case casting mold including a first segment and a second segment.

Abstract: A new asymmetrically damped tensioner is provided utilizing a one-way clutch connected to a tensioner arm through a frictional damper. The frictional damper is in frictional contact with the arm and the one-way clutch is coupled to the frictional damper for movement therewith. The tensioner arm is pivotable in a first direction to take up belt slack and a second direction. The clutch is pivotable in the first direction but not the second direction. Because the one-way clutch is operatively engaged with the arm through the frictional damper, the tensioner is able to respond to high belt tension once the frictional force between the arm and the damper is overcome.

Abstract: A tensioner for a power transmitting belt is provided having a base, an arm pivotably attached to the base, a pulley rotatably attached to the arm and a spring operatively connected to the arm and the base for urging the arm in direction to tension the belt. A hydraulic strut is pivotably attached to the base and the arm to restrict the movement of the arm through asymmetric fluid damping. The hydraulic strut includes a hydraulic cylinder filled with magnetorheological fluid, a piston rod axially mounted through the cylinder and a piston mounted on the piston rod to divide the cylinder into first and second fluid chambers. The strut further includes a fluid flow path between the first and second fluid chambers, a check valve in the fluid flow path to provide asymmetric fluid flow and a coil that is operable to generate a magnetic field across the fluid flow path when energized.

Abstract: A low modulus drive belt for an automotive accessory drive system is disclosed that allows for relatively high elongation during installation and that maintains a relatively high percentage of its install tension throughout the useful life of the belt. In addition, an automotive accessory drive system is taught that utilizes such a belt as is a method for constructing such a belt. According to one aspect an accessory drive system for an automobile is provided that includes: (a) a drive pulley; (b) an accessory pulley operatively coupled to an accessory drive shaft; and (c) an endless drive belt engaged between the drive pulley and the accessory pulley, where the drive belt includes an endless band of rubber composite material having a plurality of circumferentially extending an axially aligned polyamide 6.6 twisted cords formed therewithin.

Abstract: An idler pulley with an integral bearing carrier insert comprising: a pulley body having a peripheral surface for accepting and retaining an endless belt; and a tubular bearing carrier insert forming a central hub along a perpendicular axis of the idler pulley body, the hub having an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: A fuel filler neck assembly having a uniform hemmed connection between an outer funnel portion and an inner funnel portion. The outer funnel portion is typically defined by an offset-expanded cylinder and sidewalls of varying thickness. The inner funnel portion includes sidewalls that have an internal thread, which is configured to mate with the threads of a gas cap. A hemmed connection is used to join one end of the outer funnel portion to one end of the inner funnel portion. The sidewalls at one end of the outer funnel portion are folded or bent inwardly and around the rim portion to define a curled portion. A tooling assembly for producing a uniform hemmed connection between one end of the outer funnel portion and one end of the inner funnel portion. A method of producing a uniform hemmed connection between portions of a fuel filler neck.

Abstract: An improved adhesive composition and method for adhering textile reinforcing elements to rubber, particularly ethylene-propylene-diene rubber in the manufacture of rubber articles such as power transmission belts, wherein the adhesive composition comprises a latex of a hydrogenated styrene-butadiene rubber, a carboxylated hydrogenated styrene-butadiene rubber, a hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber, a carboxylated hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber, a chlorosulfonated polyethylene or blends thereof; an aqueous solution of a half-ester of maleinized liquid poly butadiene; and, optionally, up to about 15% by weight carbon black in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: An energy attenuation device for a conduit that is adapted to convey a pressurized fluid therethrough, comprising a hose section disposed about a portion of the conduit, wherein such conduit portion is provided with at least one aperture, for example in a surface thereof, and wherein in a non-pressurized state of the conduit, the hose section rests against the portion of the conduit over essentially the entire length of such portion.

Abstract: A fuel fill system includes a funnel having an inlet port configured to receive a nozzle from an external fuel source, a fuel filler tube coupled to an outlet port of the funnel, and a vapor recirculation tube coupled to the funnel. Fuel vapor entering the funnel from the vapor recirculation tube is directed toward the outlet port at a first angle less than 90° from a longitudinal axis of the funnel. The fuel vapor entering the funnel may also be directed at a second angle less than 90° from a line tangent to an inner surface of the funnel at a point where fuel vapor enters the funnel. The second angle being in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the funnel.

Abstract: A flexible fuel hose having improved fuel vapor barrier properties wherein the fuel hose comprises a first fluoropolymer layer forming a first barrier tubular structure and a second fluoropolymer layer forming a second tubular structure around the first barrier tubular structure; and a method for the manufacture of such hose are described.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a power transmission belt is provided that utilizes asymmetric motion control and is operable in a first condition and a second condition. The belt tensioner has an arm with a belt engaging section and a drum section, a support member for securing the tensioner relative to the belt, and a spring that urges the arm to pivot about the support member in a first direction and urges the belt engaging section against the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner also has a stator coupled to the support member to form arcuate spaces circumferentially spaced around the stator between the stator and the drum section and arcuate shaped wedges in the arcuate spaces. The tensioner further has a Belleville spring coupled to the arm for pivoting therewith and a friction device in sliding contact with the wedges and Belleville spring.

Abstract: A banjo fitting is disclosed comprising a block, a stud, a saddle washer pair and a cap. The saddle washer pair is bent so as to partially surround and clip onto the block. In this manner the block and washer pair form a single unit to simplify installation of the banjo fitting. The block further includes a pair of walls that extend from opposite faces of the block and engage the stud so as to provide a clocking feature. In this manner, the stud and the block remain properly aligned even as the cap is tightened on the stud to secure the block.

Abstract: A belt tensioner with integral damping comprising a housing, a pivot bushing, a spring element, a disc-shaped spring bushing, a lever arm assembly, a pulley assembly, an armplate assembly including an armplate and a friction element; wherein the armplate assembly comprises an armplate having a cup-shaped cavity including a circumferential edge and a plurality of spaced apart finger elements extending from said circumferential edge wherein the finger elements are configured to provide a high degree of damping in a radial direction., and a friction element disposed between the fingers elements and the armplate, the friction element providing at least one contact area having increased friction between the lever arm and the armplate.

Abstract: A heat tolerant, pressure resistant elastomeric composition comprising a blend of a first ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer and a second copolymer selected from the group consisting of chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), polychloroprene (CR), ethylene-acrylic elastomer (AEM), alkyl-acrylate copolymer (ACM), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber (HNBR), and mixtures thereof, a hose manufactured therefrom; and a method for preparing the hose are described.

Abstract: A tensioner for generating tension in a power-transmitting belt is provided. The tensioner includes a base, which may be secured to an engine, and an arm that is movably attached to the base. A pulley is rotatably attached to the arm for engaging the belt. A spring is operatively connected to the arm and the base for urging the arm to move relative to the base in a first direction. When the arm is moved in the first direction, the pulley is moved into engagement with the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner further includes a stop that is adjustably positioned on the base to limit the movement of the arm in a second direction. The position of the stop on the base may be automatically adjusted by the spring during installation of the tensioner.