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: A rotatable device, such as a pulley, includes an annular rotatable member having a bore extending therethrough and an outer surface disposed about the bore. A bearing is located in the bore. The bearing is operably connected to the annular rotatable member to form an axis of rotation about which the annular rotatable member can rotate relative to an inner race of the bearing. A combination dust cover and bearing retaining member spans the bore at a location spaced axially from the bearing. The cover includes a flange received by a groove extending outwardly from the bore in a direction toward the outer surface of the rotatable member to attach the combination dust cover and bearing retaining member to the rotatable member.

Abstract: A pulley assembly for an automobile accessory drive system includes a shaft engaging hub, a nut threaded onto the shaft engaging hub, an annular bushing, and one or more brake shoes positioned around the outside of the annular bushing all housed with a pulley member. The nut is capable of axial translation relative to the annular bushing and the annular bushing is capable of expanding radially outward in response to the axial translation of the nut in a first direction to provide frictional engagement between the inner coupling surface of the pulley member and the outer coupling surface of the brake shoes, which transfers torque from the pulley member to the input shaft. The nut includes a generally frustoconical outer surface, opposite its inner threaded surface, for seating the nut in the annular bushing.

Abstract: A pulley assembly for use in an automobile accessory drive system includes a shaft engaging member including a bore for receiving an accessory input shaft for engagement therewith. A pulley member includes a bore receiving an axially extending shaft of the shaft engaging member. The pulley member includes a first coupling surface and a peripheral belt-engaging surface. A shaft extension member transfers torque between the pulley member and the shaft engaging member. The shaft extension member includes a second coupling surface facing the first coupling surface. The first and second coupling surfaces couple together when torque applied to the shaft extension member is in a first direction such that the shaft extension member and the shaft engaging member rotate with the pulley member. The first and second coupling surfaces decouple when torque applied to the shaft extension member is in a second direction opposite the first direction such that the shaft engaging member rotates relative to the pulley member.

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a belt includes a support housing that defines, at least in part, a spring cavity and an arm pivotably attached to the support housing. A spring is disposed in the spring cavity and is operatively connected to the arm and support housing to bias the arm to pivot relative to the support housing. The spring is a round wire coil spring having an unloaded axial height and wherein the spring cavity has a height greater than the unloaded axial height of the spring.

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a belt includes a support housing at least in part defining a spring cavity. A damping member having a first friction bearing surface is at least partially disposed in the spring cavity. An arm pivotally attached to the support housing has a second friction bearing surface. A spring is located in the spring cavity and operatively connected to the arm and damping member to pivot the damping member about a pivot location such that the first friction bearing surface of the damping member is biased against the second friction bearing surface of the arm to dampen relative movement between the arm and the support housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating an automotive power transmission belt dynamic is provided. The apparatus includes a belt tensioner including a support housing and an arm rotatably connected to the support housing. A pulley is carried by the arm, the pulley having a belt-engaging surface. A spring is connected to the arm and support housing to bias the arm to pivot relative to the support housing. A sensor is responsive to an input associated with a position of the arm relative to the sensor, the sensor providing an indication in response to receipt of the input. A signaling device is configured to provide a signal to a user in response to the indication provided by the sensor.

Abstract: A power transmission belt. The power transmission belt includes the following: a backing layer; a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface joined with the backing layer, the top surface including a plurality of teeth, and the body including a plurality of reinforcing cords positioned between the top and bottom surfaces; and a fabric material having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface at least partially embedded in the top surface of the body, the fabric material being a weft knitted structure having N×N ribs, wherein N is at least 2, and the top surface of the fabric material being at least partially exposed at surfaces of the plurality of teeth.

Abstract: A pulley assembly for use in an automobile accessory drive system includes a shaft engaging hub, a pulley member, a nut treaded onto the shaft engaging hub, and a brake member interposed between the pulley member and the nut. The shaft engaging hub is engaged with an accessory input shaft for rotation therewith. Frictional engagement between the pulley member, the brake member, and the nut transfers torque from the pulley member to the input shaft. The pulley member includes an inner coupling surface and a peripheral belt-engaging surface. The nut includes an outer coupling surface. The brake member includes a first coupling surface in frictional engagement the outer coupling surface of the nut and a second coupling surface in frictional engagement with the inner coupling surface of the pulley member. When torque is applied to the nut in a first direction the out coupling surface of the nut couples to the inner coupling surface of the brake member such that the hub and the nut rotate with the pulley member.

Abstract: A belt tensioner is provided for mounting on a mounting surface of a structure. The tensioner comprises a body, which defines a cavity, and a drain hole that is in communication with the cavity. The drain hole is located on the body so as to be facing the mounting surface of the structure when the tensioner is mounted on the structure. In this manner it is more difficult for contaminants to enter the body than to exit the body.

Abstract: A new tensioner is disclosed that achieves asymmetric damping in part by using a moveable ramp plate. The moveable ramp plate is in frictional contact with the arm provides asymmetric frictional damping for the tensioner arm when the arm experiences wind-up and begins to move away from the belt. The ramp plate is rotatably associated with the movement of the tensioner arm through a spring. The tensioner arm may pivot in two directions. As the tensioner arm pivots in a direction toward the belt the ramp plate is urged such that friction between the ramp plate and tensioner are minimized. When the tensioner arm pivots in the opposite direction, as potentially typified by wind-up, the ramp plate is urged such that friction between the ramp plate and tensioner is increased thereby minimizing wind-up of the tensioner arm.

Abstract: A vibration damper for controlling the torsional and bending vibrations in a rotating shaft is provided. The vibration damper includes a hub, an inertia element, and an elastic element that possess a first shear modulus in a first direction and a second shear modulus in a second direction. The hub is adapted to be coupled to the shaft for rotational movement. The inertia element is concentric with the hub and has a mass. The elastic element is adapted to non-rigidly couple the hub and the inertia element. The elastic element may be a non-isotropic composite material having a plurality of fibers dispersed therein.

Abstract: A method for maintaining constant position of a bearing outer race relative to an axial bore of a pulley comprising providing a pulley having a central axial hub exhibiting a concentric axial bore therethrough, the concentric axial bore having an axial bore surface; providing a bearing having an outer axial race, an inner axial race, and a plurality of bearing elements rotatably positioned between the outer axial race and the inner axial race; applying at least one drop or bead of a fastening element onto an outer surface of the outer race, wherein the fastening element acts to maintain constant position of the bearing relative to the pulley; and coupling the bearing to the pulley, and a pulley having a bearing integral therewith which exhibit the characteristic of maintaining constant position of the bearing relative to the pulley are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for controlling turbulence in a combustion engine having a composite upper intake manifold and a cylinder head. The system includes a composite housing, a composite cartridge, a shaft, a radial gasket, a lever arm, and a press in place gasket. The composite housing includes an open first end and an open second end. The open second end defines a first cross-sectional area. The first end is configured to be welded to the composite upper intake manifold and the second end has a gasket groove. The second end is configured to be connected with the cylinder head. The composite cartridge is positioned within and removably joined with the second end of the composite housing. The composite cartridge includes a body, a flap valve, and bushings. The shaft connected to the flap valve within the composite housing. The press in place gasket is positioned within the gasket groove.

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: 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 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.