Abstract: A system and method of making an open-ended, reinforced, layered belt having a profile layer, a top layer material, and tensile cords fully encapsulated there between. The method includes engaging portion of the profile layer on a rotatable cylindrical mandrel with an engaging roller, disengaging with a take-off roller, and applying and fusing the cords to the profile layer at a desired cord spacing there between. The cord may be fused by melting the profile layer surface with a heated plow and/or with heated cord. The cord is then covered with the top layer material in a lamination step involving heating to melt at least a portion of the top layer and pressing it to fuse it to the reinforced profile layer. Lamination may be done downstream or directly on the mandrel.

Abstract: A hose end coupling comprising a unitary one-piece stem having an exterior barb end portion and an exterior ferrule interface portion, with a unitary one-piece radially crushable ferrule disposed over the stein, with a crushable socket portion disposed about the barb end portion, a deformable attachment portion disposed about the ferrule interface portion, and a torque communication portion defined between the socket portion and the attachment portion. The socket portion may retain a “C” shaped insert, one or more coiled inserts, or a plurality of stacked inserts, for gripping a hose end and the socket portion might define a lip, with a seal disposed in the socket portion between the insert(s) and the lip. Some embodiments of a “C” shaped insert define inner-circumferential teeth and corresponding outer-circumferential depression indentions.

Abstract: Tools for determining belt wear are provided. Specifically, non-contact based systems and processes are described which enable a quick and accurate measurement of belt wear. Based on the measurements of belt wear, a wear condition for the belt can be determined. Information regarding the wear condition can then be used to determine an appropriate remedial measure for responding to the determined wear condition.

Abstract: A clip for a quick connect hose coupling that possesses an improved combination of characteristics leading to a quick connect coupling that can be connected reliably, consistently, and with reduced damage to the coupling and low insertion force. The clip provides reduced friction against the fitting and reduces insertion force and damage. The clip has two end portions that are designed to be deflected relative to each other when the stem is inserted into the port. The clip further has a periphery with two end portions, each curved at or beyond the radius of maximum installation deflection such that they will not scrape the installation ramp.

Abstract: A threaded adapter is part of a quick-to-connect and quick-to-disconnect flexible hose coupling system. The adapter may provide a low-profile securement and seal between the port and the stem portion of the quick connect coupling. The adapter in combination with the fluid valve block orifice provides a seal that is further down in the valve block than the location of seals provided by other fluid couplings. Without relying on wrenching flats, the adapter also provides effective access to the hoses for repair and therefore is a cost saving device. The adapter may be a safe, reliable, easy to connect and disconnect component in a hydraulic system and is adaptable to accommodate any coupling including those in high and low pressure fluid and other systems.

Abstract: An embodiment for disposing a sleeve on a fluid conduit includes positioning a sleeve through lead rollers, pressing sleeve edges to flatten the sleeve against its normal geometry, aligning the flattened sleeve with opposing guide channels defined in an passage through a sleeve guide, feeding the sleeve through the passage, and compressing the sleeve in the passage, letting the edges of the sleeve ride against the guide channels to open the sleeve. A length of the compressed sleeve exiting the guide may be cut using a heated device that fuses the sleeve material, leaving the sleeve clear to receive a fluid conduit. A collar may be disposed around an end of the cut sleeve and over the conduit, then compressed, with an end of the sleeve captured between the collar and end of the conduit. This compressing may define at least one raised portion in the collar.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a sleeve, an adjuster cooperatively engaged with an inner surface of the sleeve, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the sleeve, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm, a torsion spring engaged with the sleeve for urging the pivot arm, an elastomeric damping ring connected to the arm and in compressive frictional contact between the sleeve and the arm whereby a tangential friction force damps a pivot arm movement, the elastomeric damping ring exerting a radial force on the sleeve, and a retaining member connected to the adjuster and cooperatively engaged with the sleeve whereby the adjuster and sleeve are kept in a predetermined relation.

Abstract: A V-ribbed belt that includes a ribbed surface covered with fabric is provided. The fabric is stretchable in two predetermined directions. A method for manufacturing the V-ribbed belt is also provided. The method includes placing a belt matrix about a mandrel, placing a fabric about the external circumference of the belt matrix which wraps around the mandrel, placing the mandrel inside a shell having a plurality of grooves on the internal circumference, expanding the belt matrix and the fabric toward the internal circumference of the shell and thus pressing the fabric onto the internal circumference having the multi-ribbed structure, and curing the belt matrix with the fabric. The fabric is stretchable to accommodate itself to the multi-ribbed structure.

Abstract: A bracket stores and separates conduits. The bracket includes two interchangeable halves having an engagement extrusion extending from an inner face. Each half has a corresponding receptive slot disposed in the inner face. The bracket half includes at least one conduit receptive channel defined in the inner face. The halves align and engage when each half's extrusion is inserted into the other half's slot. The channels align to secure a conduit therein. The engagement portions may comprise a dovetail and socket engagement. At least two stages of securement are provided. Securement may comprise snap fit, sliding or other methods. A first, temporary stage of engagement initially joins the halves, adjustably and releasably retaining the halves and the conduits together. The second and subsequent stages of engagement are tighter engagements between the tail and socket, achieved by applying more pressing force to the halves or inserting a fastener.

Abstract: A sprocket system comprising a first sprocket (100) comprising a plurality of transverse first teeth (101) extending parallel to an axis of rotation (A-A) and having a first pitch (P1), the first sprocket further comprising a plurality of transverse second teeth (102) having a second pitch (P2) and disposed immediately adjacent the first teeth, the second teeth parallel to the first teeth, a tooth of said first teeth aligned with a radius (A) of said first sprocket, a tooth of said second teeth offset a distance (x) from said radius (A), wherein (x) is greater than zero, a second sprocket (200), and a toothed belt (300) entrained between the first sprocket and the second sprocket.

Abstract: A method for assembling a safety hose sleeve system using a crimper die set which includes an upper die comprising an upper curved compressive face, upper recess walls extending contiguous from the upper compressive face at an acute angle to the upper compressive face, each defining a portion of a cavity. Thrust plate slots extend upward from ends of the upper recess walls. A lower die comprises a lower curved compressive face. Lower recess walls extend contiguous from the lower compressive face at an acute angle to the lower compressive face and define another portion of each cavity. Lower thrust plate slots extend downward from an end of the lower recess walls. Thrust plates extend from the lower thrust plate slot into the upper thrust plate slot, across the cavity at an acute angle to each of the recess walls, defining an outer abutment of the cavity.

Abstract: An isolating decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley rotationally engaged with the shaft, a coil spring engaged between the pulley and a spring carrier, the spring carrier moveable relative to the shaft and pulley, a one-way clutch mounted to the shaft, a first torsion spring and a second torsion spring engaged between the spring carrier and the one-way clutch, the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring having a releasable frictional engagement with the one-way clutch, the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring comprising adjacent parallel strands and having substantially equal diameters, the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring each being engagable with the pulley, the first torsion spring releasing a frictional engagement with the one-way clutch upon an engagement with the pulley, and the second torsion spring releasing a frictional engagement with the one-way clutch upon an engagement with the pulley.

Abstract: Provided is a toothed belt that has satisfactory durability even under high-temperature and high-load conditions or within an oil or water environment. The toothed belt 10 comprises a belt body 13 including a tooth rubber portion 11 and a backing rubber portion 12. A surface of the tooth rubber portion 11 is covered with a facing fabric 20. The facing fabric 20 is subjected to RFL treatment, and has an outer surface 21 covered with a hardened material of a first epoxy resin. The softening point of the hardened material of the first epoxy resin is, for example, 110° C. or higher. The epoxy equivalent of the first epoxy resin is, for example, 100 to 1500 g/eq. Alternatively, the facing fabric 20 is subjected to impregnation treatment with a treatment agent including a second epoxy resin, a hardener for hardening the second epoxy resin, and a rubber component.

Abstract: A vulcanized rubber CVT belt in the form of an endless V-belt having a belt body with angled sides, a tensile cord layer of helically spiraled tensile cord embedded in the belt body, an overcord rubber layer, and an undercord rubber layer, wherein the tensile cord is a twisted, single-tow bundle of continuous-filament, carbon fiber impregnated with an adhesive treatment and/or overcoated with adhesive compatible with the rubber of the tensile cord layer. The tow may be 18K. The carbon fiber may have a filament diameter of from about 6.0 to about 6.4-micron, a tensile modulus of from about 200 to about 300 GPa, an elongation at break of from about 1.9% to about 2.3%.

Abstract: A system and method of making an open-ended, reinforced, layered belt having a profile layer, a top layer material, and tensile cords fully encapsulated there between. The method includes engaging portion of the profile layer on a rotatable cylindrical mandrel with an engaging roller, disengaging with a take-off roller, and applying and fusing the cords to the profile layer at a desired cord spacing there between. The cord may be fused by melting the profile layer surface with a heated plow and/or with heated cord. The cord is then covered with the top layer material in a lamination step involving heating to melt at least a portion of the top layer and pressing it to fuse it to the reinforced profile layer. Lamination may be done downstream or directly on the mandrel.

Abstract: The durability of a frictional power transmission belt is improved. A V-ribbed belt (10) comprises an adhesion rubber portion (12) and a compression rubber portion (14) provided below the adhesion rubber portion (12). A cord (11) that is a tension member of the belt is embedded in the adhesion rubber portion (12). The adhesion rubber portion (12) includes an upper layer (12A) constituting the upper side and a lower layer (12B) constituting the lower side, which are located across the cord (11). The upper layer (12A) and the lower layer (12B) are obtained by vulcanizing a rubber composition including a high-viscosity elastomer such as EPM or EPDM, and a low-viscosity elastomer which is lower in Mooney viscosity than the high-viscosity elastomer, and contain modified nylon microfibers as short fibers (21A), (21B), respectively. The short fibers (21A), (21B) are oriented, respectively, in the width direction and longitudinal direction of the belt.

Abstract: A crimper die set for assembling a safety hose sleeve system includes an upper die comprising an upper curved compressive face, upper recess walls extending contiguous from the upper compressive face at an acute angel to the upper compressive face, each defining a portion of a cavity Thrust plate slots extend upward from ends of the upper recess walls. A lower die comprises a lower curved compressive face, lower recess walls extend contiguous from the lower compressive face at an acute angel to the lower compressive face and define another portion of each cavity. Lower thrust plate slots extend downward from an end of the lower recess walls, distal from the lower compressive face. Thrust plates extend from the lower thrust plate slot into the upper thrust plate slot, across the cavity at an acute angle to each of the recess walls, defining an outer abutment of the cavity.

Abstract: A V-ribbed belt that includes a ribbed surface covered with fabric is provided. The fabric is stretchable in two predetermined directions. A method for manufacturing the V-ribbed belt is also provided. The method includes placing a belt matrix about a mandrel, placing a fabric about the external circumference of the belt matrix which wraps around the mandrel, placing the mandrel inside a shell having a plurality of grooves on the internal circumference, expanding the belt matrix and the fabric toward the internal circumference of the shell and thus pressing the fabric onto the internal circumference having the multi-ribbed structure, and curing the belt matrix with the fabric. The fabric is stretchable to accommodate itself to the multi-ribbed structure.