Abstract: A torque arm mounting plate for a differential case housing a differential drive pinion gear. The mounting plate comprises an interface adapted to be circumjacently mounted about the differential drive pinion gear, and a torque arm bracket integral with the interface and spaced apart from the differential drive pinion gear. The torque arm bracket is adapted to fixedly engage one end of a torque arm. The torque arm mounting plate of the present invention provides a common interface between the torque arm and the differential carrier.

Abstract: An axle module for use in an automotive vehicle. The axle module includes a housing and a ring gear assembly rotatably supported within the housing. The axle module also includes a shaft arranged within the ring gear assembly. The axle module further includes a clutch pack arranged within the ring gear assembly and in an expansion unit arranged adjacent to the shaft and the housing. The axle module also includes a motor which is used to control the transfer of an axial torque through the clutch pack and plurality of plates.

Abstract: An all wheel drive system for a motor vehicle having a front differential and rear differential, a pair of front and rear halfshaft assemblies, a power takeoff unit, a constant velocity joint connected to the power takeoff unit, a first propshaft, a plunging constant velocity joint, a second propshaft, a flexible coupling, a self contained speed sensing torque transfer assembly connected to the flexible coupling wherein torque is selectively transferrable when the self contained speed sensing torque transfer assembly is engaged, and a torque arm assembly.

Abstract: A crash optimized bracket for removably affixing a propeller shaft to a motor vehicle. The bracket includes an elongated member having a plurality of weakened slots to allow the bracket and the propeller shaft to tear from the vehicle upon impact in a controlled and predictable manner in response to predetermined loads.

Abstract: A high angle constant velocity joint for use in a vehicle. The high angle constant velocity joint includes an outer race having a bore therethrough. The outer race also includes a plurality of tracks on an inside surface of the outer race. The constant velocity joint includes a cage arranged within the bore of the outer race without contacting the outer race. The constant velocity joint also includes an inner race arranged within the cage, the inner race having a plurality of tracks on an outer surface with one half of the tracks open in a direction opposite of another one half of the tracks on the inner race. The constant velocity joint also includes a plurality of large diameter balls arranged within the cage and tracks of the inner and outer race. The constant velocity joint has a shaft connected to the inner race and a pliable boot arranged between the outer race and the shaft. The constant velocity joint also includes a cap contacting the outer race.

Abstract: A linkshaft support bearing bracket system for use in an automotive vehicle having an engine and a transaxle with a linkshaft. The linkshaft support bearing bracket system includes a spherical bearing wherein that bearing has an orifice through a center point thereof. The linkshaft is arranged within that orifice. The linkshaft support system also includes a first bearing retainer and a second bearing retainer adjacent to one another. The spherical bearing is arranged within the first bearing retainer and the second bearing retainer. A support bracket is attached to the automotive engine. The first bearing retainer and the second bearing retainer are secured to the support bracket. The first and second bearing retainer will allow for multiple axes of movement of the spherical bearing relative to the link shaft and the transaxle.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint wherein one or more of the outer ball tracks, the inner ball tracks, or the balls have textured surfaces such as dimples or raised ridges to increase lubrication of the joint and enhance performance characteristics.

Abstract: A center bearing tuned absorber assembly includes a cylindrical center bearing for supporting a rotating propeller shaft, and a tuned absorber having an inner sleeve disposed around the center bearing, and a mass-spring assembly arranged on an outer circumference of the inner sleeve. The mass-spring assembly includes a mass radially offset from, and attached to, the inner sleeve by a first damping element. The mass-spring assembly is arranged circumferentially on the inner sleeve in the direction of a first bending frequency associated with the rotating propeller shaft. The mass-spring assembly may be axially or radially offset from the center bearing.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint vent for use in a constant velocity joint of automotive vehicles. The constant velocity joint vent includes a flapper valve generally having a circular shape. The constant velocity joint vent also includes a first and second assembly post extending from an inside surface of the flapper valve. A circumferential compression limiter is also located on an inside surface of the flapper valve. The flapper valve also includes a sealing bead located at the outer periphery thereof. The flapper valve is connected via the first and second assembly post to a cover that includes an orifice for venting of high pressure gas to the outer atmosphere while also repelling contaminants from entering the constant velocity joint.

Abstract: A wheel end for use in a vehicle wherein the wheel end includes a side shaft wherein the side shaft having an appendage on one end thereof. The side shaft having a cylindrical cavity at a center point of the appendage. The wheel end unit also includes a spindle arranged around the appendage. A knuckle is arranged around a portion of the spindle and a portion of the side shaft. The wheel end also includes a fastener secured between the spindle and the appendage to ensure a robust connection between the spindle and the appendage.

Abstract: A crash optimized propeller shaft includes a swaged tube to connect ends having disparate diameters. The variable diameter tube creates a stress concentration zone which allows the shaft to collapse or buckle in a controlled and predictable manner in response to predetermined loads.

Abstract: A crash optimized bracket for removably affixing a propeller shaft to a motor vehicle. The bracket includes an elongated member having a plurality of weakened slots to allow the bracket and the propeller shaft to tear from the vehicle upon impact in a controlled and predictable manner in response to predetermined loads.

Abstract: An improved propeller shaft includes first and second ends affixable to a Mono-Block High Speed Fixed Joint and a Plunging Type VL Constant Velocity Joint, respectively. The first and second ends are separated by a connecting tube. The Plunging Joint functions to allow the engine and the power take-off unit to move without causing the connecting tube to move and to further allow the engine to move backwards in the first moments of impact.

Abstract: A flexible propeller shaft coupling affixes a propeller shaft to a drive line module or component. The coupling includes a flexible annular member having a plurality of recesses disposed about a common axis for receiving respective retention members and a plurality of bosses disposed about the common axis adapted to mate with a driveline module flange. A retaining member connects the coupling to the propeller shaft and the drive line module flange. The retaining member prevents the propeller shaft from decoupling from the vehicle in the event of a joint or fastener failure.

Abstract: An improved propeller shaft assembly includes a first constant velocity joint, a second constant velocity joint, and a propeller shaft having a first end including a corresponding first flange adapted to receive and be operatively coupled with the first constant velocity joint, and a second end including a corresponding second flange adapted to receive and be operatively coupled with the second constant velocity joint, wherein the second flange is not adapted to receive the first constant velocity joint thereby preventing improper installation of the propeller shaft in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly (10) comprising a constant velocity universal joint (12) including a hollow shaft (20) and a connecting shaft (18) is provided. The hollow shaft (20) includes an aft open area (34) and is connected to an outer joint part (23) that has outer ball tracks (32). The connecting shaft (18) is connected to an inner joint part (25) that has inner ball tracks (46). A ball cage (26) that has a plurality of balls (28) is included. A standard plunge (22) that has an aft plunge portion (54) is also included. The aft plunge portion (54) and the aft open area (34) having inner diameters that are greater then or equal to an inner diameter D1 of the outer joint part (23). A first stop (55) limits the ball movement of travel in the aft direction. The first stop (55) is forcibly dispensable such that the connecting shaft (18) may release the first stop (55) and intrude significantly within the aft open area (34) which is outside a normal operating range (24).

Abstract: A linkshaft support bearing bracket system for use in an automotive vehicle having an engine and a transaxle with a linkshaft. The linkshaft support bearing bracket system includes a spherical bearing wherein that bearing has an orifice through a center point thereof. The linkshaft is arranged within that orifice. The linkshaft support system also includes a first bearing retainer and a second bearing retainer adjacent to one another. The spherical bearing is arranged within the first bearing retainer and the second bearing retainer. A support bracket is attached to the automotive engine. The first bearing retainer and the second bearing retainer are secured to the support bracket. The first and second bearing retainer will allow for multiple axes of movement of the spherical bearing relative to the link shaft and the transaxle.

Abstract: An improved constant velocity joint grease cover and flange assembly and method of making the same. The constant joint has a mating surface with a first anti-slip portion. The flange has a mating surface with a second anti-slip portion, the grease cover has a first mating surface with a third anti-slip portion adapted to receive and mate with the first anti-slip portion of the constant velocity joint, and a second mating surface with a fourth anti-slip portion adapted to receive and mate with the second anti-slip portion of the flange. The respective anti-slip portions functions to reduce shearing forces on connecting bolts of the assembly caused by applied torque.

Abstract: An assembly including an outer race of a constant velocity joint and part of a vehicle wheel bearing sealed by a sealing member. The outer race has a first bore defining a neck portion having an interior surface including an annular wall. The wheel bearing part has a second bore with an open end and a flange. The second bore defines a central passage and the flange engages the interior surface of the neck portion. The engaged portion is sealed by a sealing member including a body sealingly engaging the central passage and a diaphragm attached to the body sealingly engaging the annular wall. In one aspect of the invention, the sealing member body includes a cylindrical body having an annular groove formed therein containing a seal for sealingly engaging the central passage. In another aspect of the invention, the interior surface includes an annular ridge and the diaphragm includes a curved portion engaging the annular wall and the annular ridge.

Abstract: A wheel end for use in a vehicle wherein the wheel end includes a side shaft wherein the side shaft having an appendage on one end thereof. The side shaft having a cylindrical cavity at a center point of the appendage. The wheel end unit also includes a spindle arranged around the appendage. A knuckle is arranged around a portion of the spindle and a portion of the side shaft. The wheel end also includes a fastener secured between the spindle and the appendage to ensure a robust connection between the spindle and the appendage.