Abstract: A slack adjuster for rotating an input shaft of a braking system includes a housing having an aperture defining a first axis. The slack adjuster also includes an output member positioned within the aperture. The output member is engageable with the input shaft for rotation therewith about a second axis parallel with and offset from the first axis. The slack adjuster also includes an incremental adjustment mechanism operable to impart cycloidal motion to the output member relative to the housing.

Abstract: A brake hub assembly including a brake hub and a brake disk having a first brake surface, a second brake surface spaced axially from the first brake surface, and a plurality of ribs extending between the first and second brake surfaces. Where the brake hub is thermally isolated from the brake hub by various combinations of spacers, torque pins, torque lugs, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal matrix composite (MMC). The MMC includes a preform formed from a composition having ceramic particles and ceramic fibers and defining a plurality of voids. The metal matrix composite also includes a support element, such as a metal, disposed within the voids of the preform. The MMC has a wear surface defined by both the preform and the support element.

Abstract: A brake rotor assembly, and method for forming a brake rotor assembly, that includes an integrally formed first disc member coupled to an integrally formed second disc member, wherein a first portion of the outer surface of the first disc member and the second disc member is formed from a metal matrix composite and the remainder of the first disc member and second disc member is formed from the support element used in the first portion.

Abstract: A brake hub assembly couplable to the axle of a vehicle includes a brake hub defining a central axis and having a set of lugs, a brake disk in engagement with the hub and axially slideable over the set of lugs, and a stopping plate formed separately from the hub and fastened to the set of lugs. A first portion of the stopping plate extends between adjacent first and second lugs in the set of lugs. The brake hub assembly also includes an axial preload spring coupled to the hub for clamping the brake disk against the stopping plate. A first portion of the axial preload spring extending between the first and second lugs biases the brake disk toward the first portion of the stopping plate.

Abstract: A brake hub assembly for coupling to a wheel rim includes a hub body and a brake disk coupled to the hub body. The hub body and brake disk are shaped to allow maximum airflow through the brake disk during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a manufacturing apparatus for forming a ceramic preform from an extrudate having a first end and a second end. A cutter forms the first and second ends of the extrudate complementary to each other such that the first and second ends of the extrudate align with each other in a spaced relationship to define a preform having a substantially uniform exterior surface and a substantially uniform thickness. The present invention provides for a method of forming the preform from the extrudate having the first and second ends utilizing a mandrel. The method includes the step of aligning the second end complementary to the first end of the first layer in a spaced relationship to define the preform having the substantially uniform exterior surface and the substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal matrix composite (MMC). The MMC includes a preform formed from a composition having ceramic particles and ceramic fibers and defining a plurality of voids. The metal matrix composite also includes a support element, such as a metal, disposed within the voids of the preform. The MMC has a wear surface defined by both the preform and the support element.

Abstract: A brake rotor assembly, and method for forming a brake rotor assembly, that includes an integrally formed first disc member coupled to an integrally formed second disc member, wherein a first portion of the outer surface of the first disc member and the second disc member is formed from a metal matrix composite and the remainder of the first disc member and second disc member is formed from the support element used in the first portion.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite (MMC), such as a brake drum, includes a preform having ceramic particles and ceramic fibers and defining a plurality of voids. The metal matrix composite also includes a support element, such as a metal, disposed within the voids of the preform. The MMC has a wear surface defined by both the preform and the support element.

Abstract: A brake hub assembly for coupling to the axle of a vehicle, the brake hub assembly including a hub defining a central axis, a wheel flange plate removeably coupled to the hub, and a brake disk removeably coupled to the hub. Where when the hub is coupled to the axle, at least one of the wheel flange and the brake disk is removable from the hub without removing the hub from the axle.

Abstract: A packaging system for protecting a wheel hub containing inboard and outboard bearings separated by a spacer. The packaging system comprises a shipping retainer having inboard and outboard elements that are reversibly locked together within the axial bore of the wheel hub to seal the ends of the axial bore and maintain the alignment of the bearings and spacer. The packaging system further includes a stackable shipping tray having first and second sides, the first side adapted to receive the inboard end of a wheel hub with the shipping retainer installed and the second side adapted to receive the outboard end of a wheel hub. The shipping tray cooperates with the shipping retainer to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the shipping retainer.

Abstract: A wheel hub having two separable components. The wheel hub includes a sleeve rotatably mounted to a vehicle axle. A wheel-mounting flange for mounting a wheel of the vehicle is positioned substantially around the sleeve, and a bolting lip of a brake rotor (or brake drum) is sandwiched between the wheel-mounting flange and a bolting flange of the sleeve.

Abstract: Exciter rings, wheel assemblies and methods of assembling. In some aspects, a wheel assembly includes a brake rotor including a barrel section having an interior surface defining a barrel cavity, and a projection extending from the interior surface of the barrel section into the barrel cavity. The wheel assembly also includes an exciter ring formed separately from the brake rotor and engagable with the projection within the barrel cavity to removably connect the exciter ring to the brake rotor. In other aspects, an exciter ring is formed separately from and removably connectable to a brake rotor and includes a body portion having an outer surface, the body portion including a detent protruding outwardly from the outer surface and extending around the outer surface of the body portion. The exciter ring also includes a flange extending radially outwardly from the body portion and having a plurality of apertures.

Abstract: A gray iron alloy having a composition comprising about 4.10% to about 4.25% carbon equivalent, about 3.5% to about 3.65% carbon, about 0.4% to about 0.9% manganese, about 1.5% to about 1.9% silicon, less than about 0.12% phosphorous, less than about 0.17% sulfur, about 0.6% to about 0.8% molybdenum and about 0.3% to about 0.6% copper, and where said carbon is predominantly present as free carbon having a Type A flake graphite microstructure. The alloy is particularly useful in the manufacture of brake drums and other articles requiring a combination of high tensile strength and good thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A wheel hub having pilots to guide the installation of a braking device on the wheel hub, wherein the pilots are provided with guide surfaces that are made of a different material than the wheel hub.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a wheel assembly. In some constructions and in some aspects, the bearing assembly includes a housing defining a cavity therethrough, a first bearing cone positioned within the cavity and a second bearing cone positioned within the cavity and spaced from the first bearing cone. A first plurality of rollers is positioned between and engageable with the housing and the first bearing cone and a second plurality of rollers is positioned between and engageable with the housing and the second bearing cone. A seal seals the space between the first bearing cone and the second bearing cone. In some constructions and in some aspects, the seal is non-metallic or elastomeric.

Abstract: Exciter rings, wheel assemblies and methods of assembling. In some aspects, a wheel assembly includes a brake rotor including a barrel section having an interior surface defining a barrel cavity, and a projection extending from the interior surface of the barrel section into the barrel cavity. The wheel assembly also includes an exciter ring formed separately from the brake rotor and engagable with the projection within the barrel cavity to removably connect the exciter ring to the brake rotor. In other aspects, an exciter ring is formed separately from and removably connectable to a brake rotor and includes a body portion having an outer surface, the body portion including a detent protruding outwardly from the outer surface and extending around the outer surface of the body portion. The exciter ring also includes a flange extending radially outwardly from the body portion and having a plurality of apertures.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a wheel assembly. In some constructions and in some aspects, the bearing assembly includes a housing defining a cavity therethrough, a first bearing cone positioned within the cavity and a second bearing cone positioned within the cavity and spaced from the first bearing cone. A first plurality of rollers is positioned between and engageable with the housing and the first bearing cone and a second plurality of rollers is positioned between and engageable with the housing and the second bearing cone. A seal seals the space between the first bearing cone and the second bearing cone. In some constructions and in some aspects, the seal is non-metallic or elastomeric.

Abstract: A wheel hub having two separable components. The wheel hub includes a sleeve rotatably mounted to a vehicle axle. A wheel-mounting flange for mounting a wheel of the vehicle is positioned substantially around the sleeve, and a bolting lip of a brake rotor (or brake drum) is sandwiched between the wheel-mounting flange and a bolting flange of the sleeve.