Abstract: An electro-magnetic coil assembly mounted to a clutch assembly, the electromagnetic coil assembly including a coil mounted within an annular coil housing and a flexible armature plate. The coil assembly adapted to generate an electromagnetic field between the coil and the armature plate for attracting the armature plate to the coil assembly. The flexible armature plate includes an annular plate with an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge defining an outer periphery, the inner edge defining an inner periphery. Tangs spaced about the inner periphery extending radially inward from the inner edge. Inner notches spaced about the inner periphery of the annular plate and extending radially outward to a point at least halfway in the radial direction between the inner edge and the outer edge. Outer notches spaced about the outer periphery between and extending radially inward.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential is configured to transmit power from an input shaft to a first output shaft and a second output shaft in a vehicle. The differential includes a differential housing having a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat. A first bearing is carried by the differential housing in the first bearing seat, and a second bearing is carried by the differential housing in the second bearing seat. A first retaining ring secures the first bearing in the first bearing seat, and a second retaining ring secures the second bearing in the second bearing seat. A first output hub is carried by the first bearing for rotation relative to the differential housing, and a second output hub is carried by the second bearing for rotation relative to the differential housing.

Abstract: An on-demand four-wheel drive system includes a differential for the rear axle, a differential for the front axle, and a center differential connecting to the front and rear axle differentials. All three of the differentials contain a bi-directional overrunning roller clutch to enable locking of their respective outputs. The clutches provide a superior on-demand four-wheel drive system that distributes power to each drive wheel to propel the vehicle.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential is configured to transmit power from an input shaft to a first output shaft and a second output shaft in a vehicle. The differential includes a differential housing having a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat. A first bearing is carried by the differential housing in the first bearing seat, and a second bearing is carried by the differential housing in the second bearing seat. A first retaining ring secures the first bearing in the first bearing seat, and a second retaining ring secures the second bearing in the second bearing seat. A first output hub is carried by the first bearing for rotation relative to the differential housing, and a second output hub is carried by the second bearing for rotation relative to the differential housing.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting an input shaft to an output shaft through a bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly. A portion of the input shaft is located within an internal cavity of the output shaft. The bi-directional roller clutch assembly selectively connects and disconnects the input and output shafts from one another. A drive plate is disposed about and attached to a portion of the input shaft so as to rotate in combination therewith. The drive plate is rotationally connected to a clutch housing of the clutch assembly such that rotation of the input shaft produces corresponding rotation of the clutch housing. A torsion spring is positioned within a spring retainer and engaged with at least one of either the spring retainer or the clutch housing. An engagement control assembly controls the engagement and disengagement of the clutch assembly and a coil housing mounted in the cover and a coil mounted in the coil housing, the coil is connected to a switch for controlling the supply of current to the coil.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic coil assembly mounted to a clutch assembly, the electro-magnetic coil assembly including a coil mounted within an annular coil housing and a flexible armature plate. The coil assembly adapted to generate an electromagnetic field between the coil and the armature plate for attracting the armature plate to the coil assembly. The flexible armature plate includes an annular plate with an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge defining an outer periphery, the inner edge defining an inner periphery. Tangs spaced about the inner periphery extending radially inward from the inner edge. Inner notches spaced about the inner periphery of the annular plate and extending radially outward to a point at least halfway in the radial direction between the inner edge and the outer edge. Outer notches spaced about the outer periphery between and extending radially inward to a point at least halfway in the radial direction between the outer edge and the inner edge.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic coil assembly mounted to a clutch assembly, the electro-magnetic coil assembly including a coil mounted within an annular coil housing and a flexible armature plate. The coil assembly adapted to generate an electromagnetic field between the coil and the armature plate for attracting the armature plate to the coil assembly. The flexible armature plate includes an annular plate with an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge defining an outer periphery, the inner edge defining an inner periphery. Tangs spaced about the inner periphery extending radially inward from the inner edge. Inner notches spaced about the inner periphery of the annular plate and extending radially outward to a point at least halfway in the radial direction between the inner edge and the outer edge. Outer notches spaced about the outer periphery between and extending radially inward to a point at least halfway in the radial direction between the outer edge and the inner edge.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch for transmitting torque to drive axle halves includes a clutch housing that attaches to an input gear, and hubs that attach to the axle halves. A pair of roll cages located within the housing adjacent to the hubs have rollers. The rollers wedge between the hubs and first tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated forward relative to the housing, and between the hubs and second tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated in the opposite direction. Springs hold the rollers engaged with recesses in the hubs, but let the rollers lift to permit relative rotation of the hubs and roll cages. Relative rotation between the roll cages is limited: when one roll cage is wedged, the other can move only as far as a free position midway between the first and second tapered portions.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch for transmitting torque to drive axle halves includes a clutch housing that attaches to an input gear, and hubs that attach to the axle halves. A pair of roll cages located within the housing adjacent to the hubs have rollers. The rollers wedge between the hubs and first tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated forward relative to the housing, and between the hubs and second tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated in the opposite direction. Springs hold the rollers engaged with recesses in the hubs, but let the rollers lift to permit relative rotation of the hubs and roll cages. Relative rotation between the roll cages is limited: when one roll cage is wedged, the other can move only as far as a free position midway between the first and second tapered portions.

Abstract: A front differential for a four wheel drive vehicle including a pinion assembly with first and second pinions that are engaged with a ring gear assembly with first and second ring gears. The first pinion and first ring gear combination are rotatable independent from the second pinion and second ring gear combination, thus permitting one to rotate relative to the other. The first pinion and first ring gear combination are adapted to rotate one driven shaft, and the second pinion and second ring gear combination are adapted to rotate the other driven shaft. A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly is engaged with an end of the drive shaft and includes one set of rolls located adjacent to the first pinion shaft, and another set of rolls located adjacent to the second pinion shaft. The clutch assembly control torque transmission between the pinion shafts and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A system for dressing centrifugal clutches has a drum tool with an internal abrasive surface, and a flap tool with abrasive flaps. The drum tool can replace the clutch drum on the clutch driven shaft to dress the clutch shoes, or the flap tool can replace the clutch shoes and mechanism on the clutch drive shaft, which may be the engine crankshaft, to dress the clutch drum. In either case, the tool being used and the component being dressed can accurately simulate the engagement of the clutch shoes and clutch drum in operation, so that the clutch drum and shoes can be accurately dressed to the correct shape, matching each other, for use.

Abstract: A drive train for a four wheel drive vehicle including a front differential engaged with a front drive shaft and front axles through a front differential gear set. The front differential includes a front bi-directional overrunning clutch that controls transmission of torque transfer between the front drive shaft and the front axles. A rear differential is engaged with rear axles and the transmission through a rear differential gear set. The rear differential includes a rear bi-directional overrunning clutch that controls torque transfer between the transmission and the rear axles. The differentials are configured with a gear ratio that is within five percent of a 1:1 gear ratio.

Abstract: A front differential for a four wheel drive vehicle including a pinion assembly with first and second pinions that are engaged with a ring gear assembly with first and second ring gears. The first pinion and first ring gear combination are rotatable independent from the second pinion and second ring gear combination, thus permitting one to rotate relative to the other. The first pinion and first ring gear combination are adapted to rotate one driven shaft, and the second pinion and second ring gear combination are adapted to rotate the other driven shaft. A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly is engaged with an end of the drive shaft and includes one set of rolls located adjacent to the first pinion shaft, and another set of rolls located adjacent to the second pinion shaft. The clutch assembly control torque transmission between the pinion shafts and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch includes a housing and a pair of hubs substantially coaxially aligned within the housing. A pair of roll cages position a plurality of rollers between each hub and an inner cam surface of the housing. The rollers are positioned to wedge between the hub and the inner cam surface when one of the hub and the housing is rotated with respect to the other. End caps are attached to the housing adjacent to the hubs. A friction disk mechanism includes a friction plate rotating in combination with each the roll cage and a spring compressed between the end cap and the roll cage for biasing the friction member into frictional contact with the hub. An intermittent coupler is located between each roll cage and configured to engage the roll cages so as to permit indexing of one roll cage relative to the other.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch includes a housing and a pair of hubs substantially coaxially aligned within the housing. A pair of roll cages position a plurality of rollers between each hub and an inner cam surface of the housing. The rollers are positioned to wedge between the hub and the inner cam surface when one of the hub and the housing is rotated with respect to the other. End caps are attached to the housing adjacent to the hubs. A friction disk mechanism includes a friction plate rotating in combination with each the roll cage and a spring compressed between the end cap and the roll cage for biasing the friction member into frictional contact with the hub. An intermittent coupler is located between each roll cage and configured to engage the roll cages so as to permit indexing of one roll cage relative to the other.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential for controlling torque transmission between a pinion input shaft and at least one output hub. The clutch having a clutch housing and the roll cage mounted within the housing. An engagement control assembly is provided for controlling the relative position of the roll cage with respect to a cam surface on the clutch housing. The engagement control assembly includes an electronically controlled actuation device, such as a coil or solenoid, which when activated causes the roll cage to rotate into a second position relative to the clutch housing to engage the rolls with the cam surface and an outer surface of the hub. A spring is engaged with the clutch housing and has an end engaged with the roll cage for biasing the roll cage into a neutral position when the roll cage is in its second position.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch includes a housing and first and second hubs substantially coaxially aligned within the housing. A roll cage positions a plurality of rollers in an annular space between each of the hubs and an inner cam surface of the housing. The rollers are adapted to wedgingly engage between the hub and the inner cam for transmitting torque therebetween. End caps are attached to the housing adjacent to the hubs. A friction disk mechanism located on each side of the roll cage includes a roll cage plate attached to the roll cage, an inner hub friction member attached to the hub, a slip disk, and a spring compressed between the slip disk and the inner hub friction member biasing the inner hub friction member into frictional contact with the roll cage plate.

Abstract: A friction drive clutch includes a hub, a thrust plate that rotates with and is axially slidable on the hub, a first housing rotatable with respect to the hub and including at least two first ramped members each having a sloped face, a second housing rotatable with respect to the thrust plate and axially movable together with the thrust plate, the second housing including at least two second ramped members each having a sloped face, a third housing rotatable with respect to the hub, and a spring assembly biasing the thrust plate and second housing axially toward the first housing, wherein when the second housing is rotated in one direction, the sloped faces of the first and second members slide over each other to urge the second housing and thrust plate axially in opposition to the spring assembly to bring the thrust plate into frictional engagement with the third housing.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly for engaging secondary driven shafts in a four wheel drive vehicle. The assembly includes a differential housing with a pinion input gear rotatably disposed within it that is engaged to a drive shaft. A bi-directional overrunning clutch housing is engaged to the pinion gear. A roll cage assembly is located inside the clutch housing. A pair of hubs are positioned within the roll cage assembly and connected to the secondary driven shafts. An electromagnetic system controls indexes the roll cage in a first direction relative to the clutch housing a first indexing device for coupling the secondary drive shaft to the secondary driven axles when four wheel drive is needed, and in an opposite direction using a second indexing device when an engine braking condition is needed. A spring assembly is preferably used to bias the roll cage back to a neutral position.

Abstract: A drive clutch for a continuously variable transmission that includes an input shaft designed to engage with an engine. A sheave assembly is mounted about the input shaft. A bearing assembly separates the sheave assembly from the input shaft such that the input shaft can rotate independently from the sheave assembly. At least one sheave clutch assembly is positioned about the input shaft. The sheave clutch assembly is configured to provide engagement between the sheave assembly and the input shaft when the rotation of the input shaft increases above a certain threshold value. An axial control mechanism is mounted on the input shaft adjacent to the second sheave. The axial control mechanism controls the movement of the second sheave toward and away from the first sheave as a function of the speed of the input shaft. A continuously variable transmission including the drive clutch and a driven clutch is also disclosed.