Abstract: A tensioner in accordance with the present invention employs a spindle and a tensioner arm which are preferably manufactured by a suitable manufacturing process, such as die casting, negating a requirement for machining operations. The biasing spring of the tensioner is wound with wire having a non-circular cross section to increase the spring force of the spring compared to a similar spring wound with wire of circular cross section and, as the tensioner arm is moved away from the flexible drive, the diameter of the biasing spring expands and the coils press a dampening shoe into contact with a wall of the tensioner arm producing a dampening force. The tensioner is simple to assemble and requires a relatively small package volume for the biasing force it can produce.

Abstract: A pulley assembly with an auto-selecting multi-speed transmission that can be operated in at least two modes depending on the manner in which rotary power is transmitted through the pulley assembly.

Abstract: A power transmitting system that is configured to have BAS and IS functionality. The power transmitting system can be operated in a first mode in which an engine provides rotary power for driving an accessory assembly and a motor/generator. The device can be operated in a second mode for starting the engine and driving the accessory in which rotary power is output from the motor/starter in a first rotational direction. The device can also be operated in a third mode in which the motor/generator outputs rotary power in a second, opposite rotational direction for driving the accessory while the engine is not operating. A kit for a power transmitting system is also provided.

Abstract: A clutch assembly having a driver, an output member, a clutch spring, an armature and an actuator. The clutch spring includes a plurality of coils that are configured to be drivingly engaged with the driver. The clutch spring further includes first and second ends. The first end is configured to drivingly engage the output member to facilitate the transmission of rotary power from the driver, through the clutch spring and into the output member. The second end is engaged to the armature. The actuator is selectively operable for rotating the armature relative to the driver in a rotational direction opposite a predetermined rotational direction in which the driver is driven to thereby initiate at least partial disengagement of the coils of the clutch spring from the driver.

Abstract: A method of setting an air gap between an electromagnetic coil and an armature of an electro-mechanical device to be within a desired range includes applying a sensing signal to the electromagnetic coil and monitoring at least one electrical characteristic of the electromagnetic coil. The at least one electrical characteristic is related to a size of the air gap and the sensing signal. The method further includes moving the armature towards the electromagnetic coil to reduce the size of the air gap and stopping movement of the armature towards the electromagnetic coil when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the size of the air gap is within the desired range.

Abstract: A driven accessory having a clutch that permits selective operation of an accessory portion. The clutch employs rotational inertia to control driving engagement of a wrap spring to an interior clutch surface on a drive member and/or driving disengagement of the wrap spring from the interior clutch surface.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a decoupler assembly for between an endless drive element and a shaft. The endless drive element may be, for example, an accessory drive belt from a vehicular engine. The shaft may be, for example, the input shaft of a belt-driven accessory, such as an alternator or a compressor. The decoupler assembly includes a hub that mounts to the shaft, a pulley that is rotatable with respect to the hub, a dampening spring and a clutch member. A part of the pulley is supported on a pulley support surface on the hub. There is a gap between the pulley and the pulley support surface. The gap has lubricant therein to facilitate sliding between the pulley and the pulley support surface. By eliminating the use of a polymeric bushing between pulley and the hub, there are several advantages that are provided.

Abstract: A synchronous drive apparatus that includes a continuous loop elongate drive structure and first and second driven rotors that are configured to cooperate with the continuous loop elongate drive structure to generate first and second opposing fluctuating corrective torques, respectively, that are configured to at least partly counteract first and second periodic fluctuating load torques, respectively.

Abstract: A synchronous drive apparatus includes first and a second rotors. The rotors have multiple teeth for engaging engaging sections of an elongate drive structure. A rotary load assembly couples to the second rotor. The elongate drive structure engages about the rotors. The first rotor drives and the second rotor is driven by the elongate drive structure. One of the rotors has a non-circular profile having at least two protruding portions alternating with receding portions. The rotary load assembly presents a periodic fluctuating load torque when driven in rotation. The angular positions of the protruding and receding portions of the non-circular profile relative to the angular position of the second rotor, and the magnitude of the eccentricity of the non-circular profile, are such that the non-circular profile applies to the second rotor an opposing fluctuating corrective torque which reduces or cancels the fluctuating load torque of the rotary load assembly.

Abstract: A decoupler with driven and driving members, a clutch, a torsional vibration damper and a lubricant. The clutch is received in a bore in the driven member and includes a carrier, a wrap spring and at least one spring. The wrap spring is formed of spring wire and has a plurality of coils disposed between a first end, which is received in a groove in the carrier, and a second end. The portion of the wrap spring outside the carrier has an outer circumferential spring surface that is abutted against the inner circumferential surface of the bore. The at least one spring is disposed between the carrier and the driving member to transmit rotary power from the driving member to the carrier. The torsional vibration damper is coupled to the driving member for rotation therewith. The lubricant is disposed on the remaining portion of the wrap spring.

Abstract: A tensioner having a backstop device which allows free rotation of the pivot arm in a first direction but controls rotation of the pivot arm in a second, opposite direction. The backstop device permits a predetermined, limited amount of free rotation in the second direction and thereafter, employs a braking device to prevent rotation in the second direction if the torque that acts on the pivot art is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A device having an engine, a motor/generator and an accessory system having an accessory that is driven by rotary power. The device can be operated in a first mode in which the engine provides rotary power for driving the accessory and the motor/generator. The device can be operated in a second mode for starting the engine and driving the accessory in which rotary power is output from the motor/starter in a first rotational direction. The device can also be operated in a third mode in which the motor/generator outputs rotary power in a second, opposite rotational direction for driving the accessory while the engine is not operating. A method for operating the device is also provided.

Abstract: A starter and accessory drive system and method for hybrid drive vehicles is provided. The invention isolates the accessory drive system from the transfer of torque between a starter motor and the crankshaft of the engine. In one embodiment, a dedicated flexible drive member transfers torque from the starter motor to the crankshaft to re-start the engine. In another embodiment, a torque transfer control is employed to selectively apply torque from the starter motor to the accessory drive, to drive the accessories when the engine is stopped, and/or to the engine crankshaft to re-start the engine. In another embodiment of the invention, the accessory drive is isolated from the engine crankshaft and is instead driven by a drive motor on the accessory drive while the engine crankshaft is connected to a starter motor and/or generator which can be energized to re-start the engine.

Abstract: A tensioner in accordance with the present invention employs a spindle and a tensioner arm which are preferably manufactured by a suitable manufacturing process, such as die casting, negating a requirement for machining operations. The biasing spring of the tensioner is wound with wire having a non-circular cross section to increase the spring force of the spring compared to a similar spring wound with wire of circular cross section and, as the tensioner arm is moved away from the flexible drive, the diameter of the biasing spring expands and the coils press a dampening shoe into contact with a wall of the tensioner arm producing a dampening force. The tensioner is simple to assemble and requires a relatively small package volume for the biasing force it can produce.

Abstract: A tensioner assembly with a drive member, a tensioner arm, a shaft, a pivot bushing, a torsion spring and a load balancing element. The tensioner arm has a hub portion, a drive member mount and an arm disposed therebetween. The drive member is coupled to the drive member mount. The shaft is mounted coaxially within the hub portion. The pivot bushing has a frustoconical bearing surface, which engages a corresponding frustoconical surface in the hub portion, and is slidably mounted on the shaft. The torsion spring is received between the shaft and an outer wall of the hub portion and biases the tensioner arm about the shaft in a predetermined rotational direction. The load balancing element is received between and abuts the outer wall and the torsion spring to transmit a radially outwardly directed force generated by the torsion spring to the outer wall at a predetermined location.

Abstract: A decoupler assembly with a torsional damping system and a torque limiter. The torsional damping system has a torsion spring that facilitates transfer of rotary power into a hub. The torque limiter is wrapped about the torsion spring and radially expands with the torsion spring as a magnitude of the rotary power transmitted through the torsion spring increases. Contact between the torque limiter and another structure in the decoupler assembly halts radial expansion of the torsion spring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tensioner (1) for an endless drive, in particular of an internal combustion engine, wherein the tensioner has base part (2) and a tensioning part (3) which can rotate relative to the former, a spring element (11) which is arranged between the base part and the tensioning part (3) so as to impart a force, and a friction apparatus (13) which is provided between the spring element (11) and the base part or the tensioning part (3) and by way of which the relative movement between the base part (2) and the tensioning part (3) is damped. In order to improve a tensioner of the generic type in such that a simple construction is possible with satisfactory tensioning, it is proposed to arrange the friction apparatus (13) radially outside the spring element (11).

Abstract: A decoupler having a hub, a drive member and an isolator. The drive member is disposed about the hub for rotation about a rotational axis and includes an inner clutch surface. The isolator couples the hub and the drive member and includes a carrier, a plurality of arcuate springs, and a wrap spring. The carrier is received between the hub and the drive member and includes a carrier member, which defines a pair of apertures, and a pair of reaction blocks that are mounted in the apertures. The arcuate springs are mounted in the carrier member and are disposed between the hub and an associated one of the reaction blocks. The wrap spring has an end and a plurality of helical coils that are engaged to the inner clutch surface of the drive member. The end has an end face that is abutted against one of the reaction blocks.

Abstract: A decoupler having an output member, a one-way clutch, a spring and a spring limiter. The spring is disposed between an output portion of the one-way clutch and the output member to bias the output portion in a predetermined rotational direction relative to the output member. The spring limiter can be configured to lock an output of the one-way clutch to the output member to transmit rotary power between the one-way clutch and the output member without stressing the spring beyond a predetermined point and/or to limit rotational movement of the output portion and an associated end of the spring relative to the output member in the predetermined rotational direction. A method for operating a decoupler is also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tensioner (10) by mounting an end member (38) on an end of a hollow tensioner shaft (24) includes a step of providing an end member (38) of sheet material with an opening (76) having a plurality of annularly spaced inwardly extending pointed projections (78). A hollow shaft (24) has an outwardly extending shoulder (82) at an end portion thereof. A relative axial movement between the end member (38) and the hollow shaft (24) is effected so that the end member (38) abuts against the shoulder (82) of the hollow shaft (24). The hollow shaft (24) is deformed at the end portion radially outward to embed the projections (78) into the hollow shaft (24) to thereby form a joint (32) therebetween.