Abstract: A continuously variable drive mechanism has a variator with two conical disks, at least one of the conical disks being axially movable, a belt running at a variable running radius axially between the conical disks, and a disk-tightening device pushing the axially movable conical disk against the other of the two conical disks, thereby applying axial pressure to the flexible torque-transmitting device. The disk-tightening device works with guiding means converting a rotational displacement into an axial displacement.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping torsional vibrations in the power train of a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels one of which is driven by the engine and the other of which can transmit torque to the input shaft of a transmission by way of a friction clutch. The flywheels are rotatable relative to each other against the resistance of a damper. Certain features of the apparatus reside in the dimensioning and distribution of its parts in the radial and axial directions of the flywheels to reduce the dimensions of the apparatus. The torque transmitting connection between at least one pair of neighboring rotary parts of the apparatus employs a slip clutch which yields when the applied torque exceeds a certain value. An intermittently or continuously active hysteresis device is utilized to operate in parallel with the energy storing springs of the damper.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is equipped with a device for automatically actuating a clutch in the drive train. A clutch actuator is directed by a control unit which, in turn, is responsive to a control signal from an electronic stability system (ESS). When the control signal indicates that the electronic stability system is in action, the actuator will set the degree of clutch engagement or the amount of torque that the clutch will transmit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for damping torsional vibrations having at least two relatively rotatable elements which can rotate against a torsion vibration damper mounted between same.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated central release unit for a motor vehicle clutch is designed as a slave cylinder that is arranged inside a clutch housing. The central release unit includes a housing in which a ring piston is movably guided. The ring piston has a groove ring seal with lips sealingly contacting the sealing tracks. To reduce the wear on the sealing lips and to avoid squeaking noises of the groove ring seal, the surfaces of the sealing tracks are provided with micro cavities.

Abstract: Oscillations of a variable quantity, particularly of the rpm rate of an input shaft of a cone-pulley transmission in the power train of a vehicle, are detected by monitoring the rate of change of the variable quantity during time intervals of a predetermined length. The difference between the maximum and minimum levels that the rate of change reaches during the predetermined time period is compared to a threshold reference, and if it is found to exceed the threshold reference, the variable quantity is judged to be in a state of oscillation.

Abstract: A torque transmitting apparatus which can be used in the power train between the prime mover and the transmission of a motor vehicle has a first flywheel connectable to the prime mover, a second flywheel coaxial with and receiving torque from the first flywheel by way of a damper, and a friction clutch which can be engaged to transmit torque between the second flywheel and the input element of the transmission. The energy storing elements of the damper and the bearing between the two flywheels are installed radially inwardly of the friction surfaces of the second flywheel and the axially movable pressure plate of the friction clutch. This renders it possible to reduce at least the radial dimensions of the apparatus without reducing the diameters of the friction surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping torsional vibrations between the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Installed between the flywheels are at least two resilient dampers operating in parallel. In a first stage of relative rotation between the flywheels from a starting position, only one of the dampers is active to oppose the rotation. In a next-following second stage of relative rotation the other of the two dampers becomes active to oppose the rotation in parallel with the first damper.

Abstract: The coil springs of an arcuate energy storing device in a torsional vibration damper are fitted into each other in such a way that at least one convolution of the inner spring engages at least one convolution of the outer spring when the energy storing device is caused to store energy (or to store additional energy) and/or is permitted to dissipate energy while the damper is in actual use, e.g., between the primary and secondary flywheels of a composite flywheel in the power train of a motor vehicle. The at least one convolution of the outer spring can be facetted and/or deformed for reliable engagement with the at least one convolution of the inner spring, and the at least one convolution of the inner spring can have a circular or a non-circular outline. The at least one convolution of the inner spring can engage one or more end convolutions or one or more intermediate convolutions of the outer spring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a release device for a friction clutch with a central release member. A release bearing 10, a sliding sleeve 9 and an annular flange 4 are combined together into a single assembly by a holding element 18a which holds the components together before the clutch is assembled. The holding element becomes redundant after assembly of the clutch. The element has tongues 20a which initially grip the sleeve 9 but which are released from the sleeve on assembly as a result of clamping the flange 4 against a gearbox housing 5.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping torsional vibrations in the power train of a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels one of which is driven by the engine and the other of which can transmit torque to the input shaft of a transmission by way of a friction clutch. The flywheels are rotatable relative to each other against the resistance of a damper. Certain features of the apparatus reside in the dimensioning and distribution of its parts in the radial and axial directions of the flywheels to reduce the dimensions of the apparatus. The torque transmitting connection between at least one pair of neighboring rotary parts of the apparatus employs a slip clutch which yields when the applied torque exceeds a certain value. An intermittently or continuously active hysteresis device is utilized to operate in parallel with the energy storing springs of the damper.

Abstract: A friction clutch for use in motor vehicles wherein the pressure plate is automatically shifted toward the counterpressure plate for the friction linings of the clutch disc in dependency on the extent of wear upon the counterpressure plate, pressure plate and particularly the friction linings. The pressure plate is non-rotatably but axially movably coupled to the housing of the friction clutch and is biased toward the friction linings by resilient means including a diaphragm spring or a set of coil springs. The adjusting unit which changes the position of the pressure plate as a function of the extent of wear mainly upon the friction linings can employ cooperating wedges including a set of wedges on the housing and a set of wedges on the resilient means.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the axial height of the fingers of a diaphragm spring has the following steps: a) a localized area or portion of each finger is heated, and b) the sections of the finger that are adjacent to the heated are bent relative to each other so that the fingers obtain the desired axial height. The heating substantially eliminates the introduction of bending stresses into the fingers.

Abstract: A torque transmitting apparatus which can be used in the power train between the prime mover and the transmission of a motor vehicle has a first flywheel connectable to the prime mover, a second flywheel coaxial with and receiving torque from the first flywheel by way of a damper, and a friction clutch which can be engaged to transmit torque between the second flywheel and the input element of the transmission. The energy storing elements of the damper and the bearing between the two flywheels are installed radially inwardly of the friction surfaces of the second flywheel and the axially movable pressure plate of the friction clutch. This renders it possible to reduce at least the radial dimensions of the apparatus without reducing the diameters of the friction surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid lubricating medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers, and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.

Abstract: A friction clutch for use in the power train of a motor vehicle has a diaphragm spring which, when the clutch is engaged, reacts against the rear wall of the housing and urges the axially movable pressure plate against the friction linings of the clutch disc so that the latter can receive torque from an engine-driven fly-wheel. The wear at least upon the friction linings of the clutch disc is automatically compensated for at requisite intervals by a unit which employs a first set of ramps on the rear wall of the housing and a second set of ramps on an annular element which is installed between the rear wall of the housing and the diaphragm spring, or directly on the diaphragm spring. The latter can be provided with resilient tongues which bear against the outer side of the rear wall of the housing and bias the diaphragm spring against the annular element or, in the absence of such element, directly against those ramps of the wear compensating unit which are provided on the rear wall.

Abstract: The crankshaft of a piston engine is assembled with a vibration damper into a discrete module prior to mounting of such module in axial and/or radial bearings of the housing of the engine. The damper has an input element which rotates with the camshaft and a mass which is angularly movable relative to the input element against the resistance of coil springs. The input element can be provided with a sleeve which surrounds a snout at one axial end of the crankshaft. Alternatively, the damper can be installed in or on or can constitute a cheek of the crankshaft. The coil springs can operate in parallel with a friction generating device which also opposes rotation of the input element and the mass of the damper relative to each other.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damping apparatus, such as a clutch disc or clutch plate in an automated or manually operable friction clutch which is employed in the power train of a motor vehicle, has a rotary input component adapted to be driven by a prime mover, a rotary output component coaxial with the input component and arranged to transmit torque to a manually or automatically shiftable transmission, and several series-connected torsional vibration dampers serving to oppose rotation of the input and output components relative to each other. At least one of the dampers constitutes a preassembled module wherein coaxial annular input and output elements are provided with arcuate pockets for circumferentially extending coil springs serving to oppose rotation of the input and output elements relative to each other.

Abstract: A composite flywheel has primary and secondary masses rotatable relative to each other against the resistance of a damper having arcuate coil springs and an abutment between neighboring end portions of such springs. The abutment can move in the circumferential direction of the masses and is preferably form-lockingly connected against loss to at least one of the springs. To this end, a portion of the abutment extends into the adjacent convolutions of the at least one spring and is engaged by such convolutions with a force which suffices to prevent unintentional separation of the at least one spring from the abutment in the axial direction of the at least one spring.