Abstract: A variable capacity vane pump has a pump control ring that is moveable to alter the capacity of the pump. A control chamber is formed between the pump casing and the control ring. The control chamber is operable to receive pressurized fluid to create a force to move the control ring to reduce the volumetric capacity of the pump. A primary return spring acts between control ring and the casing to bias the control ring towards a position of maximum volumetric capacity. A secondary return spring is mounted in the casing and is configured to engage the control ring after the control ring has moved a predetermined amount. The secondary return spring biases the control ring towards a position of maximum volumetric capacity. The secondary return spring acts against the force of the control chamber to establish a second equilibrium pressure.

Abstract: A method and device for dual-channel transmission of safety-relevant sensor signals. In the method, two sensor signals to be monitored are generated parallel to one another by two sensors and the generated sensor signals are transmitted to a common evaluation unit via two separate, input-side transmission channels. Within the evaluation unit, the permissibility of the transmitted sensor signals is checked using prescribed calculation specifications that correspond to one another and an evaluation unit output signal representing permissibility or impermissibility is generated for each sensor signal. The individual processing steps of the two calculation specifications are decoupled by the evaluation unit for the two sensor signals and performed diversified within the evaluation unit. The generated output signals are output via two separate, output-side transmission channels.

Abstract: A vane pump with a reduced rotor diameter is provided. The reduced rotor diameter allows a reduction in the overall size of the pump which allows the pump to be used in circumstances wherein sufficient packaging volume does not exist for conventional vane pumps. Further, the reduced rotor diameter permits operation of the pump at a higher speed, in comparison to conventional vane pumps, for a given working fluid and pump rate. The rotor includes an integrally formed drive shaft and a cylindrical rotor head. Both fixed displacement and variable displacement embodiments are shown.

Abstract: A power transmission device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by a power source. A first output shaft is rotatable about a first axis and adapted to transmit torque to a first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit torque to a second driveline and is rotatable about a second axis. The first and second axes diverge from one another. A transfer unit includes a drive member driven by the first output shaft and a driven member driving the second output shaft. A spline coupling is positioned within a cavity formed in the driven member to drivingly interconnect the driven member and the second output shaft. The second output shaft is axially moveable relative to the driven member.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of roller elements positioned radially therebetween. The clutch assembly also includes a cage assembly, a seal and a retaining ring. The cage assembly includes a skeleton coupled to a spring ring having a plurality of radially extending guides arranged to circumferentially space apart each roller element in alignment with cam surfaces formed on the outer race. The guides are resiliently deformable to allow concurrent engagement of each roller element with both the inner and outer races. The seal engages an inner surface of the outer race and an outer surface of the inner race, and is positioned axially outboard of the roller elements. The retaining ring is positioned within ring grooves formed on each of the inner and outer races to restrict movement of the cage.

Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine includes a pinion gear selectively driven by a starter motor, a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear and a one-way clutch adapted to interconnect the drive plate and an engine crankshaft. The clutch assembly includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft. An outer race is fixed for rotation with the drive plate and has circumferentially spaced apart cam surfaces. The clutch also includes a cage for positioning rollers in circumferentially spaced apart alignment with the cam surfaces. A pair of seal plates are coupled to one of the inner race and the outer race. Each seal plate is positioned proximate to and spaced apart from the other of the inner race and the outer race.

Abstract: A drive system for a motor vehicle with a continuously driven primary axle and a selectably driven secondary axle has a differential that acts between the wheels of the secondary axle, and has a torque transmission device for transmitting a drive torque to the differential. The torque transmission device has a clutch and a pump, wherein the pump produces a hydraulic pressure in a first pressure chamber of the clutch when a speed difference occurs between the primary axle and the secondary axle. The first pressure chamber is connected via a connecting line to a second pressure chamber, which is associated with an actuating member of the differential, so that the pressure produced by the pump also permits an at least partial locking of the differential. The first pressure chamber is connected to a low-pressure chamber through a first discharge line, in which is arranged a first control valve.

Abstract: A one-way clutch assembly includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with a first rotatable member, an outer race having circumferentially spaced apart cam surfaces and being adapted to be fixed for rotation with a second rotatable member as well as a plurality of roller elements positioned therebetween. A plurality of circumferentially extending springs cooperate with the cage to align each roller element with the cam surfaces. The springs and cage urge the roller elements away from the inner race. A retaining mechanism captures lubricant in contact with the roller elements.

Abstract: A clutch unit comprises a wet friction clutch for controllable transmission of a torque from an input element to an output element, oil for cooling the friction clutch, and an actuator for actuating the friction clutch. In order to control the clutch unit, a temperature is ascertained in the friction clutch. A characteristic curve of the friction clutch that describes the dependence of a clutch torque on an actuator control variable is adapted as a function of the ascertained temperature. The clutch unit is controlled in accordance with the characteristic curve by means of the actuator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting the torque transmitted by a friction clutch via an actuator chain having an electric motor, a reduction gear and a mechanism for converting the rotary movement of the electric motor. In the method, a desired angle of rotation of the electric motor or a link of the actuator chain is determined from the torque to be transmitted by the friction clutch and is set in a setting procedure based on a given torque/angle dependence. To compensate for wear inside the friction clutch, a calibration process takes place in which a first correction angle is determined for the torque/angle dependence. Variations in a torque/power consumption dependence caused by wear within the actuator chain are also taken into account. Specifically, the number of setting procedures of the electric motor within a predetermined time interval is determined and is used to correct the torque/power consumption dependence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission for a motor vehicle with a transmission housing, with an electrical actuator for the actuation of the transmission and with an electrical control device for the control of the actuator. The transmission has a heat sink device 24 thermoconductively connected to the device and a heat insulating layer between a housing of the actuator and the heat sink device for the thermal insulation of the actuator housing and of the heat sink device, with the actuator housing being thermoconductively connected to the transmission housing or being part of the transmission housing. The invention furthermore relates to a corresponding actuator unit for a transmission.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for lubricating a transmission of a motor vehicle, particularly a power divider, wherein the oil is conveyed by an oil pump from an oil sump to components of the transmission. The amount of oil conveyed is set as a function of the predetermined parameters. The conveyed amount of oil is controlled in that the oil pump is operated intermittently, e.g. is switched on and off repeatedly. The invention further describes a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A damper assembly has a torque input member configured to be connected to engine crankshaft through a torque limit clutch. An output member has a hub configured to be mounted to a transmission input shaft. Damping springs operatively interconnects the input member and output member, enabling the input member and output member to rotate relative to each other at some angular displacements before the input torque from engine crankshaft is completely transmitted to transmission input shaft. The damping springs includes a series of long springs and a series of relatively short spring. The long springs compress before the short compress as the input member rotates relative to the output member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a differential transmission unit featuring active controlling of the moment distribution. Said differential transmission unit comprises a differential transmission (4) with two output shafts (6, 7), the cage (5) of said differential transmission (4) forming the input member, and one respective controlled frictional clutch (22, 26) that is associated with an output shaft. The primary part (22) of the clutch is drivingly connected to the input member (5) while the secondary part (26) of the clutch is drivingly connected to the associated output shaft (6, 7), at least one of the driving connections being provided with an increased or reduced transmission ratio.

Abstract: A method controlling a clutch arrangement that serves, in a powertrain of a motor vehicle, for the transmission of a torque from an input element to an output element. Starting from an activated state of the clutch arrangement, a respective estimated torque value is calculated in repeating calculation cycles. A torque build-up value is calculated in dependence on at least one speed difference value. A torque reduction value is calculated in dependence on at least the last calculated estimated torque value. The estimated torque value is re-calculated on the basis of the last calculated estimated torque value by up integration of the calculated torque build-up value and down integration of the calculated torque reduction value. The recalculated estimated torque value is compared with a torque threshold value. The clutch arrangement is deactivated when the recalculated estimated torque value is below the torque threshold value.

Abstract: A multi-disk clutch having a plurality of interengaging disks movable along a longitudinal clutch axis and a resetting device for the mutual release of adjacent disks along a release distance, with the release distance being bounded by an abutment device. The abutment device includes at least one contact section of a clutch part movable along the longitudinal clutch axis and at least one contact section of an axially fixed clutch part, with the moving clutch part and the axially fixed clutch part having different thermal coefficients of expansion and with the contact sections at both sides cooperating such that the bounding of the release distance varies in dependence on the temperature, with at least one of the contact sections having a sloping surface.

Abstract: A transfer case is provided with a range unit, an interaxle differential, a clutch assembly and a power-operated actuation mechanism. The range unit includes a planetary gearset driven by an input shaft, and a synchronized dog clutch assembly for releasably coupling one of the input shaft or an output component of the planetary gearset to an input member of the interaxle differential. The interaxle differential further includes a first output member driving a first output shaft, a second output member operably driving a second output shaft. The clutch assembly is a multi-plate friction clutch operably disposed between the first and second output shafts. The power-operated actuation mechanism includes a range actuator assembly, a clutch actuator assembly and a motor assembly operable to control coordinated actuation of the range actuator assembly and the clutch actuator assembly.

Abstract: A gear pump is provided and includes an inlet port which terminates, in the pumping direction of the rotor set, in a radially inwardly extending ramp portion. The ramp portion operates to direct working fluid from an inlet radially inwardly into a pumping chamber of the rotor set which is passing over the ramp portion. By closing the pumping chamber at a radially inwardly point, the filling efficiency of the pumping chamber is improved, reducing cavitation and/or operating noise of the pump.

Abstract: A lube pump is provided for supplying lubricant to various components of a power transmission unit of the type used in motor vehicles. The lube pump includes a pump assembly and a coupling mechanism for releaseably coupling the pump assembly to a driven shaft. The coupling is operable to release the pump assembly when the rotary speed of the shaft exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A power transmission device for a motor vehicle includes a clutch for transferring torque between first and second shafts. A clutch actuation system includes a drive member and a cam member in cooperation with one another. The drive member is driven by an electric motor and includes first and second rollers rotatably mounted thereon. The cam member includes first and second circumferentially extending channels, each having a continually reducing radius. The first and second channels are separate from and overlap one another. The first roller is positioned within the first channel to engage the drive member and the cam member. The second roller is positioned within the second channel to engage the drive member and the cam member such that relative rotation between the drive member and the cam member translates the cam member along an axis of relative rotation to vary the force applied to the clutch.