Abstract: A part clamping fixture assembly for locating and holding a wheel hub assembly for final finishing a flange face of the wheel hub includes a top portion having a bore formed therethrough. The fixture assembly includes a puller member having an upper end for communicating with a drive mechanism and a lower end opposite the upper end. The puller member has an encasing disposed therearound. The encasing has a lower portion for engaging a bearing of the wheel hub assembly and an upper portion in communication with the top portion. The fixture assembly also includes a lift mechanism for lifting the wheel hub assembly generally upward such that a surface of the bearing engages the lower end of the puller member. The lift mechanism is engageable with the lower end of the puller member such that the drive mechanism will rotate the puller member and the lift mechanism together to accomplish the final finishing of the flange face.

Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.

Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.

Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.

Abstract: Static unbalance-type shafts for rotating machinery such as vehicle engines. The present invention can minimize the mass or weight of the balance shaft and optimize the material usage in accordance with the standards and parameters established for the balance shaft. The connector portions between the balance weights and/or between the balance weights and the end bearing surfaces, have cross-sections with recessed sides in order to increase stiffness and/or reduce the weight of the balance shaft. The connector portions also overlap the balance weights. Tapering of chordal surfaces adjacent the axis of rotation can be employed to reduce mass, cost, bearing wear, and drive gear noise.

Abstract: A static unbalance-type balance shaft for rotating machinery such as vehicle engines includes a bearing surface adjacent the other end. The balance shaft includes a balance weight adjacent the first end and a connector portion connecting the balance weight to the other end. The connector portion has a cross-section with at least one recessed surface thereby minimizing the mass or weight of the balance shaft and optimize the material of the balance shaft.

Abstract: A crankshaft damper hub (10) for attachment to an engine crankshaft (34) has an outer rim (44) and a center portion (46). The center portion (46) has a passageway (56) formed therethrough for receipt of an engine crankshaft (34). A plurality of spokes (60) extend between the outer rim (44) and the center portion (46). An opening (66) is formed in each of the plurality of spokes (60) with a tab (72) formed therein for engagement with a tool to facilitate removal of the hub (10) from the crankshaft (34).

Abstract: A part clamping fixture assembly for locating and holding a knuckle/hub assembly, including a knuckle, a wheel hub and a bearing, for final finishing of a flange face of the wheel hub includes a top portion, a first housing portion, and a second housing portion. The first housing portion is intended to engage a first appendage of the knuckle and the second housing portion is intended to engage a second appendage portion of the knuckle. The fixture assembly also includes a puller member having an upper end for communicating with a drive mechanism in order to rotate the knuckle/hub assembly and a lower end opposite the upper end. An encasing is disposed around the puller member and has a lower portion for contacting the bearing.

Abstract: An oil scavenging system for a vehicle engine, which has at least one upward-facing air inlet opening and at least one upward-facing air/oil discharge opening to draw air into the housing through the inlet as the balance shaft rotates and expels air/oil to the engine through the outlet. The inlet opening and the discharge opening are arranged so as to provide for rapid purging of oil from the housing, minimizing oil aeration, heating and motoring losses.

Abstract: A locator bushing member for assembling a damper/pulley member to a crankshaft as part of a modular housing assembly. The locator bushing temporarily secures a damper member to a housing assembly until the housing assembly is secured to the front of a vehicle engine and the damper member is subsequently secured to the nose of the crankshaft. A seal member is typically provided in order to seal the joint between the damper member bushing and housing member. Mating ridge and groove mechanisms, or equivalent mechanisms, can be provided to more securely affix the damper member, locator bushing member and housing member together.

Abstract: A pump seal flushing ring (12) for a vehicle fluid pump (10) includes a top portion (22) and a bottom portion (20) and a tapered wall (36) extending therebetween. The bottom portion (20) has an opening (28) formed therein for communicating with a pump seal (52) to seal off the fluid chamber of the pump from the mechanical portion of the pump. The tapered wall (36) has a plurality of holes (48) formed therein that are uniformly spaced about the periphery of the tapered wall (36) to evenly communicate fluid to all portions of the seal (52).

Abstract: A balance shaft for rotating machinery such as a vehicle engine which minimizes the mass or weight of the balance shaft by optimizing the material usage in accordance with the standards and parameters established for the balance shaft. For rotating couple-type shafts, the two balance weights each have surfaces substantially forming hyperbolic curves. In addition, the connector portion between the balance weights has a cross-section with recessed sides in order to reduce the mass or weight of the balance shaft. For single unbalance-type shafts, the connector portion also has a cross-section with recessed sides.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper has an annular driven member and an annular inertia member, coaxial with the driven member. The inertia member is capable of limited rotational movement relative to the driven member. At least one set of variable volume chambers is arranged so that the relative movement of the driven and inertia members in a first direction decreases the volume of one of the chambers and increases the volume of the other chamber, and relative movement in the opposite direction causes a reverse variation in the volume of the chambers. At least one annular spring is carried by one of the driven and inertia members. A connection is provided between the variable volume chambers and at least one side of the spring. The damper is supplied with a source of fluid in the chambers whereby relative rotational movement of the drive and inertia members pressurizes the one side of the spring causing it to flex.

Abstract: A balance shaft for an automobile engine is disclosed. The balance shaft has a hollow tubular body and a pair of end plug members permanently secured thereto, as by welding. Notches or bob weights either in line or 180.degree. out of phase are provided in the two end plug members. The balance shaft is rotated at twice the crankshaft speed in order to balance second order forces.

Abstract: A crankshaft vibration damper which has an unique elastomer member positioned between a hub and outer annular inertia member. The hub is configured for connection to the accessory drive end of the crankshaft. The inertia member may or may not be grooved to accept an accessory drive belt. The resilient elastomer member is dimensionally and chemically developed to dampen torsional and bending vibrations when assembled between a corresponding curved hub and inertia member. The radially outward or inward curvature of the hub and inertia member is selected to be sufficient to effectively reduce crankshaft bending vibration.

Abstract: A camshaft damper system for damping torsional vibrations within a camshaft for an internal combustion engine. The drive sprocket attached to the end of a camshaft includes radial projections and recesses meshing with the flexible camshaft drive belt or chain and the sprocket includes torsional vibration damping means in the form of an annular inertia ring and elastomeric member attaching the inertia ring to the sprocket wherein torsional vibrations are absorbed by the elastomeric material reducing wear on the camshaft and the camshaft-related components.

Abstract: A bonding system for assembling internal combustion engine crankshaft vibration dampers having an annular inertia ring mounted upon a hub by an elastomeric ring interposed between the inertia ring and hub. After assembly of the components, a thermosetting adhesive located between the elastomeric ring and the inertia ring and hub is heated to a bonding temperature by low frequency electrical induction. The damper components are mechanically clamped during heating and the elastomer is permitted to thermally expand. Heat is concentrated adjacent the adhesive to minimize thermal aging and degrading of the elastomer.

Abstract: A dynamic linear vibration damper consisting of a support member and an inertia member assembled by an elastomer for vibration damping purposes. An extension defined on the support member is received within an opening in the inertia member, and an elastomer interposed between the extension and the opening surfaces is installed under tension whereby the resiliency of the elastomer places the elastomer under compression as confined by the opening to frictionally maintain the assembly of the components.

Abstract: A driveshaft coupling particularly suitable for vehicles characterized by its vibration damping ability. Drive and driven members in concentric relationship about an axis of rotation include spaced non-concentric surfaces between which elastomer elements are located. Relative rotation between the members compresses the elastomers to transfer torque. The members also include engageable abutment surfaces directly transferring torque metal-to-metal upon the occurrence of predetermined elastomer deformation.

Abstract: An air cooled torsional vibration damper utilizing air passages for producing circulation of cooling air. An inertia ring of a composite construction includes a high thermal conductivity metal adjacent a heat producing elastomer, and a denser metal ring adds mass. Air passages, including a radial passage portion, are defined in the inertia ring adjacent the engaging surfaces of the ring components.