Patents Assigned to The Torrington Company
  • Split ring antifriction bearing retainer
    Patent number: 5122001
    Abstract: A split ring antifriction bearing retainer assembled from two mating annular split rings. Each split ring has a plurality of ball pockets. When the two split rings are assembled, the ball pockets of one split ring are aligned with the ball pockets of the other split ring. The ends of one split ring are angularly offset from the ends of the other split ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Alling, Richard W. Shepard
  • Asymmetric magnetization fixture
    Patent number: 5117183
    Abstract: A high resolution sensor for internal combustion engines has symmetric and asymmetric magnetic encoders mounted on a support plate for synchronous rotation with the engine. Hall-effect sensor devices monitor the magnetic fields of the encoders and transmit signals to an Electronic Engine Control Unit. Ignition and fuel injection timing are deduced from the positions of the magnetic encoders. The encoders are magnetized on a fixture which establishes the size, strength, and location of each pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Alfred J. Santos
  • Method for selectively coating surfaces of components
    Patent number: 5110421
    Abstract: A process for selectively plating separate surfaces of a component. The process includes electroplating a first material onto a first surface, applying a masking agent to the component, tumbling a plurality of components to remove the masking agent from a second surface, electroplating a second material onto the second surface, the masking agent preventing electroplating on the first surface, and then removing the masking agent from the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Alan L. Gabrielson
  • Polymer bearing cage with amorphous case
    Patent number: 5104241
    Abstract: A plastic part is molded of a plastic with an inner body of crystalline plastic and an outer surface layer of an amorphous plastic. The amorphous surface layer withstands friction loading at least during an initial break-in period. In one embodiment, the amorphous surface is formed by using a higher plastic melt temperature and/or a lower mold temperature than normal. In another embodiment, an intermediate part is molded as a crystalline intermediate part, and a surface layer is heated and quenched to form the amorphous surface layer on the final part. A bearing cage is molded by injecting the plastic melt at a single point intermediate the ends of a single bar of the bearing cage to permit formation of the desired amorphous layer on rails connected to the ends of the bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Keith L. Seifert, Robert E. Furst
  • Antifriction bearing with a clip-on sensor
    Patent number: 5103170
    Abstract: An antifriction bearing assembly has rolling elements and a magnetic encoder ring housed in an outer ring with two portions which can have different diameters. A sensor is removably attached to the outer ring in alignment with the encoder ring. Various seal assembly configurations may be used to seal the bearing while accommodating the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: John M. Grillo, James A. Hilby, Vern Van Fleet, Cameron G. Gardella, Gary J. Hill
  • Automobile wheel hub
    Patent number: 5097702
    Abstract: Automobile wheel hub comprising a bearing with rolling elements in a housing in said hub and a device for sensing information, the coding element of which moves integrally with the hub and rotates in front of a stationary sensor, characterized in that the coding element is integrated into the bearing seal and that the sensing element, integral with a support which is stationary with respect to the wheel, is coaxial to the coding element in a radial position essentially equal to the value of the radius of the coding element and longitudinally shifted by a maximum value corresponding to the air gap allowed by the technology of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Rene Nantua, Roger Guers, Fernand Peilloud
  • Automobile wheel hub
    Patent number: 5097701
    Abstract: Automobile wheel hub comprising a bearing with rolling elements in a housing in said hub and a device for sensing information, the coding element of which moves integrally with the hub and rotates in front of a stationary sensor, characterized in that the coding element is integrated into the bearing seal and that the sensing element, integral with a support which is stationary with respect to the wheel, is coaxial to the coding element in a radial position essentially equal to the value of the radius of the coding element and longitudinally shifted by a maximum value corresponding to the air gap allowed by the technology of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Rene Nantua, Roger Guers, Fernand Peilloud
  • Magnetic encoder and sensor system for internal combustion engines
    Patent number: 5097209
    Abstract: A high resolution sensor for internal combustion engines has symmetric and asymmetric magnetic encoders mounted on a support plate for synchronous rotation with the engine. Hall-effect sensor devices monitor the magnetic fields of the encoders and transmit signals to an Electronic Engine Control Unit. Ignition and fuel injection timing are deduced from the positions of the magnetic encoders. The encoders are magnetized on a fixture which establishes the size, strength, and location of each pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Alfred J. Santos
  • High resolution encoder
    Patent number: 5089817
    Abstract: A high resolution encoder having a relatively high number of magnetic pole pairs with a magnetic flux strength sufficient for use in high resolution applications. Magnetic pole pair spacing varies from about 0.01 inch to about 0.1 inch with each magnetic pole pair having a magnetic flux in the range of about 2 gauss to about 700 gauss at a distance of 0.036 inch at a temperature of +20 degrees centigrade. This high resolution encoder is especially well-suited for use with magnetically encoded targets in sensor bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: A. John Santos, Michael C. Brauer
  • Vehicle steering column
    Patent number: 5086661
    Abstract: A vehicle steering column with means for adjusting the reach of a steering wheel in an axial direction relative to the column includes a coupling between a steering column shaft and a steering column tubular portion, the shaft and tubular portion being relatively slidable. The coupling incorporates a resilient member to provide preloaded torque resistance to inhibit transmission of rotational backlash through the steering column and the shaft and tubular portion are of non-circular section and the resilient member is of non-uniform thickness. In the unstressed state, a sleeve of the resilient member for surrounding the shaft is angularly offset and is twisted into alignment by the non-circular shaft upon assembly of the coupling to provide the torque resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Michael T. Hancock
  • Bearing assembly speed sensor mounted on carrier ring
    Patent number: 5080500
    Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises an outer race with an outwardly projecting flange and an inner race with a similar outwardly projecting flange. A sensor assembly is mounted on the flange of the stationary race, and an encoder is mounted on the flange of the rotating race. Several sensor assembly and encoder configurations are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: James A. Hilby, Denis Alff, Christian Hajzler
  • Magnetic encoder with retainer ring for retaining magnetic encoder ring on a rotating shaft
    Patent number: 5081416
    Abstract: An antifriction bearing assembly has rolling elements and a magnetic encoder ring housed in an outer ring with two portions which can have different diameters. A sensor is removably attached to the outer ring in alignment with the encoder ring. Various seal assembly configurations may be used to seal the bearing while accommodating the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Mark E. La Croix
  • Vehicle steering column incorporating means to decouple it
    Patent number: 5074161
    Abstract: A vehicle steering column is decoupled in the event of a frontal impact of the vehicle to prevent frontal crash forces from reaching the upper steering column. A releasable coupling interconnects upper and lower portions of the steering column and includes a clamping arrangement normally to clamp the two portions together. The clamping arrangement is released upon forcible shifting of the lower portion towards the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Michael T. Hancock
  • Rocker arm assembly
    Patent number: 5074261
    Abstract: A bearing support member and bearings form a subassembly that can be inserted, in the direction of the axis of the bearings, into a bore of a rocker arm. A support stud can then be passed through an aperture in the rocker arm and a bore in the bearing support member so as to engage the rocker arm and maintain alignment of the rocker arm and bearings. Also disclosed are an inner sleeve and particular configuration of the bearing support member to facilitate manufacture of the bearing support member by powdered metal forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Hamburg, Richard F. Murphy, Gordon L. Steltzer
  • Ball bearing retainer
    Patent number: 5074679
    Abstract: A ball bearing retainer in the form of a unitary molded plastic ring with a plurality of ball receiving pockets spaced circumferentially about the ring. The ball receiving pockets have a generally truncated spherical shape. The pockets have at least two prongs located about the pocket for retaining a ball in the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Daniel R. McLarty
  • Sensor to determine rotational parameters
    Patent number: 5067350
    Abstract: A device to determine rotational parameters of a rotatable shaft mounted within a stationary tube comprising a substantially annular shaped target. The target is attached to a rotatable shaft. A target retainer has a bore for receiving the rotatable shaft, and is dimensioned to be securely attached to an interior surface of the tube. The target retainer has a radially extending surface adjacent each axial end of the target to restrain axial movement of the target, and also has an aperture adjacent the outer periphery of the target. A sensor extends into the aperture when the sensor is mounted on the stationary tube. Fasteners connect the sensor to the stationary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: John M. Grillo, James A. Hilby, Mark E. La Croix, Mark A. Polinsky, Gordon L. Steltzer
  • Track roller bearing floating sleeve system
    Patent number: 5056938
    Abstract: A track roller bearing having a floating sleeve between the inner race and outer race. The floating sleeve has a self-lubricating bearing material on its outer surface. The coefficient of friction of the self-lubricating bearing material increases as the material is worn. When the self-lubricating bearing material coefficient of friction exceeds the coefficient of friction of the floating sleeve inner surface, the floating sleeve will rotate with the outer race until a new unworn surface of self-lubricating bearing material is presented to the load area of the outer race. This precessing of the floating sleeve will continue until the entire surface area of the self-lubricating bearing material is worn, thus extending the track roller bearing life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: S. Robert Ahlman, William E. Dunn, Harry Magazian
  • Bearing seat encoder mount for rotational parameter sensor apparatus
    Patent number: 5051693
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing rotational parameters of a shaft relative to a member, the apparatus has a bearing having an inner race with an inner diameter, the inner diameter being greater than the diameter of the shaft. An annular space is formed between the inner diameter and the shaft. A bearing seat is disposed within the space, and is fixed to the shaft. An annular encoder is affixed to the bearing seat. A sensor is located in close proximity to the annular encoder, and is fixed to the member. The bearing seat may be of either the cantilevered or split ring designs. The annular encoder is sensed by the sensor in either an axial or a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Michael C. Brauer
  • Rocker arm bearing assembly
    Patent number: RE33870
    Abstract: The rocker arm bearing assembly has a rocker arm which oscillates on a bearing support member and an associated pair of bearings. The bearings are self-contained units with an outer race, an inner race, and multiple rollers positioned between the two races. Full-complement radial bearings are preferably utilized. The bearings are supported on the bearing support member to form an integral unit which can be dropped into the rocker arm. This allows for speedy assembly of the rocker arm with the bearing and support member unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: David Fittro, Arnold E. Fredericksen
  • Method of making a camshaft for reciprocating piston engines
    Patent number: RE33888
    Abstract: Axially spaced cams and bearing rings mounted on a tube are permanently secured to the tube by circumferentially spaced projections on the tube extending into grooves formed on the inside surfaces of the cams and bearing rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Hartnett, Robert Lugosi, James Rollins, John P. Cook, Jeffrey A. Clark