Abstract: A device for the analog measurement of a torsion torque, a steering column incorporating the device and a module comprising the device. The device comprising a test body which can be deformed by torsion, first and second magnetic pulse generators connected in the vicinity of a first and of a second end, respectively, of the test body, a first and a second analog magnetic sensor, and an electronic treatment device capable of forming, from input analog signals A, B, C, D which are functions of the detected signals, the output signal F(A, B, C, D)=((B*C)?(A*D))/((B*D)+(A*C)) which is a function of the torque applied to said shaft.

Abstract: Two thrust races are separated by a plurality of rolling elements for relative rotation of the thrust races about a common axis. A spring washer is positioned axially outward of the two thrust races for engaging a support surface and for applying an axial load to one of the two thrust races. The two thrust races, the rolling elements and the spring washer are retained together as an assembly, for example by an axially extending case with radially extending lips, to facilitate handling and installation of the thrust bearing assembly.

Abstract: A universal joint hub comprising a generally spherical body having two flat areas on opposing exterior sides and at least one opening into an open body interior. The hub has two flat areas on opposing interior surfaces of the body orthogonal to the exterior flat areas and an exterior circumferential groove extending between the exterior flat areas on a given plane. Four apertures extend into the body and are positioned orthogonal to each other on the given plane with each aperture disposed in one of the flat areas. A bushing is disposed in each aperture having a face exposed to the exterior surface. A circumferential band is disposed in the circumferential groove coupling each of the bushings.

Abstract: A universal joint hub comprising a generally spherical body having two flat areas on opposing exterior sides and at least one opening into an open body interior. The hub has two flat areas on opposing interior surfaces of the body orthogonal to the exterior flat areas and an exterior circumferential groove extending between the exterior flat areas on a given plane. Four apertures extend into the body and are positioned orthogonal to each other on the given plane with each aperture disposed in one of the flat areas. A bushing is disposed in each aperture having a face exposed to the exterior surface. A circumferential band is disposed in the circumferential groove coupling each of the bushings.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly including a plurality of rollers having a given diameter d, a cage assembly configured to support the rollers, the cage assembly having a first radial edge that extends a given radial distance X beyond the rollers, and at least one thrust race member. The thrust race member includes a radial race surface, a radial flange extending from the race surface, and a radial lip extending from the flange. The lip is substantially parallel to and at a distance less than the given diameter d from the race surface. The lip has a free end at a distance from the flange greater than the given distance X.

Abstract: A shaft and bearing assembly comprising a soft shaft having an outer contact surface hardness less than 30 HRC and a bearing assembly having a plurality of rollers. The bearing assembly is configured to be positioned about the shaft with the rollers in rolling contact with the shaft outer contact surface. The rollers have a roller contact surface having a hardness less than 45 HRC.

Abstract: This invention concerns a system for the attachment of an information sensor opposite to, and at an air gap's distance from, the coder of a bearing, with said system including a cap to be associated with a ring that at least partly covers the coder, where, in combination, the cap includes at least one device for attachment of the sensor to the internal surface of said cap and one device for electrical connection of said sensor.

Abstract: A shaft coupling assembly comprising a coupling element including a shaft receiving slot and retainer receiving aperture adjacent the shaft receiving slot; a retainer extendable through the retainer receiving aperture; and an axial shaft body configured to be inserted in the coupling element slot. A safety clip is configured to be retained on the coupling element with a first portion extending toward the shaft receiving slot. The first portion includes a retainer blocking edge and a pair of extensions. The first portion is moveable between an initial position wherein the blocking edge covers a portion of the retainer receiving aperture and a second position wherein the shaft body contacts the extensions and moves the edge such that the retainer receiving aperture is sufficiently clear to receive the retainer.

Abstract: A unit consisting of a bearing equipped with a data sensor device and a housing in which the bearing is coupled. The bearing consists of an inner turning collar designed to be attached to a turning body, an outer fixed collar coupled to the housing, and rolling bodies positioned between them. The data sensor device consists of a coder that generates magnetic impulses attached to the turning collar and, attached to the fixed collar, a sensor equipped with at least two sensitive components capable of detecting such impulses. The housing is designed to permit said bearing to be locked radially and to lock the bearing axially in one direction. The unit further consists of a coupling piece for the bearing inside the housing configured such that the bearing is locked at least in the other direction.

Abstract: A clamp isolator for an intermediate shaft assembly comprising an intermediate shaft having a free end and a secondary shaft having a free end. The clamp isolator includes a clamping portion and an isolation portion and interconnects the two shafts. The clamping portion is configured to rigidly clamp upon one of the shaft free ends and the isolation portion includes a substantially hollow housing configured to receive an isolation bushing therein. The isolation bushing has an opening therein configured to receive the other of the shaft free ends.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing or bearing assembly of the type containing, between a stationary ring and a rotating ring, a unit that includes an encoder-support armature; a device for measuring the pulses emitted by the encoder; and a sensor-support armature; and in which the unit also includes a radio transmitter connected to said measuring device in such a way as to transmit a radio wave representing the signals generated by said device to an external receiver designed to be located away from the unit, said receiver being capable, on the basis of these waves, of addressing to a computer the signals necessary for calculating the direction of rotation and/or speed of rotation and/or position of the encoder in relation to the measuring device.

Abstract: Roller bearing (1) equipped with an information sensor device, containing a rotating internal ring (3), a fixed external ring (2) and roller bodies (4) arranged between them, in which said information sensor device contains an encoder (10) and a sensor (11), said roller bearing (1) containing an assembly casing (22) of sensor (11) with the fixed ring (2), said casing (22) containing a cylindrical support (23) that extends over the entire axial length of the external transversal faces of sensor (11) and external ring (2), and means of axial holding (26, 27) arranged on both sides of said support (23), said means (26, 27) being supported on at least one part of the front and rear lateral faces (28, 29) of sensor (11) and external ring (2).

Abstract: A bearing provided with an annular means generating magnetic pulses and with a device for detecting these pulses, wherein the detection device comprises a plurality of aligned sensitive elements. The sensitive elements are placed equidistantly from one another and the detection device comprises an even number 2N of sensitive elements.

Abstract: A device includes at least one magnetic field generator placed on a first plane of a right section of a shaft and at least one magnetic field detector placed in a second plane of a right section of the shaft. The detector produces a signal proportional to the torque following the relative angular shift of the field generator in relation to the detector, the magnetic field generator having a magnetic structure supported by support mechanisms connected to the turning shaft. The magnetic field detector is located roughly opposite the magnetic field generator and is supported by support mechanisms connected to the turning shaft.

Abstract: A slap yoke clip has a side portion formed configured to fit over a side portion of a slap yoke and engage a nut of a transverse retaining bolt to retain the slap yoke clip on the slap yoke. An abutment portion of the slap yoke clip extends from the slap yoke clip side portion for abutting a surface of the slap yoke to prevent rotation of the slap yoke clip with respect to the slap yoke. An elastically deformable latch portion of the slap yoke clip extends from the slap yoke clip side portion, at an angle thereto, for elastically deforming when a steering shaft is laterally inserted into the slap yoke and for returning to a relatively undeformed condition after insertion of the steering shaft into the slap yoke to prevent exit of the steering shaft from the slap yoke.

Abstract: A needle bearing cup includes an inner bearing cup having an inner surface which forms a rolling element raceway and an outer bearing cup disposed about the periphery of the inner bearing cup having a length greater than a length of the inner bearing cup to form a lip. The lip of the outer bearing cup is then formed to retain rolling elements within the inner bearing cup. Preferably, the rolling elements are needle rollers and the inner bearing cup is secured to an outer bearing cup by mechanical lock in the form of a protruding portion extending from the outer bearing cup. The bearing cup may be double drawn with first and second sheet metal blanks forming the inner and outer bearing cups.

Abstract: Assembly forming a roller bearing equipped with an information sensor device containing an encoder that generates magnetic pulses and a sensor equipped with at least two sensitive elements capable of detecting these pulses. The assembly comprises a fixed spindle containing an axial bore; a rotating external ring having, on the outside of the assembly, an annular housing that protrudes coaxially relative to said bore; and roller bodies arranged between spindle and external ring. The encoder is connected on one internal lateral face of a plug arranged in the housing and the sensor is arranged in the bore supported on an external lateral surface of the spindle.

Abstract: A joint assembly and a joint socket sleeve. The joint assembly includes a first yoke including a ball portion, a second yoke including a socket portion and a socket sleeve. The socket sleeve has a continuous side wall defining an opening for receiving the ball portion. A portion of the side wall is flexible. In some constructions, flat surfaces and/or grooves are formed on the outer surface of the socket sleeve. In some constructions, ribs are formed on the outer surface of the socket sleeve.

Abstract: A metal sheet is cut to provide an elongated blank having five regions defined along the length of the elongated blank, the defined regions being a central region, two end regions, and an intermediate region between the central region and each of the two end regions. The elongated blank is bent such that the two end regions overlap and provide a mounting for a shaft and such that a pivot member to be mounted on the central region of the elongated blank will be in alignment, axially, with respect to the shaft. Bores may be formed in the intermediate regions for mounting of a cross-piece to pivotably connect the yoke to a coupling member.

Abstract: A roller retainer assembly for an axial-thrust bearing comprising first and second annular retainer plates. At least one roller pocket extends through each annular plate. The first second annular retainer plates are interconnected such that the at least one first roller pocket is substantially circumferentially aligned with the at least one second roller pocket with the inner and outer radial edges of the opposed pockets offset from one another. As such, the first pocket defines a first fluid passage gap through the first annular plate between the roller and the first outer edge and the second pocket defines a second fluid passage gap through the second annular plate between the roller and the second inner edge.