Abstract: An electric motor construction particularly for subway train electric motors which utilize fan induced air cooling to cool the motor windings. The invention exhibits utility in saving power to drive the fan. The fan is coupled to the motor armature by a fluid coupling. The fluid coupling is so constructed that at relatively high temperatures the torque delivered to the fan by the motor armature does not increase proportionally or correspondingly as at relatively low rotor speeds. On one embodiment, a fluid coupling utilizing variation of shear liquid viscosity with both temperature and shear rate is employed. In a second embodiment, the amount of fluid in the fluid coupling is varied with variations in temperature.

Abstract: A turbine housing construction particularly adapted for use with turbochargers for internal combustion engines. A vortex transition duct is inserted between the source of exhaust gas for driving the turbine and the exhaust gas inlet of the turbine volute. In prior turbocharger constructions, the distribution of the velocity of the exhaust gas fed to and as seen by the turbine volute inlet is uniform. Yet, it is desirable that the radial velocity distribution of exhaust gases entering the turbine volute be of a free vortex distribution. The vortex transition duct of this invention transforms the uniform radial velocity distribution of the exhaust gases, prior to their entry into the turbine volute inlet, into a free vortex distribution.

Abstract: A turbocharger having a by-pass system for selectively by-passing exhaust gases from the turbine rotor. The by-pass arrangement includes a housing portion having a by-pass passage which preferably extends from the exhaust inlet to the exhaust outlet. There is a port from the exhaust inlet into the by-pass passage which is selectively controlled by a pivoted valve. The turbocharger with the by-pass arrangement may be utilized with a conventional vehicle exhaust system of the type having a catalytic convertor and if so desired, a major portion of the by-pass gases may also by-pass the catalytic convertor. A control device disposed remote from the turbocharger permits the use of relatively inexpensive control elements.

Abstract: This relates to improvements in turbochargers and more particularly to the venting of the bearing housing of a turbocharger adjacent the compressor housing. Under certain operating conditions, insufficient air is available for the compressor intake, with the result that the compressor draws a vacuum within the compressor housing and causes an undesirable flow of lubricant from the turbocharger bearings to the compressor discharge. This vacuum is applied to the interior of the bearing housing in the general area of the oil deflector and thrust bearing. A vent passage is formed through the oil deflector and the thrust bearing and down between the thrust bearing and bearing support so as to vent that portion of the bearing housing to the lubricant drain cavity, and thereby inhibit undesirable lubricant flow to the compressor discharge.

Abstract: A metal chimney comprised of prefabricated double-walled sections packed with compressible mineral fiber insulation material between the inner and outer metal walls. Each section has a male end and a female end constructed so that a plurality of sections can be interconnected together end-to-end and will maintain structural integrity while also reducing heat conductivity and gas leakage from the inner wall to the outer wall. The female end of each section has a flexible, diaphragm like insulation retainer and seal, while the male end utilizes a rigid spider comprised of spaced apart spoke portions between inner and outer walls in combination with an annular wafer of thin nonmetallic sheet material. After installation, the flexible diaphragm seal is compressed against the rigid spider and annular wafer allowing the insulation to form a gas seal, which is maintained even if these wafers or diaphragm seals are consumed by chimney heat.

Abstract: An improvement over U.S. Pat. No. 3,440,899 by McGavern. That patent includes a first plurality of shear liquid filled cavities defined by through apertures in the elastomer member. The improvement of this invention resides in adding a second plurality of shear liquid filled cavities, the cavities located in the inertia member at a surface thereof interfaced with the elastomer member. By this construction the total volume of shear liquid is increased, thereby increasing the damping action of the torsional vibration damper.

Abstract: A shear fluid, temperature responsive fan drive coupling for the radiator cooling fan of an internal combustion engine. The drive coupling, conventionally, carries a temperature responsive valve which controls the degree of rotary coupling between the engine and the radiator cooling fan by controlling the quantity of shear fluid between a driving disc and a driven housing carrying the fan. The disc and the housing are parts of the coupling. The specific improvement of this invention relates to the provision of accumulator grooves in the walls of the drive chamber. These grooves allow an increase in the volume of shear (torque-transmitting) liquid in the coupling. The coupling exhibits modulated torque transmitting action in passing from partial to full engagement as temperature is varied.

Abstract: A fluid-release mold is disclosed. The mold includes a preformed, porous mold body having a mold face formed on a first exterior surface and a second surface. A groove is formed in the second surface. A tape covers the groove to form a conduit between the surface of the groove and the surface of the tape facing the groove. The conduit directs pressurized release fluid to the mold. A fluid impermeable backing material is disposed over the second surface of the mold body whereby egress of the fluid from the conduit is prevented except through the mold body in a direction away from the second surface.

Abstract: A fluid shear coupling apparatus is disclosed herein which includes a driving member received within a working chamber defined by a driven member. The driven member is mounted with needle bearings to a shaft portion of the driving member to have the members rotatable about a common axis. The driving and driven members include complementary shaped and positioned fluid shear and thrust surfaces defining fluid shear and thrust chambers, respectively, therebetween and cooperable with shear fluid within the chamber to transmit torque and axial thrust loads between the members. The fluid shear surfaces are defined by interdigitated ridges and grooves. A shear fluid reservoir is located in the central portion of the driven member and passageways lead from an annular groove and cylindrical cavity adjacent the driving member back to the reservoir.

Abstract: A modulating fluid shear coupling apparatus is disclosed herein which comprises a driving member mounted within a working chamber defined by a driven member and rotatable coaxial with the driven member. The driving and driven members include complementary shear surfaces to effect torque transmission between the two members when shear fluid is received between the shear surfaces. The driven member defines a reservoir and includes a passageway leading from the reservoir to the working chamber. At least two annular grooves are defined by the driven member and open into the working chamber adjacent the driving member at different radial positions. The annular grooves and associated passageways leading from the grooves to the reservoir provide for pumping the shear fluid from the working chamber back to the reservoir. Various control means are provided for selectively opening and closing the various passageways to yield several different degrees of coupling between the driving and driven members.

Abstract: A turbocharger construction of the divided turbine housing type. To prevent failure of the divider wall due to thermally induced stresses, the divider wall is separate from the housing and means are provided to enable at least the major portion of the divider wall to move radially with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A fluid shear coupling apparatus is disclosed herein which includes a driving member received within a working chamber defined by a driven member. The driven member is mounted with needle bearings to a shaft portion of the driving member to have the members rotatable about a common axis. The driving and driven members include complementary shaped and positioned fluid shear and thrust surfaces defining fluid shear and thrust chambers, respectively, therebetween and cooperable with shear fluid within the chamber to transmit torque and axial thrust loads between the members. The fluid shear surfaces are defined by interdigitated ridges and grooves. A shear fluid reservoir is located in the central portion of the driven member and passageways lead from an annular groove and cylindrical cavity adjacent the driving member back to the reservoir.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring member and a hub member coupled together by an elastomer member. The hub member may be in the form of a disc and is adapted to be coupled to a rotating shaft subject to torsional vibrations, the elastomer and inertia ring member acting in a known manner to damp torsional vibrations. According to this invention a seal, termed a dust and oil slinger, is mounted on the hub. The seal overlies the elastomer and protects it from dust or other particles and from corrosive fumes and liquids. The seal may additional serve as a sacrificial member which will, in certain corrosive ambients, degrade prior to degradation of the elastomer connecting the hub and inertia ring. The seal is either integral with the working elastomer member, or is formed by adhering to the working elastomer member a sealing material of a different composition.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring secured to a hub, the hub being coupled to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. Elastomer members are sandwiched between the hub and inertia ring. The improvement of this invention relates to a radially inwardly extending tongue carried by the inertia ring, a portion of which is sandwiched by the elastomer members. A viscous shear liquid is carried by an annular internal cavity of the hub, the radially innermost portion of the tongue immersed in the shear liquid.

Abstract: A constant-tension spring device for the accessory belt of an automobile engine. The device includes a cylinder having an elastomer ring mounted within each of its ends. A rod passes through each elastomer ring, the rod having spaced shoulders each bearing against one end of a respective elastomer ring. Abutments within the cylinder position and retain the elastomer rings. Upon sufficient axial motion between the rod and cylinder, the elastomer rings are distorted by twisting and display a flat segment of the load vs. deflection curve between the rod and cylinder. The spring device maintains a desired tension within the accessory belt, compensating for temperature, humidity, and ageing changes in belt length which would otherwise result in change of belt tension.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring coupled to a hub by an elastomer member. The inertia ring is formed of two axially spaced ring parts. Each ring part carries an annular groove. A radially extending disc locking element (in the form of a flat washer) carries an axially extending key, the ends of the key being deformed towards a radially extending position by pushing the two ring parts together, the deformed key ends thus holding the two ring parts in assembly. The disc locking element also is compressed and thus exerts an axial force urging the two ring parts apart. In an embodiment, the disc locking element carries a second axially extending key, radially spaced from the first key and is similarly deformed into a second annular groove. In still another embodiment, one inertia ring part carries an integral, axially extending locking key. This key is received by a complementary annular groove in the other ring part, the disc locking element being optionally omitted.

Abstract: An elastomer torsional vibration damper having a hub of low mass. The hub is preferably formed of a rigid plastic such as a phenol-formaldehyde, or of glass filled nylon. According to the invention, the hub is formed of a material having a minimum specific volume of 12 cubic inches per pound to thereby reduce the parasitic inertia of the torsional vibration damper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing an elastomeric torsional vibration damper by oscillating the hub thereof on a shaker table to thereby simulate actual conditions of use. Prior testing methods and apparatus have not compensated for changes in the mechanical properties of the elastomer which often occur during testing. Such changes are usually due to build-up of heat within the elastomer. According to the practice of this invention, changes in the mechanical properties of the elastomer are compensated for by continuously monitoring the phase difference between the hub and the inertia ring. If the phase difference varies from a predetermined amount, the hub input frequency is then varied in such a manner as to maintain the predetermined phase difference between the hub and inertia ring. In this manner a predetermined phase difference may be maintained throughout the test.

Abstract: A hub construction for a torsional vibration damper. The hub is formed of aluminum to obtain the known damper performance advantages of a lower moment of inertia. The hub is coated with a Teflon anodized layer to (1) protect it from oxidation, to (2) prevent the formation of aluminum oxide particles at the elastomer-hub interface. The coating is of a surface roughness of 60-70 micro inches, being a roughness in excess of that recommended by seal manufacturers. Unexpectedly, the coating does not injure a seal used with the damper, thus yielding a third advantage.

Abstract: A system for the measurement, storing, and subsequent display of the amount of time a rotary element dwells within a predetermined speed range. The system exhibits utility for the measurement of rotary speeds of the driving and of the driven rotary elements of a fluid coupled fan drive of the type commonly employed with diesel engines.