Abstract: A torsional damper comprises two parts mounted to rotate relative to one another against circumferentially acting elastic means disposed between them. These elastic means include at least one elastically deformable arm fastened at one end to one rotating part so as to rotate therewith. Its other end is unrestricted, and is formed with a shoulder whereby it can engage with a shoulder provided for this purpose on the other rotating part. The or each elastically deformable arm and its support are integral parts of an appropriately shaped flange. An application of the torsional damper is to friction clutches for automotive vehicles, for damping torsional vibration.

Abstract: An engine-transmission disconnect mechanism that includes mating splines spline grooves on a drive collar-shaft assembly. End areas of selected splines are set back from the collar-shaft interface to facilitate meshed engagement of the splines and grooves when the engine is operated. The mechanism can be shifted between the connect and disconnect modes while the engine is running.

Abstract: A self-centering anti-rattle spring for a clutch is disclosed. The resilient spring is positioned between the circumference of a pressure plate of the clutch and the circumference of a flywheel of the clutch. The resilient spring acts to arrest vibration and tumbling of the pressure plate to reduce wear and noise encountered during clutch operation. The resilient spring also functions to align a rotatable drive member connecting the plate to the flywheel.

Abstract: A ball screw brake and stop assembly having an elastomeric compression pad or elastomer member circumferentially surrounding the ball screw and received in a counter bore of a non-rotating assembly having a bore receiving the ball screw with the pad confined on its outer diameter and at one axial end. A striker member, dimensioned to be receivable within an open axial end of the counter bore, functions as a stop member limiting axial movement of the ball nut. Upon projection of the striker member into the counter bore, further movement of the ball nut causes axial compression of the elastomer member providing resistance to further axial movement of the ball nut. At the same time, radial expansion of the elastomer member, caused by compression in the axial direction, causes the inner diameter of the elastomer member to frictionally engage the outer diameter of the ball screw to break rotation of the ball screw.

Abstract: A clutch throwout bearing assembly comprises a bearing, a carrier plate, and a carrier sleeve upon which the carrier plate and bearing are mounted. The mounting arrangement permits the bearing to be radially shifted, axially shifted, or tilted to adapt the plane of the bearing to the plane of the clutch fingers in situations involving misalignment of the bearing and clutch fingers due to tolerance build up between the clutch fingers and the bearing.

Abstract: A double acting hydraulic actuator for operating in a power shift transmission. An accumulator operates with two hydraulic clutches to dampen surges in pressures and to store energy in the hydraulic system during operation of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: A clutch disk of a motor vehicle clutch is provided with a contact element. This contact element is part of a sensing circuit rotating with the clutch disk. This sensing circuit is open as long as the friction pads on the clutch disk are relatively new. Only when the friction pads have been worn to a predetermined degree, the contact element comes into contact with a friction face of the fly wheel disk of the pressure plate of the clutch, so that the sensing circuit is closed. The sensing circuit is connected through a pair of induction coils to a stationary electronic circuitry. This circuitry is influenced by the opening and closing of the sensing circuit and controls indicating means for indicating the degree of wear of the friction pads.

Abstract: A clutch hub for a motor vehicle transmission is used for transferring torque to a driven shaft rigidly and detachably connected thereto. The hub body comprises inclined tunnels with slanted corridors providing additional rotational effect and more even fluid distribution through intake ports. The hub also comprises a frusto-conical protuberance base blocking the fluid flow from a fluid intake chamber into a clutch hub chamber.

Abstract: Speed and temperature responsive drive apparatus includes a friction clutch which may be interposed between a vehicle engine and its associated cooling system fan. The clutch is biased toward engagement by a conventional spring and also by a thermal spring. A bladder develops a centrifugal pressure upon rotation of the apparatus, which pressure relieves the biasing forces of both springs.

Abstract: A disc clutch, having a hub flange of a spline hub is divided into an internal flange with hub and an external flange which are meshed each other through teeth provided on adjoining circumferences of both with circumferential clearances kept between the teeth, a pair of sub plates formed solidly with the external flange, leaf springs between the sub plates and the internal flange interconnecting the internal and external flanges. Second and third springs function in between the external flange and a clutch plate and retaining plate provided on both sides thereof.

Abstract: An automatic hub clutch used for connection and disconnection of a drive axle with a wheel of a four-wheel drive vehicle, has a simple mechanism and a short axial length. The hub clutch includes a first spring adapted to bias a slide gear toward disengagement, and a second spring disposed radially inwardly of the slide gear and adapted to bias the slide gear toward engagement through a cam.

Abstract: A pneumatic screwdriver or nutsetter includes a manually actuated electrical switch and a solenoid operated motive air shutoff valve which includes a spring biased reset element for moving the shutoff valve closure element from a valve closed position to a valve open position prior to introduction of compressed air to the tool motor. The reset element is retracted away from the closure element by pressurized air upon startup of a tool operating cycle. The closure element is released upon deenergization of the solenoid at a predetermined signal to close the shutoff valve. In an alternate embodiment the switch is replaced by a pneumatic valve and the reset element is pressure air biased to move the shutoff element from the shutoff valve closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A cooling fan device for use with an internal combustion engine in which there is provided a viscous fluid coupling operable to control the speed of rotation of a fan for cooling a radiator in response to variation in the temperature of the engine. A partition plate is provided in a fluid-tight chamber so as to divide the chamber into a working chamber and a reservoir chamber. The partition plate has two holes which allow fluid flow from the reservoir chamber to the working chamber. Two valves, one for each hole, are provided which are normally biased to close the holes. One of the valves is attached to a slidable plug which moves in response to temperature change; the other valve is positioned to be engaged by the first valve. Changeover valves control the movement of the plug by allowing suction air pressure or atmospheric air pressure to enter a diaphragm at one end of the plug as the engine temperature varies and thereby open or close the holes.

Abstract: A cooling fan device for use with an internal combustion engine in which there is provided a viscous fluid coupling. A viscous fluid valve is operable to control the opening of a hole so as to regulate the flow of fluid from a working chamber to a reservoir chamber. The valve which is operated in response to the change in the temperature of the engine cooling water, is secured to a slidable plug which is surrounded by a diaphragm. A changover valve controls the admission of suction air (vacuum) or atmospheric air in response to the change in engine pressure.

Abstract: A ratchet handle for a hand tool employs pairs of opposing pawls which are biased by a spring and selectively engage teeth at the interior of a cylindrical structure to provide for a three direction mode ratchet drive. A shifter engageable at one of three positions has ears which selectively interact with the pawls. In one embodiment three pairs of opposing pawls are biased by a garter spring. Another embodiment employs an integral serpentine spring/pawl assembly.

Abstract: A plate locating apparatus for a multiple disc clutch provides a mechanism for axially locating a plurality of intermediate plates relative to the discs interleaved therebetween, and thus insures that the respective intermediate plates and discs will be separated whenever the clutch is disengaged, for example, during the idling of an associated vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is defined by an axially extending rod affixed to the clutch cover, the rod extending through concentrically aligned apertures in the intermediate plates. A plurality of cylindrical sleeves are piloted on the rod, each sleeve extending through the aperture of one intermediate plate. Each sleeve contains abutment means at opposite ends thereof which are disposed for contacting the respective sides of an associated intermediate plate.

Abstract: In a clutch mechanism for two-plate clutches suitable for automotive vehicles, two pressure plates are continuously acted on by respective Belleville type annular springs which bear axially on a common annular spacer keyed to the skirt of the reaction plate. This annular spacer comprises a slotted ring engaging in a groove in the skirt. The mechanism is primarily but not exclusively applicable to clutches of the type having two independent outputs.

Abstract: A clutch driven plate assembly for use in an automotive vehicle having a multi-part hub assembly with the capability of trapping lubricant in the gear teeth when the assembly is subjected to centrifugal force in operation. The hub assembly includes an inner hub in axial splined engagement with the transmission input shaft, an outer hub with an integral radial flange and in splined engagement with the inner hub through helical splines. The inner hub is formed of a light weight non-metallic material, or the outer hub houses an annular spacer formed of an impact and sound-absorbing material to cushion the inner hub upon reciprocation thereof within the outer hub, the outer hub having end plates which act as a dam for lubricant within the intermeshing helical gear teeth.

Abstract: A system for transmitting motion between a driving component and a driven component includes a torque release clutch for transmitting motion between the components until a predetermined amount of force is required to do so, whereupon the clutch releases. The clutch includes a pair of relatively movable members, at least one ball, and an expandable ring. The ball has one position wherein the ball is in engaged or interfering relationship between the pair of members whereby movement of one member effects movement of the other member. The ball has another position wherein the ball is out of interfering relationship with or disengaged from at least one movable member. The expandable ring is mounted on one of the movable members and is engageable with the ball to hold the ball in engaged position until a force applied to the ball exceeds a predetermined amount, whereupon the ring is forced to expand and allow the ball to move to the disengaged position.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling for a power steering system and the like having a driven shaft reversibly rotated by a servo-motor in response to either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of a drive shaft, with the coupling normally connecting the motor to the driven shaft. In the event of any failure of the motor to rotate the driven shaft synchronously with the drive shaft, as for example, due to an electrical power failure, rotation of the drive shaft causes the coupling to disconnect the motor from the driven shaft in the direction opposite to the torque applied by the drive shaft and simultaneously mechanically couple the drive shaft to the driven shaft for direct drive. During that time, the coupling continues to connect the motor to the driven shaft in the direction of shaft rotation. Hence, the direct drive may be assisted by any remaining motor torque, that is, any available torque which is below the level needed to achieve synchronous motion and which is applied in the direction of rotation.