Abstract: An interlocking proximity switching device operated by the reciprocating member assembly of a hydraulic slave cylinder controlling the operation of the release mechanism of a motor vehicle mechanical clutch, the slave cylinder being hydraulically connected to a master cylinder having an input member operable by the motor vehicle clutch pedal. The switching device is adapted to close the motor vehicle starter relay circuit for a position of the slave cylinder output member, piston and/or push-rod, corresponding to full release of the clutch, such that the clutch must be fully released in order to allow starting the motor vehicle engine. Preferably, the switching device takes the form of a proximity transducer and of an appropriate circuitry for detecting full release of the clutch mechanism, irrespective of the amount of wear of the clutch.

Abstract: A sliding crank actuator for rotating an axle connectable to the actuator, the axle being provided as part of a system external to the actuator. The axle is rotatable in the external system about an axis which is located at a fixed distance from and which is perpendicular to a drive screw in the actuator.The actuator comprises a drive screw rotatable about a fixed axis and a drive nut on the drive screw. The drive nut moves along the length of the drive screw as the drive screw is rotated.The actuator further comprises a crank arm having a first member and a second member slideably innerconnected so that the first and second members slide longitudinally with respect to each other. The first member is connected to the drive nut so that the crank arm can pivot about the drive nut. The second member comprises apparatus for connecting the second member to the axle so that, as the drive nut moves along the drive screw, the axle connected to the second member is rotated.

Abstract: An electromotive control drive mechanism, in particular for industrial sewing machines, comprises a continuously drivable motor and a brake/clutch unit connected therewith. A clutch disk connected in a rotationally fixed manner with a driven shaft can, by axial movement and by overcoming a clutch air gap, be brought into frictional engagement with a clutch support which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner with the rotor of the motor. A brake disk connected in a rotationally fixed manner with the driven shaft can be brought into frictional engagement with a brake support which is rotationally fixed. A clutch coil and a brake coil are also provided. In order to reduce the expense of the brake/clutch unit without burdensome actuation noises arising, only one clutch/brake disk is provided, and mechanisms are provided for adjusting the clutch air gap and the automatic readjustment of the clutch air gap.

Abstract: A liquid friction coupling, which preferably constitutes a differential arranged in the shaft line between two driven axles of a vehicle, consists of a rotatable housing (1), which is filled with a viscous liquid, a shaft (2), which protrudes into the housing (1), and a number of interdigitating blades (5, 6). The blades (5) of one set are non-rotatably connected to the housing (1) and the blades (6) of the other set are non-rotatably connected to the shaft (2). The shaft (2) includes a cavity (4), which serves to receive liquid from the housing (1) and contains a spring-loaded slider (8). In order to effect an automatic control of the torque which can be transmitted during the starting period, the slider in the cavity (4) of the shaft constitutes a sliding valve member (8), which cooperates with slots or the like, which are formed in the shaft and lead into the housing (1). The sliding valve member (8) is adjustable in dependence on a performance variable, preferably in dependence on temperature.

Abstract: A clutch for mechanically and electrically disconnecting the servo drive of a reciprocable transfer mechanism comprises a housing having bores for the acceptance of a reciprocable piston and a transfer bar, respectively, said piston having a roller and said transfer bar having a groove for the acceptance thereof, and resilient means normally biasing the roller on said piston into the groove on said transfer bar whereby movement of said housing normally effects like movement of said transfer bar, movement of said roller out of the groove in said transfer bar effecting simultaneous mechanical disconnect of said servo drive and opening of a switch to effect electrical disconnect of said servo drive.

Abstract: A method of controlling a direct-coupling mechanism of a hydraulic torque converter of an automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle, wherein the transmission capacity of the direct-coupling mechanism is controlled such that the value of a first predetermined parameter indicative of an amount of relative slip between input and output members of the hydraulic torque converter which are mechanically engaged with each other by the direct-coupling mechanism lies within a predetermined reference range. The value of a second predetermined parameter indicative of one of said plurality operating modes for the automotive vehicle is detected. Determined in dependence on the detected value of the second predetermined parameter is either the predetermined reference range of the value of the first predetermined parameter or a rate at which the transmission capacity is controlled such that the value of said predetermined parameter changes toward the predetermined reference range of the first predetermined parameter.

Abstract: A multiple-disk visco-clutch is arranged in the drive line of the front axle and the rear axle of a four wheel-drive motor vehicle. In order to prevent an overheating of the multiple-disk visco-clutch, such as when the vehicle is being towed, the visco-clutch is separable from the drive line by means of a shiftable toothed clutch. The lubricating-oil pressure, the intake pipe vacuum or other characteristic quantities of the motor vehicle may be used for actuating the toothed clutch when the internal-combustion engine is stopped, thereby automatically causing the separating of the multiple disk visco-clutch from the drive line.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for detachable connection to a metal forming machine, such as a punch press or the like, including a pair of bracket members pivotally mounted for swingable movement about a vertical axis toward and away from one another with one of the bracket members mounting an electrical energy source and the other mounting a receiver member for generating a protective light-curtain therebetween. Pivot members are operatively associated with each of the bracket members for enabling the same to pivot about a vertical axis, and selectively adjustable locking members for locking either of the bracket members in fixed relation to one another.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing comprises a drive element through which it is adapted to apply traction to the clutch release device of a clutch and an operating element through which it is adapted to be operated on by a control member. It further comprises a cover with a radial lip for coupling the operating element axially to the driving element. A coupling part attached to the clutch release device has retaining fingers and is fastened to the drive element. Structure is provided for limiting insertion of the drive element into the coupling part fastened to the operating element, consisting of angularly separated axial bearing lands alternating with openings and adapted to serve as abutments facing the coupling part.

Abstract: A lock-up clutch control device for an automatic transmission having a torque converter with a lock-up clutch and a speed changing gear mechanism including a sub-transmission unit and a main transmission unit. The device has a lock-up operation device for producing a control signal when the sub-transmission unit is in the higher speed mode or when the main transmission unit selects 2nd or a higher speed gear. The control signal is delivered to a lock-up relay valve which operates effectively while it receives the control signal. Therefore, the torque converter can be locked up at 2nd or higher speeds of the automatic transmission which, because of various combinations of the states of the sub-transmission and main transmission units, outputs multiple speed.

Abstract: A friction clutch driven plate has an internally splined hub, and externally a circular radial flange to rotate with the hub about the hub axis. The flange has teeth in its outer periphery which are in driving meshed engagement with teeth in the inner periphery of an annulus of friction material. That annulus is formed by separate successive arcuate sections or sectors of friction material. The sections of friction material can, axially of the hub, each move relatively to one another by a limited amount to improve the axial compliance of the friction annulus when in a clutch and clamped between a drive plate and a pressure plate. A holding strap extends around the outer periphery of the annulus to hold the sections thereof on the flange against centrifugal force.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly comprises a generally annular cover by which it is attached to a flywheel. A generally annular pressure plate is axially movable relative to the cover but constrained to rotate with it. An engagement device urges the pressure plate in the axial direction away from the cover. It is formed at least in part by an axially acting spring arrangement comprising at least two Belleville washers. These are disposed radially one inside the other with the larger diameter edge of one Belleville washer lying on a circumference of smaller diameter than the circumference on which lies the smaller diameter edge of the other Belleville washer.

Abstract: A drive hub for a torque converter lock-up clutch and damper assembly wherein a one-piece hub provides radial location for the driving and driven members and a pressure seal to provide the requisite pressure differential across the clutch pressure plate for application of the clutch during torque converter use.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch includes a first rotatable member of magnetic material having an axial end surface and a hollow portion in which an annular electromagnetic device is disposed in a stationary position. A second rotatable member, such as a drive shaft, is provided within the first rotatable member. A hub is secured on the second rotatable member and a magnetic armature plate is supported on and around the hub. The magnetic armature plate, which faces the axial end surface of the first rotatable member at a predetermined axial air gap, is capable of limited axial movement and is attracted to the first rotatable member when the electromagnetic device is energized to frictionally engage the first rotatable member.

Abstract: A freewheel device with freewheeling and locking effect in both directions of rotation can be produced easily and inexpensively by the use of conventional sprags designed for use in uni-directional freewheel devices. Two sets of sprags are provided between the inner and the outer raceway of the device, one for each direction of rotation. The sprags are spring loaded for taking positions in which they do not contact one raceway, and a cage which is braked during rotation is provided to be brought in rotation by the sprags and thereby influence the sprags against the spring force to taking a position in which they contact both raceways, the two sets of sprags being alternately engaged or disengaged depending on the direction or rotation of the device.

Abstract: A cable or tape window regulator apparatus and method is provided with a dual camming action. The dual camming action allows the glass to have relative movement with respect to the drive member of the window regulator. Therefore, the glass will have a total vertical travel which is greater than the vertical travel of the cable or tape.

Abstract: An apparatus for limiting the amount of torque from a drive source applied to a torque responsive element in which a pair of rotatable cam plates have opposing faces formed with radially extending grooves. A plurality of angularly spaced balls are provided for respectively engaging within the opposing ramp grooves. A retainer plate is sandwiched between the opposing cam plates, with angularly spaced holes for freely receiving and radially retaining the balls. The retainer plate has periheral walls for surrounding, journalling and piloting the cam plates.

Abstract: A direct coupling clutch being assembled within a casing of a fluid coupling having an impeller mounted on the casing and a turbine rotatably supported within the casing. The direct coupling clutch includes a piston slidably mounted on a turbine hub in axial direction for engaging with and disengaging from a front cover of the casing and a unitary assembled damper device provided between the hub and piston. The damper device includes a driven plate consisting of two annular guide plates positioned concentrically with each other, an annular drive plate interposed between the guide plates and being slidable with respect to the guide plates in circumferential direction and two sets of coil springs arranged in double rows along two concentric circles between the guide plates and being compressed by relative rotation of the drive and driven plates.

Abstract: The clutch comprises a clutch plate which can be retracted by a release mechanism to release a driven plate. The release mechanism includes first and second members and an intermediate detent. The detent is located between the members by urging the first member in one direction relative to the second member. To separate the first and second members, the first member is initially urged further in said one direction to release the detent.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly is adapted to rotate about an axis in one direction only. It comprises a cover formed with radial openings bordered circumferentially by axially offset fixing and retaining lugs. Tabs on a pressure plate pass through the openings and are linked by circumferential strips to the fixing lugs. They are provided with retaining means adapted to come into bearing engagement against the retaining lugs. The retaining means are part of the rivets which fasten the strips to the tabs, and consist of cantilevered stubs on which axial projections, preferably in the form of radial ribs, may be formed if necessary.