Abstract: A tensioner for a power transmission belt that is adapted to be operated in an endless path and a method of making the same are provided, the tensioner comprising a support unit for being fixed relative to the belt, a belt engaging unit carried by the support unit and being movable relative thereto, a mechanical spring unit operatively associated with the support unit and the belt engaging unit for urging the belt engaging unit relative to the support unit and against the belt with a force to tension the belt, and a fluid dampening unit operatively associated with the support unit and the belt engaging unit to dampen the movement of the belt engaging unit relative to the support unit in at least one direction of movement thereof, the dampening unit comprising a piston unit and a cylinder unit having the piston unit therein and defining two chambers for fluid in the cylinder unit on opposite sides of the piston unit.

Abstract: An endless power transmission belt having a toothed compression section and method of making the same are provided, the belt being formed substantially of polymeric materials and comprising a tension section, a compression section, and a load-carrying section disposed between the tension section and the compression section and having a transverse centerline, the compression section having an outer layer and an inner layer joined to the outer layer and defining an interface therewith that is substantially uniformly spaced from the load-carrying section by the outer layer throughout substantially the entire width and length of the belt. The compression section has an inner surface in the form of alternating transverse teeth and grooves with the grooves respectively defining the roots of the teeth. The inner layer has a thickness from the interface to the tips of the teeth thereof that is approximately the same as the thickness of the outer layer.

Abstract: A hub (2) is rigidly torsionwise attached to a leading shaft (1) but free to move axially and radially. A rotary plate (3) is arranged on said hub (2) through a ball bearing (21) and carries a ring (4) provided with four conical transmission surfaces (30, 31). The transmission surfaces (30) of the ring (4) run on surfaces (33) of two rims (7, 8) of a wheel (6) integral with the casing, and the transmission surfaces (31) run on surfaces (34) of two rims (10, 11) of a second wheel (9) attached to the driven shaft (12) and coaxial with the wheel (6). The distance between the rims (7, 8 and 10, 11) is adjustable. When the driving shaft (1) rotates, the ring (4) effects a slow oscillation motion about the leading shaft (1) and transmits such motion to the wheel (9). The two transmission ranges are offset by 180.degree.. The eccentricity is adjustable between a maximum and zero, which allows the obtention of a reduction up to the infinite. A toothing may be provided in the transmission areas.

Abstract: The trackball device includes two supports for the trackball, each of which has a code wheel associated therewith. The journals on the end of each shaft and the bearing surfaces of the pillow block associated with the shaft are constructed to have substantially point contact and thereby minimize friction.

Abstract: In a transmission including a transmission casing, a rotational speed changing mechanism, and a differential mechanism which has a differential power input gear, a power output shaft transmits the rotary power output of the rotational speed changing mechanism to the differential mechanism via a power output gear provided at its one end and meshing with the differential power input gear. This power output shaft is formed with a first lubricant passage extending from its one end opening at the one end of the power output shaft to the other end opening to a point on its side surface. A bearing rotatably supports a part of the power output shaft proximate to the power output gear from the transmission casing. This bearing is located close to the abovementioned point on the side surface of the power output shaft.

Abstract: A sprocket wheel has a plurality of equi-spaced circumferential teeth, and a plurality of pockets positioned between the teeth. A central circumferential groove in the sprocket wheel divides each of the teeth into two parts. Each of the pockets is shaped to engage with a link of a drive chain, each of the pockets being formed partially by flanks provided on each of the two parts of each of the pair of adjacent teeth defining that pocket. The flanks constitute chain link bearing faces, and each of the flanks has at least three separate bearing surfaces.

Abstract: An idler mechanism for maintaining tension on a drive belt in a drive belt system comprising an idler arm, a pulley mounted on the arm for rotation about a rotational axis, a pivotally adjustable mounting plate, means pivotally mounting the arm to the mounting plate eccentrically with respect to the pivot axis of the plate, and resilient means operatively associated with the pivotal mounting means for resiliently biasing the pulley into tensioning engagement with the drive belt. Application of a predetermined input torque to the pivot axis of the adjustable plate imparts a substantially constant tension to the drive belt substantially independent of belt length within predetermined tolerances.

Abstract: An air breather structure for oil seals in an automatic transmission having a final reduction device and an automatic transmission device. Each oil seal comprises a pair of sealing members with a space therebetween. A differential case for the final reduction device and an automatic transmission case are coupled at ends thereof interposing a gasket. Two rotating shafts extend across the gasket for transmitting an output of the automatic transmission to front and rear wheels of a vehicle for four-wheel driving. The oil seals are provided around the rotating shafts respectively. Both of the oil seals are located in the automatic transmission case and the space of each oil seal is communicated with the atmosphere through passages including cavities provided in both cases and an opening formed in the gasket and a hole formed in an upper portion of the differential case.

Abstract: A power transmission roller chain link construction comprises a first link pin plate with a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel link pins secured to said plate in a press-fit so that they extend parallel to the plate. A bushing is fitted over each pin and a roller link plate is press-fitted on the bushing adjacent each of its ends. A roller is rotatably mounted on each bushing between the roller link plates. The link pins, link pin portion and a rod portion extending outwardly from each link pin portion beyond the second link plate, the second link plate being press-fitted to the link pin adjacent their opposite ends from the first link plate. The rod portion of each link pin has a threaded area adjacent the second link plate and a nut is threadably engageable on the threaded area. The link is manufactured by first press-fitting the link pins to the first pin link plate thereafter assembling the bushing with the roller link plates at each end over the pin and assembling a bushing between the plates.

Abstract: An improved ball nut having adjustable preloading comprises a pair of ball nut halves both in threaded engagement with a ball screw. Only one of the nut halves is secured to a movable machine member, the other nut half being movable to the relative fixed nut half. Separating the two nut halves is a pair of concentric sleeves, which are each fabricated from a piezomagnetic material such as nickel or nickel alloy. The sleeves are each keyed to the nut halves to prevent one nut half from rotating independently of the other. Between the sleeves is a magnetic coil which, when energized, causes the sleeves to expand. By varying the coil excitation, the sleeve length, and hence, the force exerted on the ball nut halves by the sleeves can be varied accordingly to vary ball nut preloading.

Abstract: A sprocket construction for a zero caternary chain. In a zero caternary chain, a tensioning system is utilized to prevent caternary or slack in the chain and as a result of the high degree of tensioning, the bushings of the chain ride against the roots of the sprocket teeth. To prevent erosion of the sprocket teeth and bushings, the root diameter is modified to provide an enlarged operating pitch diameter for a predetermined increase in pitch length of the link. The pitch line clearance is enlarged so that it is equal to 2% to 25% of the working pitch diameter and produces a pressure angle of 20.degree. to 40.degree..

Abstract: The transmission is of the type in which a spherically curved working face (44) on one transmission member (3) and freely rotatable transverse rollers (17) on the other transmission member (2) of this pair of members are provided, the axes of rotation of the transverse rollers lying in a common plane and this plane running perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (18) of the element (3). The transverse rollers are engaged by means of frictional engagement with the working face for the purpose of torque transmission, a change of speed being effected by varying the relative position of the two members (2, 3).In order to prevent an undesirable radial change in the axial position of the transverse rollers (17), a stop (42a, 72) which is preferably designed to be adjustable is provided.

Abstract: A helicopter transmission system includes a gearbox comprising a gearcase (11) having a hollow stub axle (12) by which operational loads are transmitted from a main sustaining rotor to a fuselage structure. One or more input speed reducing gear trains (20, 21, 22, 23) are individually supported in hollow lobe portion(s) (14) supported from the axle (12), the or each lobe portion having an individual lubricating oil sump (18) and circulating means (31) adapted to circulate lubricating oil to the respective gear trains. Preferably, interconnecting means (33) are provided to connect the respective individual sumps, and valve means (32, 35) are adapted to maintain a flow of lubricating oil in the event of a loss of oil from one of the sumps.

Abstract: A speed variator for cars of the kind essentially comprising a variable-pitch-circle sheave and a belt and a driven sheave is improved by the provision of two driving half-sheaves which, with their respective driven half-sheaves, and the two belts compose the mechanical part of the variator. Hydraulic or mechanical provide necessary counteracting forces and are controlled by detectors and a transducing system so that the pitch circle diameters of the driving and the driven sheave can be controlled consistently with the variations of any preselected operative parameter of the engine or another part of the vehicle concerned.

Abstract: In a transaxle (1), a funnel-like oil pocket member (60) receives lube oil supplied from a gutter-like projection (43) formed to overlap a ring gear to collect oil sticking to a side thereof. The funnel-like member supplies lube oil to a lube oil passage (47) formed in a main shaft (18) through a hole (63) and a space (.delta.).

Abstract: A force limiting gear reducer for a lifting pinion of self-elevating platform, comprising a gear reducer divided in two parts, a first of said parts being directly connected to a pinion shaft and pinion support and a second said part comprising a shaft-mounted prime reducer with brake and motor connected to an input shaft of the first reducer, a reaction arm of the shaft-mounted prime reducer being connected to a fixed point of a jacking mechanism by means of at least one hydraulic cylinder, means to control the oil pressure in the hydraulic cylinder, and abutments limiting the stroke of the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: An economical power take-off unit with a direct mount hydraulic pump that attaches directly and rigidly to the differential housing of an automobile or truck. When installed, the unit shares the differential gear lubricant and is an integral component of the vehicle power train. The unit can be remotely operated from the cab of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion or stationary. A one way roller clutch is used to protect the hydraulic pump and equipment when the vehicle is operated in reverse gear.

Abstract: An infinitely variable speed automatic transmission employs a housing that fixedly supports an annular toothed raceway. A toothed wheel having an inner raceway is disposed within the toothed raceway and has rolling contact and tooth interengagement therewith. The housing supports a rotatable drive shaft that is concentric with the toothed raceway and supports a radially moveable roller bearing. A drive roller engages the roller bearing and the wheel's inner raceway. A stabilizing roller contacts the wheel's inner raceway and is supported by an arm that is secured to an output shaft. The output and input shafts are axially aligned. Rotation of the drive shaft will cause the roller bearing to impart radial driving impulses to the wheel through the drive roller. In turn the wheel transmits planetary rotation to the stabilizing roller, which rotates the output shaft through the connecting arm.The wheel acts as a circular lever with the fulcrum being on the wheel's contact point with the toothed raceway.

Abstract: A worm (10) and worm gear (12) mechanism in which the gear (12), in addition to its gear teeth (20), also has a helical thread (22) formed thereon. The helical thread (11) of the worm (10) conventionally meshes with the gear teeth (20) of the worm gear (12), rotation of the worm (10) causing a corresponding rotation of the gear (12). The gear (12) is fitted in a threaded hole (21) so that, as it is rotated by the worm (10), it is also caused to move along its longitudinal axis within the hole (21).

Abstract: A derailleur serves to change the speed of a chain driven vehicle by moving a change-over frame having a tension and a guide pulley, the change-over frame being formed of a single plate and provided with a chain holder positioning radially outwardly of the guide pulley and keeping engagement of a driving chain therewith. Interaction between the change over frame and chain during the shifting of speed is substantially reduced. Chain position is maintained by means of a chain holder reducing chain interference with the change over frame. The chain may be removed with a minimum effort without special tools.