Abstract: A two speed transmission and belt drive system utilizing the transmission. The two speed transmission comprises a planetary gear train comprising an input pulley connected to an input carrier, and a sun gear and a ring gear. The input carrier also comprises a plurality of planetary gears disposed between the sun gear and the ring gear. The sun gear is engaged with an electromagnetic brake member. The ring gear is engaged with an output pulley. A one-way clutch is disposed between the input carrier and the output shaft. The brake member is engaged at engine idle and is disengaged at engine speeds above idle. When the brake member is engaged the sun gear does not rotate, thereby driving the ring gear and output pulley at a greater speed than the input pulley. An accessory pulley operates with the transmission output pulley resulting in an accessory speed that is proportional to an engine speed at idle.

Abstract: A damped isolator comprising a first hub, a first pulley connected to the first hub, a bearing carrier connected to the first hub, an elastomeric member engaged with the first hub, a one-way clutch engaged with the elastomeric member, a bearing received by the bearing carrier, a second hub engaged with the one-way clutch and the bearing, and a second pulley connected to the second hub.

Abstract: An isolator comprising a one-way clutch engaged with a hub structure, a belt engaging member, a resilient member operationally engaged between the one-way clutch and the belt engaging member, the belt engaging member engaged with the hub structure through a first and second ball bearing where by a radial load is transmitted through the first and second ball bearings, and the one-way clutch disposed between the first and second ball bearings such that no radial load is transmitted through the one-way clutch.

Abstract: A sealed tensioner comprising a base, an arm pivotally engaged with the base, a spring engaged with the base and the arm, a bushing operationally disposed between the base and the arm, the arm being pivotally engaged with the bushing, a first seal engaged with the arm for preventing a fluid from contacting the bushing, and a second seal engaged with the base for preventing a fluid from contacting the bushing.

Abstract: The invention is an improved tensioner for tensioning a power transmission belt. It is of the type having a pulley adapted to communicate with a surface of a power transmission belt, an arm supporting the pulley upon which the pulley is rotatably mounted via a pulley bearing, and having a shaft supporting the arm. The shaft is rotatably supported by a pivot bearing. Further, it is of the type having an attachment point for a strut with the strut attached to the attachment point. It is improved by the pulley and the attachment point being laterally offset in relation to the pivot bearing and substantially balanced in terms of parasitic torque across the pivot bearing.

Abstract: A planetary transmission comprising an input member, an output member, a planetary gear assembly mechanically disposed between the input member and the output member, a centrifugal clutch mechanically disposed between the input member and the output member, a one-way clutch mechanically disposed between the input member and the output member, the one-way clutch for directly coupling the input member and the output member from zero rotational speed up to a first rotational speed, the centrifugal clutch for directly coupling the input member and the output member from a second rotational speed greater than zero rotational speed to a third rotational speed which is in excess of the first rotational speed, and a brake member for selectively controlling rotation of the planetary gear assembly.

Abstract: An isolator comprising a hub, a pulley frictionally engaged with the hub through a bushing for instantaneous rotational movement, the bushing and hub having a coefficient of friction, a resilient member engaged between the pulley and the hub for transmitting a torque, and a locking member for retaining the pulley on the hub.

Abstract: A torsional decoupler comprising a hub having a hub surface, the hub surface having a profile, a pulley having a pulley surface, the pulley surface having a profile, a frictional member disposed between the hub surface and the pulley surface, the frictional member frictionally engaging at least one of the pulley surface or the hub surface, and the frictional member transmitting a torque between the hub and the pulley such that a movement occurs between the hub and the pulley.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm, the pulley mounted to the inner race of a bearing, the outer race mounted to the pivot arm, a spring engaged between the pivot arm and a damping mechanism, the damping mechanism frictionally engaged with the pivot arm, the damping mechanism slidingly engaged with the base between at least two predetermined mechanically fixable positions, and the pivot arm, spring and damping mechanism contained within a pulley perimeter.

Abstract: A vehicle engine stop/start system with regenerative braking comprising a main engine for powering a vehicle having an accessory belt drive system, a motor/generator engaged with the accessory belt drive system, an operator activated switch for selecting an operating mode, in a first operating mode an electric energy storage portion for providing electric power to a heating system when the main engine is off, a relay for preventing operation of the heating system when the main engine is running, in a second operating mode the electric energy storage portion providing electric power to the motor/generator whereby the motor/generator drives an air conditioning compressor when the main engine is off, the air conditioning compressor connected to the accessory belt drive system, a relay for preventing operation of the air conditioning compressor using the motor/generator when the main engine is running, in a third operating mode the motor/generator is used to start the main engine after the main engine has been au

Abstract: The invention is an improved internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, an accessory, a motor/generator, and a belt-drive system. The belt drive systems includes a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, a motor/generator pulley, a belt tensioner, a belt tensioner pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the crankshaft pulley, the accessory pulley, the motor/generator pulley, and the belt tensioner pulley. The belt tensioner pulley contacts the belt at a start-slack-side span. It is improved by the tensioner being asymmetrically biased in a direction tending to cause the power transmission belt to be under tension.

Abstract: An expandable pulley comprising a plurality of adjacent segments, each segment being radially moveable, each segment slidingly engaged with a pin member, each pin member having an engagement with each segment such that each segment is moveable in a direction substantially at an angle (?) to a radial along each pin member, a moveable guide member engaged with each segment for spatially locating each segment with respect to another segment, a counterweight cooperatively connected to each segment and cooperatively engageable with each pin member, each counterweight exerting a force opposing a segment centripetal force, and each pin member connected to a hub.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a belt drive system as a belt tensioner, a first belt tensioner pulley, a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the first belt tensioner, crankshaft, and accessory pulleys. The belt tensioner is of the type that includes an attachment point adapted to be affixed to a stationary point relative to a cylinder block of an engine, a track, and a first carrier mounted in sliding relation with the track with two degrees freedom of movement. The first belt tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted upon the first carrier for engaging the power transmission belt. A resilient member biases the first carrier in longitudinal relation to the track. The tensioner further includes a travel limiting mechanism.

Abstract: A damped planetary transmission comprising an input member, an inertial member connected to the input member, a planetary gear assembly connected to the input member, the planetary gear assembly comprising a carrier member that is directly and fixedly connected to the input member, a brake member engaged with a ring gear of the planetary gear assembly, the planetary gear assembly connected to an output member, a one-way clutch operationally disposed between the input member and the output member, and a vibration isolator directly connected for torque flow between the input member and the one-way clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle engine stop/start system with regenerative braking comprising a main engine for powering a vehicle having an accessory belt drive system, a motor/generator engaged with the accessory belt drive system, an operator activated switch for selecting an operating mode, in a first operating mode an electric energy storage portion for providing electric power to a heating system when the main engine is off, a relay for preventing operation of the heating system when the main engine is running, in a second operating mode the electric energy storage portion providing electric power to the motor/generator whereby the motor/generator drives an air conditioning compressor when the main engine is off, the air conditioning compressor connected to the accessory belt drive system, a relay for preventing operation of the air conditioning compressor using the motor/generator when the main engine is running, in a third operating mode the motor/generator is used to start the main engine after the main engine has been au

Abstract: The invention is an improved belt tensioner for a belt drive system having a belt tensioner, a first belt tensioner pulley, a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the first belt tensioner, crankshaft, and accessory pulleys. The belt tensioner is of the type that includes an attachment point adapted to be affixed to a stationary point relative to a cylinder block of an engine, a track, and a first carrier mounted in sliding relation with the track with two degrees freedom of movement. The first belt tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted upon the first carrier for engaging the power transmission belt. A resilient member biases the first carrier in longitudinal relation to the track. The improvement comprises the tensioner including a second carrier mounted in sliding relation with the track with two degrees freedom of movement. A second belt tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted upon the second carrier for engaging the power transmission belt.

Abstract: An infinitely variable speed ratio planetary ball transmission comprising planetary members in rolling contact with moveable inner and outer races and a constant speed accessory drive system utilizing the transmission. The transmission is infinitely variable between ratios of approximately 0.3 and 1.0. A transmission input shaft is connected to a prime mover such as a vehicle engine crankshaft by a drive belt. The transmission comprises at least one output shaft that is coaxial with the input shaft. An output pulley is attached to the output shaft. A belt is engaged between the output pulley and various engine accessories. A second end of the transmission output shaft may be directly coupled to an engine accessory mounted on the transmission. An included control system senses a crankshaft speed. A processor analyses the crankshaft speed and accordingly adjusts the transmission ratio using a stepper motor connected to a worm drive to maintain a constant output speed regardless of crankshaft speed.

Abstract: A dual ratio belt drive system for powering rotating accessories. The system comprises a clutch unit rotatably connected to a rotating shaft and an overrunning clutch mounted directly to the rotating shaft. The system also comprises a plurality of rotating accessories rotatably connected to said clutch unit and rotatably connected to said rotating shaft through said over-running clutch such that said accessories are driven by said clutch unit at a first speed ratio and driven directly by said rotating shaft at a second speed ratio, with said clutch unit operating at a predetermined value of an engine operating condition thereby defining the transition between said first and second speed ratios, with said clutch unit being engaged at engine start.

Abstract: A plug-in hybrid accessory belt drive system comprising a vehicle engine accessory belt drive, the accessory belt drive comprising engine accessories, a motor/generator engaged with the accessory belt drive, the motor/generator for driving the accessory drive, a rechargeable electrical energy source connected to the motor/generator for driving the motor/generator on demand, the rechargeable electrical energy course connected to a vehicle electrical load, and the rechargeable electrical energy source connectable to a recharging energy source.

Abstract: A two speed transmission comprising a planetary gear train comprising an input member connected to an input carrier, the input carrier connected to an input shaft, a sun gear and a ring gear, the input carrier comprising a plurality of planetary members each in meshing engagement with the sun gear and the ring gear, the sun gear connected to a brake member, the ring gear connected to an output member, and a one-way clutch operably disposed between the input shaft and the output member.