Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture for workpieces is disclosed. It utilizes a flat surface magnetic chuck with modular workpiece supporting, locating and clamping elements that are carefully located on it and held by magnetic attraction to it. These elements are precisely located to hold the workpiece in spaced relation to the chuck surface. Some locating elements are mechanically fixed to the chuck for securing the workpiece from transverse movement on the chuck surface. Preferably, each of the supporting, locating and clamping members are fixed to separate steel bases for magnetic attraction to the chuck. Each base may also carry its own hydraulic actuator for height adjustment of a support element or for height adjustment and closure of a clamping element. These modular elements have locating slots or grooves or the like so that they can be selected from a storage magazine and located on a chuck by numerically controlled mechanisms.

Abstract: A disk spring assembly including a flat disk between two angled plates is used in an automatic transmission clutch application. The inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the disk are deflected in opposite directions relative to each other by the angled plates. The maximum deflection of the disk is defined by the angled plates. The stiffness of the disk increases monotonically with the deflection of the disk resulting in smooth clutch application.

Abstract: A disk spring assembly including a flat disk between two angled plates is used in an automatic transmission clutch application. The inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the disk are deflected in opposite directions relative to each other by the angled plates. The maximum deflection of the disk is defined by the angled plates. The stiffness of the disk increases monotonically with the deflection of the disk resulting in smooth clutch application.

Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture for workpieces is disclosed. It utilizes a flat surface magnetic chuck with modular workpiece supporting, locating and clamping elements that are carefully located on it and held by magnetic attraction to it. These elements are precisely located to hold the workpiece in spaced relation to the chuck surface. Some locating elements are mechanically fixed to the chuck for securing the workpiece from transverse movement on the chuck surface. Preferably, each of the supporting, locating and clamping members are fixed to separate steel bases for magnetic attraction to the chuck. Each base may also carry its own hydraulic actuator for height adjustment of a support element or for height adjustment and closure of a clamping element. These modular elements have locating slots or grooves or the like so that they can be selected from a storage magazine and located on a chuck by numerically controlled mechanisms.

Abstract: An adapter for picking up and placing a fixture element on a fixture body using a controlled tool handling device having a tool translating and rotating spindle. The spindle has a tool receiving end and an axis of rotation. The adapter receives a cylindrical post member of a fixture element on a fixture body. The adapter has a first end having a receptacle for receiving the end of the spindle. The second end of the adapter is displaced from the first end and includes a cylindrical socket formed on the end. The socket is co-axial with the spindle and receives the cylindrical post member of the fixture element. A fluid passage is formed in the adapter from the receptacle to the cylindrical socket. The cylindrical socket has an upstream end and a down stream end. A piston is disposed in the upstream end of the socket. The piston is moveable longitudinally within the socket in response to fluid pressure delivered from the spindle through the fluid passage.

Abstract: An adapter for picking up and placing a fixture element on a fixture body using a controlled tool handling device having a tool translating and rotating spindle. The spindle has a tool receiving end and an axis of rotation. The adapter receives a cylindrical post member of a fixture element on a fixture body. The adapter has a first end having a receptacle for receiving the end of the spindle. The second end of the adapter is displaced from the first end and includes a cylindrical socket formed on the end. The socket is co-axial with the spindle and receives the cylindrical post member of the fixture element. A fluid passage is formed in the adapter from the receptacle to the cylindrical socket. The cylindrical socket has an upstream end and a down stream end. A piston is disposed in the upstream end of the socket. The piston is moveable longitudinally within the socket in response to fluid pressure delivered from the spindle through the fluid passage.

Abstract: Variable valve mechanisms utilize magnetorheological fluid (MRF) in lost motion devices for controlling lift and timing of engine valves and the like. The lost motion devices are designed with either of two operational modes, a direct shear mode and a valve mode. In the shear mode, the MR fluid is retained between relatively movable shear surfaces of a lost motion device and the relative motion is controlled by varying the shear strength of the fluid by a magnetic field applied to the MR fluid between the shear surfaces. In the valve mode, the flow rate of MR fluid through an orifice is controlled by varying the magnetic field to control the flow viscosity of the fluid passing through the orifice. The lost motion device units may be applied directly between an input cam and an output valve or may be applied to a pivot for a finger follower or another type of valve actuation.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid clutch has a pair of radially spaced magnetic core members that cooperate with an input rotor to form a pair of working gaps filled with magnetorheological fluid (MRF). An encapsulated electric coil disposed in a radially inner of the two magnetic cores is energized to establish a magnetic field through the cores, the input rotor and the MRF to establish a torque transmitting relation therebetween. The magnetic cores are secured to a channel ring and a housing in both of which a plurality of cooling channels are formed. The channels in the housing are in fluid communication with an input path to a serpentine flow path formed between the radially outer magnetic core and the housing to direct liquid cooling flow thereto. A return path from the serpentine flow path is in communication with the channels in the channel ring to direct liquid cooling flow therefrom.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain has a suitable heat engine having rotational output, a multi-speed transmission and a motor/generator (MG). The transmission input or cluster shaft is continuously connected with the MG. One set of ratio gears in the transmission is continuously drivingly connected to an accessory drive. The cluster shaft and a main shaft are selectively interconnected through a plurality of sets of ratio gears that are activated through the selective engagement of synchronizers associated with the ratio gears on the main shaft. The engine is selectively drivingly connected with the cluster shaft through a launch device such as a friction clutch. The output of the transmission, a differential, can be driven by the engine only, by the MG only or by a combination of the engine and the MG.

Abstract: A mechanism for honing non round cylinder bores includes a tool body rotatable around a nonrotatable cam with a non round peripheral cam surface and a plurality of honing stones carried by supports for generally radial movement in the tool body. In a preferred embodiment, the supports are swing arms pivotally mounted so that the honing stones follow generally radially oriented arcuate paths determined by cam followers carried by the swing arms. A separately controlled expansion actuating rod axially adjusts expansion shoes that wedge outward stone shoes carried by the swing arms to progressively remove stock from the cylinder and to compensate for wear of the honing stones. Assembly with an associated machine adapter supports the honing mechanism and connects with a conventional honing machine to drive and orient the assembly for accurately honing non round cylinder bores.

Abstract: A chain drive mechanism has spaced sprockets about which is trained an endless chain. A traveling chain is disposed radially inward of the endless chain and encircles one or the other of the sprockets during power transmission. The traveling chain is transportable between the sprockets so that the speed ratio therebetween can be altered. When encircling a sprocket, the traveling chain is locked or latched to the sprocket. The lock mechanism has a retainer pin and a locking pin. The locking pin is connected for conjoint movement with the retainer pin which is positioned in latched and unlatched positions. In the unlatched position of the retainer pin, the lock pin engages an opening in the link of the traveling chain thereby securing the traveling chain to the sprocket.