Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly that controls the flow of fluids, such as those in electric, internal combustion engine and/or hybrid vehicles. The solenoid valve assembly may include a casing, a bobbin, a coil, a body, a pole piece, an armature, a spring, a primary seal, a secondary seal, and an electrical connection. In a closed state, the spring pushes the armature downwards against the body, thereby closing the primary seal. In an open state, electrical current is provided to the coil, which creates an electromagnetic field and magnetic flux that magnetically attracts and pulls the armature upwards to the pole piece, against the spring force, such that the primary seal is opened. A low clearance, extended length secondary seal is used in conjunction with the primary seal. The solenoid valve assembly may employ a peak-and-hold technique to maintain the primary seal in the open state, yet do so while drawing a minimum amount of electrical current.

Abstract: A clutch (10) for selectively preventing rotatory movement of a cogged gear (12) about an axis may include an actuator (20) and a pivotally moveable pawl (40) that is interactive with the cogged gear (12). A plunger (24) may be radially movable within and by the actuator (20). A pair of axially spaced sidewalls (16, 18) may include an opposed radially extending slot (52). A pawl pusher (50) may be radially movable between the plunger (24) and the pawl (40). The pawl pusher (50) may include a pair of axially extending wing portions (54, 56) that may be slidably supported in one of the opposed slots (52) to limit movement of the pawl pusher (50) to radial, only. Axial and/or circumferential force loads transmitted to the pawl pusher (50) by the pawl (40) may not be transferred to the radially movable plunger (24).

Abstract: A pawl clutch may include a first member having at least one notch, and a second member. The first member and the second member may be configured to rotate relative to each other at a speed differential when the pawl clutch is disengaged. The pawl clutch may further comprise at least one pawl moveably retained to the second member and configured to engage the pawl clutch by engaging the notch of the first member. The notch of the first member may have one of a chamfered edge and a concave edge.

Abstract: A pawl clutch is disclosed. The pawl clutch may comprise a first member having at least one notch, and a second member. The first member and the second member may be configured to rotate relative to each other at a speed differential when the pawl clutch is disengaged. The pawl clutch may further comprise at least one pawl moveably retained to the second member and configured to engage the pawl clutch by engaging the notch of the first member. The notch of the first member may have one of a chamfered edge and a concave edge.

Abstract: A one-way ratchet overrunning clutch includes first and second concentric races, the first race having pockets configured to contain pawls, each pocket including a boss having an exterior convex surface defining an arc of about 180°. Each pawl is supported on one boss, and is adapted to ratchet about the boss to selectively lock the races together. Each pawl has a J-shaped body including a pair of legs joined by a hook portion that with one of the legs defines a concave surface. The concave surface is configured to partially engage a complementary exterior convex surface of a corresponding boss, and the concave surface defines an arc ranging from 90° to at least 150° adapted to circumscribe an identical range of the convex surface of the corresponding boss. The interactive convex and concave surfaces of respective pawl and boss elements provide an effective pawl retention system under centrifugal forces.

Abstract: A low-backlash multimode clutch includes a one-way bearing allowing rotation in a first direction as well as a number of actuatable pawls in one race and a number of receiving slots having engagement faces in the other race. The engagement faces are tilted such that when the pawls are actuated, any torque applied in the first direction tends to force the pawls outward but the pawls are retained inward, such as by actuator rods. In this way, the one-way clutch may be selectively locked and unlocked with zero backlash against the one-way bearing.

Abstract: A one-way ratchet overrunning clutch includes first and second concentric races, the first race having pockets configured to contain pawls, each pocket including a boss having an exterior convex surface defining an arc of about 180°. Each pawl is supported on one boss, and is adapted to ratchet about the boss to selectively lock the races together. Each pawl has a J-shaped body including a pair of legs joined by a hook portion that with one of the legs defines a concave surface. The concave surface is configured to partially engage a complementary exterior convex surface of a corresponding boss, and the concave surface defines an arc ranging from 90° to at least 150° adapted to circumscribe an identical range of the convex surface of the corresponding boss. The interactive convex and concave surfaces of respective pawl and boss elements provide an effective pawl retention system under centrifugal forces.

Abstract: A clutch (10) for selectively preventing rotatory movement of a cogged gear (12) about an axis may include an actuator (20) and a pivotally moveable pawl (40) that is interactive with the cogged gear (12). A plunger (24) may be radially movable within and by the actuator (20). A pair of axially spaced sidewalls (16, 18) may include an opposed radially extending slot (52). A pawl pusher (50) may be radially movable between the plunger (24) and the pawl (40). The pawl pusher (50) may include a pair of axially extending wing portions (54, 56) that may be slidably supported in one of the opposed slots (52) to limit movement of the pawl pusher (50) to radial, only. Axial and/or circumferential force loads transmitted to the pawl pusher (50) by the pawl (40) may not be transferred to the radially movable plunger (24).

Abstract: The selectable clutch may include a first actuator and a second actuator. Moreover, the selectable clutch may further include a first cam operatively associated with the first actuator and a second cam operatively associated with the second actuator. Furthermore, a first armature may be actuated by the first actuator and a second armature may be actuated by the second actuator such that the selectable clutch is configured to allow multiple modes of operation provided by a movement of the first and second cams according to different first and second armature positions.

Abstract: An actuation device having a piston is used to actuate a mechanical or friction clutch by means of differential pressure. Two sides of a piston are pressurized, and the relative pressure between the two sides is decreased or increased to move the piston in either direction. The position of the piston may be determined using position feedback, or with springs of known spring rates, two piston areas, and knowing the pressures of the two areas. The actuation device may be used with a selectable clutch to actuate an actuation cam, and may also have application with other clutches requiring the ability to achieve multiple positions and clutch modes.

Abstract: An engine starter that includes a starter motor, a ring gear, a pinion driven by the starter motor and meshingly engaged with the ring gear, a disk that is configured to be coupled to an engine crankshaft for common rotation, and a dry clutch that is configured to selectively couple the ring gear to the disk.

Abstract: An actuator device for a selectable clutch having three or more clutch modes may include a dual rate piston with a stable middle position. A positive stop provides very accurate control when shifting from an end position to a middle position without overshoot. Precision position control of the actuator device facilitates consistent, stable control of the current mode of the selectable clutch.

Abstract: A low-backlash multimode clutch includes a one-way bearing allowing rotation in a first direction as well as a number of actuatable pawls in one race and a number of receiving slots having engagement faces in the other race. The engagement faces are tilted such that when the pawls are actuated, any torque applied in the first direction tends to force the pawls outward but the pawls are retained inward, such as by actuator rods. In this way, the one-way clutch may be selectively locked and unlocked with zero backlash against the one-way bearing.

Abstract: An engine starter that includes a starter motor, a ring gear, a pinion driven by the starter motor and meshingly engaged with the ring gear, a disk that is configured to be coupled to an engine crankshaft for common rotation, and a dry clutch that is configured to selectively couple the ring gear to the disk

Abstract: A number of variations may include a fluid accumulator comprising, a housing and at least one movable piston wherein the piston separates an interior of the housing into a first chamber constructed and arranged for containing a first fluid, and a second chamber constructed and arranged for containing a second fluid, and wherein the first chamber has an first fluid opening and a first fluid exhaust constructed and arranged to expel excess first fluid from the fluid accumulator and prevent first fluid from entering the second chamber.

Abstract: An actuator device for a selectable clutch having three or more clutch modes may include a dual rate piston with a stable middle position. A positive stop provides very accurate control when shifting from an end position to a middle position without overshoot. Precision position control of the actuator device facilitates consistent, stable control of the current mode of the selectable clutch.

Abstract: An actuation device having a piston is used to actuate a mechanical or friction clutch by means of differential pressure. Two sides of a piston are pressurized, and the relative pressure between the two sides is decreased or increased to move the piston in either direction. The position of the piston may be determined using position feedback, or with springs of known spring rates, two piston areas, and knowing the pressures of the two areas. The actuation device may be used with a selectable clutch to actuate an actuation cam, and may also have application with other clutches requiring the ability to achieve multiple positions and clutch modes.

Abstract: The selectable clutch may include a first actuator and a second actuator. Moreover, the selectable clutch may further include a first cam operatively associated with the first actuator and a second cam operatively associated with the second actuator. Furthermore, a first armature may be actuated by the first actuator and a second armature may be actuated by the second actuator such that the selectable clutch is configured to allow multiple modes of operation provided by a movement of the first and second cams according to different first and second armature positions.

Abstract: The selectable clutch module may include a first member and a second member positioned adjacent to the first member. The selectable clutch module may further include a plurality of notches formed on the second member and an actuator operably coupled to an armature. Furthermore, the selectable clutch module may include a selectable locking mechanism including a first pawl and a second pawl, wherein the first and second pawls are configured to interact with the plurality of notches such that the selectable locking mechanism is selectively controlled between a plurality of locking modes. The selectable clutch module may further include a cam operatively associated with the armature and the cam may include a cam profile configured to engage with the first and second pawls. Moreover, the actuator may positon the cam profile to selectably actuate the selectable locking mechanism into one of the plurality of locking modes.

Abstract: A vehicle having a device that uses an input provided from a first hydraulic system to charge one or more other hydraulic systems. The first hydraulic system can be a vehicle brake system or a hydraulic system having an electrically operated pump. The hydraulic systems to be charged could include an engine lubrication system and/or a transmission hydraulic control system.