Abstract: A planet pin for use in a planetary gear system and a gear system including a planet pin are disclosed. The inventive planet pin provides a plurality of radial passages in fluid communication with an axial passage which can advantageously eliminate, or substantially reduce, the need to orient a planet pin in a planetary gear system.

Abstract: A roller thrust bearing including a first ring including a first radial portion, and a second ring including a radially inner flange and a second radial portion is provided. Rolling elements each having a length are supported between the first ring and the second ring. A cage including an annular body defines a plurality of pockets, and the rolling elements are located in at least some of the pockets. The pockets each have a radial opening, and the length of the rolling elements is less than a length of the radial opening of the pockets, defining a clearance between at least one end side of each of the rolling elements and at least one radial end face of respective ones of the pockets that contain the rolling elements. The clearance provides radial play between each of the rolling elements and the respective ones of the pockets.

Abstract: A bearing race encapsulation apparatus, which has a spring assembly integrated into a hearing that allows the hearing to compensate for varying expansions and contractions caused by differences in temperature. The bearing race encapsulation apparatus includes an outer bearing ring with an end face and an outer face with a indent formed in the outer face. An encapsulation ring, which has a retention element that is snapped into the indent of the outer bearing ring, a first segment that extends axially outwardly from the retention element, and a second segment that extends radially inwardly from the first segment. A spring is arranged axially between the second segment of the encapsulation ring and the outer bearing ring to compensate for the expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A planet pin for use in a planetary gear system and a gear system including a planet pin are disclosed. The inventive planet pin provides a plurality of radial passages in fluid communication with an axial passage which can advantageously eliminate, or substantially reduce, the need to orient a planet pin in a planetary gear system.

Abstract: A thermal compensation element which has an inner ring, an outer ring, and a washer. The washer is arranged within the inner ring and the outer ring is mounted over the inner ring, encapsulating the washer, which can be a split wave spring. The inner ring and the outer ring each have retention features to ensure they are retained relative to each other. The thermal compensation, which is positioned between a housing or a shaft, can account for variations in loading and/or temperature that may occur to a bearing and a shaft system when the shaft and an associated component are made of different materials and have different coefficients of thermal expansion by ensuring a proper axial preload is maintained on the bearing.

Abstract: A transmission sensing and measurement system. The system provides real-time feedback of various transmission operating characteristics which enables immediate synchronized shift calibration in response to vehicle operating conditions. The system can be applied to various transmission components and positions, such as bearing, shafts, and differentials. The system is arranged in a transmission assembly. By way of a method for measuring operating characteristics of the transmission where data is collected by a sensor and transmitted, optimal operating characteristics of the transmission can be calculated.

Abstract: A shaft seal includes a body portion and a radially protruding lip portion. The body portion has a radial wall with at least one radial groove. The lip portion is integrally formed with the body portion and deflectable for sealing engagement with a shaft. In an example embodiment, the seal is a single piece manufactured by injection molding. In an example embodiment, the seal includes nylon or carbon filled polyamide 46.

Abstract: A bearing assembly that includes both radial and axial roller elements. The bearing assembly can be used in applications requiring a low friction bearing requiring high radial and axial load carrying characteristics. The bearing assembly has an inner ring with a radially outwardly extending rim, an outer ring with a radially inwardly extending rim, radial and axial rollers, and cage segments arranged between the inner and outer ring. The axial rollers are arranged in the cage segments to form axial roller assemblies and the radial rollers are interdisposed between the axial roller assemblies with the radial rollers and the axial rollers being fully encompassed within the inner ring and the outer ring.

Abstract: A bearing race encapsulation apparatus, which has a spring assembly integrated into a hearing that allows the hearing to compensate for varying expansions and contractions caused by differences in temperature. The bearing race encapsulation apparatus includes an outer bearing ring with an end face and an outer face with a indent formed in the outer face. An encapsulation ring, which has a retention element that is snapped into the indent of the outer bearing ring, a first segment that extends axially outwardly from the retention element, and a second segment that extends radially inwardly from the first segment. A spring is arranged axially between the second segment of the encapsulation ring and the outer bearing ring to compensate for the expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A thermal compensation element which has an inner ring, an outer ring, and a washer. The washer is arranged within the inner ring and the outer ring is mounted over the inner ring, encapsulating the washer, which can be a split wave spring. The inner ring and the outer ring each have retention features to ensure they are retained relative to each other. The thermal compensation, which is positioned between a housing or a shaft, can account for variations in loading and/or temperature that may occur to a bearing and a shaft system when the shaft and an associated component are made of different materials and have different coefficients of thermal expansion by ensuring a proper axial preload is maintained on the bearing.

Abstract: A transmission sensing and measurement system. The system provides real-time feedback of various transmission operating characteristics which enables immediate synchronized shift calibration in response to vehicle operating conditions. The system can be applied to various transmission components and positions, such as bearing, shafts, and differentials. The system is arranged in a transmission assembly. By way of a method for measuring operating characteristics of the transmission where data is collected by a sensor and transmitted, optimal operating characteristics of the transmission can be calculated.

Abstract: The bearing cage with high speed features has a pocket with a first flange and a second flange which defines the outer boundaries of the pocket. The first flange and the second flange each have a plurality of inwardly directed protrusions facing each other. The protrusions are contactable at each end of rollers, which are arranged in the bearing cage. The protrusions can be dome shaped, creating a small area of contact between the rollers and protrusions. The point of contact between the rollers and the protrusions is at the center of the rollers, which reduces the relative speed between the ends of the pockets and the rollers.

Abstract: A mold for forming a part, a part formed in the mold and processes for using the mold and forming the part. The mold includes inner and outer mold pieces and a pin extending between the mold pieces to form the part having an internal cavity and an orifice extending into the cavity. The inner mold piece defines a pocket for receiving the pin. The pocket enables the formation of an annular donut-like projection around the orifice within the cavity.

Abstract: A method for assembling components that are sealed hydraulically or pneumatically includes forming an outer component having an inner surface, a groove for holding a seal, the groove having an opening at the inner surface. A seal is fabricated in the form of a substantially circular ring having a scarf cut extending through the width and the thickness of the seal, and a second inner surface having an inside diameter. The seal is then placing over a mandrel having a diameter that is larger than the inside diameter of the second inner surface so that the seal is expanded by plastic deformation such that a gap is formed at the scarf cut. Then the seal is inserted in the groove while the seal is expanded.

Abstract: A method for assembling components that are sealed hydraulically or pneumatically includes forming an outer component having an inner surface, a groove for holding a seal, the groove having an opening at the inner surface. A seal is fabricated in the form of a substantially circular ring having a scarf cut extending through the width and the thickness of the seal, and a second inner surface having an inside diameter. The seal is then placing over a mandrel having a diameter that is larger than the inside diameter of the second inner surface so that the seal is expanded by plastic deformation such that a gap is formed at the scarf cut. Then the seal is inserted in the groove while the seal is expanded.