Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved overrunning pulleys that overcome one or more of the deficiencies in the prior art as discussed herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide pulleys that are “springy” in the torque direction, yet have a lower effective spring constant (e.g., are less stiff) over a greater angular range. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys use a low cost and simple torque transfer geometry. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys afford significant overrun. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are radially small in an overall envelope, for example, in order to allow an alternator to reach its highest possible rotational speed, and thus output, during engine idle. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are more durable, as they offer the aforementioned dynamics in both directions (torque and counter-torque).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved overrunning pulleys that overcome one or more of the deficiencies in the prior art as discussed herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide pulleys that are “springy” in the torque direction, yet have a lower effective spring constant (e.g., are less stiff) over a greater angular range. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys use a low cost and simple torque transfer geometry. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys afford significant overrun. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are radially small in an overall envelope, for example, in order to allow an alternator to reach its highest possible rotational speed, and thus output, during engine idle. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are more durable, as they offer the aforementioned dynamics in both directions (torque and counter-torque).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved overrunning pulleys that overcome one or more of the deficiencies in the prior art noted above. Embodiments of the present invention provide pulleys that are “springy” in the torque direction, yet have a lower effective spring constant (e.g., are less stiff) over a greater angular range. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys use a low cost and simple torque transfer geometry. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys afford significant overrun. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are radially small in an overall envelope, in order to allow the alternator to reach its highest possible rotational speed, and thus output, during engine idle. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are more durable, as they offer the aforementioned dynamics in both directions (torque and counter-torque).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved overrunning pulleys that overcome one or more of the deficiencies in the prior art noted above. Embodiments of the present invention provide pulleys that are “springy” in the torque direction, yet have a lower effective spring constant (e.g., are less stiff) over a greater angular range. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys use a low cost and simple torque transfer geometry. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys afford significant overrun. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are radially small in an overall envelope, in order to allow the alternator to reach its highest possible rotational speed, and thus output, during engine idle. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are more durable, as they offer the aforementioned dynamics in both directions (torque and counter-torque).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved overrunning pulleys that overcome one or more of the deficiencies in the prior art noted above. Embodiments of the present invention provide pulleys that are “springy” in the torque direction, yet have a lower effective spring constant (e.g., are less stiff) over a greater angular range. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys use a low cost and simple torque transfer geometry. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys afford significant overrun. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are radially small in an overall envelope, in order to allow the alternator to reach its highest possible rotational speed, and thus output, during engine idle. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are more durable, as they offer the aforementioned dynamics in both directions (torque and counter-torque).

Abstract: In some embodiments, a self-lubricating torque transfer device may include a shaft; a pulley body disposed about the shaft, the pulley body and shaft rotatable with respect to each other in a first direction by at least a first angular displacement and in an opposing second direction by at least a second angular displacement; each of the pulley body and shaft having engagement features that engage upon sufficient rotation between the pulley body and the shaft, wherein the engagement features, when engaged, prevent further rotation between the pulley body and the shaft in a given direction; and a resilient member disposed between the pulley body and the shaft, wherein the resilient member is compressed between the engagement features of the pulley body and the shaft upon sufficient rotation between the pulley body and the shaft, wherein the resilient member comprises a resilient material and a lubricating agent.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved overrunning pulleys that overcome one or more of the deficiencies in the prior art noted above. Embodiments of the present invention provide pulleys that are “springy” in the torque direction, yet have a lower effective spring constant (e.g., are less stiff) over a greater angular range. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys use a low cost and simple torque transfer geometry. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys afford significant overrun. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are radially small in an overall envelope, in order to allow the alternator to reach its highest possible rotational speed, and thus output, during engine idle. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are more durable, as they offer the aforementioned dynamics in both directions (torque and counter-torque).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved overrunning pulleys that overcome one or more of the deficiencies in the prior art noted above. Embodiments of the present invention provide pulleys that are “springy” in the torque direction, yet have a lower effective spring constant (e.g., are less stiff) over a greater angular range. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys use a low cost and simple torque transfer geometry. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys afford significant overrun. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are radially small in an overall envelope, in order to allow the alternator to reach its highest possible rotational speed, and thus output, during engine idle. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are more durable, as they offer the aforementioned dynamics in both directions (torque and counter-torque).

Abstract: Apparatus for coupling torque are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for coupling torque may include a shaft; a pulley body disposed about the shaft, the pulley body and shaft rotatable with respect to each other; a one-way clutch bearing disposed between the pulley body and shaft; and a journal bearing disposed proximate a first end of the one-way clutch bearing, wherein at least one of the pulley body and the shaft form a race of at least one of the one-way clutch bearing or journal bearing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved overrunning pulleys that overcome one or more of the deficiencies in the prior art noted above. Embodiments of the present invention provide pulleys that are “springy” in the torque direction, yet have a lower effective spring constant (e.g., are less stiff) over a greater angular range. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys use a low cost and simple torque transfer geometry. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys afford significant overrun. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are radially small in an overall envelope, in order to allow the alternator to reach its highest possible rotational speed, and thus output, during engine idle. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are more durable, as they offer the aforementioned dynamics in both directions (torque and counter-torque).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include strut based overrunning drives that provide one or more of greater durability, lower heat generation, high torque loads carrying capability, and/or ease of end of life assessment. In some embodiments, a drive assembly may include a shaft; a pocket plate disposed about the shaft and having a plurality of pockets formed on a first side thereof; a notch plate disposed about the shaft adjacent the pocket plate, the notch plate having a plurality of notches formed on a side of the notch plate facing the pockets of the pocket plate; a plurality struts disposed in the pockets; a resilient member disposed within the pockets and biasing the struts towards the notches; and a drive surface rotationally coupled to one of the pocket plate or the notch plate, wherein the other of the pocket plate or the notch plate is rotationally coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for engaging gears in motors are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for engaging rotating components in a motor may include an actuator; and an engagement assembly disposed about an axis and coupled to the actuator, the engagement assembly having at least one pawl that can move along the axis to selectively couple the engagement assembly, via operation of the actuator, with a drive interface to transmit torque, wherein each pawl includes a face that engages a corresponding surface of the drive interface; and a slot formed through an upper region of the at least one pawl to divide the upper region of the at least one pawl into a first portion that includes the face and a second portion that does not include the face, wherein the first portion can flex upon impact of the face with the corresponding surface of the drive interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for engaging gears in motors are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for engaging gears in a motor includes an actuator; and an engagement assembly having at least one pawl axially movably configured to selectively couple the engagement assembly with a gear via operation of the actuator. The actuator may be a solenoid, and may further be a single-coil solenoid. The apparatus may further include a shaft having the actuator and engagement assembly disposed thereon; and a gear disposed on the shaft adjacent the engagement assembly.

Abstract: A drive system for a rotary device, such as an automotive alternator compensates for and reduces the effect of sudden bidirectional rotational velocity variations of the pulley caused by sudden acceleration and deceleration of an internal combustion engine without using a one-way clutch. The drive system comprises a pulley comprising a tubular barrel having a plurality of radial projections extending inwardly from its inner surface, and a cylindrical hub that is journaled within the pulley and connected to the alternator shaft. The hub has a plurality of radial projections extending outwardly from its outer circumference which are interleaved between the pulley projections. A plurality of solid resilient polymer spring members are disposed in the cavity spaces between the projections.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include strut based overrunning pulleys that provide one or more of greater durability, lower heat generation, high torque loads carrying capability, potentially tunable vibration dampening, tunable to maximum permissible torque loads before elastic (repeatable) slippage, and/or ease of end of life assessment. In some embodiments, a pulley assembly includes a shaft; a pocket plate having a plurality of pockets; a notch plate adjacent the pocket plate and having a plurality of notches facing the pockets of the pocket plate; a plurality struts disposed in the pockets; a resilient member disposed within the pockets and biasing the struts towards the notches; and a body disposed about the shaft, pocket plate, and notch plate; wherein one of the pocket plate or the notch plate is rotationally coupled to the shaft and the other of the pocket plate or the notch plate is rotationally coupled to the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring torque from one rotatable element to another rotatable element using at least one pawl. The apparatus comprises a first rotatable element having at least one recess, a second rotatable element and at least one pawl coupled from the second rotatable element to the at least one recess. The method comprises coupling a first rotatable element, wherein the first rotatable element comprises at least one pawl to a second rotatable element, wherein the second rotatable element comprises at least one recess; rotating the first rotatable element; engaging the first rotatable element with the second rotatable element by adapting the at least one pawl to couple with the at least one recess; and transferring torque from the first rotatable element to the second rotatable element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include strut based overrunning drives that provide one or more of greater durability, lower heat generation, high torque loads carrying capability, and/or ease of end of life assessment. In some embodiments, a drive assembly may include a shaft; a pocket plate disposed about the shaft and having a plurality of pockets formed on a first side thereof; a notch plate disposed about the shaft adjacent the pocket plate, the notch plate having a plurality of notches formed on a side of the notch plate facing the pockets of the pocket plate; a plurality struts disposed in the pockets; a resilient member disposed within the pockets and biasing the struts towards the notches; and a drive surface rotationally coupled to one of the pocket plate or the notch plate, wherein the other of the pocket plate or the notch plate is rotationally coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include strut based overrunning pulleys that provide one or more of greater durability, lower heat generation, high torque loads carrying capability, potentially tunable vibration dampening, tunable to maximum permissible torque loads before elastic (repeatable) slippage, and/or ease of end of life assessment. In some embodiments, a pulley assembly includes a shaft; a pocket plate having a plurality of pockets; a notch plate adjacent the pocket plate and having a plurality of notches facing the pockets of the pocket plate; a plurality struts disposed in the pockets; a resilient member disposed within the pockets and biasing the struts towards the notches; and a body disposed about the shaft, pocket plate, and notch plate; wherein one of the pocket plate or the notch plate is rotationally coupled to the shaft and the other of the pocket plate or the notch plate is rotationally coupled to the body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for engaging gears in motors are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for engaging gears in a motor includes an actuator; and an engagement assembly having at least one pawl axially movably configured to selectively couple the engagement assembly with a gear via operation of the actuator. The actuator may be a solenoid, and may further be a single-coil solenoid. The apparatus may further include a shaft having the actuator and engagement assembly disposed thereon; and a gear disposed on the shaft adjacent the engagement assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vibration damper and/or torque transfer device and a method for assembly thereof are provided herein. In one embodiment, a vibration damper and/or torque transfer device includes a pocket plate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The pocket plate further has a recess formed therein on the first surface and a throughbore extending from a bottom surface of the recess to the second surface of the pocket plate. A strut is disposed in the recess and a cap is aligned with the throughbore proximate the second surface of the pocket plate. A resilient member is disposed within the throughbore between a bottom surface of the strut and the floor plate.