Abstract: The present invention provides a control system and method of controlling a supercharger having an input and a pair of rotors. The method comprises providing a magnetic particle clutch having an input member, an output member and a source of magnetic flux. In the presence of a magnetic field, a magnetically reactive medium disposed between the input and output members is transformed into a torque transmitting coupling that causes the clutch to transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state. The method includes sensing a vehicle parameter and generating a signal operable to engage the clutch in response to the sensed vehicle parameter, so that the transition to the engaged state may be controlled as a function of the sensed vehicle parameter.

Abstract: An electronically controlled magnetorheological fluid based fan drive assembly 60 used to increase the rotational speed of a coupled radiator cooling fan. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber 99 between a drive ring 74 and an output member 86 increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid can be increased to create additional torque to drive the output member 86 and coupled radiator fan at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The magnetic field is induced by directing a flow of electrical current through an electronic coil 62 coupled within the fan drive assembly 60, and an electronic control unit coupled to the electronic coil 62 controls the amount of electrical current flowing through the coil 62.

Abstract: A method of assembling a cylinder head assembly (11) for use with a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine. The method involves providing a cylinder head slab (17) defining a pattern of intake (21) and exhaust (23) poppet valves. The head slab is provided with a plurality of bolt holes (37) defining a bolt hole pattern. Next, a plurality A and B of valve activation modules, selected from a group of possible modules (15; 101; 201; 301) is provided, each defining a plurality of bolt holes (63; 109) which correspond with at least a major portion of the bolt holes (37) in the bolt hole pattern. The next step is selecting one module (15; 101; 201; 301) and bolting it to the cylinder head slab (17).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and system for isolating torsional vibrations in a driveline having a friction torque device and a ratio-change transmission. The friction torque device includes a driven member having radially extending projections for coupling the friction torque device to a shaft. The apparatus comprises a rotatably supported input shaft having a first end, a second end and an inner bore. A plurality of projections are disposed adjacent to the first end of the input shaft for engaging the radially extending projections of a driven member. The apparatus further comprises a torsion bar having a torsional spring rate, where the torsion bar is at least partially disposed within the bore of the input shaft. The torsion bar has a first end and a second end, the second end of the torsion bar is coupled to the input shaft.

Abstract: A water-cooled remote fan assembly 59, 100 having an extra pulley set mounted between a water drive mechanism 81, 122 and a cooling fan 68, 114 for creating a second overdrive mechanism used to increase the rotational speed of the fan 68, 114 relative to the engine input speed. This provides the pulley-driven engine cooling system with improved cooling capabilities at low engine speeds. By decreasing the radius of one of the pair of auxiliary pulleys 62, 102, 87, 104 mounted to a transfer drive mechanism 66, 116 relative to the radius of a crankshaft pulley 80, 130, the transfer drive mechanism 66, 116 can rotate at a faster rate than the crankshaft pulley 80, 130. One or both of the pair of auxiliary pulleys 102, 104 may be mounted on a shroud 106 of the radiator 108 to provide better fan orientation and higher efficiencies for fan performance.

Abstract: A water-cooled magnetorheological fluid controlled combination fan drive and water pump 60 used in a cooling system. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber 91 between a drive ring 74 and a driven ring 84 increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the magnetorheological fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid in an activated state creates additional torque to drive an output shaft 108, and coupled fan 110, at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The rotation of the drive ring 74 also rotates an attached impeller assembly 112 having impellers 114 to move engine coolant through the cooling system.

Abstract: A water-cooled remote fan assembly 59, 100 having an extra pulley set mounted between a water drive mechanism 81, 122 and a cooling fan 68, 114 for creating a second overdrive mechanism used to increase the rotational speed of the fan 68, 114 relative to the engine input speed. This provides the pulley-driven engine cooling system with improved cooling capabilities at low engine speeds. By decreasing the radius of one of the pair of auxiliary pulleys 62, 102, 87, 104 mounted to a transfer drive mechanism 66, 116 relative to the radius of a crankshaft pulley 80, 130, the transfer drive mechanism 66, 116 can rotate at a faster rate than the crankshaft pulley 80, 130. One or both of the pair of auxiliary pulleys 102, 104 may be mounted on a shroud 106 of the radiator 108 to provide better fan orientation and higher efficiencies for fan performance.

Abstract: An electronically controlled magnetorheological fluid based fan drive assembly 60 used to increase the rotational speed of a coupled radiator cooling fan. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber 99 between a drive ring 74 and an output member 86 increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid can be increased to create additional torque to drive the output member 86 and coupled radiator fan at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The magnetic field is induced by directing a flow of electrical current through an electronic coil 62 coupled within the fan drive assembly 60, and an electronic control unit coupled to the electronic coil 62 controls the amount of electrical current flowing through the coil 62.

Abstract: A particle clutch and a ball-ramp-actuated friction clutch controlled by the particle clutch. The particle clutch includes input and output couplings, the transfer of force therebetween being determined by the shear viscosity of a magnetically reactive medium, comprising magnetic particles or a magnetorheological fluid, which fills a gap between corresponding surfaces operably connected to the input and output couplings. The shear viscosity of the medium is variable by the application of a magnetic field. The output coupling is operably connected to one side of the ball-ramp actuator, such that a transfer of force between the input and output couplings causes a relative rotation in the actuator, initiating a camming action that compresses friction plates within the friction clutch for transfer of torque through the friction clutch.

Abstract: A torsion isolator (34) for transmitting torque and dampening torsionals in a driveline. The isolator includes a composite c-shaped spring (48) disposed in an annular chamber (44) of a housing (38,40) filled with torque converter fluid. The spring transmits driveline torque and attenuates torsionals. The spring also functions as a fluid displacement piston by dividing the chamber into radially inner and outer volumes (44a,44b) which vary inversely in volume in response to torque changes flexing the spring. Rapid flexing of the spring increases the fluid pressure in the decreasing volume and thereby dampens or reduces the rate of spring flexing or rebound.

Abstract: A valve control system for an internal combustion engine, which is particularly adapted for selectively actuating and deactuating an engine valve. The system includes an inner rocker arm which contacts the cam and an outer rocker arm which engages the valve, the inner and outer arms being in nesting relation to one another and in pivotal contact with the output plunger of a stationary lash adjuster. A sliding latch member is movable between an active position wherein the inner and outer arms are effectively latched together to transmit the force of the cam through the inner and outer arms to the valve, and an inactive position wherein the inner and outer arms are free to move relative to one another. A spring acting between the inner and outer arms biases the inner arm into engagement with the cam and the outer arm, and the outer arm into engagement with the valve and the lash adjuster. Positive stops between the inner and outer arms are effective to limit lash adjuster leak down.

Abstract: A torsion isolator (34) for transmitting torque and dampening torsionals in a driveline. The isolator includes a composite c-shaped spring (48) disposed in an annular chamber (44) of a housing (38,40) filled with torque converter fluid. The spring transmits driveline torque and attenuates torsionals. The spring also functions as a fluid displacement piston by dividing the chamber into radially inner and outer volumes (44a,44b) which vary inversely in volume in response to torque changes flexing the spring. Rapid flexing of the spring increases the fluid pressure in the decreasing volume and thereby dampens or reduces the rate of spring flexing or rebound.

Abstract: A torsion isolator assembly (30) for reducing driveline torsionals includes a vane damper (36) including improved valving (40d,40e) for increasing the damping factor of the damper, improved spiral springs (32,34 or 80,82) for reducing spring stress primarily due to centrifugal forces, and cam surfaces (44d,440c) for further reducing spring stress due to centrifugal forces.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damping mechanism (30) in a free standing clutch plate (26) for a vehicle driveline. The mechanism (30) includes composite C-shaped springs (41,42) for attenuating driveline torsionals and transmitting driveline torque, and a viscous damper (48) for controlling the rate of flexing of the springs. The mechanism also includes input and output drives (46,44) for flexing the springs only radially inward. The C-shaped composite springs are formed by removing a center portion of a minor arc of a closed ring comprising a plurality of layers of reinforcing filaments, or by cutting a composite cylinder into closed rings and removing the center portion. The composite springs include expanded end portions (41a,41b,42a,42b or 106b) to facilitate attachment of end brackets (72) to the springs without need of fasteners penetrating the composite.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damping mechanism (30) is disclosed in a free standing clutch plate (26) for a vehicle driveline. The mechanism (30) includes composite C-shaped springs (41,42) for attenuating driveline torsionals and transmitting driveline torque, and a viscous damper (48) for controlling the rate of flexing of the springs. The mechanism also includes input and output drives (46,44) for flexing the springs only radially inward. The C-shaped composite springs are formed by removing a minor arc of a closed ring comprising a plurality of layers of reinforcing filaments, or by cutting a composite cylinder into closed rings and removing the minor arc.

Abstract: An assembly (19) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. Assembly (19) includes a spring assembly (20) and a vane damper assembly (22) disposed in parallel and immersed in automatic transmission fluid of a torque converter housing (24). The spring assembly (20) isolates driveline torsionals and the damper assembly (22) dissipates the torsionals. The damper assembly (22) includes first and second relatively rotatable housing members (66, 68) respectively connected to the spring assembly output (62b) and input (62a). Members (66, 68) are also frictionally interconnected by surfaces (68a, 74a). Housing members (66, 68) define chambers (78a, 78b) which vary inversely in volume in response to flexing of the spring assembly (20) by the driveline torsionals. The chambers are in communication with the fluid in the torque converter housing via restricted passages (86, 88). As the chambers vary in volume, energy from the torsionals is converted to fluid pressure in the chambers decreasing in volume.

Abstract: Torsion damping isolator assemblies (19 or 100 or 200) are disposed for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. The assemblies include spiral springs (62 or 202,204) and a vane damper assembly (22or 206) disposed in parallel and immersed in automatic transmission fluid of a torque converter housing (24). The damper assemblies include first and second relatively rotatable housing members (66,68 or 208,210). The housing first members are connected to radially inner ends of the springs, and the second members are connected to radially outer ends of the springs. The housing members define chambers which vary inversely in volume in response to flexing of the spring assemblies by driveline torsionals. The chambers communicate with the fluid in the torque converter housing via restricted passages (86,88 or 220f,220g). As the chambers vary in volume, energy from the torsionals is converted to fluid pressure in the chambers decreasing in volume.