Abstract: An electro-magnetic coil assembly mounted to a clutch assembly, the electromagnetic coil assembly including a coil mounted within an annular coil housing and a flexible armature plate. The coil assembly adapted to generate an electromagnetic field between the coil and the armature plate for attracting the armature plate to the coil assembly. The flexible armature plate includes an annular plate with an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge defining an outer periphery, the inner edge defining an inner periphery. Tangs spaced about the inner periphery extending radially inward from the inner edge. Inner notches spaced about the inner periphery of the annular plate and extending radially outward to a point at least halfway in the radial direction between the inner edge and the outer edge. Outer notches spaced about the outer periphery between and extending radially inward.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic coil assembly mounted to a clutch assembly, the electro-magnetic coil assembly including a coil mounted within an annular coil housing and a flexible armature plate. The coil assembly adapted to generate an electromagnetic field between the coil and the armature plate for attracting the armature plate to the coil assembly. The flexible armature plate includes an annular plate with an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge defining an outer periphery, the inner edge defining an inner periphery. Tangs spaced about the inner periphery extending radially inward from the inner edge. Inner notches spaced about the inner periphery of the annular plate and extending radially outward to a point at least halfway in the radial direction between the inner edge and the outer edge. Outer notches spaced about the outer periphery between and extending radially inward to a point at least halfway in the radial direction between the outer edge and the inner edge.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic coil assembly mounted to a clutch assembly, the electro-magnetic coil assembly including a coil mounted within an annular coil housing and a flexible armature plate. The coil assembly adapted to generate an electromagnetic field between the coil and the armature plate for attracting the armature plate to the coil assembly. The flexible armature plate includes an annular plate with an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge defining an outer periphery, the inner edge defining an inner periphery. Tangs spaced about the inner periphery extending radially inward from the inner edge. Inner notches spaced about the inner periphery of the annular plate and extending radially outward to a point at least halfway in the radial direction between the inner edge and the outer edge. Outer notches spaced about the outer periphery between and extending radially inward to a point at least halfway in the radial direction between the outer edge and the inner edge.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch for transmitting torque to drive axle halves includes a clutch housing that attaches to an input gear, and hubs that attach to the axle halves. A pair of roll cages located within the housing adjacent to the hubs have rollers. The rollers wedge between the hubs and first tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated forward relative to the housing, and between the hubs and second tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated in the opposite direction. Springs hold the rollers engaged with recesses in the hubs, but let the rollers lift to permit relative rotation of the hubs and roll cages. Relative rotation between the roll cages is limited: when one roll cage is wedged, the other can move only as far as a free position midway between the first and second tapered portions.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch for transmitting torque to drive axle halves includes a clutch housing that attaches to an input gear, and hubs that attach to the axle halves. A pair of roll cages located within the housing adjacent to the hubs have rollers. The rollers wedge between the hubs and first tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated forward relative to the housing, and between the hubs and second tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated in the opposite direction. Springs hold the rollers engaged with recesses in the hubs, but let the rollers lift to permit relative rotation of the hubs and roll cages. Relative rotation between the roll cages is limited: when one roll cage is wedged, the other can move only as far as a free position midway between the first and second tapered portions.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch includes a housing and a pair of hubs substantially coaxially aligned within the housing. A pair of roll cages position a plurality of rollers between each hub and an inner cam surface of the housing. The rollers are positioned to wedge between the hub and the inner cam surface when one of the hub and the housing is rotated with respect to the other. End caps are attached to the housing adjacent to the hubs. A friction disk mechanism includes a friction plate rotating in combination with each the roll cage and a spring compressed between the end cap and the roll cage for biasing the friction member into frictional contact with the hub. An intermittent coupler is located between each roll cage and configured to engage the roll cages so as to permit indexing of one roll cage relative to the other.

Abstract: A driven clutch for continuously variable transmission for a vehicle, the driven clutch permitting engine braking. The clutch includes an output shaft with first and second sheaves. The first sheave is substantially inhibited from moving axially along the output shaft but may be relatively unrestrained rotationally. The second sheave is axially and rotationally movable with respect to the shaft. A slot is formed in the output shaft and adapted to engage with second sheave for providing torque transmission between the second sheave and the output shall. A compression spring is disposed between the helix and the second sheave for biasing the second sheave toward the first sheave.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch includes a housing and a pair of hubs substantially coaxially aligned within the housing. A pair of roll cages position a plurality of rollers between each hub and an inner cam surface of the housing. The rollers are positioned to wedge between the hub and the inner cam surface when one of the hub and the housing is rotated with respect to the other. End caps are attached to the housing adjacent to the hubs. A friction disk mechanism includes a friction plate rotating in combination with each the roll cage and a spring compressed between the end cap and the roll cage for biasing the friction member into frictional contact with the hub. An intermittent coupler is located between each roll cage and configured to engage the roll cages so as to permit indexing of one roll cage relative to the other.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly for engaging secondary driven shafts in a four wheel drive vehicle. The assembly includes a differential housing with a pinion input gear rotatably disposed within it that is engaged to a drive shaft. A bi-directional overrunning clutch housing is engaged to the pinion gear. A roll cage assembly is located inside the clutch housing. A pair of hubs are positioned within the roll cage assembly and connected to the secondary driven shafts. An electromagnetic system controls indexes the roll cage in a first direction relative to the clutch housing a first indexing device for coupling the secondary drive shaft to the secondary driven axles when four wheel drive is needed, and in an opposite direction using a second indexing device when an engine braking condition is needed. A spring assembly is preferably used to bias the roll cage back to a neutral position.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly for engaging secondary driven shafts in a four wheel drive vehicle. The assembly includes a differential housing with a pinion input gear rotatably disposed within it that is engaged to a drive shaft. A bi-directional overrunning clutch housing is engaged to the pinion gear. A roll cage assembly is located inside the clutch housing. A pair of hubs are positioned within the roll cage assembly and connected to the secondary driven shafts. An electromagnetic system controls indexes the roll cage in a first direction relative to the clutch housing a first indexing device for coupling the secondary drive shaft to the secondary driven axles when four wheel drive is needed, and in an opposite direction using a second indexing device when an engine braking condition is needed. A spring assembly is preferably used to bias the roll cage back to a neutral position.

Abstract: A drive clutch for a continuously variable transmission that includes an input shaft designed to engage with an engine. A sheave assembly is mounted about the input shaft. A bearing assembly separates the sheave assembly from the input shaft such that the input shaft can rotate independently from the sheave assembly. At least one sheave clutch assembly is positioned about the input shaft. The sheave clutch assembly is configured to provide engagement between the sheave assembly and the input shaft when the rotation of the input shaft increases above a certain threshold value. An axial control mechanism is mounted on the input shaft adjacent to the second sheave. The axial control mechanism controls the movement of the second sheave toward and away from the first sheave as a function of the speed of the input shaft. A continuously variable transmission including the drive clutch and a driven clutch is also disclosed.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch including a drive hub having a rotational axis, a drum coaxial with the driver, a plurality of shoes engaging the drive hub so as to rotate with the driver, each shoe having an aperture therethrough in the axial direction, the shoes being radially movable between a radially outward position in which the shoes contact a surface of the drum and a radially inward position in which the shoes are spaced apart from the drum, and a plurality of springs urging the shoes toward the radially inward position, each spring being located in the aperture of a corresponding shoe, each spring having a radially inward end engaging one of the shoes and an opposite radially outward end engaging the driver.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch includes a housing and a pair of hubs substantially coaxially aligned within the housing. A pair of roll cages position a plurality of rollers between each hub and an inner cam surface of the housing. The rollers are positioned to wedge between the hub and the inner cam surface when one of the hub and the housing is rotated with respect to the other. End caps are attached to the housing adjacent to the hubs. A friction disk mechanism includes a friction plate rotating in combination with each the roll cage and a spring compressed between the end cap and the roll cage for biasing the friction member into frictional contact with the hub. An intermittent coupler is located between each roll cage and configured to engage the roll cages so as to permit indexing of one roll cage relative to the other.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch including a drive hub having a rotational axis, a drum coaxial with the driver, a plurality of shoes engaging the drive hub so as to rotate with the driver, each shoe having an aperture therethrough in the axial direction, the shoes being radially movable between a radially outward position in which the shoes contact a surface of the drum and a radially inward position in which the shoes are spaced apart from the drum, and a plurality of springs urging the shoes toward the radially inward position, each spring being located in the aperture of a corresponding shoe, each spring having a radially inward end engaging one of the shoes and an opposite radially outward end engaging the driver.

Abstract: A drive clutch for a continuously variable transmission that includes an input shaft designed to engage with an engine. A sheave assembly is mounted about the input shaft. A bearing assembly separates the sheave assembly from the input shaft such that the input shaft can rotate independently from the sheave assembly. At least one sheave clutch assembly is positioned about the input shaft. The sheave clutch assembly is configured to provide engagement between the sheave assembly and the input shaft when the rotation of the input shaft increases above a certain threshold value. An axial control mechanism is mounted on the input shaft adjacent to the second sheave. The axial control mechanism controls the movement of the second sheave toward and away from the first sheave as a function of the speed of the input shaft. A continuously variable transmission including the drive clutch and a driven clutch is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pump includes a cam member and an armature plate received on an input shaft rotatably supported with a differential housing of a clutch. The pump also includes a cylinder rod slidingly received in a chamber of a master cylinder to pressurize a hydraulic fluid. The cam member includes a ring and a back plate. The ring has an outer, preferably symmetrical, surface with a variable radius defining a ramped portion for outwardly driving the cylinder rod when the cam member is rotated either forward or backward with respect to the differential housing. A coil generates an electromagnetic field when activated drawing the cam member towards the armature plate such that contact forces causes the cam member to rotate with the armature plate. A roller disc is rotatably supported at one end of the cylinder rod for rolling contact between the cylinder rod and the cam surface of the cam member ring.

Abstract: A pump includes a cam member and an armature plate received on an input shaft rotatably supported with a differential housing of a clutch. The pump also includes a cylinder rod slidingly received in a chamber of a master cylinder to pressurize a hydraulic fluid. The cam member includes a ring and a back plate. The ring has an outer, preferably symmetrical, surface with a variable radius defining a ramped portion for outwardly driving the cylinder rod when the cam member is rotated either forward or backward with respect to the differential housing. A coil generates an electromagnetic field when activated drawing the cam member towards the armature plate such that contact forces causes the cam member to rotate with the armature plate. A roller disc is rotatably supported at one end of the cylinder rod for rolling contact between the cylinder rod and the cam surface of the cam member ring.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch for transmitting torque to segments of a primary drive axle. The clutch includes an input gear, a clutch housing, and hubs extending out of the housing that attach to the segments. A roll cage is located within the housing and has rollers arranged in two sets, each set located adjacent to a hub. The rollers wedge between the hubs and first tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing (forward-engagement position), and between the hubs and second tapered portions on the clutch housing when the roll cage is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. A friction member contacts the roll cage to engage the roll cage to the hub to wedge the rolls between the hubs and the clutch housing.

Abstract: A spring assembly for biasing rolls in a roll cage of a bi-directional overrunning clutch. The spring assembly adapted to bias two adjacent rolls in opposite directions. The spring assembly includes a bridge having two ends. A first spring attached to one end of the bridge. The first spring having arms extending in opposite directions from the bridge, each arm having an end adapted to contact a roll. A second spring attached to the other end of the bridge. The second spring having arms extending in opposite directions from the bridge, each arm having an end adapted to contact a second roll.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential is disclosed for controlling torque transmission between a pinion input shaft and at least one output hub in a vehicle. The differential includes clutch a clutch housing and a roll cage. An electromagnetic indexing device is mounted adjacent to the cage and adapted to place the cage in position to engage the output hub to the input shaft. An electrohydraulic device is mounted adjacent to the clutch housing and includes a housing attached to the clutch and adapted to rotate in combination with the clutch housing. A hydraulic piston is located adjacent to a drive plate and adapted to cause the drive plate to engage to the housing when actuated, thereby providing dynamic torque between the output hub and the clutch housing.