Abstract: A passively actuated, cage phased roller clutch improves the timing and accuracy of the roller shift by providing each cage pocket with an individual cushioning unit that maintains continual, resilient contact with both sides of the roller. Roller shifting is immediate, since there is no roller-pocket play. In addition, the particular shape for the cushioning unit disclosed has resilient side walls that wrap around the roller and pulls it up and out of rubbing contact with the pathway during overrun, keeping the rollers in a uniform lockup ready position.

Abstract: A leg type roller clutch has a cooperating cage and side plate that retain all components together as a unit. The cage includes partially cylindrical bearing flanges that insulate the pathway from directly rubbing on the load bearing legs of the cam race.

Abstract: A roller clutch cage includes a provision for centralizing circumferential stress in the cage, thereby allowing the cage to shrink or expand without bellmouthing. Ribs on the cage hit the cam race as the cage is installed, circumferentially stressing the cage, and allowing it to shrink or expand enough to be pushed onto the cam race far enough that the ribs can snap into a groove. Since the roller pockets stay parallel to the axis, the pathway race need not be present to prevent roller dislodging, and the pathway race can be added as a last step.

Abstract: A leg type roller clutch has its components retained together as a modular assembly by a pair of cage members that snap fit into the cam race from either side of the clutch. Retention flanges on each cage member are inserted between the ends of the cam race legs and the pathway, and include flexible barbs that snap into grooves in the ends of the cam race legs. Special slots in the retention flanges allow the barbs to flex freely as they are inserted, allow the barbs to be easily molded, and provide a lubricant flow path, as well.

Abstract: The advantages of metal side bearings and plastic one-piece cage are both provided in a unitary roller clutch assembly in which metal end rings have inner and outer flanges connected by an annular web, thereby creating annular cavities in which the parts of the cage that hold the unit together can be protected.

Abstract: An all plastic taper thrust bearing has a separately handled, integrally molded roller and separator unit, from which the rollers are broken away as the bearing is assembled.

Abstract: A control car roller clutch is manufactured and assembled by providing two annular end rings, a molded unit that integrates the control cars and journal blocks, and a removable carrier ring that temporarily retains the cars and blocks as the integral unit.

Abstract: A self seating roller clutch cage is molded with lead in ramps next to its cam hook engaging reacting faces, so that the cage need only be partially registered with the cam race before it is pushed in. Pushing the cage straight in alone acts to twist the cage to the point where the reaction faces and cam hooks are fully aligned.

Abstract: A specially designed roller control car for a roller clutch retains a pair of rollers to the clutch prior to installation, and continually applies a substantially equal share of the force of a single spring to each of the pair of rollers after installation, so as to allow each roller to independently seek its own, unique ready position.

Abstract: Lubricant is fed though the outer race of a roller clutch and to the gaps between an interleaved set of friction plates through the cooperation of a flared feed passage, which partially spreads the flow, and either a spray plug or manifold, which further spreads and distributes the lubricant, flow to the gaps.

Abstract: A roller clutch subassembly for incorporation into the hub of a torque converter stator has an integrally molded plastic cage unit that holds the springs and rollers, and in which an array of windows opening through the cage unit allow roller pockets of the cage unit to be bypass molded, as well as allowing visual access to the pockets post installation.

Abstract: A plastic ball retainer with a by-pass moldable design includes ball pocket bases joined with connector bars that occupy less radial space than the radial thickness of the pocket bases, with V shaped bridge members spanning the gaps between the pockets that occupy only radial space not occupied by the connector bars.

Abstract: An accordion type roller energizing springs has resilient auxiliary spring fingers stamped out of each leaf to act as stops to prevent overcompression, as well as providing extra restoring force when the roller moves back out of the normal travel path.

Abstract: A roller control car clutch with improved assembly has control cars provided with special clearance notches so that the cars may be assembled into the pockets with no resistance, and along straight, orthogonal lines. The rollers prevent the cars from being later withdrawn.

Abstract: Instead of directly injection molding a layer of sealing elastomer to the outside of a metal bearing race, a separately molded sealing member is provided with a design that allows it to be bypass molded with access windows, yet still provide complete sealing.

Abstract: Roller control cars are securely retained to a cage by using the crush length of the roller energizing springs to prevent guide tabs of the cars from backing out of guide tracks on the cage.

Abstract: A roller clutch uses metal roller control cars that closely contain the rollers while making minimal direct contact therewith, and which are in turn guided by the cage side rails during clutch operation so as to keep the rollers square to the cage. Roller skew is thereby reduced with minimal friction between the roller cars and the rollers as they spin.

Abstract: A control car and energizing spring are combined into one component. The spring portion of the unit is sized and oriented relative to the control car portion in such a way that, as the unit is installed in a cage pocket, a prestress is created that tends to push the unit toward one side of the pocket. As the roller moves, the side thrust induced in the spring portion will counterbalance the prestress, keeping the car portion effectively centered in the pocket, and allowing the spring portion to perform effectively independently.

Abstract: An overrunning roller clutch of the type that is installed by the ringing in method temporarily latches the rollers directly to the cage side rails, totally independently of the springs, through flexible tabs that fit into circular grooves in the ends of the rollers. The rollers are popped out of the tabs when the pathway race is rung in.

Abstract: A compact roller spin reduction mechanism for an overrunning roller clutch includes a roller control block that holds each roller, but loosely enough that the block can be thrown out into the pathway and rub on it during overrun. This creates a drag force that opposes the roller energizing spring and reduces pathway traction and its consequent roller spin. The block is sufficiently compact to stay entirely within a wedging pocket as the clutch operates.