Abstract: In an aspect, a clutched device is provided, and includes an input member, an output member, a one-way clutch that can operatively connect the input member to the output member, and a motor including a stator and a rotor. The rotor is connected for rotation with a portion of the one-way clutch. The stator is operable to apply a first magnetic driving force to cause movement of the portion of the one-way clutch in a first rotational direction to increase a force of engagement between the input and output members. The stator is operable to apply a second magnetic driving force to cause movement of the portion of the one-way clutch to disengage the input and output members from each other.

Abstract: An isolator includes a driver that is connectable with a shaft of a device, a rotary drive member that is engageable with an endless drive member; and a first isolation spring and a second isolation spring. The first and second isolation springs are positioned such that during rotation of the driver in a first direction torque is transferred from the driver to the first rotary drive member through the first isolation spring and not through the second isolation spring, and such that during rotation of the first rotary drive member in the first direction torque is transferred from the first rotary drive member to the driver through the second isolation spring and not through the first isolation spring.

Abstract: In an aspect, the invention relates to a decoupler that is positionable between a shaft (eg. for an alternator) and an endless power transmitting element (eg. a belt) on an engine. The decoupler includes a hub that mounts to the shaft, and a pulley that engages the endless power transmitting element, an isolation spring between the hub and the shaft. The decoupler provides at least a selected damping torque between the hub and the pulley.

Abstract: In an aspect, the invention relates to a decoupler that is positionable between a shaft (eg. for an alternator) and an endless power transmitting element (eg. a belt) on an engine. The decoupler includes a hub that mounts to the shaft, and a pulley that engages the endless power transmitting element, an isolation spring between the hub and the shaft. The decoupler provides at least a selected damping torque between the hub and the pulley.

Abstract: In an aspect, a clutched device is provided, and includes an input member, an output member, a one-way clutch that can operatively connect the input member to the output member, and a motor including a stator and a rotor. The rotor is connected for rotation with a portion of the one-way clutch. The stator is operable to apply a first magnetic driving force to cause movement of the portion of the one-way clutch in a first rotational direction to increase a force of engagement between the input and output members. The stator is operable to apply a second magnetic driving force to cause movement of the portion of the one-way clutch to disengage the input and output members from each other.

Abstract: In the one aspect, a tensioner that incorporates a fluid actuated cylinder and that is capable of precognitively anticipating when is desirable to increase the tension in a belt or other endless drive element so as to prevent belt slip prior to events that would raise the risk of it.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a tensioner for an endless drive member. The tensioner comprises a base that is mountable to a stationary structure, the base defining a tensioner arm pivot axis, a tensioner arm that is mounted to the base and is pivotable about the tensioner arm pivot axis, a pulley rotatably connected to the tensioner arm for rotation about a pulley axis that is spaced from the tensioner arm pivot axis, and a tensioner arm biasing member positioned to urge the tensioner arm in a free arm direction. The tensioner arm biasing member includes a closed-cell foam member.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a multi-speed drive for controlling the speed of a load that is driven from a crankshaft of an engine. The multi-speed drive permits the speed of the load to be adjusted based on one or more parameters, such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, battery charge level (e.g. when the load is an alternator), coolant temperature (e.g. when the load is a cooling fan), engine power demand from the vehicle driver, water level in which the vehicle is driving (e.g. when the load is a cooling fan whose blades could be damaged or could cause damage to other vehicle components if they impact water during use). The speeds provided by the multi-speed drive may include two or more non-zero rotational speeds, or two or more non-zero rotational speeds and a zero speed, or one non-zero rotational speed and a zero speed.

Abstract: In an aspect the invention is directed to an isolator comprising a shaft connector that is connectable with a shaft of a motive device, a first rotary drive member that is operatively engageable with at least one second rotary drive member, a first isolation spring and a second isolation spring. The first rotary drive member and the shaft connector are rotatable about an isolator axis. The motive device may be an engine (and thus the shaft may be a crankshaft), or a motor for assisting an engine, for example. Examples of motors for assisting engines include motor/generator units (MGU's) that can operate as a generator when driven to rotate mechanically, and can operate as a motor when driven to rotate electrically. The first isolation spring is positioned to transfer a torque from the first rotary drive member to the shaft connector. The second isolation spring is positioned to transfer a torque from the shaft connector to the first rotary drive member.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a tensioner that is capable of precognitively anticipating when it is desirable to increase the tension in a belt or other endless drive element so as to prevent belt slip prior to events that would raise the risk of it.

Abstract: In an aspect the invention is directed to an isolator comprising a driver that is connectable with a shaft of a device, a rotary drive member that is engageable with an endless drive member; and a first isolation spring and a second isolation spring. The first and second isolation springs are positioned such that during rotation of the driver in a first direction torque is transferred from the driver to the first rotary drive member through the first isolation spring and not through the second isolation spring, and such that during rotation of the first rotary drive member in the first direction torque is transferred from the first rotary drive member to the driver through the second isolation spring and not through the first isolation spring.

Abstract: A tensioner (24) for tensioning an endless drive member (14) on an accessory drive system or a cam shaft drive system is provided with a vent structure (99) that opens into a cavity (68) of the tensioner (24) to permit reduction of any pressure in the cavity (68) and the ambient environment of the tensioner (24), while inhibiting ingress of contaminants into the cavity (68). In some embodiments the vent structure (99) includes one or more of a mechanical one-way valve (152), a semi-permeable membrane (311) or a passageway with a circuitous path.

Abstract: A clutched driven device (10) having a clutch assembly (16) with a first rotary clutch portion (50), a second rotary clutch portion (52), a bearing (54), a wrap spring (56) and an actuator (60). The first rotary clutch portion has an interior clutch surface (76). The first and second rotary clutch portions are rotatably disposed about a rotary axis (70) of the clutched driven device. The bearing is received between the first and second rotary clutch portions and supports the first rotary clutch portion for rotation on the second rotary clutch portion. The wrap spring is disposed radially inwardly of the bearing and has a plurality of helical coils (114) that are received against the interior clutch surface. The actuator is configured to selectively initiate coiling of the wrap spring to cause the helical coils of the wrap spring to disengage the interior clutch surface to a predetermined extent.

Abstract: In one aspect, a tensioner that incorporates a fluid actuated cylinder and that is capable of precognitively anticipating when it is desirable to increase the tension in a belt or other endless drive element so as to prevent belt slip prior to events that would raise the risk of it.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a belt tensioner for tensioning a belt, comprising a pivot shaft that is fixedly mountable with respect to an engine block of an engine, a tensioner arm rotatably mounted to the pivot shaft for pivoting about a tensioner arm axis in a first direction and in an opposing second direction, a pulley rotatably mounted to the tensioner arm for rotation about a pulley axis, and a tensioner spring positioned to bias the tensioner arm in the first direction, wherein the tensioner spring has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is engaged with the tensioner arm, and a micro adjustment mechanism that is operatively connected to control the position of the second end of the tensioner spring so as to control the tension in the tensioner spring.

Abstract: An electromagnet may comprise a pole piece (20) and coil assembly (30). The pole piece (20) may be magnetically susceptible and have a channel structure and a first flange member (22). The channel structure may have an annular inner side wall (24), an annular outer side wall (26) and an annular end wall (28) that fixedly couples the inner and outer side walls (24, 26) to one another on a first axial end (27) of the pole piece (20). The channel structure may be open on a second axial end (29) of the pole piece (20) that is opposite the first axial end (27). The first flange member (22) may be coupled to an end of one of the inner and outer side walls (24, 26) on the second axial end (29) and extend in a radial direction of the pole piece (20) towards an interior of the channel structure. The coil assembly (30) may be fixedly coupled to the channel structure between the inner and outer side walls (24, 26).

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a multi-speed drive for controlling the speed of a load that is driven from a crankshaft of an engine. The multi-speed drive permits the speed of the load to be adjusted based on one or more parameters, such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, battery charge level (e.g. when the load is an alternator), coolant temperature (e.g. when the load is a cooling fan), engine power demand from the vehicle driver, water level in which the vehicle is driving (e.g. when the load is a cooling fan whose blades could be damaged or could cause damage to other vehicle components if they impact water during use). The speeds provided by the multi-speed drive may include two or more non-zero rotational speeds, or two or more non-zero rotational speeds and a zero speed, or one non-zero rotational speed and a zero speed.

Abstract: An electromagnet may comprise a pole piece and a coil assembly. The pole piece may be monolithically formed of a magnetically susceptible material and have a channel structure and a first flange member. The channel structure may have an annular inner side wall, an annular outer side wall and an annular end wall that fixedly couples the inner and outer side walls to one another on a first axial end of the pole piece. The channel structure may be open on a second axial end of the pole piece that is opposite the first axial end. The first flange member may be coupled to an end of one of the inner and outer side walls on the second axial end and extend radially from the channel structure. The coil assembly may be fixedly coupled to the channel structure between the inner and outer side walls.

Abstract: A pulley has a hub and a rim. The hub is configured to be mountable on a driving shaft. A driving connection between the hub and rim is provided. In a first embodiment, a drive mechanism is operable to configure the rim between a circular profile and a non-circular profile. The non-circular profile produces a counteracting torque to offset load torques produced by the engine. The drive mechanism can be electrical, inertial, hydraulic or any combination thereof. In a second embodiment, the rim is fixed with a non-circular profile.

Abstract: A clutched driven device (10) having a clutch assembly (16) with a first rotary clutch portion (50), a second rotary clutch portion (52), a bearing (54), a wrap spring (56) and an actuator (60). The first rotary clutch portion has an interior clutch surface (76). The first and second rotary clutch portions are rotatably disposed about a rotary axis (70) of the clutched driven device. The bearing is received between the first and second rotary clutch portions and supports the first rotary clutch portion for rotation on the second rotary clutch portion. The wrap spring is disposed radially inwardly of the bearing and has a plurality of helical coils (114) that are received against the interior clutch surface. The actuator is configured to selectively initiate coiling of the wrap spring to cause the helical coils of the wrap spring to disengage the interior clutch surface to a predetermined extent.