Abstract: An isolator comprising a hub, a pulley frictionally engaged with the hub through a bushing for instantaneous rotational movement, the bushing and hub having a coefficient of friction, a resilient member engaged between the pulley and the hub for transmitting a torque, and a locking member for retaining the pulley on the hub.

Abstract: Variants of the invention are directed to Internet-based shopping networks which provide information to consumers who desire to purchase locally-produced or locally-manufactured products or services. In one variant, an Internet-based shopping network utilizes a website home page to interface with consumers. The website home page may include consumer-oriented components such as a product search component, a product rank component and/or a product purchase component. The network may include vendor-oriented components such as hyperlinks to predetermined vendors based on products offered by the predetermined vendor and the percentage of sales that is returned by the vendor for recirculation within a local economy.

Abstract: An isolator comprising a hub, a pulley journalled to the hub, the pulley having a stop, the hub having a resilient member for engaging the stop, a torsion spring connected between the pulley and the hub, an inertial member attached to the hub by a flexible member, the inertial member disposed within a pulley receiving portion that is disposed radially inward of a pulley belt engaging surface, and the resilient member having a convex surface for engaging the stop such that a spring rate of the resilient member is non-linear upon a compression against the stop.

Abstract: A test machine comprising a driver (10) connected to an input shaft (42), the input shaft (42) having an axis of rotation (CL1), an output shaft (43) having an axis of rotation (CL2), a driveshaft (40) connected between the input shaft and the output shaft by a universal joint (41) and a universal joint (410), a rotational angle (?) for the first universal joint (41) and a rotational angle (?2) for the second universal joint (410) are in-phase, and the input shaft axis of rotation (CL1) and the output shaft axis of rotation (CL2) are parallel to each other and are offset from each other such that the output shaft speed varies sinusoidally with respect to the input shaft speed.

Abstract: An isolator comprising a shaft (10), a pulley (20) journalled to the shaft on a first bushing (40) and a second bushing (50), a torsion spring (30) engaged with the shaft and the pulley, the torsion spring exerting an axial contractive force to retain the pulley on the shaft, a cover member (60) fixed to the shaft, the pulley urged into engagement with the cover member by the torsion spring axial contractive force, the cover member further comprising an axially projecting member (62) disposed radially outwardly of the torsion spring, the pulley comprising a circumferential pocket (24) for cooperatively receiving the projecting member and having a stop (23) disposed within the circumferential pocket, and a rubber member (80) disposed with the stop for engaging the projecting member.

Abstract: An isolator comprising a shaft (10), a pulley (20) journalled to the shaft on a first bushing (40) and a second bushing (50), the shaft comprising a shaft stop (12) disposed on a shaft radially outer surface (14), the pulley and the shaft rotationally moveable relative to each other, the pulley comprising an inner hub (23), the inner hub having a pulley stop (24) disposed to cooperatively engage the shaft stop, a torsion spring (30) engaged with the shaft and the pulley, the torsion spring exerting a contractive force parallel to an axis of rotation (A-A) in order to retain the pulley on the shaft, a cover member (60) fixed to the shaft, the pulley urged into engagement with the cover member by the torsion spring axial contractive force, and a rubber member (80) disposed on the shaft stop for engaging the pulley stop.

Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a pulley, a shaft, a bushing slidingly engaged with the pulley and slidingly engaged with the shaft, the pulley journalled to the shaft by a bearing, a one-way clutch fixed to the shaft and engaged with the bushing whereby the bushing rotates in unison with the one-way clutch, a torsion spring engaged between the pulley and the one-way clutch to resiliently couple the pulley to the shaft, and the pulley non-resiliently directly coupleable to the shaft in a temporary predetermined loaded condition.

Abstract: A belt measurement device comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portion are substantially parallel, the first portion and second portion defining a predetermined engagement position for the device in a belt, and, a switch cooperatively disposed with the first portion and second portion, the switch capable of closing a circuit by being compressed between a belt surface and the device, a light is illuminated upon the switch closing the circuit.

Abstract: A damped isolator comprising a first hub, a first pulley connected to the first hub, a bearing carrier connected to the first hub, an elastomeric member engaged with the first hub, a one-way clutch engaged with the elastomeric member, a bearing received by the bearing carrier, a second hub engaged with the one-way clutch and the bearing, and a second pulley connected to the second hub.

Abstract: An isolator comprising a one-way clutch engaged with a hub structure, a belt engaging member, a resilient member operationally engaged between the one-way clutch and the belt engaging member, the belt engaging member engaged with the hub structure through a first and second ball bearing where by a radial load is transmitted through the first and second ball bearings, and the one-way clutch disposed between the first and second ball bearings such that no radial load is transmitted through the one-way clutch.

Abstract: Variants of the invention are directed to Internet-based shopping networks which provide information to consumers who desire to purchase locally-produced or locally-manufactured products or services. In one variant, an Internet-based shopping network utilizes a website home page to interface with consumers. The website home page may include consumer-oriented components such as a product search component, a product rank component and/or a product purchase component. The network may include vendor-oriented components such as hyperlinks to predetermined vendors based on products offered by the predetermined vendor and the percentage of sales that is returned by the vendor for recirculation within a local economy.

Abstract: An isolator comprising a hub, a pulley frictionally engaged with the hub through a bushing for instantaneous rotational movement, the bushing and hub having a coefficient of friction, a resilient member engaged between the pulley and the hub for transmitting a torque, and a locking member for retaining the pulley on the hub.

Abstract: A torsional decoupler comprising a hub having a hub surface, the hub surface having a profile, a pulley having a pulley surface, the pulley surface having a profile, a frictional member disposed between the hub surface and the pulley surface, the frictional member frictionally engaging at least one of the pulley surface or the hub surface, and the frictional member transmitting a torque between the hub and the pulley such that a movement occurs between the hub and the pulley.

Abstract: The invention is an improved internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, an accessory, a motor/generator, and a belt-drive system. The belt drive systems includes a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, a motor/generator pulley, a belt tensioner, a belt tensioner pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the crankshaft pulley, the accessory pulley, the motor/generator pulley, and the belt tensioner pulley. The belt tensioner pulley contacts the belt at a start-slack-side span. It is improved by the tensioner being asymmetrically biased in a direction tending to cause the power transmission belt to be under tension.

Abstract: A vehicle engine stop/start system with regenerative braking comprising a main engine for powering a vehicle having an accessory belt drive system, a motor/generator engaged with the accessory belt drive system, an operator activated switch for selecting an operating mode, in a first operating mode an electric energy storage portion for providing electric power to a heating system when the main engine is off, a relay for preventing operation of the heating system when the main engine is running, in a second operating mode the electric energy storage portion providing electric power to the motor/generator whereby the motor/generator drives an air conditioning compressor when the main engine is off, the air conditioning compressor connected to the accessory belt drive system, a relay for preventing operation of the air conditioning compressor using the motor/generator when the main engine is running, in a third operating mode the motor/generator is used to start the main engine after the main engine has been au

Abstract: A vehicle engine stop/start system with regenerative braking comprising a main engine for powering a vehicle having an accessory belt drive system, a motor/generator engaged with the accessory belt drive system, an operator activated switch for selecting an operating mode, in a first operating mode an electric energy storage portion for providing electric power to a heating system when the main engine is off, a relay for preventing operation of the heating system when the main engine is running, in a second operating mode the electric energy storage portion providing electric power to the motor/generator whereby the motor/generator drives an air conditioning compressor when the main engine is off, the air conditioning compressor connected to the accessory belt drive system, a relay for preventing operation of the air conditioning compressor using the motor/generator when the main engine is running, in a third operating mode the motor/generator is used to start the main engine after the main engine has been au

Abstract: An infinitely variable speed ratio planetary ball transmission comprising planetary members in rolling contact with moveable inner and outer races and a constant speed accessory drive system utilizing the transmission. The transmission is infinitely variable between ratios of approximately 0.3 and 1.0. A transmission input shaft is connected to a prime mover such as a vehicle engine crankshaft by a drive belt. The transmission comprises at least one output shaft that is coaxial with the input shaft. An output pulley is attached to the output shaft. A belt is engaged between the output pulley and various engine accessories. A second end of the transmission output shaft may be directly coupled to an engine accessory mounted on the transmission. An included control system senses a crankshaft speed. A processor analyses the crankshaft speed and accordingly adjusts the transmission ratio using a stepper motor connected to a worm drive to maintain a constant output speed regardless of crankshaft speed.

Abstract: An engine heating system for vehicles comprising an engine, a vehicle compartment heating system including fluid conduits extending from the engine to a heating unit and extending back to the engine, an auxiliary power unit on the vehicle including an auxiliary engine having a water pump driven by the auxiliary engine including fluid conduits extending from the auxiliary engine to a second heating unit located in a compartment of the vehicle and extending back to the auxiliary engine, fluid conduits extending from the engine to the second heating unit and extending back to the engine, a valve disposed in the fluid conduit between the second heating unit and the engine, the valve capable of receiving a signal, a temperature switch for detecting a coolant temperature, the temperature switch providing a signal to operate the valve, the valve allowing coolant circulation through the second heating unit to the main engine when the main engine is in operation or the coolant temperature is greater than a predetermin

Abstract: An auxiliary power system for a motor vehicle comprising a first engine having an accessory belt drive system comprising a belt and at least one driven pulley, the belt drivable by a driver pulley, the accessory belt drive system further comprising a motive member for driving the accessory belt drive system, the motive member comprises a motor engaged with the accessory belt drive system, a second engine operable to drive an electric power source, the electric power source electrically connected to the motive member, an alternate power source other than the electric power source connected to the motive member, a switch for selecting between the electric power source and the alternate power source, and the motive member, drivable by the electric power source or the alternate power source in order to drive the accessory belt drive system when the first engine is not operating.

Abstract: The invention is an improved internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, an accessory, a motor/generator, and a belt-drive system. The belt drive systems includes a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, a motor/generator pulley, a belt tensioner, a belt tensioner pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the crankshaft pulley, the accessory pulley, the motor/generator pulley, and the belt tensioner pulley. The belt tensioner pulley contacts the belt at a start-slack-side span. It is improved by the tensioner being asymmetrically biased in a direction tending to cause the power transmission belt to be under tension.