Abstract: An electric drive module for use in electric vehicles includes a first electric motor, a second electric motor, a continuously-variable gearbox assembly interconnecting the first and second electric traction motors to a pair of wheels, and a third electric motor for controlling a direction and rotary speed of a component of the gearbox assembly so as to continuously vary a speed ratio between the wheels.

Abstract: An electric drive module for use in electric vehicles includes a first electric motor, a second electric motor, a continuously-variable gearbox assembly interconnecting the first and second electric traction motors to a pair of wheels, and a third electric motor for controlling a direction and rotary speed of a component of the gearbox assembly so as to continuously vary a speed ratio between the wheels.

Abstract: Bearing assemblies and bearing packages, incorporating said bearing assemblies, utilize opposing polycrystalline diamond compact bearing surfaces which can be immersed in a process fluid such as a wellbore fluid. The bearing assemblies are mounted to support the shaft for both axial and radial loading of the shaft. A static bearing surface is mounted in a static bearing housing. A rotating bearing surface, which opposes the static bearing surface, is mounted in a rotating bearing housing which supports the rotating shaft and co-rotates with the shaft. The rotating bearing surface opposes the static bearing surface and is rotatably supported thereon.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism is disclosed for moving a movable member relative to a fixed member. A threaded screw is fixedly secured to the fixed member. A gear is rotatably disposed about the threaded screw. A housing includes a bore and an opening in a lower surface. A rotatably driven worm is disposed within the bore and includes a threaded outer surface that protrudes through the opening in the lower surface of the housing and threadably engages the gear. A generally U-shaped retainer strap partially surrounds the gear and is adapted to couple the housing and gear together to align and preload the worm and gear. A generally U-shaped bracket is adapted to be fixedly secured to the movable member, wherein the gear, housing, worm, and retainer strap are disposed within the bracket and the threaded screw passes through a pair of openings in the bracket.

Abstract: Bearing assemblies and bearing packages, incorporating said bearing assemblies, utilize opposing polycrystalline diamond compact bearing surfaces which can be immersed in a process fluid such as a wellbore fluid. The bearing assemblies are mounted to support the shaft for both axial and radial loading of the shaft. A static bearing surface is mounted in a static bearing housing. A rotating bearing surface, which opposes the static bearing surface, is mounted in a rotating bearing housing which supports the rotating shaft and co-rotates with the shaft. The rotating bearing surface opposes the static bearing surface and is rotatably supported thereon.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a wheel assembly for a vehicle, including a non-rotating support member, a wheel and an electric motor. Loads incurred during vehicle use can cause dynamic flexing of portions of the wheel. The wheel assembly in accordance with the first aspect of the invention has a load path for loads incurred by the wheel that passes from the wheel to the non-rotating support member without passing through the motor, thereby reducing a potential source of distortion of the gap in the motor (between the motor's rotor and stator) during the aforementioned flexing.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism is disclosed for moving a movable member relative to a fixed member. A threaded screw is fixedly secured to the fixed member. A gear is rotatably disposed about the threaded screw. A housing includes a bore and an opening in a lower surface. A rotatably driven worm is disposed within the bore and includes a threaded outer surface that protrudes through the opening in the lower surface of the housing and threadably engages the gear. A generally U-shaped retainer strap partially surrounds the gear and is adapted to couple the housing and gear together to align and preload the worm and gear. A generally U-shaped bracket is adapted to be fixedly secured to the movable member, wherein the gear, housing, worm, and retainer strap are disposed within the bracket and the threaded screw passes through a pair of openings in the bracket.

Abstract: An axial flux switched reluctance motor utilizes one or more rotor discs spaced along a rotor shaft, each rotor disc having a plurality of rotor poles spaced along the periphery thereof. Stator elements are distributed circumferentially about the rotor discs and form pairs of radially extending stator poles for axially straddling the rotor discs. Stator coils as switched on to energize pairs of stator poles for forming an axial and radially inward flux path for rotating the rotor poles for minimizing the flux path before switching off the stator coil. Two or more rotor discs can be rotationally indexed for providing two or more motor phases. In manufacture, rotor discs and circumferentially extending stator coils about the periphery of each rotor disc are fit to a stator housing. Each stator element is then fit radially through the stator housing and secured thereto for straddling the rotor discs.

Abstract: A seat track assembly is provided for adjusting a seat assembly of an automotive vehicle having a lower track (12) having a plurality of locking windows (74), an upper track (14) slidably mounted to the lower track and having a plurality of first (70) and second (72) support apertures. A locking mechanism (80) is operatively coupled between the lower and upper tracks. The locking mechanism includes a plurality of pins (88) movable in and out of a locked position, wherein the pins project through the locking windows and are supported by the first and second support aperture in a double shearing condition to prevent sliding adjustment of the upper track relative in the lower track.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes a frame that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A seat cushion is secured to the frame. The seat cushion defines a seat width. A seatback is secured to the frame and is pivotal with respect to the seat cushion. A loop fastener is fixedly secured to the frame and extends between the seat cushion and the seatback. The loop fastener selectively receives a child seat latch therethrough to secure a child seat to the seat assembly. The seat assembly also includes a removable bolster that is selectively securable to the loop fastener. The removable bolster covers the loop fastener when the child seat is removed from the seat assembly. Therefore, the occupants of the seat assembly will contact the removable bolster and be prevented from feeling the loop fastener when sitting on the seat assembly.

Abstract: A seat track assembly is provided for adjusting a seat assembly of an automotive vehicle having a lower track (12) having a plurality of locking windows (74), an upper track (14) slidably mounted to the lower track and having a plurality of first (70) and second (72) support apertures. A locking mechanism (80) is operatively coupled between the lower and upper tracks. The locking mechanism includes a plurality of pins (88) movable in and out of a locked position, wherein the pins project through the locking windows and are supported by the first and second support aperture in a double shearing condition to prevent sliding adjustment of the upper track relative in the lower track.

Abstract: A stabilizer is provided for stabilizing a rotary or progressive cavity pump suspended from production tubing in well casing. The stabilizer is connected between the production tubing and the pump. The stabilizer has a tubular body having a cylindrical wall and a longitudinal bore contiguous with the production tubing. A releasable sliding dog is disposed on the exterior of the tubular body and is operatively connected by a link to one or more pistons. Each piston is disposed in a piston housing that is in fluid communication with the bore of the tubular body. Circumferentially spaced-apart feet extend radially outwardly from the tubular body. In operation, actuating fluid pressure advances the pistons uphole, driving the sliding dog up one or more longitudinal outwardly extending ramps to brace against the casing, with the feet contacting the casing and bearing opposing reactive force.

Abstract: A self-aligning stuffing box having a spherical joint between the upper and lower portions of the housing permits universal movement of the upper portion relative to the lower portion to permit a rod to pass through the bore if the axis of the rod is misaligned relative to the axis of the bore in each of the upper and lower housing portions. An energized seal in the upper housing resides at or below the spherical joint due to a downwardly depending central portion of the upper housing which extends into a recess formed in the lower housing permitting the height of the stuffing box to be relatively short. A second seal is positioned above the first seal and may be spaced sufficiently above the first seal to permit a flapper valve to be installed between the seals. The flapper valve is mounted through a port in the upper housing which is accessible without disassembly of the stuffing box, the seals or the wellhead.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a well sampling tape (otherwise known as “microwell tape” or simply “tape”), a dispenser for dispensing small volumes of liquid into the wells formed in the tape and a detector for high-throughput sample reading of the liquid dispensed in the individual wells. The present invention is more specifically directed to a bioassay system incorporating the materials listed above.

Abstract: A frameless switched reluctance motor (SRM) has a stator sandwiched between two housings. Axial load on the rotor shaft is directed through a first bearing, through the first housing to the stator and through the second housing to a motor support. Heat is dissipated using low-loss electrical steel, one or more air movers and air passages through the motor. Preferably a stator profile enables the air passages to be formed through the stator's lamination stack. Optionally air is routed through passages between the coils and through air passages along the air gap and radially through passages between an upper and a lower stator. A first self aligning bearing adapts to misalignment between the first housing and the shaft and a second bearing is provided with transverse movement. Preferably, the frameless motor is adapted for support to a wellhead for driving a downhole rotary pump and a rotary rod string.

Abstract: A self-retaining cementing wiper plug with a packer element has two or more steel or carbide tipped holddown fingers or slips extending radially outward from the plug for engaging the inner surface of the casing and preventing the plug from moving uphole over time and potentially interfering with other downhole apparatus such as a pump. The packer element in the wiper plug is actuated when the plug is supported by an obstruction under the plug and then compressed, the packer being maintained in compression by the holddown fingers.

Abstract: A progressive cavity pump pumps liquid downhole to a lower formation past a packer set in a casing of a wellbore. The rotor of the pump is axially restrained by a bearing assembly spaced below the pump for controlling uphole reactive loading on the rotor. Preferably the rotor is releasably coupled to the bearing assembly for release and recovery of the rotor from the bearing assembly. Such a releasable coupling is a latch comprising a plunger telescopically and releasably coupled with a housing using a dog and track arrangement, the dog and track utilizing the telescoping action to actuate the coupling and releasing of the latch.

Abstract: A progressive cavity pump pumps liquid downhole to a lower formation past a packer set in a casing of a wellbore. The rotor of the pump is axially restrained by a bearing assembly spaced below the pump for controlling uphole reactive loading on the rotor. Preferably the rotor is releasably coupled to the bearing assembly for release and recovery of the rotor from the bearing assembly. Such a releasable coupling is a latch comprising a plunger telescopically and releasably coupled with a housing using a dog and track arrangement, the dog and track utilizing the telescoping action to actuate the coupling and releasing of the latch.

Abstract: A tool is provided for preventing the rotation of a downhole tool or rotary pump stator, the tool comprising a tubular housing and a jaw which is biased radially outwardly from the tool to engage the casing wall for arresting tool rotation and providing significant stabilization of a rotary pump. In doing so, the tool housing moves oppositely to rest against the casing opposite the jaw. The tool housing and the downhole tool are thereby restrained and stabilized by the casing wall. The tool's jaw is released by opposite tool rotation. Preferably, the jaw is biased outwardly from the tool housing to a casing-engaging position by a torsional member, housed along the axis of the hinge of the jaw. The tool is released from the casing by opposite tool rotation which increasingly compresses the jaw toward the housing, twisting the torsional member into torsion, which then acts to urge the jaw outwardly again. Overextension of the jaw during assembly is prevented using cooperating stops in the jaw and the housing.

Abstract: A self-retaining cementing wiper plug has two or more steel or carbide tipped holddown fingers or slips extending radially outward from the plug for engaging the inner surface of the casing and preventing the plug from moving uphole over time and potentially interfering with other downhole apparatus such as a pump.