Abstract: A pendulum absorber system attenuates torsional vibrations within a drive train of a vehicle. The system can be incorporated between an engine and an automatic transmission, for example, within a flex plate assembly attached to an engine's crankshaft, within a pump housing cover of a torque converter, or as a stand-alone unit between a flex plate assembly and a torque converter. The system includes at least one pendulum weight that dynamically moves along a predetermined path in response to variations in rotational velocities of a housing of the system and that is tuned to attenuate excitation of torsional vibrations within the drive train. A limiter assembly, which can include multiple limiters, is provided within the system for stopping movement of the weight when it reaches endpoints of the predetermined path, by mechanically impeding further movement at both of a first and second end of the weight.

Abstract: A lifter retainer including a central body portion connected to both a left bank of lifter retaining arms and a right bank of lifter retaining arms. The lifter retainer may be adapted to engage a key portion of one or more lifters to prevent the lifters from rotating during engine operation.

Abstract: A pendulum absorber system attenuates torsional vibrations within a drive train of a vehicle. The system can be incorporated between an engine and an automatic transmission, for example, within a flex plate assembly attached to an engine's crankshaft, within a pump housing cover of a torque converter, or as a stand-alone unit between a flex plate assembly and a torque converter. The system includes at least one pendulum weight that dynamically moves along a predetermined path in response to variations in rotational velocities of a housing of the system and that is tuned to attenuate excitation of torsional vibrations within the drive train. A limiter assembly, which can include multiple limiters, is provided within the system for stopping movement of the weight when it reaches endpoints of the predetermined path, by mechanically impeding further movement at both of a first and second end of the weight.

Abstract: An improved rocker system for actuating valve lift events of an internal combustion engine is provided. The system includes a rocker arm and an actuator link with the actuator link arranged to be in constant driving engagement with the rocker arm and a camshaft. A rocker shaft is positioned in a cylinder head and oriented to have a rotational axis that is substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the camshaft and the rocker arm is arranged to be rotated about the rocker shaft and engage a valve to actuate valve lift events of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An engine drive assembly includes a camshaft gear, and a first idler gear engaged with the camshaft gear. The engine drive assembly further includes a crankshaft gear engaged with the first idler gear and a second idler gear assembly engaged with the crankshaft gear. Additionally, the engine drive assembly includes a balance shaft gear engaged with the second idler gear. The crankshaft gear drives the camshaft gear via the first idler gear and the crankshaft gear drives the balance shaft gear via the second idler gear assembly.

Abstract: A valve lifter is disclosed comprising a lifter housing having a receiver, a switch retainer having at least one bore, and a key disposed in the at least one bore. The key is movable into the receiver to lock the switch retainer against movement relative to the lifter housing.

Abstract: A valve train is disclosed for an internal combustion engine having a block, a camshaft in the block, and at least two push rods actuated by the camshaft. The valve train comprises first and second rockers, and three valves. The first rocker is actuated by one of the push rods, and the second rocker is actuated by another of the push rods. A first valve is associated with a cylinder of the engine and actuated by the first rocker. A second valve is associated with the cylinder and actuated by the first rocker, and a third valve is associated with the cylinder and actuated by the second rocker.

Abstract: A valve train is disclosed for an internal combustion engine having a block, a camshaft in the block, and at least two push rods actuated by the camshaft. The valve train comprises first and second rockers, and three valves. The first rocker is actuated by one of the push rods, and the second rocker is actuated by another of the push rods. A first valve is associated with a cylinder of the engine and actuated by the first rocker. A second valve is associated with the cylinder and actuated by the first rocker, and a third valve is associated with the cylinder and actuated by the second rocker.

Abstract: An oil cooling arrangement for a stacked plate type clutch assembly is provided. The stacked plate clutch assembly includes a stacked plate arrangement of alternating separator plates and clutch plates housed within a retainer. The oil cooling arrangement includes a flow passage structure arranged relative to the retainer for providing a secondary oil flow path in addition to a flow path through the stacked plate clutch assembly.

Abstract: A variable compound rocker system for varying the lift of intake valves of an internal combustion engine is provided. The system comprises a rocker shaft with eccentric rings non-rotatably attached thereto. Furthermore, the system includes primary rockers non-rotatably attached to the eccentric rings. The primary rockers have engaging surfaces for engaging rollers attached to secondary rockers. The rollers enable the primary rockers to actuate the secondary rockers, thus actuating the intake valves. The system further includes an actuator assembly adapted to incrementally rotate the rocker shaft, and thus the primary rockers. This incremental rotation of primary rockers changes their attitude causing the lift of the intake valves to vary, thus varying the engine performance characteristics.

Abstract: A valve deactivator is provided that is capable of being activated and deactivated by a pulse energy input. The valve deactivator includes an input member and an output member which are movable relative to one another in the deactivated mode and which are engaged for simultaneous movement in an activated mode. A coil and armature, or other pulse energy input means, are provided to engage and disengage a locking system to activate and deactivate the valve actuator.

Abstract: An oil cooling arrangement for a stacked plate type clutch assembly including a separator plate between two clutch disc plates. The separator plate assembly has two annular plates lying adjacent one another with at least one shallow channel formed in a plate which defines with the other plate an oil flow passage through the separator assembly.

Abstract: A valve deactivator is provided that is capable of being activated and deactivated by a pulse energy input. The valve deactivator includes an input member and an output member which are movable relative to one another in the deactivated mode and which are engaged for simultaneous movement in an activated mode. A coil and armature, or other pulse energy input means, are provided to engage and disengage a locking system to activate and deactivate the valve actuator.

Abstract: A valve deactivator is provided that is capable of being activated and deactivated by a pulse energy input. The valve deactivator includes an input member and an output member which are movable relative to one another in the deactivated mode and which are engaged for simultaneous movement in an activated mode. A coil and armature, or other pulse energy input means, are provided to engage and disengage a locking system to activate and deactivate the valve actuator.

Abstract: A valve deactivator is provided that is capable of being activated and deactivated by a pulse energy input. The valve deactivator includes an input member and an output member which are movable relative to one another in the deactivated mode and which are engaged for simultaneous movement in an activated mode. A coil and armature, or other pulse energy input means, are provided to engage and disengage a locking system to activate and deactivate the valve actuator.

Abstract: An automatic transmission has a planetary gear set with a ratio controlling rotatable reaction element capable of either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation in accordance with different inputs to the gear set and resultant reactive torque loads applied thereto. A circular double acting brake band is used to selectively hold the reaction element stationary when desired and has opposite end portions that alternately serve as control application inputs or a grounding function. In one operative mode, a first end portion of the band receives an apply control force causing the second end portion to be grounded so that the band frictionally secures the reaction element from rotation in a first rotary direction and to thereby enable a first gear ratio.

Abstract: An oil level indicator assembly for a vehicle engine including an elongated indicator member removably housed in a tubular sleeve which has spaced upper end and lower end portions with an interior passage therebetween and an internal shoulder-like formation therein. The elongated indicator member has a coil spring formation adapted to engage the shoulder-like formation when the indicator and sleeve are in an assembled relationship, thereby establishing a predetermined length of the indicator to project into the engine oil. The effect of oil on indicia formed on the indicator member when withdrawn from the sleeve member shows the level of oil in the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of cooling a piston by passing a stream of lubricating oil against the underside of the piston and more specifically by providing an enclosed reservoir space between the engine cylinder wall and the side wall of the piston formed by a depression in the piston and providing a passageway in the piston aimed to direct oil to a desired location on the undersurface of the piston.

Abstract: During engine development of a family of cylinder heads with a common casting, common camshaft drive gears and common valve sizing changes in valve configuration, particularly in the included angle, is readily and inexpensively carried out by the subject method of design applied to DOHC cylinder heads.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch assembly for an automatic transmission including a transmission housing, an input member, an output member, a plurality of gearsets for changing a ratio of torque between the input member and the output member, and at least one brake assembly to selectively couple predetermined gears of the gear assembly to the transmission housing, the overrunning clutch assembly including an inner race operatively connected to the brake assembly, an outer race operatively connected to the transmission housing, and a structure disposed between the inner race and outer race for allowing the brake assembly to rotate in only one direction.