Abstract: A method of applying an apply piston seal is provided for a clutch assembly utilizing a balance piston. The method includes applying a rubber portion on an interior surface of an axially extending arm of the apply piston and applying a seal on an exterior surface of the axially extending arm of the apply piston.

Abstract: An integrated conductive button, includes a housing and a printed circuit board mounted in proximity to the housing. The printed circuit board includes at least one electric contact portion disposed thereon and a button member is supported by the housing and includes at least one elongated post having a conductive elastomeric material disposed on a tip of the at least one elongated post. An elastomeric web skirt surrounds the at least one elongated post and is disposed against a seat surface of the housing. Upon pressing the button member, the elastomeric web skirt buckles to allow the conductive elastomeric material on the tip of the elongated post to contact the at least one electric contact on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An integrated conductive button, includes a housing and a printed circuit board mounted in proximity to the housing. The printed circuit board includes at least one electric contact portion disposed thereon and a button member is supported by the housing and includes at least one elongated post having a conductive elastomeric material disposed on a tip of the at least one elongated post. An elastomeric web skirt surrounds the at least one elongated post and is disposed against a seat surface of the housing. Upon pressing the button member, the elastomeric web skirt buckles to allow the conductive elastomeric material on the tip of the elongated post to contact the at least one electric contact on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A valve plate assembly is provided including a plastic plate having a plurality of apertures therethrough, including at least one suction passage and at least one exhaust passage. A suction reed valve is disposed over the suction passage and an exhaust reed valve is disposed over the exhaust passage. A cylinder gasket is molded to a first side of the plastic plate and is adapted to seal around a cylinder of a cylinder housing. The cylinder gasket is recessed in a groove in the plastic plate. An end cap gasket is molded to a second side of the plastic plate and is adapted to seal against an end cap of a compressor. The end cap gasket is recessed in a groove in a second side of the plastic plate. The reed valves contact the plastic plate and are, therefore, quieter than a reed valve that is operated against a metal plate. The integration of the gasket into the recessed grooves of the plastic valve plate eliminates potential leak paths that exist with current designs.

Abstract: A method of applying an apply piston seal is provided for a clutch assembly utilizing a balance piston. The method includes applying a rubber portion on an interior surface of an axially extending arm of the apply piston and applying a seal on an exterior surface of the axially extending arm of the apply piston.

Abstract: A torsional spring system is provided and is made from a single wire having a first end and a second end, and being wound to define a plurality of coil sections each separated from one another by a plurality of torsion arms. The first and second ends of the wire are joined to one another such that the plurality of coil sections and the plurality of torsion arms combine to form a loop. The torsion spring of the present invention can be utilized as a return spring in a clutch system for reducing the cost of the overall assembly. In addition, the torsion spring of the present invention also provides added functionality by being capable of simultaneously counteracting any combination of axial, radial, and rotational forces.

Abstract: An apply piston seal is provided for a clutch assembly utilizing a balance piston. The apply piston seal is bonded to the apply piston and provides a sealing relationship between the apply piston and balance piston. By bonding the seal to the apply piston, the manufacturing of the balance piston can be simplified in order to reduce cost for the overall clutch assembly.