Abstract: An air valve and its method of use including an air valve housing; a throttle plate disposed on a throttle shaft; a driven gear attached on the throttle shaft; a brushless direct current motor assembly in connection via a pinion with the driven gear; an integrated electronic valve controller including digital signal processing on a circuit board; and a throttle position sensor on the circuit board, wherein the throttle position sensor includes at least one non-contact type sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the air valve includes an inlet port and an outlet port connected to an engine via an air intake manifold, such that re-circulated exhaust gas is introduced into the air intake manifold.

Abstract: An air valve and its method of use including an air valve housing; a throttle plate disposed on a throttle shaft; a driven gear attached on the throttle shaft; a brushless direct current motor assembly in connection via a pinion with the driven gear; an integrated electronic valve controller including digital signal processing on a circuit board; and a throttle position sensor on the circuit board, wherein the throttle position sensor includes at least one non-contact type sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the air valve includes an inlet port and an outlet port connected to an engine via an air intake manifold, such that re-circulated exhaust gas is introduced into the air intake manifold.

Abstract: An air valve and its method of use including an air valve housing; a throttle plate disposed on a throttle shaft; a driven gear attached on the throttle shaft; a brushless direct current motor assembly in connection via a pinion with the driven gear; an integrated electronic valve controller including digital signal processing on a circuit board; and a throttle position sensor on the circuit board, wherein the throttle position sensor includes at least one non-contact type sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the air valve includes an inlet port and an outlet port connected to an engine via an air intake manifold, such that re-circulated exhaust gas is introduced into the air intake manifold.

Abstract: An air valve and its method of use including an air valve housing; a throttle plate disposed on a throttle shaft; a driven gear attached on the throttle shaft; a brushless direct current motor assembly in connection via a pinion with the driven gear; an integrated electronic valve controller including digital signal processing on a circuit board; and a throttle position sensor on the circuit board, wherein the throttle position sensor includes at least one non-contact type sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the air valve includes an inlet port and an outlet port connected to an engine via an air intake manifold, such that re-circulated exhaust gas is introduced into the air intake manifold.

Abstract: An air valve and its method of use including an air valve housing; a throttle plate disposed on a throttle shaft; a driven gear attached on the throttle shaft; a brushless direct current motor assembly in connection via a pinion with the driven gear; an integrated electronic valve controller including digital signal processing on a circuit board; and a throttle position sensor on the circuit board, wherein the throttle position sensor includes at least one non-contact type sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the air valve includes an inlet port and an outlet port connected to an engine via an air intake manifold, such that re-circulated exhaust gas is introduced into the air intake manifold.

Abstract: An annular actuator for moving a member axially to couple and un couple a drive member with a driven member of a vehicle drive train. The actuator encircles the drive and driven member. The actuator has a housing to which a diaphragm is mounted. A spring biases the diaphragm to move in one axial direction and withdrawal of air forces the diaphragm to move in the opposite axial direction. A shifting fork coupled to the diaphragm moves a clutch ring in the one axial direction to be coupled with only one of the drive and driven members and is coupled with both the drive and driven members when moved in the opposite direction. The actuator defines a sealed chamber that is totally non-rotatable with relative movement occurring between the shifting fork and the clutch ring.

Abstract: An automatic clutch for a vehicle drive train to selectively connect and disconnect a drive portion of the drive train to a driven portion of the drive train, the drive and driven portions having adjacent and mated spline portions at a designated position in the drive train. A clutch ring slidably mounted to one of the spline portions and slidable into engagement with the other spline portions. The designated position adjacent a portion of the vehicle frame and a remote controlled actuator secured to the portion of the vehicle frame. A bearing member of the actuator engaging the clutch ring for urging sliding movement of the clutch ring. Improvements to the above include application of the actuator clutch to front and rear wheel ends for conversion of the vehicle between two-wheel and four-wheel drive, the actuator being mounted to the steering knuckles. Also, improved bearing packs are provided for better performance and to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: An automatic clutch for a vehicle drive train to selectively connect and disconnect a drive portion of the drive train to a driven portion of the drive train, the drive and driven portions having adjacent and mated spline portions at a designated position in the drive train. A clutch ring slidably mounted to one of the spline portions and slidable into engagement with the other spline portions. The designated position adjacent a portion of the vehicle frame and a remote controlled actuator secured to the portion of the vehicle frame. A bearing member of the actuator engaging the clutch ring for urging sliding movement of the clutch ring. Improvements to the above include application of the actuator clutch to front and rear wheel ends for conversion of the vehicle between two-wheel and four-wheel drive, the actuator being mounted to the steering knuckles. Also, improved bearing packs are provided for better performance and to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: A hub locking system for a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle including a wheel hub, drive axle, and clutch meaner and an automatic actuator remotely operable by an operator to induce movement of the clutch member axially inwardly and a biasing means acting against the clutch member opposing operation of the automatic actuator to urge movement of the clutch member outwardly. A manual override allows manual operation when the automatic actuator is not actuated and includes a first member mounted for shifting axially inwardly and outwardly in the system and when shifted inwardly urges the clutch member against the force of the biasing means. A second member is mounted contiguous the first member and is manually rotatable. A ramp shaped cam is interposed between the first and second members and when the second member is rotated, it directly urges the first member to shift axially to actuate the clutch member.

Abstract: A spindle nut and a locking device are disclosed for securing the nut on a spindle in a non-rotative position relative to the spindle. The assembly comprises the spindle nut, an antirotation spring and a spring backup plate mounted on the spindle. The antirotation spring and spring backup plate may be formed as a single unit.

Abstract: A hub and rotor combination for a vehicle wheel assembly including a hub having a central bore with an axis about which the combination is rotatable, a connector formed integrally with and extending radially outwardly from the hub substantially normal to the central axis, and a rotor formed integrally with an extending radially outwardly from the connector. The rotor includes a pair of first and second disk shaped ring plate portions disposed substantially normal to the central axis and spaced from each other by a plurality of radially extending, circumferentially spaced spacers to permit airflow between the rotor plate portions. The inner bore of the hub is splined to receive and engage splines on a spindle mounting.

Abstract: An integrated wheel end system for a vehicle including a clutch adapted to provide driving engagement/disengagement of a wheel to convert between driven and non-driven modes of wheel movement. A support is coupled to the vehicle frame and an elongate spindle is mounted in a bearing in the support. The outer end of the spindle is adapted to have a wheel mounted thereon, and the inner end of the spindle has a radially outwardly entending flange having engaging elements arrayed about its periphery. A driven axle has a plurality of engaging elements arrayed about its periphery adjacent the flange of the spindle. A sliding clutch member is shiftable between a driving position in which it concurrently engages the engaging elements on the axle and spindle flange to provide a driving connection therebetween, and a non-driving position where such concurrent engagement does not exist. A selectively activated actuator is provided for moving the clutch member between its driving and non-driving positions.

Abstract: A pulse actuated interlock mechanism for a vehicle that couples and uncouples a drive member and a driven member. A clutch member is slidably movable to couple or uncouple the drive and driven members. A latchable piston assembly in combination with a return spring is utilized to move the clutch member. A force of short duration of a first magnitude is applied to latch the piston assembly which permits the return spring to move the clutch member to uncouple the drive and driven members. A force of a short duration of a second magnitude which is greater than the first force is applied to unlatch the piston assembly. A biasing member of the piston assembly moves the clutch member to couple the drive and driven members when the piston assembly is in the unlatched condition. The clutch member, return spring and piston assembly are installed in a modular housing.

Abstract: An impulse actuated clutch with latch for a drive line of a vehicle. The impulse actuated clutch has a coupling member that is permanently engaged with one of a driven member and a driving member. The coupling member is movable in a first direction to engage one of the driven and driving members and is movable in a second direction to engage both the driven and driving members. The coupling member is biased to move in the first direction by a return spring. The coupling member is moved in the second direction by a first pulse of air pressure applied to a piston assembly connected to the coupling member. Formations formed on a primary piston of the piston assembly and the driven member cooperatively latch the piston in the second position to the maintain the coupling member in engagement with both the driven and driving members upon release of the first pulse of air pressure.

Abstract: A pulse actuated clutch and control arrangement for coupling and decoupling a drive line of a vehicle relative to a wheel such as when shifting between two-wheel and four-wheel drive modes. The pulse actuated clutch has a coupling member that is permanently engaged with one of a driven member and a driving member. The coupling member is movable in a first direction to engage one of the driven and driving members and is movable in a second direction to engage both the driven and driving members. The coupling member is moved in the second direction by a first pulse of air pressure applied thereto. Formations of the piston assembly and the driven member cooperatively latch the piston in the second position to maintain the coupling member in engagement with both the driven and driving members following first pulse of air pressure. A second, greater magnitude pulse of air pressure moves the primary piston further to unlatch the piston and uncouple the driven member from the driving member.

Abstract: A hub locking mechanism for a wheeled vehicle is provided for selectively coupling and uncoupling driving and driven members. A clutch ring is in permanent engagement with one of the members and is axially moveable to engage the other member. Engagement of the clutch ring and the engageable member is enhanced by the provision of tandem rows of engaging formations on the clutch ring and the engageable member. The mechanism for affecting movement of the clutch ring has an improved one piece friction shoe for the moving cam and an improved cage enclosing the clutch ring and actuating spring.