Abstract: A gearbox assembly includes a pinion gear having a gear stem extending axially through a tubular output stem of an output member with a threaded portion protruding from an output flange of the output member. A pinion nut includes a threaded inner bore threadably engaging the threaded portion of the gear stem to retain the output member to the pinion gear. An outer rim of the pinion nut defines an outer circumference having a tool recess and a deformation spaced circumferentially apart from the tool recess. The tool recess is adapted for receiving a tool to rotate the pinion nut in a first direction relative to the gear stem. The deformation engages an inner circumference of the output flange to prevent the pinion nut from rotating in a second direction relative to the gear stem.

Abstract: A gearbox transmits rotational movement from a driving member to a driven member. The gearbox includes a pinion gear disposed inside a housing. The gear defines an axial bore and rotates in response to rotation of the driving member. An output member extends through the axial bore and engages therewith such that the output member rotates in response to rotation of the gear. The output member extends to a position outside the housing to rotate the driven member. A clamping nut is threadably coupled to the output member and abuts the gear thereby retaining the output member and the gear together. A bearing is disposed radially between the gear and the housing. The bearing rotatably supports the gear and the output member.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly includes a pinion gear having a gear stem extending axially through a tubular output stem of an output member with a threaded portion protruding from an output flange of the output member. A pinion nut includes a threaded inner bore threadably engaging the threaded portion of the gear stem to retain the output member to the pinion gear. An outer rim of the pinion nut defines an outer circumference having a tool recess and a deformation spaced circumferentially apart from the tool recess. The tool recess is adapted for receiving a tool to rotate the pinion nut in a first direction relative to the gear stem. The deformation engages an inner circumference of the output flange to prevent the pinion nut from rotating in a second direction relative to the gear stem.

Abstract: A gearbox transmits rotational movement from a driving member to a driven member. The gearbox includes a pinion gear disposed inside a housing. The gear defines an axial bore and rotates in response to rotation of the driving member. An output member extends through the axial bore and engages therewith such that the output member rotates in response to rotation of the gear. The output member extends to a position outside the housing to rotate the driven member. A clamping nut is threadably coupled to the output member and abuts the gear thereby retaining the output member and the gear together. A bearing is disposed radially between the gear and the housing. The bearing rotatably supports the gear and the output member.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power transfer unit includes an input portion, an output portion, a non-parallel gear set and a parallel gear set. The input portion is adapted to connect to an output portion of a transmission assembly and the output portion is adapted to connect to an input portion of a rear wheel drive line. The parallel gear set is coupled to the input portion and transfers power to the non-parallel gear set, which is coupled to the output portion. The non-parallel gear set includes a ring gear having a front face with gear teeth formed therein and a rear face having a cavity formed therein. The ring gear is supported within the power transfer unit by a bearing mounted within the cavity.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power transfer unit includes an input portion, an output portion, a non-parallel gear set and a parallel gear set. The input portion is adapted to connect to an output portion of a transmission assembly and the output portion is adapted to connect to an input portion of a rear wheel drive line. The parallel gear set is coupled to the input portion and transfers power to the non-parallel gear set, which is coupled to the output portion. The non-parallel gear set includes a ring gear having a front face with gear teeth formed therein and a rear face having a cavity formed therein. The ring gear is supported within the power transfer unit by a bearing mounted within the cavity.

Abstract: A fluid pump cowling for attachment to at least a pair of helical drivetrain gears having teeth and lands. The cowling has a pair of sidewalls adapted to extend at least partially over the lands of a first of the pair of drivetrain gears and a curved sump wall extending between the sidewalls that corresponds generally to the outermost circumference of the first gear. A sump channel is defined between the sidewalls on the sump wall adjacent a distal end of the sump wall. The sump channel has a generally frustoconical shape and leads to a fluid outlet opening defined in one of the sidewalls. The cowling is positioned such that the teeth of the pair of helical gears mesh in an area in fluid communication with the sump channel to create an area of high fluid pressure upon rotational movement of the gears with a fluid.

Abstract: A fluid pump cowling for attachment to at least a pair of helical drivetrain gears having teeth and lands. The cowling has a pair of sidewalls adapted to extend at least partially over the lands of a first of the pair of drivetrain gears and a curved sump wall extending between the sidewalls that corresponds generally to the outermost circumference of the first gear. A sump channel is defined between the sidewalls on the sump wall adjacent a distal end of the sump wall. The sump channel has a generally frustoconical shape and leads to a fluid outlet opening defined in one of the sidewalls. The cowling is positioned such that the teeth of the pair of helical gears mesh in an area in fluid communication with the sump channel to create an area of high fluid pressure upon rotational movement of the gears with a fluid.

Abstract: An over-running cluch pulley in which a pulley sheave and hub cooperate to define a composite inner cylindrical surface and in which a mechanism adds compliance to the system in order to lessen the abruptness of lock-on in the system.

Abstract: An over-running clutch pulley in which an input hub and output hub are compliantly coupled to soften the transition between the unlocked and locked state of the over-running clutch pulley.

Abstract: A two speed pulley assembly comprised of a sheave, a brake member, an output member, and a brake. The sheave receives a rotational input and also includes a series of carrier arms which cooperate to define a circle which is coaxially with the sheave. Rollers are rotatably supported on said carrier arms. A braking member is rotatably supported relative to said sheave and includes portions defining a first raceway in contact with the rollers. An output sleeve is also rotationally supported relative to the sheave. The output sleeve includes portions defining a second raceway in contact with the rollers. The brake inhibits rotation of the braking member when engaged while permitting rotation thereof when disengaged. Mounted between the sheave and the output sleeve is a one-way clutch bearing. The clutch bearing engages when rotation of the sheave attempts to or begins to overrun rotation of the sleeve.

Abstract: A clutch assembly having driving and driven members with concentric cylindrical surfaces and which are independently rotatable about a common axis. A plurality of recesses are formed in the cylindrical surface of the driving member. The recesses include ramp surfaces which extend to the cylindrical surface. Roller elements are positioned in each of the recesses and a retainer, which is also independently rotatable about the axis, circumferentially interconnects the roller elements together. The retainer causes the rollers to move substantially in unison with one another and a biasing member individually biases each roller element into its respective recesses. During relative acceleration of the driving member relative to the driven member, the roller elements move along and up the ramp surfaces to a position where they become wedged between the driving and driven members. When wedged, torque can be transferred through the clutch assembly.

Abstract: An annular wheel speed sensor having an efficient magnetic configuration to provide a high level of electrical output even at relatively low wheel speeds. The sensor comprises a magnetic tone ring having both axial and radial magnetic fields and a stator configured to read both the axial and radial magnetic fields as the tone ring rotates. The sensor is configured to minimize the effects of variation in the axial air gap between the tone ring and stator to provide an accurate and reliable wheel speed signal. The wheel speed sensor incorporates many of the bearing components to provide a compact and efficient hub and bearing assembly. Moreover, the construction of the hub and bearing of the invention provides a sealed environment for the speed sensor, isolating it from environmental factors.

Abstract: A variable speed drive device for mounting to a rotatable shaft and being driven by first and second belts. The device includes a first pulley of a first diameter and a second pulley of a second diameter, each engaging one of the belts. The first pulley mounts directly to the shaft via a mounting hub extending laterally therefrom. The second pulley is positioned radially outward of the hub and a bearing is located between the two. Also located between the two is a clutch mechanism that engages when the second pulley tries to rotates faster than the first pulley. In this manner, the first pulley drives the shaft at a first speed when the first pulley is rotating faster than the second pulley and the second pulley drives the shaft at a second speed when the second pulley is trying to rotate faster than the first pulley.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic sensor system and integrated sensor bearing assembly for detecting movement or position of a rotating wheel bearing having a multi-pole tone ring which produces an alternating magnetic field indicative of movement and position of the rotating member. A magneto-optical material, such as a bismuth garnet iron (B.I.G.) crystal, having discrete magnetic domains is positioned in the vicinity of the tone ring so that the domains align themselves to the magnetic field generated by the tone ring. A single fiber optic cable, preferably single mode fiber, carries light generated by a source of light to the B.I.G. crystal. The light passes through the B.I.G. crystal and is refracted at domain boundaries in the crystal. The intensity of the refracted light is indicative of the amount of alignment of the domains and therefore the strength of the magnetic field.

Abstract: An over-running clutch pulley in which a pulley sheave and hub cooperate to define a composite inner cylindrical surface. A coil spring engages the composite cylindrical surface. The spring is oriented to transfer torque from the pulley sheave to the pulley hub when the pulley sheave is driving the pulley hub. The spring allows slip to occur between the pulley hub and sheave when the sheave is decelerated relative to the hub.

Abstract: A bearing assembly incorporating a speed and/or temperature sensor particularly adapted for motor vehicle wheel applications. The sensor incorporates a magnetized tone ring defining a radial or cylindrical face which interacts with an annular transducer. The transducer has a plurality of teeth facing the magnetized tone ring with separate first and second rows of teeth extending from the transducer frame. The first set of teeth engage one area of the tone ring defining one magnetic pole whereas the second series of teeth interact with regions of the tone ring defining the opposite magnetic pole. Relative rotation between the transducer and tone ring induces an alternating magnetic field through the transducer case which induces an alternating voltage in the winding coil. The transducer is efficiently packaged within the enclosed cavity of a bearing assembly. This invention further contemplates a means to allow transducer temperature to be evaluated by monitoring the DC resistance of the transducer winding.

Abstract: A bearing assembly incorporating a speed and/or temperature sensor particularly adapted for motor vehicle wheel applications. The sensor incorporates a magnetized tone ring defining a radial or cylindrical face which interacts with an annular transducer. The transducer has a plurality of teeth facing the magnetized tone ring with separate first and second rows of teeth extending from the transducer frame. The first set of teeth engage one area of the tone ring defining one magnetic pole whereas the second series of teeth interact with regions of the tone ring defining the opposite magnetic pole. Relative rotation between the transducer and tone ring induces an alternating magnetic field through the transducer case which induces an alternating voltage in the winding coil. The transducer is efficiently packaged within the enclosed cavity of a bearing assembly. This invention further contemplates a means to allow transducer temperature to be evaluated by monitoring the DC resistance of the transducer winding.

Abstract: A hub and bearing assembly particularly adapted for motor vehicle application having anti-lock braking system (ABS). Wheel speed sensors are provided in accordance with this invention having a tone wheel configured from a support substrate having a layer of magnetic ink coated thereon. The magnetic ink is magnetized after coating and can be used in conjunction with passive sensors such as variable reluctance types, or active sensors including semi-conductor Hall effect types. The wheel speed sensors of this invention can be adapted for driven or non-driven wheel applications and are sufficiently compact to enable the device to be integrated into the bearing structure and protected from environmental exposure.