Abstract: A torque-coupling assembly comprises a hydraulic fluid reservoir provided for storing a supply of a hydraulic fluid, a hollow coupling casing rotatable by an outside drive torque, a hydraulic pump located within the coupling casing to generate a hydraulic pressure, a supply passage fluidly connecting the hydraulic fluid reservoir to a suction passage of said hydraulic pump and a venting passage. The venting passage is provided for operatively fluidly connecting the supply passage to an ambient atmosphere for selectively enabling or disabling the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an Apparatus for measuring torque in a shaft or driveline component of a vehicle. A radio frequency (RF) tag is connected to the shaft to facilitate communication to an RF reader and is capable of storing at least one sensed physical characteristic such as torque. A torque sensor is operatively connected to the shaft in communication with the RF tag. The RF reader includes a transmitter provided to send modulated radio frequency transmissions to both supply power to the RF tag and associated sensor and trigger a responsive transmission signal indicative of sensed torque. The frequency tag reader is positioned adjacent to the shaft and operable to read the signal transmitted by the RF tag. The RF tag may be continuously triggered and read by the RF modulator/reader in rapid cycles to facilitate continuous monitoring of object to be sensed.

Abstract: A torque-coupling device comprising a hydraulically actuated friction clutch pack and a gerotor pump provided for generating hydraulic pressure actuating the friction clutch pack. The gerotor pump is selectively actuated by a device external to the gerotor pump and the friction clutch pack, such as an electric motor, friction brake, electro-magnetic clutch, friction mechanism utilizing a magneto-rheological fluid, electro-magnetic brake, etc. The externally driven gerotor pump may be further provided with torque-multiplication gearing, and/or an electronic controller to modulate the actuation of the pump in order to provide flexible control of the hydraulic pressure generated by the gerotor pump.

Abstract: A pressure switch or valve for a hydraulic circuit that responds primarily to fluid flow as opposed to relying strictly on a pressure gradient across the valve. A T-shaped valve has a stem portion disposed within an opening in a reservoir or other fluid passage. The valve is spring biased in an open position. A valve head has an area significantly larger than an area of the opening. As fluid flows around the edge of the valve head, the fluid speed increases and induces a pressure gradient across the valve head to overcome the spring bias and close the valve. The valve may be employed in a wall surface of the reservoir or fluid passage having an area significantly larger than the valve head.

Abstract: A torque-coupling assembly comprises a hydraulic fluid reservoir provided for storing a supply of a hydraulic fluid, a hollow coupling casing rotatable by an outside drive torque, a hydraulic pump located within the coupling casing to generate a hydraulic pressure, a supply passage fluidly connecting the hydraulic fluid reservoir to a suction passage of said hydraulic pump and a venting passage. The venting passage is provided for operatively fluidly connecting the supply passage to an ambient atmosphere for selectively enabling or disabling the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated torque coupling assembly that has an actuator plate mechanism integrated within the pressure relief valve assembly. The actuator plate includes a valve closure member and two alignment pins. The valve closure member is disposed adjacent to a valve seat on the face of the torque coupling assembly. The actuator plate and an associated electromagnetic solenoid assembly are partially enclosed in a stationary housing that is positioned outside the coupling case. A variable amount of electrical current is applied to the solenoid assembly so that the actuator plate valve closure member engages the associated valve seat. The release pressure of the pressure relief valve assembly is selectively based on the magnitude of an electric current supplied to the solenoid assembly.

Abstract: A plate type heat exchanger employing flat tubes, which can be manufactured easily and which have a high heat exchange performance includes a thin strip-shaped metal plate cut in the width direction and having remaining small connected portions and many cut portions disposed at fixed intervals in the longitudinal direction slits are formed in both sides of the cut potions having the same center. The strip-shaped metal plate is bent at the connected portions in a zigzag manner to form an aggregation of fin elements, and the flat tubes are engaged with the front and rear sides of the aggregation of the fin elements.

Abstract: A vehicular axle assembly includes an electrical generator for generating electricity to supply power to one or more electrical components therein during operation. The axle assembly includes a hollow housing that rotatably supports a differential mechanism therein. An input shaft is rotatably supported in the axle housing and terminates in a pinion gear. The pinion gear meshes with the differential mechanism that, in turn, rotatably drives a pair of output shafts that extend to respective driven wheels of the vehicle. A stator is supported within the axle housing about the input shaft, while a rotor is supported on the input shaft. When the input shaft is rotated, the rotor generates electrical power that may be used to operate the electrical component, such as a piezo-based device supported on a driveshaft assembly connected to the input shaft.

Abstract: An axle disconnect system is provided whereby axles of a tandem or multi-axle vehicle may be easily and quickly engaged and disengaged as required and whereby the ring gear and differential gears remain stationary when the axle is disengaged. In multi-axle vehicles, a dual disconnect mechanism is contained in the front and auxiliary rear axles. When only the primary rear axle is necessary to propel the vehicle (e.g., during highway use) the transfer case interrupts torque to the front axle. Similarly, a clutch also interrupts torque transmission to the auxiliary rear axle. In this mode, the dual disconnect mechanism prevents the axle output shafts from back-driving the differential, thereby reducing parasitic losses and wear.

Abstract: A torque transfer assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a ring gear subassembly and a differential subassembly rotatably supported in said ring gear subassembly, a friction clutch pack for coupling the ring gear subassembly to the differential subassembly, and a hydraulic clutch actuator for selectively frictionally loading the clutch pack. The hydraulic clutch actuator includes a variable pressure relief valve assembly to selectively control the friction clutch pack. The variable pressure relief valve assembly includes a valve closure member, a valve seat complementary to the valve closure member, and a electro-magnetic actuator for engaging the valve closure member and urging thereof against the valve seat with an axial force determined by a magnitude of an electric current supplied to the electro-magnetic actuator so as to selectively vary a release pressure of the pressure relief valve assembly based on the magnitude of the electric current.

Abstract: A plate type heat exchanger employing flat tubes, which can be manufactured easily and which have a high heat exchange performance includes a thin strip-shaped metal plate cut in the width direction and having remaining small connected portions and many cut portions disposed at fixed intervals in the longitudinal direction slits are formed in both sides of the cut portions having the same center. The strip-shaped metal plate is bent at the connected portions in a zigzag manner to form an aggregation of fin elements, and the flat tubes are engaged with the front and rear sides of the aggregation of the fin elements.

Abstract: A torque coupling differential assembly is provided for use in auxiliary axle of an all-wheel drive vehicle. The torque coupling differential assembly comprises a first casing defining an input member, a differential mechanism, a torque coupling device with a clutch assembly provided to transmit a drive torque from the first casing to the differential mechanism and a disconnecting mechanism selectively shiftable between a disconnected position when the differential mechanism is disconnected from the torque coupling device and a connected position when the differential mechanism is drivingly engaged to the torque coupling device so that the clutch assembly transmits torque from the first casing to the differential mechanism when the torque coupling device is in an activated position and the disconnecting mechanism is in the connected position. Both the torque coupling device and the differential mechanism are disposed within the housing.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated torque coupling device is provided for transmitting a drive torque from an input to at least one output. The torque coupling device comprises a rotatable hydraulic manifold block having a plurality of cylinder bores defined therein, a multi-lobed cam ring rotatable coaxially with the manifold block, a plurality of pistons each disposed within corresponding one of the plurality of cylinder bores in the manifold block for reciprocating therewithin upon relative rotational movement between the manifold block and the cam ring and defining a plurality of pressure chambers within the corresponding cylinder bores, and restrictor device in fluid communication with each of the plurality of pressure chambers such that the restrictor device controls a discharge pressure attainable within each of the plurality of pressure chambers during discharge strokes. Each of the plurality of pistons rotably engages the at least one cam ring at distal ends thereof.

Abstract: A torque transfer assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a ring gear subassembly and a differential subassembly rotatably supported in said ring gear subassembly, a friction clutch pack for coupling the ring gear subassembly to the differential subassembly, and a hydraulic clutch actuator for selectively frictionally loading the clutch pack. The hydraulic clutch actuator includes a variable pressure relief valve assembly to selectively control the friction clutch pack. The variable pressure relief valve assembly includes a valve closure member, a valve seat complementary to the valve closure member, and a electromagnetic actuator for engaging the valve closure member and urging thereof against the valve seat with an axial force determined by a magnitude of an electric current supplied to the electromagnetic actuator so as to selectively vary a release pressure of the pressure relief valve assembly based on the magnitude of the electric current.

Abstract: A pressure control valve assembly is disposed in the hydraulic flow path of a differential assembly and is connected to a passageway leading to a limited slip device within the differential case to establish fluid communication there between. The valve assembly includes a machined or formed blind hole, a groove which partially intersects the blind hole, a ball member seated in the blind hole, and a spring resiliently acting on the ball to apply a force biasing the ball into the blind hole. At the intersection of the blind hole and groove, an area, which is not sealed by the ball, is formed that provides a controlled leakage path for the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A pressure control valve assembly is disposed in the hydraulic flow path of a differential assembly and is connected to a passageway leading to a limited slip device within the differential case to establish fluid communication there between. The invention includes a machined or formed blind hole, a groove which partially intersects the blind hole, a ball member seated in the blind hole, and a spring resiliently acting on the ball to apply a force biasing the ball into the blind hole. At the intersection of the blind hole and groove, an area, which is not sealed by the ball, is formed that provides a controlled leakage path for the hydraulic fluid. As the hydraulic fluid flow increases, the hydraulic pressure of the fluid on the pressure side increases which increases the force on the ball acting against the spring. As the pressure increases further, the resultant forces on the ball deflect the spring to increase the bleed area and increase the fluid bled proportionally to the fluid pressure.

Abstract: A wrap spring activated torque coupling is applied to a torque transmission coupling and/or a locking differential for a motor vehicle. The wrap-spring torque coupling allows for quick engagement and disengagement of an input member to an associated output member at large torsional capacities that exceed the limit of what is taught by prior art. The ability to quickly lock and unlock a vehicle differential under either a torsionally loaded or unloaded condition is realized by this application of the wrap spring activated torque coupling. Moreover, a two piece bi-directional wrap spring hub design is utilized that allows for simple turning and broaching operations for use in its manufacture, thereby eliminating a conventional deep annular counterbore that would require the use of much more expensive machining processes.

Abstract: A differential assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a differential case rotatably supported in an axle housing, opposite output shafts drivingly connected to the differential case, a friction clutch pack for controlling the differential action, and a hydraulic clutch actuator for selectively fictionally loading the clutch pack. The hydraulic clutch actuator includes a variable pressure relief valve assembly to selectively control the friction clutch pack. The variable pressure relief valve assembly includes a valve closure member, a valve seat complementary to the valve closure member, and an electro-magnetic actuator for engaging the valve closure member and urging thereof against the valve seat with an axial force determined by a magnitude of an electric current supplied to the electro-magnetic actuator so as to selectively vary a release pressure of the pressure relief valve assembly based on the magnitude of the electric current.

Abstract: A gerotor assembly includes a pressure chamber with an integral eccentric ring for a motor vehicle hydraulic differential for use in hydraulic limited slip differentials for axles, transfer case center differentials and similar devices. The gerotor pump assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a housing having an integral ring which provides a pressure chamber for a piston, an eccentrically positioned recess for a inner rotor and an outer rotor and a location for a pressure limiting system. The gerotor pump assembly is of a non-reversing gerotor pump configuration using known methods to produce a unidirectional fluid flow.

Abstract: A vehicular axle assembly includes an electrical generator for generating electricity to supply power to one or more electrical components therein during operation. The axle assembly includes a hollow housing that rotatably supports a differential mechanism therein. An input shaft is rotatably supported in the axle housing and terminates in a pinion gear. The pinion gear meshes with the differential mechanism that, in turn, rotatably drives a pair of output shafts that extend to respective driven wheels of the vehicle. A stator is supported within the axle housing about the input shaft, while a rotor is supported on the input shaft. When the input shaft is rotated, the rotor generates electrical power that may be used to operate the electrical component, such as a piezo-based device supported on a driveshaft assembly connected to the input shaft.