Abstract: A quick-connect cartridge assembly includes a ring, a collar disposed within the ring, and an annular seal coaxially disposed with respect to the ring and the collar. A plug having a shank with an outer diameter substantially similar to the inner diameter of the collar is slidably received within the collar and is held within the collar by a friction fit. The plug is also received through the annular seal so as to establish a coaxial relationship with the ring, the collar and the annular seal. The plug includes one or more features for facilitating installation of the ring, the collar and the annular seal into a port and subsequent removal of the plug from the components after installation.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a female member having a receiving end with an axially extending passageway and inwardly facing groove extending outwardly from said passageway in a position spaced from the receiving end. A split metal locking ring is positioned in the groove. A male member is sized to be received in said receiving end and includes a rib having a ramp where the ramp in a first embodiment curves outwardly to an apex and in a first alternate embodiment curves outwardly to a flat and in a second alternate embodiment increases in height in a linear fashion until a relatively short distance from the flat where it curves outwardly to meet the flat, the rib also has a shoulder tapering away from the forward end and inwardly toward the axis.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a female member having a receiving end with an axially extending passageway and inwardly facing groove extending outwardly from said passageway in a position spaced from the receiving end. A split metal locking ring is positioned in the groove. A male member is sized to be received in said receiving end and includes a rib having a ramp where the ramp in a first embodiment curves outwardly to an apex and in a first alternate embodiment curves outwardly to a flat and in a second alternate embodiment increases in height in a linear fashion until a relatively short distance from the flat where it curves outwardly to meet the flat, the rib also has a shoulder tapering away from the forward end and inwardly toward the axis.

Abstract: A clutch button is provided including a friction pad having first and second surfaces. The friction pad has a radial outer and inner edges. The friction pad also has first and second upper outward circumferential edges adjacent to the radial outer edge. The friction pad has first and second lower outward circumferential edges adjacent to the radial inner edge. The friction pad has first and second inward circumferential outer edges joining the respective first and second outward upper and lower circumferential edges. The friction pad has a first groove formed in the first surface extending from the first upper outward circumferential edge to one of the second upper and lower outward circumferential edges. A second groove is formed in the first surface extending from the first lower outward circumferential edge to the other one of the second upper or lower circumferential edges the first groove does not extend to. A backing plate is bonded to the second surface.

Abstract: A clutch button is provided including a friction pad having first and second surfaces. The friction pad has a radial outer and inner edges. The friction pad also has first and second upper outward circumferential edges adjacent to the radial outer edge. The friction pad has first and second lower outward circumferential edges adjacent to the radial inner edge. The friction pad has first and second inward circumferential outer edges joining the respective first and second outward upper and lower circumferential edges. The friction pad has a first groove formed in the first surface extending from the first upper outward circumferential edge to one of the second upper and lower outward circumferential edges. A second groove is formed in the first surface extending from the first lower outward circumferential edge to the other one of the second upper or lower circumferential edges the first groove does not extend to. A backing plate is bonded to the second surface.

Abstract: A clutch driven disc assembly includes a hub, an annular spring plate, an annular disc assembly, a plurality of drive springs, and a disc assembly. The hub has an axis of rotation. The annular spring plate rotatably is fixed to the hub. The annular disc assembly is mounted concentric with the axis of rotation for rotation relative to the spring plate. The plurality of drive springs is operably disposed between the spring plate and the disc assembly. The disc assembly has a reinforcing plate with spring pockets which receive the drive springs. The reinforcing plate has oppositely facing faces. The annular disc has a friction element fixed thereto and also has a plurality of attachment apertures passing therethrough. The weld bead is disposed in each of the attachment apertures and fixes the annular disc to one of the reinforcing plate faces.

Abstract: A method for making a carbon composite material includes coating a carbon-fiber meshed cloth substrate with a liquid form of a carbon source and carbonizing the coating on the coated substrate by heating the coated substrate to a carbonizing temperature. The thickness of the coating on the substrate is such that, upon carbonization of the coating, the carbonized coated substrate retains porosity and a discernible surface texture.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive pad assembly for a brake pedal having in one embodiment a pair of plastic films with metallized surfaces spaced apart by apertured spaces and embedded in an elastomeric pad to be placed on a brake pedal. Application of a brake actuating force on the pad causes the elastomer to deform closing contact between the metallized surfaces for actuating a brake light. In another embodiment a pressure sensitive transducer pad assembly has embedded in elastomeric material, a plurality of piezoelectric strips which are deformed, upon application of a brake actuating force to the pad, for providing an electrical signal indicative of the magnitude of the brake actuating force. In another embodiment an elastomeric pad spans a shallow recess in a support with piezoelectric material provided on the spanning surface and deformation of the pad into the recess deforms the piezoelectric material to provide a brake actuating force signal.

Abstract: A servoactuator for a vehicle throttle having a direct current motor driving a speed reducer with the output thereof connected to slidably move a fulcrum member having a lever arm pivoted thereon. The lever arm has a cable to the engine throttle connected to one end and a cable to the vehicle accelerator pedal connected to the other end on the opposite side of the pivot. In one embodiment the speed reducer drives an axial lead screw threaded in the fulcrum member. In a second embodiment the speed reducer output is a slotted crank arm having a pin on the fulcrum member slidably received therein. In a third embodiment the speed reducer output is connected by a two-bar linkage to the fulcrum member. A potentiometer is disposed to have the movable element thereof moved by one end of the lever to provide a throttle position feedback signal for use by an external motor control signal generator. The servoactuator is intended for use with a vehicle traction control system.

Abstract: A torque motor and throttle body are integrated within a single assembly for application with an internal combustion engine charge air inlet. The butterfly valving element of the throttle body and rotor of the motor are mounted on a common shaft, the position of which is established by a fly-by-wire control circuit. The rotor is selectively affixed to the shaft through an intermediate coupling which is excessible externally of the motor's closed stator assembly.

Abstract: An air throttle (10) for an internal combustion engine has a butterfly-vane (16) mounted for rotation in the engine charge air inlet (15). The butterfly-vane is mounted on a rigid tubular shaft (18) having an idle air bleed slot (22) therethrough with a tubular idle valve (24) slip fit within the shaft for concentric rotation therein. With the butterfly-vane closed for idle mode running, the idle valve is rotated between set limits established by abutment surfaces (26) and (36) defined by slot (25) to control idle air flow and idle speed. Upon rotation of the idle valve beyond the set limits, the butterfly-vane is progressively opened for off-idle mode running speed control.

Abstract: An air throttle for an internal combustion engine having a shaft mounted butterfly vane mounted for rotation in the engine charge air inlet. The butterfly vane and shaft have an idle air bleed slot therethrough with a tubular idle valve mounted over said shaft for concentric rotation thereabout. With the butterfly vane closed for idle mode running, the idle valve is rotated between set limits to control idle air flow and idle speed. Upon rotation of the idle valve beyond the set limits, the butterfly is progressively opened for off-idle mode running speed control.

Abstract: An improved rotory positive displacement blower (10) of the Roots-type with reduced airborne noise and superior efficiency. The blower includes a housing (12) defining generally cylindrical chambers (32, 34) having cylindrical wall surfaces (20a, 20b) and containing meshed lobed rotors (14, 16) having the lobes (14a, 14b, 14c, 16a, 16b, 16c) thereon formed with an end-to-end helical twist according to the relation 360.degree./2n, where n equals the number of lobes per rotor. Preferably, n equals three. The blower housing (12) also defines inlet and outlet ports (36, 38) and the intersections of wall surfaces (20a, 20b) define a cusp (20d) associated with the inlet port (36) and a cusp (20e) associated with outlet port (38). The inlet and outlet port openings are skewed in opposite directions to increase the time the top lands of the lobes are in sealing relation with cylindrical walls (20a, 20b) of chambers ( 32, 34).

Abstract: An improved supercharger or blower (10) of the Roots-type with reduced airborne noise and improved efficiency. The blower includes a housing (12) defining generally cylindrical chambers (32, 34) containing meshed lobed rotors (14, 16) having the lobes (14a, 14b, 14c, 16a, 16b, 16c) thereon formed with an end-to-end helical twist according to the relation 360.degree./2n, where n equals the number of lobes per rotor. In one embodiment, blower housing (12) also defines inlet and outlet ports (36, 38). The inlet port includes longitudinal boundaries defined by housing wall surfaces (20f, 20h) and transverse boundaries defined by housing wall surfaces (20g, 20i). The transverse boundaries (20g, 20i) are disposed substantially parallel to the helical lobes. The outlet port includes longitudinal boundaries defined by housing surfaces (20m, 20r) and a transverse boundaries defined by housing surfaces (20p, 20s).