Abstract: Interlacing equipment may be used to form fabric and to create a gap in the fabric. The fabric may include one or more conductive strands. An insertion tool may be used to align an electrical component with the conductive strands during interlacing operations. A soldering tool may be used to remove insulation from the conductive strands to expose conductive segments on the conductive strands. The soldering tool may be used to solder the conductive segments to the electrical component. The solder connections may be located in grooves in the electrical component. An encapsulation tool may dispense encapsulation material in the grooves to encapsulate the solder connections. After the electrical component is electrically connected to the conductive strands, the insertion tool may position and release the electrical component in the gap. A component retention tool may temporarily be used to retain the electrical component in the gap as interlacing operations continue.

Abstract: Interlacing equipment may be used to form fabric and to create a gap in the fabric. The fabric may include one or more conductive strands. An insertion tool may be used to align an electrical component with the conductive strands during interlacing operations. A soldering tool may be used to remove insulation from the conductive strands to expose conductive segments on the conductive strands. The soldering tool may be used to solder the conductive segments to the electrical component. The solder connections may be located in grooves in the electrical component. An encapsulation tool may dispense encapsulation material in the grooves to encapsulate the solder connections. After the electrical component is electrically connected to the conductive strands, the insertion tool may position and release the electrical component in the gap. A component retention tool may temporarily be used to retain the electrical component in the gap as interlacing operations continue.

Abstract: A rotatable inner race is disclosed. The inner race may include a plurality of arcuate segments each having a first end with a first end geometry and a second end with a second end geometry. The first and second end geometries may be complimentary to each other to join adjacent arcuate segments at an interlocking joint. The rotatable inner race may further include a plurality of race engagement notches extending radially from an outer circumferential surface of each arcuate segment and the plurality of arcuate segments are joined together at the interlocking joints to form a race ring and the plurality of race engagement notches of each arcuate segment align with one another to define an array of race engagement notches around an outer circumference of the race ring.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a circular laminated component are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises stamping an inlet stock of material to form a line of arc segments, the line of arc segments having: a plurality of notches along a first edge; a first longitudinal end; and a second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end; wrapping the line of arc segments to form a circular segment having the first edge along an inner-circumferential diameter of the circular segment; joining the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end to form a circular laminate layer; and stacking a plurality of circular laminate layers to form a laminate disc.

Abstract: A rotatable inner race is disclosed. The inner race may include a plurality of arcuate segments each having a first end with a first end geometry and a second end with a second end geometry. The first and second end geometries may be complimentary to each other to join adjacent arcuate segments at an interlocking joint. The rotatable inner race may further include a plurality of race engagement notches extending radially form an outer circumferential surface of each arcuate segment and the plurality of arcuate segments are joined together at the interlocking joints to form a race ring and the plurality of race engagement notches of each arcuate segment align with one another to define an array of race engagement notches around an outer circumference of the race ring.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a circular laminated component are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises stamping an inlet stock of material to form a line of arc segments, the line of arc segments having: a plurality of notches along a first edge; a first longitudinal end; and a second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end; wrapping the line of arc segments to form a circular segment having the first edge along an inner-circumferential diameter of the circular segment; joining the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end to form a circular laminate layer; and stacking a plurality of circular laminate layers to form a laminate disc.

Abstract: A transfer case for a vehicle having a selective four wheel drive mode of operation is provided. The transfer case includes a front shell boltably connected with a rear shell, a front axle output shaft and sprocket, and a main input shaft torsionally connected with a transmission and rear axle of the vehicle. A main sprocket is provided, rotatably mounted on the main input shaft. The sprocket has an axial extension. A chain torsionally connects the main sprocket with the front axle output sprocket. A clutch housing having a splined opening is torsionally connected with the main sprocket extension. A hub is spline connected on the main input shaft. A clutch pack is selectively torsionally connected with the clutch housing and with the hub. A pressure plate is provided to actuate the clutch pack.

Abstract: A transfer case for a vehicle having a selective four wheel drive mode of operation is provided. The transfer case includes a front shell boltably connected with a rear shell, a front axle output shaft and sprocket, and a main input shaft torsionally connected with a transmission and rear axle of the vehicle. A main sprocket is provided, rotatably mounted on the main input shaft. The sprocket has an axial extension. A chain torsionally connects the main sprocket with the front axle output sprocket. A clutch housing having a splined opening is torsionally connected with the main sprocket extension. A hub is spline connected on the main input shaft. A clutch pack is selectively torsionally connected with the clutch housing and with the hub. A pressure plate is provided to actuate the clutch pack.

Abstract: Segmented and laminated steel core plates (31,31?) having at least one groove or channel formed at the interface of the core plates for either double sided or single sided wet clutch friction plates or separator plates and a process for making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a friction plate and method of manufacture thereof wherein the friction plate is fabricated from a thixomolded magnesium or titanium material or alloy thereof, which is lighter than comparable steel friction plates.

Abstract: An automotive clutch housing and a method of manufacture thereof is provided. The clutch housing has a cylindrical body that is formed from a form folded strip metal sheet that is later formed into a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body is then joined to a hub to form a clutch housing.

Abstract: An automotive clutch housing and a method of manufacture thereof is provided. The clutch housing has a cylindrical body that is formed from a form folded strip metal sheet that is later formed into a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body is then joined to a hub to form a clutch housing.

Abstract: A clutch has an outer aluminum housing and an inner housing arranged coaxially with respect to one another to support a plurality of first and second alternating, interiorly arranged, radially extending, friction members for axial movement between engaged and disengaged positions. The outer aluminum housing can have a cylindrical side wall and a radially inwardly extending end wall. A plurality of spline teeth can be formed at angularly spaced locations along the cylindrical side wall. Each spline tooth can have radial wall portions extending inwardly and longitudinally terminating at a circumferential wall portion extending between the radial wall portions to define the spline teeth. A sheet metal liner can be wrapped around to form a continuous, generally cylindrical, corrugated ring with inwardly extending spline teeth covers connected to a collar.

Abstract: A parking brake (10) for a transmission (12) of a motorized vehicle (14). An anchor (24) is located to support an actuator (26) interposed between the anchor (24) and a parking pawl (22) when the parking pawl (22) is in the engaged position with a toothed parking gear (20). The anchor (24) is defined by a plurality of stacked laminas (30). Each of the plurality of stacked laminas (30) is rigid and has at least one peripherally extending surface (32), wherein the at least one peripherally extending surface (32) of at least two of the plurality of stacked laminas cooperate to define at least one load-bearing surface (34), and wherein the plurality of stacked laminas (30) are secured together to prevent relative movement of any one of the plurality of stacked laminas (30) with respect to another of the plurality of stacked laminas (30) when a load is transmitted through the parking pawl (22) from the at least one load-bearing surface (34).

Abstract: A parking brake (10) for a transmission (12) of a motorized vehicle (14). An anchor (24) is located to support an actuator (26) interposed between the anchor (24) and a parking pawl (22) when the parking pawl (22) is in the engaged position with a toothed parking gear (20). The anchor (24) is defined by a plurality of stacked laminas (30). Each of the plurality of stacked laminas (30) is rigid and has at least one peripherally extending surface (32), wherein the at least one peripherally extending surface (32) of at least two of the plurality of stacked laminas cooperate to define at least one load-bearing surface (34), and wherein the plurality of stacked laminas (30) are secured together to prevent relative movement of any one of the plurality of stacked laminas (30) with respect to another of the plurality of stacked laminas (30) when a load is transmitted through the parking pawl (22) from the at least one load-bearing surface (34).

Abstract: An automotive clutch housing and a method of manufacture thereof is provided. The clutch housing has a cylindrical body that is formed from a form folded strip metal sheet that is later formed into a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body is then joined to a hub to form a clutch housing.

Abstract: A clutch has an outer aluminum housing and an inner housing arranged coaxially with respect to one another to support a plurality of first and second alternating, interiorly arranged, radially extending, friction members for axial movement between engaged and disengaged positions. The outer aluminum housing can have a cylindrical side wall and a radially inwardly extending end wall. A plurality of spline teeth can be formed at angularly spaced locations along the cylindrical side wall. Each spline tooth can have radial wall portions extending inwardly and longitudinally terminating at a circumferential wall portion extending between the radial wall portions to define the spline teeth. A sheet metal liner can be wrapped around to form a continuous, generally cylindrical, corrugated ring with inwardly extending spline teeth covers connected to a collar.

Abstract: A clutch has an outer housing and an inner housing arranged coaxially with respect to one another to support a plurality of first and second alternating, interiorly arranged, radially extending, friction members for axial movement between engaged and disengaged positions. The outer housing can have a longitudinally extending cylindrical side wall and a radially inwardly extending end wall. A plurality of longitudinally extending, teeth-receiving notches can be formed at evenly angularly spaced locations along the cylindrical side wall. Each notch can have radially inwardly bent wall portions extending longitudinally to define teeth-receiving sidewalls of the outer housing. The inner housing assembly can have a hub and an elongate sheet metal strip having bent tabs and evenly spaced corrugations stamped along an entire longitudinal length. The strip can be wrapped around to form a continuous, generally cylindrical, corrugated ring with inwardly extending bent tabs connected to the hub.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a friction plate and method of manufacture thereof wherein the friction plate is fabricated from a thixomolded magnesium or titanium material or alloy thereof, which is lighter than comparable steel friction plates.

Abstract: An automotive clutch housing and a method of manufacture thereof is provided. The clutch housing has a cylindrical body that is formed from a form folded strip metal sheet that is later formed into a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body is then joined to a hub to form a clutch housing.