Abstract: An electrically actuated, hydraulic power steering system is provided. The steering system includes a hydraulic pump for generating hydraulic pressure, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a hydraulic cylinder, and a control valve arrangement that selectively connects the hydraulic cylinder to the pump and the hydraulic fluid reservoir. The control valve arrangement is characterized during the on-center position by a first and a second chamber of the hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication with each other but not with the fluid reservoir. In one embodiment, the steering system has a steering sensor, a control box, and two pressure accumulators for providing at least two levels of steering assist.

Abstract: A first vehicle power steering system includes a twistable steering torsion bar, a magnet, a Hall sensor, and a valve. The steering torsion bar has a first end fixedly connected to a vehicle steering wheel. The magnet is movable in a first and an opposite second longitudinal direction with respect to the steering torsion bar and is constrained to move in the first longitudinal direction when the steering wheel is turned to the right by a driver and is constrained to move in the second longitudinal direction when the steering wheel is turned to the left by the driver. The Hall sensor has an output and is positioned proximate the magnet. The valve is operatively connected to the output. A second vehicle power steering system includes a twistable steering torsion bar, a ring-magnet support cylinder, a ring-magnet assembly, a ball-and-ramp assembly, a spring, a Hall sensor, and a valve.

Abstract: A tensioner for a power transmitting belt is provided having a base, an arm pivotably attached to the base, a pulley rotatably attached to the arm and a spring operatively connected to the arm and the base for urging the arm in direction to tension the belt. A hydraulic strut is pivotably attached to the base and the arm to restrict the movement of the arm through asymmetric fluid damping. The hydraulic strut includes a hydraulic cylinder filled with magnetorheological fluid, a piston rod axially mounted through the cylinder and a piston mounted on the piston rod to divide the cylinder into first and second fluid chambers. The strut further includes a fluid flow path between the first and second fluid chambers, a check valve in the fluid flow path to provide asymmetric fluid flow and a coil that is operable to generate a magnetic field across the fluid flow path when energized.

Abstract: An electrically actuated, hydraulic power steering system is provided. The steering system includes a hydraulic pump for generating hydraulic pressure, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a hydraulic cylinder, and a control valve arrangement that selectively connects the hydraulic cylinder to the pump and the hydraulic fluid reservoir. The control valve arrangement is characterized during the on-center position by a first and a second chamber of the hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication with each other but not with the fluid reservoir. In one embodiment, the steering system has a steering sensor, a control box, and two pressure accumulators for providing at least two levels of steering assist.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a power transmission belt is provided that utilizes asymmetric motion control and is operable in a first condition and a second condition. The belt tensioner has an arm with a belt engaging section and a drum section, a support member for securing the tensioner relative to the belt, and a spring that urges the arm to pivot about the support member in a first direction and urges the belt engaging section against the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner also has a stator coupled to the support member to form arcuate spaces circumferentially spaced around the stator between the stator and the drum section and arcuate shaped wedges in the arcuate spaces. The tensioner further has a Belleville spring coupled to the arm for pivoting therewith and a friction device in sliding contact with the wedges and Belleville spring.

Abstract: A tensioner for generating tension in a power-transmitting belt is provided. The tensioner includes a base, which may be secured to an engine, and an arm that is movably attached to the base. A pulley is rotatably attached to the arm for engaging the belt. A spring is operatively connected to the arm and the base for urging the arm to move relative to the base in a first direction. When the arm is moved in the first direction, the pulley is moved into engagement with the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner further includes a stop that is adjustably positioned on the base to limit the movement of the arm in a second direction. The position of the stop on the base may be automatically adjusted by the spring during installation of the tensioner.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a power transmission belt may be provided that operates on an endless path and that utilizes asymmetric motion control. The belt tensioner may have an arm with a belt engaging section and a drum section, a support member for securing the tensioner relative to the belt, where the arm pivots on the support member, and a tension spring that urges the arm to pivot about the support member in a first direction and urges the belt engaging section against the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner also may have a fluid filled chamber inside a portion of the drum section of the arm and a valve pivotally attached to the tensioner so that the valve extends across the fluid containing chamber.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a power transmission belt may be provided that operates on an endless path and that utilizes asymmetric motion control. The belt tensioner may have an arm with a belt engaging section and a drum section, a support member for securing the tensioner relative to the belt, where the arm pivots on the support member, and a tension spring that urges the arm to pivot about the support member in a first direction and urges the belt engaging section against the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner also may have a fluid filled chamber inside a portion of the drum section of the arm and a value pivotally attached to the tensioner so that the valve extends across the fluid containing chamber.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a power transmission belt is provided that operates on an endless path and that utilizes asymmetric motion control. The belt tensioner has an arm with a belt engaging section and a drum section, a support member for securing the tensioner relative to the belt, where the arm pivots about the support member, and a tension spring that urges the arm to pivot about the support member in a first direction and urges the belt engaging section against the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner also has a stator inside the drum section utilized to form arcuate spaces circumferentially spaced around the stator between the stator and the drum section and arcuate shaped wedges in the arcuate spaces.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a power transmission belt is provided that utilizes asymmetric motion control and is operable in a first condition and a second condition. The belt tensioner has an arm with a belt engaging section and a drum section, a support member for securing the tensioner relative to the belt, and a spring that urges the arm to pivot about the support member in a first direction and urges the belt engaging section against the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner also has a stator coupled to the support member to form arcuate spaces circumferentially spaced around the stator between the stator and the drum section and arcuate shaped wedges in the arcuate spaces. The tensioner further has a Belleville spring coupled to the arm for pivoting therewith and a friction device in sliding contact with the wedges and Belleville spring.

Abstract: A tensioner for an endless power transmission belt, the belt being driven about a sheave. The tensioner may comprise a base, a resilient device, and first and second arms pivotally coupled for movement in an open and a closed direction. The tensioner may also comprise first and second pulleys rotatably coupled to the first and second arms, the resilient device biasing the arms in the closed direction in which the first and second pulleys apply tension to the belt. The tensioner may also comprise first and second stops positioned outside the arms on the base to limit the movement of the arms in the open direction in response to an increase in tension in the belt.

Abstract: A tensioner for generating tension in a power-transmitting belt is provided. The tensioner includes a base, which may be secured to an engine, and an arm that is movably attached to the base. A pulley is rotatably attached to the arm for engaging the belt. A spring is operatively connected to the arm and the base for urging the arm to move relative to the base in a first direction. When the arm is moved in the first direction, the pulley is moved into engagement with the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner further includes a stop that is adjustably positioned on the base to limit the movement of the arm in a second direction. The position of the stop on the base may be automatically adjusted by the spring during installation of the tensioner.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a power transmission belt may be provided that operates on an endless path and that utilizes asymmetric motion control. The belt tensioner may have an arm with a belt engaging section and a drum section, a support member for securing the tensioner relative to the belt, where the arm pivots on the support member, and a tension spring that urges the arm to pivot about the support member in a first direction and urges the belt engaging section against the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner also may have a fluid filled chamber inside a portion of the drum section of the arm and a valve pivotally attached to the tensioner so that the valve extends across the fluid containing chamber.

Abstract: An electrically actuated clutch assembly for a compressor in an automotive air conditioner is described wherein clutch engagement to and disengagement with the compressor are momentary events with no electrical current being required to maintain the on and off states of the clutch.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a power transmission belt may be provided that operates on an endless path and that utilizes asymmetric motion control. The belt tensioner may have an arm with a belt engaging section and a drum section, a support member for securing the tensioner relative to the belt, where the arm pivots on the support member, and a tension spring that urges the arm to pivot about the support member in a first direction and urges the belt engaging section against the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner also may have a fluid filled chamber inside a portion of the drum section of the arm and a valve pivotally attached to the tensioner so that the valve extends across the fluid containing chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system for use in a vehicle to eliminate energy waste when power assist is not required is disclosed. The hydraulic power steering system includes a pulley powered by a crankshaft in the vehicle, a clutch operably connected to the pulley, a hydraulic pump operably connected to the clutch, and controlling means for engaging and disengaging the clutch with the pulley and the hydraulic pump to provide hydraulic power to the system. It also includes a hydraulic accumulator to provide system pressure for short periods before the pump clutch can engage in response to a steering input.

Abstract: An electrically actuated clutch assembly for a compressor in an automotive air conditioner is described wherein clutch engagement to and disengagement with the compressor are momentary events with no electrical current being required to maintain the on and off states of the clutch.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a power transmission belt is provided that operates on an endless path and that utilizes asymmetric motion control. The belt tensioner has an arm with a belt engaging section and a drum section, a support member for securing the tensioner relative to the belt, where the arm pivots about the support member, and a tension spring that urges the arm to pivot about the support member in a first direction and urges the belt engaging section against the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner also has a stator inside the drum section utilized to form arcuate spaces circumferentially spaced around the stator between the stator and the drum section and arcuate shaped wedges in the arcuate spaces.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a power transmission belt is provided that operates on an endless path and that utilizes asymmetric motion control. The belt tensioner has an arm with a belt engaging section and a drum section, a support member for securing the tensioner relative to the belt, where the arm pivots about the support member, and a tension spring that urges the arm to pivot about the support member in a first direction and urges the belt engaging section against the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner also has a stator inside the drum section utilized to form arcuate spaces circumferentially spaced around the stator between the stator and the drum section and arcuate shaped wedges in the arcuate spaces. The tensioner further has a Bellville spring coupled to the arm and a friction device positioned between the wedges and Bellville spring.

Abstract: A tensioner for an endless power transmission belt, the belt being driven about a sheave. The tensioner may comprise a base, a resilient device, and first and second arms pivotally coupled for movement in an open and a closed direction. The tensioner may also comprise first and second pulleys rotatably coupled to the first and second arms, the resilient device biasing the arms in the closed direction in which the first and second pulleys apply tension to the belt. The tensioner may also comprise first and second stops positioned outside the arms on the base to limit the movement of the arms in the open direction in response to an increase in tension in the belt.