Abstract: A turbine housing construction particularly adapted for use with turbochargers for internal combustion engines. A vortex transition duct is inserted between the source of exhaust gas for driving the turbine and the exhaust gas inlet of the turbine volute. In prior turbocharger constructions, the distribution of the velocity of the exhaust gas fed to and as seen by the turbine volute inlet is uniform. Yet, it is desirable that the radial velocity distribution of exhaust gases entering the turbine volute be of a free vortex distribution. The vortex transition duct of this invention transforms the uniform radial velocity distribution of the exhaust gases, prior to their entry into the turbine volute inlet, into a free vortex distribution.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring member and a hub member coupled together by an elastomer member. The hub member may be in the form of a disc and is adapted to be coupled to a rotating shaft subject to torsional vibrations, the elastomer and inertia ring member acting in a known manner to damp torsional vibrations. According to this invention a seal, termed a dust and oil slinger, is mounted on the hub. The seal overlies the elastomer and protects it from dust or other particles and from corrosive fumes and liquids. The seal may additional serve as a sacrificial member which will, in certain corrosive ambients, degrade prior to degradation of the elastomer connecting the hub and inertia ring. The seal is either integral with the working elastomer member, or is formed by adhering to the working elastomer member a sealing material of a different composition.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring secured to a hub, the hub being coupled to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. Elastomer members are sandwiched between the hub and inertia ring. The improvement of this invention relates to a radially inwardly extending tongue carried by the inertia ring, a portion of which is sandwiched by the elastomer members. A viscous shear liquid is carried by an annular internal cavity of the hub, the radially innermost portion of the tongue immersed in the shear liquid.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring coupled to a hub by an elastomer member. The inertia ring is formed of two axially spaced ring parts. Each ring part carries an annular groove. A radially extending disc locking element (in the form of a flat washer) carries an axially extending key, the ends of the key being deformed towards a radially extending position by pushing the two ring parts together, the deformed key ends thus holding the two ring parts in assembly. The disc locking element also is compressed and thus exerts an axial force urging the two ring parts apart. In an embodiment, the disc locking element carries a second axially extending key, radially spaced from the first key and is similarly deformed into a second annular groove. In still another embodiment, one inertia ring part carries an integral, axially extending locking key. This key is received by a complementary annular groove in the other ring part, the disc locking element being optionally omitted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing an elastomeric torsional vibration damper by oscillating the hub thereof on a shaker table to thereby simulate actual conditions of use. Prior testing methods and apparatus have not compensated for changes in the mechanical properties of the elastomer which often occur during testing. Such changes are usually due to build-up of heat within the elastomer. According to the practice of this invention, changes in the mechanical properties of the elastomer are compensated for by continuously monitoring the phase difference between the hub and the inertia ring. If the phase difference varies from a predetermined amount, the hub input frequency is then varied in such a manner as to maintain the predetermined phase difference between the hub and inertia ring. In this manner a predetermined phase difference may be maintained throughout the test.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having a hub which carries an outer inertia ring coupled thereto by an elastomer. Supplemental damping is added to the system via the use of dry friction. A broad frequency range of effectiveness is provided by designed non-linearity of the device made possible by the dry friction. A greater broadening of the frequency range of effectiveness is made possible by utilizing a plurality of inertia masses carried by the hub, all mounted on the same elastomer. Elastomeric compression is utilized to spring-load the friction surfaces, providing a series-parallel, elastomer viscous-dry friction damping medium. In multiple mass application the concept of mass interaction is utilized to further determine the dynamic performance of the damper.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring coupled to a hub by an elastomer member. The inertia ring is formed of two axially spaced ring parts. Each ring part carries an annular groove. A radially extending disc locking element (in the form of a flat washer) carries an axially extending key, the ends of the key being deformed towards a radially extending position by pushing the two ring parts together, the deformed key ends thus holding the two ring parts in assembly. The disc locking element also is compressed and thus exerts an axial force urging the two ring parts apart. In an embodiment, the disc locking element carries a second axially extending key, radially spaced from the first key and is similarly deformed into a second annular groove. In still another embodiment, one inertia ring part carries an integral, axially extending locking key. This key is received by a complementary annular groove in the other ring part, the disc locking element being optionally omitted.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring secured to a hub, the hub being coupled to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. Elastomer members are sandwiched between the hub and a two-piece inertia ring. The improvement of this invention includes a radially outwardly extending tongue, a portion of which is sandwiched by two elastomer members. The elastomer members are preformed so as to assume an L-shape in half-axial cross-section, the members being adhesively bonded to the hub and to the inertia ring.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring coupled to a hub by means of an elastomer member. The hub is attached to a shaft subject to torsional vibrations. The radially outermost portion of the elastomer carries angularly spaced pockets into which a damping liquid of high viscosity is placed. The specific improvement resides in thickening the radially innermost portion of the elastomer, relative to the radially outermost portion. In assembling the damper, the radially innermost elastomer portions are compressed, while the portions of lesser thickness are not compressed. A thin film of viscous liquid is adjacent the elastomer portions of lesser thickness, and thus functions as a viscous damper, while the thicker elastomer portions function to elastically dampen torsional vibrations.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper and method and apparatus for its manufacture. The outer inertia member carries a radially inwardly extending web, the web sandwiched by a pair of elastomer members. A two-piece hub sandwiches the elastomer members, the two hub pieces being held together as by swaging or by rivets. Tooling for the swaging mode of assembly is shown such that the elastomer members are deformed from an original to a final configuration, and the swaging then accomplished with a single continuous movement. The swaging assembly apparatus for the device includes Belleville springs, the apparatus limiting the maximum force applied to that portion of the hub members controlling the assembled elastomer thickness. The damper configuration facilitates low specific energy dissipation and large elastomer-to-metal interface area to thus tend to lower shear stress in the elastomer. In addition, should the elastomer fail in use, the damper inertia mass is mechanically constrained to remain with the hub assembly.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper and method and apparatus for its manufacture. The outer inertia member carries a radially inwardly extending web, the web sandwiched by a pair of elastomer members. A two-piece hub sandwiches the elastomer members, the two hub pieces being held together as by swaging or by rivets. Tooling for the swaging mode of assembly is shown such that the elastomer members are deformed from an original to a final configuration, and the swaging then accomplished with a single continuous movement. The swaging assembly apparatus for the device includes Belleville springs, the apparatus limiting the maximum force applied to that portion of the hub members controlling the assembled elastomer thickness. The damper configuration facilitates low specific energy dissipation and large elastomer-to-metal interface area to thus tend to lower shear stress in the elastomer. In addition, should the elastomer fail in use, the damper inertia mass is mechanically constrained to remain with the hub assembly.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for internal combustion engines. An annular inertia member is attached to a hub by an annular elastic member assembly having an interleaf. In one embodiment, the interleaf is thicker at the middle than at its ends. In another embodiment the interleaf is thinner at its middle than at its ends. The elastomer is radially deformed at different axial portions. Axial movement of the inertia member relative to the hub is inhibited, as is sliding out of the elastomer from the inertia and hub members.