Abstract: In a method for leakage flux testing of ferromagnetic material to be tested, in particular ferromagnetic pipes, for detecting defects, a testing volume of the material to be tested is magnetized by a constant magnetic field. A surface of the material to be tested is scanned by a probe arrangement for capturing magnetic leakage fields caused by defects. The probe arrangement has a probe array with a multiplicity of magnetic-field-sensitive probes arranged next to one another in a first direction and held at a finite testing distance from the surface of the material to be tested during the testing. Electrical probe signals are evaluated for qualifying the defects. Use is made of a probe arrangement in which the probes each have a probe width in the first direction which lies in the range from 20% of the testing distance up to 10 mm.

Abstract: In a method for leakage flux testing of ferromagnetic material to be tested, in particular ferromagnetic pipes, for detecting defects, a testing volume of the material to be tested is magnetized by a constant magnetic field. A surface of the material to be tested is scanned by a probe arrangement for capturing magnetic leakage fields caused by defects. The probe arrangement has a probe array with a multiplicity of magnetic-field-sensitive probes arranged next to one another in a first direction and held at a finite testing distance from the surface of the material to be tested during the testing. Electrical probe signals are evaluated for qualifying the defects. Use is made of a probe arrangement in which the probes each have a probe width in the first direction which lies in the range from 20% of the testing distance up to 10 mm.

Abstract: A brake drum includes a generally cylindrical sidewall that is open at one end and at least partially closed by an endwall at its other end. The sidewall preferably has a thickness that vanes along its axial length and preferably is thickest at the end closest to the endwall. In one implementation, the outer surface of the sidewall is generally frustum shaped in cross section with a straight radially tapered outer wall. In another implementation, the outer surface of the sidewall is generally concave or sloped from the first end to a second end spaced from the endwall. In another implementation, the outer surface of the sidewall is generally convex.

Abstract: A brake drum includes a generally cylindrical rub track section that is open at one end and at least partially closed by and endwall at its other end. The rub track cross section preferably has a thickness that varies along its axial length and preferably is thickest at an end closest to the endwall. In one implementation, the rub track is generally frustum shaped in cross section with a straight radially tapered outer wall. In another implementation, the outer wall of the rub track is generally concave or sloped from the first end to a second end spaced from the endwall. In another implementation, the outer wall of the rub track section is generally convex.

Abstract: A brake drum includes a generally cylindrical sidewall that defines at least part of a rub track, and a labyrinth that is generally open at one end and leads to a radially inwardly extending endwall at its other end. The labyrinth portion of the sidewall is preferably thicker than the rub track section. Also, in one presently preferred implementation, a transition between the sidewall and the radially inwardly extending face is thicker than the face and preferably has at least one that is portioned at least as thick as the rub track section. The brake drum may have a comparatively increased stiffness, which may reduce deflections or radially runout caused by eccentricity in the shape of the sidewall and resultant uneven friction and temperature loads in use.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for an engine/transmission combination in a front wheel drive vehicle including a bearing support at either end of the engine/transmission and a pair of elongated torque struts between the vehicle structure and the engine/transmission. The two torque struts extend substantially parallel to one another and are positioned substantially in a vertically extending plane. The torque struts restrain torsionally induced rolling movements of the engine/transmission.

Abstract: A method for measuring the vibration damping of a part. The method comprises the steps of vibrating the part with a contactless vibrator, measuring the output vibrations of the part with a contactless measuring device, determining an input frequency for testing the part, the input frequency being a frequency which uses the smallest gain to cause the part to produce vibrations having an output amplitude equal to a predetermined target amplitude, providing an input to the part with the contactless vibrator such that the part vibrates at the input frequency, simultaneously interrupting the input and using the contactless measuring device to measure as a function of time an output amplitude of vibrations in the part, and determining the rate at which the vibrations in the part are damped.

Abstract: The vibration damping capability of a test part can be computed by vibrating the test part at different frequencies, and measuring the amplitude of the vibrational wave generated in the test part at each input frequency. The test data can be used to generate a measurement curve plotting vibration amplitude against frequency.

Abstract: The vibration damping properties of brake rotors and drums can be represented accurately and repeatably by a single factor obtained from a curve fitting based on an eighth order sine function. A series of test points taken only around one or more vibrational antinodes is used to measure resonant frequencies and vibration decay times around the periphery of a part. This data is then used to determine Q-factors, which are found to vary sinusoidally around an annular brake part.

Abstract: A brake drum has an axially extending cylindrical flange formed with a radially outer surface and a radially inner braking surface. To reduce, if not entirely eliminate brake drum howling and squealing when the brakes are applied, a plurality of stabilizing sections are cast on the radially outer surface of the flange. The stabilizing sections are arranged in equally circumferentially spaced apart relation. Each stabilizing section is slotted or notched to form a plurality of circumferentially spaced serrations to increase flexibility.

Abstract: In order to minimize instability and significantly reduce braking noise, especially at low speeds, a disc brake's hydraulic piston and piston bore (or other brake actuating element), is angled away from the normal direction perpendicular to the pad backing plate and to the rotor. The brake-applying forces are directed in an inward angled direction, generally toward the rotor and toward the leading edge of the brake pads. Such an arrangement results in reactive forces exceeding or at least equaling the magnitude of force couples caused by the thickness of the brake pads thus causing the pads to exert a greater compressive force on the rotor at the trailing edge of the brake pads than at the leading edge of the brake pads when the vehicle is traveling in a to forward direction. This significantly increases stability when the brakes are applied and minimizes braking noise, especially at low vehicle speeds when such brake noise is typically most significant.

Abstract: The vibration damping properties of a brake rotor (or other vibration-prone component) can be measured by vibrating the component part at its resonant frequency, using a magnetic coil that is excited by an A.C. signal having a frequency that is one half the frequency of the vibrating wave generated in the component. The A.C. signal crosses the zero current axis twice per current cycle, so that the magnetic flux in the coil core reverses polarity at the frequency selected for vibrating the part.

Abstract: The vibration damping properties of brake rotors and drums can be represented accurately and repeatably by a single factor obtained from a curve fitting based on an eighth order sine function. A series of test points is used to measure resonant frequencies and vibration decay times around the periphery of a part. This data is then used to determine Q-factors which are found to vary sinusoidally around an annular brake part.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a disc brake pad is disclosed. The disc brake pad has a first end portion provided with a finger engaged in a slot of a reaction block to partially restrain the disc brake pad. The disc brake pad has a substantially unrestrained second end portion which is cantilevered from the first end portion. Braking forces are reacted virtually exclusively against the reaction block which is located externally of and separated from the disc brake caliper assembly.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a disc brake pad which has a first end portion provided with a finger engaged with a reaction surface in a slot of a reaction block to partially restrain the disc brake pad when it is applied against a rotor. The reaction surface is machined at an angle or in an arc to counterbalance the couple which forces the leading end of the disc brake pad inwardly against the rotor. The disc brake pad has a substantially unrestrained second end portion which is cantilevered from the first end portion. Braking forces are reacted virtually exclusively against the reaction block which is located externally of and separated from the disc brake caliper assembly.

Abstract: A cable noise and vibration isolator arrangement for use with an actuator cable assembly having a cable core extending through an outer sheath passageway adapted to interconnect an input actuator with an actuated mechanism. A reactive housing of the arrangement includes an aft larger diameter annular portion and a forwardly extending smaller diameter tubular portion having an axial through-bore terminating in the annular portion with an internal truncated conical surface. A rubber isolator includes a large diameter aft end portion interconnected to a forwardly extending barrel portion by an intermediate body portion formed with an outer truncated conical surface and an inner truncated conical socket. The isolator socket is of sufficient size to receive the truncated conical head portion of the sheath in a conforming self-centered manner.