Abstract: A slip joint includes a structure that prevents a negative pressure situation from occurring within a sealed lubricant chamber during operation thereof. The slip joint includes a male splined member having a plurality of external splines formed thereon that cooperate with a plurality of internal splines formed on a female splined member. The cooperating splines are disposed within a lubricant chamber defined at one end by a seal assembly and at the other end by a pressure regulator assembly. The pressure regulator assembly includes a housing having an open end that faces toward the lubricant chamber. A pressure plate is disposed within the housing of the pressure regulator assembly and is supported for sliding movement relative thereto. A spring urges the pressure plate toward the open end of the housing and the lubricant chamber.

Abstract: A center bearing assembly rotatably supports an intermediate portion of a vehicle driveshaft assembly during use. The center bearing assembly includes a rigid bracket that is secured to a support surface of the vehicle, a support member that is supported within the rigid bracket, and an annular bearing that is supported within the support member for rotatably supporting the intermediate portion of the vehicle driveshaft assembly. The support member is formed from a resilient material and has a cavity formed therein. A sponge is disposed within the cavity formed in the support member. The sponge may be formed from any material that is capable of absorbing or otherwise retaining a quantity of a rheological fluid therein. A control circuit is provided for selectively generating and applying an energy field to the Theological fluid contained within the sponge and thereby varying the resistance to flow or shear thereof. As a result, the vibration dampening characteristics of the support member can be varied.

Abstract: A center bearing assembly rotatably supports an intermediate portion of a vehicle driveshaft assembly during use. The center bearing assembly includes a rigid bracket that is secured to a support surface of the vehicle, a support member that is supported within the rigid bracket, and an annular bearing that is supported within the support member for rotatably supporting the intermediate portion of the vehicle driveshaft assembly. The support member is formed from a resilient material and has a cavity formed therein. A plurality of bladders is disposed within the cavity formed in the support member. Each of the bladders is filled with a quantity of a rheological fluid. Fluid communication between adjacent pairs of the bladders is provided by respective control valves. A control circuit is provided for selectively generating and applying an energy field to each of the control valves so as to vary the ability of the rheological fluid to flow therethrough between the associated pair of bladders.

Abstract: A center bearing assembly rotatably supports an intermediate portion of a vehicle driveshaft assembly during use. The center bearing assembly includes a rigid bracket that is secured to a support surface of the vehicle, a support member that is supported within the rigid bracket, and an annular bearing that is supported within the support member for rotatably supporting the intermediate portion of the vehicle driveshaft assembly. The support member is formed from a resilient material and has a cavity formed therein. A sponge is disposed within the cavity formed in the support member. The sponge may be formed from any material that is capable of absorbing or otherwise retaining a quantity of a rheological fluid therein. A control circuit is provided for selectively generating and applying an energy field to the Theological fluid contained within the sponge and thereby varying the resistance to flow or shear thereof. As a result, the vibration dampening characteristics of the support member can be varied.

Abstract: A center bearing assembly rotatably supports an intermediate portion of a vehicle driveshaft assembly during use. The center bearing assembly includes a rigid bracket that is secured to a support surface of the vehicle, a support member that is supported within the rigid bracket, and an annular bearing that is supported within the support member for rotatably supporting the intermediate portion of the vehicle driveshaft assembly. The support member is formed from a resilient material and has a cavity formed therein. A plurality of bladders is disposed within the cavity formed in the support member. Each of the bladders is filled with a quantity of a rheological fluid. Fluid communication between adjacent pairs of the bladders is provided by respective control valves. A control circuit is provided for selectively generating and applying an energy field to each of the control valves so as to vary the ability of the rheological fluid to flow therethrough between the associated pair of bladders.

Abstract: A slip joint includes a structure that prevents a negative pressure situation from occurring within a sealed lubricant chamber during operation thereof. The slip joint includes a male splined member having a plurality of external splines formed thereon that cooperate with a plurality of internal splines formed on a female splined member. The cooperating splines are disposed within a lubricant chamber defined at one end by a seal assembly and at the other end by a pressure regulator assembly. The pressure regulator assembly includes a housing having an open end that faces toward the lubricant chamber. A pressure plate is disposed within the housing of the pressure regulator assembly and is supported for sliding movement relative thereto. A spring urges the pressure plate toward the open end of the housing and the lubricant chamber.

Abstract: An adapter for facilitating the measurement of the angular inclination of components having yokes secured thereto in a vehicular drive train system. The adapter includes a cylindrical shaft portion having an end portion connected to one end thereof. The shaft portion is sized to correspond to the diameter of the opposed bearing cup openings, whether cylindrical as found in a full round end yoke or semi-cylindrical as found in a half round end yoke. The end portion extends perpendicular to the cylindrical shaft and provides a surface upon which an inclinometer may be disposed to measure the relative angular orientation of the yoke. If desired, a slot may be formed in the surface of the shaft portion to accommodate one or more nibs formed on the half round end yoke.

Abstract: A half shaft assembly includes a half shaft having inboard and outboard ends with constant velocity universal joint inner races secured thereto. A universal joint cage and ball assembly encircles each inner race. An outer race encircles each cage and ball assembly. A protective elastomeric convoluted semi-hyperbolic boot is provided. The boot has divergent inboard and outboard ends and a convergent center. The convergent center has an inner diameter sized to fit snugly around the half shaft. The divergent inboard and outboard ends are secured to their respective inboard and outboard constant velocity universal joint outer races by a separate clamp.