Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch can function with one or no races as opposed to conventional prior art one-way clutches. In so doing, the overall size and weight requirements of the one-way clutch are drastically reduced, which in turn drastically reduces the overall size and weight requirements of the transmission and vehicle employing the transmission as well. The present disclosure also provides a one-way clutch having an outer race provided by axially spaced plates. An inner race is rotatably mounted with respect to one of the plates and the inner race has a ratchet surface. Ratchet pawls are pivotably mounted with respect to the plates and have unidirectional engagement with the ratchet surface of the inner race. In addition to reducing material and labor production costs, such lessened size and weight penalties translate into higher transmission efficiency and better vehicle fuel economy.

Abstract: Wear bands for heavy duty struts are disclosed. The wear bands include multiple layers such as a base metal layer sandwiched between an outer layer and an intermediate layer along with a solid lubricant layer disposed opposite the intermediate layer from the base metal layer. The outer layer engages an interior surface of the strut housing, which slidably accommodates a rod. The solid lubricant layer, which is the innermost layer, engages an outer surface of the rod so that the wear band is sandwiched between the rod and the housing and provides a solid lubricant layer for engaging the sliding rod.

Abstract: Wear bands for heavy duty struts are disclosed. The wear bands include multiple layers such as a base metal layer sandwiched between an outer layer and an intermediate layer along with a solid lubricant layer disposed opposite the intermediate layer from the base metal layer. The outer layer engages an interior surface of the strut housing, which slidably accommodates a rod. The solid lubricant layer, which is the innermost layer, engages an outer surface of the rod so that the wear band is sandwiched between the rod and the housing and provides a solid lubricant layer for engaging the sliding rod.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for a strut having a cylinder portion and a rod portion is provided. The testing apparatus includes a frame assembly, a loading mechanism, and a rotating assembly. The frame assembly includes a retainer portion configured to hold the cylinder portion of the strut about a first axis. The loading mechanism includes two actuators angularly disposed between the frame assembly and the rod portion of the strut. The actuators can cooperatively load the strut along the first axis. The rotating assembly is coupled between the frame assembly and the rod portion of the strut. The rotating assembly can rotate the rod portion relative to the cylinder portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch can function with one or no races as opposed to conventional prior art one-way clutches. In so doing, the overall size and weight requirements of the one-way clutch are drastically reduced, which in turn drastically reduces the overall size and weight requirements of the transmission and vehicle employing the transmission as well. The present disclosure also provides a one-way clutch having an outer race provided by axially spaced plates. An inner race is rotatably mounted with respect to one of the plates and the inner race has a ratchet surface. Ratchet pawls are pivotably mounted with respect to the plates and have unidirectional engagement with the ratchet surface of the inner race. In addition to reducing material and labor production costs, such lessened size and weight penalties translate into higher transmission efficiency and better vehicle fuel economy.

Abstract: The torque converter includes a torque input member and an impeller assembly operatively coupled with the torque input member. A turbine assembly is connected with the impeller and a lock-up clutch is interposed between the turbine assembly and the torque input member. The lock-up clutch provides torque translation between the torque input member and the turbine assembly and includes an annular piston mounted to the turbine assembly and a friction plate movably supported relative to the annular piston and operatively disposed between the annular piston and torque input member. A first friction member is operatively disposed between the friction plate and the torque input member, and a second friction member is operatively disposed between the friction plate and the annular piston. Torque is translated from the torque input member through the first friction member, the friction plate, the second friction member, and the annular piston to the turbine assembly.

Abstract: The torque converter includes a torque input member and an impeller assembly operatively coupled with the torque input member. A turbine assembly is connected with the impeller and a lock-up clutch is interposed between the turbine assembly and the torque input member. The lock-up clutch provides torque translation between the torque input member and the turbine assembly and includes an annular piston mounted to the turbine assembly and a friction plate movably supported relative to the annular piston and operatively disposed between the annular piston and torque input member. A first friction member is operatively disposed between the friction plate and the torque input member, and a second friction member is operatively disposed between the friction plate and the annular piston. Torque is translated from the torque input member through the first friction member, the friction plate, the second friction member, and the annular piston to the turbine assembly.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for use with a handheld computing system. The connector assembly includes a first connector including a plurality of contact elements. A second connector resides on a cradle and includes a plurality of contact elements that mate with the contact elements on the handheld computer. A coupling structure is configured to extend from the cradle and to couple to the handheld computer. The coupling structure causes a portion of the handheld computer to bias into the cradle so as to direct the first connector to remain in contact with the second connector.