Abstract: A spring clamp for assembly fixturing includes a retainer that limits a minimum distance between jaws of the spring clamp when the spring clamp is in a relaxed state.

Abstract: A spring clamp for assembly fixturing includes a retainer that limits a minimum distance between jaws of the spring clamp when the spring clamp is in a relaxed state.

Abstract: A spring clamp for assembly fixturing includes a retainer that limits a minimum distance between jaws of the spring clamp when the spring clamp is in a relaxed state.

Abstract: A spring clamp for assembly fixturing includes a retainer that limits a minimum distance between jaws of the spring clamp when the spring clamp is in a relaxed state.

Abstract: A spring clamp for assembly fixturing includes a retainer that limits a minimum distance between jaws of the spring clamp when the spring clamp is in a relaxed state.

Abstract: A spring clamp for assembly fixturing includes a retainer that limits a minimum distance between jaws of the spring clamp when the spring clamp is in a relaxed state.

Abstract: An input shaft brake and disconnect apparatus is provided in a housing between an engine and a transmission. The disconnect apparatus has a first cavity that receives pressurized fluid causing a piston to shift and disconnect an input shaft from a clutch. Pressurized fluid is provided to a second cavity to shift a piston that is associated with a single brake disk or double brake disk that are disposed on one or both sides of an input shaft rotor that is retained on an input shaft. The disconnect apparatus and brake allow for quicker shifting.

Abstract: An automated vehicle transmission having a wet clutch and an auxiliary motor that is operatively connected to the transmission to overcome residual torque forces in the wet clutch. Residual torque forces in the wet clutch may prevent disengagement of a gear train and also prevent the transmission from shifting into neutral. A control system determines whether residual torque is resisting the disengagement of the gear train for more than a predetermined time period. According to the method, if a shift is delayed for more than the predetermined time period, the auxiliary motor is actuated to apply an oppositely oriented torque to the transmission gear train to overcome the residual torque and allow the transmission to shift into neutral.

Abstract: A multiple working surface magnetic particle device for transferring torque between two rotatable members is disclosed. The magnetic particle device includes relatively rotatable members defining a gap therebetween containing a magnetically reactive medium. The magnetically reactive medium stiffens in the presence of a magnetic field interlocking the rotatable members. The multiple working surface design allows for a reduction in the size and weight of the magnetic field source resulting in a more compact, lighter weight magnetic particle device.

Abstract: A multiple working surface magnetic particle device for transferring torque between two rotatable members is disclosed. The magnetic particle device includes relatively rotatable members defining a gap therebetween containing a magnetically reactive medium. The magnetically reactive medium stiffens in the presence of a magnetic field interlocking the rotatable members. The multiple working surface design allows for a reduction in the size and weight of the magnetic field source resulting in a more compact, lighter weight magnetic particle device.

Abstract: A water-cooled magnetorheological fluid controlled combination fan drive and water pump (60) used in a cooling system. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber (91) between a drive ring (74) and a driven ring (84) increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the magnetorheological fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid in an activated state creates additional torque to drive an output shaft (108), and coupled fan (110), at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The rotation of the drive ring (74) also rotates an attached impeller assembly (112) having impellers (114) to move engine coolant through the cooling system.

Abstract: An electronically controlled magnetorheological fluid based fan drive assembly 60 used to increase the rotational speed of a coupled radiator cooling fan. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber 99 between a drive ring 74 and an output member 86 increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid can be increased to create additional torque to drive the output member 86 and coupled radiator fan at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The magnetic field is induced by directing a flow of electrical current through an electronic coil 62 coupled within the fan drive assembly 60, and an electronic control unit coupled to the electronic coil 62 controls the amount of electrical current flowing through the coil 62.

Abstract: A water-cooled magnetorheological fluid controlled combination fan drive and water pump 60 used in a cooling system. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber 91 between a drive ring 74 and a driven ring 84 increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the magnetorheological fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid in an activated state creates additional torque to drive an output shaft 108, and coupled fan 110, at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The rotation of the drive ring 74 also rotates an attached impeller assembly 112 having impellers 114 to move engine coolant through the cooling system.

Abstract: An electronically controlled magnetorheological fluid based fan drive assembly 60 used to increase the rotational speed of a coupled radiator cooling fan. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber 99 between a drive ring 74 and an output member 86 increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid can be increased to create additional torque to drive the output member 86 and coupled radiator fan at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The magnetic field is induced by directing a flow of electrical current through an electronic coil 62 coupled within the fan drive assembly 60, and an electronic control unit coupled to the electronic coil 62 controls the amount of electrical current flowing through the coil 62.