Abstract: A hollow tubular balance shaft member having bobweights of minimal mass. The tubular member is preferably made by a deep drawn process. One or more bobweights is positioned in the tubular member during formation thereof. The invention can be used for all vehicle engines which need counterbalancing mechanisms, such as 90° V-6 engines and inline four cylinder engines. Various mechanisms can be used to secure and hold the bobweights in position in the tubular member, such as welding, adhesive bonding, staking, brazing, and the like. One end of the balance shaft member has a drive member on which a drive gear is positioned and used to rotate the balance shaft by the engine.

Abstract: A system for integrating together all the engine driven accessories on a typical automotive engine such that all the basic engine auxiliaries and secondary chassis related accessories are mounted in a compact and rigid assembly. The driving means for the secondary accessories is typically but not restricted to a single Multi-rib V belt driven by a pulley or torsional damper mounted to the front extension of the crankshaft. The auxiliaries and accessories are built into or mounted rigidly to an integrated housing. The integrated housing is mounted to a single surface of the engine block giving the strength and rigidity needed to carry the loads and offering the best accuracy for the location of the accessories to the crankshaft and to each other for best belt life and minimum noise from the belt and pulleys and engine forcing frequencies.

Abstract: A balance shaft for an automobile engine is disclosed. The balance shaft has a hollow tubular body and a pair of end plug members permanently secured thereto, as by welding. Notches or bob weights either in line or 180.degree. out of phase are provided in the two end plug members. The balance shaft is rotated at twice the crankshaft speed in order to balance second order forces.

Abstract: A crankshaft vibration damper which has an unique elastomer member positioned between a hub and outer annular inertia member. The hub is configured for connection to the accessory drive end of the crankshaft. The inertia member may or may not be grooved to accept an accessory drive belt. The resilient elastomer member is dimensionally and chemically developed to dampen torsional and bending vibrations when assembled between a corresponding curved hub and inertia member. The radially outward or inward curvature of the hub and inertia member is selected to be sufficient to effectively reduce crankshaft bending vibration.

Abstract: A hold off valve for use in a two stage pressurizing mechanism to control the transition from a first operational condition to a second operational condition. A stepped piston in the pressurizing mechanism has a first diameter and a second diameter through which an input force sequentially operates a control valve to produce a first operational fluid force and a second operational fluid force in a pressurizing chamber. A relief chamber which is connected to the pressurizing chamber receives the first operational fluid force when the control valve is operated. The hold off valve retains the first operational fluid in the relief chamber until a predetermined pressure build up occurs after which the second diameter independently operates to produce the second operational fluid force.