Abstract: A rubber-metal bonded article with an adhesion promoter in the rubber selected from neoalkoxy zirconates and polyimides. Articles requiring compressed rubber exhibit improved retention of compressive strain after assembly of the article and activation of the adhesion promoter. Also claimed is a method wherein a rubber composition may be fully cured, then assembled between two substrates under compression, then the adhesion promoter activated to form the bond.

Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley journalled to the shaft, a one-way clutch engaged with the shaft, a spring carrier engaged with the one-way clutch, the spring carrier having a spring carrier surface, a torsion spring having a first end laser welded to the pulley and a second end laser welded to the spring carrier, the torsion spring having a volute with a width w, an annular spring support member having a spring support member outside surface, the annular spring support member independently moveable from the spring carrier and independently moveable from the shaft, a gap g between the annular spring support member and the spring carrier, the gap g being less than the width w, the first end comprising a first end coil, the first end coil bearing upon the spring support member outside surface, the first end coil laser welded to the spring support member outside surface, a torsion spring radial contraction limited by engagement with the spring carrier surface, and the gap g and the width w hav

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, a pivot arm pivotally mounted to the base, a spring disposed between the pivot arm and the base, an arcuate damping member engaged on one end of the spring, the arcuate damping member frictionally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm on a shaft, the pivot arm comprising stamped metal and a rolled edge and one or more reinforcing ribs, and the spring and the shaft being laser welded to the pivot arm.

Abstract: A polymeric product with at least one surface subject to wear or abrasion, at least a portion of which product includes microcapsules of an indicator substance which is released to indicate a state of wear has been reached. The microencapsulated indicator substance may be a fragrance or a colorant. The indicating portion or zone may be a layer or a thin sheet of microcapsules in rubber or in the polymeric material making up the body of the product. There may be more than one indicating layer or zone in the product. The various zones may contain different fragrances or colorants, which may provide progressive indication of the state of wear.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm, a torsion spring engaged between the base and the pivot arm, the torsion spring comprising a planar cylindrical portion integrally formed into an end of the torsion spring, and a damping member engaged with the planar cylindrical portion, the damping member frictionally engaging the base and being loaded in an unwinding direction.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, a pivot arm pivotally mounted to the base, a spring disposed between the pivot arm and the base, an arcuate damping member engaged on one end of the spring, the arcuate damping member frictionally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm on a shaft, the pivot arm comprising stamped metal and a rolled edge and one or more reinforcing ribs, and the spring and the shaft being laser welded to the pivot arm.

Abstract: A polymeric product with at least one surface subject to wear or abrasion, at least a portion of which product includes microcapsules of an indicator substance which is released to indicate a state of wear has been reached. The microencapsulated indicator substance may be a fragrance or a colorant. The indicating portion or zone may be a layer or a thin sheet of microcapsules in rubber or in the polymeric material making up the body of the product. There may be more than one indicating layer or zone in the product. The various zones may contain different fragrances or colorants, which may provide progressive indication of the state of wear.

Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley journalled to the shaft, a one-way clutch engaged with the shaft, a spring carrier engaged with the one-way clutch, the spring carrier having a spring carrier surface, a torsion spring having a first end laser welded to the pulley and a second end laser welded to the spring carrier, the torsion spring having a volute with a width w, an annular spring support member having a spring support member outside surface, the annular spring support member independently moveable from the spring carrier and independently moveable from the shaft, a gap g between the annular spring support member and the spring carrier, the gap g being less than the width w, the first end comprising a first end coil, the first end coil bearing upon the spring support member outside surface, the first end coil laser welded to the spring support member outside surface, a torsion spring radial contraction limited by engagement with the spring carrier surface, and the gap g and the width w hav

Abstract: A rubber-metal bonded article with an adhesion promoter in the rubber selected from neoalkoxy zirconates and polyimides. Articles requiring compressed rubber exhibit improved retention of compressive strain after assembly of the article and activation of the adhesion promoter. Also claimed is a method wherein a rubber composition may be fully cured, then assembled between two substrates under compression, then the adhesion promoter activated to form the bond.

Abstract: A rubber-metal bonded article with an adhesion promoter in the rubber selected from neoalkoxy zirconates and polyimides. Articles requiring compressed rubber exhibit improved retention of compressive strain after assembly of the article and activation of the adhesion promoter. Also claimed is a method wherein a rubber composition may be fully cured, then assembled between two substrates under compression, then the adhesion promoter activated to form the bond.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm, a torsion spring engaged between the base and the pivot arm, the torsion spring comprising a planar cylindrical portion integrally formed into an end of the torsion spring, and a damping member engaged with the planar cylindrical portion, the damping member frictionally engaging the base and being loaded in an unwinding direction.

Abstract: An isolating decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley journalled to the shaft, a torsion spring, the torsion spring comprising a flat surface planar in a plane normal to the rotation axis A-A on each end of the torsion spring, a one-way clutch engaged between the torsion spring and the shaft, a weld bead joining a torsion spring end to the one-way clutch, and a weld bead joining the other torsion spring end to the pulley.

Abstract: A composite article having an elastomeric composition with a blowing agent having an activation temperature and providing at least one structural member defining a fixed gap. The composition is formed below the blowing agent's activation temperature into a solid elastomeric member approximately the thickness of or larger than the gap. The elastomeric member is assembled into the gap, which may place the elastomeric member in a state of compression in the gap. The elastomeric member is then expanded by heating it above the activation temperature. During expansion, the escape of the gas produced is limited to increase the state of compression of the elastomer in the gap by means of confining any free surfaces or by including a platy filler such as nanoclay in the composition.

Abstract: A method of forming a bonded part with a press-fit, vulcanized rubber member residing in compression between two rigid members and bonded thereto. The rubber member is a laminate with a core layer between two self-bonding rubber layers. The bonded part may be, for example, a vibration damper, isolator or absorber. The core layer and the self-bonding layers may have the same primary elastomer and cure system type, and the self-bonding layers have an adhesion promoter not present in the core layer. The adhesive layers may be from 0.05 to 1 mm thick or from 5% to 10% of the laminate thickness. The method includes forming a rubber core layer, curing it, applying a rubber adhesive layer on each side to form a laminate, inserting the laminate between two rigid members under compression, and post-curing to form a bonded part. The adhesive layers may be partially cured before inserting.

Abstract: An isolating decoupler comprising a pulley having a pulley inner surface, a hub having a radially extending arm, the radially extending arm having a frictional surface slidingly engaged with the pulley inner surface, a spring fixed to the pulley, the spring intermittently engageable with the radially extending arm, an elastomeric member disposed between the spring and the radially extending arm; and the radially extending arm intermittently engageable with a pulley stop.

Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a shaft (1), a pulley (2) journalled to the shaft, a torsion spring (10) engaged between the pulley and a carrier (9), the torsion spring loaded in an unwinding direction, a wrap spring (11) engaged between the carrier and the shaft, the wrap spring comprising a cylindrical inner portion (94) and a planar outer portion (93) connected by a tapered portion (155), and the inner portion frictionally engaged with the shaft in a winding direction.

Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a shaft (1), a pulley (2) journalled to the shaft, a torsion spring (10) engaged between the pulley and a carrier (9), the torsion spring loaded in an unwinding direction, a wrap spring (11) engaged between the carrier and the shaft, the wrap spring comprising a cylindrical inner portion (94) and a planar outer portion (93) connected by a tapered portion (155), and the inner portion frictionally engaged with the shaft in a winding direction.

Abstract: A method of forming a bonded part with a press-fit, vulcanized rubber member residing in compression between two rigid members and bonded thereto. The rubber member is a laminate with a core layer between two self-bonding rubber layers. The bonded part may be, for example, a vibration damper, isolator or absorber. The core layer and the self-bonding layers may have the same primary elastomer and cure system type, and the self-bonding layers have an adhesion promoter not present in the core layer. The adhesive layers may be from 0.05 to 1 mm thick or from 5% to 10% of the laminate thickness. The method includes forming a rubber core layer, curing it, applying a rubber adhesive layer on each side to form a laminate, inserting the laminate between two rigid members under compression, and post-curing to form a bonded part. The adhesive layers may be partially cured before inserting.

Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a shaft (1), a pulley (2) journalled to the shaft, a torsion spring (10) engaged between the pulley and a carrier (9), the torsion spring loaded in an unwinding direction, a wrap spring (11) engaged between the carrier and the shaft, the wrap spring comprising a cylindrical inner portion (94) and a planar outer portion (93) connected by a tapered portion (155), and the inner portion frictionally engaged with the shaft in a winding direction.

Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a shaft having a shaft projection, a pulley having a pulley projection, the pulley journalled to the shaft, a member pivotally connected to the shaft, the member alternatively engagable with the shaft projection or with the pulley projection, engagement with the pulley by the member causes locked rotation of the shaft with the pulley, and a viscous fluid between the shaft and the pulley, the member immersed in said viscous fluid.