Abstract: A device reducing the deleterious torque in a shock absorbing, rotary drive coupling unit used with a rotary mine drilling machine comprising: a drive plate connectable to a drive shaft of the rotary drilling machine, a driven plate connectable to a driven shaft which has a drill bit, a center portion for coupling the drive plate to the driven plate wherein the center portion includes a deformable shock, vibration and torque-absorbing member, and torque-relief means comprised of a first engagement member(s) connectable to the drive plate and a second engagement member(s) connectable to the driven plate. When the drill bit snags or jams during the operation of the rotary drilling machine, the torque-absorbing member deforms and absorbs some of the torque generated therefrom.

Abstract: A flexible dual-rate coupling (20) including an outer member (22), and inner member (24), and a free-floating intermediate member (26). First and second elastomers (28) and (44) provide the dual-rate spring rate characteristics for the coupling (20). First elastomer section (28) is disposed between pocket (50) formed in outer member (22) and outer surface (52) of intermediate member (26) and provides a first spring rate. Second elastomer (44) is disposed between intermediate member (26) and inner member (24) and provides a second spring rate. At a low load, one of the elastomer sections (28) or (44) is delimited (snubbed) to provide dual-rate features for the flexible coupling (20). Both the sections (28) and (44) are preferably pure shear sections which are bonded in the same bonding operation.

Abstract: A pump driven by an electric motor includes a stator, a rotor cooperating with the stator, a rotating drive-shaft associated to the rotor, a hermetically sealed chamber, and a disk wheel within the sealed chamber and joined to the drive-shaft. The sealed chamber is sealed by a first ring gasket around the drive-shaft and in the sealed chamber and a second ring gasket fixed to the drive-shaft and against the first ring gasket. The first and second ring gaskets are pressure coupled to each other. At start-up of the motor, the rotor or the stator is allowed to turn freely for a certain initial arc without torque being applied to the coupling so that inertia can be accumulated to overcome resistance of the coupling when the torque is subsequently applied to the coupling.

Abstract: A wing gap closure flap is positioned in an aircraft wing so that a gap between the wing structure and the leading edge of a landing flap can be closed during normal cruising positions of the landing flap and opened when the landing flap is in a starting position or in a landing position. The gap is formed on the underside of the aircraft wing and the gap closure flap is operated by a positioning shaft which itself is driven through a drive lever linkage by the drive shaft for the landing flap. The wing gap closure flap is connected through a lever mechanism to the positioning shaft which is preferably divided into shaft sections where a plurality of wing gap closure flaps are used. Each shaft section is driven by the landing flap drive shaft. A defined motion of the wing gap closure flap or flaps is achieved in that the positioning of the wing gap closure flaps is synchronized in a limited angular range with the positioning of the landing flap by the cooperation of the respective drive mechanisms.

Abstract: A two-stage shaft coupling has inner elastomeric bodies between polygonal surfaces of a hub and an opening in the flange and outer coupling members which come into play subsequently in windows elongated in the direction of rotation and spaced around the axis in the flange. The two sets of coupling elements are not axially offset to provide a relatively flat shaft coupling.

Abstract: A transmission for a washing machine which uses an off center gear in combination with a rack and pinion agitation mechanism, a brake clutch, and a drive clutch to provide the agitation and the high speed spin of the washing machine. A lost motion interconnection between the machine's motor and the rack and pinion agitation mechanism allows a measure of relative rotation for actuation of the clutches without movement of the agitator.

Abstract: An improved vehicle transmission which substantially reduces the noisy rattle normally produced by interengagement of the input shaft and the input drive gear of the transmission when the engine of the vehicle is operating at idle speed and the transmission is in neutral. The input shaft and the input drive gear are in constant driven relationship. In the inventive structure, the interengageable spline teeth of the input shaft and the input drive gear of the transmission are provided with a greater backlash than is normally used. The intermittent firings of the engine normally cause nonsynchronous rotation of the input shaft relative to the input drive gear with attendant engagement of their respective spline teeth. The increased backlash provides greater spacing between the interengaging teeth which substantially eliminates the engagement of the spline teeth and attendant rattle noise.

Abstract: A torsion damper, in particular for a motor vehicle clutch, comprises two coaxial parts, namely a primary coaxial part and a secondary coaxial part which are mounted for relative rotation against the action of springs, with friction member also being arranged to act between the two coaxial parts. The friction member comprise a radially acting friction ring in the form of a sleeve, meshing, with a clearance, with one of the coaxial parts, together with a radially acting spacing ring, which is coaxial with the friction ring and which engages either the outer or the inner periphery of the latter, the spacing ring being mounted on the other one of the coaxial parts for rotation with that part.

Abstract: A flexible drive shaft coupling with two stage torsional flexibility. The exible drive shaft coupling allows axial, radial, and bending misalignment of the input and output shafts while vibrationally isolating the shafts from one another. At low torque, power is transmitted from the input shaft through an elastomeric ring to the output shaft. At higher torque the elastomeric ring is deformed to allow contact between a less resilient snubber assembly and a drive plate mechanically connected to the output shaft. Power is transmitted through less resilient snubber assemblies which provide for greater power transmission. The axis of the coupling can be provided with a flexible spool assembly to allow transmission of exhaust mass from the input shaft to the output shaft.

Abstract: A gear is comprised of a central radial hub, a radial gear-toothed rim and a stress dissipating structure.

Abstract: A variable cam phaser (VCP) is disclosed in various modifications. The VCP includes a piston responsive to pressure in a fluid chamber having an inlet orifice and a plurality of outlets including a first outlet and a plurality of second outlets. A valve slide is movable to cover said second outlets one after another to pressurize the fluid chamber to displace the piston against a return spring. Outer and inner splined slides are drivingly mated with an internal helical spline of a cylindrical body secured to a sprocket and an external helical spline of a stub shaft secured to a camshaft. The splined slides are disposed between the piston and the return spring. Thus, movement of the piston and splined slides assembly in response to pressurization or depressurization of the fluid chamber advances or retards the valve timing or phase angle of the camshaft relative to the sprocket.

Abstract: A non-backlash toothed wheel mechanism comprises, an internal gear, and an external gear mating with the internal gear wherein at least one of the internal gear and the external gear has a circumferentially arranged gear teeth array and at least two gear parts each of which has gear teeth forming a part of the circumferentially arranged gear teeth array, a positional relation between the gear parts is changeable, and the mechanism further comprises elastic means for urging one of the two gear parts relatively to another one of the two gear parts to change the positional relation between the gear parts so that each of the gear parts mates with another one of the internal gear and the external gear to reduce a backlash between the one of the internal gear and the external gear and the another one thereof.

Abstract: A method to adjust the angular position of a camshaft, which is related to the arc of a crankshaft rotation, to a setpoint angular position with the help of a final controlling element that is triggered by an actuating signal from a controlling device that becomes operational when a control program is run. The final controlling element is able to be triggered in each case by one of three values of the actuating signal; the re-adjustment rate (v.sub.-- ESTIMATED) of the camshaft is estimated for its level at the beginning of the subsequent program run; from this re-adjustment rate and the known time response (c, v.sub.-- END) of the camshaft re-adjustment, after the switch is made to the actuating signal from the hold value, a special adjustment angle (.alpha..sub.-- ESTIMATED+) is estimated; and the change is already made from the early or late value of the actuating signal to its hold value when the deviation between the adjustment angle (.alpha..sub.

Abstract: A fail safe, segmented drive shaft system includes a segment support assembly (16) comprising a ball bearing (26), for primary rotation, disposed within a journal bearing (28), for secondary rotation, which is disposed within an elastomeric damper (30) that has a vibration probe (34) placed in it for failure detection, and a coupling assembly (18) comprising a flexible diaphragm (66, 67) for primary, flexible coupling between segments and gear teeth (72, 73) which engage for secondary coupling upon failure of the diaphragm (66, 67). The teeth are not concentric with the rotational axis, so vibration indicates failure of the primary flexible coupling.

Abstract: A driving power transmission system has a rotary base supported for rotation as one with a driving shaft rotated in forward and reverse directions at controlled rotational velocities and a driving power transmitting member rotatably supported by the driving shaft. The rotary base and driving power transmitting member are interconnected by an elastic connecting member. A rotational position control member is provided for controlling the rotational position of the driving power transmitting member with respect to the rotary base. During constant speed rotation, the driving power transmission system transmits the rotational driving power of the driving shaft through the elastic connecting member to the driving power transmitting member to prevent torque ripples produced in the driving shaft from being transmitted to a driven unit.

Abstract: A tensioning device for imparting torsional bias to a shaft. The tensioning device includes an adapter member connectable to the shaft for conjoint rotation therewith. A first hub member is selectively rotationally engageable with the adapter member. A first coupling member is attached to the first hub and a second coupling member is attached to the adapter member. The coupling members provide selective rotational engagement of the first hub member to the adapter member such that the first hub member and the adapter member are relatively rotatable with respect to one another through a preselected degree of relative rotation and such that the first hub member is engageable with the adapter member upon sufficient relative rotation of the first hub member in a first rotational direction with respect to the adapter member such that further rotation of the first hub member provides a corresponding rotation of the adapter member in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: An overload clutch limits the transmittable torque moment by permitting an override when a certain compression force is exceeded. For this purpose a drive shaft meshes with a disk provided with a number of holes in which balls are received. The disk has an axial thickness smaller than the diameter of the balls so that the balls can be uniformly exposed to a compression force exerted by a compression spring through a disk or bushing bearing on the balls. The balls cooperate with an entraining cam disk. As long as the torque to be transmitted is smaller than the compression force, the balls engage cam ribs on the entraining disk and transmit the torque. When the input torque exceeds the compression force, the balls override the cam ribs.

Abstract: A hydraulic adjusting device for rotating a camshaft relative to its drive wheel which includes a coupling member, which cooperates with the drive wheel and with the camshaft via a pair of gear tooth systems, at least one of which is a helical gear. The coupling member is connected to an actuator, which is embodied as a single-acting cylinder. This singleacting cylinder is acted upon by pressure that is variable by a control valve. The restoration of the coupling member or of the actuator takes place only from the restoring moment upon the actuation of the valves of the engine by the camshaft.

Abstract: An outer ring for a vibration proof homokinetic joint has inner and outer casings. Vibration proof members made of an elastic material are disposed between the inner and outer casings. The outer casing is formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof with protrusions angularly spaced therebetween. The inner casing is formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof with grooves angularly spaced therebetween to receive the protrusions therein with predetermined gaps formed therebetween and extending in the direction of rotation of the joint. The vibration proof members are mounted between the adjacent protrusions and between the inner peripheral surface of the outer casing and the outer peripheral surface of the inner casing.

Abstract: An elastic universal coupling is constructed with the inner peripheral portion of a housing member provided at the end of a shaft and the outer peripheral portion of a yoke mounted to a cross shaft, with the housing yoke connected with each other through an elastic member. Further, through-holes for receiving a pin projecting from the outer peripheral of the yoke are provided at the housing member, and the inside diameter of the through-holes is larger than the outside diameter of the pin.

Abstract: Safety device for control or regulation systems of drive units of a printing machine having at least individual sub-aggregates thereof mechanically disconnected from one another, a plurality of motors connected via respective gear transmissions to the sub-aggregates for driving them in synchronous rotation, at least one measuring device for ensuring synchronous running of the sub-aggregates, and a device for controlling the rotary speed or the torque of the motors connected to the measuring device, further includes a clutch disposed between the gear transmissions of two of the at least individual sub-aggregates located adjacent one another, the clutch having clutch halves respectively connected to a synchronously running gearwheel of the respective gear transmissions, the clutch halves being connected to one another for transmitting torque when a preset rotational-angle difference between the clutch halves is exceeded.

Abstract: A torque clipping mechanism embodying the concepts of the present invention is adapted to obviate torque spikes from being imparted to the transmission of a vehicle by the crankshaft of an engine during the start-up and shut-down procedures for that engine. The torque clipping mechanism operates in conjunction with a torque transfer device that is operatively connected between the crankshaft, which delivers torque from the engine, and the rotatable input shaft of a vehicular transmission. A spring is employed to effect the application of the torque transfer device, but the spring allows slippage of the torque transfer device upon the application of a pre-determined torsional force to the torque transfer device. Hydraulic fluid acting under centrifugal force is employed to preclude slippage when the rotational speed of the power output shaft exceeds a predetermined rate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rotating mechanism for a crystal ball including a spring means, a driving gear connected with the spring means, a driven gear engaged with the driving gear and having a rectangular protuberance at the center, a supporting frame mounted on the driven gear and having a hole for receiving the rectangular protuberance of the driven gear, a turning member arranged on the supporting frame and formed with a rectangular hole adapted to receive the rectangular protuberance of the driven gear and two arms extending upwardly from two ends thereof, a rod installed on the turning member and having a rectangular hole, and a disc having a downwardly depending rod with a rectangular end adapted to be received in the rectangular rod of the rod.

Abstract: An input shaft is coupled to an output shaft through a constant velocity joint in which tangentially oriented constraints, spaced 120.degree. apart and resiliently connected, effect the coupling. The input and output shafts have radially projecting pins thereon which abut axially projecting pins on a center coupling element. Tensioned coil springs extend between the radially projecting pins on the input and output shafts while contact element bearings are disposed between the center coupling element and shafts. Alternatively, the input and output shafts are each connected to a center element by tangentially extending wire elements. Alternatively, the shafts are coupled directly to one another with tangentially oriented constraints connected directly to the shafts or shaft elements rather than being connected through an intermediate coupling element.

Abstract: A reversible drive system is provided that is particularly adaptable to low-power drives in which precision mechanical control must be obtained with the lowest possible cost and the highest reliability. The drive is described as incorporated in a lead screw drive in which a control nut reciprocates between two fixed positions. At the end of the movement in one direction, the control nut strikes a fixed abutment that stops the motion thereby increasing the load on the drive motor and causing an increase in the current drawn by the motor. This increase in current is utilized to disconnect the power source from the motor. In such systems, in particular where there is a large reduction in the speed between the motor and the driven object, as with the use of a lead screw drive arrangement, it is desirable to store energy at the end of each stroke that is available to decrease the starting torque required to reverse the direction of motion.

Abstract: An electric motor acts through a gear train to rotate an output shaft in one direction while a torsion spring rotates the shaft in the opposite direction when the motor is de-energized. When the output shaft stops abruptly at a limit position after being rotated by the spring, a lost-motion drive connection permits the output gear of the drive train to rotate relative to the shaft in order to dissipate kinetic energy through the gear train and to avoid impact loading of the gear train and the motor.

Abstract: A steering coupling structure is disclosed which includes a cylindrical bushing mounted in a transmission line of a steering force in a steering system of a motor vehicle, such that an axis of the bushing extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the steering system. The cylindrical bushing includes an inner sleeve connected to one of the input and output shafts of the steering system, an outer sleeve disposed radially outwardly of the inner sleeve and connected to the other shaft; and an annular elastic body interposed between the input and output sleeves for elastic connection thereof.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus including a rotary member drivingly connected to an engine crankshaft for rotation with the engine crankshaft, and a drive mechanism for transmitting rotation of the rotary member to a camshaft. The drive mechanism includes a piston member provided for reciprocation between first and second positions within the rotary member to rotate the camshaft with respect to the rotary member. The piston member defines first and second pressure chambers on the opposite sides thereof along with the rotary member. A valve member is provided for movement between third and fourth positions. The valve member is adapted to connect the first pressure chamber to a pressure source while connecting the second pressure chamber to a drain port to produce a pressure differential between the first and second pressure chambers to move the piston member toward the second position when the valve member moves from the third position to the fourth position.

Abstract: A valve timing phaseshifter between two members, such as a crankshaft driven housing and a driven camshaft member, that are hydraulically interconnected by fluid trapped in hydraulic cylinders containing plungers connected to the camshaft, relative movement between the cylinders and plungers providing the phaseshifting and being controlled by a valve that is axially movably mounted within the camshaft and hydraulically connected thereto by sets of helical grooves that are aligned or misaligned as a function of axial movement of the valve in response to the call for phase adjustment, the valve being movable from a neutral position to other positions in opposite directions to control the flow of fluid under pressure to the cylinders to cause the drive and driven members to rotate unitarily or for the camshaft to be advanced or retarded as the case may be, with respect to a conventional timing schedule.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the control times on a control drive of an internal combustion engine, with a gear by the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, the gear being located on a camshaft for actuating the gas shuttle valve, for which the camshaft can be adjusted relative to the gear over a limited range of angles of rotation. To achieve simple construction, the camshaft can be freely twisted relative to the gear over at least one specific angle of twist in both directions of rotation, and the camshaft is coupled to the gear.

Abstract: A telescopic coupling for use in applications such as the steering systems of heavy trucks. The coupling has modes and includes a female member, a male member, and an interposed member which are connected together in a main sliding system operable in a first operating mode in which the male and female members are axially slidable relative to one another and the coupling is rotatable substantially without circumferential play. The female member, the male member, and the interposed member are joined together in a second sliding system operable in a second operating mode in which the male and female members are axially slidable relative to one another and the coupling is rotatable with a limited amount of circumferential play. The secondary sliding system ensures the safety of the main sliding system in the event of wear of the latter by the appearance of circumferential play in the coupling.

Abstract: A rotational phase difference adjusting device for adjusting a rotational phase difference between a first rotational member and a second rotational member, comprises, an input member connected to the first rotational member to be rotated thereby, an output member arranged coaxially with the input member and connected to the second rotational member to rotate it, a differential device for connecting the input member to the output member to be rotated thereby and for generating a difference in rotation between the input member and the output member, and a damping device including a viscous fluid which is arranged between the input member and the output member so that a vibration of a relative movement between the input member and the output member is absorbed by a viscosity of the viscous fluid, and including a sealing device for holding the viscous fluid between the input member and the output member against a slide movement of the sealing device between the input member and the output member, wherein the sli

Abstract: A torsion attenuator for boat transmissions including a primary part coupled with the flywheel of a motor, a secondary part coupled with the input shaft of a reversing gear, which secondary part can be rotated relative to the primary part, plural elastic elements acting in a direction opposite the direction of the relative rotation and arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation between the primary part and the secondary part. At least one friction element is also provided for inhibiting the relative rotation and arranged between the primary part and the secondary part. In order to make possible a large relative rotation between the primary and secondary parts and with the elastic elements being of a specific given length, it is provided that the elastic elements on the primary part and/or on the secondary part and the structure associated therewith are supported on a sloped plane active in peripheral direction.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus comprises a rotary member drivingly connected to the crankshaft for rotation with rotation of the crankshaft, and a drive mechanism for transmitting rotation of the rotary member to the camshaft. The drive mechanism includes a piston member provided for reciprocation to rotate the camshaft with respect to the rotary member. The piston member has a pressure chamber formed therein. The piston member is urged resiliently in a first direction. The piston member is movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to a pressure introduced into the pressure chamber. The valve timing control apparatus also includes first and second conduit. The first conduit has a first outlet for connection to the pressure chamber. The second conduit has a second outlet for connection to the pressure chamber. The second outlet is spaced away from the first outlet in the first direction of movement of the piston member.

Abstract: A device comprising a ring coupled on its inside surface to a steering column and coupled on its outside surface to a member such as the hub of a steering wheel, the ring being adapted to be displaced in translation by means of a control member, at least one of the couplings being adapted to determine in addition to translation of the ring angular displacement of the hub relative to the steering column, the control member comprising a screw with its axis parallel to the rotation axes of the members and which, by cooperation with the ring on the one hand and the hub on the other hand, is adapted to bring about translation of the ring by virtue of commanded rotation.

Abstract: A device for driving telescopic power antenna for vehicles including a drive cylinder connected to an antenna motor, a driven cylinder which is concentrical with the drive cylinder and controls the extension and retraction of the antenna when rotated by the drive cylinder, and a transmisson mechanism interposed between the drive an driven cylinders. The transmission mechanism includes a projection formed on the drive cylinder, a circular groove formed on the driven cylinder, a coil spring installed in a manner to expand and contract in the direction of the length of the groove, and a pair of arc shaped cores installed in the coil spring. The coil spring and the cores ae compressed by a specific displacement-pressure relationship when the projection moves along the groove and presses one end of the coil spring when a relative rotation occurs between the drive and driven cylinders.

Abstract: A torsion damping device comprises two coaxial parts, one of which consists of a damper plate and a hub coaxial with the damper plate, the hub and damper plate having cooperating teeth defining a circumferential clearance between them so that the hub and damper plate are able to undergo a limited relative angular displacement which is defined by a circumferential clearance between the two sets of teeth.A ring extends parallel to the damper plate and has a further set of teeth, of resilient material, complementary to the hub teeth and meshing with the latter so as to define a further circumferential clearance between the resilient teeth and the hub teeth. This further circumferential clearance is smaller than that between the two sets of teeth of the damper plate and the hub themselves. In addition, the set of teeth on the hub is extended axially so that it can mesh with the teeth on both the damper plate and the ring.

Abstract: A phase change mechanism for a camshaft of an internal combustion engine comprises a drive member to be connected to the camshaft drive train, a driven member to be connected to the camshaft, a coupling element interposed between, and movable relative to, the drive and driven members, and means connecting the coupling element for rotation with the drive and driven members in such a manner that the phase of the driven member relative to the drive member is dependent upon the position of the coupling element.

Abstract: An intermediate shaft assembly including a first shaft element coupled to a center shaft element for rotation therewith and longitudinal bodily shiftable movement relative thereto, an elastomeric ring around the center shaft element, a second shaft element having a midsection around the center shaft element, attaching lugs on the center and the second shaft elements each connected to the elastomeric ring whereby a torque path is defined between the first and the second shaft elements through the elastomeric ring, and an elastomeric bushing between the center shaft element and the midsection of the second shaft element for reinforcing the intermediate shaft assembly against beam bending.

Abstract: A replaceable xerographic cassette is coupled to a rotatable driving shaft in a copying machine by a rotary drive coupling member in which a splined drive shaft of the cassette engages as the latter is inserted into the machine. To accommodate angular misalignment of the shafts, the coupling member is of two-part form and two parts can rotate relative to one another as the shaft is being inserted, to take up any misalignment that may exist.

Abstract: The articulation mechanisms is made particularly of irreversible satellite mechanisms connected to one another by a connection bar. The connection bar has, on one of its portion, a member with toothings subjected to action of a spring which, when the connection bar is in position between two cams of the articulation mechanisms, causes a rotation of these cams and of the satellites related thereto for taking up the manufacturing and mounting clearances.

Abstract: A coupling is in two parts. One part is connected to the element to be driven and that part is a flat-face, circular member with three spaced grooves on its face and three spaced grooves on its circular edge. The second part is connected to the drive element and is a three jaw chuck with wedges on the jaws to engage the grooves on the circular edge of the first part. The three jaws have spring-biased projections that engage the grooves on the face of the first part to initially have the second part drive the first part.

Abstract: A hydraulic transmission coupling apparatus which is used instead of a center differential or a viscous coupling being usually mounted between a front wheel drive shaft and a rear wheel drive shaft of a four-wheel drive vehicle, and transmits driving force existing between the two shafts. The hydraulic transmission coupling apparatus is provided with a vane-type hydraulic pump which generates hydraulic pressure corresponding to a relative rotation speed difference of the two drive shafts and a variable throttle valve being disposed in the passage connecting a discharge port of the hydraulic pump with a tank, whose opening area varies according to the hydraulic pressure generated by the hydraulic pump, thereby driving force to be transmitted being increased or decreased steeply as the rotation speed difference becomes larger.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus having progressive cavity drive train which includes a progressive cavity device and a coupling for converting the complex motion of the rotor into simple rotation. The coupling includes a sealed universal joint assembly coupling yokes formed on a first stub shaft to yokes formed on the second stub shaft. The sealed universal joint assembly includes a cross member assembly having a cross member and a sealing cup. The cross member has a central body and two sets of pin portions extending from the body. Each set of pin portions includes two pin portions having coincident axes. The pin portions of one set are transverse to the pin portions of the other set. The sealing cup is fixed to each of the pin portions of the cross member. The sealing cup includes connecting sleeve portion fixed to the pin portion of the cross member, a flexible elastomeric section secured to the sleeve portion and a hollow upon portion enclosing the end of the pin portion.

Abstract: A device (10) for varying the angular phase relationship between a camshaft (12) and a crankshaft (not shown) in response to a control signal including a drive member (18) rotating synchronously with an engine crankshaft, a driven member (16) synchronously rotating with the camshaft on a common axis with the drive member. A coupling assembly (42) interlinks the two members and includes an actuator element (76) positionable to selectively vary the phase relationship between the members. An energy storage mechanism (100) including an inertia member (106) and a spring (104) converts kinetic energy from transitory speed differentials between the driven and inertia members to potential energy for selective release by a latch mechanism (144) in driving connection between the energy storage mechanism and the actuator element.

Abstract: A method of attaching a stepper motor to a throttle shaft provides constant torque transmission by connecting the shafts coaxially with a coupling that accommodates limited shaft misalignment and movement. In the preferred embodiment, the coupling comprises a fork, parallel to, and attached to, one shaft that receives a pin, perpendicular to, and attached to, the second shaft. The coupling permits the coaxial attachment of the shaft without the necessity of maintaining precise mounting tolerances.

Abstract: A manual transmission (14') having a counter-shaft assembly (50) with a torsion damping mechanism (34) disposed therein to mitigate in-gear rattle of transmission gears. The countershaft assembly is mounted for rotation in a transmission housing (36). Assembly (50) includes a cluster gear (58) having a plurality of ratio gears (68-76) fixed thereto, a driven gear (60) journaled on the cluster gear and stops (58f, 60g) to limit relative rotation. The torsion damping mechanism includes a torsion bar (64) fixed at its ends to driven and cluster gears (60, 58), an energy damper having coulomb friction surfaces engaged by Belleville springs (80) and by opposing axial forces provided by helical gear teeth of the countershaft assembly.

Abstract: Device for reducing mechanical rattle in a splines connection between a shaft (15) and a sleeve element (4) surrounding the shaft, especially between the input shaft to a vehicle gearbox and the hub sleeve of the clutch disc. The device consists of a metal washer (6) with less backlash against the splines (16) of the shaft (15) than the hub sleeve. The washer is biassed by means of a spring washer (8) against a frictional surface (10) of the hub sleeve. The frictional torque is selected so that the washer when shifting between normal engine drive and engine braking rotates relative to the hub sleeve, but is fixed relative thereto when idling.

Abstract: An elastically coupled joint comprises a shaft for transmitting rotary motion, a housing in which the shaft is concentrically inserted, an elastic member provided between the shaft and the housing, and a stopper for preventing excessive displacement between the shaft and the housing. The housing is provided, at an end thereof with a yoke for supporting a spider of a universal joint. The elastic member is provided with a tubular outer ring and a cylindrical elastic body fixed on the inner side of the outer ring. The shaft is pressure fitted into the central portion of the elastic member. The stopper is composed of a pin member inserted in a penetrating hole formed in the housing, the elastic member and the shaft. The penetrating hole may be formed such that the stopper pin is received in the shaft with a press fit, with each end portion of the pin having a predetermined uniform circumferential gap to the housing and the outer ring.

Abstract: An intake manifold (18) for an engine (10) includes a Roots-type supercharger (26) having a torsion damping mechanism (54) for reducing audible rattle of timing gears (72,74) which prevent contact of meshed lobes (28a,29a) of the supercharger rotors (28,29).