Abstract: A clutch disc consists of a generally annular drive body connectable to an engine side and rotatably movably connected to a generally annular driven body connected to a vehicle drive line. The drive body is formed with a plurality of radially inwardly extending drive side arms. The driven body is formed with a plurality of radially outwardly extending driven side arms. A fluid chamber to be filled with a hydraulic fluid is formed between each drive side arm and each driven side arm. An orifice is formed between the inner periphery of the drive body and the radially outer-most portion of each driven side arm to provide a flow resistance to the fluid flowing between the adjacent fluid chambers, thereby effectively damping torque fluctuation transmitted from the engine side.

Abstract: A shaft coupling comprises two coupling members, which are connected or adapted to be connected to respective shafts. One of the two coupling members is provided on a coupling face with an even number of bores, which have a uniform angular spacing and are either parallel to the axis of rotation of the coupling or radial with respect to said axis. A piston is slidably mounted in each bore and has a coupling end face with is beveled or crowned. Hydraulic lines are provided for applying fluid pressure to each piston at its rear end. The other coupling member is provided on a coupling face with an annular series of alternating elevations and depressions, which also have a uniform angular spacing. By the application of hydraulic pressure to the rear end faces of the pistons, the coupling end faces of the pistons are urged against the elevations and depressions.

Abstract: An assembly (19) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. Assembly (19) includes a spring assembly (20) and a vane damper assembly (22) disposed in parallel and immersed in automatic transmission fluid of a torque converter housing (24). The spring assembly (20) isolates driveline torsionals and the damper assembly dissipates the torsionals. The damper assembly (22) includes first and second relatively rotatable housing members (66,68) respectively connected to the spring assembly output (62b) and input (62a). Members (66,68) are also frictionally interconnected by surfaces (68a,74a). Housing members (66,68) define chambers (78a,78b) containing the transmission fluid and which vary inversely in volume in response to flexing of the spring assembly (20) by the driveline torsionals. As the chambers vary in volume, energy from the torsionals is converted to fluid pressure in the chambers decreasing in volume.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping torsional vibrations in the power trains of motor vehicles has a first flywheel connected to the crankshaft of the engine and a second flywheel which is rotatable relative to the first flywheel and can be coupled to the input shaft of the change-speed transmission by a friction clutch. Angular movements of the flywheels relative to each other are opposed by a hydraulic damper, by an elastic damper and by a friction generating device. The hydraulic damper has pairs of chambers for a viscous fluid medium which is caused to flow from one chamber to the other chamber by way of one or more flow restrictors in response to angular movements of the flywheels relative to each other.

Abstract: An elastic axial-rotation coupler has two inelastic devices for respective, inelastic connection to the two axially-rotatable structures, one of the devices defining an annular chamber therein. The annular chamber may be open radially inwardly, but is closed axially and radially outwardly by the inelastic device defining it. At least one resilient element is in the annular chamber and connected to each device for rotatably coupling them resiliently and, thereby, so coupling the axially-rotatable structures which can be connected to the devices. The resilient element preferably is a rubber-elastic body. At least when the structures axially rotate the devices, a liquid is also in the annular chamber for impinging on the resilient element where the centrifugal force of its rotation with the devices would distort it. The liquid preferably has substantially the same density as the resilient element.

Abstract: A viscous coupling for a drive shaft has an elongated tubular first shaft and an elongated cylindrical second shaft extending into and cooperating with the first shaft to define a cylindrical clearance therebetween. Bearings for accommodating both relative rotation and axial displacement of the first and second shafts are interposed therebetween at opposite ends of the clearance. Seals are associated with the bearings to hermetically seal the ends of the clearance, which is filled with a viscous fluid. The viscous resistance of the fluid to rotation of one shaft relative to the other provides a means of transmitting torque therebetween.

Abstract: A mechanism (19) disposed in a torque converter housing (24) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. The mechanism comprises a viscous coupling (22) including a housing (64) having two sidewalls (24a, 68) defining a chamber (70) containing a viscous liquid, and a clutch member (72) disposed in the chamber for viscous clutching coaction with the housing. One of the sidewalls (24a) is defined by an end wall of the torque converter housing. The housing and clutch member are interconnected by a spring assembly (20) including flat torsion springs (61, 62) which transmit steady-state driveline torque and isolate driveline torsionals. The inner surfaces (24b, 68a) of the housing each include two circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces separated by the clutch member. The clutch member has oppositely facing surfaces (72b, 72c) each which include two flat circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces.

Abstract: An assembly (19) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. Assembly (19) includes a spring assembly (20) and a vane damper assembly (22) disposed in parallel and immersed in automatic transmission fluid of a torque converter housing (24). The spring assembly (20) isolates driveline torsionals and the damper assembly dissipates the torsionals. The damper assembly (22) includes first and second relatively rotatable housing members (66,68) respectively connected to the spring assembly output (62b) and input (62a). Members (66,68) are also frictionally interconnected by surfaces (68a,74a). Housing members (66,68) define chambers (78a,78b) containing the transmission fluid and which vary inversely in volume in response to flexing of the spring assembly (20) by the driveline torsionals. As the chambers vary in volume, energy from the torsionals is converted to fluid pressure in the chambers decreasing in volume.

Abstract: A torsional vibration viscous damper coupling arrangement for a manual transmission countershaft. The coupling includes a first driven gear journalled on the countershaft and in constant mesh with the input shaft gear. A second driven gear is fixed on the countershaft and is in constant mesh with a speed gear journalled on the main shaft. The first and second driven gears each have a set of longitudinally extending mirror image axial teeth sized to mesh in a loose fitting manner. A diametrical through-bore extends through the countershaft intermediate the first and second driven gears. The spaces between the teeth communicate with the through-bore to define a viscous fluid chamber enclosed by a sleeve surrounding the meshed teeth and sealed to the driven gears. Viscous fluid in the chamber provides a dampening medium obviating the transfer of torsion vibrations from the input shaft to the countershaft.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a damper disc comprising a spline hub; a radial flange formed at the hub; a case connected to facings; circumferentially spaced plural compressible coil springs connecting the case and the flange together; sealed spring chambers formed around the springs by the case or a cover; sealed narrow spaces connecting the spring chambers together; and spring seats disposed at both ends of the springs; said chambers and spaces being filled with oil, so that the oil applies a resistance force to the moving spring seats. At least one of side surfaces of a portion of the flange radially inside the springs may be provided with radially spaced annular protrusions, and the cases may be provided with annular protrusions engaging with the protrusions on the flange with narrow spaces therebetween.

Abstract: A shaft coupling assembly having a first and a second internal fluid chamber system, each containing therein a fluid medium which is placed under pressure when torque is transmitted through the coupling assembly, each of the fluid chamber systems including a plurality of chambers and a plurality of channels which converge from a common point placing the channels in flow communication with each other and which interconnect the plurality of chambers of each of the systems. The channels of the first and the second systems are axially offset relative to each other and each of the systems is designed to create a throttling effect offering resistance to flow of the fluid medium within each of the systems. The coupling assembly enables compensation for axial, radial, angular and/or torsional shaft offset and, additionally, makes it possible to damp the vibrations in an axial, radial, angular and torsional direction and to adjust the stiffness of the coupling assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a tensioner for a power transmission belt that is adapted to be operated in an endless path is provided and comprises the steps of providing a support unit for being fixed relative to the belt, providing a belt engaging unit to be carried by the support unit and be movable relative thereto, operatively associating a mechanical spring unit with the support unit and the belt engaging unit for urging the belt engaging unit relative to the support unit and against the belt with a force to tension the belt, operatively associating a fluid dampening unit with the support unit and the belt engaging unit to dampen the movement of the belt engaging unit relative to the support unit in at least one direction thereof, forming the mechanical spring unit to comprise a pair of springs disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation, disposing at least a part of the fluid dampening unit between the springs and in substantially parallel relation therewith, and forming the fluid dampening unit to compris

Abstract: A mechanism (19) disposed in a torque converter housing (24) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. The mechanism comprises a viscous coupling (22) including a housing (64) having two sidewalls (24a, 68) defining a chamber (70) containing a viscous liquid, and a clutch member (72) disposed in the chamber for viscous clutching coaction with the housing. One of the sidewalls (24a) is defined by an end wall of the torque converter housing. The housing and clutch member are interconnected by a spring assembly (20) including flat torsion springs (61, 62) which transmit steady-state driveline torque and isolate driveline torsionals. The inner surfaces (24b, 68a) of the housing each include two circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces separated by the clutch member. The clutch member has oppositely facing surfaces (72b, 72c) each which include two flat circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a damper disc comprising a spline hub; a radial flange formed at the hub; a case connected to facings; circumferentially spaced plural compressible coil springs connecting the case and the flange together; sealed spring chambers formed around the springs by the case or a cover; sealed narrow spaces connecting the spring chambers together; and spring seats disposed at both ends of the springs; said chambers and spaces being filled with oil, so that the oil applies a resistance force to the moving spring seats. At least one side surfaces of a portion of the flange radially inside the springs may be provided with radially spaced annular protrusions, and the cases may be provided with annular protrusions engaging with the protrusions on the flange with narrow spaces therebetween.

Abstract: A mechanism (19) disposed in a torque converter housing (24) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. The mechanism comprises a viscous coupling (22) including a housing (64) having two sidewalls (24a, 68) defining a chamber (70) containing a viscous liquid, and a clutch member (72) disposed in the chamber for viscous clutching coaction with the housing. One of the sidewalls (24a) is defined by an end wall of the torque converter housing. The housing and clutch member are interconnected by a spring assembly (20) including flat torsion springs (61, 62) which transmit steady-state driveline torque and isolate driveline torsionals. The inner surfaces (24b, 68a) of the housing each include two circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces separated by the clutch member. The clutch member has oppositely facing surfaces (72b, 72c) each which include two flat circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces.

Abstract: A torsional oscillation damper having first and second damping members mounted for rotation about a common rotational axis and a coupling member arranged in torque transmitting engagement therebetween, the coupling member being in fixed rotative engagement with the first damper member and capable of being axially displaced relative to at least one of the damper members in the direction of the rotational axis. A spring device operates to apply a force to the coupling member against the axial direction of displacement thereof and the coupling member is movable over an axial slip surface between the coupling member and the second damper member acting during relative rotation between the coupling member and the second damper member.

Abstract: The torsional vibration damper which is suited in particular for the clutch disk of a motor vehicle friction clutch has two damper parts (13, 17) rotatable relative to one another around a common rotational axis (7) over a defined rotational angle, which damper parts (13, 17) together enclose at least one, preferably, at least three, damper chambers (33, 35) sealed outwardly and at least partially filled with a hydraulic fluid. A roller body (37) is arranged in each damper chamber (33, 35) which roller body (37) divides the damper chamber (33, 35) in the circumferential direction into two spaces (39, 41) whose relation of volume changes during the relative rotation of the damper parts (13, 17). A throttle connection (47) between the two spaces (39, 41) makes possible the compensation of the hydraulic fluid as a by-pass connection to the roller body (37).

Abstract: A spring steel, liquid-damped shaft coupling in which the torque is transmitted between an inner part and an outer part coaxial therewith by means of radial spring elements disposed in discrete liquid-filled chambers, the liquid in any chamber being displaced, in response to a relative movement, by the spring elements into the adjacent chamber; outwardly axially parallel torsion spring elements are provided on the radial spring elements and connect the same to the outer coupling part. To increase the torsional resilience, therefore, a torsion tube is connected to each radial spring element and projects axially on one side relative to the radial spring element; and a torsion bar extends in the torsion tube, is frictionally secured to the projecting end thereof, and at its other end engages in the outer coupling part at a distance from the radial spring element in such a way as to rotate solidly with the outer coupling part.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an elastic coupling of disc construction. The coupling has a central disc which is positioned within an inner chamber that is defined by two side discs, and the side discs are joined together at their peripheries. The discs are attached at a hub at their axes. The side discs are of greater circumference than the central disc. A projection extending in from the side discs toward the central disc has circumferentially opposite abutment surface sides. In the central disc, a recess is defined into which the aforesaid projection extends. The recess has opposed abutment surface sidewalls, and each of these abutment surface sidewalls is opposed to a respective abutment surface side on the projection.

Abstract: A resilient shaft coupling having damping by liquid displacement. Resilient elements, which extend radially of the axis of rotation, are disposed between the driving and driven members of the coupling, the resilient elements being connected to the outer driven coupling member (the outer ring), and having their free ends received in axial recesses in the generated surface of the inner driving member of the coupling. Each resilient element extends between liquid-filled chambers bounded by filling elements, the liquid responding to a relative movement between the driving and driven members of the coupling by being displaced from the chamber into the adjacent chamber bounded by the resilient elements. The spring elements on their end faces have journal pins which engage, with the interposition of bearing sleeves, in corresponding bores in the outer driven coupling member, one or both of the journal pins being directly connected to the driven coupling member to rotate positively therewith.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly for absorbing shocks encountered by a drill string having a working fluid flowing therethrough wherein the shock absorber assembly includes a housing affixed to the drill string, a mandrel mounted for reciprocal longitudinal movement with respect to the housing, and a fluid dampening member replaceably sandwiched between the mandrel and housing for absorbing shocks transmitted between the mandrel and the housing during drilling operations.