Abstract: A two-piece sector plate is employed in an automotive vehicle transfer case. The sector includes a rotatable body and a cam block movably coupled thereto with a biasing device disposed therebetween. A shift rail mode pin rides along a camming surface of the cam block and along a camming surface of the sector body, wherein the camming surfaces have different radii. A method of operating the two-piece sector plate is also provided.

Abstract: Light metal tappets have been widely used in an internal combustion engine instead of conventional steel tappets. On the upper surface of a top wall of a body, a wear resistant cam receiving plate is put, and a projection of the cam receiving plate is engaged in a groove of the top wall, so that the cam receiving plate is integrally connected with the body, thereby making the tappet smaller and lighter.

Abstract: In machines for reshaping cylindrical metal bodies, wherein the machines include pairs of opposite, axially aligned ram assemblies, cams are provided for axially positioning tooling rams slidably supported by ram housings. The cams are provided having axially opposite cam guide surfaces, and cam followers are mounted on one axial end of each tooling ram with a cam follower being pivotally mounted to the tooling ram and biased into contact with a cam guide surface.

Abstract: A cam device includes an armlike cam follower for moving a lift unit upward and downward, and a plate cam having a cam contour face in contact with the cam follower. The cam is formed in a side surface thereof with a recessed portion having an inwardly facing periphery which provides a guide face extending along the cam contour face. A movable roller is in bearing contact with the guide face. The cam follower and the movable roller are biased toward each other by and elastic member.

Abstract: A direct-acting hydraulic tappet having a cup-like tappet body which includes a cylindrical projection extending inwardly from the base of the body and in which the hydraulic element of the tappet is received. A resiliently deformable diaphragm is received in the space formed between the peripheral wall of the tappet body and the cylindrical projection. The diaphragm defines two concentric outer and inner annular wells for allow oil entering the tappet body from an external source to overflow from the outer well into the inner well to provide a supply of deaerated oil to the low pressure inner chamber of the tappet. The diaphragm is fixed to the tappet body by being received in slots formed in the body and in the cylindrical projection, or by means of a press fit therein.

Abstract: A direct-acting hydraulic tappet which includes a roller cam follower which is received in a plastic block mounted in a piston slidingly received within the tappet body. The plastic block includes upwardly extending fins which straddle the engine cam to maintain alignment of the roller with respect to the cam. The plastic block is formed to define an annular low pressure reservoir between it and a lower portion of the piston, and ports are formed in the bottom of the piston to permit oil flow between the annular reservoir and a high pressure chamber defined between the bottom of the piston and the bottom of the body. A check valve in the form of a flat disk is fixed to the piston in position to close the ports when the high pressure chamber is pressurized.

Abstract: To increase available space for intake ports in an internal combustion pushrod type overhead valve engine, pushrod and pushrod bores running adjacent the ports are repositioned away from the ports. New valve lifters are provided with pushrod seats which are offset in the desired direction. Further offset is also provided by boring new valve lifter bores for the new valve lifters, which valve lifter bores have longitudinal axes that are also offset in the desired direction. Rocker arms are also provided with pushrod seats being offset in the same direction and by the same magnitude as the offset pushrod seats and the valve lifters. This offsetting of the pushrods away from the adjacent ports allows additional space for increasing the size and cross-sectional area of the ports to increase the breathing and power of the engine.

Abstract: A variable screw-driven system includes a rotatable drive screw powered by a motor actuator. A nut is disposed about the drive screw and is linearly translatable in response to rotation of the drive screw. The nut carries a cam follower which travels within a cam track. Linear translation of the nut is altered by tracking of the cam following within the cam track such that rotation of the nut is effected simultaneously with rotation of the drive screw resulting in an effective variable pitch of the variable screw-driven system wherein linear translation of the nut results from both rotation of the drive screw and rotation of the nut.

Abstract: A tappet (1) for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, which tappet (1) is guided for axial displacement in a reception bore of a cylinder head by a skirt (3) and is closed by a bottom (4) at a cam-proximate end, the skirt (3) comprising a first bush-like section (6) and a second bush-like section (7) of approximately equal diameter separated from each other preferably in a region of a central transverse plane, the first section (6) being connected to the bottom (4), while the second section (7) proceeds longitudinally from the first section (6), characterized in that the hardened first bush-like section (6) is connected to the unhardened second bush-like section (7) by interlocking and a method and apparatus for its preparation.

Abstract: A stepping apparatus capable of large angle oscillation comprising an output shaft and a driving shaft arranged parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other wherein the output shaft is provided with a roller wheel plate, both sides of the wheel plate being pivoted with a plurality of alternately spaced rollers, a pair of plate cams being secured on the driving shaft for driving in combination with the rollers on both sides of the wheel plate, allowing the driving shaft to drive the output shaft for reverse angular rotation, standstill, forward angular rotation, indexing, and other stepping sequential operations.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism of a turret index which performs index rotation by the use of an index mechanism to transmit output shaft motion and perform positioning by a three-piece toothed coupler. The present invention uses a hydraulic system to control the division and the combination of the three-piece toothed coupling to attain the turret's precise positioning and comprises a piston ring on the output shaft. The area of the piston ring's end plane which is subjected to hydraulic pressure, is greater than the area of the slider's end plane inside the three-piece toothed coupler and its end plane is also subjected to hydraulic pressure. At the same time the three-piece toothed coupler is in meshing, the output shaft can obtain an inward pulling force to prevent the output shaft from propping up only a very small distance.

Abstract: A vehicle shifter having a cable actuator that is responsive to the ignition key steering lock mechanism of a vehicle and actuates a cable attached to and extending between the key mechanism and the shifter. A cam responsive to the shifting of the shifter's handle is operatively connected to the cable actuator so that when the key is turned off, the cam locks the handle in "Park" and when the ignition key is turned on, the cam can be pivoted by the handle to actuate the cable actuator which actuates the cable to prevent the ignition key from being withdrawn. Preferably, the cable actuator is also a cam which is engaged and pivoted by the first-mentioned cam to actuate the cable. A safety mechanism is provided to prevent damage to the cable and other elements in the event an inadvertent force is exerted on the shift lever.

Abstract: Between the end of a valve and a valve-operating cam in an internal combustion engine, a valve lifter is inserted. A filler enclosing portion is formed between a shim and the body of the valve lifter. Through an opening from an injector, a filler is introduced into the filler enclosing portion, so that valve clearance is corrected to zero. Differences in valve clearance can be easily corrected.

Abstract: A double-headed piston type compressor has a disk plate. The disk plate is rotatably supported on a drive shaft for driving each piston along a reciprocating path. The plate is curved in a single direction to form a solid cam on its surface. The cam transforms a single rotation of the plate into two reciprocating movements of the piston. Cam followers provided between the plate and the piston are formed to be conform with the shape of the cam. The cam followers contact and roll on the piston, and slide on the cam.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster which includes a seal element acting between the body and the plunger. The check valve of the lash adjuster is normally open, and effective leakdown to compensate for negative lash is provided by controlling the distance traveled by the check valve in moving from its open to its closed position.

Abstract: The rolling/sliding outer ring of the cam follower apparatus is made to withstand peeling very well, even in severe lubrication conditions, by forming a surface layer in the depth 0 to 50 .mu.m from the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring, such that the maximum residual compressive stress in this surface layer is between 50 and 110 kgf/mm.sup.2, the hardness of this surface layer is between Hv 830 and Hv 960, and the amount of residual austenite in the surface layer is at least 7 volume %, and formed with continuous minute irregularities on the surface with convexities of the irregularities having an equivalent roundness diameter up to 15 .mu.m for the case that the concavities of the irregularities are assumed to occupy 80% of the total surface area, while the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring is superfinished.

Abstract: A tappet in a direct acting type valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine comprises a top wall and a cylindrical portion. The upper and lower surfaces of the top wall contacts a rotary cam and the end of a stem of an engine valve respectively. A hard metal layer is formed at the upper and lower surfaces of the top wall to increase strength thereof, thereby increasing wear resistance and durability of the tappet.

Abstract: A valve actuation assembly is disclosed for use on an internal combustion engine. Retention of the roller shafts within the lifter body is through a wire c-ring which engages circumjacent internal and external ring grooves located in the shaft opening in the lifter body and on the outer circumference of the roller shaft. The c-shaped wire ring is formed so that, in its free state, it has an outside diameter larger than the groove in the shaft opening but, in an elastically collapsed state, its outside diameter is no larger than the shaft diameter. When the roller-shaft assembly is installed in the shaft opening of the lifter body, the c-shaped wire ring is elastically collapsed into the shaft groove.

Abstract: A tappet is used in an internal combustion engine of vehicles. A core material of the tappet has a helical groove on the outer circumferential surface, and a wear resistant coating layer the ends of which are chamfered. In the vicinity of the end of the core material, the helical groove gradually becomes smaller toward the end, thereby preventing peaks of the helical groove from exposure to the outside.

Abstract: A structural component (21) is moved axially back and forth with the aid of a closed cam (40A) arranged on a rotating cam carrier (33) for mechanically entraining cam follower rollers carried by the structural component. At least one roller (26) of a pair of rollers contacts one cam surface of said closed cam with a controlled contact force. For this purpose the contact force between the cam follower rollers and the respective cam surface is varied during one cam revolution in such a way that in an angular range (41) of the reversing point (O.T., U.T.) the contact force of at least one cam follower roller that transmits the motion in the respective direction, is increased to such an extent that this force corresponds at least to the inertia force resulting from the brake application or acceleration of the component to be moved. Outside of the angular range (41) the cam follower rollers (26, 27) are kept in contact with the cam surfaces with a minimal force.

Abstract: A shim for a tappet is used in a valve operating mechanism in an internal combustion engine. On the surface of the shim which a cam slidably contacts, there are provided a number of bores in which lubricating oil is put. When an oil film disappears on the surface by slidable contact with the cam, oil overflows from the bores onto the surface. By increasing oil-keeping capability on the surface of the shim, frictional resistance is reduced, thereby preventing wear in the shim and the cam. The bores may be filled with a lubricating solid such as molybdenum disulfide or plastics, such as polyethylene, silicone and Teflon.RTM.. The diameter of the bores may become larger as the bores extend away from the surface of the shim, thereby preventing the solid material from being displaced from the bores. The density of the bores on the shim surface can also be varied. The density of the bores in the central area of the shim surface can be greater than in the surrounding area.

Abstract: A method of leakproof first filling of a hydraulic valve actuating tappet (1) with hydraulic oil,a) comprising almost completely filling the central oil reservoir (7) together with a high pressure chamber (18) situated axially between the bottom (11) of the pressure piston (10) and the guide sleeve (5), and the annular oil reservoir (17), with hydraulic oil, andb) filling at least the supply bore (19) leading to the annular oil reservoir (17), with a lubricating grease or a pasty material (20) which is flow-resistant at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle shifter having a cable actuator that is responsive to the ignition key steering lock mechanism of a vehicle and actuates a cable attached to and extending between the key mechanism and the shifter. A cam responsive to the shifting of the shifter's handle is operatively connected to the cable actuator so that when the key is turned off, the cam locks the handle in "Park" and when the ignition key is turned on, the cam can be pivoted by the handle to actuate the cable actuator which actuates the cable to prevent the ignition key from being withdrawn. Preferably, the cable actuator is also a cam which is engaged and pivoted by the first-mentioned cam to actuate the cable.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a backlash-free cam drive which can be subjected to an impact load. The cam drive includes: a housing defining a longitudinal axis; a cam follower assembly mounted in the housing so as to be displaceable along the axis fixed against rotation about the axis; an adjusting member mounted on the housing so as to be rotatable about the axis and relative to the cam follower assembly; and, a cam formed in said adjusting member so as to define two mutually adjacent guide cams extending along a guide path.

Abstract: A hydraulic tappet includes a cam sliding portion, a skirt portion and a spring holding portion. The structure has an arrangement that the cam sliding portion is made of ceramic and oil is reserved in the spring holding portion. There is provide a hydraulic tappet capable of efficiently using motive power from a crank shaft, reducing transmission loss and improving the efficiency of the engine.

Abstract: A roller cam follower for an internal combustion engine. The cam follower includes a roller assembly consisting of an insert member formed of a conformable plastic material and an axleless roller received in a cavity formed in the insert, the material of the insert closely conforming to the contour of the roller. Various adaptations of the inventive cam follower structure are shown; including a light weight mechanical valve lifter, a hydraulic lash adjuster, a rocker arm and a mechanical direct acting tappet; all of which include means for conducting oil from the exterior of the cam follower to the roller cavity.

Abstract: A tappet is provided with a hydraulically actuated piston and a clutch member so that the valve is inoperative in a first switching position, whereas, it carries out lifting movements for controlling the charge cycle in a second switching position. The tappet interacts with a cam of a camshaft. A locking element is associated with the clutch member and interacts with a valve stem which unlocks the locking element in a defined cam path range and when a valve stem of the valve is dipped into a bore of the clutch member.

Abstract: In a transfer feeder in which transfer bars are driven in a feeding direction by swinging a feed lever (4) through a cam-follower (5) by a feed cam (2) mounted to a camshaft (1) rotated by power taken out of a transfer press, a control circuit controls air pressure of a rear cushion cylinder (6) pushing the feed lever to the feed cam to an optimum value in response to a production speed of the press.

Abstract: Roller tappet can be manufactured with less machining steps to reduce the manufacturing cost. The tappet case consists of two members, i.e. case member and yoke member for supporting a roller. These members are coupled together by fixing the top end of the yoke member to the bottom of the case member.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention consists of a housing containing 1) a "cam-motor" mechanism 2) an input shaft and 3) an output shaft that may or may not be collinear with the input shaft. The "cam motor" mechanism linking the input and output shafts is capable of an infinite variety of motion transfer functions between the input and output shafts. A "cam-motor" or cam-modulated linkage provides the transfer function. Output motion can be specified to be any of a large variety of displacement profiles (either clockwise and or counter-clock wise) including several dwells and controlled accelerations and decelerations between them. Input motion can also be specified and can have either constant or variable velocity.

Abstract: An empty/load mechanism for controlling the brake pressure on a railroad car is mounted inboard on the web of the car body side sill having a lower flange. A pivotable sensing arm reaches around the side sill flange and has a horizontal contact shaft at its free end for contact with the upper surface of a truck side frame for operating the mechanism in response to the distance between the car body and the truck.

Abstract: A transmission arrangement includes a plurality of transmission linkages, of which at least one performs an oscillating movement which is repeated during each period. A control cam is formed on a first transmission linkage and a feeler roller is rotatably mounted on a second transmission linkage. The control cam and a contact surface of the feeler roller are in operative rolling contact during at least part of a period repeating in the respective periods. The second transmission linkage has a degree of freedom with respect to a bearing support which allows shifting due to deflections of the feeler roller mounted on the second transmission linkage as a result of a relative movement between the control cam and the feeler roller.

Abstract: An energy balance apparatus includes a drive shaft which experiences torque loads. A properly formed face cam is attached to the shaft and a force is applied against the surface of the face cam via a cam follower. An actuator mechanism is attached to the cam follower to force the cam follower against the cam surface. Also, a release mechanism is connected to the actuator mechanism to selectively release the applied force.

Abstract: Apparatus for interlocking independent control handles for throttle action, dynamic brake action and reverser action, within a control stand for a railway locomotive to permit controlled removal of a reverser control handle in which a first and second cam disks are mounted to a first and second axle for rotation with a throttle handle and a dynamic brake handle such that the disks will interlock with each other so that neither the throttle or dynamic handle can be rotated unless the other is in an "off" position, and having a pivotal lock member secured to the reverser axle, with a member thereon adapted to pivotally lock the reverser lever handle in place when it is secured to the reverser axle.

Abstract: Gradient gels for electrophoresis are produced by an apparatus in which a pair of syringes are mounted on a support rack together with cams arranged for synchronous rotation. Cam followers engaged by the cams are linked to the syringe barrels, with each cam defining a distinct spiral path translated by one of the cam followers into a preselected rate or rate profile of volumetric discharge from one of the syringes as the cam rotates. With the rate or rate profile established by one cam being distinct from the rate or rate profile established by the other, a gradient or other variation in composition is obtained when the syringe discharges are combined into a common stream and directed to the gel enclosure for solidification into a gel. The gradient or variation in composition is determined by the cam profiles alone, and is independent of the rate at which the cams are rotated, and of whether or not the rotation is performed in a steady manner.

Abstract: A cam, pawl and sector gear locking arrangement useful in vehicle seat adjusters is provided which maintains better engagement over a wider range of positioning of the cam and is more forgiving of misplacement of the cam or the sector gear with respect to the pawl due to build tolerances or wear conditions.

Abstract: A brake operating mechanism comprises a frame, an articulatable beam movable relative to the frame, a force reacting fulcrum movable relative to both the frame and the beam and pivotably supporting the beam, and resilient means acting on one end of the beam. The other end of the beam is, in use, connected to a brake operating element, such as a brake cable. The fulcrum is movable, in use, between a first position in which the beam is in a maximum loading condition with the brakes, which the mechanism operates, applied and in which the beam is force balanced resiliently about the fulcrum and a second position nearer the one end of the beam than when in its first position and in which position the beam is unloaded as a result of the resilient means becoming grounded-out by the frame so as to render the force balance ineffective and allow the brakes to become released.

Abstract: A cam follower assembly is provided which has a bearing outer ring on an inner cylinder, with two rows of cylindrical rollers there-between. The rollers are provided with crowned end portions and are held in place by inturned flanges at ends of the bearing outer ring. A thrust washer is carried by the inner cylinder, and projects outwardly into a space between the two rows of cylindrical rollers, to accommodate endwise thrust load, such that endwise thrust is transferred between the bearing outer ring and the inner cylinder by passing through the rollers of a single row of cylindrical rollers. The inner cylinder is provided with a mounting shaft adapted to be mounted in a carrier and fastened together therewith.

Abstract: A valve actuation assembly is disclosed for use on an internal combustion engine. The assembly includes a cam follower having a follower body. The follower body has an upper head portion and is configured to receive a pair of spaced rollers therein. The rollers are mounted on shafts in the follower body and extend outwardly from the head portion to engage corresponding spaced cam surfaces of a rotatable camshaft for actuating the valve lifter and, consequently, an associated engine valve. The head portion of the follower body cooperates with the inner sidewalls of the rollers to define a space therebetween for straddling a radially outwardly extending spacer mounted for rotation on the camshaft between the spaced cam surfaces. The side surfaces of the outwardly extending spacer are operable with corresponding sidewalls of the rollers to prevent rotation of the cam follower relative to the camshaft.

Abstract: A rolling/sliding member for use in conditions of rolling and/or sliding contact with a mating member opposed to the rolling/sliding member under the following conditions;(a) the rolling/sliding member are formed with a large number of fine protrusions and depressions in at least the surface area which comes into contact with the mating member,(b) the total volume per unit area of the fine depressions is in the range of 5.times.10.sup.-8 to 5.times.10.sup.-7 cc/mm.sup.2, and(c) the average volume of the fine depression is 10 to 100 .mu.m.sup.3.

Abstract: A controller comprises a valve body having a valve element and a valve seat defining a fluid cannel openable and closable with a reciprocating upward and downward movement of a valve stem, a casing fixed to an upper portion of the valve body, an operating rod provided in an upper inside portion of the casing upwardly and downwardly movably, a drive device for moving the rod upward and downward, and a transmission device provided in a lower inside portion of the casing for transmitting a force acting on the rod to the valve stem.

Abstract: A circuit switching mechanism for use in a high voltage circuit breaker is disclosed. The disclosed mechanism comprises a charging system (12); trip latch mechanism (14); an opening spring (16); a closing spring (18) positioned coaxially with the opening spring; a support structure (22) supporting the open and closing springs; and a first rod member (24) operatively associated with a circuit interrupter, the first rod member being operatively coupled to the open and closing springs such that discharging of the opening spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a first direction and discharging of the closing spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a second direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water-supply valve of a washing machine in which the consumption of electric power can be minimized in opening and closing the valve to supply water into and block off the water supply from a washing tub of the washing machine. In the water-supply valve, an actuator rod is elevated against downward biasing force of a spring by a magnetic force of the solenoid generated by applying a voltage thereto, and then is retained at its uppermost position by a stopper. The stopper has a guide groove of an inverted-heart shape formed therein, which has four guide surfaces.

Abstract: A cam assembly and method for providing a substantially constant load to a motor that drives the cam assembly. A torque compensated cam assembly (142,300) includes a plurality of tracks (140,150,152/310,312,314) that are profiled with a surface that varies radially as the cam rotates, thereby actuating cam followers, each of which rolls along a different track. A tangential force developed by the cam followers as they move over rapid radial changes in the surfaces of the tracks produces a total net torque that at times tends to aid the rotation of the cam and at times tends to impede its rotation. In the application of the torque compensated cam assembly disclosed, the cam is used in a volumetric pump (30) that accurately delivers a desired volume of fluid at a desire rate. To assist in maintaining the accuracy of these parameters, the torque compensated cam assembly presents a substantially constant load to a motor (146,304) that drives the cam.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device is shown having a cartridge attached to a valve, and an actuator. The valve houses a stem which is activated by the actuator to move between an open and a closed position. The actuator includes a cam having a cam surface and a roller which rides along at least a portion of the cam surface. A yoke, which is moved by the roller, is interconnected to a plunger which is attached to the stem. The cartridge includes an upper piston, a lower piston, and a plug having a channel therethrough, positioned between the pistons, the upper piston being spring biased towards the plug. The pistons are positioned in relation to the plug and cartridge housing so as to form an upper and lower reservoir, which are substantially filled with fluid, preferably ethylene glycol. The lower piston is capable of being in contact with the actuator yoke.

Abstract: A mechanical valve lifter for racing applications. A very light weight valve lifter is formed by a structure which includes a thin-walled tubular outer member and a solid core member having spaced apart flanges or disks formed integral therewith to support the outer member. A plasma transferred arc welded cam-contacting surface is formed on one end of the lifter and a pushrod-contacting surface is formed on the other end.

Abstract: A cam follower with a roller for use with an engine, the roller adapted for rolling contact with a cam on a camshaft. The roller is formed with minute recesses arranged in random directions so that an RMS(L)/RMS(C) ratio is not more than 1.0 wherein RMS(L) and RMS(C) are surface roughness root mean square values in the axial and circumferential directions, respectively. An SK value, another surface roughness parameter, should be not more than -1.6. This degree of roughness represents a higher surface roughness than prior art cam followers, provides greater oil retention and therefor better lubrication.

Abstract: A tappet for the valve drive of an internal combustion engine comprising a hollow cylindrical housing arranged with its thin-walled jacket for axial displacement and a receiving bore of a cylinder head which is optimized with respect to its reliability and its operating weight while at the same time, using a thin-walled element to delimit the annular oil reservoir by a reliable manufacturing method.

Abstract: A tappet and shim assembly is disclosed for operating directly between a valve and a camshaft lobe in an internal combustion engine. The assembly comprises a tappet having a shallow cylindrical recess in one end that is concentric with an outer cylindrical surface of the tappet. A dual-diameter cylindrical shim is provided with concentric small and large diameter cylindrical portions wherein the large cylindrical portion has a diameter that is sufficiently large so that a flat end surface thereof contacts with a lobe of a camshaft without the lobe contacting the edge of this surface. The small diameter portion of the shim is received in the recess of the tappet and the diameter of the outer cylindrical surface of the latter is made just slightly larger than that of the large diameter portion of the shim so that the latter is received with clearance in the bore in which the tappet is received.

Abstract: An anti-lock braking system (ABS) pressure modulator is provided. The modulator includes a frame with a bore fluidly exposed to master cylinder and wheel cylinder connections and a check valve for preventing fluid communication from the master cylinder connection to the wheel cylinder connection vi the bore. A piston is slidably mounted within the bore and has a predetermined extreme position at which a stem of the piston opens the check valve. A power device is actuated by an ABS controller. A cam, moved by the power device, has a cam surface. The position of the piston is determined by the cam. A cam follower roller is connected with the piston to in contact with the cam surface. A one-way brake prevents rotation of the roller when the cam moves in one rotational direction to allow the piston to move away from the predetermined extreme position, but allowing the roller to roll over the cam surface when the cam moves in the opposite direction to move the piston toward the predetermined extreme position.