Abstract:
A multi-disc brake system for automotive vehicles includes a plurality of discs slideably supported on a hub and a plurality of brake pads slideably supported on a bridge projecting from a stationary knuckle body. The pads are moved by a piston into selective braking engagement with the discs. An outer pad retainer is bolted to the bridge. A supplemental mechanical interlock feature couples the retainer releasably but securely to the bridge independently of the bolts. The pad retainer may alternatively be formed as one piece with the bridge and the bridge formed with a slideway having an access opening for installing and removing the pads for slideable movement therealong. The discs may further be supported on the hub by means of a supplemental support which enables sliding movement of the discs along the hub but limits the travel beyond at least one end of the hub so that discs remain on the hub independently of any support provided by the interleaved brake pads.
Abstract:
A shaft assembly with recirculating ball roller joint unit for use with an automotive steering column or the like has an inner shaft extending lengthwise within an outer shaft. A recirculating ball joint is provided between the shafts. The ball joint includes a shell assembly having two shells which together surround the inner shaft. Each shell has an outer cage, an inner cage and a retainer defining ball races, with balls recirculating in the races in rolling engagement with the inner shaft.
Abstract:
A suspension damper comprises a cylinder tube and a control partition. The cylinder tube is disposed within a reservoir tube to define a fluid reservoir, and has at least one first hole. The control partition is disposed in the fluid reservoir, and communicates with the at least one hole.
Abstract:
An apparatus for generating an amplified effect in an asymmetrical hysteretic system is disclosed. The asymmetrical hysteretic system comprises an internally-graded transponent, an energy source that drives the internally-graded transponent, and a small stimulus amplified by a gain factor of the internally-graded transponent. A method for generating an amplified effect in an asymmetrical hysteretic system is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A disc brake assembly has a hub that is rotatable about an axis and at least a pair of discs supported on the hub for relative axial movement along the axis of the hub with the discs having opposite sides presenting braking surfaces. A non-rotatable support structure supports a plurality of friction elements for relative axial movement into and out of frictional braking engagement with the braking surfaces of the discs. An electric actuator is mounted on the support structure adjacent at least one of the friction elements and is operative when actuated to move the friction elements into frictional braking engagement with the braking surfaces of the discs.
Abstract:
A telescopic tripot universal joint comprises an outer drive member having three longitudinal drive channels which include two opposing concave side surfaces having a parabolic profile, an inner drive member having three radial trunnions having a radially outward facing semi-spherical surface for tiltably mounting a drive ball assembly which has a bearing train disposed radially between an inner ball tiltably engaged to the trunnion and an outer ball having a tread face which directly opposes the concave side surfaces of the drive channels. The parabolic side surface has a radially outward portion having a smaller radius of curvature than a radial inward portion of the parabolic side surface. Moreover, the radius of the inward portion is equal to or greater than the maximum radius of the outer ball thereby assuring the tread face of the outer ball does not bind against the inward portion of the parabolic side surface on the unloaded side. This reduces universal joint studder as a result of ball assembly tilting about a Y-axis extending longitudinally with respect to the outer drive member.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a process for preparing aluminum and aluminum alloy surfaces in heat exchangers for brazing by depositing thereon a kinetic sprayed brazing composition. The process simultaneously deposits monolith or composite coatings that can include all braze materials and corrosion protection materials used in the brazing of aluminum fins to plates and tubes in a single stage.
Abstract:
A method of forming an attachment fitting for a suspension tube comprises providing an insert in a mold, and casting a ring element in the mold. The ring element is metallurgically bonded to the insert. An attachment fitting formed by this method is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A powertrain mount comprises an upper orifice plate, a lower orifice plate, and a generally planar diaphragm having an enlarged central node. The central node is in constant contact with the upper orifice plate and in contact with the lower orifice plate. A periphery of the diaphragm is free to move between the upper orifice plate and the lower orifice plate.
Abstract:
An integrated sensor comprising a thermopile transducer and signal processing circuitry that are combined on a single semiconductor substrate, such that the transducer output signal is sampled in close vicinity by the processing circuitry. The sensor comprises a frame formed of a semiconductor material that is not heavily doped, and with which a diaphragm is supported. The diaphragm has a first surface for receiving thermal (e.g., infrared) radiation, and comprises multiple layers that include a sensing layer containing at least a pair of interlaced thermopiles. Each thermopile comprises a sequence of thermocouples, each thermocouple comprising dissimilar electrically-resistive materials that define hot junctions located on the diaphragm and cold junctions located on the frame. The signal processing circuitry is located on the frame and electrically interconnected with the thermopiles. The thermopiles are interlaced so that the output of one of the thermopiles increases with increasing temperature difference between the hot and cold junctions thereof, while the output of the second thermopile decreases with increasing temperature difference between its hot and cold junctions.