LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160040733 | CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - In an aspect, a method is provided for controlling a clutch assembly having first and second rotatable clutch members. The method includes providing a wrap spring clutch having first and second ends. The phase angle between the first and second ends determines a diameter of the wrap spring clutch. One of the clutch members is connected with the first end. The method further includes obtaining a target value indicative of a target speed for the second clutch member, and determining through measurement an actual value that is indicative of an actual speed of the second clutch member. The method further includes changing the phase angle between the first and second ends of the wrap spring clutch to generate a selected amount of slip between the wrap spring clutch and the other of the first and second clutch members, based on the target value and the actual value. | 02-11-2016 |
20150345575 | CLUTCHED DEVICE WITH WRAP SPRING CLUTCH WITH OVERRUN LOCKING MEMBER - In an aspect, the invention is directed to a clutched device (such as, for example, a decoupler) that includes a clutch input member, a clutch output member, a wrap spring clutch. The wrap spring clutch has an overrun locking member thereon that is engageable with an overrun locking aperture in the output member so as to maintain a face at the helical end of the wrap spring clutch in engagement with a output member clutch drive face on the clutch output member. | 12-03-2015 |
20150316138 | DECOUPLER - In an aspect, a decoupler is provided, and included a driver having a clutch surface a hub that is disposed within the driver, and at least one torsionally-compliant member and a wrap spring clutch that are disposed in series between the hub and the clutch surface. The driver comprises a pulley and a cover that is received into a cavity in the pulley. The pulley has a belt-engagement surface and is fixedly coupled to the cover for rotation therewith. The cover defines the clutch surface. | 11-05-2015 |
20150285312 | ISOLATOR FOR USE WITH MGU THAT IS USED TO ASSIST OR START ENGINE THROUGH AND ENDLESS DRIVE MEMBER - In an aspect the invention is directed to an isolator comprising a shaft connector that is connectable with a shaft of a motive device, a first rotary drive member that is operatively engageable with at least one second rotary drive member, a first isolation spring and a second isolation spring. The first rotary drive member and the shaft connector are rotatable about an isolator axis. The motive device may be an engine (and thus the shaft may be a crankshaft), or a motor for assisting an engine, for example. Examples of motors for assisting engines include motor/generator units (MGU's) that can operate as a generator when driven to rotate mechanically, and can operate as a motor when driven to rotate electrically. The first isolation spring is positioned to transfer a torque from the first rotary drive member to the shaft connector. The second isolation spring is positioned to transfer a torque from the shaft connector to the first rotary drive member. The first and second isolation springs are axially offset from one another. | 10-08-2015 |
20150275706 | TENSIONER WITH INCREASED DAMPING - In an aspect, a tensioner for an endless drive member, comprising a shaft and base that are mountable to be stationary relative to an engine, a tensioner arm that is pivotable relative to the shaft about a tensioner arm axis, a pulley on the tensioner arm rotatable about a pulley axis that is offset from the tensioner arm axis, and that is engageable with an endless drive member, a tensioner spring that is positioned to urge the tensioner arm towards a free arm position, a damping element that engages the tensioner arm and that is engaged by a plurality of axially spaced segments of the tensioner spring. | 10-01-2015 |
20150260233 | ISOLATOR FOR USE WITH ENGINE THAT IS ASSISTED OR STARTED BY AN MGU OR A MOTOR THROUGH AN ENDLESS DRIVE MEMBER - In an aspect the invention is directed to an isolator comprising a driver that is connectable with a shaft of a device, a rotary drive member that is engageable with an endless drive member; and a first isolation spring and a second isolation spring. The first and second isolation springs are positioned such that during rotation of the driver in a first direction torque is transferred from the driver to the first rotary drive member through the first isolation spring and not through the second isolation spring, and such that during rotation of the first rotary drive member in the first direction torque is transferred from the first rotary drive member to the driver through the second isolation spring and not through the first isolation spring. | 09-17-2015 |
20150247559 | TENSIONER WITH MULTIPLE SPRING RATES - In a first aspect, a tensioner is provided which includes: an arm, including a pivot mount; a pulley rotatably mounted to the arm; and a strut pivotally connected to the arm. The strut includes: a base, having a pivot mount; a first body moveable relative to the base; a first resilient element connected between the base and the first body, the first resilient element having a first stiffness coefficient; a second body moveable relative to the first body, the second body having a pivot mount; a second resilient element connected between the first body and the second body, the second resilient element having a second stiffness coefficient that is lower than the first stiffness coefficient; and an actuator, connected to the base and first body, for selectively moving the first body towards the base and compressing the first resilient element. | 09-03-2015 |
20150247558 | VENT STRUCTURE FOR TENSIONER - A tensioner ( | 09-03-2015 |
20150057117 | INTELLIGENT BELT DRIVE SYSTEM AND METHOD - In one aspect the invention relates to a tensioner that is capable of precognitively anticipating when it is desirable to increase the tension in a belt or other endless drive element so as to prevent belt slip prior to events that would raise the risk of it. | 02-26-2015 |
20140309882 | INTELLIGENT BELT DRIVE SYSTEM AND METHOD - In one aspect, a tensioner that incorporates a fluid actuated cylinder and that is capable of precognitively anticipating when it is desirable to increase the tension in a belt or other endless drive element so as to prevent belt slip prior to events that would raise the risk of it. | 10-16-2014 |
20140287860 | TENSIONER WITH DAMPING STRUCTURE MADE FROM TWO COMPONENTS WITH NO ROTATIONAL PLAY THEREBETWEEN - In an aspect, a tensioner is provided, comprising a base, a tensioner arm, a tensioner spring, a wheel, and a damping structure. The base is mountable to an engine. The tensioner arm is pivotally connected to the base for movement about a tensioner arm axis. The tensioner spring is connected between the base and the tensioner arm and is positioned to urge the tensioner arm towards a free arm position. The wheel is rotatably mounted to the tensioner arm and is engageable with an endless drive member. A friction surface is provided on one of the base and the tensioner arm. The damping structure is provided on the other of the base and the tensioner arm and engages the friction surface to generate friction during rotation of the tensioner arm. The damping structure includes a sleeve that contains at least one aperture and a damping element that contains at least one lug that engages the at least one aperture with no circumferential clearance therebetween. | 09-25-2014 |
20140209428 | DECOUPLER - A decoupler that includes a drive member, a hub and an isolator that is configured to transmit rotary power between the drive member and the hub in a predetermined rotational direction. The isolator includes a wrap spring, a plurality of helical coil springs, and a carrier assembly. The wrap spring includes a plurality of helical coils and a proximal end. The helical coil springs are disposed between the hub and the carrier assembly. The carrier assembly includes a carrier plate and a spring shell. The carrier plate has a plate member with a rim and a spring groove. The rim abuts an axial end of the wrap spring. The proximal end of the wrap spring is received in the spring groove. The spring shell is assembled to the carrier plate and has a toric inner surface into which the helical coil springs are received. | 07-31-2014 |
20140076683 | CLUTCH MECHANISM AND DECOUPLER DEVICE WITH SAME - A clutched device that includes a pulley, a shaft member, a first one-way clutch having a first wrap spring, and an actuator having an electromagnetic coil and an armature. The first one-way clutch rotationally couples the pulley and the shaft member when the actuator is actuated and rotary power is transmitted from a first one of the pulley and the shaft member to the other one of the pulley and the shaft member in a first rotational direction. A frictional force is applied to the armature when the actuator is activated. The frictional force is configured to resist rotation of the armature to cause the first wrap spring to radially expand into driving engagement with a clutch surface that is coupled to the pulley for common rotation. | 03-20-2014 |
20140031156 | MULTI-SPEED DRIVE FOR TRANSFERRING POWER TO A LOAD - In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a multi-speed drive for controlling the speed of a load that is driven from a crankshaft of an engine. The multi-speed drive permits the speed of the load to be adjusted based on one or more parameters, such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, battery charge level (e.g. when the load is an alternator), coolant temperature (e.g. when the load is a cooling fan), engine power demand from the vehicle driver, water level in which the vehicle is driving (e.g. when the load is a cooling fan whose blades could be damaged or could cause damage to other vehicle components if they impact water during use). The speeds provided by the multi-speed drive may include two or more non-zero rotational speeds, or two or more non-zero rotational speeds and a zero speed, or one non-zero rotational speed and a zero speed. | 01-30-2014 |
20140014458 | TENSIONER WITH SPRING DAMPER - A tensioner having a closing-type torsion spring that is employed to bias a pivot arm about a pivot shaft. The tensioner includes a damper, which contacts an inside surface of the torsion spring to dampen torsional vibration transmitted through the torsion spring, and a one-way clutch that is configured to permit unencumbered rotation of the pivot shaft in one rotational direction but to resist rotation of the pivot shaft in an opposite direction. | 01-16-2014 |
20130319814 | CLUTCHED DEVICE WITH THRUST RING - A clutched device that includes a driving member, a driven member and a clutch assembly that is disposed between the driving and driven members. The clutch assembly includes a carrier, a wrap spring and a spacer. The carrier is configured to coupled the wrap spring to one of the driving and driven members to permit the transmission of rotary power there between. The spacer is configured to limit elongation of the wrap spring in an axial direction. | 12-05-2013 |
20130313068 | DRIVEN COMPONENT WITH CLUTCH FOR SELECTIVE OPERATION OF COMPONENT - A component, such as an engine accessory for an automotive engine, that has clutch with a helical clutch coil and an axially movable armature. The helical clutch coil is normally engaged so as to transmit rotary power between a driving member and a driven member. The armature can be moved to apply a force to a tang of the helical clutch coil that causes the helical clutch coil to disengage to an extent where full rotary power is not passed through the clutch to drive the component. | 11-28-2013 |
20130237351 | DECOUPLER ASSEMBLY HAVING LIMITED OVERRUNNING CAPABILITY - In one aspect, a decoupler assembly is provided for use between a shaft and an endless drive member that is used to drive the shaft. The decoupler assembly includes a pulley, a hub and an isolator spring that is preferably a coiled torsion spring. The two ends of the spring are engageable, at least indirectly, with the pulley and the hub for the transfer of torque therebetween. At least one of the ends of the spring engages an engagement structure (on either the pulley or the hub) that includes a helical axial shoulder and a driver wall. The spring transfers torque in one direction through the driver wall (e.g. when the pulley overruns the hub), but the spring end is not fixedly connected to the driver wall. When the hub overruns the pulley, there is relative rotation between the spring and whichever of the hub and pulley it is not fixedly connected to. Accordingly, there is relative rotation between the spring end and the helical axial shoulder and the driver wall. This causes the spring end to separate from the driver wall and ride up the helical axial shoulder. This causes the spring to compress axially. The spring coils have a selected amount of spacing so that the spring can be compressed by a selected amount axially. This sets the amount of relative rotation (and the amount of overrun) that is available between the pulley and the hub in the situation when the hub overruns the pulley. | 09-12-2013 |
20130217524 | DECOUPLER WITH TUNED DAMPING AND METHODS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH - In an aspect, the invention relates to a decoupler that is positionable between a shaft (eg. for an alternator) and an endless power transmitting element (eg. a belt) on an engine. The decoupler includes a hub that mounts to the shaft, and a pulley that engages the endless power transmitting element, an isolation spring between the hub and the shaft. The decoupler provides at least a selected damping torque between the hub and the pulley. | 08-22-2013 |
20130187736 | ELECTROMAGNET AND ELECTROMAGNETIC COIL ASSEMBLY - An electromagnet may comprise a pole piece ( | 07-25-2013 |
20130175134 | CLUTCHED DRIVEN DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED CLUTCH MECHANISM - A clutched driven device ( | 07-11-2013 |
20130172137 | INTELLIGENT BELT DRIVE SYSTEM AND METHOD - In one aspect, the invention relates to a tensioner that is capable of precognitively anticipating when it is desirable to increase the tension in a belt or other endless drive element so as to prevent belt slip prior to events that would raise the risk of it. | 07-04-2013 |
20130098733 | DECOUPLER WITH INTEGRATED TORSIONAL VIBRATION DAMPER - A decoupler assembly with an input hub, an output member, and a one-way clutch. In one form, the decoupler assembly includes an annular bearing mount with a needle bearing disposed between the bearing mount and the input hub to support the output member for rotation on the input hub. In another form the decoupler assembly further comprises a torsional vibration damper that is received within an internal cavity that is bounded on opposite axial ends by the output member and a cover that is coupled to the output member. | 04-25-2013 |
20130098730 | CLUTCH FOR SELECTIVELY DRIVING AN ACCESSORY - A clutch assembly having a driver, an output member, a clutch spring, an armature and an actuator. The clutch spring includes a plurality of coils that are configured to be drivingly engaged with the driver. The clutch spring further includes first and second ends. The first end is configured to drivingly engage the output member to facilitate the transmission of rotary power from the driver, through the clutch spring and into the output member. The second end is engaged to the armature. The actuator is selectively operable for rotating the armature relative to the driver in a rotational direction opposite a predetermined rotational direction in which the driver is driven to thereby initiate at least partial disengagement of the coils of the clutch spring from the driver. | 04-25-2013 |
20130098727 | OVERRUNNING DECOUPLER - A decoupler having an input member, an output member and a combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator that couples the input and output members. The combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator includes a single helical coil spring. The decoupler being designed to provide torsional damping through a range of torque transmitted through the decoupler, the range including a maximum rated torque for the decoupler. | 04-25-2013 |
20130093547 | ELECTRO-MECHANICAL DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHOD OF ASSEMBLY - A method of setting an air gap between an electromagnetic coil and an armature of an electro-mechanical device to be within a desired range includes applying a sensing signal to the electromagnetic coil and monitoring at least one electrical characteristic of the electromagnetic coil. The at least one electrical characteristic is related to a size of the air gap and the sensing signal. The method further includes moving the armature towards the electromagnetic coil to reduce the size of the air gap and stopping movement of the armature towards the electromagnetic coil when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the size of the air gap is within the desired range. | 04-18-2013 |
20130087428 | ISOLATION PULLEY WITH OVERRUNNING AND VIBRATION DAMPING CAPABILITIES - A decoupler having an input hub, an output member, a one-way clutch, and at least one isolation spring. Rotary power is transmitted in a predetermined rotational direction from the input hub, through the one-way clutch, through the isolation spring and to the output member. A method for forming a decoupler is also provided. | 04-11-2013 |
20130081588 | ENGINE STARTER - An engine starter apparatus having a clutch assembly and a ring gear or pulley. The clutch assembly has a plate structure, a drive hub and a clutch element for selectively coupling the drive hub to the plate structure. The ring gear or pulley is coupled to the plate structure. | 04-04-2013 |
20130056328 | CRANKSHAFT TORQUE MODULATOR - A decoupler with driven and driving members, a clutch, a torsional vibration damper and a lubricant. The clutch is received in a bore in the driven member and includes a carrier, a wrap spring and at least one spring. The wrap spring is formed of spring wire and has a plurality of coils disposed between a first end, which is received in a groove in the carrier, and a second end. The portion of the wrap spring outside the carrier has an outer circumferential spring surface that is abutted against the inner circumferential surface of the bore. The at least one spring is disposed between the carrier and the driving member to transmit rotary power from the driving member to the carrier. The torsional vibration damper is coupled to the driving member for rotation therewith. The lubricant is disposed on the remaining portion of the wrap spring. | 03-07-2013 |
20120133465 | ELECTROMAGNET AND ELECTROMAGNETIC COIL ASSEMBLY - An electromagnet may comprise a pole piece and a coil assembly. The pole piece may be monolithically formed of a magnetically susceptible material and have a channel structure and a first flange member. The channel structure may have an annular inner side wall, an annular outer side wall and an annular end wall that fixedly couples the inner and outer side walls to one another on a first axial end of the pole piece. The channel structure may be open on a second axial end of the pole piece that is opposite the first axial end. The first flange member may be coupled to an end of one of the inner and outer side walls on the second axial end and extend radially from the channel structure. The coil assembly may be fixedly coupled to the channel structure between the inner and outer side walls. | 05-31-2012 |
20120103738 | HYDRAULIC DAMPER AND PISTON HEAD ASSEMBLY THEREFORE - A novel hydraulic damper, and a piston head assembly therefore, includes a feature, such as a slot or passage, which permits compressible gases that would otherwise be trapped between the face of a piston head assembly and the hydraulic fluid to instead migrate to a volume within the damper where they will not affect the dampening force produced by the damper. In the illustrated embodiments, the feature can be formed, relatively inexpensively, in the piston head assembly without the remainder of the damper components requiring modification. | 05-03-2012 |
20120055436 | ENGINE STARTER - An engine starter that employs a clutch between a flywheel or flex plate and a plate structure that is configured to receive rotary power from a starter motor through a transmission. The transmission may include ring and pinion gears or a belt that transmits rotary power between pulleys. | 03-08-2012 |
20120004059 | COMPACT TENSIONER WITH SUSTAINABLE DAMPING - A tensioner assembly that includes a base, an arm, an opening spring (i.e., a torsion spring that opens or radially expands with increasing torque applied thereto), a spring reaction member, and a pivot bushing. The tensioner assembly is configured to orient various loads in predetermined directions. For example, a spring load can be oriented to counteract a hub load to reduce a bushing load that acts on the pivot bushing. As another example, a spring reaction force exerted by the spring reaction member can be employed by a damping mechanism to generate a grounding force that is parallel to the spring reaction force and is directed to intersect an axis about which the arm pivots relative to the base. A tensioner assembly having improved assembly characteristics is also provided. | 01-05-2012 |
20110315502 | DECOUPLER FEATURING HELICAL WRAP CLUTCH SPRING AND COIL DAMPER SPRINGS - A decoupler having a hub, a drive member and an isolator. The drive member is disposed about the hub for rotation about a rotational axis and includes an inner clutch surface. The isolator couples the hub and the drive member and includes a carrier, a plurality of arcuate springs, and a wrap spring. The carrier is received between the hub and the drive member and includes a carrier member, which defines a pair of apertures, and a pair of reaction blocks that are mounted in the apertures. The arcuate springs are mounted in the carrier member and are disposed between the hub and an associated one of the reaction blocks. The wrap spring has an end and a plurality of helical coils that are engaged to the inner clutch surface of the drive member. The end has an end face that is abutted against one of the reaction blocks. | 12-29-2011 |
20110312454 | TENSIONER WITH MICRO-ADJUSTMENT FEATURE - In one aspect, the invention is directed to a belt tensioner for tensioning a belt, comprising a pivot shaft that is fixedly mountable with respect to an engine block of an engine, a tensioner arm rotatably mounted to the pivot shaft for pivoting about a tensioner arm axis in a first direction and in an opposing second direction, a pulley rotatably mounted to the tensioner arm for rotation about a pulley axis, and a tensioner spring positioned to bias the tensioner arm in the first direction, wherein the tensioner spring has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is engaged with the tensioner arm, and a micro adjustment mechanism that is operatively connected to control the position of the second end of the tensioner spring so as to control the tension in the tensioner spring. | 12-22-2011 |
20100218588 | System and Method for Calibrating an Absolute Position Sensor - A system and method for calibrating an absolute angular position sensor and/or for providing pre-calibrated absolute angular position sensors comprises comparing, at a pre-elected number of angular positions, the angular position derived from the output of the sensor to the angular position reported by a reference sensor. The difference between the two outputs is used as an error correcting factor for the respective position. In addition to calibrating the sensor to reduce sensor errors, the calibration can also be used to determine the sensor output corresponding to an index position of interest. | 09-02-2010 |
20090011881 | Tensioner with Reinstallation Feature - A tensioner enables easy and reliable reinstallation of the tensioner and belt in the field service while simultaneously making it possible to utilize a one-way clutch device to ensure continuous belt tension control without cumbersome manual alignment and/or realignment procedures. The tensioner has a pivot shaft configured for mounting on an engine surface. A tensioner arm is mounted on the pivot shaft for pivotal movement between a free arm stop position and premount stop position. A belt-engaging pulley is mounted for rotation on the tensioner arm. A base cup is rotatably mounted around an end of the pivot shaft. The base cup has an arcuate slot having a free arm stop end and a premount stop end. The tensioner arm cooperates with the arcuate slot limiting the pivotal movement of the tensioner arm. A spring is coupled between the tensioner arm and the base cup biasing the tensioner arm in a belt-tensioning direction. An anti-kickback stop mechanism engages the pivot shaft and has a lost motion connection with the tensioner arm wherein the tensioner arm moves through a free range without engaging the anti-kickback mechanism. The tensioner arm 1) rotates the anti-kickback mechanism as the tensioner arm moves beyond the free range towards the premount stop position and 2) enables the anti-kickback mechanism as the tensioner arm moves beyond the free range towards the free arm stop position, limiting travel of the tensioner arm therebeyond. The spring is fixable relative to the pivot shaft upon the tensioner being mounted on the engine surface. | 01-08-2009 |
20080257311 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR STARTING OR RESTARTING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE VIA SELECTIVE COMBUSTION - A selective combustion starting system and method selectively provides a proper amount of fuel to one or more combustion chambers in an internal combustion engine. The particular combustion chambers selected depend upon the state of the piston of the combustion chamber and the volume of the combustion chamber, which is dependent upon the position of the piston. Once proper amounts of fuel have been provided to the one or more combustion chambers, the resulting fuel air mixture in the combustion chambers is ignited and combusts to rotate the crankshaft of the engine to commence normal operation of the engine. | 10-23-2008 |
20080200293 | Sprocket With 1.5 Order, and Multiples Thereof, Vibration Canceling Profile and Synchronous Drive Employing Such a Sprocket - A vibration canceling rotor and a synchronous drive employing such rotors is provided wherein 1.5 order vibrations in the synchronous drive can be reduced by employing the vibration canceling rotor on a rotating member of the synchronous drive that rotates at one half the speed of another rotating member of the drive. To cancel 1.5 order vibrations, the rotor has a three-lobed non-circular radial profile to engage the continuous-loop elongate drive structure of the synchronous drive. To cancel 1.5 order and | 08-21-2008 |