New Venture Gear, Inc.

Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.

Bitzer Kuehlmaschinenbau Gmbh

Magna Powertrain Usa, Inc.

Bitzer Kühlmaschinenbau Gmbh

Carl F Stephens

William A Hellinger

Joseph G Mueller

Dale R Fine

Sankar K Mohan

Thomas H Noble

Lauren A Markley

Robert J Wilson

David W Wenthen

Xianghong Wang

Johnathan P Roof

Christopher Allen Wyker

Burke Smith

Brent A Cring

Jon Shults

Thomas W Cowan

A method of manufacturing a two-piece counterweight for a scroll compressor is provided. The method includes molding an outer plate, and molding a base having a first opening configured to receive a scroll compressor drive shaft having a longitudinal axis. The method further includes configuring the base for assembly and attachment to the drive shaft. The method also includes attaching the outer plate to the base such that the outer plate is axially offset from the base. In a particular embodiment of this method, the base and outer plate are molded from powdered metal. In certain embodiments, the base and outer plate include one or more openings aligned to permit attachment by inserting a mechanical fastener through the aligned openings. In alternate embodiments, the base and outer plate are attached via brazing or welding.

Method of making a two-piece counterweight for a scroll compressor

A method of manufacturing a two-piece counterweight for a scroll compressor is provided. The method includes molding an outer plate, and molding a base having a first opening configured to receive a scroll compressor drive shaft having a longitudinal axis, and configuring the base for assembly and attachment to the drive shaft. The method also includes attaching the outer plate to the base such that the outer plate is axially offset from the base. In a particular embodiment of this method, the base and outer plate are molded from powdered metal. In certain embodiments, the base and outer plate include one or more openings aligned to permit attachment by inserting a mechanical fastener through the aligned openings. In alternate embodiments, the base and outer plate are attached via brazing or welding.

A scroll compressor that includes a housing and scroll compressor bodies disposed in the housing. The scroll bodies include a non-orbiting scroll body (also referred to as 'fixed') and a moveable body, where scroll bodies have respective bases and respective scroll ribs that project from the respective bases. The scroll ribs are configured to mutually engage, and the movable scroll body orbits relative to the fixed scroll body for compressing fluid. A pilot ring engages a perimeter surface of the fixed scroll body to limit movement of the fixed scroll body in the radial direction. A simplified holding plate prevents rotation between the pilot ring and the fixed scroll body.

Holding plate for piloted scroll compressor

A power transmission device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by a power source. A first output shaft is rotatable about a first axis and adapted to transmit torque to a first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit torque to a second driveline and is rotatable about a second axis. The first and second axes diverge from one another. A transfer unit includes a drive member rotatably supported on the first output shaft and a driven member coupled to the second output shaft. A joint is positioned within a cavity formed in the driven member and drivingly interconnects the driven member and the second output shaft. The driven member includes first and second portions separable from and re-mountable to each other to allow service to the joint.

Power transfer unit for AWD vehicles having integrated joint assembly

A transmission for a vehicle including a hydrostatic regenerative braking system includes a first rotatable shaft having a first end adapted to be driven by a first prime mover and a second end adapted to be coupled to a vehicle driveline. A second shaft selectively drives the first shaft and is adapted to drive a hydraulic pump of a second prime mover. A planetary gearset includes a first member restricted from rotation, a second member and a third member. A transfer mechanism includes a first sprocket fixed for rotation with the second member, a second sprocket fixed for rotation with the input shaft and a flexible member interconnecting the first and second sprockets. A clutch transfers torque between the third member and the first shaft.

Hydrostatic regenerative braking transmission for motor vehicles

A hybrid transfer case can include first and second output shafts adapted for connection to respective rear and front drivelines, a first input shaft adapted for connection to a transmission and for selective connection to the first output shaft, and a second input shaft that can be rotatably supported on the first input shaft and selectively connected to the first output shaft. The transfer case can further include a planetary gearset, a transfer system and an electric motor/generator. The planetary gearset can include a first member fixed for rotation with the first input shaft, a second member fixed for rotation with the second input shaft, and a third member. The transfer system can couple the second input shaft to the second output shaft, and the electric motor can selectively drive the third member.

Multi-mode hybrid electric transfer case for four-wheel drive vehicle

Power transfer unit with output shaft having integrated joint assembly

A power transmission device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by a power source. A first output shaft is rotatable about a first axis and adapted to transmit torque to a first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit torque to a second driveline and is rotatable about a second axis. The first and second axes diverge from one another. A transfer unit includes a drive member driven by the first output shaft and a driven member driving the second output shaft. A spline coupling is positioned within a cavity formed in the driven member to drivingly interconnect the driven member and the second output shaft. The second output shaft is axially moveable relative to the driven member.

Low-angle spline coupling for power transmission units

A three-speed transfer case for providing a direct drive connection between the input shaft and the output shafts, a low-range drive connection and an ultra low-range drive connection. The ability to choose between the distinct speed ratio drive connections permits the vehicle operator to best match the road conditions or off-road terrain to the tractive requirements of the motor vehicle.

Three-speed transfer case

A transfer case is disclosed for a four-wheel drive vehicle. The transfer case includes an interaxle differential and a transfer clutch for controlling speed differentiation and torque biasing across the interaxle differential. A mode shift mechanism is provided for selectively coupling one or more components of the interaxle differential to the input shaft for establishing a full-time four-wheel drive mode, a locked four-wheel drive mode, and a Neutral mode. A controller controls actuation of the transfer clutch and the mode shift mechanism in response to a mode signal indicating which drive mode has been selected by the vehicle operation.

Full-time transfer case with mode shift arrangement

A method of hardening and flattening a viscous coupling plate generally combining a heat treatment process followed by roller leveling is disclosed. The heat treatment process produces an epsilon iron nitride surface layer of the desired hardness on the plate. Subsequent to the heat treatment, the plates are passed through a series of leveling rolls to produce a sufficiently flat plate. The flat rolling process can incorporate a single pass or multiple passes through the leveling rolls. The method of the present invention eliminates any distortion in the plates and brings them within any required flatness specifications, as well as producing viscous coupling plates that exhibit improved resistance to permanent deformation under operating conditions.

Viscous coupling plate hardening and flattening method

A viscous coupling apparatus having enhanced torque progression characteristics. The viscous coupling apparatus includes two sets of viscous coupling plates which are interleaved and mounted with rotatable members for relative rotation therebetween. Each plate is a generally circular ring of thin plate material and has one or more openings formed therein. The openings include coined edge surfaces that form an inclined surface and an arcuate wiping surface. The coined edges of inner and outer coupling plates oppose one another and facilitate the removal of viscouse fluid from in between and wiping of viscous fluid from the surface of adjacent coupling plates when relative rotation and frictional contact occurs between adjacent plates without generating excessive wear on either one of the plates. The removal of the viscous fluid promotes enhanced frictional contact between the facing adjacent plate surfaces and results in an increased torque transmission characteristic.

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Liverpool, NY, United States of America

Carl F Stephens