Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Other

Linamar Gmbh

Carl M Romack

Michael J Grimmer

Todd R Ekonen

Christian Krajewski

Dale Moretz

Thomas Reedy

Jochen Wolkenstein

Konrad O Bachmann

John Castellano

Kennith J Stamper

A clutch assembly includes a clutch hub, a clutch drum disposed about the clutch hub, a first gear connected to the clutch drum, the first gear configured to be coupled with a first shaft, the clutch hub configured to be coupled with a second shaft, a clutch pack disposed between the clutch hub and the clutch drum, and an air-actuated piston assembly for selective actuation of the clutch pack to connect or disconnect two drive axles in a tandem axle assembly. The clutch assembly includes a plurality of lever arms disposed between the piston assembly and the clutch pack. Each lever arm extending to engage the piston and the clutch pack. Each lever arm may be pivotally mounted to a lever carrier plate or to a fixed portion of the piston housing.

Disconnect clutch for a tandem axle assembly

The specification discloses a seal member for selectively completing a fluid passageway defined between an upstream member and a downstream member separated by an intermediate space, the seal member comprising an elongate stem portion dimensioned to be movably positionable in an opening defined through the upstream member between opposite first and second surfaces thereof, the elongate stem portion having provided at one end thereof a resiliency deformable, radially-extending flange and at the other end thereof a sealing face, and a fluid passageway defined through the stem portion between the flange and the sealing face. The flange is deformable under fluid pressure to increase the area of contact between the flange and the first surface of the upstream member and to simultaneously move the stem portion within the opening defined in the upstream member so as to bring the sealing face into sealing contact with an opposing surface of the downstream member across the intermediate space.

Seal member for fluid transfer system

A locking device and method to eliminate rotation or dislodging of a snap ring relative to a snap ring groove is provided. A locking clip is provided that may be used as a retention clip, with or without the use of a snap ring. The locking device for a housing assembly to retain a part comprises a locking clip, insertable between the retained part and the housing, wherein the locking clip comprises a clip body; a first locking tab connected to the clip body; and a locating tab connected to the clip body. In rotating assemblies, the elimination of snap ring movement improves the balance and wear of the assembly.

Snap ring locking clip and method

This invention relates to a method of eliminating rotation of a snap ring, and more specifically, to an anti-rotation feature on the outer diameter of a gapped snap ring. The invention prevents rotation of the snap ring within the housing in which it is assembled. This is done to prevent the gap, which causes a mechanical imbalance, from changing position within the housing. This enables fixed position balancing mechanisms to be effective in balancing the assembly. A locking feature is provided that is adapted to lock the snap ring in a snap ring groove, preventing the snap ring gap from rotating within the snap ring groove. The locking feature comprises at least one locking feature crest positioned on the outer diameter of the snap ring.

Snap ring design with anti-rotation structures at outer diameter

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Carl M Romack