Borg-warner Automotive Gmbh

Francis B Robbins

Alan L Miller

Kevin B Todd

A camshaft vibration damper comprises an inertia ring having a friction clutch surface disposed in driving contact with a complementary clutch surface and a spring for biasing the clutch surfaces toward one another. The complementary clutch surface may be disposed on a drive member, for example, a camshaft sprocket or similar structure rotating with the camshaft. The spring is a compression spring, preferably a Belleville spring washer, which biases the two friction clutch surfaces together. The inertia of the inertia ring opposes the instantaneous variations in rotational speed (d.theta./dt) of the camshaft causing relative rotation between the inertia ring and the drive member thereby reducing vibration without resisting camshaft rotation. Relative motion at the clutch face between the inertia ring and the drive member results in energy absorption and dissipation thereby minimizing unwanted vibration. Such energy adsorption is a function of: the moment of inertia of the inertia ring, the coefficient of friction of the clutch interface and the biasing force provided by the Belleville spring washer.

Camshaft vibration damper

The present invention provides a radial drive connection between a movable flange and the shaft of an adjustable pulley. Specifically the movable flange is driven through the use of supports fixed to the shaft which radially fix the movable flange while allowing for axial movement. The supports are provided through a rigid disc splined to the shaft. The disc has an annular extension extending therefrom. Attached at one end to the disc and at the opposite end to the extension is at least one guide. Each guide includes a bolt or pin and an annular sleeve. The movable flange is configured to have a foot which has an annular wall to it. Through this wall the movable flange slidably engages the guide and provides a radial drive connection. Because the wall and guide slide, however, the movable flange is permitted to move in the axial direction.

Adjustable pulley in a continuously variable transmission

The present invention provides a radial drive connection between a movable flange and the shaft of an adjustable pulley. Specifically the movable flange is driven through the use of supports fixed to the shaft which radially fix the movable flange while allowing for axial movement. The supports are provided through a rigid disc splined to the shaft. The disc has an annular extension extending therefrom. Attached at one end to the disc and at the opposite end to the extension is at least one guide. Each guide is made from a bolt or pin and an annular sleeve. The movable flange is designed to have a foot which has an annular wall to it. Through this wall the movable flange slidably engages the guide and provides a radial drive connection. Because the wall and guide slide, however, the movable flange is permitted to move in the axial direction.

Guide for an adjustable pulley in a continuously variable transmission

A continuously variable transmission and differential combination including an input shaft 36, a variable speed drive pulley 40 on the input shaft 36, a drive shaft 54, a variable speed driven pulley 500 on the driven shaft 54 and a v-belt 48 trained around the pulleys 40 and 50. A drive sprocket 64 driven by the drive shaft 54 and a driven sprocket 64 with a silent chain 66 trained around them provides a speed reduction drive. The driven sprocket 68 drives a sun gear 88 which drives planet gears 98 that mesh with a stationary ring gear 100. The planet carrier 102 is rotated at a reduced speed. The bevel gears 108 and 112 carried by the planet carrier 102 form a differential that drives axles 114 and 116. A reversing gear drive can be provided between the sun gear 78 and the sun gear 88 to reverse the direction of rotation of the axles 114 and 116.

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Dryden, NY, United States of America

Francis B Robbins