Eaton Corporation

Gerald D Damon

John J Bair

Eugene R Braun

David P Godlew

Edward J Bantz

Robert S Mueller

Jerry D Woods

Lee A Freel

A drum brake spring clip dampener for reducing the level of brake squeal noise where the spring clip dampener includes a leaf spring disposed into a gap formed between a wheel rim and an annular brake drum squealer band and where the leaf spring is held in position by two inner tabs and an outer tab where the spring clip dampener thereby introduces a separation force and vibration dampening.

Brake squeal spring clip dampener

A two-piece bearing isolator assembly for mounting roller or ball bearing races to a mounting structure for journalling a shaft. An outer Z-shaped metallic ring has outwardly and inwardly extending flanges on opposite axial margins. The outward flange retains the ring axially in a mounting structure; whereas, the inner flange retains plastic energy absorbing pads receiving the outer race, in line-to-line contact, of a bearing to be mounted. In one embodiment separate pads are disposed in circumferentially spaced apertures in the metallic ring. In another embodiment, separate pads are spaced circumferentially about an integrally formed plastic ring received in the metallic ring. The inner flange also serves as a stop for limiting radial movement of the bearing with respect to the mounting structure.

Bearing isolator

A bearing isolator assembly (70) suitable for use with tapered bearings (20) is provided. The bearing isolator assembly comprises a retaining member (72), a radial wave spring (74) and a separate axial wave spring (76).

Tapered bearing isolator

An integrally formed annular plastic bearing isolator for ball and tapered roller bearings journalling power transmission shafts. The isolator has a plurality of circumferentially spaced energy absorbing pads extending radially from the inner periphery thereof. The inner surface of the energy absorbing pads are at least an interference fit with the outer bearing race and have a predetermined radial spring rate for absorbing bearing movement. A plurality of circumferentially spaced stop pads alternate with the energy absorbing pads and are spaced radially from the outer race to permit limited radial compression of the energy absorbing pads. For tapered roller bearings a plurality of radially inwardly extending circumferentially spaced tabs each having axially extending pads thereon are provided for absorbing axial movement of the outer race.

A bearing isolator assembly (70) suitable for use with straight roller and with ball bearings (20) is provided. The bearing isolator assembly comprises a retaining member (72), a radial wave spring (74), and a nonresilient bump stop member (130), all preferably of a one-piece steel construction.

Roller and ball bearing bearing isolator

A torsional vibration damping mechanism (30 or 130 or 230) is disclosed in a clutch plate assembly for a vehicle driveline. In a schematically illustrated form the mechanism (30) includes a relative high rate or stiff spring set (36) for transmitting torque and alternating torsionals when a transmission input shaft (22) is connected to a load, relatively lower or less stiff spring set (38) connected in series with spring set (36) and for attenuating torsionals when the shaft (22) is not connected to a load, and a viscous damper (44) disposed in parallel with both spring sets (36, 38) and operative to dampen recoil of both spring sets. In one detailed embodiment of the mechanism (130) the stiff spring sets (136) includes a pair of nested, spiral wound springs (135, 137). In another embodiment of the mechanism (230) the stiff spring set (236) includes helical compression springs (235, 237).

Torsional vibration damping mechanism

A torsional vibration damping mechanism (30) is disclosed in a clutch plate assembly (24) for a vehicle driveline. Mechanism (30) includes a set (36) of relative high rate helical compression springs 62, 64 for transmitting torque and alternating torsionals when a transmission input shaft (22) is connected to a load, a set (38) of relatively low rate helical compression springs (66) connected in series with spring set (36) and for attenuating torsionals when the shaft (22) is not connected to a load, and a viscous damper module (48) disposed in parallel with both spring sets (36, 38) and operative to dampen recoil of both spring sets. The viscous damper module is readily fitted to known clutch plate assemblies in lieu of mechanical friction dampers previously employed to dampen recoil of the helical compression springs in such assemblies.

Viscous damper module for torsional vibration damping mechanism

A torsional vibration damping mechanism (30 or 130 or 230) is disclosed in a clutch plate assembly for a vehicle driveline. In a schematically illustrated form the mechanism (30) includes a relative high rate or stiff spring set (36) for transmitting torque and alternating torsionals when a transmission input shaft (22) is connected to a load, a relatively lower or less stiff spring set (38) connected in series with spring set (36) and for attenuating torsionals when the shaft (22) is not connected to a load, and a viscous damper (44) disposed in parallel with both spring sets (36, 38) and operative to dampen recoil of both spring sets. In one detailed embodiment of the mechanism (130) the stiff spring sets (136) includes a pair of nested, spiral wound springs (135, 137). In another embodiment of the mechanism (230) the stiff spring set (236) includes helical compression springs (235, 237).

Growing community of inventors

Farmington, MI, United States of America

Gerald D Damon