Ntn Corporation

John R Miller

Randall K King

Robert W Frayer, Jr

Mary-Jo A Liston

Russell E Monahan

Bryce W Babcock

Ted E Bailey

William Allison

Peter M Eich

Jerome Mis

The over-running clutch pulley () of a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a sheave member (), a hub member () located substantially concentrically within the sheave member, and a clutch member (), which cooperate to rotationally engage an input device () and an output device (). The sheave member preferably includes a sheave input section () adapted to engage the input device, and a sheave clutch section () defining a sheave clutch surface (). Similarly, the hub member preferably includes a hub output section () adapted to engage the output device, and a hub clutch section () defining a hub clutch surface (). In the preferred embodiment, either the sheave clutch surface, the hub clutch surface, or both, have a surface microhardness greater than the hub output section.

Over-running clutch pulley with increased surface microhardness

The over-running clutch pulley of a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a sheave member (), a hub member () located substantially concentrically within the sheave member, a clutch member (), a clutch lubricant () located near the clutch member, a bearing member () located between the sheave member and the hub member, and a bearing lubricant () located near the bearing member, which cooperate to rotationally engage an input device () and an output device (). The sheave member preferably includes a sheave input section () adapted to engage the input device, and a sheave clutch section () defining a sheave clutch surface (). Similarly, the hub member preferably includes a hub output section () adapted to engage the output device, and a hub clutch section () defining a hub clutch surface (). The clutch lubricant () and the bearing lubricant () preferably include a base material selected from the group comprising ether, esther, and mineral oil.

Over-running clutch pulley with clutch and bearing lubricant

Starter motor systems are described, wherein the systems include a unidirectional clutch system that cooperates with a pulley system to start an internal combustion engine through the front-end accessory drive system. The starter motor systems are especially well suited for new, high fuel efficiency automobiles in which the engine is shut down (e.g., when the automobile stops) and subsequently started (e.g., when the accelerator pedal is depressed).

Starter pulley with integral clutch

A method for determining real time load values experienced by a bearing includes providing a bearing with an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed therebetween. Mounting a plurality of strain gages to the bearing, and collecting data of the strains measured under a plurality of known load conditions. Correlating the strains measured at each strain gage position to the load at that position for each of the plurality of load conditions to develop a first equation for each strain gage position defining the load as a function of the strain measured. Mounting the bearing to a machine, using the machine under loaded conditions, and collecting the strain gage data produced. Using the equations for each strain gage position to convert the strain measured into a load. Summing the loads experienced by the bearing to determine the total load being experienced by the bearing.

Real time bearing load sensing

An over-running clutch pulley of the preferred embodiment includes a sheave member, a hub member located substantially concentrically within the sheave member, a sealing member, and a clutch member, which cooperate to rotationally engage the drive belt and the cylindrical shaft. The sheave member preferably includes a sheave input section adapted to engage the input device, a sheave clutch section defining a sheave clutch surface, and a sheave flange element. Similarly, the hub member preferably includes a hub output section adapted to engage the output device, a hub clutch section defining a hub clutch surface, and a hub lip element. The sealing member preferably includes a seal outer section frictionally engaged with the sheave flange element, and a seal inner section slidably engaged with the hub lip element. The sealing member preferably functions to substantially seal a cavity defined by the sheave flange element and the hub lip element.

Over-running clutch pulley with composite sealing member

An overrunning roller/ramp clutch assembly is disclosed which has a cylindrical drive and driven member. Between the surfaces of these members, a plurality of segmented retainers, each containing a bearing, is located. Each of the retainers defines a ramped surface for engagement with the bearings. A connector interconnects all of the retainers together and causes the retainers to circumferentially move in unison with one another.

Segmented locking retainer for one-way clutch bearings

A self lubricated and sealed pinion cartridge bearing assembly for use with a gear reduction system which may be used for example for providing rotating shaft support for a pinion shaft of a motor vehicle drive axle. The bearing assembly has a pair of anti-friction bearings having an outer and inner race and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart rolling elements which roll along inner and outer raceways. A spacer is provided between the bearing inner races, and at least one seal is formed between the inner races and the spacer to circumferentially seal the inner races together. A pair of seals are further provided between the inner and outer races of each bearing at each outboard face to form barriers at the ends of the bearing assembly for retaining lubricating oil within the bearing assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Jackson, MI, United States of America

John R Miller