The invention relates to a power unit, in particular for a hybrid vehicle, including a reciprocating-piston engine and at least one generator drivingly connected to the engine, wherein the engine has at least two pistons guided in at least two cylinders in a tandem arrangement, and two crankshafts, which are connected to the pistons by connection rods that run in opposite directions, and are mechanically coupled in the same phase. The engine includes a hub-hub connection with a first connection joining a first hub to a second hub such that an angular position between the first hub and the second hub is continuously adjustable on installation. The hub-hub connection also has a second connection in the form of a connection disk configured, dimensioned and arranged with support surfaces, on each of which the first hub and the second hub rest. The connection disk has a matrix with hard material elements embedded therein, in particular diamond chips, which are arranged in the support surfaces for frictional engagement of the hubs.

In some implementations of the current subject matter, a brake rotor can include a supporting layer applied to a friction surface of a brake rotor substrate, which can optionally include cast iron, and a coating applied over the supporting layer. The supporting layer can include a preparatory metal, and the coating can impart wear and corrosion resistant properties to the friction surface. Related systems, methods, articles of manufacture, and the like are disclosed.

Provided are a wet friction plate and a wet multiplate clutch device capable of reduction drag torque while suppressing a decrease in the area of a friction member. The wet friction plate includes multiple friction members through oil grooves on a flat plate annular core metal. The friction member has first fine grooves opening at an inner peripheral edge of the friction member and extending to an outer peripheral edge side and second fine grooves opening at an outer peripheral edge of the friction member and extending to an inner peripheral edge side. The first fine groove and the second fine groove are formed to have a groove width of equal to or greater than 0.1 mm and equal to or less than 0.8 mm, and overlap portions overlapping with each other in a circumferential direction at the same position in a radial direction of the core metal.

The invention comprehends friction plates, typically fabricated of metal, having friction material that is disposed in multiple concentric bands disposed in interrupted or discontinuous segments or a combination of both. In a first embodiment, the friction material is arranged in two concentric bands on each face, an inner band having a smaller radial width and an outer band having a larger radial width. In a second embodiment, the inner band is replaced with a plurality of discontinuous sections or segments wherein their circumferential separation is greater than their circumferential length. A third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment except that the inner, discontinuous segments have a circumferential length greater than their circumferential separation.

The invention comprehends friction plates, typically fabricated of metal, having friction material that is disposed in multiple concentric bands disposed in interrupted or discontinuous segments or a combination of both. In a first embodiment, the friction material is arranged in two concentric bands on each face, an inner band having a smaller radial width and an outer band having a larger radial width. In a second embodiment, the inner band is replaced with a plurality of discontinuous sections or segments wherein their circumferential separation is greater than their circumferential length. A third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment except that the inner, discontinuous segments have a circumferential length greater than their circumferential separation.

There is provided a method for producing a wet friction plate that can improve the retention property of lubricating oils in a fine groove formed by laser light. In a method for producing a wet friction plate (200), a friction material (210) is produced by sheet making processing in a first step. Thereafter, in a second step, a fine groove (211) is formed on the friction material (210). The friction material (210) is produced such that thermosetting resin therein is in a semi-cured state. The cross-sectional shape of the fine groove (211) is formed into a V shape by laser light. Subsequently, in a third step, the friction material (210) is disposed on a core metal (201) via an adhesive agent including thermosetting resin. Subsequently, in a fourth step, the friction material (210) is pressed while heated to crush the fine groove (211). In this manner, unevenness is formed on an intra-groove surface (212), and the thermosetting resin is completely cured.

A wet friction disk that can achieve a further reduction in the drag torque, which includes a ring-shaped core plate having a wave shape in a circumferential direction thereof, a friction member disposed on a principal surface of the core plate so as to being substantially shaped into a ring with a plurality of oil grooves, and the oil grooves each have a shape with a groove width that is narrowed from an inner circumference side toward an outer circumference side of the core plate.

Various machines, systems, and methods for generating calibration data for a sensorized brake pad are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes a fixture, a brake pad retainer, a pressure plate, an actuator and a controller. The actuator applies a pressure to the sensorized brake pad and signals from the pressure sensors are received. Calibration data is generated based on the signals received from the pressures sensors when the pressure is applied to the sensorized brake pad.

Various machines, systems, and methods for generating calibration data for a sensorized brake pad are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes a fixture, a brake pad retainer, a pressure plate, an actuator and a controller. The actuator applies a pressure to the sensorized brake pad and signals from the pressure sensors are received. Calibration data is generated based on the signals received from the pressures sensors when the pressure is applied to the sensorized brake pad.

Provided are a method for manufacturing a wet friction plate, whereby efficiency of the work of forming a fine groove on a friction material can be improved, the wet friction plate, and a wet multiple-plate clutch device having the wet friction plate. In the method for manufacturing a wet friction plate 200, a core metal 201 and a friction material 210 are prepared, a resin layer 203 is formed on the core metal, the friction material is attached onto the resin layer, and a fine groove 211 is formed in the friction material. Specifically, irradiation of a laser beam L is started on an exposed portion 205 of the core metal. A laser head 301 is displaced in an annular shape while continuously emitting the laser beam. Thus, annular fine grooves 204 and 211 are formed in the exposed portion of the core metal and the friction material.