A follower mechanism including an outer cup having a substantially cylindrical side wall, an annular lip portion disposed at a first end of the side wall, and an annular ledge disposed on the side wall, the annular ledge being disposed in a plane that is transverse to a longitudinal center axis of the follower mechanism. An inner cup includes an annular lip extending outwardly therefrom and a pair of shaft apertures, and is disposed in the outer cup so that the lip abuts the annular ledge of the outer cup and is non-rotatably fixed thereto by the annular lip of the outer cup which abuts the lip of the inner cup. A shaft is received in the shaft apertures, and a roller follower is rotatably received on the shaft such that a portion of the roller follower extends axially outwardly beyond the annular lip portion of the outer cup.

A follower mechanism including an outer cup having a substantially cylindrical side wall, an annular lip portion disposed at a first end of the side wall, and an annular ledge disposed on the side wall, the annular ledge being disposed in a plane that is transverse to a longitudinal center axis of the follower mechanism. An inner cup includes an annular lip extending outwardly therefrom and a pair of shaft apertures, and is disposed in the outer cup so that the lip abuts the annular ledge of the outer cup and is non-rotatably fixed thereto by the annular lip of the outer cup which abuts the lip of the inner cup. A shaft is received in the shaft apertures, and a roller follower is rotatably received on the shaft such that a portion of the roller follower extends axially outwardly beyond the annular lip portion of the outer cup.

The cam follower roller device provides a tappet body, a pin mounted into the tappet body, and a roller mounted on the pin and provided with an outer surface and with end faces, axially delimiting the outer surface. At least one lubricant supply through-hole is formed into the thickness of the tappet body and locally faces an edge of the roller delimited between the outer surface and one of the end faces.

The cam follower roller device provides a tappet body, a pin mounted into the tappet body, and a roller mounted on the pin and provided with an outer surface and with end faces, axially delimiting the outer surface. At least one lubricant supply through-hole is formed into the thickness of the tappet body and locally faces an edge of the roller delimited between the outer surface and one of the end faces.

An axle disconnect apparatus having a cam cylinder including a ramp disposed in a radially outer surface thereof. A first clutch element disposed at least partially inside the cam cylinder and an intermediate shaft disposed at least partially within the first clutch element. The intermediate shaft includes a splined portion in constant mesh with the first clutch element. A half shaft may be disposed coaxially with the intermediate shaft, and a second clutch element may be coupled with the half shaft. The first clutch element selectively engages the second clutch element. The axle disconnect apparatus further comprises a latching mechanism whereby the cam cylinder maintains an axial position. The latching mechanism including a radial depression in the cam cylinder ramp, and a cam follower selectively disposed at least partially in the radial depression.

An axle disconnect apparatus having a cam cylinder including a ramp disposed in a radially outer surface thereof. A first clutch element disposed at least partially inside the cam cylinder and an intermediate shaft disposed at least partially within the first clutch element. The intermediate shaft includes a splined portion in constant mesh with the first clutch element. A half shaft may be disposed coaxially with the intermediate shaft, and a second clutch element may be coupled with the half shaft. The first clutch element selectively engages the second clutch element. The axle disconnect apparatus further comprises a latching mechanism whereby the cam cylinder maintains an axial position. The latching mechanism including a radial depression in the cam cylinder ramp, and a cam follower selectively disposed at least partially in the radial depression.

In embodiments, a mechanical solar tracker for energy and shade disclosed herein includes a positioning cam comprising one or more paths being configured as a function of a latitude location of the mechanical solar tracker; a sleeve coupled to an adjustment arm, the adjustment arm operable to rotate the sleeve about a vertical axis; a cam follower coupled to the sleeve, the cam follower configured to translate a selected path of the one or more paths as the sleeve rotates about the vertical axis, and a surface coupled to the cam follower. In embodiments, the selected path is configured such that as the sleeve rotates about the vertical axis, the cam follower maintains the surface normal to a vector defined by an azimuth angle and elevation angle, wherein the azimuth angle may be the sun azimuth angle and the elevation angle may be the sun elevation angle.

In embodiments, a mechanical solar tracker for energy and shade disclosed herein includes a positioning cam comprising one or more paths being configured as a function of a latitude location of the mechanical solar tracker; a sleeve coupled to an adjustment arm, the adjustment arm operable to rotate the sleeve about a vertical axis; a cam follower coupled to the sleeve, the cam follower configured to translate a selected path of the one or more paths as the sleeve rotates about the vertical axis, and a surface coupled to the cam follower. In embodiments, the selected path is configured such that as the sleeve rotates about the vertical axis, the cam follower maintains the surface normal to a vector defined by an azimuth angle and elevation angle, wherein the azimuth angle may be the sun azimuth angle and the elevation angle may be the sun elevation angle.

A roller assembly includes two outer rings rotatably mounted on a shaft by a respective set of rollers positioned between the shaft and each of the respective one of the outer rings. The shaft has a head flange on one end thereof and a groove formed therein at a distance from the head flange. A retainer ring is positioned in the groove and another retainer ring is secured to the shaft at a distance from the groove. The retaining ring is configured to space the two outer rings apart from one another so that the two outer rings are operable and rotatable independent from one another.

A roller assembly includes two outer rings rotatably mounted on a shaft by a respective set of rollers positioned between the shaft and each of the respective one of the outer rings. The shaft has a head flange on one end thereof and a groove formed therein at a distance from the head flange. A retainer ring is positioned in the groove and another retainer ring is secured to the shaft at a distance from the groove. The retaining ring is configured to space the two outer rings apart from one another so that the two outer rings are operable and rotatable independent from one another.