A propeller shaft includes an outer ring member having a bottom section through which a vent hole is formed, on a first end part connected to a shaft member. The propeller shaft further includes an inner ring member provided to the inner peripheral side of a second end part of the outer ring member on the side axially opposite to the first end part and connected to a rod member; a ball member between the inner and outer ring members, which is lubricated by grease; a plate member attached to the inner peripheral part of the outer ring member and forming an auxiliary chamber with the bottom section; and a communication path. The communication path allows communication between the first end part side and the second end part side of the outer ring member with the plate member interposed therebetween.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.

A self-contained clutch for diesel engines for off-highway implementation is provided. A stationary friction disc, pressure plate and endplate sandwich a pair of rotating separator discs. Attenuation of vibration damping of the rotator discs may be achieved by a centrifugal weight. A pulse-width-modulated DC motor or valve is employed in association with a hydraulic actuator to control pressure to the clutch piston. An RFID tag uniquely identifies the nature and parameters of the clutch itself and is associated with the clutch such that the controller can most efficiently operate the clutch. Heat is dissipated by an oil pump servicing the support bearings and/or by the integration of a centrifugal fan into the heat disc stack.

A thermal management system and method includes: a drive shaft; one or more fans or impellers in fluid communication with at least a portion of the drive shaft; and one or more air management baffles configured to direct air flow between the impeller and the portion of the drive shaft. In one embodiment, the system and method further includes insulation positioned about the at least a portion of the drive shaft.

A vehicle joint has a drive sleeve, a pinion shaft and a drive nut. The sleeve has a vent hole, a first set of splines and a first set of venting grooves. The pinion shaft has a second set of splines engaged with the first set of splines. A fluid gap radially outboard of the engaged spines extends the length of the engaged splines. A second set of venting grooves is engaged with the first set of venting grooves. The pinion shaft also has a first set of threads. The drive nut has a second set of threads engaged with the first set of threads. The drive nut also has a radial aperture extending through the drive nut. The first vent hole is in fluid connection with the radial aperture through some of the features described above.

A fluid path for a plug-in constant velocity joint assembly between a boot sleeve and a boot. The boot sleeve has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is disposed against and is in driving engagement with an inner race. The boot sleeve second end portion defines an inner ridge, a sleeve channel and an outer ridge. The boot has a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion comprises an inner seal where the inner seal comprises an inner axial groove and an outer axial groove. A fluid path is formed between the inner ridge and the boot, between inner axial groove and the sleeve, in the sleeve channel, between the outer axial groove and the sleeve and between the outer ridge and the boot.

A pressure plate for a friction coupling such as a clutch or brake system is disclosed in the present application. The pressure plate includes one or more pockets with a phase change material disposed therein. The phase change material operates to absorb and release heat when the friction coupling cycles between activation and deactivation so as to minimize a maximum temperature of the pressure plate.

A cooling device for a hybrid module of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing, a driveshaft arranged within the housing, a rotor non-rotatable secured to the driveshaft, a stator secured to the housing, a clutch arranged to engage or disengage the driveshaft, said clutch being integral with the rotor and, a fluid transport device arranged on the driveshaft to transport a fluid to the clutch.

The invention relates to a method for operating a combined clutch and brake device (5) of a punch press (1) equipped with dry friction linings (7, 8). Thereby, the friction linings (7, 8) are arranged in a chamber (R) which is sealed off from the environment of the punch press (1), and which is filled with a dry and oil-free gaseous medium, in particular with dry oil-free air. This effectively prevents moisture and oil mist from entering the region of the friction linings from the environment of the press, and a constant friction coefficient can be achieved over the mechanical service life of the friction linings.