In one aspect, a centering sleeve is disclosed herein that includes a hub defining a central opening extending in an axial direction between a first axial end and a second axial end. At least one of the first axial end or the second axial end includes a plurality of fluid grooves on an axially outer surface. Both the first axial end and the second axial end can include the plurality of fluid grooves.

In one aspect, a centering sleeve is disclosed herein that includes a hub defining a central opening extending in an axial direction between a first axial end and a second axial end. At least one of the first axial end or the second axial end includes a plurality of fluid grooves on an axially outer surface. Both the first axial end and the second axial end can include the plurality of fluid grooves.

Disclosed are engine flexplates with integrated engine disconnects, methods for making and for using such flexplates, and motor vehicles with an engine flexplate having an integrated engine disconnect device. An engine flexplate assembly is disclosed for operatively coupling an engine to a hydrokinetic torque converter. The flexplate assembly includes a disk-shaped body with a central hub that rigidly attaches on the fore side thereof to the engine output shaft for common rotation therewith. A disconnect device, which is positioned on the aft side of the disk-shaped body, includes concentric inner and outer races. The outer race is rigidly attached to the disk-shaped body for common rotation therewith. The inner race rigidly attaches to the front cover of the TC housing for common rotation therewith. The disconnect device operatively disconnects the engine output shaft from the TC housing front cover when a torque transmitted therebetween reverses direction.

A splined coupling comprises a radially inner shaft and a radially outer shaft having a cavity for receiving the inner shaft. First splines are provided on a radially outwardly facing surface of the inner shaft. Second splines are provided on a radially inwardly facing surface of the cavity of the outer shaft. The first splines are slidably engaged with the second splines. At least one biasing element, for example a diaphragm is arranged to act between the radially inner and radially outer shafts for locating the first splines in a desired axial position relative to the second splines and to provide a biasing force resisting the axial movement of the first splines relative to the second splines upon relative axial movement of the inner and outer shafts.

A series elastic actuator includes a gear, a mounting recess formed in the gear, an elastic body provided in the mounting recess, an output body, a through-hole penetrating the gear, a shaft passing through the through-hole, a pair of bearings to radially support the shaft, and a pair of bearing mounting recesses to receive the pair of bearings. The gear is configured to rotate by a rotational power source. A rotation force of the gear is transmitted to the gear by the elastic body. The through-hole may extend in an axial direction, and the pair of bearings may be spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. The pair of bearing mounting recesses may be formed at opposite ends of the through-hole.

A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and the engine. The gear set includes a ring gear formed by a cylindrical base with a perimeter surface facing the engine and a circumferential row of castellations extending in a radial direction from the perimeter surface. The starter-generator device further includes a mounting arrangement comprising a drive plate configured to be secured to a crank shaft of the engine and a flex plate mounted to the drive plate. The flex plate includes a row of engagement apertures configured to receive the castellations of the ring gear to rotationally couple the ring gear to the engine via the mounting arrangement.

A two-piece flexplate assembly having a ring gear welded to a central plate using a capacitor discharge welding process. The weld is established between a joining structure defined between the ring gear and the central plate using either an overlap arrangement, a projection arrangement, or a chamfer arrangement.

A two-piece flexplate assembly having a ring gear welded to a central plate using a capacitor discharge welding process. The weld is established between a joining structure defined between the ring gear and the central plate using either an overlap arrangement, a projection arrangement, or a chamfer arrangement.

A series elastic actuator includes a gear, a mounting recess formed in the gear, an elastic body provided in the mounting recess, an output body, a through-hole penetrating the gear, a shaft passing through the through-hole, a pair of bearings to radially support the shaft, and a pair of bearing mounting recesses to receive the pair of bearings. The gear is configured to rotate by a rotational power source. A rotation force of the gear is transmitted to the gear by the elastic body. The through-hole may extend in an axial direction, and the pair of bearings may be spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. The pair of bearing mounting recesses may be formed at opposite ends of the through-hole.

A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and the engine. The gear set includes a ring gear formed by a cylindrical base with a perimeter surface facing the engine and a circumferential row of castellations extending in a radial direction from the perimeter surface. The starter-generator device further includes a mounting arrangement comprising a drive plate configured to be secured to a crank shaft of the engine and a flex plate mounted to the drive plate. The flex plate includes a row of engagement apertures configured to receive the castellations of the ring gear to rotationally couple the ring gear to the engine via the mounting arrangement.