Mark K Rader

US Patent:

7527338, May 5, 2009

Filed:

Sep 2, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/218981

Inventors:

Charles F. Long - Pittsboro IN, US
Mark A. Rader - Avon IN, US
Bradley L. McCafferty - Zionsville IN, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60T 13/74

US Classification:

303 3, 303 841, 188290

Abstract:

A hydrodynamic retarder control apparatus includes two valve spools, one, a retarder control valve, functions as a relay valve to control the on/off operation of a hydrodynamic retarder and the other, a regulator valve, functions to control the regulation of pressure at the hydrodynamic retarder. During abnormal periods of operation of the regulator valve, the retarder control valve will also function as a pressure control valve thereby limiting the maximum pressure at the hydrodynamic retarder.

US Patent:

20030064853, Apr 3, 2003

Filed:

Oct 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/968827

Inventors:

Conrad Rockey - Indianapolis IN, US
Steven James - Zionsville IN, US
Mark Rader - Danville IN, US

International Classification:

F16H057/08

US Classification:

475/331000

Abstract:

A hydrodynamic retarder has an outer housing and an inner housing. A planetary carrier shaft member is rotatably supported on taper roller bearings located in the outer housing. The taper roller bearings are positioned between a shoulder on the shaft and a retaining nut or fastener which is threadably secured to the shaft. A Belleville or Belleville spring is positioned between the retaining nut and the inner race of one of the roller bearings. The retaining nut is secured such that the Belleville spring is flattened thereby applying maximum force to the inner race. The force is transmitted through the first roller bearing, the outer housing, the outer race of a second roller bearing, the second rollers and the second inner race. The Belleville spring will accommodate axial movement between the retaining nut and the bearing. The axial movement might be occasioned by internal forces of the hydrodynamic retarder or external forces that are initiated by a hydraulic piston associated with the hydrodynamic retarder. The retaining nut force might also be reduced due to the expanding and contraction of internal components, such as gaskets, seals and seating surfaces. The Belleville spring accommodates these movements and retains a substantially constant axial seating force for the taper roller bearings and a substantially constant normal force on the retaining nut.