Richard S Fraley

US Patent:

20040043854, Mar 4, 2004

Filed:

Aug 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/231707

Inventors:

Richard Fraley - Shelby Township MI, US
Mark Bugosh - Sterling Heights MI, US
William Konior - Clinton Township MI, US

International Classification:

F16H007/12
F16H057/02

US Classification:

474/134000, 474/144000

Abstract:

The invention relates to a tensioning device for use in vehicle power steering assembly, in particular, having a drive unit for rotating an input pulley rotatably connected to an output pulley via a flexible belt. The tensioning device includes a housing and an arm movably attached relative to the housing. A contact device is mounted on the arm and is adapted to be engaged with a portion of the belt between the input and output pulleys. The arm is movable relative to the belt to position the contact device against the belt to provide tension on the belt.

US Patent:

52302733, Jul 27, 1993

Filed:

Jul 25, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/558068

Inventors:

Richard R. Fraley - Allenton MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

F15B 910

US Classification:

91371

Abstract:

A power steering control valve assembly includes inner and outer valve members and a force transmitting assembly which resists relative rotation between the valve members. The force transmitting assembly includes an upper reaction element which is connected with the inner valve member, a lower reaction element which is connected with the outer valve member and a plurality of force transmitting elements or balls which are disposed between the upper and lower reaction elements. The balls engage recesses in the inner valve member and rotate with the inner valve member. The balls also engage recesses formed in the lower reaction element. In one embodiment of the invention, only three balls are utilized. Hydraulic and mechanical balancing of the power steering control valve is attained by hydraulically balancing the inner and outer valve members before connecting the lower reaction element with the outer valve member. Thus, the lower reaction element is loosely positioned relative to the outer valve member.

US Patent:

62374648, May 29, 2001

Filed:

Jan 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/009009

Inventors:

Richard R. Fraley - Shelby Township MI
Michael J. Damore - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

F15B 910

US Classification:

91375R

Abstract:

An apparatus (18) includes first and second relatively rotatable valve members (60, 62) and a centering mechanism (120). The valve members (60, 62) are configured to direct hydraulic fluid between the valve members (60, 62) in accordance with their rotational positions. The centering mechanism (120) includes a movable detent member (126), a spring (142), and a cam surface (128). The cam surface (128) is rotatable with one of the valve members (60, 62) so as to cam the detent member (126) against a bias of the spring (142) upon rotation of the valve members (60, 62) from centered positions. The cam surface (128) has a central portion (130) defining a recess (134) in which the detent member (126) rests when the valve members (60, 62) are in the centered positions. The cam surface (128) further has a pair of side portions (132) on opposite sides of the recess (134).