Torque is a force that causes rotation around a central point such as an axle.
(Source: Collins English Dictionary 2001)
This describes the ratio of the torque that can be transmitted at the high torque (high-grip) wheel or axle, divided by the low torque (low-grip) wheel. A standard (open) differential normally has torque bias ratio of 1~1.3, whereas a torque-sensing limited slip differential can have any ratio from approx 1.4 upwards.
Vehicles with an automatic transmission don't have a clutch to disconnect the transmission from the engine. Instead, they use a torque converter which is situated between the engine and the transmission. In addition to allowing the vehicle to come to a complete stop without stalling the engine, the torque converter gives the vehicle more torque when accelerating out of a stop. A torque converter is a type of fluid coupling, which allows the engine to spin somewhat independently of the transmission. If the engine is turning slowly, e.g. when the engine is on but the car is not moving, the amount of torque passed through the torque converter is very small, so keeping the vehicle still requires only a light pressure on the brake pedal. When the accelerator is pressed, the engine speeds up and pumps more fluid into the torque converter, causing more torque to be transmitted to the wheels.
(Source: How Stuff Works http://www.howstuffworks.com)
Torque produced by the vehicle engine is transferred to the road wheels via propshafts, final drive units and sideshafts. Under some operating conditions, such as in snow, ice, mud and loose surfaces, one wheel can lose traction. If traction is lost the wheel spins and the vehicle is unable to move or temporarily loses momentum. A torque management device is one that senses when a wheel slips and reroutes torque to the wheels that have more traction. Torque management devices can be located in final drives to control slip across an axle and/or centrally on four-wheel drive vehicles to control slip between front and rear wheels. Vehicle mobility and handling are greatly enhanced by the best use of individual wheel traction.
(Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page)
A Torque Sensing Device reacts to relative torque differences between 2 connected wheels or axles, to distribute torque to the wheel or axle with the higher traction potential, according to defined characteristics.
This allows the transmission output torque to be dynamically and continously varied between front and rear axles of a 4WD vehicle (the same technology can be applied cross axle on a 2WD vehicle). The overall objective is to provide an improvement in the “safe handling” limits of a vehicle.
(Source Ricardo http://www.ricardo.co.uk/)
A transverse engine is an engine in which the crankshaft is oriented side-to-side relative to the wheels of the vehicle. This is also sometimes called an east-west engine. Most modern front wheel drive vehicles use this engine orientation, while most rear wheel drive vehicles use a front-to-back longitudinal arrangement.
(Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page)
Tripod plunging joints allow axial movement under articulation with very high loading capability, contributing to a high service life. Three rollers on the spider are fitted with needle bearings and allow plunge under low forces. The tripod plunging joint has a self-centering characteristic. the spider is always offset from the centre of the joint and executes an orbital movement with each rotation of the articulated joint. It is always guided to the centre of the outer component of the joint by one of the three rollers. This self-centering property gives rise to constant velocity characteristics. Tripod plunging joints were developed by Dr Michel Orain and were based on previously developed polypod joints designed in 1937 by Karl Kutzbach, and bipod joints, developed by Robert Schwenke in 1902.
The standard tubular shaft consists of a tube and the connecting components, normally a stubshaft, tube yoke and/or a three arm flange. These components are connected using a welding process. Within GKN Driveline we have five different series welding processes: Friction welding, laser welding, plasma welding, Mac Arc welding and Mig welding. Steel, aluminium and composite tubes are available.