Abstract: A power-operated system for actuating the rear doors or liftgates of motor vehicles includes a strut assembly having two struts, each strut mounted on one side of the door between the door and the vehicle's door frame. One end of each strut is connected to a powered rotating arm. To open the door, the rotating arms change the angular orientation of the struts such that they have a substantial mechanical advantage. In this position, the force provided by the struts overcomes the weight bias of the door, thus opening the door. To close the door, the rotating arms change the angular orientation of the struts such that the struts have a decreased mechanical advantage, reducing the force provided by the struts, and therefore causing the door to fall closed under its own weight bias. A control system for controlling the power-operated system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power-operated system for actuating the rear doors or liftgates of motor vehicles is disclosed. The system includes a strut assembly having two struts, each strut mounted on one side of the door between the door and the vehicle's door frame. One end of each strut is connected to a powered rotating arm. To open the door, the rotating arms change the angular orientation of the struts such that they have a substantial mechanical advantage. In this position, the force provided by the struts overcomes the weight bias of the door, thus opening the door. To close the door, the rotating arms change the angular orientation of the struts such that the struts have a decreased mechanical advantage, reducing the force provided by the struts, and therefore causing the door to fall closed under its own weight bias. A control system for controlling the power-operated system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning engine driven driving elements, such as belts or chains, is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the tensioner is initially installed with the pivot structure spaced past the perpendicular angular position thereof. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tension required to move the pivot structure to the end of its range of angular positions is at least 75% more than at the hot engine angular position thereof. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tensioner has a stop at the maximum travel position thereof and the tension required to move the pivot structure to its maximum travel position is at least 75% more than at the hot engine angular position thereof. In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, the tension required to move the pivot structure to a potential tooth skip angular position is greater than the maximum tension the engine is capable of creating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tensioner for use in an engine. The tensioner comprises a fixed structure that fixes to the engine. A movable structure is mounted for movement relative to the fixed structure in a belt tensioning and opposite directions. A pulley member has a belt engaging surface that engages with the belt. One of the fixed and movable structures has an interior surface defining a fluid chamber containing fluid and the other includes a chamber dividing structure. The chamber dividing structure defines first and second chamber portions on opposing sides thereof. A biasing element biases the movable structure in the tensioning direction to tension the belt. Relative movement of the movable structure in the tensioning direction displaces fluid from the first to the second chamber portion and increases fluid pressure in the first chamber portion and decreases fluid pressure in the second chamber portion, and the reverse occurs during movement of the movable structure in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A serpentine belt drive system for an automotive vehicle comprising a drive assembly including an internal combustion engine having an output shaft with a driving pulley thereon rotatable about a driving pulley axis. A sequence of driven assemblies each has a driven pulley rotatable about an axis parallel with the driving pulley axis and a serpentine belt mounted in cooperating relation with the driving pulley and with the driven pulleys in a sequence which corresponds with the sequence of the driven assemblies when related to the direction of movement of the belt to cause said driven pulleys to rotate in response to the rotation of the driving pulley. The sequence of driven assemblies includes an alternator assembly including an alternator shaft mounted for rotation about a shaft axis. A hub structure is fixedly carried by the alternator shaft for rotation therewith about the shaft axis. A spring and one-way clutch mechanism couples the alternator pulley with the hub structure.

Abstract: A serpentine belt drive system for an automotive vehicle in which the sequence of driven assemblies includes an alternator assembly comprising a housing and an armature assembly mounted in the housing for rotation about an armature axis. A hub structure is carried by the armature assembly outwardly of the housing for rotation therewith about the armature axis.

Abstract: A serpentine belt drive system for an automotive vehicle in which the sequence of driven assemblies includes an alternator assembly comprising a housing and an armature assembly mounted in the housing for rotation about an armature axis. A hub structure is carried by the armature assembly outwardly of the housing for rotation therewith about the armature axis. A coil spring is disposed in operative relation between the alternator pulley and the hub structure for transmitting the driven rotational movements of the alternator pulley by the serpentine belt to the hub structure such that the armature assembly is rotated in the same direction as the alternator pulley while being capable of instantaneous relative resilient rotational movements in opposite directions with respect to the alternator pulley during the driven rotational movement thereof.

Abstract: A belt tensioner comprising a pivoted structure carrying a pulley for rotation about a rotational axis and mounted on a fixed structure for pivotal movement between an increased range of angular movement. The pulley is operatively positioned with respect to its rotational axis and the pivotal axis of the pivoted structure such that the lever arm to the pivotal axis through which the generally constant belt load force acts on the pivoted structure increases at a decreasing rate and then decreases at an increasing rate throughout the range of movement of the pulley between its first and second positions in a direction toward the second position. The spring assembly is operatively associated with the pivoted structure so as to apply a spring torque to the pivoted structure which increases at a decreasing rate and then decreases at an increasing rate throughout the range of movement of the pulley between its first and second positions in a direction toward said second position.

Abstract: A belt tensioning device having an improved damping mechanism for damping movements of the pivoted structure rotatably carrying the pulley with respect to the fixed structure. The damping mechanism includes a strap and a ring mounted on their respective fixed and pivoted structures and with respect to one another such that the strap engages the ring with a gripping action sufficient to provide (1) a relatively high resistance to frictional sliding movement between the strap and ring in one direction correspond to the direction of untensioning of the belt with the pulley and (2) a relatively low resistance to frictional sliding movement between the strap and ring in an opposite direction corresponding to the direction of belt tensioning.

Abstract: A belt tensioner in which the bearing for mounting the pulley carrying pivoted structure on the fixed structure comprises a frustoconical sleeve bearing having a frustoconical exterior surface and a frustoconical interior surface engaged between annular portions of the two structures. The frustoconical surface of one of the annular portions is (1) formed on the exterior periphery thereof and (2) disposed in engagement with the interior bearing frustoconical surface. The one annular portion has a load center point disposed on the pivotal axis of the pivoted structure. The other annular portion has a load center point disposed on a line disposed within a plane passing through the pivotal axis of the pivoted structure and the rotational axis of the pulley corresponding to the one line of the two lines of intersection of the bearing frustoconical surface with the plane through which the radially inward force component transmitted by the pivoted structure is applied to the sleeve bearing.

Abstract: In a belt tensioning device comprising a fixed structure, a pivoted structure mounted with respect to the fixed structure for pivotal movement about a first axis between first and second limiting positions, a belt engaging pulley rotatably carried by the pivoted structure for rotational movement about a rotational axis parallel with the pivotal axis, a spring acting between the fixed and pivoted structures for resiliently biasing the pivoted structure to move in a direction away from the first limiting position toward the second limiting position so as to tension a belt engaged by the pulley, and a damping mechanism for damping the pivotal movements of the pivoted structure about the pivotal axis. The damping mechanism includes a stack of damping elements having interengaging pairs of surfaces disposed transversely with respect to the pivotal axis so as to be slidable with respect to one another in spaced planes of revolution about the pivotal axis.

Abstract: A timing belt tensioning device comprising a fixed structure having a spring pressed pivoted structure mounted thereon for pivotal movement about a first axis between first and second limiting positions. The pivoted structure carries a timing belt engaging pulley for rotational movement about a second axis parallel with the first axis. A one-way clutch mechanism is provided for permitting pivotal movement of the pivoted structure in a direction toward a second limiting position and for limiting the pivotal movement of the pivoted structure in an opposite direction toward the first limiting position beyond a predetermined distance measured from the nearest position of the pivoted structure to the second limiting position.

Abstract: In a belt tensioning device of the type including a fixed structure, a pivoted structure mounted with respect to the fixed structure for pivotal movement about a first axis between first and second limiting positions, a belt engaging pulley rotatably carried by the pivoted structure for rotational movement about a second axis parallel with the first axis and a torsional coil spring acting between the fixed and pivoted structures for resiliently biasing the pivoted structure to move in a direction away from the first limiting position toward the second limiting position with a spring force which decreases as the pivoted structure is moved in a direction away from the first position toward the second position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method of making pulleys and pulley blanks from sheet metal. The sheet metal is stamped into pulley blanks having an upstanding cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall is then thickened by being partially collapsed axially, followed by contacting with a roller. The roller can have a plurality of v-shaped grooves on its surface, to form a pulley for use with a poly-v belt.

Abstract: A belt tensioning device having an improved damping mechanism for damping movements of the pivoted structure rotatably carrying the pulley with respect to the fixed structure. The damping mechanism includes a strap and a ring mounted on their respective fixed and pivoted structures and with respect to one another such that the strap engages the ring with a gripping action sufficient to provide (1) a relatively high resistance to frictional sliding movement between the strap and ring in one direction correspond to the direction of untensioning of the belt with the pulley and (2) a relatively low resistance to frictional sliding movement between the strap and ring in an opposite direction corresponding to the direction of belt tensioning.