Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner for an internal combustion engine for tensioning a span of a chain or a belt has a piston with an internal reservoir connected to a high pressure chamber through a check valve assembly. The check valve assembly has a disk seat formed by an internal bulge within the piston; a check valve retainer within the piston, and a moveable disk that is received between the disk seat formed by the internal bulge and the check valve retainer and is moveable between a first position and a second position, and a check valve spring that is received between the check valve disk and the check valve retainer.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner for an internal combustion engine for tensioning a span of a chain or a belt has a piston with an internal reservoir connected to a high pressure chamber through a check valve assembly. The check valve assembly has a disk seat formed by an internal bulge within the piston; a check valve retainer within the piston, and a moveable disk that is received between the disk seat formed by the internal bulge and the check valve retainer and is moveable between a first position and a second position, and a check valve spring that is received between the check valve disk and the check valve retainer.

Abstract: In one form, the present disclosure provides for a sprocket assembly including a sprocket wheel and a sprocket cushion. The sprocket wheel can include teeth extending radially outward from a hub. The cushion can be coupled to the hub on a first axial side of the teeth. The cushion can include an annular base and a plurality of projections. The base can be disposed about the hub and the projections can extend radially outward therefrom. Each projection can include a first axial end, second axial end, top surface, and chamfer. The first axial end can be proximal to the first axial side of the teeth. The top surface can extend axially between the first axial end and the second axial end. The chamfer can join the second axial end and the top surface such that a radial thickness of each projection decreases with increased axial distance away from the teeth.

Abstract: In order to prevent noise, a ratchet clip and grooves for the ratchet clip to engage are added to the second piston, such that the second piston cannot hit the bottom of the second bore housing. The second piston is prevented from hitting the bottom of the second bore housing by the ratchet clip engaging the ratchet grooves on the outer circumference of the second piston.

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a chain or belt span which uses two pistons. The movement of the two pistons may be coupled together. The first piston provides damping to the chain span and a second piston provides variable, dominant and automatically adjusting spring force to the chain span. The tensioner automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain or belt tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain or belt control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain or belt conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner (10) and method of assembly can include a housing (12) having an aperture and a piston (16) received within the aperture for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. A tensioner spring (36) positioned within the aperture for bias the piston (16) toward the extended position. The piston (16) and the aperture of the housing (12) defining an expandable fluid chamber (18). The hydraulic tensioner (10) can include a cantilever spring (20) having a first end (22) attachable to the housing (12) and a second end (24) releasably engageable with the piston (16) for retaining the piston (16) in the retracted position against urging of the tensioner spring (36) during storage, shipment, installation, and service. The second end (24) can be disengageable from the piston (16) allowing movement of the piston (16) outwardly toward the extended position during operation in a working environment.

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a chain or belt span which uses two pistons. The movement of the two pistons may be coupled together. The first piston provides damping to the chain span and a second piston provides variable, dominant and automatically adjusting spring force to the chain span. The tensioner automatically adjusts the mean tension force to keep the chain or belt tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain or belt control, significantly improving drive efficiency at new chain or belt conditions and conditions with dynamic loads.

Abstract: The phaser of the present invention includes a reed plate. The reed plate has reed valves, which control the flow of hydraulic fluid. The reed valves are all inclusive on the reed plate. Worn trails in the surface of the parts sandwiching the reed plate direct the flow to and from the reed valves.

Abstract: The phaser of the present invention includes a reed plate. The reed plate has reed valves, which control the flow of hydraulic fluid. The reed valves are all inclusive on the reed plate. Worn trails in the surface of the parts sandwiching the reed plate direct the flow to and from the reed valves.