Guide Roll Spring Biased In Belt-tensioning Direction Patents (Class 474/135)
  • Patent number: 11940011
    Abstract: A coupling member for use in priming a fluid pump of an internal combustion engine, the coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a cylindrical length therebetween. The first end of the coupling member may be configured to axially engage a drive shaft of a rotational drive, a plurality of fins may extend along at least a portion of the cylindrical length, and the plurality of fins may be configured to engage an oil drive gear of an internal combustion engine. Each fin from the plurality of fins may protrude radially from an outer surface of the coupling member, and the coupling member may be further configured to translate a rotational force provided by the rotational drive to the oil drive gear of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TCM Engine Products, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Vinson
  • Patent number: 11913549
    Abstract: A tensioner for a belt transmission of a motor vehicle engine has a fixed part configured to be constrained to the engine and provided with a pin defining a rotation axis (A), an arm having a hub portion hinged on the pin and rotatable about the axis (A) and an opposite portion rotatably supporting a pulley configured to cooperate with a transmission belt, a main spring interposed between the fixed part and the arm to exert a thrust on the arm such as to rotate the arm towards the belt, a roller bearing supporting the arm on the pin, and a pair of damping devices exerting on the arm opposite actions so as to minimize the load on the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: DAYCO EUROPE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Roberto Ronchetto, Gianluca Osella
  • Patent number: 11898635
    Abstract: A tensioner includes a movable section, a fixed section, a flat spiral spring, and a back-up spring. The movable section receives load from an entrained transmission body through a tension member. The fixed section supports the movable section so as to be capable of displacing. The flat spiral spring biases the movable section so as to resist the tension member. The flat spiral spring unwinds in a state in which there is a small inter-plate friction force in cases in which there is a large biasing force applied to the tension member to counter load acting from the tension member. The flat spiral spring winds-up in a state in which there is a large inter-plate friction force in cases in which there is a small biasing force applied to the tension member to counter load acting from the tension member. The back-up spring limits wind-up of the flat spiral spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: DAIDO KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshio Yamada, Takao Kobayashi, Kazuhito Hiraoka, Shuji Takahashi, Hideaki Seki
  • Patent number: 11898636
    Abstract: Fixed belt tensioners for a belt system, such as for an exercise bicycle or other belted exercise equipment. The tensioners have the pulley-bearing assembly fixedly attached to the tensioning arm, which is attached to the equipment frame or to a bracket via the same aperture that forms the axis by which the pulley-bearing assembly is attached to the tensioning arm. The arm includes a protrusion or other feature that provides a pivot point for use during the belt installation process. The tensioning arm also incorporates a tensioning adjustment, such as a hex or square hole or protrusion for engagement with a torque wrench or a simple wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Andrzej Dec, Min Chun Hao, David P. Rieland
  • Patent number: 11638396
    Abstract: A mower frame unit is operatively connected with a tractor device and the mower frame is moveable between a generally horizontal first position and a generally vertical second position. The mower frame is moveable from the first position to the second position via a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly carried by the mower frame to pivot the mower frame about a transverse axis. The mower frame carries a tensioner assembly that is operatively connected to a lock assembly. The tensioner assembly serves at least two purposes. Namely, to tension a belt operatively connected to mower blade and to maintain a portion of the lock assembly in a locked manner when the tensioner assembly is in a state of tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: VENTURE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael S Hoffman, Jeff C Liggett, Roscoe J Lehman
  • Patent number: 11629778
    Abstract: A belt tensioning device includes a first tensioning arm mounted on a base body pivotably about a first pivot axis and includes a rotatable first tensioning roller. A second tensioning arm is pivotably mounted relative to the base body about a second pivot axis and includes a rotatable second tensioning roller. Via a spring arrangement between the first tensioning arm and the second tensioning arm, the first and second tensioning arms are resiliently supported against one another in the circumferential direction. A damping mechanism is operatively arranged between the base body and the first tensioning arm for damping relative rotational movement between the first tensioning arm and the base body. The damping mechanism generates a varying damping torque dependent on the rotational position and/or rotational direction of the first tensioning arm relative to the base body upon pivoting of the first tensioning arm relative to the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Florian Stadermann, Joachim Jud, Simon Pfeifer, Manfred Jung
  • Patent number: 11629762
    Abstract: In an aspect, a power transfer device, such as a decoupler, is provided for transferring torque between a shaft and a belt. The device includes: a hub configured to couple to the shaft, a pulley rotatably coupled to the hub that includes a power transmitting surface configured to engage the belt, an isolation spring to transfer a rotational load from one of the pulley and the hub to the other of the pulley and the hub, optionally a one-way clutch to permit overrunning of one of the pulley and the hub relative to the other of the pulley and the hub in a first direction, and a damping member positioned to be driven into frictional engagement with a friction surface by a force from the isolation spring acting on the damping member that varies based on the rotational load transferred by the isolation spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Warren J. Williams, Evan J. Hurry
  • Patent number: 11565770
    Abstract: A drivetrain assembly comprises a bottom bracket shell defining a front axis, a dropout defining a rear axis, a chainstay member attached to the dropout and the bottom bracket shell, a front sprocket and a rear sprocket, and a chain or belt including a bottom section extending from a first contact point between the chain or belt and the front sprocket to a second contact point between the chain or belt and the rear sprocket. The chainstay member fixes the dropout relative to the bottom bracket shell, such that a chainstay length is non-variable, and such that the chain or belt has a predetermined tension defined by a midpoint of the bottom section being vertically displaceable only by a maximum vertical extent within a predetermined range upon application of a predetermined load at the midpoint of the bottom section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SMYLES & FITZ LLC
    Inventor: Myles A. Raymond
  • Patent number: 11499607
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a drive belt tensioner configured to adjust tension in a drive belt of a blower assembly for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system. The drive belt tensioner includes a mounting bracket configured to couple directly to a blower housing that is configured to house a blower of the blower assembly. The drive belt tensioner further includes an idler pulley configured to contact the drive belt. A position of the idler pulley is adjustable relative to the mounting bracket to enable adjustment of the tension in the drive belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Dhanunjaya R. Koka, Anil V. Bhosale, Pramod S. Jadhav, Sarjerao D. Pingale, Mayank Awasthi
  • Patent number: 11493113
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a drive belt tensioner configured to adjust tension in a drive belt of a blower assembly for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system. The drive belt tensioner includes a mounting bracket configured to couple directly to a blower housing that is configured to house a blower of the blower assembly. The drive belt tensioner further includes an idler pulley configured to contact the drive belt. A position of the idler pulley is adjustable relative to the mounting bracket to enable adjustment of the tension in the drive belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Ravindra B. Salunkhe, Siddappa R. Bidari, Praveen Y R, Kunal J. Gandevia, Kevin D. Buller
  • Patent number: 11466756
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a belt tensioner. In one example, the belt tensioner comprises a fluid chamber divided into a first portion and a second portion via a dividing wall. An eccentric housing, which defines the fluid chamber, rotates relative to the dividing wall based on a spring force and a belt force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allan Kaminski, Kevin Maile
  • Patent number: 11359702
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a reconfigurable belt tensioner that can be used to add, remove, and/or reposition peripheral accessories of an engine installation, for example, in an automobile or another vehicle. The tensioner has a housing, an arm with an axle, and a spring installed in the housing. The axle is inserted into and fastened to the housing. The arm rotates around the axle. When the arm is rotated, the spring provides the force that tends to return the arm and the housing to the original position. The tensioner can be reconfigured by repositioning the spring relative to the housing and/or the arm, changing the angle between the housing and the arm. The tensioner may be used, for example, on an LS-based GM small-block engine, and allow operation with and without the air conditioning compressor or other accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Shihwen Chan
  • Patent number: 11162564
    Abstract: A pendulum-type accessory tensioner includes an elastic unit having a main spring and a sub-spring with different rigidities, in which tension of an accessory belt is kept constant even when different angular velocity variations are applied to the tensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ki-Bong Yoon
  • Patent number: 11156273
    Abstract: A tensioning device for a traction drive comprises: a base member; at least one tensioning arm pivotably supported on the base member around a pivot axis, with a tensioning roller which is rotatably supported on a bearing carrier of the tensioning arm; spring means for resiliently loading the tensioning arm, wherein the spring means extend between a first spring support of the tensioning arm and a second spring support of the tensioning device over a circumferential length around the pivot axis; an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the first spring support relative to the bearing carrier of the tensioning roller in circumferential direction about the pivot axis. A method includes adjusting the torque of the tensioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Simon Pfeifer, Joachim Jud
  • Patent number: 11047454
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, includes: a cylinder block; a crankshaft rotatably supported in the cylinder block; an oil pan fastened to a lower end portion of the cylinder block; a chain case fastened to one end wall of the cylinder block in an axial direction of the crankshaft; a belt wound around a crank pulley provided on an end portion of the crankshaft protruding from the chain case and an accessory pulley provided on an engine accessory; and a tensioner contacting a back surface of the belt and applying a tension to the belt, wherein the tensioner includes multiple fastening portions, such that one of the fastening portions is fastened to at least one of the cylinder block and the chain case, and another one of the fastening portions is fastened to the oil pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Fukada, Naoki Hotta, Nobuharu Takahashi, Hirokazu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11009105
    Abstract: A tensioning bar assembly for a tensioning assembly of a drive system of an agricultural machine includes a longitudinal bar having a longitudinal axis, a top end, and a bottom end. An attachment device is attached to the top end of the longitudinal bar. A compression spring has first and second ends, and is located around a portion of the longitudinal bar. A first spring retainer engages with and retains the first end of the spring. The longitudinal bar has a bolt section, and the bolt section has a threaded portion, an engagement head, and a sleeve section. The sleeve section includes an internally threaded hollow section for receiving the bolt section. The sleeve section is fixed and rotationally attached to the attachment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Mark Veer, William Ryan Haar
  • Patent number: 10995829
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a cylindrical portion extending axially, the cylindrical portion comprising a radially outer surface and a receiving portion that is radially inward of the radially outer surface, an eccentric arm pivotally engaged with the radially outer surface, a torsion spring disposed within the radially inward receiving portion, the torsion spring applying a biasing force to the eccentric arm, and a pulley journalled to the eccentric arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Andrzej Dec
  • Patent number: 10962092
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base defining a hole, the hole having a center C, the hole having a diameter sufficient to receive a driven pulley, a rotary arm engaged with the base by a retaining member connected to the base, the rotary arm rotatable about the center C, a pivot arm mounted to the rotary arm on a pivot, the pivot offset from center C, a first pulley journalled to the rotary arm, a second pulley journalled to the pivot arm, a torsion spring engaged between the rotary arm and the pivot arm for biasing the second pulley toward the first pulley, a damping member frictionally engaged between the base and the rotary arm, and the rotary arm defining a portion for receiving a first pulley fastener whereby a first pulley position is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: GATES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keming Liu, Min Chun Hao, Jin Zhan, Enrico Wick, Arnaud Martinez, Francesco Bassi
  • Patent number: 10883575
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm, a torsion spring engaged between the base and the pivot arm, the torsion spring comprising a planar cylindrical portion integrally formed into an end of the torsion spring, and a damping member engaged with the planar cylindrical portion, the damping member frictionally engaging the base and being loaded in an unwinding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Yahya Hodjat, Lynda Elsas
  • Patent number: 10865858
    Abstract: A belt tensioner, comprising a first and second tensioning arm supported on a generator housing, a first and second tensioning roller attached to the first and second tensioning arms and configured to apply a pre-tensioning force to an auxiliary unit belt drive, and a bow spring clamped between the first and second tensioning arms in axial overlap with the tensioning rollers and configured to produce the pre-tensioning force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO.KG
    Inventors: Roland Arneth, Alexander Weidner, Zoran Maricic
  • Patent number: 10859141
    Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner includes a shaft and base unit that is mountable to an engine, an arm pivotable about the shaft and base unit, a pulley on the arm engageable with a belt, a spring urging the arm in a free arm direction, a first damping member fixed on the shaft and base unit, which receives a first radial force from a first segment of the spring causing a first amount of frictional force between the first damping member and a surface that moves with the tensioner arm, and a second damping member on the arm, which receives a second radial force from a second segment of the tensioner spring that is spaced axially from the first segment of the spring, causing a second amount of frictional force between the second damping member and a surface that is stationary with the shaft and base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Marek Frankowski
  • Patent number: 10794455
    Abstract: A tensioner includes a power spring, and a backup member being in contact with the power spring and supporting the power spring by acting an urging force in a direction opposite to a radial shift of the power spring in a direction in which the power spring is wound. The power spring is unwound in a condition in which an inter-plate frictional force of the power spring is small in a case where an urging force acting from a power spring to a tension member is greater than a load acting from the tensioner arm to the power spring and the power spring is wound in a condition in which the inter-plate frictional force of the power spring is large in a case where the urging force acting from the power spring to the tension member is smaller than the load acting from the tension member to the power spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: DAIDO KOGYO CO., LTD., NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideaki Seki, Yoshio Yamada, Takao Kobayashi, Kazuhito Hiraoka, Shuji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10774905
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a cylindrical portion extending axially, the cylindrical portion comprising a radially outer surface and a receiving portion that is radially inward of the radially outer surface, an eccentric arm pivotally engaged with the radially outer surface, a torsion spring disposed within the radially inward receiving portion, the torsion spring applying a biasing force to the eccentric arm, and a pulley journalled to the eccentric arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Andrzej Dec
  • Patent number: 10746264
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a base aperture, the base aperture having an axis A-A and capable of receiving a driven component, a rotary arm rotatably engaged with the base and encircling the base aperture, a swing arm pivotally engaged with the rotary arm, a first torsion spring biasing the swing arm, a first pulley journalled to the swing arm, a rotary ring rotatably encircling the base aperture and disposed between the rotary arm and the base, a second pulley journalled to the rotary ring, a second torsion spring engaged between the rotary ring and the rotary arm for biasing the rotary ring, and a wave spring in pressing engagement between the base and the rotary ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Sukhdeep Singh
  • Patent number: 10718410
    Abstract: A belt tensioner for a belt drive of a motor vehicle engine, comprising: a fixed part configured to be fixed with respect to the engine and provided with a pivot defining a rotation axis; an arm having a connection portion hinged to the pivot and rotatable about the rotation axis and an opposite portion rotatably supporting a pulley configured to cooperate with a belt of the drive; a main spring interposed between the fixed part and the arm to exert thrust on the arm such as to rotate said arm towards the belt; and at least one rolling bearing interposed between the arm and the pivot to support the arm and ensure the alignment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Dayco Europe S.R.L.
    Inventors: Gianluca Cariccia, Antonino Cimino
  • Patent number: 10619712
    Abstract: A tensioner mounting structure for the vehicle mounted for adjusting a tension of a first belt in an engine including a water pump and a mild hybrid starter and generator that are connected to a damper pulley mounted on a crankshaft provided in a cylinder block through the first belt, and an air conditioner compressor connected to the damper pulley through a second belt, may include a first tensioner mounted on the mild hybrid starter and generator between the water pump and the mild hybrid starter and generator; and a second tensioner mounted on a chain cover mounted on the engine between the damper pulley and the mild hybrid starter and generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Heedo Kwon, Kye Oong Song, Tae Hoon Roh, Jong Won Lee, Jaekyun Lee, In Jae Seo, Hyun Jeong Baek, Jae Kyu Lee, Woong Na
  • Patent number: 10309498
    Abstract: A belt tensioner (1) for a generator belt drive of an internal combustion engine is provided. The belt tensioner includes a tensioning arm (5) with a tensioning roller (7) mounted thereon, and a tensioning spring which acts on the tensioning arm and is intended for pretensioning the belt (11) is designed for mounting onto the generator (2) and, in the mounted state of the belt drive, engages annularly around the belt pulley (6) of the generator and encompasses the belt in a plane which is spaced apart from the plane of the belt and runs on the far side of the belt plane with respect to the generator. The belt tensioner has an open ring-shaped construction, and therefore, in the mounted state of the belt tensioner on the generator, the belt can be mounted axially through the ring opening (9, 10) in the belt tensioner onto the belt pulley of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Zoran Maricic, Alexander Weidner, Steffen Gundel
  • Patent number: 10295025
    Abstract: A belt transmission system comprises: a first pulley; a second pulley; a belt; and an automatic tensioner having a first tension pulley and a second tension pulley applying tension to a portion of the belt located at a tension side and a portion of the belt located at a slack side of the belt, and an arm. Force from the belt makes the first tension pulley and the second tension pulley rotate in the same direction. When the first tension pulley rotates in a direction tensioning the belt, the second tension pulley also rotates in a direction tensioning the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Takenaka
  • Patent number: 10281014
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an auto-tensioner containing a base having a cylindrical part, a rotating member supported rotatably to the base, a pulley provided at the rotating member, a friction member sandwiched between the cylindrical part and the rotating member, and a coil spring locked to the friction member and the base and disposed in a state of being compressed in an axial direction, thereby biasing the rotating member in one direction, in which the friction member has an arcuate surface capable of sliding along the cylindrical part, a first locking part located further toward the one direction side than the arcuate surface in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical part and locked to the rotating member, and a second locking part locked to one end of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Oishi, Koji Nishiyama, Tetsuo Yoneda
  • Patent number: 10094451
    Abstract: A tensioner is disclosed. The tensioner includes an arm, a tong, and a clutch. The arm is rotatable about a first axis in an opposite direction. The arm includes at least one stopping element. The tong is selectively engaged with the at least one stopping element of the arm. The arm is substantially prevented from rotating in the opposite direction if the tong is engaged with the at least one stopping element. The clutch is operatively coupled to the arm. The clutch includes an engaged and a disengaged position. If the clutch is in the engaged position, then the tong is engaged with the at least one stopping element of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Lingyuan Kong
  • Patent number: 9982721
    Abstract: In an aspect, the invention relates to a decoupler that is positionable between a shaft (eg. for an alternator) and an endless power transmitting element (eg. a belt) on an engine. The decoupler includes a hub that mounts to the shaft, and a pulley that engages the endless power transmitting element, an isolation spring between the hub and the shaft. The decoupler provides at least a selected damping torque between the hub and the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Patrick Marion, Lucas Wilson, Justin Boudreau, Gary J. Spicer
  • Patent number: 9982761
    Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner for tensioning an endless drive member on an engine, is provided, comprising a base that mounts to the engine, a tensioner arm that is pivotally connected to the base for pivotal movement about a tensioner arm axis, a pulley rotatably mounted to the tensioner arm for rotation about a pulley axis that is spaced from the tensioner arm axis, a tensioner spring and a damping member. The tensioner spring is positioned to urge the tensioner arm into an endless drive member. The spring has a first helical end and a second helical end. The first helical end is positioned to transfer force with a first spring end force transfer surface on the base and the second helical end is positioned to transfer force with a second spring end force transfer surface on the tensioner arm. The damping member is positioned in a surrounding relationship with the tensioner spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Wei Ma, Kacy E. Joseph
  • Patent number: 9874267
    Abstract: A tensioner (10) for an endless loop power transmission member can induce a piston (12) operably engageable with an endless loop power transmission member, and a cylinder (14) guiding include a piston (12) for sliding coaxial movement in a direction of the endless loop power transmission member. The piston (12) and cylinder (14) defining an oil reservoir or pressure chamber (26) for receiving hydraulic fluid. A bearing (28) has bearing balls (30) located in a counter bore (32) coaxial with cylinder bore (34). The counter bore (32) has a steep taper (36) on which the bearing balls (30) ride. As the cylinder (14) moves in an extending direction, the bearing balls (30) move out of the counter bore (32) allowing free extending movement of the cylinder (14). As the cylinder (14) moves in a retracting direction, the bearing balls (30) are driven down into the steep taper (36) preventing the cylinder (14) from retracting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Mark M. Wigsten, Dale N. Smith
  • Patent number: 9863511
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a belt auto-tensioner that automatically adjusts tension of a belt for rotational force transmission between an engine and auxiliary machinery components, the belt auto-tensioner comprising: an upper cover that is provided with a pulley being in contact with the belt and has a receiving space provided so as to be spaced apart from the pulley; a tensioner body that is inserted into the receiving space, and provides friction attenuation to the upper cover when the upper cover rotates in a direction opposite to a direction of tension applying engagement by the tension of the belt; and a friction unit that is installed on an inner surface of the receiving space, and is formed so as to rub against an outer surface of the tensioner body when the upper cover rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Je Yong Yoon
  • Patent number: 9841087
    Abstract: A belt tensioner for a generator belt drive of an internal combustion engine, is provided having: —an annular housing part which is secured on the generator housing so as to enclose the generator shaft, —an annular tensioning part which is mounted on the housing part in a pivotal manner about the generator shaft, —a single tension roller which is mounted on the tensioning part and pretensions the belt, —and a spring which is clamped between the housing part and the tensioning part and which applies a torque to the tensioning part in order to generate the belt tension. The spring should be a bow spring which extends parallel to the belt plane (?) and circumferentially and completely outside of a pivoting range of the tension roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Zoran Maricic, Alexander Weidner
  • Patent number: 9715194
    Abstract: Drive belt systems and methods thereof are disclosed. Drive belt systems and methods thereof include driving a continuous belt around a drive pulley member and an idler pulley member by the drive pulley member and transporting a transport unit and/or reciprocating carriage unit coupled to the continuous belt in a first direction away from the drive pulley member. Drive belt systems and methods thereof also include applying at least a force to the belt in a traverse direction thereto to direct a portion of the belt about the drive pulley member by a belt stretch management apparatus coupled to the transport unit and/or reciprocating carriage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Matt G Driggers
  • Patent number: 9618099
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a shaft, a base, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm, a first spring urging a first damping member into a frictional engagement with the pivot arm, the first spring engaged with the base, the first damping member imparting a damping force greater in a first pivot arm direction than in a second pivot arm direction, and a second spring disposed in the pivot arm and urging a second damping member into a frictional engagement with a base surface, the base surface comprises an arcuate form having a radius that is variable from a minimum value to a maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GATES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter Ward, John Harvey, Oliver Stegelmann
  • Patent number: 9599934
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner image forming device to form a toner image on a rotatable toner image bearer, a looped belt to carry a recording medium, a support roller to rotate the belt, a pressing member to press the belt against the toner image bearer, a transfer electric field generator to form an electric field to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium, and a contact member to contact an end surface of the belt as the belt moves to one side in a belt width direction. The belt includes a first portion pressed against the toner image bearer by the pressing member and a second portion adjoining the first portion. A relative position of the support roller relative to the toner image bearer and the pressing member is determined such that the second portion of the belt contacts the toner image bearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Hozumi, Naomi Sugimoto, Kazuchika Saeki, Yasufumi Takahashi, Naoki Iwaya, Masaharu Furuya
  • Patent number: 9394977
    Abstract: A tensioner is disclosed that may be part of a power system where the tensioner provides tension to an endless power transmitting element such as a belt, chain, or other continuous loop. The tensioner has an arm that is rotatable about a first axis and includes an arm arbor having a window therethrough, a bushing having a protrusion and being positioned adjacent the arm arbor with the protrusion received in the arm arbor's window, and a spring coupled to the arm urging the arm to rotate about the first axis into tensioning engagement with a power transmitting element. The spring is positioned where it can radially expand into contact with the protrusion of the bushing as the arm is rotated in a direction opposite the direction of tensioning engagement such that the bushing is urged radially outward relative to the arm arbor to provide frictional damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Gerard Dutil, Anthony Eugene Lannutti
  • Patent number: 9377089
    Abstract: A chain tensioning device is basically provided with a main body, a chain guide, a rotary fluid damper unit and a rotational resistance adjustment device. The main body is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The chain guide is pivotally coupled to the main body to rotate around a rotational axis with respect to the main body. The rotary fluid damper unit is operatively connected between the main body and the chain guide to provide rotational resistance to the chain guide around the rotational axis. The rotational resistance adjustment device is operatively connected to the rotary fluid damper unit to change a rotational resistance setting of the rotary fluid damper unit with the rotational resistance adjustment device in an operative state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Sota Yamaguchi, Toyoto Shirai, Masanori Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 9377090
    Abstract: A tensioner assembly that includes a base, an arm, an opening spring (i.e., a torsion spring that opens or radially expands with increasing torque applied thereto), a spring reaction member, and a pivot bushing. The tensioner assembly is configured to orient various loads in predetermined directions. For example, a spring load can be oriented to counteract a hub load to reduce a bushing load that acts on the pivot bushing. As another example, a spring reaction force exerted by the spring reaction member can be employed by a damping mechanism to generate a grounding force that is parallel to the spring reaction force and is directed to intersect an axis about which the arm pivots relative to the base. A tensioner assembly having improved assembly characteristics is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Wei Ma, Gerald J. Hamers
  • Patent number: 9249866
    Abstract: Belt tensioners for a power transmission belt system are disclosed. The belt tensioners have a support member, an arm, a torsion spring operatively coupled therebetween, and an improved damping assembly. The arm includes a housing section pivotally mounted to the support member for rotation about the arm. This housing section has a rub surface against which the damper assembly is seated. The damper assembly has a body having a friction surface frictionally contacting the rub surface of the arm and a damper spring integrated with the body. The improvement of the damper assembly is that the rub surface of the arm includes a trough concentric about the axis of rotation and the friction surface of the body includes an annular protrusion seated in the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Eugene Lannutti
  • Patent number: 9206888
    Abstract: An auto-tensioner includes: a stationary member having a first cylindrical portion; a rotatable member having a second cylindrical portion at least partially overlapping the first cylindrical portion in a radial direction; and a drainage mechanism provided at a boundary part of the first and second cylindrical portions, including a water inlet configured by a gap between an outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion and an outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion and being open along a peripheral direction, a water passage which is configured by a gap between a water collecting groove formed along the peripheral direction in the outer peripheral surface of one of the two cylindrical portions and the other cylindrical portion, and communicates with the water inlet, and at least one drainage port formed in a peripheral wall on an outside in the radial direction of the water passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Yoneda, Katsuya Imai
  • Patent number: 9121474
    Abstract: Systems and methods for an engine drive system are described herein. In one example, the system includes a camshaft, a crankshaft, and an accessory drive. The system may include a first chain coupling the camshaft and crankshaft in a first plane, and a second chain coupling the accessory drive and crankshaft in a second plane non-planar to the first plane. The system may further include a chain guide including a first surface guidingly contacting the first chain and a second surface guidingly contacting the second chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Tom Suchecki
  • Patent number: 9103411
    Abstract: A belt tensioner for attaching to a generator of an auxiliary unit drive of an internal combustion engine, including a tensioner housing mounted on the generator having a cavity, two tensioning rollers which act with a pretensioning force on the belt in a direction of revolution upstream and downstream of the pulley of the generator, a bow spring which produces the pretensioning force accommodated in the cavity, a circular-arc-shaped tensioning lever mounted in the cavity movable in a plane of the circular arc and which is acted on by the force of the bow springs and supports one of the tensioning rollers, and a sliding bearing for the tensioning lever, which sliding bearing extends at the inlet of the cavity. The tensioning lever has a steel core with an aluminum sheath which completely encloses the part of the steel core which extends outside the cavity and inside the sliding bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Wolf, Roland Arneth
  • Patent number: 9046149
    Abstract: Starter-alternator assembly including a poly-V belt comprising a body made of elastomeric material, a plurality of filiform resistant inserts longitudinally embedded in the body, and a coupling portion integrally connected to the body and comprising a plurality of V-shaped ribs set alongside one another and alternating with V-shaped grooves. The belt has a dynamic modulus, with a tensile force pre-set at 600 N at a frequency 15 Hz, that after 10 000 cycles is higher than 110 000 N/rib/branch, and is advantageously made with resistant inserts obtained from at least one first fiber material and one second fiber material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Dayco Europe S.R.L.
    Inventors: Carlo Trappolini, Marco Di Meco
  • Patent number: 9017197
    Abstract: A hydraulic damper for providing fluid damping to a tensioner in a drive system that includes a damper cup, which is mounted to the tensioner and configured to rotate about a central axle in tandem with the tensioner, an end plate having an outer face and an inner face, which is attached to the damper cup forming a fluid chamber, a peg attached to the end plate and extending away from the inner face and toward the damping cup, a damping fluid, which is contained within the fluid chamber, a plurality of shear plates housed within the fluid chamber comprising alternating fixed plates engaged with a fixed component of the tensioner and rotatable plates engaged with a rotatable component of the tensioner where the peg extends through openings in each of the shear plates allowing for rotation of the rotatable plate with the rotation of the peg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Randy C. Foster, Randy Diefenderfer, Jeffrey Allen Pendergrass
  • Patent number: 9005061
    Abstract: A clamping device (1) of a traction mechanism drive, comprising a fixedly positioned base part (2), with which a pivot arm (3) is associated. The pivot arm (3) can be pivoted via a rotary bearing, consisting of a hub (9), a pin (5) of the base part (2) and a sliding bearing (10). A spring means (12) inserted between the base part (2) and the pivot arm (3) exerts an expansion force and effects a non-positive support of a tensioning roller (11) that is connected to the pivot arm (3) on a traction mechanism. In order to damp adjusting movements of the pivot arm (3), a damping device (13) is provided, which comprises two separate spring-loaded friction elements. For this purpose, a friction disk (14) is supported with form fit on the supporting disk (8) connected to the pin (5) of the base part (2) and with friction fit on the pivot arm (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Liebel, Bernd Hartmann
  • Patent number: 9005060
    Abstract: A derailleur 10, for moving a chain 60 to different sized sprockets arranged small to large in a sprocket nest 101 is disclosed. The derailleur 10 has a pivot guide feed arm 11 for directing the chain 60 onto one of multiple sprockets within the sprocket nest 101. The pivot guide feed arm 11 is rotatably mounted at a pivot end on an angular pivot pin 12 and when the pivot guide feed arm 11 rotates about the pivot pin 12 an opposite chain guide end of the pivot guide feed arm 11 traces a path substantially parallel to a tangent to the outer periphery of the sprocket nest 101. The movement of the pivot guide feed arm 11 is mechanically driven by a user command and is preferably moved by a connected rod or wire or cable 109.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Zike, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Anthony Scolari, George Robert Reiter
  • Patent number: RE46019
    Abstract: A tensioner including a support structure defining a pivot axis, an arm coupled to the support structure for rotation about the pivot axis, and a damping mechanism. The arm includes a cup having the damping mechanism seated therein. The damping mechanism includes a first tensioner component that is generally cup-shaped and has first ramp features on the rim thereof, a second tensioner component having second ramp features, and a damper spring coupling the first tensioner component to the second tensioner component. The first tensioner component is rotatable with the arm and the second tensioner component is non-rotatable. The damper mechanism has the first ramp features aligned with the second ramp features and rotation of the first tensioner component in a first direction moves the first ramp features relative to the second ramp features and translates the first tensioner component into damping engagement with the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony E. Lannutti