Abstract: A chain tensioner includes a blade assembly operatively connected to a bracket. The blade assembly includes a plastic blade and a spring, with a first spring end located in a first slot and a second spring end located in a second slot. The first spring end contacts a first lower wall at a first contact location and the second spring end contacts a second lower wall at a second contact location. A pivot end spring force vector SFP acts on the first lower wall at the first contact location and a free end spring force vector SFR acts on the second lower wall at the second contact location. A chain is in contact with the outer surface of the blade. The blade assembly is mounted on the bracket with a bracket pin located in the pivot bore and with the foot of the blade supported on a bracket ramp. A pivot pin force vector FP acts on an inside diameter of the pivot bore through the pivot axis. A ramp force vector FR acts on the blade foot at a ramp contact location.

Abstract: A roller chain sprocket includes a body with a hub and a row of teeth that extends circumferentially around the hub such that the hub extends axially outward on opposite first and second sides of the row of teeth. The teeth are separated from each other by tooth spaces, wherein each of said tooth spaces is bisected by a radial tooth space centerline. First and second elastomeric cushion rings are respectively bonded to the hub on the opposite first and second sides of the row of teeth, with cushion ring extending circumferentially about the hub and including a plurality of compression pads separated from each other by axially extending transverse grooves. Each of the compression pads includes a planar or otherwise flat outer surface that is connected to a respective preceding one of the grooves by a leading corner surface and connected to a respective trailing one of the grooves by a trailing corner surface.

Abstract: A chain tensioner includes a blade assembly operatively connected to a bracket. The blade assembly includes a plastic blade and a spring, with a first spring end located in a first slot and a second spring end located in a second slot. The first spring end contacts a first lower wall at a first contact location and the second spring end contacts a second lower wall at a second contact location. A pivot end spring force vector SFP acts on the first lower wall at the first contact location and a free end spring force vector SFR acts on the second lower wall at the second contact location. A chain is in contact with the outer surface of the blade. The blade assembly is mounted on the bracket with a bracket pin located in the pivot bore and with the foot of the blade supported on a bracket ramp. A pivot pin force vector FP acts on an inside diameter of the pivot bore through the pivot axis. A ramp force vector FR acts on the blade foot at a ramp contact location.

Abstract: An inverted tooth chain and sprocket drive system in which the initial contact distance ICD, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?), the link plate entrance angle Beta (?), and other aspects of the meshing geometry are controlled and optimized to reduce noise and vibration by using a particular chain link plate form and, in preferred cases, by modifying the sprocket tooth pressure angle. The system can include first and second sprockets for which the pressure angle can be controlled to ensure that the desired values for the initial contact distance ICD, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?), and the link plate entrance angle Beta (?) are equal for both sprockets even though the sprockets have different tooth counts. For a chain pitch P in the range of 6.35 mm to 8.0 mm, the initial contact distance ICD is controlled such that 0.49P?ICD?0.53P, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?) is controlled such that ??34°, and the link plate entrance angle Beta (?) is controlled such that ??9°.

Abstract: A fixed or adjustable chain guide includes a captured shoulder bolt fastener. An adjustable chain guide such as a chain tensioner arm assembly includes a tensioner arm with a pivot bore defined about a pivot axis. The pivot bore includes an inner end opening through a rear face of the tensioner arm and an outer end opening through a front face of the tensioner arm. The tensioner arm further includes at least one resilient fastener retaining tab located adjacent the pivot bore. The shoulder bolt extends through the pivot bore and is engaged by the at least one resilient fastener retaining tab, and the at least one fastener retaining tab inhibits separation of the fastener from the tensioner arm. The fastener preferably includes an annular groove or other recess to be engaged by the one or more fastener retaining tabs in order to permit the tensioner arm to rotate relative to the fastener.

Abstract: A chain tensioner includes a shoe including a first spring-receiving slot and a second spring-receiving slot. The first slot includes a first side wall and a first installation tab. The second slot includes a second side wall and a second installation tab. A stack of one or more leaf springs is installed into the first and second spring-receiving slots over first and second installation tabs, and a first end of the stack is laterally retained in the first slot between the first installation tab and first side wall, and a second end of the stack is laterally retained in the second slot between the second installation tab and second side wall. The installation tabs are necessarily lower in height than first and second side walls to allow the spring stack to be installed thereover. The first and second installation tabs are each located in an outboard position and the first and second side walls are located in an inboard position.

Abstract: A fixed or adjustable chain guide includes a captured shoulder bolt fastener. An adjustable chain guide such as a chain tensioner arm assembly includes a tensioner arm with a pivot bore defined about a pivot axis. The pivot bore includes an inner end opening through a rear face of the tensioner arm and an outer end opening through a front face of the tensioner arm. The tensioner arm further includes at least one resilient fastener retaining tab located adjacent the pivot bore. The shoulder bolt extends through the pivot bore and is engaged by the at least one resilient fastener retaining tab, and the at least one fastener retaining tab inhibits separation of the fastener from the tensioner arm. The fastener preferably includes an annular groove or other recess to be engaged by the one or more fastener retaining tabs in order to permit the tensioner arm to rotate relative to the fastener.

Abstract: An adjustable camshaft sprocket assembly includes a hub and a sprocket body secured to the hub. A stud-receiving opening is defined in one of the hub flange and the sprocket body, and a tool-receiving opening is defined in the other of the hub flange and the sprocket body. The tool-receiving opening is aligned with the stud-receiving opening and is adapted to receive a body portion of an adjustment tool, and the stud-receiving opening is adapted to receive an eccentric stud of the adjustment tool. Either the stud-receiving opening or the tool-receiving opening is elongated. Rotation of the adjustment tool when its body is located in the tool-receiving opening and its eccentric stud is located in the stud-receiving opening causes relative angular movement between the hub and the sprocket body. One or more fasteners are used to immovably secure the sprocket body to the hub after adjustment. A tool includes cylindrical base, a driving head, and an eccentric stud.

Abstract: A fixed or adjustable chain guide includes a captured shoulder bolt fastener. An adjustable chain guide such as a chain tensioner arm assembly includes a tensioner arm with a pivot bore defined about a pivot axis. The pivot bore includes an inner end opening through a rear face of the tensioner arm and an outer end opening through a front face of the tensioner arm. The tensioner arm further includes at least one resilient fastener retaining tab located adjacent the pivot bore. The shoulder bolt extends through the pivot bore and is engaged by the at least one resilient fastener retaining tab, and the at least one fastener retaining tab inhibits separation of the fastener from the tensioner arm. The fastener preferably includes an annular groove or other recess to be engaged by the one or more fastener retaining tabs in order to permit the tensioner arm to rotate relative to the fastener.

Abstract: An inverted tooth chain and sprocket drive system in which the initial contact distance ICD, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?), the link plate entrance angle Beta (?), and other aspects of the meshing geometry are controlled and optimized to reduce noise and vibration by using a particular chain link plate form and, in preferred cases, by modifying the sprocket tooth pressure angle. The system can include first and second sprockets for which the pressure angle can be controlled to ensure that the desired values for the initial contact distance ICD, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?), and the link plate entrance angle Beta (?) are equal for both sprockets even though the sprockets have different tooth counts. For a chain pitch P in the range of 6.35 mm to 8.0 mm, the initial contact distance ICD is controlled such that 0.49P?ICD?0.53P, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?) is controlled such that ??34°, and the link plate entrance angle Beta (?) is controlled such that ??9°.

Abstract: A chain tensioner includes a shoe including a first spring-receiving slot and a second spring-receiving slot. The first slot includes a first side wall and a first installation tab. The second slot includes a second side wall and a second installation tab. A stack of one or more leaf springs is installed into the first and second spring-receiving slots over first and second installation tabs, and a first end of the stack is laterally retained in the first slot between the first installation tab and first side wall, and a second end of the stack is laterally retained in the second slot between the second installation tab and second side wall. The installation tabs are necessarily lower in height than first and second side walls to allow the spring stack to be installed thereover. The first and second installation tabs are each located in an outboard position and the first and second side walls are located in an inboard position.

Abstract: A chain tensioner blade assembly shoe includes a first spring-receiving slot and a second spring-receiving slot. The first spring-receiving slot includes: (i) a first lower wall; (ii) a first outer wall; (iii) a first locking tab located adjacent the rear face of the shoe. The second spring-receiving slot includes: (i) a second lower wall; (ii) a second outer wall; (iii) a second locking tab located adjacent the rear face of the shoe. The first and second locking tabs extend only partially toward and are spaced from the inner surface of the shoe central portion. A spring is located in a spring-receiving region and includes a first end located in the first spring-receiving slot between the first outer wall and the first locking tab, a second end located in the second spring-receiving slot between the second outer wall and the second locking tab, and a central portion in contact with the inner surface of the shoe central portion.

Abstract: A sprocket for an inside flank engagement inverted tooth chain includes tooth spaces each defined at least partially by the engaging flank of one tooth, the disengaging flank of another tooth, and a root surface that is located between the engaging flank and the disengaging flank of the tooth space. The engaging flank of each tooth space is defined as a mirror image of the disengaging flank of each tooth space relative to a tooth space centerline such that each tooth space is symmetrically defined about its tooth space centerline. The sprocket teeth include Type A Standard Teeth, Type B Standard Teeth, Type A Relieved Teeth, and Type B Relieved Teeth. The engaging flank of each Type A Relieved Tooth and both the engaging and disengaging flanks of each Type B Relieved Tooth are relieved or negatively offset.

Abstract: A blade-type chain tensioner includes a bracket that includes a main wall, a ramp projecting from the main wall, and a pivot pocket including an internal concave pivot surface. A tensioner blade assembly is operatively connected to the bracket. The tensioner blade assembly includes a polymeric shoe and a spring connected to the shoe. The shoe includes a free end supported on the ramp, a pivot end engaged with the pivot pocket, and a central body that extends between the free end and the pivot end. The pivot end of the shoe includes a pivot barrel including an external convex pivot surface. The pivot barrel is engaged with the pivot pocket and the external pivot surface of the pivot barrel is slidably abutted with the internal pivot surface of the pivot pocket such that the pivot barrel is reciprocally angularly movable in the pivot pocket.

Abstract: An inverted tooth chain and sprocket drive system in which the initial contact distance ICD, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?), the link plate entrance angle Beta (?), and other aspects of the meshing geometry are controlled and optimized to reduce noise and vibration by using a particular chain link plate form and, in preferred cases, by modifying the sprocket tooth pressure angle. The system can include first and second sprockets for which the pressure angle can be controlled to ensure that the desired values for the initial contact distance ICD, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?), and the link plate entrance angle Beta (?) are equal for both sprockets even though the sprockets have different tooth counts. For a chain pitch P in the range of 6.35 mm to 7.7 mm, the initial contact distance ICD is controlled such that 0.49 P?ICD?0.53 P, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?) is controlled such that ??34°, and the link plate entrance angle Beta (?) is controlled such that ??9°.

Abstract: An inverted tooth chain drive system includes a sprocket supported for rotation about an axis of rotation and including a plurality of teeth defined relative to respective tooth centers. The tooth centers are spaced evenly in a circumferential arrangement about the axis of rotation, and each of the plurality of teeth includes an engaging flank. An inverted tooth chain is engaged with the sprocket and includes a plurality of rows of links each structured for inside flank engagement with the sprocket, with leading inside flanks of each row of links projecting outwardly relative to the trailing outside flanks of a preceding row of links. The leading inside flanks of each row are positioned to make initial meshing contact with the engaging flank of one of the sprocket teeth. At least some of the teeth are standard teeth and other ones of the teeth are flank-relieved teeth.

Abstract: An inverted tooth chain drive system includes an inverted tooth chain structured for inside flank engagement. The chain includes link rows each including leading inside flanks that project outwardly relative to trailing outside flanks of a preceding link row. The system further includes a sprocket with which said inverted tooth chain is drivingly engaged. The sprocket includes a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about an axis of rotation, each tooth comprising an engaging flank and a disengaging flank. Some of the teeth are defined with a first tooth form in which said engaging flank thereof is defined with a first pressure angle and others of said teeth are defined with a second tooth form in which the engaging flank thereof is defined with a second pressure angle that is different from the first pressure angle in order to stagger or modulate the initial meshing impacts between the leading inside flanks of the chain and engaging flanks of the sprocket teeth.

Abstract: An inverted tooth chain drive system defines a meshing contact angle Tau (?) between the tangent line TL and an initial contact reference line that passes through a controlling pin center and the initial contact location. A link plate entrance angle Beta (?) is defined between the initial contact reference line and an inside flank reference line that passes through an arc center of the inside flank radius and the initial contact location. A meshing impact angle Sigma (?) is defined between the tangent line and the inside flank reference line such that ?=?+?, wherein ??9° and ??34°. The pressure angle of the sprocket tooth can be adjusted and the chain optimized such that ??7° and ??31°. The system thus provides a reduction of the link impact force FL and the resultant impact energy E. The inverted tooth chain, itself, defines a pitch P and an inside flank projection Lamda (?) such that 0.007×P???0.017×P when said chain is pulled straight.

Abstract: A chain tensioner assembly includes a bracket with a main wall and a ramp surface. A blade assembly is connected to the bracket and includes a blade located adjacent the main wall of the bracket. The blade includes: (i) a first blade end with a pivot aperture; (ii) a second blade end contacting the ramp surface; and, (iii) a central blade portion that extends between the first and second blade ends. The central blade portion includes a chain engaging surface. A first spring-retaining slot is located in the first blade end and includes inner and outer open sides that open respectively through inner and outer faces of the blade. A second spring-retaining slot is located in the second blade end. A spring includes a first end located in the first spring-retaining slot, a second end located in the second spring-retaining slot; and, a central portion that abuts the central blade portion.

Abstract: An inverted tooth chain and sprocket drive system in which the initial contact distance ICD, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?), the link plate entrance angle Beta (?), and other aspects of the meshing geometry are controlled and optimized to reduce noise and vibration by using a particular chain link plate form and, in preferred cases, by modifying the sprocket tooth pressure angle. The system can include first and second sprockets for which the pressure angle can be controlled to ensure that the desired values for the initial contact distance ICD, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?), and the link plate entrance angle Beta (?) are equal for both sprockets even though the sprockets have different tooth counts. For a chain pitch P in the range of 6.35 mm to 7.7 mm, the initial contact distance ICD is controlled such that 0.49P?ICD?0.53P, the meshing impact angle Sigma (?) is controlled such that ??34°, and the link plate entrance angle Beta (?) is controlled such that ??9°.