Abstract: Electronic-based systems and methods for enhancing a user's experience when shopping for components of a mechanical or electrical device or apparatus, which include downloadable software (i.e., a mobile device application) that provides access to component information/data using the mobile device, in particular component information/data provided by a manufacturer from its personal database, electronic devices that include such software, and methods of accessing the component information and optionally, acting upon the information to order the component.

Abstract: A tensioning system including a base and an arm pivotally coupled to the base, the arm having an engagement surface and being configured to pivot relative to the base about a pivot axis. The system further includes a biasing mechanism operatively coupled to the arm to bias the arm relative to the base, and a seal assembly sealingly positioned between the arm and the base. The seal assembly is coaxial with the pivot axis and configured to accommodate relative axial movement between the base and the arm and relative radial movement between the base and the arm while still maintaining a seal therebetween.

Abstract: A tensioning system including a base and an arm pivotally coupled to the base, the arm having an engagement surface thereon. The system further includes a biasing mechanism operatively coupled to the arm to bias the arm relative to the base. The biasing mechanism includes a coil spring having a plurality of coils, at least some of the coils or parts thereof being configured to switch between an activated state and deactivated state based upon a position of the arm relative to the base.

Abstract: A tensioning system including a body having a base and an engagement surface pivotally coupled to the base. The system further includes a biasing mechanism operatively coupled to the engagement surface to bias the engagement surface relative to the base, and a locating device coupled to the body. The locating device is configured to rotationally position the tensioning system, and the locating device has an adjustable effective length.

Abstract: What is described is an improved asymmetric damping apparatus which utilizes a flatwire spring to provide both bias in the tensioning direction for a belt tensioner and asymmetric damping against sudden rotational movement of the belt tensioner in the winding direction.

Abstract: A molding system including a component formed in a generally closed loop shape and having a plurality of radially extending teeth. The component includes a plurality of discrete segments coupled together.

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.

Abstract: A pulley alignment apparatus including an elongated body having a mounting surface, two elongated legs extending outward from the mounting surface, each of the legs terminating at a tip, a laser supported by the body, wherein the laser is configured to project a planar beam, a power supply for supplying electrical power to the laser, a normally-open switch configured to detect contact between the body and a pulley, wherein the switch electrically couples the laser with the power supply when the contact is detected, and a magnet supported by the body proximate the mounting surface.

Abstract: A V-ribbed belt for a mechanical power transmission. The V-ribbed belt comprises an outer back-side surface, an inner front-side surface, and a load-carrying section disposed between the front-side and back-side surfaces. The front-side surface includes a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending v-ribs. The back-side surface includes a plurality of raised features that, when running on a flat-faced, back-side pulley, form a contact patch of about 20% to about 50% of that of a traditional flat-faced belt running on a flat-faced pulley. The reduced contact patch provides increased contact pressure which in turn provides an improved effective coefficient of friction between the belt and the pulley.

Abstract: A V-ribbed belt for a mechanical power transmission is disclosed. The V-ribbed belt comprises an outer back-side surface, an inner front-side surface, and a load-carrying section disposed between the front-side and back-side surfaces. The front-side surface includes a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending v-ribs. The back-side surface includes a plurality of raised features that, when running on a flat-faced, back-side pulley, form a contact patch of about 20% to about 50% of that of a traditional flat-faced belt running on a flat-faced pulley. The reduced contact patch provides increased contact pressure which in turn provides an improved effective coefficient of friction between the belt and the pulley.

Abstract: A new asymmetrically damped tensioner is provided utilizing a roller clutch engaged with a tensioner arm through a frictional contact. During normal operation, the roller clutch enables the tensioner arm to pivot in a first direction to take up belt slack with negligible frictional damping applied to the motion of the tensioner arm. When the tensioner arm pivots in a second direction, away from the belt, however, in a condition commonly known as wind-up, the roller clutch engages and creates a frictional linkage between the tensioner arm and a fixed surface. This frictional linkage provides asymmetric frictional damping to the tensioner to limit movement in the second direction and combat wind-up.

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 slot therethrough, a bushing having a protrusion and being positioned adjacent the arm arbor with the protrusion received in the arm arbor's slot, 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.

Abstract: A tensioner may be part of a power system to tension an endless power transmitting element. The tensioner includes an arm having an arm arbor with a slot therethrough that is rotatable about a first axis, a bushing having a sleeve that includes a cut-out and a removable sleeve-segment that has a protrusion thereon, the sleeve-segment being receivable in the cut-out with the protrusion in the slot, and a spring coupled to the arm for rotation of the arm 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, at least the protrusion on the sleeve-segment, 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.

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a belt includes a support housing at least in part defining a spring cavity. A damping member having a first friction bearing surface is at least partially disposed in the spring cavity. An arm pivotally attached to the support housing has a second friction bearing surface. A spring is located in the spring cavity and operatively connected to the arm and damping member to pivot the damping member about a pivot location such that the first friction bearing surface of the damping member is biased against the second friction bearing surface of the arm to dampen relative movement between the arm and the support housing.

Abstract: A tensioner for an endless power transmitting element in a drive system is disclosed that includes an arm rotatable about an axis and having a sleeve that includes a ramp face or contoured face, a damper cup having a protrusion and a plate, a spring case that houses the sleeve of the arm and the damper cup with the damper cup's plate mated with the ramp face or contoured face of the sleeve. During wind-up of the tensioner, a normal force is applied to the damper cup's protrusion that moves the plate along the ramp face or contoured face in a first direction, and in the first direction the ramp face or contoured face pushes the damper cup generally radially outward into the spring case to provide frictional damping.

Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a belt includes a support housing at least in part defining a spring cavity. A damping member having a first friction bearing surface is at least partially disposed in the spring cavity. An arm pivotally attached to the support housing has a second friction bearing surface. A spring is located in the spring cavity and operatively connected to the arm and damping member to pivot the damping member about a pivot location such that the first friction bearing surface of the damping member is biased against the second friction bearing surface of the arm to dampen relative movement between the arm and the support housing.

Abstract: A power transmission belt comprising a belt body having a length and defining at least one elongate rib, the rib having an exposed surface that engages a cooperating pulley, the exposed rib surface having at least one longitudinal groove formed therein which reduces transverse modulus of the surfaces engaging the cooperating pulley and thereby reduce noise accompanying running of the belt.

Abstract: Low-noise pulleys and methods of constructing low-noise pulleys are disclosed. In a first aspect, first and second pluralities of arms extending radially outward from the outer hub to the outer rim are angularly offset from each other about the axis of rotation to eliminate symmetry across the lateral midline of the pulley. In a second aspect, the radially outermost ends of a plurality of arms are arcuately spaced apart according to a pitch sequence describing a pseudo-random pattern of relative spacings so as to reduce or eliminate rotational symmetry of the pulley. In a third aspect, features of the first and second aspects are combined, and in one embodiment, first and second pluralities of arms are, respectively, approximately oppositely canted so as to vary the arcuate spacings of the laterally outermost ends of the arms.

Abstract: A tensioner for a power transmitting element in a drive system is disclosed. The tensioner comprises a threaded shaft that includes threading and at least one non-threaded end and defines a pivot axis, an arm rotatable about the pivot axis on the non-threaded end of the threaded shaft, a torsion element biasing the arm to rotate about the pivot axis, a threaded nut threadedly connected to the threaded shaft. The threaded nut has a first surface in frictional engagement with the arm and is rotatable about the threading. The threaded nut acts as a one-way limited slip clutch to provide asymmetric damping to the arm and controlled resisting torque in a variable relative proportion compared to the mean torque and returning torque.

Abstract: A new asymmetrically damped tensioner is provided utilizing a bearing-ramp clutch. During normal operation, the bearing-ramp clutch enables the tensioner arm to pivot in a first direction to take up belt slack with negligible frictional damping applied to the motion of the tensioner arm. When the tensioner arm pivots in a second direction, away from the belt, however, in a condition commonly known as wind-up, the bearing-ramp clutch locks against a fixed internal surface and creates a frictional damping force that is applied to the tensioner arm. This frictional linkage provides asymmetric frictional damping to the tensioner to limit movement in the second direction to mitigate wind-up.