Abstract: A push-pull cable suitable for automotive applications includes an outer cable having a hollow interior and an inner cable having a circular cross section perpendicular to its axial direction. The inner cable is slidably disposed within the hollow interior and grease is disposed in a clearance defined between an outer circumferential surface of the inner cable and an inner circumferential surface of the outer cable. The inner cable consists of a single metal wire coated with a metal plated layer, the plated layer has a thickness between 3 and 35 microns and the clearance is between 0.05 to 0.5 millimeters.

Abstract: The invention is an improved power transmission belt tensioner of the type having a first pulley adapted to communicate with a surface of a power transmission belt, a first arm supporting the first pulley upon which the first pulley is rotatably mounted via a first pulley bearing, a second pulley adapted to communicate with a surface of the power transmission belt, a second arm supporting the second pulley upon which the second pulley is rotatably mounted via a second pulley bearing. It is improved by the inclusion of a strut, a first attachment point for the strut, and a second attachment point for the strut, with the strut attached to the first and the second attachment points. The first arm is rotatably supported at a first pivot. The second arm is rotatably supported at a second pivot. The first pulley and the first attachment point are each laterally offset in relation to the first pivot and substantially balanced in terms of parasitic torque across the first pivot.