Abstract: The invention comprises a CVT belt having two multi-ribbed belts. Each belt is engaged in an opposing slot in a transversely mounted clip. Each belt is retained in each slot by a flat belt which is sandwiched into each slot with the multi-ribbed belt.

Abstract: The invention is an improved tensioner for tensioning a power transmission belt. The tensioner is of the type having a track, a carrier mounted in sliding relation with the track with two degrees freedom of movement, a pulley rotatably mounted upon the carrier and for engaging the power transmission belt, a spring biasing the carrier in longitudinal relation to the track, and a damping mechanism that modifies the biasing of the spring based upon movement of the carrier in relation to the track. It is improved by the damping mechanism having a shoe placed in asymmetrical damping relation to the carrier and the track. Further, the shoe includes a first friction bearing surface in mating relationship with a second friction bearing surface of the track.

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

Abstract: The invention is an improved internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, an accessory, a motor/generator, and a belt-drive system. The belt drive systems includes a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, a motor/generator pulley, a belt tensioner, a belt tensioner pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the crankshaft pulley, the accessory pulley, the motor/generator pulley, and the belt tensioner pulley. The belt tensioner pulley contacts the belt at a start-slack-side span. It is improved by the tensioner being asymmetrically biased in a direction tending to cause the power transmission belt to be under tension.

Abstract: The invention is an improved belt tensioner for a belt drive system having a belt tensioner, a first belt tensioner pulley, a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the first belt tensioner, crankshaft, and accessory pulleys. The belt tensioner is of the type that includes an attachment point adapted to be affixed to a stationary point relative to a cylinder block of an engine, a track, and a first carrier mounted in sliding relation with the track with two degrees freedom of movement. The first belt tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted upon the first carrier for engaging the power transmission belt. A resilient member biases the first carrier in longitudinal relation to the track. The improvement comprises the tensioner including a travel limiting mechanism.

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.

Abstract: An expandable pulley. The expandable pulley comprises a plurality of belt blocks arranged about an axis of rotation. Each belt block bears upon a radial surface extending normally to the axis of rotation. Another surface of each belt block bears upon a conical member surface which is moveable coaxially with the axis of rotation. A spring bears upon the conical member which urges the conical member in an axial direction, which in turn urges the belt blocks radially outward to compensate for a belt length change and to maintain a belt tension. An elastic member holds the belt blocks in contact with the conical member.

Abstract: The invention is an improved locked-center idler of the type having a pulley supported by a bearing. The bearing is mounted upon a tension adjusting member. It is improved by the tension adjusting member being in communication with a dual function fastener.

Abstract: An asymmetric damping mechanism for use in a belt tensioner. The damping mechanism comprises two parts having substantially similar arcuate shapes for engaging a tensioner. The first part is in contact with the second part at a pivotable point of contact. The point of contact position is determined according to the desired asymmetric damping factor. The first part is also in contact with a spring. The second part is in contact with a tensioner arm. The damping mechanism also comprises two damping shoes, each having a damping band. The damping band is joined to the damping shoe by a plurality of vertical grooves on the damping shoe cooperating with a plurality of grooves on the damping band. The damping mechanism has an asymmetric damping factor in the range of approximately 1.5 to 5.

Abstract: The invention is an improved belt drive system of the type having an automatic belt tensioner, an automatic belt tensioner pulley, a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the automatic belt tensioner pulley, the crankshaft pulley, and the accessory pulley. It is improved by the inclusion of an initial tensioner.

Abstract: The invention comprises a frictional damping strut. The strut comprises an inner cylinder that slides within an outer casing. A spring biases the inner cylinder away from the outer casing in an axial direction. A first wedge member cooperatively engages a second wedge member. The first wedge member having a frictional engagement with the inner cylinder such that when the inner cylinder is pressed into the outer casing the first wedge member bears upon the second wedge member causing the first wedge member to radially expand, thereby increasing a frictional force between the first wedge member and the inner cylinder. A second spring preloads the first wedge member against the second wedge member. A belt tensioner may incorporate the damping strut to preload a belt and damp belt oscillations.

Abstract: The invention comprises an asymmetric damping tensioner system for belt drives on an engine. A belt is connected between a driver pulley on a crankshaft and any number of driven pulleys. Each driven pulley is connected to an accessory such as an alternator, power steering pump, compressor or the like. The tensioner is placed anywhere before the first component of significant effective inertia, in the belt movement direction. A biasing member in the tensioner is used to maintain a tension in the belt. The tensioner further comprises a damping mechanism to damp belt vibrations caused by the operation of the engine. Tensioner damping friction is unequal or asymmetric, depending upon the direction of movement of the tensioner arm. During acceleration the damping friction of the tensioner in the unloading direction is significantly lower than the damping friction in the opposite, or loading direction, as is the case during deceleration.

Abstract: A tensioner having a base. A spring connected to the base biases a plate, having a pulley, toward a belt. Frictional blocks are aligned on the base in a staggered fashion along a spring centerline. The plate slidingly moves in a linear path between the blocks. The blocks constrain the path of the plate allowing movement in only a single axis parallel to a spring axis. A hubload from a belt running on the pulley combined with the spring force acting on the plate creates a force couple acting on the plate through the frictional blocks. The engaging surfaces between the plate and the blocks have a predetermined coefficient of friction thereby creating a damping force as the pulley and plate move in a linear path on the blocks.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tensioning idler. An outer belt bearing ring is resiliently engaged to an inner ring. The belt bearing ring and inner ring each rotate about an axis of rotation. The belt bearing ring is connected to the inner ring with the resilient material whereby the belt bearing ring rotates about an axis of rotation that is eccentrically moveable in a plane with respect to an inner ring axis of rotation. The resilient material imparts a belt tension as the belt bearing ring rotates. The resilient material may comprise springs, compressible fluids, incompressible fluids, or elastomers or a combination of the foregoing. The tensioner is mounted on an engine, bracket, or other device.

Abstract: The invention comprises a CVT belt having two multi-ribbed belts. Each belt is engaged in an opposing slot in a transversely mounted clip. Each belt is retained in each slot by a flat belt which is sandwiched into each slot with the multi-ribbed belt.

Abstract: A belt tensioner having a pivot arm biased toward a belt by a torsion spring. The tensioner also comprises a one-way clutch coupled with a friction clutch. The pivot arm of the tensioner is connected to a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch is cooperatively connected to a friction clutch having a predetermined friction torque caused by frictionally engaged radially extending surfaces. The pivot arm may move relatively freely toward a belt by operation of the one-way clutch. At the limit of arm movement the one-way clutch engages, preventing travel away from the belt in an opposite direction. The arm may only travel away from the belt when a belt tension torque exceeds the spring force plus a friction torque of the friction clutch.

Abstract: A damping mechanism used in a tensioner for tensioning a power transmission belt including a damping plate having a friction surface, at least one ramp surface and first and second contact points for operatively connecting a spring whereby the spring torque applied to damping mechanism in combination with a reactive force at the pivot surface generates a normal force.

Abstract: A tensioner having a pulley journaled to a housing. The housing further comprises a guide. The guide slidingly engages rails on a base. The guide and rails constrain the housing to move in a predetermined linear path. The rails are horizontally offset from two axis defined by the pulley. The pulley load is also vertically offset from the axis of movement of the guide. The guide and rails have a predetermined frictional coefficient so that the cumulative result is an asymmetric damping effect. Further, a linkage is connected between the housing and a camming body. The camming body is rotatably connected to the base. A biasing member such as a torsion spring biases the camming body against the belt load through the linkage. The radius of the camming body is variable to maintain a constant belt load as the tensioner pulley moves in response to a load change.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tensioner that is particularly useful in micro-V front end accessory belt drive systems used in automotive applications where minimum tensioner bulk combined with maximum balancing and minimum pivot bushing wear in order to achieve maximum pulley alignment over the expected life of the tensioner. The belt tensioner of the invention is of the type with a base. A pivot-arm is attached to a cylindrical member that supports the pivot-arm and rotates about a pivot secured to the base. At least one sleeve-type bushing is positioned on the pivot and includes a bearing surface that supports the cylindrical member. A pulley is attached to the pivot-arm for engaging the belt and receives a belt load that generates a belt force component that is transmitted to the cylindrical member (hub load) A torsion spring having one end connected to the base and another end interconnected to a damping means generates a damping force component acting in the opposite direction as the belt force component.

Abstract: The invention comprises a belt drive system for automatically controlling a belt tension. The system comprises an actuator controlled by a control module. The actuator operates on a pivoted pulley. A belt is trained about the pivoted pulley as well as other pulleys driving various accessories. A series of sensors in the system detect a belt condition including a belt tension. Sensor signals are transmitted to the control module. The control module processes the signals and instructs the actuator to move the pivoted pulley, thereby increasing or decreasing a belt tension. A feedback loop from the sensors to the control module allows the belt tension to be continuously monitored and adjusted many times per second. The system may actively control a belt tension by anticipating a system condition to prevent a belt noise by comparing sensor signals to instructions stored in a control module memory.