Abstract: The invention comprises 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: The invention comprises a self-contained mechanical belt tensioner that produces damping which is a function of the applied hubload through the effect of frictional forces derived from the sliding action of mutually opposing wedges. A first wedge or conical piston is contained within a housing. The conical piston cooperates with a second or conical wedge. A surface of the conical wedge slides on the inner surface of the housing. The conical wedge is expandable in a direction normal to the inner surface of the housing. A spring urges the conical wedge into engagement with the conical piston. As the pulley is loaded, as with an impulse load, the piston will move into the conical wedge. This, in turn, will cause the conical wedge to expand against the inner surface of the housing. The expansion of the conical wedge in the housing will increase the frictional force between the conical wedge and the housing. This will have the effect of damping movements of the conical piston and, in turn, of the pulley.

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 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: A block type CVT belt having at least one endless load carrier. Each load carrier having tensile members. A plurality of blocks are transversely engaged with the load carrier in a lengthwise direction of the load carrier. The center of gravity of each block is asymmetrically located in each block. Each block having a thermoset or thermoplastic over-molding on a metallic reinforcing body. Each block having at least one slot for receiving the load carrier. Each slot having a complex radius between a central pillar and an upper arm and lower arm in order to avoid stress risers. Each load carrier is slightly compressed in each slot to reduce block skew.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cog type belt having a plurality of transverse teeth on an inner surface. The belt comprises an outer extensible elastomeric layer, an inner compression layer and a tensile member. Each tooth further comprises a non-metallic or plastic transverse member, pillar or rod that extends across the width of each tooth. The opposing outer surfaces of each transverse member are inclined to each other and each end approximately equates to an outer surface of the belt body elastomeric. A compressive load between the sheaves is carried by the rod and the sidewall in proportion to the modulus of each component. The transverse members have pegs or legs that allow proper spatial orientation of each transverse member in each tooth during the fabrication process, thus assuring proper operating characteristics, including proper alignment within a pulley.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tensioner having an inner race rotation idler pulley. The pulley having a web and a belt bearing surface connected to the web. The web is attached to an inner race of a bearing by a fastener. The pulley may be stamped out of sheet metal or of spun metal and may have a central hole for alignment with the central axis of the bearing. The outer race of the bearing is mounted to a pivot arm. The pivot arm comprises as least two pivot points for pivotably attaching the pivot arm to a mounting plate and a biasing member. The pivot points are contained within a periphery of the pulley. The biasing member urges the pivot arm and pulley against a belt to be tensioned.

Abstract: The invention comprises a continuously variable transmission pulley. The pulley comprises at least one axially moveable sheave section which is coaxial with a second sheave section. Each sheave section has a series of radial grooves which are axially and radially aligned. The radial grooves are arranged in pairs between each sheave section. The belt blocks span between the sheave sections, each having opposing arcuate ends that slidingly engaging a pair of grooves. The belt blocks are arranged circumferentially about an axial sheave centerline. Each belt block also has a surface for receiving a multi-ribbed belt. At least one elastic member encircles the belt blocks so as to control their relative positions, keeping them in contact with the sheave grooves as the pulley rotates. As the movable sheave is moved axially, each belt block moves radially within its respective grooves so as to increase or decrease the effective diameter of the pulley.

Abstract: The invention comprise a continuously variable transmission pulley. The pulley comprises at least one axially moveable sheave section which is coaxial with a second sheave section. Each sheave section has a series of radial grooves which are axially and radially aligned. The radial grooves are arranged in pairs between each sheave section. The belt blocks span between the sheave sections, each having opposing arcuate ends that slidingly engaging a pair of grooves. The belt blocks are arranged circumferentially about an axial sheave centerline. Each belt block also has a surface for receiving a multi-ribbed belt. At least one elastic member encircles the belt blocks so as to control their relative positions, keeping them in contact with the sheave grooves as the pulley rotates. As the movable sheave is moved axially, each belt block moves radially within its respective grooves so as to increase or decrease the effective diameter of the pulley.

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 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 second carrier mounted in sliding relation with the track with two degrees freedom of movement. A second belt tensioner pulley is rotatably mounted upon the second carrier for engaging the power transmission belt.

Abstract: The invention comprises a self-contained mechanical belt tensioner that produces damping which is a function of the applied hubload through the effect of frictional forces derived from the sliding action of mutually opposing wedges. A first wedge or conical piston is contained within a housing. The conical piston cooperates with a second or conical wedge. A surface of the conical wedge slides on the inner surface of the housing. The conical wedge is expandable in a direction normal to the inner surface of the housing. A spring urges the conical wedge into engagement with the conical piston. As the pulley is loaded, as with an impulse load, the piston will move into the conical wedge. This, in turn, will cause the conical wedge to expand against the inner surface of the housing. The expansion of the conical wedge in the housing will increase the frictional force between the conical wedge and the housing. This will have the effect of damping movements of the conical piston and, in turn, of the pulley.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tensioner (10) 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 (56) wear in order to achieve maximum pulley (12) alignment over the expected life of the tensioner (10). The belt tensioner (10) of the invention is of the type with a base (42) A pivot-arm (52) is attached to a cylindrical member (53) that supports the pivot-arm (52) and rotates about a pivot (32) secured to the base (42). At least one sleeve-type bushing (56) is positioned on the pivot (32) and includes a bearing surface that supports the cylindrical member (53). A pulley (12) is attached to the pivot-arm (52) for engaging the belt and receives a belt load that generates a belt force component that is transmitted to the cylindrical member (53) (hub load).

Abstract: The invention comprises a self-contained mechanical belt tensioner that produces damping which is a function of the applied hubload through the effect of frictional forces derived from the sliding action of mutually opposing wedges. A first wedge or conical piston is contained within a housing. The conical piston cooperates with a second or conical wedge. A surface of the conical wedge slides on the inner surface of the housing. The conical wedge is expandable in a direction normal to the inner surface of the housing. A spring urges the conical wedge into engagement with the conical piston. As the pulley is loaded, as with an impulse load, the piston will move into the conical wedge. This, in turn, will cause the conical wedge to expand against the inner surface of the housing. The expansion of the conical wedge in the housing will increase the frictional force between the conical wedge and the housing. This will have the effect of damping movements of the conical piston and, in turn, of the pulley.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tensioner having a linear motion. A pulley is journaled to a housing. A bearing is used to slidingly join the housing and a base. The bearing constrains the housing, and therefore the pulley, to move along a predetermined path. The housing also comprises an arcuate damping surface that interacts with a frictional or damping band. A torsion spring concentrically engages the frictional material band, pressing it in to engagement with the arcuate damping surface as the housing moves in response to an impulse or force from the pulley. As a belt load impulse causes the housing to move along the predetermined path, a contact between the damping band and the base causes the spring to further press the frictional damping material against the housing arcuate surface, thereby damping movement of the housing. Further, an axis of the pulley is offset from a centerline of the bearing. As the housing moves, a couple is created between the housing and the base acting through the bearing.

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: The invention comprises a cog type belt having a plurality of transverse teeth on an inner surface. The belt comprises an outer extensible elastomeric layer, an inner compression layer and a tensile member. Each tooth further comprises a non-metallic or plastic transverse member, pillar or rod that extends across the width of each tooth. The opposing outer surfaces of each transverse member are inclined to each other and each end approximately equates to an outer surface of the belt body elastomeric. A compressive load between the sheaves is carried by the rod and the sidewall in proportion to the modulus of each component. The transverse members have pegs or legs that allow proper spatial orientation of each transverse member in each tooth during the fabrication process, thus assuring proper operating characteristics, including proper alignment within a pulley.

Abstract: The block type CVT belt according to the present invention comprises at least one endless load carrier having tensile members. A plurality of blocks are transversely engaged with the load carrier in a lengthwise direction of the belt. The center of gravity of each block is asymmetrically located in each block. Each block has thermoset or thermoplastic over-molding. The over-molding is attached to the metal block by use of an adhesive. The preparation of the metal reinforcing member is accomplished by mechanical tumbling means, as opposed to chemical preparation. Each block also comprises at least one slot for receiving the load carrier. Each slot having an upper concave surface and a lower surface having a complex shape. The upper concave surface receives a corresponding convex surface or tooth on an upper surface of the tensile member. Each slot is provided with a complex radius between a central pillar and an upper and lower arm in order to avoid stress risers.

Abstract: The invention comprises a plurality of clips arranged about a tensile member or core belt. The tensile member comprises a multi-ribbed belt. The multi-ribbed belt may comprise any standard multi-ribbed belt readily available in the art. The clips are generally u-shaped and have opposing inclined sides that cooperate with the sides of a CVT pulley. The opposing inclined sides of each clip can have a thermoset, thermoplastic or phenolic coating to provide a predetermined coefficient of friction. Each clip has a multi-ribbed profile bearing surface that cooperates with the multi-ribbed portion of the core belt. The clips are held in proper orientation to the multi-ribbed belt by elastomeric bands. The elastomeric bands are routed through a slot in each clip which then compresses the clips together.

Abstract: The invention comprises an idler pulley, having a web and a belt bearing surface connected to the web. The web is aligned with and affixed to an inner race outer surface of a bearing by a fastener. The pulley is stamped, formed or spun out of sheet metal and may have a central hole described by a lip for alignment with a central axis of the bearing. The outer race of the bearing may be affixed to a mounting surface.