Abstract: Sintered, carbon friction materials are made from fibrous materials that are impregnated with resins prior to sintering. Preferably, non-woven fibrous materials are impregnated with phenolic resin and sintered at 400 to 800° C. The resulting material has an open porosity above 50 percent by volume.

Abstract: A modular tensioner system for an engine including a modular tensioner and an application specific carrier (15). The modular tensioner includes an integral anti-rotation device (14, 24, 202), backlash adjustability, and damping element. The plunger (8, 58, 108, 158), sleeve (1, 70a, 70b, 101, 151, 270a, 270b), clip (9, 59, 109, 159), retainer (6, 106), spring (4, 54, 104, 154), and hydraulic vent device (7, 57, 107, 157, 307) may be packaged as a modular assembly with the ability to mate with various suitable carriers (15).

Abstract: A vane (234) is provided which reduces leakage of gas in a variable geometry turbocharger (210) from the high pressure side of the vane (234) to the low pressure side of the vane (234). The vane (234) can have a channel (330, 430) along a gas bearing surface (325, 425) for reducing the leakage. The channel (330, 430) can be defined at least in part by sideplates (300, 350). The sideplates (300, 350) can be integrally cast with the rest of the vane (234). At least one of the sideplates (300, 350) can have a hole therein for a vane shaft (228) which allows movement of the vane (234) for gas flow control. The sideplates (300, 350) can have edges (301, 351) that conform to the shape of the gas bearing surface (325, 425).