Abstract: A tensioner comprising a piston slidably received within a piston bore of the housing having a plurality of grooves formed on an outer circumference, the piston forming a first pressure chamber with the piston bore. The tensioner uses a mechanism to remove a sliding pawl or expandable clip from engaging the grooves on the piston, such that the piston can move towards the housing and reduce chain load when fluid pressure is reduced in the first pressure chamber during engine shutdown, but not so much as to leave the chain uncontrolled during engine restart. The mechanism may for example be a fluid biased spool piston which engages the expandable clip or a pawl piston that engages a sliding pawl.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a piston slidably received within a piston bore of the housing having a plurality of grooves formed on an outer circumference, the piston forming a first pressure chamber with the piston bore. The tensioner uses a mechanism to remove a sliding pawl or expandable clip from engaging the grooves on the piston, such that the piston can move towards the housing and reduce chain load when fluid pressure is reduced in the first pressure chamber during engine shutdown, but not so much as to leave the chain uncontrolled during engine restart. The mechanism may for example be a fluid biased spool piston which engages the expandable clip or a pawl piston that engages a sliding pawl.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a piston slidably received within a piston bore of the housing having a plurality of grooves formed on an outer circumference, the piston forming a first pressure chamber with the piston bore. The tensioner uses a mechanism to remove a sliding pawl or expandable clip from engaging the grooves on the piston, such that the piston can move towards the housing and reduce chain load when fluid pressure is reduced in the first pressure chamber during engine shutdown, but not so much as to leave the chain uncontrolled during engine restart. The mechanism may for example be a fluid biased spool piston which engages the expandable clip or a pawl piston that engages a sliding pawl.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for imparting tension to strands of an endless power transferring member loop (12) encircling a drive sprocket (14) and at least one driven sprocket (16 a, 16b). Two tensioning arms (38a, 18b) are spaced apart and have guided movement relative to at least one fixed pin (26) with a tension driver (5) operably engaged with one of the tensioning arms (18a, 18b) for driving both tensioning arms (18a, 18b) in motion acting through a rotatable, motion transfer body (34) located generally centrally with respect to the endless loop power transferring member (12) for connection to corresponding motion transfer locations (30a, 30b) associated with the pair of tensioning arms (18a, 18b), either directly or indirectly. A link assembly (60) can connect first ends (40a, 40b) to the motion transfer body (34) and second locations (42a, 42b) to corresponding opposite ends of the two spaced apart tensioning arms (38a, 18b).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for imparting tension to multiple strands of an endless power transferring member loop (12) encircling a drive sprocket (14) and at least one driven sprocket (16a, 16b). Two tensioning arms (18a, 18b) are spaced apart and have guided movement relative to at least one fixed pin (26), and support inwardly facing shoes (20a, 20b) with power-transferring-member-sliding faces (22a, 22b). A link assembly (60) includes at least two link members (32a, 32b) pivotally connected to one another at respective first ends (40a, 40b). The connected first ends (40a, 40b) are constrained for limited movement along a fixed slot (36) extending generally along a centerline of the power transferring member loop (12) between the drive sprocket (14) and the driven sprockets (16a, 16b). The link members (32a, 32b) are pivotally connected individually to opposite ends of the two spaced apart tensioning arms (18a, 18b) at second locations (42a, 42b).

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting tension to multiple strands of an endless loop power transferring member encircling a drive sprocket and at least one driven sprocket. A tensioner mechanism includes a slider assembly having a fixed body defining a slot, a slider body engaged within the slot for movement between opposite ends of the slot, and a spring urges the slider body toward one end of the slot. The slider body is operably engageable with at least one tensioning arm for driving the at least one tensioning arm to tension the power transferring member. A link assembly can include two link members pivotally connected to the slider body at first ends and individually connected at second ends to two tensioning arms.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a piston slidably received within a piston bore of the housing having a plurality of grooves formed on an outer circumference, the piston forming a first pressure chamber with the piston bore. The tensioner uses a mechanism to remove a sliding pawl or expandable clip from engaging the grooves on the piston, such that the piston can move towards the housing and reduce chain load when fluid pressure is reduced in the first pressure chamber during engine shutdown, but not so much as to leave the chain uncontrolled during engine restart. The mechanism may for example be a fluid biased spool piston which engages the expandable clip or a pawl piston that engages a sliding pawl.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting tension to multiple strands of an endless loop power transferring member encircling a drive sprocket and at least one driven sprocket. A tensioner mechanism includes a slider assembly having a fixed body defining a slot, a slider body engaged within the slot for movement between opposite ends of the slot, and a spring urges the slider body toward one end of the slot. The slider body is operably engageable with at least one tensioning arm for driving the at least one tensioning arm to tension the power transferring member. A link assembly can include two link members pivotally connected to the slider body at first ends and individually connected at second ends to two tensioning arms.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for imparting tension to strands of an endless power transferring member loop (12) encircling a drive sprocket (14) and at least one driven sprocket (16a, 16b). Two tensioning arms (38a, 18b) are spaced apart and have guided movement relative to at least one fixed pin (26) with a tension driver (5) operably engaged with one of the tensioning arms (18a, 18b) for driving both tensioning arms (18a, 18b) in motion acting through a rotatable, motion transfer body (34) located generally centrally with respect to the endless loop power transferring member (12) for connection to corresponding motion transfer locations (30a, 30b) associated with the pair of tensioning arms (18a, 18b), either directly or indirectly. A link assembly (60) can connect first ends (40a, 40b) to the motion transfer body (34) and second locations (42a, 42b) to corresponding opposite ends of the two spaced apart tensioning arms (38a, 18b).

Abstract: The assembly method includes packaging of items for shipment and secures components of the assembly in a fashion and in the related position required for further assembly, as a unit, to an engine that is in the process of being assembled. The timed assembly arrives at the engine plant secured together such that it allows handling, at least in part, as a single component and with its parts arranged in the relative position required for proper timing and for securing to other components of the engine. The chain (44) is pinned between a tensioner pin (66) and the tensioner chain contacting surface (60) and between a guide pin (74) and the guide or snubber chain contacting surface (88). The tensioner is preferably pinned in a state of minimum extension.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for imparting tension to at least one strand of an endless loop power transferring member (12) encircling a drive sprocket (14) and at least one driven sprocket (16a, 16b). At least one moveable tensioning arms (18a, 18b) is pivotable about fixed pins (26a, 26b) on at least two swing arms (20a, 20b), and support an inwardly facing shoe (20a, 20b) with a power-transferring-member-sliding face (22a, 22b). In a multi-strand tensioning configuration, a link assembly (60) can include at least two link members (32a, 32b) pivotally connected to one another at respective first ends (40a, 40b) and constrained for limited movement along a fixed slot (36) extending generally along a centerline of the endless loop power transferring member (12) between the drive sprocket (14) and the driven sprockets (16a, 16b). The two link members (32a, 32b) are pivotally connected individually to opposite ones of the two spaced apart tensioning arms (18a, 18b) at second locations (42a, 42b).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for imparting tension to multiple strands of an endless power transferring member loop (12) encircling a drive sprocket (14) and at least one driven sprocket (16a, 16b). Two tensioning arms (18a, 18b) are spaced apart and have guided movement relative to at least one fixed pin (26), and support inwardly facing shoes (20a, 20b) with power-transferring-member-sliding faces (22a, 22b). A link assembly (60) includes at least two link members (32a, 32b) pivotally connected to one another at respective first ends (40a, 40b). The connected first ends (40a, 40b) are constrained for limited movement along a fixed slot (36) extending generally along a centerline of the power transferring member loop (12) between the drive sprocket (14) and the driven sprockets (16a, 16b). The link members (32a, 32b) are pivotally connected individually to opposite ends of the two spaced apart tensioning arms (18a, 18b) at second locations (42a, 42b).

Abstract: A tensioner for a chain driven power transmission system of an internal combustion engine, having a ratchet as part of the tensioning system is disclosed. The tensioner contains at least one bracket that is pivotally mounted to the engine adjacent one strand of the chain. The bracket contains a chain guide element that maintains forceful slideable engagement with the chain. Between the chain guide element and the bracket are an elongated support member having a pre-loaded spring force and an elongated resilient pad. The resilient pad quickly compresses in response to spikes or surges in chain tension absorbing the force of the spike.

Abstract: A tensioner for a closed loop power transmission system for an internal combustion engine having a drive shaft terminating in a sprocket and at least one camshaft, each terminating in a sprocket, with a single continuous chain wrapping around all of the sprockets. The tensioner contains a pair of elongated tensioning arms, each one in slidable contact with one of the two strands of chain that traverses between the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket(s). Each tensioning arm contains a wear face that remains in constant slidable contact with the strand of chain to which it is adjacent. An adjusting arm connects one of the ends of the tensioning arms. The adjusting arm has a ratchet means that adjusts for the backlash in the system and takes up any slack in the chain.

Abstract: A sprocket (S) for a chain driven power transmission system used on an internal combustion engine. Severe ITVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) characteristics associated with a chain engaging the sprocket is damped by two annular rings (R1, R2) that are loosely positioned on either side of the circumferential row of teeth. The inner diameters (ID1, ID2) of each of the annular rings (R1, R2) form cavities between the annular rings and the sprocket grooves. Pressurized viscous fluid is supplied to each cavity via channels in the hub of the sprocket to cushion the impact of each roller of the chain as it engages each row of teeth during engine operation. The pressure of the viscous fluid creates a resistive force to minimize the severe impact noise experienced by non-damped sprockets.

Abstract: An improved sprocket profile for engaging a roller or bush chain smoothly and preventing radial impact with the root of the tooth during engagement. Contact between the sprocket teeth and the roller chain is altered by providing teeth with a root radius equivalent to that of the chain engaging component, with the center point of the root radius located one chordal distance inside the sprocket's pitch circle. This profile allows chain rollers or bushings to impact sprocket teeth tangentially on their flanks rather than radially on their tooth root.

Abstract: A portion of a bore of a hydraulic tensioner is used as a check valve seat for a check ball and an end of the plunger biasing spring received in the bore of the hydraulic tensioner has a tang with a length extending in from an outer diameter of the spring, to limit and retain the travel of a check ball from the check valve seat when the pressure of an external source is not greater than the pressure in a fluid chamber formed between the bore of the housing and the plunger.

Abstract: A tensioner for imparting tension to a chain having a body, a resilient chain guide element, at least one blade spring, and at least one bracket. The body of the tensioner has a surface with a profile of the path of a new chain and a groove found longitudinally along the length of the surface. The resilient chain guide element, on the surface of the body has a chain contact surface and two ends wrapped around the ends of the body, with the chain guide being sufficiently larger than the body, such that the chain contact surface is capable of being biased away from the body. The blade spring is present in the groove with its end in the containments means of the groove, biasing the chain guide out and away from the body.

Abstract: A chain tensioning device links multiple tensioning arms to a common link, causing the tensioning arms to rotate into and displace chain strands with a single applied force and motion. The two tensioning arms rotate and tension proportionally, and when the pivot pin distances are equal, the two tensioning arms rotate and tension equally. The chain tensioner is preferably used to tension two slack chains flanking an auxiliary drive shaft. The chain tensioner is biased against the chain by a hydraulic tensioning assembly in one embodiment and by a spring tensioning assembly in another embodiment.

Abstract: A tensioner for a closed loop power transmission system for an internal combustion engine having a drive shaft terminating in a sprocket and at least one camshaft, each terminating in a sprocket, with a single continuous chain wrapping around all of the sprockets. The tensioner contains a pair of elongated tensioning arms, each one in slidable contact with one of the two strands of chain that traverses between the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket(s). Each tensioning arm contains a wear face that remains in constant slidable contact with the strand of chain to which it is adjacent. An adjusting arm connects one of the ends of the tensioning arms. The adjusting arm has a ratchet means that adjusts for the backlash in the system and takes up any slack in the chain.