Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner (10) and method of assembly can include a housing (12) having an aperture and a piston (16) received within the aperture for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. A tensioner spring (36) positioned within the aperture for bias the piston (16) toward the extended position. The piston (16) and the aperture of the housing (12) defining an expandable fluid chamber (18). The hydraulic tensioner (10) can include a cantilever spring (20) having a first end (22) attachable to the housing (12) and a second end (24) releasably engageable with the piston (16) for retaining the piston (16) in the retracted position against urging of the tensioner spring (36) during storage, shipment, installation, and service. The second end (24) can be disengageable from the piston (16) allowing movement of the piston (16) outwardly toward the extended position during operation in a working environment.

Abstract: A sprocket includes a plurality of teeth spaced about its periphery, roots located between pairs of adjacent teeth, and a cushion ring contacted by a chain engaging the sprocket teeth. The roots have root radii defined as the distance between the center of sprocket and the point along the root closest to the sprocket center in the radial direction. In some embodiments, the roots have three distinct radii. The cushioning material of the cushion ring receives the impact while engaging the chain. In some embodiments, the cushion ring has a contour substantially following the contours of the sprocket teeth geometry. In some embodiments, the cushion ring has a randomized contour to provide predetermined cushioning that varies from tooth to tooth around the sprocket.

Abstract: A blade tensioner includes a blade shoe assembly with parallel stacked flat springs that pivots at one end and is supported in series by a spring loaded ramp at the opposite end. Providing a spring loaded ramp in series reduces the overall stiffness of the tensioner which enables a more uniform tensioning load as the tensioner takes up chain slack due to elongation from wear.

Abstract: A blade tensioner system for a chain that imparts tension to a chain that drivingly connects to a driven shaft to a drive shaft in an engine. The blade tensioner comprises a blade shoe and mating block. The blade shoe has an arcuately curved chain sliding face, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion having a pair of tapered sides joined by a bottom and at an angle. The mating block has a channel with a pair of tapered sides joined by a bottom and at a second angle for receiving the distal end portion. When load on the chain increases, the tapered sides of the distal end portion and the bottom contact and wedge with the tapered sides of the channel of the mating block, damping chain vibration.

Abstract: A blade tensioner includes a blade shoe assembly with parallel stacked flat springs that pivots at one end and is supported in series by a spring loaded ramp at the opposite end. Providing a spring loaded ramp in series reduces the overall stiffness of the tensioner which enables a more uniform tensioning load as the tensioner takes up chain slack due to elongation from wear.

Abstract: A sprocket includes a plurality of teeth spaced about its periphery, roots located between pairs of adjacent teeth, and a cushion ring contacted by a chain engaging the sprocket teeth. The roots have root radii defined as the distance between the center of sprocket and the point along the root closest to the sprocket center in the radial direction. In some embodiments, the roots have three distinct radii. The cushioning material of the cushion ring receives the impact while engaging the chain. In some embodiments, the cushion ring has a contour substantially following the contours of the sprocket teeth geometry. In some embodiments, the cushion ring has a randomized contour to provide predetermined cushioning that varies from tooth to tooth around the sprocket.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a hydraulic tensioner for applying tension to a chain without external fluid pressure supply. The hydraulic tensioner includes a piston assembly comprising a piston with a hollow interior and a piston bore surrounding the piston. An end of the piston assembly is submerged in fluid. An inlet check valve, which controls an entry of fluid into the piston, is located below the fluid level. An outlet check valve, located at an opposite end of the piston assembly from the inlet check valve, controls an exit of fluid from the piston. A non-return mechanism is coupled to the piston such that the piston extends but does not retract more than an included backlash amount. Utilizing the motion allowed within this backlash amount, the tensioner acts as a self-priming pump.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a hydraulic tensioner for applying tension to a chain without external fluid pressure supply. The hydraulic tensioner includes a piston assembly comprising a piston with a hollow interior and a piston bore surrounding the piston. An end of the piston assembly is submerged in fluid. An inlet check valve, which controls an entry of fluid into the piston, is located below the fluid level. An outlet check valve, located at an opposite end of the piston assembly from the inlet check valve, controls an exit of fluid from the piston. A non-return mechanism is coupled to the piston such that the piston extends but does not retract more than an included backlash amount. Utilizing the motion allowed within this backlash amount, the tensioner acts as a self-priming pump.

Abstract: A guide rail for power transmission chains consists of a plastic material and is formed by a carrier and a slideway lining body. The slideway lining body is manufactured by an extrusion molding process. The carrier and the slideway lining body having complementary profiles allowing the slide portion to be inserted and locked onto the carrier portion without additional locking mechanisms.

Abstract: A camshaft (126) has a vane (160) secured to an end thereof for non-oscillating rotation therewith. The camshaft (126) also carries a housing (129) which can rotate with the camshaft (126) but which is oscillatable with the camshaft (126). The vane (160) has opposed lobes (160a, 160b) which are received in opposed recesses (131, 132), respectively, of the housing (129). The recesses (131, 132) have greater circumferential extent than the lobes (160a, 160b) to permit the vane (160) and housing (129) to oscillate with respect to one another, and thereby permit the camshaft (126) to change in phase relative to a crankshaft.

Abstract: A torque amplifying camshaft for operating a valve of each of a plurality valves of an internal combustion engine, the camshaft having an elongagte shaftlike portion and an engine valve operating cam for each of the valves, the valve operating cams being spaced apart from one another along the shaftlike portion. Each of the engine valve operating cams has an outwardly projecting portion, and the outwardly projecting portions are circumferentially offset from one another about the longitudinal central axis of the camshaft. The camshaft also carries a supplementary cam surface, either in the form of an outwardly facing surface of a separate supplementary cam or an inwardly facing surface of a portion of a drive sprocket which is keyed to the shaftlike portion.