Abstract: A stack of disk springs are placed between a second piston of a dual hydraulic variable force tensioner system and a hydraulic tensioner arm to allow much higher spring rates if desired. The springs may be stacked in multiple configurations to provide different spring rates. Package space can be reduced depending on the number of springs and orientations of said springs within the tensioner arm.

Abstract: A variable force tensioner (VFT) system that includes a primary piston split into two chambers disposed within a primary bore. The two chambers including a first low pressure chamber having a primary reservoir therein that feeds fluid through a check valve into a second high pressure chamber to control a biasing force on the primary piston. A piston bore clearance path can extend along a groove in the primary bore to feed oil back to the primary reservoir from the high pressure chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner for an internal combustion engine for tensioning a span of a chain or a belt has a piston with an internal reservoir connected to a high pressure chamber through a check valve assembly. The check valve assembly has a disk seat formed by an internal bulge within the piston; a check valve retainer within the piston, and a moveable disk that is received between the disk seat formed by the internal bulge and the check valve retainer and is moveable between a first position and a second position, and a check valve spring that is received between the check valve disk and the check valve retainer.

Abstract: A stack of disk springs are placed between a second piston of a dual hydraulic variable force tensioner system and a hydraulic tensioner arm to allow much higher spring rates if desired. The springs may be stacked in multiple configurations to provide different spring rates. Package space can be reduced depending on the number of springs and orientations of said springs within the tensioner arm.

Abstract: A variable force tensioner (VFT) system that includes a primary piston split into two chambers disposed within a primary bore. The two chambers including a first low pressure chamber having a primary reservoir therein that feeds fluid through a check valve into a second high pressure chamber to control a biasing force on the primary piston. A piston bore clearance path can extend along a groove in the primary bore to feed oil back to the primary reservoir from the high pressure chamber.

Abstract: A press-fit check valve for a hydraulic tensioner includes a retainer, a seat, a ball, and a spring. The seat of the check valve is press-fit against the wall of the check valve counterbore of the hydraulic tensioner body. In some embodiments, the seat is cup-shaped to provide a predetermined level of press force retention of the press-fit check valve. In some embodiments, the seat includes a plurality of legs separated by leg openings. In some embodiments, a backflow path is provided past the press-fit check valve by a combination of the leg openings and at least one backflow slot through a flange of the retainer. In some embodiments, a lip at the outer end of the check valve counterbore prevents the seat from backing out of the check valve counterbore.

Abstract: A tensioner moves the flow restriction controlling the tensioner tuning to the nose of the piston through a hole ranging in cross sectional area from 0.01 mm2 to 1.1 mm2. It also eliminates a component from the design of the tensioner. The piston hole geometry is one or a plurality of holes.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner for an internal combustion engine for tensioning a span of a chain or a belt has a piston with an internal reservoir connected to a high pressure chamber through a check valve assembly. The check valve assembly has a disk seat formed by an internal bulge within the piston; a check valve retainer within the piston, and a moveable disk that is received between the disk seat formed by the internal bulge and the check valve retainer and is moveable between a first position and a second position, and a check valve spring that is received between the check valve disk and the check valve retainer.

Abstract: A sealed hydraulic tensioner includes a cylinder having a cylinder surface formed in a housing; a piston, received by the cylinder, having an inner surface forming a piston cavity and an outer surface that closely conforms in shape to the cylinder inhibiting the flow of fluid between the outer surface of the piston and the cylinder surface; a tensioner biasing member engaging the piston and the cylinder forcing the piston in an axial direction; a check valve regulating fluid flow between a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber; one or more apertures formed in the piston extending between the inner surface and the outer surface of the piston that communicate fluid between the piston cavity and the cylinder, wherein a substantially fixed quantity of fluid is encapsulated within the piston cavity and the cylinder.

Abstract: Hydraulic tensioner device including a tensioner arm and a hydraulic tensioner. The tensioner arm comprising: a body having a first end, a second end, a chain sliding surface and a surface opposite the chain sliding face; a pivot at the first end or the second end of the body; and a banjo bolt feed at the other of the first end or second end of the body. The hydraulic tensioner being pivotably attached to the pivot and the banjo bolt and adjacent the surface opposite the chain sliding face, wherein the hydraulic tensioner receives supply fluid from the banjo bolt, the hydraulic tensioner comprising: a housing with a bore; a hollow piston having a first end and a second end, slidably received within the bore; and a spring received within the bore of the housing and the hollow piston biasing the hollow piston outwards from the bore of the housing.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: an orifice flow valve comprising: a disk, wherein the disk comprises at least one orifice which is constructed and arranged to direct a forward flow of a fluid through the at least one orifice and to impede a backflow of the fluid through the at least one orifice.

Abstract: A product for applying tension is disclosed. A block may have a first passage opening into the block. A body may have a first manifold and may be positioned against the block so that the first passage is open to the first manifold. The body may have a flow path for providing fluid from the first manifold to a second manifold and there through to a pressure chamber. The flow path may include a series of channels and may be configured to allow substantially unimpeded flow from the first manifold to the second manifold, and to impede flow from the second manifold to the first manifold. The flow path may be free of movable components.

Abstract: In order to prevent noise, a ratchet clip and grooves for the ratchet clip to engage are added to the second piston, such that the second piston cannot hit the bottom of the second bore housing. The second piston is prevented from hitting the bottom of the second bore housing by the ratchet clip engaging the ratchet grooves on the outer circumference of the second piston.

Abstract: A product for applying tension is disclosed. The product may include a block with a first bore opening into to the block. A body may be provided having a second bore substantially larger in diameter than the first bore. The body may be positioned against the block so that the first bore is open to the second bore. The body may have a passage for providing fluid to a pressure chamber from the second bore. The passage may be arranged to open to the second bore and form a tangent to the second bore. Fluid may flow from the first bore to the pressure chamber through the second bore and the passage substantially unimpeded. Fluid flow is impeded from the passage to the first bore as a result of the configuration of the first bore, second bore and passage.

Abstract: A press-fit check valve for a hydraulic tensioner includes a retainer, a seat, a ball, and a spring. The seat of the check valve is press-fit against the wall of the check valve counterbore of the hydraulic tensioner body. In some embodiments, the seat is cup-shaped to provide a predetermined level of press force retention of the press-fit check valve. In some embodiments, the seat includes a plurality of legs separated by leg openings. In some embodiments, a backflow path is provided past the press-fit check valve by a combination of the leg openings and at least one backflow slot through a flange of the retainer. In some embodiments, a lip at the outer end of the check valve counterbore prevents the seat from backing out of the check valve counterbore.

Abstract: A tensioner moves the flow restriction controlling the tensioner tuning to the nose of the piston through a hole ranging in cross sectional area from 0.01 mm2 to 1.1 mm2. It also eliminates a component from the design of the tensioner. The piston hole geometry is one or a plurality of holes.

Abstract: A check valve assembly (20) and method of assembly can include a hydraulic tensioner (10) having a body (12) defining an inlet fluid passage with an inlet fluid passage port (14a) having a valve seat (14b). The check valve assembly (20) can include a retainer (22) located within the body (12), a valve disk (30) having a sealing surface (32), and a biasing member (34) normally biasing the valve disk (30) toward the inlet fluid passage port (14a). The retainer (22) can define an outlet passage (24). The valve disk (30) and the biasing member (34) can be received within a cavity (26) of the retainer (22). The biasing member (34) can allow reciprocal movement of the valve disk (30) from a closed seated position sealing the inlet fluid passage port (14a) to an open unseated position spaced from the inlet fluid passage port (14a) opening the inlet passage.

Abstract: A product for applying tension is disclosed. A block may have a first passage opening into the block. A body may have a first manifold and may be positioned against the block so that the first passage is open to the first manifold. The body may have a flow path for providing fluid from the first manifold to a second manifold and there through to a pressure chamber. The flow path may include a series of channels and may be configured to allow substantially unimpeded flow from the first manifold to the second manifold, and to impede flow from the second manifold to the first manifold. The flow path may be free of movable components.

Abstract: A product for applying tension is disclosed. The product may include a block with a first bore opening into to the block. A body may be provided having a second bore substantially larger in diameter than the first bore. The body may be positioned against the block so that the first bore is open to the second bore. The body may have a passage for providing fluid to a pressure chamber from the second bore. The passage may be arranged to open to the second bore and form a tangent to the second bore. Fluid may flow from the first bore to the pressure chamber through the second bore and the passage substantially unimpeded. Fluid flow is impeded from the passage to the first bore as a result of the configuration of the first bore, second bore and passage.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: an orifice flow valve comprising: a disk, wherein the disk comprises at least one orifice which is constructed and arranged to direct a forward flow of a fluid through the at least one orifice and to impede a backflow of the fluid through the at least one orifice.