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. At least one bracket is fixedly attached to the body and has a pivot.

Abstract: A closed loop chain tensioner system having a drive sprocket, one or more driven sprockets, a first mechanical tensioner located adjacent a slack strand and a second mechanical tensioner located adjacent a tight strand. Each tensioner is independently pivotally mounted to the engine block. The mounting point may be located at any point along the length of each tensioner. The tensioners are then linked to each other by a rigid, solid link. This solid link enables the tensioners to act in unison, thus providing damping across both strands of chain in response to engine torsional variations.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner is described. The hydraulic tensioner hasincludes an inlet portion which defines a pressurized fluid inlet. The hydraulic tensioner also hasincludes a housing defining a chamber which is coupled to the inlet portion. A band check valve separates the pressurized fluid inlet from the chamber, and a piston slideably engages the housing. An automobile having a driving shaft and a driven shaft may include such a hydraulic tensioner. A method of manufacturing athe hydraulic tensioner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A chain tensioner is disclosed which incorporates a blade tensioner and a rigid tensioner arm. The blade tensioner and rigid tensioner arm can be pivotally supported on proximate support structure and the blade tensioner urges the rigid tensioner arm into engagement with a portion of a chain to tension the chain. Alternatively, the blade tensioner can be pivotally mounted on the rigid tensioner arm. Two or more blade tensioners can be used to tension the rigid tensioner arm. If desired, the rigid tensioner arm can be mounted on one of the blade tensioners.

Abstract: A chain drive is provided which includes a chain, a driven sprocket and a drive sprocket. A single portion of the chain is tensioned by two spring tensioners. The spring tensioners can act on a single side of the chain portion or on opposite sides of the chain portion.

Abstract: An engine tensioning system including a pair of pivoting arms used to simultaneously tension two separate strands of the same chain in an engine timing system. The tensioner system includes a lever. The lever has a pair of fixed pins attached to an end located between the two strands of chain. The arms extend outside separate strands of the chain and carry shoes positioned to contact an outside portion of the chain are pivotally mounted to the fixed pins. Rotation of the lever causes the fixed pins to move laterally with respect to the chain strands and cause the arms to draw inwardly. The inward movement of the arms draw the shoes into contact with the chain strands and impart tension to the separate strands of the chain simultaneously.

Abstract: The tensioner arms or guides of the present invention are constructed of two or more laminations with a plastic guide portion. These laminations replace the typical die cast aluminum or injection molded plastic bracket.

Abstract: A chain guide system having one or more guide posts placed along the chain path. The guide posts are constructed of a bolt and a bushing and may also have an elastomeric isolator, coil spring, or rigid insert. The guide posts eliminate the need for longer, more expensive chain guides.

Abstract: A hydraulic chain tensioner has an air vent. The tensioner includes a housing having a fluid filled chamber and a hollow plunger slidably received within the chamber and biased in a protruding direction by a spring. The plunger has an upper end with an aperture. The vent includes a disk biased by the spring against the inside of the upper end of the plunger. With the disk having at least one channel formed on at least one side of the disk. The channel has a first end at the periphery of the disk and a second end at a position to establish a connection between the atmosphere and the chamber through the aperture in the upper end of the plunger.

Abstract: A slack adjuster (500) is provided that is particularly advantageous for use in tensioning vehicular timing belts or chains. Adjuster (500) has substantially coaxially aligned status plunger (48), dynamic plunger (74), and sleeve (66). A first check valve (56) controls fluid flow between a first low pressure fluid reservoir or chamber (50) on plunger (48) and a second fluid chamber (84) in plunger (74). A second check valve (80) controls fluid flow between chamber (84) and a third fluid chamber in sleeve 66 includes a passageway (84) and also operates to prevent air from re-entering chamber (82) from passsageway (84).