Abstract: A first belt tensioner includes an arm, spring case, coil spring, and arm plate. The arm is adapted to support an idler pulley and has a hook portion. The spring case is disposed in the arm and has a first spring seat. The spring is disposed in the spring case. The arm plate has a second spring seat. The spring is longitudinally compressed between the arm plate and the spring case. The spring is in torsion with the end portions of the spring seated against a corresponding spring seat and with the arm plate rotationally positioned under the hook portion. A method for assembling the first belt tensioner includes using the arm plate to longitudinally compress the spring and rotating the arm plate. A second belt tensioner includes an arm, spring case, coil spring, arm plate, and pivot bushing.

Abstract: A pulley construction and method of making the same are provided, the pulley construction having a pair of opposed flanges respectively provided with surfaces for engagement with a V-belt construction when the V-belt construction is disposed therebetween. The pulley construction has structure for moving one of the flanges axially relative to the other of the flanges and has a fluid dampening unit operatively associated with the one flange to dampen the axial movement of that one flange relative to the other flange with a restrictive force, the dampening unit comprising a flexible bladder having a part thereof operatively interconnected to that one flange.

Abstract: A belt pulley and method of making the same are provided, the pulley having a hub and a peripheral groove for receiving part of an endless belt therein that is to drive the pulley or be driven thereby whereby the pulley is adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the hub. The pulley has a pair of opposed facing sides defining at least part of the groove therebetween and has a pair of oppositely facing outboard sides, the sides each having an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion. The pulley has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart and radially disposed substantially straight vanes extending outwardly from at least one of the outboard sides thereof.

Abstract: A belt pulley and method of making the same are provided, the pulley having a hub and a peripheral groove for receiving part of an endless belt therein that is to drive the pulley or be driven thereby whereby the pulley is adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the hub. The pulley has a pair of opposed facing sides defining at least part of the groove therebetween and has a pair of oppositely facing outboard sides, the sides each having an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion. The pulley has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart and radially disposed substantially straight vanes extending outwardly from at least one of the outboard sides thereof.

Abstract: A pulley construction and method of making the same are provided, the pulley construction having a pair of opposed flanges respectively provided with surfaces for engagement with a V-belt construction when the V-belt construction is disposed therebetween. The pulley construction has structure for moving one of the flanges axially relative to the other of the flanges either in a direction toward the other flange or in a direction away from the other flange and has a fluid dampening unit separate from the structure for moving and being operatively associated with the one flange to dampen the axial movement of that one flange in either of the directions relative to the other flange with a restrictive force, the dampening unit comprising a flexible bladder having one part thereof operatively interconnected to that one flange.

Abstract: A pulley construction and method of making the same are provided, the pulley construction having a pair of opposed flanges respectively provided with surfaces for engagement with a V-belt construction when the V-belt construction is disposed therebetween. The pulley construction has a speed responsive unit for moving one of the flanges axially relative to the other of the flanges, the speed responsive unit comprising a pair of opposed raceways respectively having surfaces and movable elements disposed against the surfaces of the raceways for movement in the raceways. The surfaces of the raceways comprise polymeric material that will be deflected by the movable elements and thereby will tend to dampen out vibrations and shock load motion as the movable elements move relative to the surfaces of the raceways.