Abstract: A centrifugal scissor gear assembly includes main and secondary gears with one or more counterweights or weighted balls there between. Optionally a thrust washer retains the components together. In one form, the counterweights are pivotable between the main and secondary gear. In another form, the weighted balls move within matching trenches or grooves in the main and secondary gears. When the engine is operable and the main gear is rotated, the counterweights or weighted balls are moved radially outwardly due to the centrifugal force. The scissor gear assembly can vary pre-load and apply a lower pre-load at lower engine speeds and a higher pre-load at higher engine speeds. No springs are used to achieve bias torque and no special tools or procedures are required for installation since the gear teeth of the main and secondary gears are aligned when the scissor gear assembly is not operating.

Abstract: A centrifugal scissor gear assembly includes main and secondary gears with one or more counterweights or weighted balls there between. Optionally a thrust washer retains the components together. In one form, the counterweights are pivotable between the main and secondary gear. In another form, the weighted balls move within matching trenches or grooves in the main and secondary gears. When the engine is operable and the main gear is rotated, the counterweights or weighted balls are moved radially outwardly due to the centrifugal force. The scissor gear assembly can vary pre-load and apply a lower pre-load at lower engine speeds and a higher pre-load at higher engine speeds. No springs are used to achieve bias torque and no special tools or procedures are required for installation since the gear teeth of the main and secondary gears are aligned when the scissor gear assembly is not operating.