Abstract: An apparatus for assembling an engine includes an engine jig configured to load the engine on which a pump sprocket, a cam sprocket, an auto tensioner, and an engine belt are preliminarily mounted. The apparatus includes: a pump sprocket fastening unit disposed on a first die disposed on a first side of the engine jig and configured to clamp and fully fasten the pump sprocket in order to fixedly mount the pump sprocket preliminarily mounted to the engine; a cam sprocket fastening unit disposed on the first die and configured to clamp, rotate, and fully fasten the cam sprocket in order to fixedly mount the cam sprocket preliminarily mounted to the engine; and an auto tensioner fastening unit disposed on the first die, and configured to clamp, rotate, and fully fasten the auto tensioner in order to fixedly mount the auto tensioner preliminarily mounted to the engine.

Abstract: A speed reducing mechanism according to one embodiment includes an output shaft, carriers each of which has an output shaft hole, and oscillating gears each of which has an output shaft insertion hole. The output shaft is inserted in the output shaft hole and the output shaft insertion hole and contacts the inner peripheral surfaces. The surface roughness Ra of the inner peripheral surfaces defining the output shaft hole and output shaft insertion hole is equal to or less than 1.6 ?m. The static friction coefficient of the inner peripheral surfaces against the output shaft is equal to or less than 0.2.

Abstract: A belt unit includes a belt that is endless, a plurality of stretching rollers, a pair of side frames and one or more shafts. The side frames are each provided with bearing holes that rotatably support opposite end parts of the stretching rollers, and positioning holes into which opposite end parts of the shafts are inserted. The shafts each have formed therein a first engagement groove that engages with a first holding jig. The stretching rollers each have formed therein a second engagement groove that engages with a second holding jig. When the first engagement groove is in engagement with the first holding jig, the shafts are arranged opposite the positioning holes corresponding thereto, and have a phase thereof restricted in a circumferential direction thereof. When the second engagement groove is in engagement with the second holding jig, the stretching rollers are arranged opposite the bearing holes corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A medical instrument system includes a plurality of joints, a plurality of actuators, and a plurality of transmission systems. The transmission systems have proximal ends respectively coupled to the actuators. Each of the transmission systems have a distal end attached to an associated one of the joints to allow the transmission of a force for articulation of the medical instrument system. The system also includes a sensor coupled to measure a configuration of the medical instrument; and a control system coupled to receive configuration data, including a current configuration of a tip of the medical instrument from the sensor and a desired configuration of the tip of the medical instrument. Using the difference between the desired configuration and the current configuration of the tip of the medical instrument, the control system generates control signals for the actuators that cause the actuators to apply a set of tensions to the plurality of transmission systems.

Abstract: A device and system for enabling calibration of a structure includes at least one elongate strap having a lower temperature coefficient than the structure, and a length sufficient to encompass a circumference of an external surface of the structure, and at least one diffraction grating having a temperature coefficient at least as high as the structure, wherein the diffraction grating is coupled to the strap and is in direct contact with the external surface of the structure. Deformations in the external surface of the structure induce corresponding deformations in the diffraction grating.

Abstract: A pulley stopper including: a clamp portion that includes a bar-shaped upper clamp and a bar-shaped lower clamp; and a pair of fasteners that are disposed at opposite ends of the clamp portion to couple the upper clamp and the lower clamp. The pair of fasteners and the clamp portion are coupled such that the upper clamp and the lower clamp are fixed side by side through the coupling of the fastener and the movement of a belt disposed between the upper clamp and the lower clamp is stopped.

Abstract: A pulley stopper including: a clamp portion that includes a bar-shaped upper clamp and a bar-shaped lower clamp; and a pair of fasteners that are disposed at opposite ends of the clamp portion to couple the upper clamp and the lower clamp. The pair of fasteners and the clamp portion are coupled such that the upper clamp and the lower clamp are fixed side by side through the coupling of the fastener and the movement of a belt disposed between the upper clamp and the lower clamp is stopped.

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: An object of the present invention is to provide a tensioner that enables a sufficient amount of stroke for the plunger to be secured and allows for size and weight reductions without changing the size of the tensioner body. In the tensioner according to the invention, an oil supply path that supplies oil from outside to an oil reservoir chamber formed inside the plunger includes an oil supply space formed between an inner circumferential surface of the plunger bore and an outer circumferential surface of the plunger. The oil supply space is formed by a front-end communication groove formed on an inner circumferential surface of the plunger bore and communicating with a tensioner body oil supply hole, and a rear-end communication groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of the plunger and causing the front-end communication groove to communicate with a plunger oil supply hole.

Abstract: A first clamping part and a second clamping part, which are movable relative to one another and to a base. A spring fixed between the first and second clamping parts. The spring applies force to the first and second clamping parts in a direction of the reciprocal movement thereof. A first locking part detachably locks the first and second clamping parts to each other when the spring is tensioned. A second locking part detachably locks the second clamping part to the base. The locking parts intermesh by forming a joint with limited motion.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a tensioner that has a reduced number of components and lighter weight and is easy to assemble. The tensioner according to the present invention is configured such that a base member is detachably and mechanically joined to a rear end opening of a cylindrical plunger with a closed front end against the resilience of biasing means that is accommodated inside the plunger such as to be freely extend and contract. The joint between the plunger and the base member is a mechanical connection that is one of a thread engagement, a press-fit, and a pin connection.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a chain guide that eliminates the burden of assembling a guide shoe and a base member together, and prevents the guide shoe from being limited in its movement in the longitudinal guiding direction relative to the base member to improve durability. The guide shoe and the base member of the chain guide according to the invention are united by being integrally molded. The chain guide includes a fixed engaging part where the guide shoe engages with the base member such that the guide shoe is restricted from moving in the longitudinal guiding direction relative to the base member, and a movable engaging part where the guide shoe engages with the base member such that the guide shoe is slidable relative to the base member. A molding gate mark is positioned at or near the fixed engaging part.

Abstract: A chain tensioner is formed with internal threads each including a push-in-side flank, a protruding-side flank, and a thread top face. The push-in-side flank has a flank angle which is larger than a flank angle of the protruding-side flank. The push-in-side flank and the protruding-side flank are rolled surfaces formed by rolling, and have a surface roughness smaller than Ra 1.0 ?m. Each internal thread further includes, at a position at which the protruding-side flank intersects with the thread top face, a chamfer configured to receive a bulge resulting from excess materials pushed out from the protruding-side flank during formation of the internal thread by rolling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tensioner (100) comprising: a hollow body (10) provided with a bottom (12), said bottom comprising a central zone (120), a peripheral zone (121) raised relative to the central zone and an intermediate zone (122) an axis (30) two guide means (40, 50) for said axis two cups (60, 124), the cup (124) comprising a first portion (124A) in front of the peripheral zone and a second portion (124B) in front of the intermediate zone a spring (70) held between the cups and arranged around the second guide means so that there is a gap between the spring and the second guide means a valve (80) with a channel (90), the channel opening in front of the second portion of the cup (124) away from said second portion.

Abstract: A tensioner for a hybrid electric vehicle adjusts tension of the belt which is provided to synchronize rotation of a pulley of a starting motor shaft and rotation of a pulley of a crankshaft. The tensioner for a hybrid electric vehicle may include: a base arm, a driving arm pivotably connected with the base arm, and a driven arm pivotably connected with the base arm. The tensioner further includes an actuator operating so as to autonomously vary an entire length so that one end thereof is fixed to the base arm and the other end thereof is connected with the driving arm; a first pulley rotatably connected with the first pulley connecting portion or the driving arm and rolling while contacting the belt; and a second pulley rotatably connected with the second pulley connecting portion of the driven arm and rolling while contacting the belt.

Abstract: A fixing tool of an auto-tensioner includes inwardly inclined engaging pieces inclined inwardly so as to be opposed to respective tapered surfaces of a spring seat and a cylinder of the auto-tensioner. The engaging pieces have concave surfaces that contact the tapered surfaces over a circumferentially extending area. This minimizes the deformation of the engaging pieces such that the diametrical distances therebetween increase due to contact with the tapered surfaces when sandwiching the spring seat and the cylinder with the engaging pieces from the axially opposite directions, thereby preventing the fixing tool from coming off.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus includes a plate configured to pivot about a pivot point, a pulley coupled to a first planar side of the plate and configured to rotate a belt, a motor coupled to the first planar side of the plate and configured to drive the pulley, and a torsion spring coupled to a second planar side of the plate that is opposite the first planar side and configured to apply tension to the belt.

Abstract: A method of precision depth control for seed planting units of an agricultural implement. The agricultural implement can include a plurality of seed planting units, with each seed planting unit being configured to provide an individually adjustable depth setting and having a visual indicator associated therewith. The method can include receiving a selection of a seed planting unit of the plurality of seed planting units, visually indicating the selected seed planting unit with the visual indicator associated therewith, receiving depth adjustment data for the selected seed planting unit, and adjusting the depth of the selected seed planting unit based on the depth adjustment data.

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 received within the hollow bore of the body of the piston having at least one passage connecting the internal reservoir to the hydraulic pressure chamber; a check valve retainer coupled to the disk seat; a check valve disk received between the disk seat and the check valve retainer moveable between a first position and a second position, and a check valve spring received between the check valve disk and the check valve retainer.

Abstract: In an aspect, a tensioner is provided for tensioning a belt and includes first and second tensioner arms having first and second pulleys respectively. The first and second pulleys are configured for engagement with first and second belt spans, and are biased in first and second free arm directions respectively. A second tensioner arm stop is positioned to limit the movement of the second tensioner arm in a direction opposite the second free arm direction. The second tensioner arm stop is positioned such that, in use, the second pulley is engaged with the endless drive member while the second tensioner arm is engaged with the second tensioner arm stop throughout a first selected range of operating conditions.

Abstract: Provided is a tensioner with which efficiency of recirculation of oil can be improved and dependency on oil supplied from an oil pump or the like can be reduced. The tensioner includes a pressure adjustment mechanism, wherein the pressure adjustment mechanism includes a cylinder portion and a piston that is disposed in the cylinder portion so as to be capable of moving in a front-rear direction and that divides an interior space into an oil storage chamber and an adjustment space, and a liquid-tight state is maintained between the cylinder portion and the piston in all positions between a position of the piston where the piston has moved closest to the oil storage chamber side and a position of the piston where the piston has moved closest to the adjustment space side.

Abstract: A tensioner system may be replaced by selecting replacement components. Components such as a housing, roller arm, pulley, and index plate locating pin may be selected from a group of housings, roller arms, pulleys, and index plate locating pins, respectively. The selection of the components allows a user to assemble multiple variations of tensioner that are commercially available. The location of the index plate locating pin on the index plate allows for proper orientation of the tensioner in the vehicle in order to apply the proper tension to a belt. The selection of the components may be based on current tensioner model, or based on dimensions measured from the current tensioner.

Abstract: The present invention discloses mining collector compositions containing sodium metabisulfite and a thiocarbonate compound. Flotation processes for recovering molybdenum from a copper-molybdenum concentrate using the collector compositions also are disclosed.

Abstract: Some belt-driven integrated-starter generators (BISGs) have twin-arm tensioners mounted directly to the BISG. Because the distance between the tensioner and the BISG pulley is quite short, any stack up tolerance leads to relatively high misalignment, which, in turn, leads to belt wear and noise. To minimize misalignment, a process is disclosed to machine the tensioner pulley bearing seats on the tensioner arms after assembly to the BISG. The BISG pulley is rotated with three probes recording the axial position change of the BISG pulley over a complete revolution. These data are used to establish a best-fit plane and the tensioner pulley bearing seats are machined to match the best-fit plane so that during operation belt twisting and shifting are minimized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a frictional power transmission belt containing an extensible layer to form a belt back surface, a compressive layer formed on one surface of the extensible layer and having a power transmission surface at least a part of which can be in contact with pulleys, and a tension member embedded between the extensible layer and the compressive layer along a belt length direction, in which at least the compressive layer is formed of a rubber composition containing a polymer component, short fibers and a surfactant and in which the short fibers contain at least short fibers of water-absorbing fibers.

Abstract: A tensioning system including a base and an arm pivotally coupled to the base, the arm having an engagement surface and being configured to pivot relative to the base about a pivot axis. The system further includes a biasing mechanism operatively coupled to the arm to bias the arm relative to the base, and a seal assembly sealingly positioned between the arm and the base. The seal assembly is coaxial with the pivot axis and configured to accommodate relative axial movement between the base and the arm and relative radial movement between the base and the arm while still maintaining a seal therebetween.

Abstract: Provided is an actuator, preferably a linear actuator, including a carriage (16) having a lateral support surface (144, 152) for supporting a first longitudinal section of a belt against lateral deflection and a space (164) adjacent to and longitudinally offset from the lateral support surface for partially surrounding a second longitudinal section of the belt that is deflected relative to the lateral support surface to take up slack and/or tension the belt. By containing the slack within the carriage using the space and the lateral support surface, slack may be removed from the belt or the belt may be tensioned in an easy and cost efficient manner.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve housing having an inlet end with an inlet opening having a valve seat surface surrounding the inlet opening. The valve housing defines an outlet end with a plurality of outlet holes and a valve chamber disposed between the valve seat and the outlet end. One of the plurality of outlet holes has a smaller cross section than the other outlet holes. The valve chamber includes a plurality of radially protruding grooves extending radially beyond a base diameter. One of the plurality of radially protruding grooves has a groove cross section that is smaller than a groove cross section of the remaining grooves, which along with the smaller outlet hole cause a lateral pressure imbalance on the valve member so that the valve member tends to remain in contact with a side of the valve seat while permitting relief flow.

Abstract: To provide a chain tensioner capable of constantly applying an appropriate pressing force under any situations including high-speed, high-load operation, at the start of an engine, and normal range operation, without an increase in size or amount of oil consumption. A check valve unit 150 is disposed between an oil pressure chamber 101 and an oil supply part 103. A second oil pressure chamber 102 is formed between an outer circumferential surface of a plunger 120 and a cylindrical surface 113 of a plunger bore 111, into which oil leaking from the oil pressure chamber 101 flows and whose volume increases as the plunger 120 retracts. Further provided is a relief valve unit 130 that releases oil when the pressure of the second oil pressure chamber 102 reaches or exceeds a predetermined high level.

Abstract: A chain tensioner is provided which is configured such that the air remaining in a pressure chamber can be discharged to the outside through a helical gap defined between a screw and a threaded hole, and through between circumferentially separate radial ends of a spring washer mounted between the screw and a housing. The chain tensioner includes an air discharge groove or grooves formed in the seat surface of the head of the screw such that an annular space defined between the neck of the screw and the inner diameter surface of the spring washer communicates with the outside through the air discharge groove or grooves. Even if foreign objects clog the space between the separate radial ends so as to hinder air from being discharged through between the separate radial ends, the air remaining in the pressure chamber can be discharged to the outside through the air discharge groove or grooves.

Abstract: Provided, is a simple-structured tensioner that can. favorably expel the air that has entered an oil pressure chamber, while enabling a reduction in size in the axial direction, and in processing and assembling workload. The tensioner 10 includes a relief mechanism made up of a relief hole 22 and a disc-like orifice member 60. A first main surface 61 of the orifice member 60 is provided with an outer circumferential annular groove 61a formed along an outer peripheral edge and a communication groove 61b that extends from a central portion of the first main surface 61 to the outer circumferential annular groove 61a, The orifice member 60 has a plurality of notches 63 arranged along a circumferential direction in the outer peripheral edge of the orifice member 60.

Abstract: The tensioning system for the traction belt of an elevator is installed or can be installed in connection with the car and/or the counterweight of the elevator for pretensioning at least one traction belt running between these and comprises means for storing energy. In addition to this, the tensioning system is configured to use the energy stored in the means intended for storing energy for pulling in the traction belt in question for returning tension when the tension of the traction belt falls. The patent application also contains an independent claim for an elevator.

Abstract: A chain guide is provided that allows for stable running of a chain, causes less wear or damage on the inner surface of mounting holes or on mounting shafts, and improves the durability without increasing production cost. The guide shoe includes a guide rail and a unit holding part that accommodates a reinforcing unit inserted thereinto from the backside of the guide rail. The reinforcing unit includes a plate and a spacer. The plate and spacer are aligned in a guide width direction, so that a plate through hole and a spacer through hole are continuous in the guide width direction, and are disposed in the unit holding part 22.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a tensioner and a rocking lever that have simple configurations and that enable an increase in the volume of a space provided inside a plunger, the tensioner and the rocking lever being capable of preventing a stopper pin from being damaged or falling out. A plunger pin hole 121 is formed in a plunger 120 of a tensioner 100. In a tensioner body 110, a body pin hole 113 is formed in a tip protruding portion 112 provided so as to protrude from a side of an opening of the plunger housing hole 121. One of lips 154 provided on opposite sides, in a width direction, of the pressing surface 153 of a rocking lever 150 so as to protrude from the pressing surface 153, has a thinned portion 155 thinned in the width direction.

Abstract: A multi-state opportunity interleaved wagering system is disclosed.

Abstract: To provide a chain guide that implements stable running of a chain, causes less wear or damage on the inner surface of mounting holes or on mounting shafts, and improves the durability of a reinforcing plate thereof without increasing production cost. A guide shoe includes a guide rail and a plate holding part accommodating a reinforcing plate inserted thereinto from the backside of the guide rail. The reinforcing plate includes a tubular part integral with a first plate surface and protruding from the edge of a mounting hole that extends through the reinforcing plate in a guide width direction. In the chain guide, a plurality of surface irregular parts are provided on a peripheral outer side of the tubular part in stripes along a plurality of imaginary circles concentric to the tubular part on at least one of the first plate surface and a second plate surface.

Abstract: A tensioning rail (2) for tensioning an endlessly circulating tensioner (4) is provided, wherein the tensioning rail (2) for tensioning the ternsioner (4) is curved in a longitudinal direction (L), the tensioning rail (2) has a base wall (6) and two jaws (8) protruding from the base wall (6), and the tensioning rail (2) has at least one U-shaped profiled segment (10) and a T-shaped profiled segment (12), which are each formed by the base wall (6) and the jaws (8), wherein the tensioning rail (2) includes a guiding element (14) for a rotary bearing (16) in the U-shaped profiled segment (10) and a guiding element (18) for a contact bearing (20) in the T-shaped profiled segment (12).

Abstract: A connected interleaved wagering system is disclosed, including an interactive controller configured to: communicate, to an application controller, first application telemetry, the first application telemetry associated with a first interactive application; communicate, to the application controller, second application telemetry, the second application telemetry associated with a second interactive application; receive a wager outcome; provide a display of the received wager outcome; a wager controller constructed to: receive a wager request; determine a wager outcome; and communicate, to the application controller, the wager outcome; and the application controller operatively connecting the interactive controller and the wager controller, the application controller constructed to: receive the first application telemetry; communicate, to the wager controller, the wager request; receive the wager outcome; communicate, to a session controller, updated user session information; receive, from the interactive cont

Abstract: A hydraulic system for operating an automatic transmission for motor vehicles includes a hydraulic actuator for operating a clutch and a stop valve, whereas the actuator has a pressurizable actuating pressure chamber, which can be closed in a pressure-tight manner by means of the stop valve, such that the clutch pressure is maintained independent of the other pressures of the hydraulic system. The stop valve includes a closure device that is movable by means of a hydraulic control pressure (p_S) into a closed position, in which an actuating pressure chamber port, and thus the actuating pressure chamber, is closed by means of the closure device. The closure device is movable into an open position at least by means of the force of a spring, in which the actuating pressure chamber port is opened. Thereby, the stop valve features a shiftable locking device, by means of which the closure device can be fixed in the closed position.

Abstract: A tensioning rail for an endless drive, in particular a timing chain drive of an internal combustion engine, comprises a sliding lining body and a reinforcement body inserted in the sliding lining body and connected thereto by a detent connection, the sliding lining body comprising a slide rail for contact with an endless drive and a press-on region for the tensioning piston of a tensioning device. The tensioning rail is characterized in that the press-on region is arranged in a resiliently movable fashion on the slide rail and comprises a detent device as a constituent part of the detent connection such that the detent device is adapted to be locked due to the resilient movement of the press-on region. An endless drive having a tensioning rail of the type disclosed is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for measuring the force present in the drive chain of an electric bicycle that basically comprises a metal plate (1) with an axle area for being attached to one end of the wheel axle (2) to receive the force F1 applied to the bicycle's frame by said wheel axle (2) in the longitudinal axis of the bicycle and a frame area for being to the bicycle frame were said frame area comprises tapped holes (3) to be attached to the bicycle frame, at least a force sensor (4), an adjusting screw (5) to adjust said force sensor (4), an elastic overload protection element (6), such as an helical spring, designated to maintain the sensor (4) within a secure load range for protecting it from overloads, and a system of transmission for receiving the horizontal force component F1? and transmitting a proportional elastic reaction force to the force sensor (4).

Abstract: In order to provide a connecting means for connecting a first component and a second component, in particular for connecting furniture parts or machine parts, by means of which the components may be connected to one another simply and reliably, it is proposed that the connecting means includes a first connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the first component, and a second connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the second component, wherein, for connecting the first component and the second component, a spring element of the first connecting element is configured to come into engagement with a receiving element of the second connecting element, wherein the connecting means, in particular the first connecting element and/or the second connecting element, includes a reinforcing element for reinforcing a spring force of the spring element.

Abstract: A wedge friction clutch with controllable clutch locking function, having an axis of rotation, an inner race, an outer race located radially outward of the inner race, and, a wedge assembly including a wedge plate located between the inner and outer races in a radial direction, a first piston arranged to displace the wedge plate in a first circumferential direction, a second piston arranged to displace the wedge plate in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction, and, a hydraulic circuit arranged to control the first and second pistons.

Abstract: A guide device for guiding an endless torque-transmitting member of a belt-driven, conical-pulley transmission. The device includes an outer guide section, and an inner guide section that is spaced from the outer guide section and between which guide sections the endless torque-transmitting member is guidable in a direction of travel of that member. The device is formed from two halves that are connected to each other by a plug-in and slide connection arrangement, in order to improve the guide device structurally, functionally, and from a producibility standpoint.

Abstract: A control module-implemented method for estimating an end of life a belt transferring torque between at least two rotating members of a belt drive system includes monitoring a plurality of belt parameters during a life cycle of the belt and determining an instantaneous damage factor of the belt based on the plurality of belt parameters. The end of life of the belt is estimated based on the instantaneous damage factor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotation input section that is supported to one side roller axis so as to freely rotate integrally with an intermediate transfer belt in contact with the intermediate transfer belt when it has meandered to one side in an axial direction from a predetermined travel position, a rotation output section that is connected to the rotation input section via a speed reduction mechanism, a rotation gear section that is connected to the rotation output section, a fixed rack bar section that is engaged with the rotation gear section, and an urging member that urges the rotation gear section to return to an initial position when there is no rotation input, wherein an axis center of a meandering correction roller inclines in the state in which the rotation gear section so that the intermediate transfer belt meanders the one side in the axial direction.

Abstract: A chain guide is provided in which durability is increased, weight can be reduced, material cost is reduced, the uniformity of resin orientation is improved, dimensional errors, errors in shape, internal strains, and defects are reduced, and bending rigidity such as rigidity against deflection and torsion is augmented with a simple configuration. The chain guide is provided with reinforcing ribs at a guide main body. The reinforcing ribs include first inclined reinforcing ribs and second inclined reinforcing ribs that cross each other. A zone in which the reinforcing ribs are not present is provided in the intermediate portion between two support porting.

Abstract: A timing belt spacer tool with an arcuate spacer portion of predetermined uniform thickness and an extension tab extending in an axial direction from the mid-section of the spacer portion. The extension tab may have a grip, which may be in the form of a protrusion, bulge, thickness variation, edging, bead, or the like. The opposing ends of the arcuate spacer portion may be flexible enough to be straightened in use but still return to their original arcuate shape.

Abstract: Deaeration of the high pressure oil chamber of a hydraulic tensioner takes place though a helical orifice formed by opposed flanks of the threads of a threaded hole in the tensioner housing and the threads of a screw inserted into the hole. The opposed flanks are maintained in spaced relationship by a force exerted by a spring washer disposed between the head of the screw and a surface of the tensioner housing surrounding the opening of the threaded hole. The flank of the thread of the hole that forms part of the boundary of the helical orifice can have a concave curvature in order to increase the aperture of the air flow path. A groove in the surface surrounding the opening of the threaded hole prevents the washer from sealing off the flow of air. This groove is disposed with its exit end at a level above its entry end.

Abstract: A variable flow hydraulic tensioner (10) for a chain or belt can include a fixed member (12) having a first port (12a), and a movable member (14) in engaged with the fixed member (12). The movable member (14) can include a second port (14a) initially aligned with respect to the first port (12a) to allow fluid flow therethrough. A first spring (16) can bias the movable member (14) with respect to the fixed member (12) to align the first and second ports (12a, 14a) with respect to one another to allow fluid flow therethrough. A second spring (18) can have less spring force than the first spring (16) to bias the movable member (14) in an opposite direction with respect to the fixed member (12), such that as the chain or belt wears, a differential force between the first and second springs (16, 18) diminishes until the movable member (14) moves relative to the fixed member (12) sufficiently to offset the first and second ports (12a, 14a) with respect to one another to prevent fluid flow therethrough.