Patent ID: 9394976
Filing Date: 2016-07-19
CPC Classification: F16H

Claim Text:
1. A hydraulically ratcheted tensioner, comprising: a tensioner housing and a plunger located at least partially in a piston chamber in the tensioner housing, the plunger includes at least one groove that extends at least partially circumferentially and the plunger is biased against a chain or belt by a plunger spring mounted within the tensioner housing, the plunger is pressurizable by hydraulic fluid, a ratchet device arranged adjacent to the tensioner housing includes a ratchet housing and a piston having an angled end, a spring biases the piston such that the angled end is forced against a ratchet pin that extends radially through a hole in the ratchet housing and the tensioner housing, the ratchet pin is biased against the angled end of the piston by a ratchet spring, and in a first, non-pressurized state, the ratchet pin engages the at least one groove, and in a second, pressurized state, the pressurized hydraulic fluid forces the piston against the spring such that the angled end disengages from the ratchet pin and the ratchet spring moves the ratchet pin to a position disengaged from the at least one groove, and the hydraulic fluid pressurizes the plunger.