Patent ID: 7866292
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
1. A phase shift apparatus, comprising: a movable base continuously positionable between at least a base first position and a base second position; a first idler, the first idler defines a first idler axis of rotation, the first idler disposed about the movable base and adapted to engage a first timing belt segment of a timing belt; a second idler, the second idler defines a second idler axis of rotation, the second idler disposed about the movable base a fixed idler center-to-center distance from the first idler, the second idler adapted to engage a second timing belt segment of the timing belt; and a path fixed in space and traversed by the first idler axis of rotation and the second idler axis of rotation as the movable base is positioned between at least the base first position and the base second position, the path configured such that a first segment length of the first timing belt segment changes in correspondence to changes in a second segment length of the second timing belt segment to maintain a constant timing belt length.