Patent ID: 6358169
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: F02B,F16H

Abstract:
A power transmission chain and tensioner system for an automotive engine application, said chain tensioner and power transmission chain system comprising:a plurality of sprockets including at least one driving sprocket connected to a power input and at least one driven sprocket connected to a power output; a chain assembled of interleaved links, said chain wrapped around said plurality of sprockets, said chain including at least one tight strand portion having some of said links being pulled by said driving sprocket and at least one slack strand portion on the opposite side of the chain; a pivot pin attached to said engine; a tensioner arm including a main body portion located between said tight strand and said slack strand, said main body portion having a first leg, a second leg opposite said first leg and a pivot bore located between said first leg and said second leg, said pivot bore of said arm being disposed on said pivot pin to permit rotation of said arm about said pin; a first shoe disposed on said first leg, said first shoe extending outside said slack strand of said chain, said slack strand of said chain running along the length of said first shoe; a second shoe disposed on said second leg, said second shoe extending outside said tight strand of said chain, said tight strand of said chain running along the length of said second shoe; an actuator, said actuator acting upon an outside surface of one leg of said tensioner arm to cause said tensioner arm to rotate about said pivot pin, said rotation of said tensioner arm causing said first and second shoes to move laterally to tension said chain.