Patent ID: 6447414
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A hydraulic chain tensioner and tensioning arm system, comprising:a housing having a bore, a hollow piston having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end being slidably received within said bore and forming a fluid chamber with said bore, a spring biasing the piston in an outward, protruding direction from said bore, a one-way check valve to permit the flow of fluid from an external source of pressurized fluid through said valve and into said fluid chamber and limit the flow of fluid in the reverse direction, said upper end of said piston being biased against a tensioning arm, said tensioning arm member including a flexible shoe with an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper end of said piston being biased against said lower surface of said flexible shoe, said flexible shoe being pivotally attached to a support surface, said upper surface of said flexible shoe being positioned by said piston to impart tension to a chain, said flexible shoe having a blade spring member within said flexible shoe and said blade spring member imparting a load to said flexible shoe to force said shoe into a more arcuate shape applying additional tension to said chain and increasing the contact area of said upper surface of said shoe with said chain.