Patent ID: 7252066
Filing Date: 2007-08-07
Classification: F02B,F16F,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. In an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and an idler shaft assembly operatively associated therewith, the idler shaft assembly including: a shaft adapted for rotation about a first axis; a one-piece integrated sprocket and gear received on the shaft, said one-piece integrated sprocket and gear comprising; a sprocket portion having a first diameter that cooperates with an associated drive chain that is driven by the crankshaft; a gear portion having a second diameter that cooperates with an associated gear of an associated balance shaft; wherein said one-piece integrated sprocket and near overall is heat treated by a first heat treatment process, and wherein only one of said sprocket portion and said gear portion is further heat treated by a second heat treatment process that is different than the first heat treatment process so that said sprocket portion has a different hardness relative to said gear portion.