Patent ID: 6767302
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A hydraulic tensioner for applying tension to a chain comprising:a housing having a central bore open at one end thereof; a hollow plunger, slidably received in the bore of the housing, having an inside space forming a fluid chamber with the bore, the plunger having rack teeth at least at a portion of an outer circumferential surface thereof; a first biasing member, biasing the plunger in a protruding direction; a slider housing portion in a supporting block of the housing having an inclined slide surface; a wedge-shaped slider within the slider housing portion having a first side surface with a ratchet portion adapted to engage with the rack teeth of the plunger and a second side surface, inclined relative to and disposed opposite the first side surface, the inclined surface of the slider being slidable along the inclined surface of the slider housing portion and in a direction crossing an axial centerline of the plunger, to prevent travel of the plunger in a backward direction by a wedge-effect; and a second biasing member in the slider housing portion biasing the slider in a direction of engagement of the ratchet portion of the slider with the rack teeth of the plunger; such that the second biasing member biases the slider in such a way that the slider moves along the inclined slide surface of the slider housing portion of the supporting block.