Patent ID: 6036612
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A hydraulic autotensioner apparatus comprising:a cylinder having an open end;a seal mounted in said cylinder to close said open end of said cylinder and thereby define a cylinder chamber adapted to seal hydraulic fluid;a rod extending from said cylinder and having a through hole at one end of said rod;a spring seat mounted on said one end of said rod and having a first hole with a first axis and a second hole with a second axis, said first axis intersecting said second axis;a pin located in said second hole and extending through said through hole of said rod and coupling said spring seat to said rod;a first coupling piece provided on one of said cylinder and said spring seat and adapted to couple said one of said cylinder and said spring seat to a stationary member;a second coupling piece provided on the other of said cylinder and said spring seat and adapted to couple said other of said cylinder and said spring seat to a pivot arm;a spring encircling said cylinder and being operably interposed between said spring seat and said second coupling piece; anda hydraulic damper having a plunger, mounted on said rod and being slidably received in said cylinder chamber, dividing said cylinder chamber into a pressure chamber and a reservoir chamber, said plunger having a passage therethrough fluidically connecting said pressure chamber and said reservoir chamber, and a check valve provided at an end of said passage which closes said passage when a pressure chamber pressure is greater than a reservoir chamber pressure.