Patent ID: 7771302

Claim:
An apparatus for indicating an automotive power transmission belt dynamic, the apparatus comprising: a belt tensioner including a support housing defining a pivot axis; an arm rotatably connected to the support housing and rotatable about a pivot axis; a pulley carried by the arm, the pulley having a belt-engaging surface; a spring connected to the arm and support housing to bias the arm to pivot relative to the support housing; a sensor assembly responsive to an input associated with an angular position of the arm relative to the sensor assembly, the sensor assembly providing an indication in response to receipt of the input; and a signaling device configured to provide a signal to a user in response to the indication provided by the sensor; wherein the sensor assembly comprises: a first actuation member positioned on the outer surface of the arm that is concentric about the pivot axis at a first position that represents a first angular position of the arm relative to the support housing; a second actuation member positioned on the outer surface of the arm that is concentric about the pivot axis at a second position that represents a second angular position of the arm relative to the support housing; and at least one sensor triggerable by the first actuation member, the second actuation member, or a combination thereof.