Tensioner
AssigneeThe Gates Corporation
InventorAlexander Serkh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention comprises a belt tensioner having a pivot arm biased toward a belt by a torsion spring. The tensioner also comprises a one-way clutch coupled with a friction clutch. The pivot arm of the tensioner is connected to a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch is cooperatively connected to a friction clutch having a predetermined friction torque caused by frictionally engaged radially extending surfaces. The pivot arm may move relatively freely toward a belt by operation of the one-way clutch. At the limit of arm movement the one-way clutch engages, preventing travel away from the belt in an opposite direction. The arm may only travel away from the belt when a belt tension torque exceeds the spring force plus a friction torque of the friction clutch.
Claims13
A tensioner comprising:
- a base having a receiving portion;
- a pivot arm post journaled into the receiving portion;
- a first biasing member for biasing the pivot arm against a belt load;
- a pulley journaled to the pivot arm;
- a one-way clutch comprising a first inner portion affixed to the pivot arm and a second portion;
- a second clutch member engaged with the base and the second portion;
- and
- the second clutch member cooperatively engaged with the one-way clutch whereby the pivot arm is only moveable in a first direction by operation of the one-way clutch;
- and
- the pivot arm is only moveable in a second direction by operation of the second clutch member.
A tensioner comprising:
- a base;
- a pivot arm post journaled into the base;
- a first biasing member for biasing the pivot arm against a belt load;
- a pulley journaled to an end of the pivot arm;
- a first clutch engaged with the pivot arm;
- a second clutch engaged with the base and comprising a radially extending member engaged with the first clutch whereby a pivot arm movement is permitted in a first direction by operation of the first clutch;
- and
- a pivot arm movement is permitted in an opposite direction by operation of the second clutch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.