Torsional force linear tensioner
OwnerDouglas Gerringinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A linear tensioner driven by a torque input is provided having a base, a pinion rotatably mounted on the base, a rack operatively engaged with the pinion, an arm slideably mounted on the base and coupled to the rack for linear movement therewith, and a pulley rotatably mounted on the arm to engage and tension an associated power transmitting element such as a belt or chain. The tensioner further includes a means for applying a rotational force to the pinion, which may be, for example, a torsion spring, a servo motor or a hydraulic pump.
Claims41
A tensioner for tensioning a power transmitting element, the tensioner comprising:
- a rotatable element;
- and
- a translating element operatively engaged with the rotatable element so that rotation of the rotatable element in a first rotational direction causes translation of the translating element in a first linear direction to tension the power transmitting element and so that translation of the translating element in a second linear direction causes rotation of the rotatable element in a second rotational direction.
A tensioner for tensioning a power transmitting element, the tensioner comprising:
- a rotatable element;
- and
- a translating element operatively engaged with the rotatable element so that rotation of the rotatable element in a first rotational direction causes translation of the translating element in a first linear direction;
- wherein the translating element is capable of translating in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction in response to force exerted by the associated power transmitting element.
A tensioner for tensioning a power transmitting element, the tensioner comprising:
- a base;
- a pinion rotatably mounted on the base;
- a means for applying a rotational force to the pinion;
- a rack operatively engaged with the pinion;
- an arm slideably mounted on the base and coupled to the rack for linear movement therewith;
- and
- a pulley rotatably mounted on the arm to engage and tension the associated power transmitting element.
A tensioner for tensioning a power transmitting element, the tensioner comprising:
- a base;
- a pinion rotatably mounted on the base;
- a spring operatively coupled to the base and the pinion;
- a rack operatively engaged with the pinion;
- and
- a pulley rotatably mounted on the rack to engage and tension the associated power transmitting element.
A tensioner for tensioning a power transmitting element, the tensioner comprising:
- a base;
- a pinion rotatably mounted on the base;
- a means for applying a rotational force to the pinion;
- a rack operatively engaged with pinion such that rotation of the pinion causes linear translation of the rack;
- a pulley rotatably coupled to the rack for linear movement therewith, the pulley being operable to engage and tension the associated power transmitting element;
- and
- a planetary gear set operatively coupling the pinion and the means for applying a rotational force to the pinion.
A tensioner for tensioning a power transmitting element, the tensioner comprising:
- a base;
- a sun gear rotatably mounted on the base;
- a means for applying a rotational force to the sun gear;
- a ring gear concentric with the sun gear and non-rotatably mounted on the base;
- a planetary gear operatively engaged with the sun gear and the ring gear such that rotation of the sun gear causes orbital movement of the planetary gear about the sun gear;
- a pinion co-axially mounted with respect the sun gear for independent rotation, the pinion coupled to the planetary gear such that orbital movement of the planetary gear causes rotation of the pinion;
- a rack operatively engaged with the pinion such that rotation of the pinion causes linear translation of the rack;
- and
- a pulley rotatably coupled to the rack for linear movement therewith, the pulley being operable to engage and tension the associated power transmitting element.
A tensioner for tensioning a power transmitting element, the tensioner comprising
- a base;
- a friction wheel rotatably mounted on the base;
- a rotary actuator for applying a rotational force to the friction wheel;
- an arm slideably mounted on the base and frictionally engaged with the friction wheel;
- and
- a pulley rotatably coupled to the arm for movement therewith, the pulley operable to engage and tension the associated power transmitting element.
A tensioner for tensioning a power transmitting element, the tensioner comprising:
- a base;
- a spool rotatably mounted on the base;
- a rotary actuator for applying a rotational force to the spool;
- an arm slideably mounted on the base;
- a cable coupled at a first end to the arm and coupled at a second end to the spool so as to be in winding engagement with the spool;
- and
- a pulley rotatably coupled to the arm for movement therewith, the pulley operable to engage and tension the associated power transmitting element.
A tensioner for tensioning a power transmitting element, the tensioner comprising:
- a rotatable element;
- and
- a translating element operatively engaged with the rotatable element so that rotation of the rotatable element causes translation of the translating element;
- wherein the tensioner is operable in a first condition and a second condition, the first condition characterized by the rotatable element rotating in a first rotational direction and the translating element translating in a first linear direction, and the second condition characterized by the translating element translating in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction and the rotatable element rotating in a second rotational direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.