Belt tensioner and method of making the same

In a method of making a tensioner for a power transmission belt that is adapted to be operated in an endless path, said method comprising the steps of providing a support means for being fixed relative to said belt, providing a belt engaging means to be carried by said support means and be movable relative thereto, operatively associating mechanical spring means with said support means and said belt engaging means for urging said belt engaging means relative to said support means and against said belt with a force to tension said belt, causing said mechanical spring means to provide the sole force of said tensioner for tensioning said belt, and providing dampening means to dampen the movement of said belt engaging means relative to said support means with a restricting force of said dampening means, said step of providing said dampening means comprising the steps of forming said dampening means to comprise fluid dampening means, and operatively associating said fluid dampening means with said support means and said belt engaging means to dampen the movement of said belt engaging means relative to said support means in at least one direction of movement thereof, the improvement comprising the step of forming said dampening means to dampen the movement of said belt engaging means with a greater said restricting force when said belt engaging means is being moved in one direction relative to said support means than said restricting force of said dampening means when said belt engaging means is being moved in the opposite direction relative to said support means, said step of forming said dampening means causing said one direction of movement of said belt engaging means relative to said support means that has said greater restricting force imposed thereon by said dampening means to be in a direction that is opposed to said urging force of said spring means and, thus, to be a direction away from said belt.