Variable flow hydraulic chain tensioner

摘要

A variable flow hydraulic tensioner (10) for a chain or belt can include a fixed member (12) having a first port (12a), and a movable member (14) in engaged with the fixed member (12). The movable member (14) can include a second port (14a) initially aligned with respect to the first port (12a) to allow fluid flow therethrough. A first spring (16) can bias the movable member (14) with respect to the fixed member (12) to align the first and second ports (12a, 14a) with respect to one another to allow fluid flow therethrough. A second spring (18) can have less spring force than the first spring (16) to bias the movable member (14) in an opposite direction with respect to the fixed member (12), such that as the chain or belt wears, a differential force between the first and second springs (16, 18) diminishes until the movable member (14) moves relative to the fixed member (12) sufficiently to offset the first and second ports (12a, 14a) with respect to one another to prevent fluid flow therethrough.

主权项

1. A variable flow hydraulic tensioner (10) for an endless loop power transmission member (34) comprising:
a fixed member (12) having at least one fluid flow port (12a) extending therethrough; a movable member (14) in sliding engagement with the fixed member (12), the movable member (14) having at least one fluid flow port (14a) extending therethrough and initially aligned with respect to the at least one fluid flow port (12a) of the fixed member (12) to allow flow therethrough; a first spring (16) having a first spring force for biasing the movable member (14) in a first direction relative to the fixed member (12) and creating alignment of the at least one fluid flow ports (12a, 14a) of the fixed and movable members (12, 14) with respect to one another to allow flow therethrough; and a second spring (18) having a second spring force of smaller value than the first spring force for biasing the movable member (14) in a second direction relative to the fixed member (12), such that as an endless loop power transferring member lengthens, a differential force between the first and second springs (16, 18) diminishes until the movable member (14) moves relative to the fixed member (12) sufficiently to offset the fluid flow ports (12a, 14a) with respect to one another and close the at least one fluid flow ports (12a, 14a) extending through the fixed and movable members (12, 14) to prevent flow therethrough.