Importance

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Abstract

A tensioner for tensioning a flexible drive means is disclosed which has fewer components than comparable prior art tensioners. The tensioner is less expensive to manufacture and assemble and is easily installed. The tensioner includes a tensioner arm molded from a suitable plastic material and a pivot bushing formed from a different material, the pivot bushing preferably being over molded about the tensioner arm. The pivot bushing and tensioner arm include a series of longitudinal slots to form fingers from the tensioner arm and pivot bushing, the fingers engaging the pivot surface of the pivot shaft about which the arm pivots. A coil spring is used to bias a rotatable member on the tensioner arm into contact with the flexible drive means to be tensioned and a portion of the coil spring engages the fingers to squeeze them to increase the frictional force between the pivot bushing and the pivot surface to dampen the tensioner when the tensioner arm is moved in one direction. A unique thermal management system is also disclosed which employs thermal insulating coatings and thermal dispersant coatings to manage the temperature of the tensioner arm to enhance its expected operating lifetime.

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First Claim