Torsional Compensator

1. A torsional compensator comprising an inner hub, an outer sprocket, left and right grippers, and a resilient torsion sleeve;

with the left gripper coupled to the inside of the outer sprocket near the left end of the outer sprocket and the right gripper coupled to the outside of the inner hub near the right end of the inner hub and axially spaced apart from the left gripper;

with the right gripper and the left end of the inner hub supporting the right end of the outer sprocket and the left gripper respectively for coaxial rotation thereon, and with the grippers, the inner hub, and the outer sprocket defining a generally annular cavity there between; and

with said torsion sleeve positioned within said cavity with a left end coupled to the left gripper and a right end coupled to the right gripper.

2. The compensator of claim 1 further comprising a first sleeve bushing between said inner hub and said left gripper, and a second sleeve bushing between said outer sprocket and said right gripper.

3. The compensator of claim 2 wherein said sleeve bushings are held in place by retainers.

4. The compensator of claim 3 wherein said retainers are snap rings.

5. The compensator of claim 1 wherein said left gripper is integral with said outer sprocket, and said right gripper is integral with said inner hub.

6. The compensator of claim 1 further comprising a generally annular recess in at least one of said left and right grippers, said recess occupied by an end of said torsion sleeve.

7. The compensator of claim 6 wherein each said recess has one or more grooves or protrusions and each respective end of said torsion sleeve has complementary features mating there with.

8. The compensator of claim 1 wherein said inner hub, outer sprocket, left and right grippers, and torsion sleeve are coaxial.

9. The compensator of claim 1 wherein said torsion sleeve is formed of polyurethane.

10. The compensator of claim 9 wherein said compensator has at least one gate, and said polyurethane is formed in place within said cavity, and said torsion sleeve is adhesively bonded to said grippers.

11. The compensator of claim 10 wherein a first annular space separates said torsion sleeve from said inner hub, and a second annular space separates said torsion sleeve from said outer sprocket.

12. The compensator of claim 1 wherein said outer sprocket has an outer surface at least a portion of which is in the form of a toothed belt drive sprocket.

13. The compensator of claim 12 having a flange adjacent the portion which is in the form of a toothed belt drive sprocket.

14. The compensator of claim 12 further comprising at least one additional power transmission component selected from a gear ring, a one-way clutch, a chain sprocket, and an alternator rotor.

15. The compensator of claim 1 wherein said outer sprocket has an outer surface at least a portion of which is in the form of a chain drive sprocket.

16. The compensator of claim 1 wherein said outer sprocket has an outer surface at least a portion of which is in the form of a gear drive.

17. The compensator of claim 1 having lubrication hole provided in at least one of the hub, the sprocket, the grippers, and the sleeve.

18. The compensator of claim 1 having a plurality of lubrication holes provided in one or more of the hub, the sprocket, the grippers, and the sleeve.

19. The compensator of claim 1 wherein said torsion sleeve comprises an effective length that is free to twist between said left and right grippers, said effective length approximately equal to the axial distance between said grippers.

20. A system comprising a torsional compensator, a drive component, and a power train engaged for power transmission between said compensator and said drive component;

said torsional compensator comprising an inner hub, an outer sprocket, left and right grippers, and a resilient torsion sleeve;

with the left gripper coupled to the inside of the outer sprocket near the left end of the outer sprocket and the right gripper coupled to the outside of the inner hub near the right end of the inner hub and axially spaced apart from the left gripper;

with the right gripper and the left end of the inner hub supporting the right end of the outer sprocket and the left gripper respectively for coaxial rotation thereon, and with the grippers, the inner hub, and the outer sprocket defining a generally annular cavity there between; and

with said torsion sleeve positioned within said cavity with a left end coupled to the left gripper and a right end coupled to the right gripper.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said drive train includes a toothed endless belt, and said drive component includes a toothed belt pulley.

22. The system of claim 20 comprising one or more selected from a pulley, belt, chain, sprocket, tensioner, damper, and an isolator.

23. A torsional compensator comprising an inner hub, an outer sprocket, left and right grippers, and a resilient torsion sleeve;

with the left gripper integrally formed on the inside of the outer sprocket near the left end of the outer sprocket, and the right gripper integrally formed on the outside of the inner hub near the right end of the inner hub;

with the inner hub supporting the outer sprocket for coaxial rotation thereon, and with the inner hub and the outer sprocket defining a generally annular cavity there between; and

with said torsion sleeve positioned within said cavity with a left end coupled to the left gripper and a right end coupled to the right gripper.

24. The compensator of claim 23 further comprising a first sleeve bushing between said inner hub and said left gripper, and a second sleeve bushing between said outer sprocket and said right gripper.

25. The compensator of claim 24 wherein said sleeve bushings are held in place by retaining rings.

26. The compensator of claim 23 wherein said torsion sleeve comprises an effective length that is free to twist between said left and right grippers, said effective length approximately equal to the axial distance between said grippers.