IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,057,334
Granted Patent B2
US 8,057,334 · App. 12/565,493 · Granted Nov 15, 2011

Accessory drive tensioner assembly

Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,057,334
App. No.
12/565,493
Granted
Nov 15, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An accessory drive tensioner assembly may include a bracket assembly, a fastener and a tensioner hub. The bracket assembly may include first and second bearings axially spaced from one another. The fastener may extend through the first and second bearings to rotationally couple the bracket assembly to an engine structure and may define a rotational axis for the bracket assembly. The tensioner hub may be coupled to the bracket assembly and may be located axially between the first and second bearings.

Claims (35)

1. An accessory drive tensioner assembly comprising:

a bracket assembly including first and second bearings axially spaced from one another;

a fastener extending through the first and second bearings to rotationally couple the bracket assembly to an engine structure and defining a rotational axis for the bracket assembly; and

a tensioner hub coupled to the bracket assembly and located axially between the first and second bearings.

2. The accessory drive tensioner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first bearing is offset axially outward from a first axial end of the tensioner hub and the second bearing is offset axially outward from a second axial end of the tensioner hub opposite the first axial end.

3. The accessory drive tensioner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tensioner hub is located centrally between the first and second bearings.

4. The accessory drive tensioner assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bracket assembly includes a first bracket housing the first bearing, a second bracket fixed to the first bracket and housing the second bearing, and a tensioner arm having a first end rotationally coupled to the first bracket and a second end having the tensioner hub coupled thereto.

5. The accessory drive tensioner assembly of claim 4 , wherein the tensioner arm is adapted to locate a drive belt engaged with the tensioner hub radially within an outer perimeter of the first bearing when the tensioner arm is displaced from a first position to a second position.

6. The accessory drive tensioner assembly of claim 5 , wherein an outer perimeter of the tensioner hub is located radially within the outer perimeter of the first bearing when in the tensioner arm is in the second position.

7. The accessory drive tensioner assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first bracket includes a first axial side and the first bearing is located axially inward from the first axial side.

8. The accessory drive tensioner assembly of claim 7 , wherein the second bearing is axially spaced from the first axial side.

9. An accessory drive tensioner assembly comprising:

a bracket assembly including first and second bearings axially spaced from one another;

a fastener extending through the first and second bearings to rotationally couple the bracket assembly to an engine structure and defining a rotational axis for the bracket assembly;

a tensioner arm having a first end rotationally coupled to the bracket assembly; and

a tensioner hub coupled to a second end of the tensioner arm and located axially between the first and second bearings, the tensioner arm being adapted to locate a drive belt engaged with the tensioner hub radially within an outer perimeter of the first bearing when the tensioner arm is displaced from a first position to a second position.

10. The accessory drive tensioner assembly of claim 9 , wherein the tensioner hub is located centrally between the first and second bearings.

11. An engine assembly comprising:

an engine structure;

a first rotational drive member having a first drive hub rotationally fixed thereto;

a second rotational drive member having a second drive hub rotationally fixed thereto;

a tensioner assembly including:

a bracket assembly including first and second bearings axially spaced from one another;

a fastener extending through the first and second bearings and rotationally coupling the bracket assembly to the engine structure; and

a tensioner hub coupled to the bracket assembly and located axially between the first and second bearings; and

a drive belt engaged with the first and second drive hubs and the tensioner hub to transfer rotation between the first and second rotational drive members.

12. The engine assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first bearing is offset axially outward from a first axial end of the tensioner hub and the second bearing is offset axially outward from a second axial end of the tensioner hub opposite the first axial end.

13. The engine assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first rotational drive member includes a crankshaft and the second rotational drive member includes an electric motor forming a hybrid engine assembly.

14. The engine assembly of claim 11 , wherein the bracket assembly includes a first bracket housing the first bearing, a second bracket fixed to the first bracket and housing the second bearing, and a tensioner arm having a first end rotationally coupled to the first bracket and a second end having the tensioner hub coupled thereto.

15. The engine assembly of claim 14 , wherein the tensioner arm is displaceable between first and second positions, the belt being located radially outward from an outer perimeter of the first bearing when in the first position and being located radially within the outer perimeter of the first bearing when in the second position.

16. The engine assembly of claim 15 , wherein an outer perimeter of the tensioner hub is located radially within the outer perimeter of the first bearing when in the tensioner arm is in the second position.

17. The engine assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first bracket includes a first axial side and the first bearing is located axially inward from the first axial side.

18. The engine assembly of claim 17 , wherein the second bearing is axially offset from the first axial side.

19. The engine assembly of claim 11 , wherein the belt defines a centerline and the first and second bearings are spaced equidistant from the centerline.

20. The engine assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a tensioner arm having a first end rotationally coupled to the bracket assembly and being displaceable between first and second positions, the tensioner hub coupled to a second end of the tensioner arm and locating the belt radially outward from an outer perimeter of the first bearing when the tensioner arm is in the first position and locating the belt radially within the outer perimeter of the first bearing when the tensioner arm is in the second position.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034287/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0299 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0555 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0091 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025246/0234 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 25, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023989/0155 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 25, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023990/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2009
From: KOTZUR, SCOTT W.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023421/0893 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110070984A1 · Mar 24, 2011