Michael L Smart

US Patent:

7955206, Jun 7, 2011

Filed:

Jan 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/278424

Inventors:

Michael Smart - Locke NY, US

Assignee:

BorgWarner Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16H 7/08

US Classification:

474111, 474109, 474140

Abstract:

A tensioner that includes a blade shoe (), at least one blade spring (), a ramp ), and a brake (). The blade shoe has a curved chain sliding face, an underside, opposite the chain sliding face, a proximal end pivotally attached to ground and a distal end. The ramp is fixed to ground and has a ramp surface () for contacting the chain sliding face or the underside of the blade shoe. The brake is self-energizing, pivotally fixed to ground and has a friction contact surface () for contacting the distal end portion () of the chain sliding face, the blade spring, or the underside of the blade shoe for restricting movement of the distal end of the blade shoe in one direction and allowing movement in the opposite direction.

US Patent:

8007386, Aug 30, 2011

Filed:

Jan 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/278430

Inventors:

Michael Smart - Locke NY, US

Assignee:

BorgWarner Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16H 7/08

US Classification:

474111, 267182

Abstract:

A tensioner for tensioning a strand of chain between two sprockets including a tensioner body and a ramp fixed to ground. The tensioner body has an oval shape defined by first and second arcuately curved sides. Each side has a distal end, a proximal end, and a blade spring. The first and second arcuately curved sides are coupled together at the distal ends and pivotally attached to ground at the proximal ends. When the first arcuately curved side is in contact with the ramp, the second arcuately curved side is in contact with the chain strand, and the tensioner body is positioned relative to the ramp such that the blade springs of the tensioner body are compressed, a tensioning force is applied to the strand of chain.

US Patent:

8105194, Jan 31, 2012

Filed:

Jan 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/278439

Inventors:

Michael Smart - Locke NY, US

Assignee:

BorgWarner Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16H 7/08

US Classification:

474111, 474109

Abstract:

A pivot joint for a single blade spring tensioner or double blade spring tensioner generates a biased friction loss at a pivot joint. The friction torque generated in one direction of joint rotation is greater than the friction torque generated in the opposite direction of rotation. In one embodiment, the direction of torque bias at the joints is used to make the damping of the blade spring greater in compression than in extension. High damping in compression and low damping in extension is a desirable characteristic for a tensioner in most applications. The device may be designed to act as a one-way clutch or as a two-way clutch. The device may also be designed to apply large friction torques only when the joint undergoes large amplitude motions (loss of control).

US Patent:

8226509, Jul 24, 2012

Filed:

Dec 23, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/336508

Inventors:

Michael Smart - Locke NY, US

Assignee:

BorgWarner Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16H 7/08

US Classification:

474111, 474109

Abstract:

A pivot joint for a single blade spring tensioner or double blade spring tensioner generates a biased friction loss at a pivot joint. The friction torque generated in one direction of joint rotation is greater than the friction torque generated in the opposite direction of rotation. In one embodiment, the direction of torque bias at the joints is used to make the damping of the blade spring greater in compression than in extension. High damping in compression and low damping in extension is a desirable characteristic for a tensioner in most applications. The device may be designed to act as a one-way clutch or as a two-way clutch. The device may also be designed to apply large friction torques only when the joint undergoes large amplitude motions (loss of control).

US Patent:

20170183989, Jun 29, 2017

Filed:

Apr 29, 2015

Appl. No.:

15/309463

Inventors:

- Aubum Hills MI, US
Daniel F. JAKIELA - Genoa NY, US
Randy W. ADLER - Seneca Falls NY, US
Michael Loren SMART - Locke NY, US
James SISSON - Locke NY, US

Assignee:

Borgwarner Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F01L 9/02

Abstract:

A hydraulic valve actuation system () and a method of assembly can include a plurality of hydraulically actuatable valves () operably associated with an internal combustion engine () having a crankshaft () rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The actuation system () can include at least one cam lobe () mounted on or integrally formed with the crankshaft for rotation with the crankshaft (). At least one fluid piston pump () connected to the at least one cam lobe () for generating a reciprocating fluid flow in response to rotation of the at least one cam lobe (). At least one hydraulically actuated valve () in fluid communication with the reciprocal fluid flow generated by the at least one fluid piston pump () to drive the valve () to be controlled toward an open position.