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Linear Tensioners with Hydraulic Damping
It is necessary to ensure a minimum belt tension and to limit the effects of belt vibration and slip, for all thermal combustion engine accessory drive systems (cars, heavy trucks, farm machinery, ships, etc.). This is why it may be necessary to use automatic tensioners.
These can eliminate the harmful effects of all types of parameters such as:
- Shape and position tolerance of accessories (pulleys, idlers, etc.)
- Dynamic elongation of the belt
- Belt wear
- Acyclism (cyclic irregularities of the engine)
- Transient phenomena (starting/stopping the engine, starting/stopping an accessory)
Hutchinson has controlled the technology of linear tensioners with hydraulic damping for many years.
Hydraulic tensioner in extension or compression mode
Damping is done by passing oil through a calibrated hole: therefore, it is practically independent of the temperature. Considering the tensioner structure, this damping is asymmetric (higher in compression than in extension) and has a very high level (200% damping). This provides a solution to the increase of dynamic tensions in belts and helps to guarantee a minimum functional tension under all circumstances.
The design ensures very long durability. In particular, Hutchinson tensioners are used on heavy truck engines with high operating lifetime requirements.
The tensioning element may be assembled onto the engine directly or may be used with an articulation arm. The articulated arm concept combines the advantages of a compact design using a maximum number of standard elements with excellent layout flexibility because the articulation arm can be adapted to each application.
Simple linear tensioner
- Shape and position tolerance of accessories (pulleys, idlers, etc.)
- Dynamic elongation of the belt
- Belt wear
- Acyclism (cyclic irregularities of the engine)
- Transient phenomena (starting/stopping the engine, starting/stopping an accessory)
Hutchinson has controlled the technology of linear tensioners with hydraulic damping for many years.
Hydraulic tensioner in extension or compression mode
Damping is done by passing oil through a calibrated hole: therefore, it is practically independent of the temperature. Considering the tensioner structure, this damping is asymmetric (higher in compression than in extension) and has a very high level (200% damping). This provides a solution to the increase of dynamic tensions in belts and helps to guarantee a minimum functional tension under all circumstances.
The design ensures very long durability. In particular, Hutchinson tensioners are used on heavy truck engines with high operating lifetime requirements.
The tensioning element may be assembled onto the engine directly or may be used with an articulation arm. The articulated arm concept combines the advantages of a compact design using a maximum number of standard elements with excellent layout flexibility because the articulation arm can be adapted to each application.
Simple linear tensioner