A sprocket assembly which is either driven by a drive chain or which drives the drive chain includes a hub centered about a sprocket axis and defining a hub radially outer surface; a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outward from the hub; and a cushion ring assembly adjacent to the plurality of sprocket teeth and circumferentially surrounding the hub radially outer surface. The cushion ring assembly includes a cushion ring adjacent to the plurality of sprocket teeth and circumferentially surrounding the hub radially outer surface; the cushion ring being resilient and compliant. The cushion ring assembly also each includes a retention ring which is partially embedded within the cushion ring and which engages the hub radially outer surface in an interference fit, the retention ring providing axial and radial retention of the cushion ring to the hub.

A sprocket assembly which is either driven by a drive chain or which drives the drive chain includes a hub centered about a sprocket axis and defining a hub radially outer surface; a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outward from the hub; and a cushion ring assembly adjacent to the plurality of sprocket teeth and circumferentially surrounding the hub radially outer surface. The cushion ring assembly includes a cushion ring adjacent to the plurality of sprocket teeth and circumferentially surrounding the hub radially outer surface; the cushion ring being resilient and compliant. The cushion ring assembly also each includes a retention ring which is partially embedded within the cushion ring and which engages the hub radially outer surface in an interference fit, the retention ring providing axial and radial retention of the cushion ring to the hub.

A method of operating a chain drive that includes sprockets. Tensile chain moments on the sprockets are determined and a specification value for operating the chain drive is determined therefrom in an automated manner. A corresponding assembly has a chain drive with sprockets and with a control device at least partly associated with the chain drive. The control device is configured for carrying out the method and a specification value for load distribution among the two drives for operating the chain drive is determined therefrom in an automated manner.

A method of operating a chain drive that includes sprockets. Tensile chain moments on the sprockets are determined and a specification value for operating the chain drive is determined therefrom in an automated manner. A corresponding assembly has a chain drive with sprockets and with a control device at least partly associated with the chain drive. The control device is configured for carrying out the method and a specification value for load distribution among the two drives for operating the chain drive is determined therefrom in an automated manner.

To provide a chain guide assembly frame capable of efficiently collecting the oil that adhered to various parts of the chain guide assembly, and guiding the collected oil to predetermined locations, to allow efficient use of oil, with a simple structure. The chain guide assembly frame includes driven sprocket holding portions, a fixed chain guide, and a pivoting chain guide holding portion on a main body. A drive sprocket holding portion is provided at a position lower than the driven sprocket holding portions. The main body includes a concave and/or convex oil passage that extends from an upper part toward a lower part to guide the oil toward above the drive sprocket holding portion.

To provide a simple-structured chain guide assembly frame capable of reliably maintaining a correct positional relationship between a driven sprocket and a sprocket holding portion without the possibility of driven sprocket detachment. The chain guide assembly frame includes a main body having a fixed-guide-side sprocket holding portion and a pivoting-guide-side sprocket holding portion. The fixed-guide-side sprocket holding portion includes a first fixed-guide-side support portion that supports a driven sprocket at a first contact point, and a second fixed-guide-side support portion that supports the driven sprocket at a second contact point located more outside than the first contact point. When the driven sprocket is in an erected state in which the driven sprocket is supported at the first contact point and second contact point, the vector of gravity acting on the gravity center of the driven sprocket points between the first contact point and second contact point.

A tensioning rail for an endless drive means, in particular for a chain drive of an internal combustion engine, comprises a support body and a sliding body arranged on the support body and having a sliding surface for contacting the endless drive means as well as at least one lubricant opening for wetting the sliding surface with lubricant. A press-on area provided on the support body and used for contacting a tensioning device has an inflow opening for the lubricant. A feed passage extending from the inflow opening through the support body and a lubricant passage extending in the longitudinal direction of the support body allow the supply of lubricant to the at least one lubricant opening.

A tensioning rail for an endless drive means, in particular for a chain drive of an internal combustion engine, comprises a support body and a sliding body arranged on the support body and having a sliding surface for contacting the endless drive means as well as at least one lubricant opening for wetting the sliding surface with lubricant. A press-on area provided on the support body and used for contacting a tensioning device has an inflow opening for the lubricant. A feed passage extending from the inflow opening through the support body and a lubricant passage extending in the longitudinal direction of the support body allow the supply of lubricant to the at least one lubricant opening.

Methods and systems are provided for a tensioning arm. In one example, the tensioning arm comprises a plurality of carbon fibers with electrically conductive fibers arranged therein configured to supply current to a pair of bushings arranged distally to one another to heat lubricant arranged proximally thereto in response to a temperature of the tensioning arm being less than or equal to a threshold temperature.

Methods and systems are provided for a tensioning arm. In one example, the tensioning arm comprises a plurality of carbon fibers with electrically conductive fibers arranged therein configured to supply current to a pair of bushings arranged distally to one another to heat lubricant arranged proximally thereto in response to a temperature of the tensioning arm being less than or equal to a threshold temperature.