Hydraulically operated camshaft phasers are described which comprise a
drive member and a driven member having a fixed range of angular
adjustment and a means for mechanically locking the position of the
driven member relative to the drive member when there is insufficient
hydraulic pressure to operate the phaser. In the invention, the lock
operates in an intermediate position within the range of adjustment, and
a hydraulic circuit is provided for biasing the phaser towards the
intermediate position for the lock to engage.