Abstract:
The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a bearing (218) assembly including an outer portion and an inner portion adapted to receive an end of a bar. The inner portion includes a fluidic groove extending from a first end (206, 414) of the bearing (218) assembly to a second end (208, 416) of the bearing (218) assembly permitting fluid to flow through the first end (206, 414) and the second end (208, 416).
Abstract:
A moving tracks dozen equalizer link elastomeric bearing assembly (40) including a concentric outer member (62) operable for securely engaging a equalizer link bore structure associated with a first end portion of an equalizer link structural member, wherein the concentric outer member (62) is disposed substantially within the equalizer link bore structure. The dozen equalizer link elastomeric bearing assembly also including a concentric inner member (60) operable for securely engaging a pin structure associated with a second moving track roller frame assembly structural member, wherein the concentric inner member (60) is disposed substantially within the concentric outer member (62). The dozen equalizer link elastomeric bearing assembly further including an elastomeric section (64) disposed between the concentric inner member (60) and the concentric outer member (62), wherein the elastomeric section (64) is bonded to an outer surface of the inner member (60) and an inner surface of the outer member (62), and wherein the elastomeric section is operable for accommodating axial, cocking, and torsion motions of the second moving track roller frame assembly structural member pin structure relative to the first equalizer link structural member.
Abstract:
An undercarriage structure (12) for a track-type vehicle (10) has first and second spaced apart roller frame assemblies (14, 16) which are interconnected by a pivot shaft (18) and an equalizer bar (20). The first and second roller frame assemblies (14, 16) are so arranged with respect to the pivot shaft (18) and the equalizer bar (20) that the roller frame assemblies (14, 16) are substantially non-parallel to each other. This non-parallelism produces either "toe-out" or "toe-in" of the roller frame assemblies (14, 16), which results in the endless track contacting the track rollers in different areas as the vehicle (10) travels in forward and then reverse directions. The wear life of the endless track is thereby prolonged.
Abstract:
An elastomeric bushing (42, 242) can be incorporated into a pin joint assembly (24, 224) of a machine (10). The elastomeric bushing (42, 242) can be configured to allow at least three degrees of relative rotational movement, including roll, pitch, and yaw. The elastomeric bushing (42, 242) can rotate with respect to a pin (40, 240) about a longitudinal axis (LA) thereof. The elastomeric bushing (42, 242) is adapted to accommodate out-of-plane movement. The elastomeric bushing (42, 242) can include a plurality of alternating elastomeric layers (191, 192, 193, 391, 392, 393) and metal plies (197, 198, 397, 398).
Abstract:
A single one-piece drive wheel (26, 164, 166) for frictionally driving a flexible track belt (60) of a belted work vehicle (10) includes a wheel (26, 164, 166) having a disc portion (152) and a rim portion (156). The rim portion (156) has first and second rim surfaces (174, 176, 192, 194) with an inwardly directed recess (162, 178, 198) therebetween. The recess (162, 178, 198) accommodates guide blocks (68), which are formed on the inner surface of the track belt (60). The single drive wheel (26, 164, 166) eliminates the need for a second drive wheel which would add weight and expense to the vehicle.
Abstract:
A support beam (46), for supporting and connecting a track-type vehicle (10) on first and second roller frame assemblies (36, 38), has first and second end portions (84, 86) connected to a respective track roller frame (36, 38) and a middle portion (88) connected to the vehicle (10). The connections between the track roller frames (36, 38) and the support beam (46) provide adjustment of the track roller frames (36, 38) to various lateral positions, thereby providing various gage settings of the track (48, 50) of the vehicle (10).
Abstract:
Spherical joints of the type pivotally connecting each end of an equalizer bar to a track roller frame of a track-type vehicle require positive sealing of the joints during operation of the vehicle wherein the joint undergoes compound movements. Standard sealing assemblies therefor are prone to failure since they are subjected to tensile and compressive forces during operation thereof. The improved seal assembly (15) of this invention substantially prevents the imposition of such forces thereon by including structure (23) for permitting flexing thereof.
Abstract:
An energy-absorbing preloaded pad assembly (17, 117) for use in stabilizing relatively movable portions of a structure, such as vehicle structure (10). The stabilizing pad assemblies may be utilized for stabilizing oscillations of a stabilizer bar (12) relative to a frame (11) of a vehicle (10) and may include preloaded pads (19). A removable clamp (21, 121) cooperates with a cover plate (20, 120) of the pad assembly to provide the desired preload to the pad and permit facilitated installation of the stabilizer bar in the vehicle structure, such as to permit ready installation of the pivot structure (113). Upon assembly of the vehicle structure, the removable clamp (21, 121) is disassembled permitting reuse thereof with other similar pad assemblies. Removal of the clamp frees the pad for stabilizing functioning in the assembly in the normal manner. In one form, the pad baseplate is secured to the stabilizer bar by bolts disposed substantially at the neutral axis of the stabilizer bar and in another form, the baseplate is retained on the stabilizer bar by a pair of downwardly turned securing portions (132a, 123b) and an end tongue (138).
Abstract:
A lock assembly (40) for coupling a track roller frame (18) to a main frame (12) of a track type machine (10) is disclosed. The lock assembly (40) may be quickly assembled and disassembled for efficient coupling and decoupling of the track roller frame (18) to the main frame (12). The lock assembly (40) may have a lock chamber (42) defined in the track roller frame (18). The lock chamber (42) provides entry of a pivot shaft (30) having an indentation (45) spaced from a free end (31). The indentation (45) may be positioned in the lock chamber (42). A wedge (52) may be inserted into the indentation (45) and to abut a shoulder (44) in the chamber to couple the pivot shaft (30) to the track roller frame (18). A holding member (60) may be positioned between a wall (46) of the chamber and a free outer side (54) of the wedge (52) to hold the wedge (52) in the indentation (45). An end cap (70) may be mountable to the track roller frame (18) to retain the holding member (60) between the wedge (52) and the wall (46).
Abstract:
An elastomeric bushing (42, 242) can be incorporated into a pin joint assembly (24, 224) of a machine (10). The elastomeric bushing (42, 242) can be configured to allow at least three degrees of relative rotational movement, including roll, pitch, and yaw. The elastomeric bushing (42, 242) can rotate with respect to a pin (40, 240) about a longitudinal axis (LA) thereof. The elastomeric bushing (42, 242) is adapted to accommodate out-of-plane movement. The elastomeric bushing (42, 242) can include a plurality of alternating elastomeric layers (191, 192, 193, 391, 392, 393) and metal plies (197, 198, 397, 398).