# US 11,077,896 B1 · Oscillating track system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,896 B1 - Document ID: US11077896B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/893,337 - Filed: 2020-06-04 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-06-04 - Assignees: Teletrax Equipment, LLC - Applicants: Teletrax Equipment, LLC - Inventors: Tim Ourada - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077896B1 ## CPC - B62D 55/0655: {Articulated endless track vehicles (steering specially adapted for trailers B62D13/00; articulated buses B62D47/025; tractor-trailer combinations or road trains comprising a uni-axle unit and a uni-axle trailer B62D53/02)} - B60G 9/02: the axle or housing being pivotally mounted on the vehicle {, e.g. the pivotal axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (B60G9/003 takes precedence)} - B62D 11/20: Endless-track steering having pivoted bogie carrying track (B62D11/02 takes precedence) - B62D 55/112: with fluid springs, e.g. hydraulic pneumatic - B62D 55/116: Attitude or position control of chassis by action on suspension, e.g. to compensate for a slope - B66F 9/0655: {with a telescopic boom} - B66F 9/07522: {Variable length or width chassis} - B66F 9/07577: {not supported by wheels, e.g. tracks or air cushions} - B66F 9/07586: {Suspension or mounting of wheels on chassis} - B66F 9/105: {Articulated, i.e. front chassis with wheels and mast rotatable relative to rear chassis with wheels} - B60G 2200/32: pivoted - B60G 2204/4605: hydraulically, e.g. interrupting communication between the chambers of a hydraulic cylinder - B60G 2300/09: Construction vehicles, e.g. graders, excavators - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) ## Abstract Disclosed are various embodiments, aspects and features an oscillating track system that includes an oscillating track lock subsystem. The oscillating track system may include a track operable to rotate around a housing structure that is configured to receive an axle. While in operation, i.e. while the track is being rotated around the housing, the oscillating track system may be able to oscillate about the axle and, in doing so, incline or decline to accommodate undulating terrain. Advantageously, when stopped, the degree to which the oscillating track system has oscillated around the axle may be locked in place via an oscillating track lock subsystem comprised within the oscillating track system, thereby providing stability to the heavy equipment that includes the oscillating track system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An oscillating track system, comprising: a housing defining an internal space, wherein an axle extends through the internal space and the housing is operable to oscillate around the axle; a plurality of wheels mounted external to the housing, wherein at least one of the plurality of wheels is operable to transfer torque to a track; an axle sleeve mechanically fixed to a portion of the axle residing within the internal space; and an oscillating track lock subsystem residing within the internal space, wherein the oscillating track lock subsystem comprises: at least a first mechanical connection to the housing and at least a second mechanical connection to the axle sleeve; at least one hydraulic cylinder comprising a barrel, a piston and a rod, wherein the barrel and the rod are associated with the at least first mechanical connection to the housing and the at least second mechanical connection to the axle sleeve; and a valve operable to transition between an open flow state and a closed flow state, wherein: the valve is configured in the open flow state to allow flow of hydraulic fluid between an upper volume and a lower volume defined within the barrel of the hydraulic cylinder, and the valve is configured in the closed flow state to prevent flow of hydraulic fluid between the upper volume and the lower volume defined within the barrel of the hydraulic cylinder; and an accumulator in fluid communication with the valve and operable to contain hydraulic fluid; wherein, when the valve is in the open flow state, oscillation of the housing around the axle causes the piston and the rod to modulate; and wherein, when the valve is in the closed flow state, oscillation of the housing around the axle is prevented such that the housing is locked in a position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The oscillating track system of claim 1, further comprising: a stop block fixedly mounted within the internal space of the housing; and a forward-tilt limit stop and a backward-tilt limit stop fixedly mounted to the axle sleeve, wherein further oscillation of the housing around the axle in a given rotational direction is prevented when the forward-tilt limit stop or the backward-tilt limit stop mechanically engages with the stop block. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The oscillating track system of claim 1, wherein the accumulator comprises a bladder. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The oscillating track system of claim 1, wherein the accumulator comprises a piston. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The oscillating track system of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a solenoid.