Track tension monitoring using acceleration and transmission speed sensor inputs

A system for monitoring tension in a work machine track, comprising:

• a transmission output unit operative to indicate a speed change of the work machine;
• an inertial measurement unit operative to indicate an acceleration of the work machine;
• and
• an electronic control module operative:
• to start a timer when an indication of a speed change of a work machine is detected;
• to stop the timer when an indication of an acceleration of the work machine is detected;
• to determine a time delay between the indication of the speed change of the work machine and the indication of the acceleration of the work machine;
• and
• to determine an amount of sag in a work machine track based at least in part on the determined time delay.

A method of monitoring tension in a work machine track, comprising:

• starting a timer at an electronic control module when an indication of a speed change of the work machine is detected from a transmission output unit;
• stopping the timer at the electronic control module when an indication of an acceleration of the work machine is detected by an inertial measurement unit;
• determining at the electronic control module a time delay between the indication of the speed change of the work machine and the indication of the acceleration of the work machine;
• determining at the electronic control module an amount of sag in the work machine track based at least in part on a time for a take-up of the sag in the work machine track based on the time delay between the indication of the speed change of the work machine and the indication of the acceleration of the work machine;
• and
• if the determined amount of sag in the work machine track is above or below an acceptable amount of sag, adjusting a tension of the work machine track by the electronic control module.