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US 12,704,528 B2Granted
Contact sensor for detecting loose sprocket segments of a final drive
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorMichael S Galat
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A contact sensor for detecting and notifying a separation of a first component of a machine from a second component of the machine is provided. The contact sensor includes a probe for detecting the separation where the first component and the second component are configured to rotate about a common axis of rotation and the probe is configured to be electrically disconnected at a location of the separation. The contact sensor additionally includes a transmitter that is coupled to the probe and is configured to transmit an alert in response to the probe being electrically disconnected.
Claims20
A contact sensor comprising:
- a probe disposed in a first component of a machine, the probe for detecting a separation of the first component from a second component of the machine, the first component securely attached to the second component and the probe electrically connected to a contact area of the second component, the probe configured to be electrically disconnected from the contact area at a location of the separation;
- and
- a transmitter coupled to the probe, the transmitter configured to transmit an alert in response to the probe being electrically disconnected from the contact area,
- wherein:
- the first component and the second component form a final drive of the machine,
- the first component and the second component rotate about a common axis of rotation,
- the final drive is configured to engage a track of the machine, and
- the track comprises an endless loop of coupled track links.
5 more elements
A sprocket segment to be secured to a drive hub of a machine, the sprocket segment comprising:
- a contact sensor for detecting a separation of the sprocket segment from the drive hub, the contact sensor comprising:
- a probe configured to be electrically connected to a contact area of the drive hub while the sprocket segment is secured to the drive hub and to be electrically disconnected from the contact area in response to the separation, the contact area being electrically grounded via the drive hub;
- a transmitter coupled to the probe, the transmitter configured to transmit an alert in response to the probe being electrically disconnected from the contact area;
- and
- one or more processors coupled to the probe and the transmitter, the one or more processors configured to:
- detect the separation based on the probe being electrically disconnected from the contact area, and
- cause the transmitter to transmit the alert based on detecting the separation,
- wherein:
- a final drive of the machine is formed by a plurality of sprocket segments and the drive hub,
- the plurality of sprocket segments and the drive hub rotate about a common axis of rotation,
- the final drive is configured to engage a track of the machine, and the track comprises an endless loop of coupled track links.
8 more elements
A drive hub of a machine comprising:
- a contact sensor for detecting a separation of a sprocket segment from the drive hub, the contact sensor comprising:
- a probe disposed flush with a front surface of a rim of the drive hub and electrically isolated from the drive hub, the probe configured to be electrically connected to a contact area of the sprocket segment while the sprocket segment is secured to the drive hub and to be electrically disconnected from the contact area in response to the separation;
- a transmitter coupled to the probe, the transmitter configured to transmit an alert in response to the probe being electrically disconnected from the contact area;
- and
- one or more processors coupled to the probe and the transmitter, the one or more processors configured to:
- detect the separation based on the probe being electrically disconnected from the contact area, and
- cause the transmitter to transmit the alert based on detecting the separation,
- wherein:
- a final drive of the machine is formed by a plurality of sprocket segments and the drive hub,
- the plurality of sprocket segments and the drive hub rotate about a common axis of rotation,
- the final drive is configured to engage a track of the machine, and
- the track comprises an endless loop of coupled track links.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.