Track adjust monitor
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorDaniel Wilson Hoyt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A work machine includes a frame assembly supporting an idler and a drive sprocket. A track is looped around the idler and the drive sprocket. A track-adjust mechanism is configured to extend and to retract the frame assembly to adjust a tension of the track. A position sensor is configured to measure an extension of the track-adjust mechanism. A controller is configured to receive an extension measurement from the position sensor, determine a track tension based on the extension measurement, and output a track tension signal.
Claims20
A work machine comprising:
- a frame assembly supporting an idler and a drive sprocket;
- a track looped around the idler and the drive sprocket;
- a track-adjust mechanism configured to extend and to retract the frame assembly to adjust a tension of the track;
- a position sensor configured to measure an extension of the track-adjust mechanism;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- receive an extension measurement from the position sensor;
- determine a track tension based on the extension measurement;
- and
- output a track tension signal.
A work machine comprising:
- a frame assembly supporting an idler and a drive sprocket;
- a track looped around the idler and the drive sprocket;
- a track-adjust mechanism configured to extend and to retract the frame assembly to adjust a tension of the track;
- a recoil assembly to bias against the track-adjust mechanism;
- a recoil assembly tension sensor configured to measure a recoil assembly tension;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- receive a recoil assembly tension measurement from the recoil assembly tension sensor;
- determine a track tension based on the recoil assembly tension measurement;
- and
- output a track tension signal.
A track monitoring system for a work machine having a track, the track monitoring system comprising a controller configured to:
- receive an extension measurement indicative an extension of a track-adjust mechanism that extends and retracts a frame assembly to adjust a tension of the track;
- determine a track tension of the track based on the received extension measurement;
- and
- output a track tension signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.