Oscillating Track System
AssigneeTeletrax Equipment, LLC
InventorTim Ourada
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims18
An oscillating track system, comprising:
- an enclosed housing defining an internal space, wherein an axle extends through the internal space and the enclosed housing is operable to oscillate around the axle;
- a plurality of wheels mounted external to the enclosed housing, wherein at least one of the plurality of wheels is operable to transfer torque to a track;
- an axle sleeve rotationally mounted 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:
- a first mechanical connection to the enclosed housing and a second mechanical connection to the axle sleeve;
- a hydraulic cylinder comprising a barrel, a piston and a rod, wherein the barrel and the rod are associated with the first mechanical connection to the enclosed housing and the 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 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 fluid between the upper volume and the lower volume defined within the barrel of the hydraulic cylinder;
- wherein, when the valve is in the open flow state, oscillation of the enclosed 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 enclosed housing around the axle is prevented such that the housing is locked in a position.
An oscillating track lock subsystem comprising:
- at least one hydraulic cylinder comprising a barrel, a piston and a rod, wherein the barrel is associated with a first mechanical connection to a housing and the rod is associated with a second mechanical connection to an axle sleeve rotationally mounted to an axle that extends through the housing;
- 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 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 fluid between the upper volume and the lower volume defined within the barrel of the hydraulic cylinder;
- wherein, when the valve is in the open flow state, the piston and the rod are operable to modulate such that the axle sleeve rotates around the axle;
- and
- wherein, when the valve is in the closed flow state, the piston and the rod are inoperable to modulate such that the axle sleeve is prevented from rotating around the axle.
A method for transitioning an oscillating track system between a free oscillating state and a locked position state, the method comprising:
- anchoring one or more hydraulic cylinders at a first anchor point to a housing of the oscillating track system and at a second anchor point to an axle sleeve rotationally mounted to an axle that extends through the housing, wherein the housing is operable to oscillate around the axle;
- disposing a valve between the one or more hydraulic cylinders and an accumulator, wherein the one or more hydraulic cylinders are in fluid communication with the accumulator via the valve;
- actuating the valve such that the valve transitions from an open flow state to a closed flow state, wherein:
- when the valve is in an open flow state the oscillating track system is in a free oscillating state;
- and
- when the valve is in a closed flow state hydraulic fluid is prevented from exiting the one or more hydraulic cylinders and the oscillating track system is in a locked position state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.