Bushingless track pin for a track type vehicle
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorWilliam Henry Baar, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bushingless track pin is disclosed. The track pin includes a hardened outer layer and a relatively softer inner core. The track pin may be formed using high carbon steel, which in some cases may be substantially spheroidal martensite crystal structure. A track pin may be formed using the high carbon steel, followed by a hardening process. In some examples, an optional induction hardening process may thereafter be performed on the inner surface most proximal to the central hole of the track pin if needed. The hardening on the inner surface may harden the outer portion while tempering the core portion of the track pin.
Claims20
A track chain assembly comprising:
- a first link and a second link;
- and
- a track pin joining the first link to the second link, the track pin comprising;
- a first layer having a thickness up to 10 mm, the first layer having a first hardness within an HRC range from 50 HRC to 70 HRC;
- and
- a second layer having a second hardness with a second hardness less than the first hardness.
A method for producing a track pin, the method comprising:
- forming the track pin using a high carbon steel;
- and
- differentially hardening the track pin to form:
- a first layer having a thickness up to 10 mm, the first layer having a first hardness within an HRC range from 50 HRC to 70 HRC;
- and
- a second layer having a second hardness less than the first hardness.
A track pin, comprising:
- a first layer having a thickness up to 10 mm, the first layer having a first hardness within an HRC range from 50 HRC to 70 HRC;
- and
- a second layer having a second hardness with a second hardness less than the first hardness.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.