Tension monitor for undercarriage track in a work machine

A work machine, comprising:

• an engine configured to provide propulsion for the work machine;
• an undercarriage coupled to the engine for engaging a ground surface to move the work machine, comprising:
• a drive sprocket,
• an idler,
• a ground-engaging track engaged with the drive sprocket and the idler for movement at least over a span between the drive sprocket and the idler, and
• a motion sensor, attached to a segment of the ground-engaging track, configured to generate tension data indicative of a change in motion by the motion sensor over the span;
• a memory configured to store target data representative of an expected change in motion by the motion sensor over the span;
• and
• an electronic controller, communicatively coupled to the motion sensor, configured to receive the tension data and indicate an alert when the tension data is not within a range of the target data.

A computer-implemented method of monitoring tension in a track within an undercarriage of a work machine, comprising:

• receiving, by a processor, motion data from a motion sensor within a track segment during rotation of the track about a track assembly in the undercarriage;
• comparing, by the processor, a portion of the motion data indicative of when the track segment was at a predetermined location offset from a drive sprocket with target motion data for the predetermined location stored in a memory;
• determining that the portion of the motion data is not compliant with the target motion data;
• and
• generating an alert relating to tension for the track.