Apparatus and method for measuring and realigning track misalignment
AssigneeCaterpillar Paving Products Inc.
InventorSteven J. Brandenburger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Track laying work machines (10) are provided with a pair of track roller assemblies (20) positioned on opposite sides of the work machine (10). Each track roller assembly (20) includes a track (12) entrained around a drive wheel (14), an idler wheel (16), and a plurality of supporting mid-rollers (18). An apparatus for measuring misalignment and realigning (48) the track (12) is utilized to monitor alignment and align the track (12) during operation of the work machine (10).
Claims22
An apparatus for measuring misalignment and realigning (48) a track (12) on a work machine (10), the work machine (10) utilizing a pair of track roller assemblies (20) each having a track (12) entrained around a drive wheel (14) and an idler wheel (16), the idler wheel (16) having first and second wheel segments (40,42) one each being rotatably positioned on opposite sides of a plurality of guide elements (38) positioned on an inner surface (34) of the track (12) said apparatus (48) comprising:
- a sensor (90) being positioned adjacent the first and second wheel segments (40,42);
- and
- a controller (98) being in communication with said sensor (90).
A track roller assembly (20) for a work machine (10) comprising:
- a roller frame (28);
- a track (12) having a plurality of guide elements (38) positioned on an inner surface (34) thereof;
- a drive wheel (14) being rotatably connected to said roller frame (28);
- an idler wheel (16) having first and second wheel segments (40,42) one each being rotatably positioned on opposite sides of a plurality of guide elements (38);
- a first sensor (90) being positioned adjacent an inner shoulder of the first wheel segment (40) and one of the opposite sides of the plurality of guide elements (38);
- a second sensor (92) being positioned adjacent an inner shoulder of the second wheel segment (42) and the other of the opposite sides of the plurality of guide elements (38);
- and
- a controller (98) being in communication with said first and second sensors (90,92).
A method for aligning a track (12) of a work machine (10), the work machine (10) utilizing a pair of track roller assemblies (20) each having a track (12) entrained around a drive wheel (14) and an idler wheel (16), the idler wheel (16) having first and second wheel segments (40,42) rotatably positioned on opposite sides of a plurality of guide elements (38) positioned on an inner surface (34) of the track (12) comprising the steps of:
- sensing a parameter indicative of the contact between the first wheel segment (40) and the plurality of guide elements (38), and responsively delivering a first signal;
- sensing a parameter indicative of the contact between the second wheel segment (42) and the plurality of guide elements (38), and responsively delivering a second signal;
- determining an actual contact differential based on a comparison of the first signal and the second signal;
- comparing the actual differential with a desired differential range;
- and
- pivoting the idler wheel (16) responsive to the higher of the first and second signals until the actual differential falls within the desired differential range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.