Drive assembly for a track-type machine
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorGerald Paul Simmons
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drive assembly is provided that includes a roller frame, a motor located on the roller frame, and a drive system located on the roller frame. The drive assembly may also include an endless track configured to be driven by the drive system and adaptable to provide locomotion to the track-type machine. The motor may have a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the roller frame. The drive system may be driveably engaged with the motor. The endless track may be configured to be driven by the drive system and is adaptable to provide locomotion to a track-type machine. A track-type machine having the disclosed drive assembly and method of driving such a track-type machine is also provided.
Claims23
A drive assembly, comprising:
- a roller frame;
- a motor located on the roller frame, the motor having a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the roller frame;
- and
- a drive system located on the roller frame and being driveably engaged with the motor, wherein the motor includes an output shaft defining the longitudinal axis of the motor.
A drive assembly, comprising:
- a roller frame;
- a motor located on the roller frame, the motor having a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the roller frame;
- and
- a drive system located on the roller frame and being driveably engaged with the motor, wherein the drive system is elevated above the motor.
A track-type machine, comprising:
- a machine frame;
- a roller frame supported on the machine frame in a manner to provide for pivotal movement of the roller frame relative to the machine frame;
- a motor located on the roller frame;
- a drive system located on the roller frame and driveably engaged with the motor;
- and
- an endless track driven by the drive system to provide locomotion for the track-type machine.
A track-type machine, comprising:
- a machine frame;
- a roller frame supported on the machine frame, the roller frame including a housing;
- a motor located on the roller frame;
- a drive system driveably engaged with the motor, the drive system being supported within the housing of the roller frame;
- and
- an endless track driven by the drive system to provide locomotion for the track-type machine, wherein the drive system includes a planetary system and a sprocket operatively connected to the planetary system, the sprocket being configured to drive the track, and wherein the motor includes an output shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the motor, and the planetary system includes a sun gear having an axis of rotation oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the motor.
A track-type machine, comprising:
- a machine frame;
- a roller frame supported on the machine frame, the roller frame including a housing;
- a pivot shaft extending from the machine frame and wherein the roller frame is supported on the pivot shaft;
- a motor located on the roller frame;
- a drive system driveably engaged with the motor, the drive system being supported within the housing of the roller frame;
- and
- an endless track driven by the drive system to provide locomotion for the track-type machine.
A method of driving a track-type machine having a machine frame, the method comprising:
- providing at least one drive assembly including a roller frame supported on the machine frame in a manner to provide for pivotal movement relative to the machine frame, a motor located on the roller frame, a drive system located on the roller frame and driveably engaged with the motor, and an endless track driven by the drive system to provide locomotion for the machine;
- providing power from the motor on the roller frame to the drive system;
- and
- driving the endless track with the drive system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.