# US 9,434,425 B2 · Track joint assemblies > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,434,425 B2 - Document ID: US9434425B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/461,321 - Filed: 2014-08-15 - Published: 2015-03-05 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-08-29 - Assignees: Caterpillar Inc. - Applicants: Caterpillar Inc. - Inventors: Gregory Jerome Kaufmann; Timothy Arthur Thorson; Kevin Lee Steiner; Caroline Marie Brewer; Mark Steven Diekevers; Temitope Olayemi Akinlua; Martin Tagore Joseph Xavier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9434425B2 ## CPC - B62D 55/0887: {Track-articulation sealings against dust, water, mud or the like (sealing of bearings in general F16C33/72; chain bushings in general F16G15/00)} - B62D 55/21: Links connected by transverse pivot pins - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. Additionally, the track joint assembly may include a second link having a second bore. The track joint assembly may also include a bushing. The bushing may include a first axial end portion disposed in the first bore. In addition, the bushing may include a second axial end portion disposed in the second bore. The track joint assembly may also include a seal assembly positioned at an axial end of the first axial end portion. The seal assembly may contact the first link at a seal-link interface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A track joint assembly, comprising: a first link having a first bore; a second link having a second bore; a bushing including: a first axial end portion having a first outer surface configured to engage with the first bore; and a second axial end portion having a second outer surface configured to engage with the second bore; and a seal assembly positioned at an axial end of the first axial end portion, and contacting the first link at a seal-link interface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The track joint assembly of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the seal-link interface is between approximately 1.05 and approximately 2.5 times an outer diameter of the first axial end portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The track joint assembly of claim 2, wherein the outer diameter of the seal-link interface is approximately 1.20 times the outer diameter of the first axial end portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The track joint assembly of claim 2, including a thrust ring positioned at the axial end of the first axial end portion, wherein the seal assembly is positioned radially outward of an outer surface of the thrust ring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The track joint assembly of claim 4, wherein an outer diameter of the thrust ring is between approximately 1.1 and approximately 2.0 times the outer diameter of the first axial end portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The track joint assembly of claim 5, wherein: the outer diameter of the seal-link interface is approximately 1.20 times the outer diameter of the first axial end portion; and the outer diameter of the thrust ring is approximately 1.16 times the outer diameter of the first axial end portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The track joint assembly of claim 4, wherein the thrust ring includes a generally cylindrical inner surface including at least one protrusion extending toward a central axis of the thrust ring. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The thrust ring of claim 7, wherein the at least one protrusion extends along a circumference of the thrust ring. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The thrust ring of claim 8, wherein the at least one protrusion is offset, in an axial direction of the thrust ring, from a center of the thrust ring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The thrust ring of claim 8, wherein the at least one protrusion includes a plurality of protrusions. ### Claim 11 A track joint assembly, comprising: a first link having a first bore; a second link having a second bore; a bushing including: a first axial end portion press-fit into the first bore, the first axial end portion having a first outer diameter smaller than a bushing outer diameter; and a second axial end portion press-fit into the second bore, the second axial end portion having a second outer diameter smaller than the bushing outer diameter; and a thrust ring positioned at an axial end of the first axial end portion, and having an outer diameter that is between approximately 1.1 and approximately 2.0 times an outer diameter of the first axial end portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The track joint assembly of claim 11, wherein the outer diameter of the thrust ring is approximately 1.16 times the outer diameter of the first axial end portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The track joint assembly of claim 11, including a seal assembly positioned radially outward of an outer surface of the thrust ring, and contacting the first link at a seal-link interface. ### Claim 14 A track joint assembly, comprising: a link having a bore; a bushing including an axial end portion disposed in the bore, the axial end portion having a first outer diameter smaller than a second outer diameter of the bushing; a thrust ring positioned at an axial end of the axial end portion, and including: a generally cylindrical outer surface; and a generally cylindrical inner surface including at least one protrusion extending toward a central axis of the thrust ring; and a seal assembly positioned radially outward of the outer surface of the thrust ring, and contacting the link at a seal-link interface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The track joint assembly of claim 14, wherein an outer diameter of the thrust ring is between approximately 1.1 and approximately 2.0 times an outer diameter of the axial end portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The track joint assembly of claim 15, wherein the outer diameter of the thrust ring is approximately 1.16 times the outer diameter of the axial end portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The track joint assembly of claim 14, wherein an outer diameter of the seal-link interface is between approximately 1.05 and approximately 2.5 times an outer diameter of the axial end portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The track joint assembly of claim 17, wherein the outer diameter of the seal-link interface is approximately 1.20 times the outer diameter of the axial end portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The track joint assembly of claim 17, wherein an outer diameter of the thrust ring is between approximately 1.1 and approximately 2.0 times the outer diameter of the axial end portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The track joint assembly of claim 17, wherein: the outer diameter of the seal-link interface is approximately 1.20 times the outer diameter of the axial end portion; and the outer diameter of the thrust ring is approximately 1.16 times the outer diameter of the axial end portion.