Tensioning system for an endless track system
First Claim
1. A tensioning system for an endless track system, the endless track system having a frame, an idler wheel assembly and an endless track extending around the frame and the idler wheel assembly, the idler wheel assembly being movable with respect to the frame for tensioning the endless track, the tensioning system comprising:
- a tensioner operatively connectable between the frame and the idler wheel assembly of the endless track system for controlling relative movement between the frame and the idler wheel assembly for applying tension to the endless track, the tensioner including;
a cylinder; and
a piston that is reciprocally movable within the cylinder between an extended position and a retracted position, the piston sealingly engaging the cylinder for forming a variable volume chamber containing a liquid, the piston being movable between the extended position and the retracted position in a plurality of intermediate positions by changing a volume of the liquid contained within the chamber of the cylinder;
a reservoir fluidly connected to the chamber of the cylinder, the reservoir simultaneously containing the liquid and a gas, the gas in the reservoir being under pressure and applying hydrostatic pressure to the liquid tending towards an increase in the volume of liquid within the chamber of the cylinder, biasing the piston towards the extended position, biasing the idler wheel assembly against the endless track;
a conduit fluidly connected between the tensioner and the reservoir allowing the liquid to flow between the chamber of the cylinder and the reservoir to change the volume of liquid within the chamber of the cylinder to move the piston within the chamber of the cylinder; and
an inertial valve disposed along the conduit for allowing and preventing liquid flow through the conduit, the inertial valve being movable between;
an open position in which the liquid is allowed to flow between the chamber of the cylinder and the reservoir, rendering the piston movable within the chamber and allowing for relative movement between the frame and the idler wheel assembly; and
a closed position in which the liquid is prevented from flowing between the chamber of the cylinder and the reservoir, rendering the piston effectively immovable within the chamber and effectively preventing relative movement between the frame and the idler wheel assembly.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Endless track system tensioning system comprising: Tensioner having a cylinder and a piston within the cylinder forming a variable volume chamber containing liquid. Reservoir containing liquid and gas fluidly connected to the cylinder chamber. Conduit fluidly connected between the chamber and the reservoir allowing liquid to flow therebetween to move a position of the piston. The gas applying hydrostatic pressure to liquid biasing the piston toward an extended position, biasing an idler wheel assembly against an endless track. Valve disposed along the conduit for controlling liquid flow through the conduit, movable between: Open position in which liquid is allowed to flow, rendering piston movable, allowing for relative movement between a frame and an idler wheel assembly. Closed position in which liquid is prevented from flowing rendering piston effectively immovable within the chamber, effectively preventing relative movement between frame and idler wheel assembly.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A tensioning system for an endless track system, the endless track system having a frame, an idler wheel assembly and an endless track extending around the frame and the idler wheel assembly, the idler wheel assembly being movable with respect to the frame for tensioning the endless track, the tensioning system comprising:
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a tensioner operatively connectable between the frame and the idler wheel assembly of the endless track system for controlling relative movement between the frame and the idler wheel assembly for applying tension to the endless track, the tensioner including; a cylinder; and a piston that is reciprocally movable within the cylinder between an extended position and a retracted position, the piston sealingly engaging the cylinder for forming a variable volume chamber containing a liquid, the piston being movable between the extended position and the retracted position in a plurality of intermediate positions by changing a volume of the liquid contained within the chamber of the cylinder; a reservoir fluidly connected to the chamber of the cylinder, the reservoir simultaneously containing the liquid and a gas, the gas in the reservoir being under pressure and applying hydrostatic pressure to the liquid tending towards an increase in the volume of liquid within the chamber of the cylinder, biasing the piston towards the extended position, biasing the idler wheel assembly against the endless track; a conduit fluidly connected between the tensioner and the reservoir allowing the liquid to flow between the chamber of the cylinder and the reservoir to change the volume of liquid within the chamber of the cylinder to move the piston within the chamber of the cylinder; and an inertial valve disposed along the conduit for allowing and preventing liquid flow through the conduit, the inertial valve being movable between; an open position in which the liquid is allowed to flow between the chamber of the cylinder and the reservoir, rendering the piston movable within the chamber and allowing for relative movement between the frame and the idler wheel assembly; and a closed position in which the liquid is prevented from flowing between the chamber of the cylinder and the reservoir, rendering the piston effectively immovable within the chamber and effectively preventing relative movement between the frame and the idler wheel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A tensioning system for an endless track system, the endless track system having a frame, an idler wheel assembly and an endless track extending around the frame and the idler wheel assembly, the idler wheel assembly being movable with respect to the frame for tensioning the endless track, the tensioning system comprising:
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a tensioner operatively connectable between the frame and the idler wheel assembly of the endless track system for controlling relative movement between the frame and the idler wheel assembly for applying tension to the endless track, the tensioner including; a cylinder; and a piston that is reciprocally movable within the cylinder between an extended position and a retracted position, the piston sealingly engaging the cylinder for forming a variable volume chamber containing a liquid, the piston being movable between the extended position and the retracted position in a plurality of intermediate positions by changing a volume of the liquid contained within the chamber of the cylinder; a reservoir fluidly connected to the chamber of the cylinder, the reservoir simultaneously containing the liquid and a gas, the gas in the reservoir being under pressure and applying hydrostatic pressure to the liquid tending towards an increase in the volume of liquid within the chamber of the cylinder, biasing the piston towards the extended position, biasing the idler wheel assembly against the endless track; a conduit fluidly connected between the tensioner and the reservoir allowing the liquid to flow between the chamber of the cylinder and the reservoir to change the volume of liquid within the chamber of the cylinder to move the piston within the chamber of the cylinder; a pump fluidly connected to a liquid source, and the pump being fluidly connected to at least one of the reservoir, the chamber of the cylinder and the conduit for selectively changing an amount of the liquid contained inside the at least one of the reservoir, the chamber of the cylinder and the conduit; and a valve disposed along the conduit for allowing and preventing liquid flow through the conduit, the valve being movable between; an open position in which the liquid is allowed to flow between the chamber of the cylinder and the reservoir, rendering the piston movable within the chamber and allowing for relative movement between the frame and the idler wheel assembly; and a closed position in which the liquid is prevented from flowing between the chamber of the cylinder and the reservoir, rendering the piston effectively immovable within the chamber and effectively preventing relative movement between the frame and the idler wheel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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Specification