Dynamically Changing Track Support for Tracked Vehicle

• US 20080211299A1
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: H. William B. Wilt
• Original Assignee: H. William B. Wilt
• Inventors: Wilt, H. William B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,690,738 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 305/131
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/065 Multi-track vehicles, i.e. more than two tracks soil-shifting machines E02F; mining machines E21C
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/116 Attitude or position control of chassis by action on suspension, e.g. to compensate for a slope
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/305 acting on pivotably mounted idlers

Abstract

A dynamically changing track support for a tracked vehicle, includes a body with one or more track engaging wheels mounted for rotation to the body and extending above the top of the body and below the bottom of the body. At least two arms are provided. Each arm has a body engaging end and a track engaging end. The track engaging ends of the arm extends outwardly past the body. The body engaging end is pivotally secured to the body for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis. One or more track engaging wheels are mounted for concentric axial rotation about an axle positioned at the track engaging end of the each arm. Dynamically adjustment of the pivotal positioning of the arms relative to the body results in changes to track geometry while maintaining consistent tension.

Claims

1. A dynamically changing track support for a tracked vehicle, comprising:

a body having a first side, a second side, a top and a bottom;

at least one weight bearing track engaging wheel mounted for concentric axial rotation about at least one axle supported by the body, the at least one track engaging wheel extending above the top of the body and extending below the bottom of the body;

at least two arms, including a first arm and a second arm;

the first arm having a body engaging end and a track engaging end, the track engaging end of the first arm extending outwardly past the first side of the body, with the body engaging end pivotally secured to the body for pivotal movement about a first substantially horizontal pivot axis;

a first track engaging wheel mounted for concentric axial rotation about an axle positioned at the track engaging end of the first arm,

the second arm having a body engaging end and a track engaging end, the track engaging end of the second arm extending outwardly past the second side of the body with the body engaging end pivotally secured to the body for pivotal movement about a second substantially horizontal pivot axis the second arm extending outwardly past the second side of the body a like distance to that which the first arm extends outwardly past the first side of the body, providing a symmetrical arm configuration;

a second track engaging wheel mounted for concentric axial rotation about an axle positioned at the track engaging end of the second arm;

means for dynamically adjusting the pivotal positioning of the first arm and the second arm relative to the body to change track geometry including raising the first arm and the second arm to lift the first track engaging wheel and the second track engaging wheel to reduce the amount of track in ground contact in anticipation of a turn or by lowering the first arm and the second arm to increase the amount of track in ground contact in anticipation of travelling on environmentally sensitive ground.

2. The dynamically changing track support for a tracked vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein telescopic actuators are provided between the body and each of the first arm and the second arm for dynamically adjusting the pivotal positioning of the first arm and the second arm relative to the body.

3. The dynamically changing track support for a tracked vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein more than one track engaging wheel are mounted for concentric axial rotation about at least one axle supported by the body, including at least one track engaging wheel extending above the top of the body and at least one track engaging wheel extending below the bottom of the body.

4. The dynamically changing track support for a tracked vehicle as defined in claim 3, wherein there is a single track engaging wheel extending above the top of the body and a walking beam pivotally secured to the body for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis that carries a pair of track engaging wheels extending below the bottom of the body.

5. The dynamically changing track support of a tracked vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm are raised in anticipation of overcoming a large obstacle.

6. The dynamic changing track support of a tracked vehicle as defined in claim 1, the at least one track engaging wheel is composed of a rubber-based material to allow the tracked vehicle to operate without a track.

7. The dynamic changing track support of a tracked vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the body is mounted to a suspension system that allows substantially vertical movement.