LUBRICANT TESTING ASSEMBLY

• US 20150159349A1
• Filed: 02/16/2015
• Published: 06/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Horton, Gerry L.
• Application Number:
  US14/622,950
• Publication Number:
  US 20150159349A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/06 with tracks without ground wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/092 with lubrication means lubricating in general F16N
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/21 Links connected by transverse pivot pins
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/7604 Combinations of scraper blades with soil loosening tools working independently of scraper blades soil loosening attachments fixed on blades E02F3/8152, E02F3/8155
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/32 Rippers E02F5/106 takes precedence, ripper or scarifying teeth mounted on blades E02F3/8152; ripper tips E02F9/2875
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/02 Travelling-gear, e.g. associated with slewing gears drives therefor E02F9/20; for motor vehicles B60B, B60G; undercarriages for locomotives or railroad cars B61F; track-laying vehicles B62D; for cranes B66C23/18
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/267 Diagnosing or detecting failure of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2210/33 Chains
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 29/00 Special means in lubricating arrangements or systems providing for the indication or detection of undesired conditions; Use of devices responsive to conditions in lubricating arrangements or systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/0077 Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0066 for hot spots detection
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0265 Handheld, portable ear thermometers G01J5/049

Abstract

A mobile machine includes a thermal imaging device mounted proximate to a plurality of lubricated track link joints of a track assembly. The thermal imaging device is configured to capture a thermal image associated with the lubricated track link joints contained within a field of view. The mobile machine further includes a testing module operatively coupled to the thermal imaging device. The testing module is configured to receive the thermal image associated with the lubricated track link joints. The testing module obtains a thermal signature associated with the lubricated track link joints based on the thermal image. The testing module further compares the thermal signature with a pre-determined temperature threshold. The testing module further identifies a failure condition if the thermal signature exceeds the pre-determined temperature threshold.

Claims

1. A mobile machine comprising:

an undercarriage system including a track assembly configured to travel around a plurality of rotating components, the track assembly having a plurality of lubricated track link joints;

a thermal imaging device mounted on the machine proximate to the track assembly of the undercarriage system, the thermal imaging device configured to capture a thermal image associated with each of the plurality of lubricated track link joints contained within a field of view thereof; and

a testing module operatively coupled to the thermal imaging device, the testing module configured to;

receive the thermal image associated with each of the plurality of lubricated track link joints;

obtain a thermal signature associated with each of the plurality of lubricated track link joints based on the thermal image;

compare the thermal signature associated with each of the plurality of lubricated track link joints with a pre-determined temperature threshold; and

identify a failure condition if the thermal signature exceeds the pre-determined temperature threshold.