Apparatus and method for measuring and realigning track misalignment

• US 6,386,653 B1
• Filed: 03/23/2000
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Power Systems Incorporated (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Power Systems Incorporated (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brandenburger, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stormer, Russell D.
• Application Number:
  US09/533,980
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 305/116, 305/124, 305/143, 305/144, 305/153, 180/9.1, 180/9.44, 180/9.52
• US Class Current: 305/116
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/30 Track-tensioning means

Abstract

Track laying work machines (10) are provided with a pair of track roller assemblies (20) positioned on opposite sides of the work machine (10). Each track roller assembly (20) includes a track (12) entrained around a drive wheel (14), an idler wheel (16), and a plurality of supporting mid-rollers (18). An apparatus for measuring misalignment and realigning (48) the track (12) is utilized to monitor alignment and align the track (12) during operation of the work machine (10).

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring misalignment and realigning (48) a track (12) on a work machine (10), the work machine (10) utilizing a pair of track roller assemblies (20) each having a track (12) entrained around a drive wheel (14) and an idler wheel (16), the idler wheel (16) having first and second wheel segments (40,42) one each being rotatably positioned on opposite sides of a plurality of guide elements (38) positioned on an inner surface (34) of the track (12) said apparatus (48) comprising:

a sensor (90) being positioned adjacent the first and second wheel segments (40,42); and

a controller (98) being in communication with said sensor (90).

2. The apparatus (48) of claim 1 wherein said sensor (90) is positioned to measure the temperature of one of an inner shoulder of the first and second wheel segments (40,42) and the opposite sides of the plurality of guide elements (38) of the track (12).

3. The apparatus (48) of claim 2 wherein said sensor (90) is an infrared thermocouple (94).

4. The apparatus (48) of claim 2 further including an alignment apparatus (50).

5. The apparatus (48) of claim 4 wherein the alignment apparatus (50) further including a lever (58) being pivotally connected to the idler wheel (16).

6. The apparatus (48) of claim 5 further including an adjustment device (74) being connected with said lever (58).

7. The apparatus (48) of claim 6 wherein said adjustment device (74) is a pair of opposing jack members (80).

8. The apparatus (48) of claim 6 wherein the controller (98) is part of a machine control system (110).

9. The apparatus (48) of claim 8 wherein the machine control system (110) is in communication with the adjustment device (74).

10. The apparatus (48) of claim 9 wherein the adjustment device (74) is a fluid cylinder (102) being operatively associated with said lever (58).

11. The apparatus (48) of claim 9 wherein the adjustment device (74) is a motor (110) being operatively associated with said lever (58).

12. A track roller assembly (20) for a work machine (10) comprising:

a roller frame (28);

a track (12) having a plurality of guide elements (38) positioned on an inner surface (34) thereof;

a drive wheel (14) being rotatably connected to said roller frame (28);

an idler wheel (16) having first and second wheel segments (40,42) one each being rotatably positioned on opposite sides of a plurality of guide elements (38);

a first sensor (90) being positioned adjacent an inner shoulder of the first wheel segment (40) and one of the opposite sides of the plurality of guide elements (38);

a second sensor (92) being positioned adjacent an inner shoulder of the second wheel segment (42) and the other of the opposite sides of the plurality of guide elements (38); and

a controller (98) being in communication with said first and second sensors (90,92).

13. The track roller assembly (20) of claim 12 wherein said first sensor (90) is positioned to measure the temperature of one of an inner shoulder of the first wheel segment (40), and said second sensor (92) is positioned to measure the temperature of an inner shoulder of the second wheel segment (42).

14. The track roller assembly (20) of claim 12 wherein said first sensor (90) is positioned to measure the temperature of one of the opposite sides of the plurality of guide elements (38) and said second sensor (92) is positioned to measure the temperature of the other of the opposite sides of the plurality of guide elements (38).

15. The track roller assembly (20) of claim 12 including an adjustment device (74) being in communication with said controller (98).

16. The track roller assembly (20) of claim 15 wherein the adjustment device (74) further including a lever (58) and an actuator (100), said lever (58) being pivotally connected to the idler wheel (16) and said actuator (100) being connected with said lever (58).

17. The track roller assembly (20) of claim 16 wherein the actuator (100) is one of a hydraulic cylinder (102) and a motor (112).

18. A method for aligning a track (12) of a work machine (10), the work machine (10) utilizing a pair of track roller assemblies (20) each having a track (12) entrained around a drive wheel (14) and an idler wheel (16), the idler wheel (16) having first and second wheel segments (40,42) rotatably positioned on opposite sides of a plurality of guide elements (38) positioned on an inner surface (34) of the track (12) comprising the steps of:

sensing a parameter indicative of the contact between the first wheel segment (40) and the plurality of guide elements (38), and responsively delivering a first signal;

sensing a parameter indicative of the contact between the second wheel segment (42) and the plurality of guide elements (38), and responsively delivering a second signal;

determining an actual contact differential based on a comparison of the first signal and the second signal;

comparing the actual differential with a desired differential range; and

pivoting the idler wheel (16) responsive to the higher of the first and second signals until the actual differential falls within the desired differential range.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the steps of sensing include measuring the heat generated by the contact between the first and second wheel segments and the plurality of guide elements.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the steps of sensing include measuring the pressure generated by the contact between the first and second wheel segments (40,42) and the plurality of guide elements (38).

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of pivoting includes rotating a pair of opposing jack members (80) to pivot the idler wheel (16).

22. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of pivoting includes actuating one of a fluid cylinder (102) and a motor (112) to pivot the idler wheel (16).