Dynamic track tension adjuster

• US 6,432,010 B1
• Filed: 10/23/2000
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: U.S. Government
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Capouellez, James A., Palonis, Patrick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannon, Thomas R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCANULTY, TIMOTHY P
• Application Number:
  US09/694,632
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 474/101, 474/109, 474/110, 474/114, 474/115, 474/116, 474/117, 474/136, 474/900, 474/901, 74/892.3, 74/892.5, 74/892.6, 74/894.5, 305/154, 305/144, 305/145, 305/148, 475/4, 475/149, 280/149.2, 180/209, 180/906
• US Class Current: 474/101
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/305 acting on pivotably mounted idlers
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2007/0823 Electric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2007/0857 Screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2007/0887 the tension being a function of load
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2007/0893 Circular path
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 7/1281 where the axis of the pulley moves along a substantially circular path

Abstract

A dynamic track tension adjuster is connected between the body of a tracked vehicle and an arm-like axle member of the vehicle. The adjuster swings the arm-like member so that a wheel on the axle member engages the vehicle'"'"'s track with differing force. The adjuster includes a cylinder with two pistons extending therefrom and a compressible fluid between the pistons. A motor fixed to the cylinder drives a gear train that includes a transfer gear connected to one of the pistons. A shaft co-axially fixed to the transfer gear threads with a rod such that the rod translates when the shaft rotates. Translation of the rod swings the axle member.

Claims

1. A mechanism to adjust tension in a track of a vehicle having a body element, an axle element and a track engaging wheel mounted on the axle element, the mechanism comprising:

a cylinder;

a compressible fluid in the cylinder;

a piston contacting the liquid and translatable with respect to the cylinder;

a first elongate member;

a second elongate member translatable relative to the first member;

a transfer gear fixed to the first member;

means for rotating transfer gear;

means to control the rotating means in response to actual track tension and desired track tension;

means for connecting the cylinder to one of the elements; and

means for connecting the second member to another of the elements.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the piston is a first piston and the mechanism further comprises:

a second piston in the cylinder axially aligned with the first piston and contacting the fluid; and

means for connecting the transfer gear to the second piston.

3. The mechanism of claim 2 further comprising means to immobilize the second piston relative to the cylinder during actuation of the rotating means.

4. The mechanism of claim 2 wherein the transfer gear is translatable and rotatable relative to the cylinder.

5. A mechanism to dynamically adjust tension in a track of a land vehicle having a body element, an axle element and a track engaging wheel mounted on the axle element, the mechanism comprising:

a cylinder;

a piston translatable and rotatable with respect to the cylinder;

a compressible fluid in the cylinder comprised at least partially of a liquid;

a motor on the cylinder;

a transfer gear fixed to the piston;

means for transferring rotary motion from the motor to the transfer gear;

a threaded shaft fixed to the transfer gear;

a rod threaded with the shaft, the shaft rotatable relative to the rod, whereby the rod is translatable relative to the shaft;

means for controlling the motor;

means for sensing pressure of the compressible fluid, the sensing means communicated to the controlling means;

means for pivotally connecting the cylinder to one of the elements; and

means for pivotally connecting the rod to another of the elements.

6. The mechanism of claim 5 herein the compressible fluid is completely a liquid.