Track over tire system and method

• US 8,764,129 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2011
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GSE Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: GSE Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Simula, Glen Raymond, Tarnowski, Steven John
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano, S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHARLESTON, JEAN W
• Application Number:
  US13/117,201
• Publication Number:
  US 20120299371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 305/15, 305/124, 305/125, 305/128, 305/130, 305/139, 305/141, 305/143, 305/144, 305/158, 305/165, 305/185
• US Class Current: 305/124
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/02 with tracks and additional ground wheels for multi-purpose tractors B62D49/0635
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/04 with tracks and alternative ground wheels, e.g. changeable from endless track vehicle into wheeled vehicle and vice versa for multi-purpose tractors B62D49/0635
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/305 acting on pivotably mounted idlers

Abstract

A system and method of increasing the traction and mobility of a tandem axled vehicle by disposing an endless track 16 around the vehicle tires 18,20 and using a tensioning device 22 to impart a force on the endless track 16 to maintain an optimal track tension. The tensioning device 22 may impart a constant force, a force within a set range, or a variable force controlled by a processor 64 on the endless track 16. The processor 64 monitors vehicle parameters to determine if endless track slipping is occurring. The slip-control processor 64 sends signals to the tension device 22 to increase endless track tension when a track slip condition is sensed, and sends signals to decrease endless track tension when slipping is not occurring, thereby allowing for greater suspension movement and improving overall vehicle mobility.

Claims

1. A track over tire system for a ground based vehicle with a multiple axle set connected to the vehicle through a suspension, the system comprising:

an endless track at least partially disposed around a front tire and a rear tire associated with the multiple axle set, the endless track having a main track body with an inner surface, such that portions of the inner surface contact portions of the front tire and the rear tire, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, such that portions of the outer surface may contact the ground, and a plurality of edge guide projections connected to the main track body and extending away from the inner surface, such that some of the plurality of edge guide projections contact portions of the front tire and portions of the rear tire;

a tensioning device disposed between the front tire and the rear tire, the tensioning device having an actuator disposed between a base and an idler wheel, wherein the base is attached to the vehicle and the idler wheel is in contact with the inner surface of the endless track, such the actuator may actuate away from the base and apply a force to the inner surface of the endless track through the idler wheel, thereby varying endless track tension around the front and rear tires, and reducing slippage between the endless track and the front and rear tires; and

wherein the endless track and the tensioning device cooperate to increase vehicle traction and allow for axle suspension movement via the actuator having a pneumatic port in fluid connection with a vehicle pneumatic system, a pressure sensor in cooperation with the tensioning device to measure pressure in the actuator, and a pneumatic regulator fluidly connected between the pneumatic port and the vehicle pneumatic system, such that the pneumatic regulator, in response to receiving an actuator pressure reading from the pressure sensor, compares the actuator pressure reading to a predetermined operating pressure range, and increases pressure inside the actuator through the pneumatic port if the actuator pressure is below the predetermined operating pressure range.

2. The system of claim 1

wherein the pneumatic regulator, in response to receiving an actuator pressure reading from the pressure sensor, compares the actuator pressure reading to a predetermined operating pressure range,

and

decreases pressure inside the actuator if the actuator pressure is above the predetermined operating pressure range.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the multiple axle set is a tandem axle set.

4. A track over tire system for use on a vehicle with a plurality of axles connected to the vehicle by a suspension, the system comprising:

a front axle having at least one front wheel with a front tire, and a rear axle having at least one rear wheel with a rear tire;

an endless track at least partially disposed around the front tire and the rear tire, such that portions of the endless track contact portions of the front tire and the rear tire; and

a tensioning device in contact with the endless track and attachably disposed to the vehicle between the front tire and the rear tire, the tensioning device having an active actuator used to apply a force to the endless track to maintain a tension range on the endless track while reducing tire slippage and allowing for vehicle suspension movement,

wherein the active actuator has a pneumatic port connected to a vehicle pneumatic system, such that the tensioning device uses compressed air from the vehicle pneumatic system to actuate, a pressure sensor is in cooperation with the tensioning device to measure pressure inside the active actuator, and a pneumatic regulator is fluidly connected between the pneumatic port and the vehicle pneumatic system, such that the pneumatic regulator is in cooperation with the vehicle pneumatic system, and the active actuator varies the force applied by the active actuator on the endless track thereby increasing tire traction or allowing increased vehicle suspension movement, via receiving an actuator pressure reading from the pressure sensor, comparing the actuator pressure reading to a predetermined operating pressure range, and reducing pressure inside the active actuator if the actuator pressure is above the predetermined operating pressure range, and increasing pressure inside the active actuator if the actuator pressure is below the predetermined operating pressure range.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the active actuator applies a varying force up to 4000 pounds on the endless track.

6. A method of increasing vehicle traction on a vehicle with multiple axles connected to the vehicle through a suspension, in which each axle has at least one wheel with a tire, the method comprising:

providing an endless track to partially surround the tires of the multiple axles resulting in an increased vehicle footprint;

providing a pneumatic actuator for variably exerting a force on the endless track to increase track tension, decrease track slippage relative to the tires, allow for suspension travel, and in combination with the increased vehicle footprint increase overall vehicle traction;

providing a means for determining pneumatic actuator pressure; and

providing a means for modifying the pressure in the pneumatic actuator to be within a predetermined operating range.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the means for determining pneumatic actuator pressure is provided by a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the pneumatic actuator.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the means for modifying the pressure in the pneumatic actuator to be within a predetermined operating range is provided by a vehicle pneumatic system in fluid communication with the pneumatic actuator, and the vehicle pneumatic system, in response to the pressure sensor readings, provide pressure to the pneumatic actuator.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the means for determining pneumatic actuator pressure and for modifying the pressure in the pneumatic actuator to be within a predetermined operating range is provided by a pressure relief valve which opens to relieve pressure within the pneumatic actuator at a predetermined upper pressure level.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the means for determining pneumatic actuator pressure and for modifying the pressure in the pneumatic actuator to be within a predetermined operating range is provided by a vehicle pneumatic system providing constant pressure to the pneumatic actuator which fills the pneumatic actuator with pressure when the pneumatic actuator falls beneath a predetermined lower pressure level.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the predetermined lower pressure level is the constant pressure level as provided by the vehicle pneumatic system.