Wear sensing device for a carrier roller

• US 9,669,886 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2015
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Sidles, Timothy Gibbs
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US14/611,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20160221618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/08 Endless track units; Parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/14 Arrangement, location, or adaptation of rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/21 Links connected by transverse pivot pins

Abstract

A wear sensing device is disclosed. The wear sensing device may be used in conjunction with a carrier roller assembly of a track assembly. The wear sensing device may have a wear sensor roller mounted to an axle of the carrier roller assembly. The sensor roller may be configured to contact a track pin assembly connected to one or more track links of the track assembly. The wear sensing device may further have a wear sensor mounted to the wear sensor roller and configured to generate a signal indicative of a wear parameter of the one or more track links.

Claims

1. A wear sensing device for a carrier roller assembly of a track assembly, the wear sensing device comprising:

a wear sensor roller mounted to an axle of the carrier roller assembly,

the sensor roller configured to contact a track pin assembly connected to one or more track links of the track assembly; and

a wear sensor mounted to the wear sensor roller and configured to generate a signal indicative of a wear parameter of the one or more track links.

2. The wear sensing device of claim 1, wherein the carrier roller assembly includes one or more rollers mounted to the axle and is configured to contact the pair of track links, and

wherein the wear sensor roller is mounted adjacent to the one or more rollers.

3. The wear sensing device of claim 1, wherein the track pin assembly includes a pin and a bushing, and

wherein the wear sensor roller is configured to contact the bushing.

4. The wear sensing device of claim 3, wherein the bushing is formed from a material that is harder than a material from which the wear sensor roller is formed.

5. The wear sensing device of claim 1, wherein the wear sensor is embedded in the wear sensor roller.

6. The wear sensing device of claim 5, wherein the wear sensor is configured to wear away with the wear sensor roller, and

wherein the signal is indicative of an amount of wear experienced by the wear sensor.

7. The wear sensing device of claim 6, wherein the wear sensor includes a plurality of wire loops configured to break when a corresponding amount of wear occurs.

8. The wear sensing device of claim 5, wherein the wear sensor is at least one of a hall effect sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a magnetic sensor, an induction sensor, or a laser sensor.

9. The wear sensing device of claim 1, wherein the wear sensor is mounted to an outer surface of the wear sensor roller.

10. The wear sensing device of claim 9, further including a wear sensor housing mounted to the outer surface of the wear sensor roller and housing the wear sensor, and

wherein the housing is configured to contact the track pin assembly.

11. A carrier roller assembly for a track assembly, the carrier roller assembly comprising:

an axle rotatably mounted to a vehicle frame;

a pair of rollers mounted to the axle and configured to contact a pair of track links of the track assembly; and

a wear sensing device, comprising;

a wear sensor roller mounted to the axle between the pair of rollers and configured to contact a track pin assembly connecting the pair of track links; and

a wear sensor mounted to the wear sensor roller and configured to generate a signal indicative of a wear parameter of the pair of track links.

12. The carrier roller assembly of claim 11, wherein the track pin assembly includes a pin and a bushing, and

wherein the wear sensor roller is configured to contact the bushing.

13. The carrier roller assembly of claim 12, wherein the bushing is formed from a material that is harder than a material from which the wear sensor roller is formed.

14. The carrier roller assembly of claim 11, wherein the wear sensor is embedded in the wear sensor roller.

15. The carrier roller assembly of claim 14, wherein the wear sensor is configured to wear away with the wear sensor roller, and

wherein the signal is indicative of an amount of wear experienced by the wear sensor.

16. The carrier roller assembly of claim 15, wherein the wear sensor includes a plurality of wire loops configured to break when a corresponding amount of wear occurs.

17. The carrier roller assembly of claim 14, wherein the wear sensor is one of a hall effect sensor, ultrasonic sensor, magnetic sensor, induction sensor, or laser sensor.

18. The carrier roller assembly of claim 11, wherein the wear sensor is mounted to an outer surface of the wear sensor roller.

19. The carrier roller assembly of claim 18, further including a wear sensor housing mounted to the outer surface of the wear sensor roller and housing the wear sensor, and

wherein the housing is configured to contact the track pin assembly.

20. A machine including:

a frame;

a track assembly including a drive sprocket, a chain assembly, a traction assembly, an idler assembly, a track roller assembly, and a carrier roller assembly,

the track assembly configured to propel the machine;

wherein the chain assembly includes a pair of track links connected by a track pin assembly,

the track pin assembly including a pin and a bushing, and

wherein the carrier roller assembly includes;

an axle rotatably mounted to the frame;

a pair of rollers mounted to the axle and configured to contact the pair of track links of the track assembly; and

a wear sensing device, comprising;

a wear sensor roller mounted to the axle between the pair of rollers and configured to contact the bushing; and

a wear sensor mounted to the wear sensor roller and configured to generate a signal indicative of a wear parameter of the pair of track links,

wherein the bushing is formed from a material that is harder than a material from which the wear sensor roller is formed.