Wear sensing device having a housing

• US 9,784,647 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2014
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Sidles, Timothy Gibbs
• Primary Examiner(s): MCCALL, ERIC SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US14/576,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20160178483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 7311501, 7311507, 7311701
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2883 Wear elements for buckets or implements in general
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/03 Endless-tracks

Abstract

A wear sensing device is disclosed. The wear sensing device may have a wear sensor. The wear sensor may have plurality of wear members, a communication device, and a processing device. The processing device may be configured to generate a signal indicative of wear, based on a state of the plurality of wear members. The processing device may be further configured transmit the signal with the communication device. The wear sensing device may further have a housing. The housing may at least partially enclose the wear sensor and include a plurality of separate slots. The plurality of wear members may be positioned in the plurality of separate slots.

Claims

1. A wear sensing device for a track link or a ground-engaging tool, the wear sensing device comprising:

a wear sensor including a plurality of wear members;

a communication device;

a processing device configured to generate a signal indicative of wear based on a state of the plurality of wear members, and transmit the signal with the communication device; and

a housing at least partially enclosing the wear sensor and including a plurality of separate slots,

wherein the plurality of wear members are positioned in the plurality of separate slots of the track link or the ground-engaging tool, and

wherein the wear sensing device is included in the track link or the ground-engaging tool.

2. The wear sensing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wear members are each configured to detect a different amount of wear.

3. The wear sensing device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of wear members are wire loops configured to break when a corresponding amount of wear occurs.

4. The wear sensing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of separate slots are formed on an outer surface of the housing.

5. The wear sensing device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of separate slots are located at different radial locations along the outer surface of the housing.

6. The wear sensing device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of slots each includes include an end surface that returns the slot to the outer surface.

7. The wear sensing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of separate slots are enclosed within an interior of the housing.

8. The wear sensing device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first section made from a first material and a second section made from a second material which is different than the first material.

9. The wear sensing device of claim 8, wherein the first section is made of a material configured to protect the plurality of wear members and the processing device, and

wherein the second section is made of a material configured to allow transmission of a signal therethrough.

10. The wear sensing device of claim 9, wherein the first section is made from a metal material and the second section is made from a polymer material.

11. A machine component, comprising:

a component body including a wear surface; and

a wear sensing device, including;

a wear sensor including a plurality of wear members,

a communication device,

a processing device configured to generate a signal indicative of wear based on a state of the plurality of wear members, and transmit the signal with the communication device, and

a housing at least partially enclosing the wear sensor and including a plurality of slots having the plurality of wear members separately positioned therein and including a surface that is continuous with the wear surface,

wherein the housing includes a material configured to wear at substantially the same rate as the wear surface, and

wherein the machine component is a track link or a ground-engaging tool.

12. The machine component of claim 11, wherein the wear surface is an engagement surface of the track link configured to contact a roller.

13. The machine component of claim 11, wherein the housing is positioned in a bore formed in the track link.

14. The machine component of claim 13, wherein the track link includes a link window, and the communication device is positioned in the link window.

15. The machine component of claim 11, wherein the housing includes:

a first section that includes the material configured to wear at substantially the same rate as the wear surface, and

a second section that includes a material that is configured to allow transmission of a signal therethrough.

16. The machine component of claim 15, wherein the second section includes a cap enclosing an end of the housing.

17. The machine of claim 15, wherein the second section is positioned in a link window of the track link.

18. A machine including:

a frame;

a track assembly including a drive sprocket, a chain assembly, a traction assembly, an idler assembly, and a roller assembly, the track assembly configured to propel the machine;

wherein the chain assembly includes a track link, the track link including;

a component body including a wear surface; and

a wear sensing device, including;

a wear sensor including a plurality of wear members,

a communication device,

a processing device configured to generate a signal indicative of wear based on a state of the plurality of wear members, and transmit the signal with the communication device, and

a housing at least partially enclosing the wear sensor and including;

a first section including a plurality of slots having the plurality of wear members separately positioned therein and including a surface that is continuous with the wear surface, and

a second section adjacent to the communication device;

wherein the first section includes a material configured to wear at substantially the same rate as the wear surface, and

wherein the second section includes a material, different from the material of the first section, that is configured to allow transmission of a signal therethrough.

19. The machine of claim 18, wherein the first section is made from a metal material,

wherein the second section is made from a polymer material, and

wherein the second section is positioned in a link window of the track link.

20. The machine of claim 18, wherein the plurality of wear members are each configured to detect a different amount of wear.