Wheel substitutes for land vehicles – Combined or convertible
Patent
1988-07-21
1989-11-21
Stormer, Russell D.
Wheel substitutes for land vehicles
Combined or convertible
305 32, B62D 5530
Patent
active
048817864
ABSTRACT:
A tensioning and recoil system establishes and maintains a substantially constant force on an idler wheel of an endless track assembly for a tracked vehicle. The force applied to the idler wheel tensions the endless track and maintains a predetermined frictional force between the track and a powered drive wheel. The system also provides a recoil function for the idler wheel during ingestion of foreign material between the track and the idler and drive wheels. The tensioning and recoil system includes a recoil tube which telescopes into a cylinder and a single sealed and closed chamber filled with a compressible gas. Conventional recoil systems for self-laying track-type vehicle utilize pre-compressed large diameter steel coil springs to resist recoiling during light loading of the idler wheel and to return the wheel to the normal position after recoiling during heavy loading. These coil springs are quite heavy and bulky, require considerable space, and must be maintained in a pre-compressed state under large forces. This requires extremely strong retaining devices and special assembly and disassembly procedures. The subject tensioning and recoil system incorporates a compressible gas spring in place of the large coil steel spring, thereby requiring less space, less weight, and simplified assembly and disassembly. The subject system establishes and maintains a contant force on the idler wheel and the endless track and responds immediately to recoil situations.
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Caterpillar Inc.
Stormer Russell D.
White Claude F.
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