Caterpillar Inc.

Daniel L Mikrut

John James Krone

Peter William Anderton

Michael H Haselkorn

Delbert D Dester

William A Holt

Kenneth R Watts

Jerry A Metz

Harry M Yousefnia

Thomas E Oertley

Bryan Edward Nelson

Noel J Rytter

William C Sahm

Jerry D Fidler

Eldon D Oestmann

Dennis R Shookman

Viral S Mehta

Jon S Burdick

Kirat Shah

Dave E Keedy

Ronald O Groth

Charles J Chappell

Jin Suzuki

The presently disclosed embodiment can be characterized as a threadless quick connect coupling release tool having a main body portion fixedly attached to a handle portion, and a head portion having two engagement projection fingers, the head portion being removably attached to the main body portion. An inlet port is coupled to the head portion.

Threadless quick connect tubular coupling release tool

A method and apparatus for detecting the position of a rod member of a cylinder assembly are provided. The cylinder assembly may have a cylinder body with a cylinder chamber therein, a gland member disposed within the cylinder chamber, and a rod member movably arranged within the cylinder chamber and a rod opening of the gland member. The method may include moving the gland member within the cylinder chamber to substantially align a gland aperture of the gland member with a cylinder aperture of the cylinder body; substantially fixing the gland member relative the cylinder body; positioning a position sensor within at least one of the cylinder aperture and the gland aperture; moving the rod member within the rod opening of the gland member and the cylinder chamber of the cylinder body; and operating the position sensor to detect the position of the rod member.

Mounting apparatus and method for cylinder position sensor

An apparatus and method for providing a counterbalance for a linkage assembly. The apparatus and method includes a frame, at least one linkage movably connected to the frame, the at least one linkage defining the linkage assembly, at least one actuator for moving the linkage assembly, and an energy storing device connected to the frame and engaged by the linkage assembly, wherein the energy storing device stores energy from the linkage assembly during engagement and provides the stored energy to counterbalance the weight of the linkage assembly.

Counterbalance for linkage assembly

An overshot loader including a set of ground engaging members, a frame attached to the set of ground engaging members, and a linkage assembly movably connected to the frame and located within a longitudinal center portion of the frame.

Overshot loader for autonomous operation

A method and apparatus for determining a tension of a track on an earthworking machine, the track having a front catenary portion and a rear catenary portion. The method and apparatus includes determining a direction of motion of the earthworking machine, determining a value of tension of the front catenary portion in response to determining the direction of motion of the earthworking machine to be in a forward direction, and determining a value of tension of the rear catenary portion in response to determining the direction of motion of the earthworking machine to be in a reverse direction.

Method and apparatus for determining a slack-side tension of a track on an earthworking machine

A track seal assembly (174) adapted to seal a track joint (172) includes a track link and a ceramic seal member (186). The track seal further includes an elastomeric member (176) positioned between the track link and the ceramic seal member (186). The track seal (174) further includes a bushing (184) having a ceramic end face (187). The end face (87) of the bushing defines a ceramic bushing face (187) that interfaces with the ceramic seal member (186) so as to form a seal interface.

Track joint sealing assembly for sealing a track joint in a track chain

A track seal assembly adapted to seal a track joint includes a track link and a first ceramic seal member. The track seal further includes a first elastomeric member positioned between the track link and the first ceramic seal member. The track seal further includes a bushing having an end face. The track seal also includes a second ceramic seal member secured to the end face of the bushing, wherein (1) the first ceramic seal member contacts the second ceramic seal member so as to form a seal interface, (2) the end face of the bushing has a counter bore defined therein, and (3) the second ceramic seal member is positioned within the counter bore of the bushing.

Track joint sealing assembly for sealing a track joint having ceramic

In the operation of a track chain assembly a high degree of wear is normally experienced due to the environment in which a track-type machine must operate. This wear is typically accelerated by foreign matter that is carried by an idler member of the track chain assembly and is permitted to remain on its contact surfaces as they engage the other track chain components. The present invention provides a scraper assembly that defines a plurality of scraping portions that continuously engage the contact surfaces of idler to remove foreign material therefrom before the contact surfaces engage other track chain components.

Scraping apparatus for a track idler

Ventilation apparatus for an enclosure

A replaceable composite tread ring for a track roller assembly of a track-type vehicle includes a non-metallic outer tread portion and a metallic inner base portion. The metallic base portion is C-shaped and encloses portions of the non-metallic tread. Conventional track roller assemblies have non-replaceable metal tread portions which produce considerable wear on the mating link rails. The subject composite tread ring prolongs the useful life of the link rails by reducing the wear of the rails, since the rails contact the non-metallic portion of the tread ring.

Composite tread ring for track roller

A track roller assembly supports and guides the link rails of the endless track of a track-type vehicle as the endless track travels along the ground. Contact between the link rails and the roller assembly is at the tread portion of the roller. A replaceable tread ring on the roller tread portion has a non-metallic outer tread portion which contacts the link rails. The tread ring is held in place by a replaceable flange plate. A separate seal plate holds the various seals in place when the flange plate is removed for replacement of the tread ring or the flange plate. Conventional track roller assemblies have non-replaceable flange plates and metal tread portions which produce considerable wear on the mating link rails. The subject roller assembly prolongs the useful life of the link rails and provides an easily replaceable flange plate and tread ring.

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Chillicothe, IL, United States of America

Daniel L Mikrut