Caterpillar Inc.

Kenneth R Watts

Peter William Anderton

Michael H Haselkorn

Daniel L Mikrut

William A Holt

Jerry A Metz

Harry M Yousefnia

William K Engel

Michael H Hinrichsen

Gary L Biltgen

Donald H Sherman

Charles F Berndt

Howard Savage

David E Bowman

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 assembly further includes a first spring member positioned between the track link and the first ceramic seal member. Additionally, the track seal assembly includes a bushing having an end face. The track seal assembly also includes a second ceramic seal member secured to the end face of the bushing, wherein the first ceramic seal member contacts the second ceramic seal member so as to form a seal interface.

Track joint sealing assembly having a ceramic seal member and

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

A process for selectively hardening a forged track chain link has the following steps. A forged track chain link having a pad portion, a rail portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, is provided. A quench tank is provided and adapted for spraying one or more of the track chain link portions with a quenchant at a controlled amount of quenchant flow rates, quenchant pressures and quench times. One or more of the track chain link portions are sprayed with the quenchant at a controlled amount of one or more of a plurality of quenchant flow rates, a plurality of quenchant pressures and a plurality of quench times. The pad and rail portions are simultaneously hardened to predetermined respective hardnesses.

Thermal process for selectively hardening track chain links

A method is provided for producing a piston assembly adapted for use in a hydraulic pump or motor and having an overall length shorter than previously known piston assemblies while maintaining a strong mechanical connection and a high, efficient volumetric output. The method includes the steps of forming a slipper with a spherical ball on one end; forming a piston having a body portion and a connecting portion, the connecting portion having a spherical bottom surface, a groove spaced from the bottom surface and a contoured portion having an angled outer surface and an inner surface; inserting the spherical ball into the cavity; forcing the contoured portion inwardly to place the inner surface into contact with the spherical ball and to substantially longitudinally align the outer surface of the piston body with the angled surface of the contoured portion; heat treating the piston to a predetermined hardness and depth; and finishing the total longitudinal length of the piston to a finished size.

Method of producing a piston assembly

The invention relates to a track bushing having an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface, a longitudinal bore, first and second end portions, and a center portion. The outer peripheral surface and the inner end portions have a preselected hardness greater than the center portion.

Growing community of inventors

Washington, IL, United States of America

Kenneth R Watts